Fuel Consumption
In Arabicاستهلاك الوقود
The fuel a vehicle burns over a trip or period, given as a total in litres or a rate in litres per 100 km.
What is fuel consumption in fleet management?
Fuel consumption is what a vehicle actually burned. It is shown two ways: a total in litres for a trip, day or month, and a rate against distance, such as 28 litres per 100 km. Driving fuel is usually split from idle fuel, because an engine running at a standstill burns fuel without covering any distance.
Consumption is measured from the vehicle's CAN Bus, a tank level sensor or a flow meter. Where none is fitted, it is estimated from distance and an assumed rate for the vehicle.
How it works
- 1Read fuel used from the vehicle
- 2Divide by distance travelled
- 3Show rate per trip and vehicle
Why does fuel consumption matter in fleet management?
Fuel is the largest variable cost in running a fleet. Tracking it per vehicle, driver and trip shows which vehicle needs servicing, which driver idles too long and which trip burned more than usual. Without a reliable consumption figure there is no basis for a fuel budget or for pricing trips.
What you gain
- Finds the costliest vehicles
- Separates idle and driving fuel
- Basis for the fuel budget
How does Safee help track fuel consumption?
Safee's Advanced Trip Report works out the fuel used on every trip and the share burned idling, and the Fuel Tracking Dashboard compares actual with expected consumption for each vehicle, so you see where fuel goes trip by trip rather than from the monthly bill. Vehicles without fuel measurement get an estimate from distance in the Fuel Consumption Report, so they stay in the count.
A field example
A cold-chain food distributor in Riyadh noticed 8 of its 40 trucks burning over 32 litres per 100 km against a fleet average of 26. Trip data showed idling accounted for more than 18% of their fuel, because drivers left engines running throughout loading. The company made engine-off at the warehouse mandatory, and within two months those trucks were down to 27 litres per 100 km.
Frequently asked questions
How is the fuel consumption rate calculated?
Fuel used divided by distance travelled, usually shown as litres per 100 km for trucks. Kilometres per litre, common for light vehicles, is the inverse and is called fuel efficiency.
What is the difference between actual and estimated fuel consumption?
Actual is measured from the vehicle or a sensor; estimated is calculated from distance and an assumed rate. A widening gap usually points to a fault, long idling or fuel leaving the tank.
How much fuel does a heavy truck typically use?
A loaded heavy truck typically uses 30 to 40 litres per 100 km, depending on load, road and driving style.
Want to put this to work in your fleet?
Talk to a Safee fleet expert about your vehicles and how you operate, and we will suggest what fits.
Request a consultationSafee fleet management newsletter
Fleet management news, updates and practical tips, sent to your inbox regularly.