For a construction company with its own fleet of trucks, cranes, excavators, and generators, diesel is one of the largest variable expenses. Over the course of a year, the difference between a controlled fleet and an uncontrolled one can add up to considerable sums. The good news is that much of the loss can be reduced with simple, consistent methods.

Where the Losses Come From

Before looking for solutions, it is worth understanding the typical sources of excessive consumption:

  • idling – machines left running during breaks or while waiting for materials;
  • technical condition – clogged filters, worn injectors, incorrect tire pressure;
  • driving and operating style – sudden acceleration, unnecessarily high RPMs;
  • unoptimized routes and empty runs;
  • unrecorded refueling and theft.

Accurate Records: The Foundation of Control

You can’t control what you don’t measure. The first step is rigorous recording of every refueling: the date, the machine, the quantity, the odometer reading or operating hours, and the person who refueled. For trucks, the basic indicator is consumption per 100 km; for site equipment, it is consumption per operating hour (engine hour).

Each type of machine should have an internal consumption standard, set based on manufacturer data and the company’s own experience, and adjusted for the season and type of work. Significant deviations from the standard are the signal to investigate.

Technical Monitoring Tools

GPS Tracking

GPS systems show routes, stops, engine running time, and speed. They make it possible to quickly identify unauthorized trips, long periods of standing with the engine running, and deviations from the optimal route.

Fuel Level Sensors

Sensors installed in the tank record every refueling and every sudden drop in level. Combined with GPS, they show exactly where and when a suspicious refueling or drain took place.

CAN Bus Data

Modern machines transmit information on instantaneous consumption, RPM, and load through the engine’s electronic system. This data is more accurate than estimates and allows detailed analysis of operating style.

Fuel Cards and an On-Site Fuel Station

Fuel cards with per-vehicle limits and in-house fueling stations that identify the machine and the operator reduce the risk of unrecorded refueling.

Organizational Measures

  • Engine shut-off policy – clear rules on idling, with justified exceptions (for example, very low temperatures).
  • Logistics planning – combining trips, avoiding empty runs, and synchronizing deliveries with erection.
  • Training drivers and operators in fuel-efficient driving.
  • Regular reports – weekly or monthly, by machine and by operator.
  • Motivation – recognizing operators whose consumption is consistently below the standard.

Preventive Maintenance

A well-maintained engine uses less fuel. Timely replacement of air and fuel filters and checking the injectors, tire pressure, and hydraulic system have a direct effect on consumption. Consumption data is also a good diagnostic indicator: a sudden increase on a machine can signal a fault before it becomes serious.

Integrating Data into a Single System

The biggest gain comes when data on fuel, GPS, maintenance, and job sites is gathered in a single system – a CRM or a fleet management platform. This makes it possible to calculate the real cost of each job site, compare machines with one another, and make well-founded decisions about replacing inefficient ones.

Fuel control is not about suspicion toward people, but about transparency. When the data is visible to everyone, deviations decrease on their own.

At Colass, fuel tracking for our own fleet is integrated into the internal management system, alongside equipment scheduling and job-site reporting.

Looking for a contractor that controls its costs and reflects them accurately in its bid? Call +373 78 30 40 40.