Recording
It is important to accurately record miles per gallon or kilometres per litre. Fuel efficiency is affected by changes in environmental conditions, the types of journeys taken and driver performance, not to mention the condition of the vehicle itself and the fuel used.
There are many monitoring devices available that can be fitted to vehicles, which will interrogate aspects of vehicle and driver performance, from a tachograph (mandatory in many states) to more complex systems that provide a multitude of indicators.
Informed Decision Making
By monitoring fuel efficiency, decisions can be made on:
(i) Future purchases of vehicles and fuel
(ii) Driver training
(iii) Planning routes and driving times around environmental conditions and types of route
These decisions can be made using aggregated and averaged-out data. It may also be desirable to check small batches of data – or even each journey – against historical/control statistics so that unusual patterns and rogue data can be identified, the reason found and corrective action taken. Fuel efficiency control data can often be obtained from trade associations or government departments that will keep independent and up-to-date statistics on fuel efficiency for most vehicle makes and models.
Although the term “driver” has been used, these principles apply to all forms of transport.