According to a white paper commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, van fleet operators can do more to control and cut costs to ensure survival in the increasingly competitive economic climate.

With more than three million vans on UK roads, representing nearly 10% of all vehicles registered, they play a vital role in the economy, but the report highlights plenty of room for improved efficiency.

“Our white paper Evolution of Van: Efficiency and Fleet Operation was commissioned to look in detail at the current pressures on van fleet operators and help understand more about improving efficiency, such as how to utilise fleets more effectively, and how to implement simple measures to cut operating and whole life costs,” explained Alastair Hemmings, national fleet manager, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK.

“This means better fuel use, better maintenance, better van choice and better utilisation, while a good, franchised van dealer is increasingly important.”

For many van fleets, fuel is the biggest single cost, says Volkswagen Commercial. The report notes that a more effective use of telematics is one way to help well-run companies gain a lead over their less efficient competitors thanks to better data on fuel use and driver behaviour, plus the more obvious data on route planning, vehicle use, performance and maintenance.

With a nationwide network of Volkswagen Van Centres aiming to optimise the efficiency of each and every van, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles says it is committed to ensuring van owners and operators are getting the best out of their vehicles.

The white paper was written by commercial vehicle consultant Robin Dickeson and is available to read in full here.

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