Until recently, fleet managers have primarily used Fuel Management systems to measure and track fuel inventories, accessing data through web portals and using this information to make decisions regarding fuel purchasing & vehicle fleet maintenance. With AVI technology, fleet managers now have access to so much more, so much faster.

The use of AVI technologies in Fuel Management represents a breakthrough in the level of accuracy and control that an organisation can have over their fuel consumption. Organisations can now ensure that the right amount of the right fuel is dispensed into the right vehicle at the right time as well as monitoring the vehicle fleet in real time.

This enables fleet managers to improve efficiency, which can lead to cost savings, improved productivity, and better customer service.

AVI Fuel Management and Traditional Fuel Management: two different approaches to monitoring and controlling fleet fuel consumption

Monitoring Fuel Consumption

Traditional Fuel Management systems focus on controlling fuel consumption by measuring and tracking fuel inventories and monitoring fuel dispense. The data is then provided to managers through web portals, and while the pumps can be viewed in real time, there’s no oversight of vehicle activity & fuel consumption.

AVI Fuel Management systems, on the other hand, provide real-time monitoring of fuel consumption by integrating advanced sensors and telematics devices into vehicles. This allows businesses to have a real-time view of their fleet's fuel consumption, which is crucial for making informed decisions and taking actions to improve fleet efficiency.

Control of dispensing to avoid fuel misuse or theft from the nozzle

Where AVI Fuel Management systems really come into their own is dispensing control. With AVI Fuel Management systems, only the proximity of authorised vehicles or plant can activate the dispensing mechanism on automated fuel pumps. There is a wireless RFID communication between the vehicle and the pump that ensures that authorised vehicles will be refuelled with the correct type of fuel, and that no further fuel can be dispensed to secondary containers or vehicles. This ensures a much greater level of fuel security, effectively eliminating fuel misuse, misappropriation, or theft from the nozzle. Third parties simply cannot access the fuel from the nozzle. This is particularly important to our clients since the changes to the entitlement to rebated fuels in April 2022, when fuel stored in remote or unattended storage tanks became significantly more vulnerable to theft and misuse.

Reducing operational expenditure by eliminating manual processes

The use of AVI Fuel Management technology significantly reduces operational expenditure by eliminating manual processes. One key way this is achieved is by removing the need for fleet drivers to manually input odometer numbers or driver identification numbers at the pump. This eliminates the potential for human error in these inputs, as well as the time it takes for drivers to manually input this information on the keypad. By automating these processes, AVI Fuel Management technology can save a significant amount of time per refuel.

One major retailer that has implemented AVI Fuel Management technology reported that this time saving alone resulted in tens of thousands of pounds in savings across their operation. By reducing the time required for each refuelling by just 30 seconds, the retailer was able to achieve significant cost savings. This is just one example of the many ways in which AVI Fuel Management technology can help businesses reduce operational expenditure. Additionally, automated systems can also help to prevent fraud, leading to even more savings for the business.

EasyFuel+ and EasyFleet: Fuel Management on steroids

How does the EasyFuel+ AVI Fuel Management system work?

EasyFuel+ is an advanced fuel management solution that uses GPS and Odometer Sender technology to accurately record the distance travelled by a vehicle without needing to connect to the vehicle's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) system. This makes it a uniform solution that can be used for all vehicle models.

One of the key features of EasyFuel+ is its small profile, which allows for in-loom installation. This means that it can be easily integrated into a vehicle's existing wiring without causing any warranty issues, as it does not connect to sensitive vehicle electronics.

The Advanced GPS Odometer Sender in EasyFuel+ measures the true distance travelled independently of the vehicle, which eliminates the need for calibration or recalibration. It also uses a proprietary compensation algorithm to provide distance correction in the event of satellite loss, ensuring accurate readings at all times.

EasyFuel+ also provides two road speed pulse outputs, one for the Vehicle Interface Device (VID) and the other for the On-Board Computer (OBC). This ensures uniformity in the readings recorded on the VID and OBC, ensuring that the data is accurate and consistent. The solution also includes GOS antennas for both sill or roof mounting, depending on the installation preference.

Why use the EasyFuel+ Fleet Management option?

EasyFleet is an advanced fleet management solution that builds upon the capabilities of EasyFuel. It provides all the benefits of EasyFuel while also adding powerful vehicle location tracking functionality. This allows businesses to monitor the location and movement of their fleet vehicles in real-time, which can be used to optimise routes, improve driver safety, and increase overall fleet efficiency.

In addition to live location tracking, EasyFleet includes number of features intended to simplify fleet administration. These include:

• CANbus diagnostic data capture

EasyFleet can capture data from the vehicle's Controller Area Network (CANbus), which can provide valuable information about the vehicle's performance and maintenance needs.

• Temperature monitoring

EasyFleet can monitor the vehicle temperature ensuring that goods are being transported at the correct temperature.

• 2-Way Driver Communication

EasyFleet provides two-way communication between driver and fleet manager making the communications process more streamlined. Managers can provide instructions, receive updates, or address any issues that may arise.

• RFID Driver Identification

EasyFleet uses driver identification RFID technology which can be used to track driver behaviour, monitor compliance with regulations and improve fleet efficiency.

• Onboard Fuel Tank Level Monitoring

EasyFleet monitors fuel levels in the vehicle's tank using an external ultrasonic sensor, enabling managers to optimise fuel usage & reduce consumption.

• Camera Tracking

Telematics units have road and driver camera options available.

Benefits of AVI Fuel Management systems

The EasyFuel+ Fuel Management solution enables businesses to reduce their operating costs, increase operational efficiency, and perform better when it comes to both duty of care and customer service.

Benefit 1: Reducing Operating Costs

EasyFuel+ can help businesses reduce operating costs in several ways. It can prevent unsanctioned trips, such as personal use of business assets, unscheduled stops, and use out of normal operating hours. It also helps businesses to reduce fuel consumption by managing driver speed and reducing excessive idling. Additionally, it can control labour costs by reducing paperwork, eliminating prolonged stop times, monitoring vehicles being used for private use, and deterring excessive overtime use. Furthermore, it can lower insurance premiums with driver behaviour management and accident notification.

Benefit 2: Gains in Operational Efficiency

EasyFuel+ provides real-time knowledge of where vehicles are and have been, which allows businesses to do the same job with fewer assets. It also enables businesses to analyse delivery times and stops, providing notification of delivery prior to the vehicle arriving. With EasyFuel+ businesses can improve vehicle dispatch and Green Footprint management.

Benefit 3: Duty of Care

EasyFuel+ helps curb unsafe driving habits before they lead to more serious incidents, such as monitoring driver behaviour, reducing speeding and reducing long trips without a break. It also helps reduce unauthorised vehicle use by instantly flagging vehicle movement in non-working hours and easily detecting and confirming planned stops made. With EasyFuel+ businesses can view and replay any vehicle journeys and respond quickly to emergencies by knowing the exact location for field technicians. Additionally, it improves business risk management by identifying dangerous driving habits, reducing damage costs, lost production and minimising brand risk.

Benefit 4: Customer Service Improvement

EasyFuel+ allows businesses to enhance their customer service by providing accurate and real-time data on vehicle location and delivery status. This means that businesses can provide more accurate ETAs and keep customers informed of any changes in delivery schedule, thus improving transparency and trust. Additionally, it can help in identifying areas of improvement in their operations and addressing them, leading to increased customer satisfaction and retention. Overall, EasyFuel+ can help businesses improve their customer service, leading to a more positive relationship with their customers.

Conclusion

As a technological business, we’re always on the lookout for new solutions to existing problems. After successful rollouts in 2022, we’re convinced that AVI-enhanced Fuel Management solutions are going to become more and more prevalent in the next 12-18 months with organisations that manage very large fleets of commercial vehicles set to implement them.

If you’re looking to reduce operating costs, increase operational efficiency, and improve duty of care and customer service when it comes to your fleet operations, please do get in touch. We’ll be happy to discuss how AVI Fuel Management could transform your fleet management operation.