Reduce fleet fuel costs
As we wrap up December 2025, the fleet industry is breathing a sigh of relief. Fuel prices have stabilized significantly compared to the volatility of 2024, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. With 2026 budgets being finalized this week, the question on every manager’s mind is: Where is our fuel actually going?
If you are only looking at your monthly fuel card statement, you are only seeing half the story. Here are the 5 “quick win” strategies we’ve implemented for IPCGPS clients this year to slash fuel spend by up to 15%.
1. The “Three-Minute Rule” for Idling
In 2025, idling is the “silent killer” of fleet profitability. A typical heavy-duty truck burns about a gallon of fuel per hour of idling.
The 2025 Strategy: We now set automated alerts for any vehicle idling longer than 180 seconds. By simply coaching drivers on these specific events, our users have seen a 15% reduction in total idle time this quarter alone.
2. Eliminating “Fuel Shrinkage” (Theft & Misuse)
Fuel theft isn’t always someone with a siphon; in 2025, it’s often fuel card “slippage.”
The Fix: By integrating your fuel cards with IPCGPS telematics, the system cross-references the location of the vehicle with the location of the pump. If a card is swiped at Station A but the truck is at Station B, the transaction is flagged instantly.
3. Predictive Maintenance = Fuel Efficiency
As we’ve discussed throughout 2025, a poorly tuned engine works harder. Under-inflated tires alone can drop your MPG by 3% per 10 PSI.
Proactive Tip: Use the quiet period this December to audit your fleet’s tire pressure and air filters. A “clean” fleet is an efficient fleet.
4. Right-Sizing the Route, Not Just the Map
Traditional GPS tells you the shortest path. In 2025, IPCGPS AI analyzes efficiency-adjusted routing. This accounts for heavy idling zones and incline-heavy paths that drain fuel faster than a slightly longer, flatter highway route.
5. Driver Gamification
The biggest variable in your fuel tank is the foot on the pedal.
December Experiment: Launch a “Fuel Efficient Driver of the Month” program. Use the IPCGPS scorecard to rank drivers on harsh acceleration and speeding. The cost of a $50 gift card reward is often recovered in the first week of improved driving habits.
Make fuel efficiency your 2026 resolution.