High Gas Prices Impacting US Small Businesses
Soaring U.S. gas prices are putting a significant dent in the budget of small businesses. However, modifying one expensive habit could potentially make a significant difference in the total costs. Here we explore how excessive idling, a common practice among fleet operators, is costing businesses thousands of dollars annually. This comes at a time when fuel prices continue to escalate. Learn how to save on fuel costs with data from Ford Pro, the commercial vehicle division of Ford Motor Company.
The Cost of Unnecessary Idling
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy, the average fleet vehicle idles for one to two hours daily. This idle time can burn up to two gallons of fuel per vehicle per day. With the steady rise in gas prices, these costs can rapidly accumulate. The national average price for unleaded gas recently reached $4.04, having increased from $3.88 just a month ago, according to AAA.
Ford Pro’s AI Assistant – Tackling the Idling Issue
“You can burn up one to two gallons of gas just doing that,” says Matt Krukin, who leads software and digital growth for Ford Pro. This translates to a daily loss of $8 per vehicle due to idling. The impact on businesses operating multiple vehicles can be substantial. A 20-vehicle fleet idling for two hours daily could waste over $160 in fuel every day. Ford Pro is addressing this issue by investing in software and data-driven tools. Their newly launched artificial intelligence (AI) assistant allows fleet managers to monitor vehicle behavior in real-time, identify inefficiencies and coach drivers to adopt more fuel-efficient habits.
Positive Results from Ford Pro’s AI Assistant
Ford Pro reports that customers using these data-driven tools have seen a 52% reduction in idling. The system also provides real-time feedback, alerting drivers to aggressive acceleration, rapid braking, and speeding—all behaviors that can increase fuel consumption and wear on vehicles. Users have also reported a 25% drop in speeding, a 16% decrease in hard braking, and an 11% reduction in harsh acceleration. “It’s like the fleet manager’s right next to them to coach them along the way,” Krukin said.
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