Traditional GPS systems are designed to direct drivers along the fastest route between two points, but newer GPS systems and telematics software are introducing smarter navigation that can significantly reduce fuel consumption.

GPS Navigation that Cuts Fuel Costs

The default setting for GPS systems is to send you along the fastest route. That’s fine when there are no other factors to take into account but what if time is not always your primary concern, or you have other considerations that are just as, or even more, important?

Newer model GPS systems have begun offering drivers alternative routing that focuses on other factors, such as economy or traffic congestion. For example, Hyundai and NAVTEQ recently announced a “green” option for their built-in navigation system. An independent study conducted in conjunction with Magneti Marelli showed a minimum saving of at least 6% in fuel consumption per trip, compared to the equivalent fastest route.

NAVTEQ, who have been developing “green driving” technology that focuses on CO2 reduction for several years now, also works with telematics provider Telogis to deliver green fleet systems.

Using GPS to tackle Rising Fuel Costs

Green fleet systems are more than just showing drivers the most economical route between two points on a map. It’s much more, and that means much greater fuel savings.

• Curb excessive idling – Reduce excessive engine idling by up to 25%. With every hour of unnecessary idling burning at least a gallon of diesel, large fleets stand to make big savings with this one feature. Remember idling gets 0 MPG so whichever way you look at it, it’s a poor return on your fuel bill.
• Avoid gridlock – A big contributor to excessive idling is traffic congestion. Vehicles stuck in traffic are burning fuel and getting nowhere (unless they are equipped with new stop-go hybrid engines). So help your drivers out by routing around traffic, with advanced real-time traffic data information.
• Manage speeding – Every 5 mph driven over 65 mph represents a 7% decrease in fuel economy. It’s sometimes also a symptom of aggressive driving, which itself has been known to increase fuel consumption by up to one third. GPS systems with accelerometers can detect, record and report wasteful driving in real-time including hard braking and acceleration.
• Avoid the hills – Driving on the flat is generally more fuel efficient than hilly terrain. Smart ADAS map data is used by geospatial engines such as Telogis GeoBase to help mapping solutions navigate around inclines.

Start saving today

The sooner you invest in a smart GPS system that cuts your fuel bill, the better that investment will be. In fact, most fleets that have installed a green fleet system such as Telogis Fleet report a positive ROI within 120 days. That means within just four months, the system has actually paid for itself. Savings beyond that mean your telematics software is actually paying you!

On average, Telogis customers report experiencing a 10-15% reduction of their annual fuel bill. With fuel prices hitting record highs that comes as no surprise.

Although new hybrid cars and bio-fuels seem like great alternatives for reducing your fuel consumption, most people either can’t afford to upgrade or simply don’t have access to these new alternatives.

AA Insurance, New Zealand recently held a rally which aimed to show motorists how they can slash their fuel bills by choosing a fuel-efficient car and driving it in a fuel efficient manner.

A record 59 vehicles entered this year’s four-day rally around the North Island. They were put to the test with a combination of driving on motorways, unsealed roads, rural state highways, and in peak-hour city congestion. The AA ENERGYWISE Rally is held every two years and is jointly organised by the AA, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), and Gull Petroleum New Zealand.

The Driver Award, for the team that beat the manufacturer-stated fuel use of their vehicle by the highest percentage, went to the Trade Me team which drove the Holden HSV Maloo. They reduced their fuel consumption by 39.5%, achieving 9.497 litres per 100km instead of the manufacturer-stated fuel use of 15.7 litres per 100km.

What does it take to drive economically?

When the winner of the driver award was asked what tips they could give drivers in order to drive more efficiently they responded “Plan ahead, keep momentum and use the accelerator like it’s a piece of horse poo with a hard crust”. Perhaps a crude analogy but a great tips none-the-less!

Planning ahead is easy when you have the time to plan your trip and know where you are going, but what about when you don’t? This is where in-vehicle GPS systems come in.

A good GPS system will plan ahead for you and make sure that you take the quickest and most fuel efficient route to your destination. Limiting the amount of stops and time witing at lights in order to keep that momentum. If you are part of a fleet of vehicles then there’s also GPS systems to handle that too!

Fleet GPS systems will organise your routes according to your next job or location taking the hassle out of planning your day and a great system will also take into account peak traffic times, speed limits and roads restricted by the size of your vehicle.

Read more about the AA Energywise Rally.

Photo Coutesy: AA EnergyWise Rally