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Miami: As soaring oil prices drive the cost of diesel to record highs, Ryder System Inc. offers simple strategies to help businesses reduce fuel consumption and improve the efficiencies of their fleets and overall supply chains.

“Regardless of industry or size, almost every business relies on trucks in some way to move products across the nation’s highways and therefore, is feeling the impact of these price increases,” says Todd Renehan, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Fleet Management Solutions.

“Now more than ever, companies can look to Ryder’s expertise, experience, and extensive network of resources to help mitigate the impact of this situation on their businesses.”

Operating practices that can be implemented immediately to improve the fuel efficiency of their fleets include:

• Train drivers to practice fuel efficient driving techniques – Speed is the largest single factor impacting large truck fuel economy. Simply reducing speed from 65mph to 55mph can result in an improvement in miles per gallon of as much as 22 percent.

• Improve tire maintenance – Correct tire pressure, alignment, and frequent tire maintenance have a significant impact on fuel economy. Have drivers check for visual defects before starting their work each day and use the recommended inflation pressure provided by the tire manufacturer.

• Specify fuel efficient equipment – New engine technologies, improved aerodynamics, and weight-saving designs are available to improve the fuel economy of today's fleets.

  Ryder, for example, recently launched a line of RydeGreen vehicles that include several “green” features designed to reduce fuel consumption, such as 2007 engine technology, an auxiliary power unit to reduce idling, frame-side fairings to reduce wind resistance, an automated direct drive transmission, and fuel efficient drive tires.

• Implement an ongoing preventive maintenance program – A well-maintained vehicle is a more fuel efficient vehicle. Consider outsourcing the maintenance of your fleet to an experienced third-party provider, or at least make sure your fleet is on a scheduled maintenance program for even the most routine care to optimize performance.

• Leverage technology – Take advantage of new telematics and onboard diagnostics systems, like Ryder’s FleetCare and RydeSmartSM, which help fleet owners analyze fuel purchases, optimize routes, and monitor idle time and vehicle performance – all which mitigate rising fuel costs.

“ Ryder is one of the largest fleet purchasers of diesel fuel in the U.S., dispensing over 400 million gallons of fuel to thousands of customers across the U.S. each year,” Renehan states. “While we can’t control the price of fuel, we are in position to offer pricing that is competitive for our customers and a consistent supply of fuel in times of tight supply.”

Other strategies that help reduce fuel consumption and streamline a company’s supply chain include:

• Integrate real-time inventory visibility in the warehouse – Leverage innovative technology to streamline and improve the accuracy of inventory levels and reduce unnecessary trips.

• Optimize distribution networks – Establish regional distribution centers to serve customers on demand and optimize and consolidate routes, reducing the number of loads to require fewer trips and less idling.

• Consider a dedicated fleet solution – Control routes, fuel consumption, and idle time with dedicated assets, drivers, and strategic route planning.

• Improve transportation management – Coordinate supplier shipments to consolidate freight costs and negotiate better rates, and leverage multiple modes.