Fleet Optimization

How to Reduce Petroleum Consumption

Important methods for reducing petroleum consumption in transportation include increasing fuel efficiency, reducing vehicle miles travel, and minimizing vehicle idling.


Fuel Efficiency

The fuel economy, or fuel efficiency, of a vehicle addresses the relationship between the distance traveled and the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle, or miles per gallon (MPG). There are many variables that can affect the fuel economy of a vehicle, such as the type of vehicle, the way a person drives the vehicle, and the way a vehicle is maintained. A high fuel economy can save a person money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Parts & Equipment: You can conserve fuel and maximize your operational efficiency by outfitting your existing vehicles with parts and equipment designed to save fuel.
  • Fleet Rightsizing: By optimizing fleet size and composition, managers can minimize vehicle use, conserve fuel, and save money.
  • Vehicle Maintenance: A well-maintained car is more fuel-efficient, produces fewer GHG emissions, and is safer! Get regular tune-ups, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, and use the recommended grade of motor oil.
  • Driving Behavior: Driving more efficiently (like going easy on the gas pedal and brakes) is often the most effective way to reduce your current vehicle’s GHG emissions. Take a look at these tips for driving more efficiently.

Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled

Reducing the number of VMT decreases petroleum use in transportation and reduces vehicle emissions. Also known as transportation demand management, VMT reduction strategies can also reduce traffic congestion, increase vehicle fuel economy, reduce transportation costs, and save time for drivers.

On-road vehicles account for more than 80% of all transportation energy use. Transportation planners and corporate decision makers can implement combinations of these strategies to improve fleet and consumer fuel efficiency by targeting the transportation system as a whole. 


Idle Reduction

Idle reduction describes technologies and practices that reduce the amount of time that engines idle unnecessarily. Reducing idling time has many benefits, including reductions in fuel costs, engine wear, emissions, and noise.

You can also use the Clean Cities IdleBox Toolkit for resources to assist with idle reduction projects for fleets with light- and medium-duty vehicles, including print products, templates, presentations, and informational fact-sheets. IdleBox tools can be used to educate and engage policymakers, fleet managers, drivers, and other decision makers about the benefits of reducing idling.

Idling can usually be reduced without compromising driver comfort or vehicle equipment operations. Learn about:

Did you know that restarting your engine uses less fuel than idling for more than 30 seconds? Watch the video below to see this myth be busted.