A recent report, in The Telegraph newspaper, claimed that the average monthly motoring bill had increased by as much as £10. Initially, this might not sound like very much, but if a company hires several vans, this very quickly adds up. Over the space of a year, an entire fleet could be costing a company thousands in petrol alone, and that is before MOTs, road tax & van insurance.

For van drivers, especially those who are working as “self-employed”, this is particularly worrying. Many companies are looking for ways to reduce their costs, and often this including cutting down on the number of vans and of course van drivers that they use. The underlying problem is that even if van drivers attempt to cut down on the amount of fuel used, by doing less journeys, driving economically and organising delivery routes that are the most cost effective isn’t doing enough.

It is quite common, in the UK, for prices to hike at the beginning of the summer before the school’s break up. They will then, ordinarily, begin to reduce once summer is over. Whilst reductions do still occur, they are still not good enough.

Another issue that many van drivers must now contend with, as a direct result of price hikes on petrol is fuel theft. With rises going through the roof, the number of people who can no longer afford to run their vehicles has vastly increased, which has led to a subsequent increase in the number of fuel thefts. Unfortunately for their unwitting drivers, vans as well as lorries are the biggest targets for thieves. The question is why? There are a number of reasons, but the most popular assumptions are because vans and lorries tend to sit for long periods of time, or even that they contain larger amounts of fuel than most other vehicles

In other news,  Women’s car insurance premiums are to rise by 26%!

Did you know we can save you a guaranteed 3 pence per litre on diesel pump prices when using one of our fuel cards?  

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Unite, the largest union in the country, has joined with Thurrock Council to call for ministers to form a beefed-up task force, backed up with government cash, to combat the expected £250 million loss to the south Essex economy.

The message for urgent government aid will be reinforced at a public meeting calling for a public inquiry into the reasons for Coryton closure in the Main Hall, the Pegasus Club, Herd Lane, Corringham SS17 9BJ at 7.00pm Wednesday, 11 July.

The Coryton refinery is set to be sold and converted into an import terminal for fuel, leading to the loss of over 800 jobs. Unite has repeatedly called for a short-term government bail-out to tide the plant over until a buyer can be found to safeguard the refinery and the employees’ future.

In a letter to Mark Prisk, Minister at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Unite’s assistant general secretary, Tony Burke said that closure will have “a catastrophic effect on the local economy, dismantling a skilled workforce, not to mention the impact on other businesses and employment in the locality”.

Calling for Mr Prisk to head the regional task force, Tony Burke said: “We would make no secret of the fact that assistance to the local area needs to be backed up by significant additional government funds and that BIS recognises the need to give the highest priority.”

In other news, Bad jokes and advice for Fleet Drivers in heavy rain and floods.

Did you know we can save you a guaranteed minimum of 3 pence per litre on diesel pump prices when using one of our fuel cards?  

Visit www.forecourtfuels.co.uk for more information.

There is a widespread misconception that modern cars are too complicated to do your own maintenance. That is simply not true and research shows that huge savings can be made by taking on simple tasks, like replacing windscreen wipers or changing a light bulb.

This list comes to coincide with the launch of Haynes Online Manuals which will see the firm’s 50 top vehicle care guides made available anytime, anywhere and on any internet or mobile device.

A further 50 titles will be added at regular intervals throughout 2012-13, and the electronic manuals will also be available for purchase via trade customer websites as the programme rolls out.

Vehicle maintenance is often seen as something too complex and challenging for anyone other than an experienced mechanic, but following these simple tips from Haynes could save Britain’s 31 million motorists over £200 each.

1. Change engine oil and filter at least once a year.

The engine is the heart of your car, and it’s essential that you look after it. Changing the engine oil is the single most important thing you can do to prolong engine life, and is easy enough to be done by anyone. Potential saving: £20

2. Fit your own windscreen wiper blades.

A garage could charge you £40 plus to fit new windscreen wiper blades, but they can be bought for just £10 and are very simple to fit, it’ll take less than a minute. Potential saving: £30

3. Use a proper screen wash additive.

People often try and save money on screen wash by using water, and although this will work pretty well during the summer months, that is not the case in the winter. Plummeting temperatures could cause the water in the washer reservoir to freeze and split the reservoir, so it is essential to buy a screen wash additive with antifreeze. Potential saving: New reservoir and pump, £30+.

4. Fit new front brake pads

Having reliable brakes is essential to keeping you and your family safe on the road. Fitting new brake pads is not difficult providing you are patient and follow instructions to the letter. Potential saving: £49.95

5. Fit new direction indicator bulb

You wouldn’t call an electrician to your house to change a light bulb – why get a garage to fit a new bulb to your car? How to change the light depends on the make and model, but most exterior light bulbs are easy to replace once you know how. Potential saving: £88.50

Total saving: £218.45

Haynes manuals have been helping motorists perform these simple tasks and much more for over 50 years, and the new Manuals Online include all the content from the printed manuals with the additional benefits of a glossary of terms, searchable menus, quick links and ‘how to’ videos.

In other news, Fixed Penalty Fines May Rise

Did you know we can save you a guaranteed 3 pence per litre on diesel pump prices when using one of our fuel cards?  

Visit www.forecourtfuels.co.uk for more information.

For fleet managers and independent owner-operators everywhere, effectively managing fuel costs will be critical to maintain profitability in 2012. Luckily, companies have a few options on the table to help coping with the rise in fuel prices. Here are three strategies that companies can use to minimize the impact of high fuel prices on their bottom line.

Improve Fuel Purchasing - In addition to the price of oil rising, the market has also become increasingly volatile. Swings of five pence per litre in a day are fairly common these days. Building some predictability into fuel procurement can help fleets make smarter buying decisions. There are a number of options to accomplish this but one that can help smaller fleets is the Forecourt Fuels Fuel Card. This card offers a guaranteed 3pence per litre off pump prices at over 5000 stations nationwide. If you are looking to lock in fuel prices, 360 offers a fuel price protection program that can also help you save thousands at the pump.

Drive slower and smarter - Easing your foot off the accelerator is a guaranteed way to reduce expenses. Every 5 mph you drive over 60 costs you an additional 24p per litre, the Department of Energy estimates. That’s because the faster you go, the more work your engine has to do to propel your vehicle.

The sweet spot for fuel efficiency on the motorway is about 55 mph. But slowing from 70 to 60 can help a lot. Doing so on an average 20-mile motorway commute saves about 1.3 litres of Petrol / Diesel in a five-day work week, according to the A A.

Drive more smoothly around town, too — avoid fast acceleration and quick stops. Aggressive driving can lower a vehicles fuel economy significantly.

Plan Routes More Intelligently - A final way to save on fuel costs is to better plan the way that shipments are delivered. This boils down to delivering along more efficient manner routes as well as shipping loads more efficiently. There are a variety of route planning technologies available in transportation management systems. One of my favorite examples of how effective route planning technologies can be is how UPS saved on fuel costs by minimizing the number of left-hand turns drivers make. While this was just a minor change in the way UPS delivered their packages, it ultimately wound up saving them more than 10 million litres of fuel.

Skip premium fuel - Unless your vehicle absolutely requires premium petrol / Diesel, don’t spend the additional 15 to 30 pence per litre.

Consumer Reports says motorists should not waste money on premium if their owner’s manual says the vehicle takes regular — the car won’t run better. The higher-octane fuel is designed to improve performance.

“In most cases, using a higher-octane Petrol / Diesel than your owner’s manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit,” according to the Trade Commission. “It won’t make your vehicle perform better, go faster, get better mileage or run cleaner.”

An exception would be if your engine starts to knock or ping when using a lower-grade fuel.

These are just a few ideas on how to save on fuel costs. What strategies are you seeing work ?

In other news, RAC survey announces that drivers are risking lives checking social media at the wheel.

www.forecourtfuels.co.uk can show you the best deals based on your individual requirements, from your estimated fuel spend to the size of your fleet.  

With its updated country sections the new guide uses regional profiles to equip transport managers with the information needed to avoid delays and deal effectively with roadside enforcement, often one of the terrors of overseas haulage. Amended information on public holidays, weekend lorry bans, toll prices and other essential facts for fleet operators in both the own account and hire and reward sectors are included and this year Liechtenstein and Monaco have been added to the list of countries covered.

There have been numerous other detailed changes throughout the guide, notably affecting the Netherlands, Estonia and Poland, with some of the information provided by FTA members. There is an update on the UK Border Agency’s haulier accreditation scheme and a section to assist operators in retrieving a vehicle if it is impounded by UKBA officials plus French contacts to assist with French exemption permits for banned truck movements. Also included is information on HM Revenue & Customs’ treatment of freight moving to the Channel Islands and indications of ferry transit times. Don Armour, FTA’s International Manager and editor of the guide, said:

“FTA members operating vehicles abroad often pass information on to us from their own first-hand experience. As with any reference work the details given may become out of date over time, so comments or amendments from those who are actually on the road play an important part in making sure that the guide is always as up-to-date and relevant as possible.”

You can get a copy by clicking This Link

In Other News,  Transport minister imposes tougher fines for utility companies

Let www.forecourtfuels.co.uk show you the best deals based on your individual requirements, from your estimated fuel spend to the size of your fleet.    

The study also found that 58 per cent of drivers had been cut-up in the last six months by another road user who didn’t look properly, and that 40 per cent of these incidents took place in a 30mph zone. The Institute also

In order to minimise the chances of such accidents occurring, the IAM is urging drivers to improve their awareness of vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists and cyclists, using their mirrors before changing direction, especially in traffic queues, and giving cyclists space when overtaking, bearing in mind they might need to negotiate drains and potholes.

It also advises drivers that if motorcyclists and cyclists are trying to pass in heavy traffic to let them through, to give them clear and early signals so that they have time to react and to check for bikes before opening the driver’s door when parked.

Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said: “the occurrence of drivers not looking before a manouvre are happening far too often, and very few people are prepared to take responsibility for their part in them happening. It’s always someone else’s fault. All road users need to be more aware of who they are sharing the road with, and the risks they present.

“Other road users’ intentions can often be guessed by their body language and position on the road, so drive defensively, and leave room so that if somebody does do something unexpected, you have time to deal with it.”

Let www.forecourtfuels.co.uk show you the best deals based on your individual requirements, from your estimated fuel spend to the size of your fleet.    

With over 98% of Fleet drivers using a Sat Nav frustrations have been running high. Users affected with the bug have been presented with a grey screen and a message saying the machine lacked a GPS signal. The issue first emerged on March 31.

A TomTom spokesman said: “Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience. We are fully focused on getting our impacted customers back on the road.”

Several models are affected including both new and discontinued products.

TomTom suggests that owners of the following devices should install the new code:

Start 20/25, Via 110/120/125, Via LIVE 120/125, VIA 1400/1405/1430/1435, VIA 1500/1505/1530/1535, GO LIVE 820/825, GO 1000/1005/1005 World, GO 1535, GO 2405/2505, GO 2435/2535, GO 2535 LIVE, GO 2535 WTE (World Traveler Edition) Blue & Me TomTom 2, TomTom Connect.

Instructions on how to update devices can be found at www.tomtom.com/386.

www.forecourtfuels.co.uk can show you the best deals based on your individual requirements, from your estimated fuel spend to the size of your fleet.  

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said customs officials should work harder to acquire new technology.

This is to prevent red diesel from being sold illegally by paramilitaries and criminal gangs.

The report comes after the committee heard evidence from a series of witnesses at Westminster.

Laurence Robertson, chairman of the committee, said it was “bitterly disappointed at the seemingly slow pace of progress on acquiring effective technologies to tackle fuel crime”.

He wants Revenue and Customs officials to acquire the latest “rebated fuel marker technology” as soon as possible, begin a pilot scheme and report back to the committee before the summer.

In the latest report, the committee said it recognised the commitment and effort of individual HMRC officers in the fight against fuel crime in Northern Ireland.

However, Mr Robertson said: “It should make a more concerted effort to eradicate the problem in Northern Ireland, where it is most prevalent”.

Northern Ireland is estimated to have lost £70m in tax revenue due to fuel fraud in 2009/10, down from £250m five years ago.

Mr Robertson said only four people had received a custodial sentence in Northern Ireland when convicted in connection with fuel laundering.

“It is a serious crime. It affects the environment, it affects health and there is the tax evasion element as well,” he said.

“We want to see sentencing guidelines, robust guidelines.

“There is a tendency to think it is only the tax man who loses out. It isn’t, it’s schools and hospitals. It isn’t a victimless crime.”

Sinn Fein councillor for Newry and Mourne Terry Hearty agreed.

“This has a serious cost on local councils and local councils pick up the tab for it,” he said.

“In the last year we have paid out between £80,000 and £100,000 to lift some of the residue.

“There’s a site at Cullaville that hasn’t been touched yet, but it’s going to cost in the region of £40,000 to clear away.

“So the rate payers of Newry and Mourne would definitely see it as a serious crime.”

In response, HMRC issued a statement in which they said that the government is studying the report and takes the issue of fuel fraud very seriously.

“HMRC has an effective strategy in place to tackle fuel fraud as shown by the fall in the estimated market share in Northern Ireland for diesel on which UK duty has not been paid from 52% in 2002/03 to 12% in 2009/10,” the statement read.

Let www.forecourtfuels.co.uk show you the best deals based on your individual requirements, from your estimated fuel spend to the size of your fleet. 

Several changes to the way company car tax is charged were announced and although a decision to a cut the 3% diesel supplement will be welcome for company car drivers other changes will mean higher costs.

The removal of the 3% diesel supplement will now put fuel-efficient diesels on par with petrol models but further changes published by Chancellor George Osborne to the company car tax rules will put a further £375million on the Government’s coffers and hit the company car driver harder.

The 3% diesel supplement will end from April 2016 and for company car drivers who typically run a company car over three years this will start to affect car choice from April 2014.
There are also raises to the BIK bands. The BIK bands used to determine the company car tax from a car’s P11d value will go up for cars emitting more than 75g/km of CO2 by 1% to a maximum of 35% in the 2014-15 tax year.

In tax years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 the BIK bands will increase by 2%.
What’s more, the zero emission models and cars that emit less than 75g/km of CO2 will no longer to be free from company car tax from April 2015, and will move into the 13% Benefit-in-Kind tax band for company cars. In 2016-2017 it will increase by a further two percentage points.

From April 2013, the CO2 emissions threshold for the main rate of capital allowances for business cars will reduce from 160g/km to 130g/km. This means that the company car choice is likely to be restricted to cars that emit 130g/km of CO2 or less.

Achieve added control over your fuel purchases. www.forecourtfuels.co.uk will help you to manage your account and transactions for optimum efficiency and convenience.