Isuzu helps fleets improve safety, economy and the environment
Fleets try to minimize the impact of rising fuel costs by choosing the most economical vehicle specs for the task and by performing proper maintenance to maximize those benefits. Careful consideration also is given to driving that optimizes efficiencies in traffic, routes and loads, in order to squeeze out a few more miles per gallon. That generally leaves just one area beyond the control of the fleet manager –– driver operation –– but proper driver training can help cut fuel costs, cut emissions and reduce vehicle wear.

The challenge
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America recently invited me to participate in a Safety, Economy, Environment (SEE) program it held recently in Japan. The curriculum focuses on safe driving and fuel efficiency, teaching techniques that help save money and, coincidentally, are also ecologically positive. Isuzu stated that it has a corporate-wide commitment to good stewardship of the environment through its use of green procurement and manufacturing to produce commercial vehicles powered by fuel-efficient engines. In addition, its sales operation support division conducts the seminars on fuel-efficient driving as part of the company’s goal to supply products and expertise that extend the benefits of safety, economy and reduced environmental impact to Isuzu customers.

The first test
Fleets know that driver performance related to acceleration, braking, speed and gear selection have a great effect on overall fuel economy. Generating improvements in those operations is the goal of the SEE seminars, and the first part of the seminar is to benchmark performance obtained without benefit of the skills that will be taught. Drivers in identically prepared Isuzu N-series (ELF) trucks ran a varied route along a 2.7-mile test track that included town driving, stop-and-go and between-city zones that reflect a typical application for the Class 3 (13,800-lb. GVW) vans. The course used for this particular exercise, in addition to having long straight-aways, also featured two sweeping banked turns (which amazed members of our press group). All of the 136-in. wheelbase test vehicles were equipped with 3.0-L, 4-cylinder, 150 HP diesel engines and 6-speed manual transmissions. Isuzu emphasized that driving efficiency improvements are similarly obtainable with the automatic 6-speed transmissions and the larger 5.2L, 205 HP engines on the comparable U.S. N-series models. Isuzu’s Mimamori telematics solution, not yet available in the U.S., was used to capture and transmit fuel consumption, engine RPM, acceleration, braking, speed and gear choice to a base unit to help diagnose driver behavior. A paper report generated by the Mimamori system rated our handling of vehicle operation and came with general comments on ways we might improve our numbers. Various graphs aided us in visualizing where we needed to focus our attention. The results for fuel consumption on the first run, “the usual drive” without any instruction, yielded an average across all zones of 13.46 MPG for our group of 15. After learning the results, participants were given pointers via video and slide presentations on how to improve that performance.

Learning curve
Four key points were stressed to improving our fuel-economy driving. First, shift up at a lower RPM than you might normally use. Depending on load, over-revving beyond 1600 RPM just wastes fuel, according to Isuzu experts. Second, use a higher gear as much as possible (top gear above 30 MPH), depending on load and terrain. Since it’s possible to achieve higher road speeds at lower engine RPMs by using a higher gear, fuel use can be reduced. Third, drive at a constant speed –– minimize excursions of the accelerator pedal to maintain highway speed. Fourth, use the engine as a brake efficiently –– release the accelerator pedal earlier than usual. Don’t downshift on level ground. Try to anticipate the next braking event and handle it smoothly –– you’ll save fuel, improve safety and reduce brake wear.

Lessons applied
Fresh with knowledge of how to minimize fuel consumption, those of us participating in the event each drove the same truck and same route again, trying to put into practice these economical driving techniques. The results for the second “eco-drive” run were better: our group now averaged 18.25 MPG overall –– an improvement of 35.6%. Improve-ment for in-town driving only was even better, at 39.7%, going from 8.34 up to 11.65 MPG. Our average between-city driving improved by 20.7%, but the most noticeable improvement came with getting off the accelerator earlier when stopping, which netted a fuel efficiency gain of more than 269%. Thinking our results were well above average, our egos were somewhat deflated when we learned that results in the 30% to 40% range were typical of the improvement that any fleet can realize by getting drivers to adopt SEE’s fuel and asset-saving techniques. When fuel consumption was charted using our before-and-after MPG, the savings were clear. For a truck averaging 35,000 miles annually, consuming fuel costing $3.80/gal., our eco-driving habits showed nearly $2,600 per year in fuel cost savings for just one truck. Multiply that by the number of units in a fleet, and the benefit can quickly add up. And those figures don’t even include the benefits of reducing idling, which consumes fuel at a rate of about a half-ounce per minute in this size truck, and that equates to a gallon for every four hours of idling time.

Encouraging drivers
Isuzu offered some tips to encourage economic driving practices, which include driver training, target setting and a reward system. For driver training to succeed, it’s important that management and drivers understand it is an ongoing, team effort. Don’t dictate to drivers how to drive; instead, encourage them by saying they can do better. With different trucks, loads and routes there will be a lot of variation in absolute numbers, so use an improvement ratio to set targets. Share the results and reward top performers with cash prizes, gift certificates or merchandise. Beyond providing incentive, these efforts will help make progress tangible.

Once available only in Japan, Isuzu’s SEE courses are now being established all over the world to provide customers with the opportunity to raise the efficiency of their fleet operations. From what I experienced, I think the savings are real and obtainable.

“Everyone’s looking for a silver bullet,” says Todd Bloom, vice president of marketing for Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc. “But if we show that everyday driving can be improved 35%, it demonstrates the impact drivers can have.”