Truck drivers know that fuel costs are rising to astronomical levels. Every time they fill up their 18-wheelers their wallet practically screams. As the cost becomes more and more exorbitant it is making the trucking industry, which relies heavily on fuel, more and more untenable. It used to be easy to get from one part of the country to the other and still make a profit after delivering a load, but with rising costs many truckers are having trouble breaking even and some of them are even claiming losses. You might think it’s a lost cause and perhaps you might even want to throw in the towel, but there are definite ways to save money the next time you have to fill up. Here are 5 easy ways for truck drivers to save money on fuel.
- Do your research and analysis. There are a number of ways to evaluate the oil market to see which fuels are more expensive than others. Perhaps there is a diesel fuel that gives you better gas mileage and is cheaper. You might even find a type of fuel that is cheap, but cheap for a reason, because it is not entirely efficient. If you don’t do the research it can be extremely easy to lose money. Moreover, the market is constantly fluctuating. The fuel you were using yesterday might be more expensive today. Keeping your finger on the pulse is crucial for truckers who want to save money on fuel.
- Next, find a way to make your truck more efficient. If you are an independent trucker you could get a converter for your vehicle that can make it run on bother electricity and fuel. If you work for a trucking company you could negotiate a deal with the boss to get the entire fleet of trucks fitted with hybrid converters and perhaps you can see the savings put into your salary, which would be an added bonus.
- There are also a number of flexible fuels that use a combination of ethanol, which is a corn by product, and traditional fossil fuel. Often times, because corn byproduct is so inexpensive, you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars the next time you fill up. However, not every gas station has this type of fuel. Before you plan your route, make sure to map out all the gas stations that have this type of unique fuel.
- Another great way to save money, especially if you don’t want to come out of pocket on fuel, is to partner with a truck factoring company. A factor is essentially a broker that will purchase your accounts receivables up front so that you can have the cash in hand before you deliver the load. You want to look for a company that might have something like, “We are the best among freight factoring companies,” written in the copy of their marketing materials.
- Lastly, don’t speed! Keeping your pedal to the medal is the easiest way to waste money on gas. If you want to save money on fuel and stay safe at the same time, go a mile or two below the speed limit, especially on an incline – your wallet will thank you.