Just 18% of fleet van drivers have had any training to help them drive more fuel efficiently, while less than 35% of fleet operators have considered the effect their van drivers’ habits might have on fuel consumption.

Only 23% of drivers have their routes planned for them and 23% of van drives feel that their routes are inefficient in terms of fuel consumption, as they often make multiple trips on the same route in one day.

The findings are the result of new research by Volkswagen to mark the launch of its new Crafter van. The message for fleet operators is clear – more active management of driver routing and better driver training can achieve significant savings in fuel efficiency and reduced mileage.

For van rental customers, route planning and good driving techniques are just as important (and profitable). Here are our tips for reducing van fuel consumption:

• Avoid repeated trips with a half-filled van – don’t hire a bigger van than necessary
• Drive steadily, avoid harsh acceleration and lift off the accelerator before braking when approaching a junction
• Plan your route to avoid heavily congested areas if possible
• If making multiple deliveries, try to plan a route that avoids too much ‘back and forth’ over the same roads
• Keep your speed down on motorways – 60mph uses less fuel than 70mph

According to London-based Volkswagen customer Charlie Mullin, who operates a fleet of vans as part of his Pimlico Plumbers business, “there are ways to improve fuel efficiency and these can be as simple as taking the shortest routes and placing speed restrictions on vans.”

Companies operating unmarked van fleets might also want to consider a livery or logo for their vans; of the 60% of van drivers surveyed who had a company logo on their vans, 58% said that they thought this made them drive more carefully than they might otherwise.