1. Plan your trips
Instead of ducking out for short trips each day, try to plan trips so that you can achieve as many tasks on one route. If you’re meeting with a client, can you go via the post office or do your grocery shopping on the way back?
2. Drive efficiently
Inefficient driving can burn twice as much fuel so aim for a smooth driving technique by avoiding heavy and unnecessary braking and accelerating.
3. Avoid heavy traffic
The constant stopping, starting and excessive engine idling can chew up petrol. Can you time your journey to avoid peak hour? Or can you have your consultation on the phone? I do some of my consultations over the phone, but know some soloists who do all their business via telephone or emailing. If this is the way you run your business, please share your experiences via a comment.
4. Minimise wind resistance
An increase in wind resistance means an increase in fuel consumption, so remove roof racks if they’re not in constant use.
5. Minimise weight within your car
As soloists we sometimes cart around the contents of our home office in the car, but this excess weight increases fuel consumption. Have you checked your boot lately? Has your car become a filing cabinet on wheels?
6. Service your car regularly
A well-serviced car is more fuel efficient than one that isn’t. Make sure your tyre pressure is correct, that your engine is tuned and that everything is working as it should. When it’s running a bit rough, then so too is your fuel consumption.
7. Walk instead of using the car
Of course, this is a great petrol saver! Plus it’s good for your health and can strengthen your social network if you walk with others. A fellow soloist has just started walking her daughter to school twice a week. It was an adjustment at first, but now is part of their valuable family time.
Ironically, I heard these fuel saving tips on the radio while driving home. I pulled over and scribbled them down. I hope they help you in some small way.
There’s got to be heaps more fuel saving tips out there, so if you know of any, please leave a comment. And while you’re there, tell us: is the price of fuel hurting your business?
“ We sometimes cart around the contents of our home office in the car, but this excess weight increases fuel consumption. ”
Lucinda Lions writes persuasive and compelling website copy. Her web copywriting ebooks assist solo and micro business owners to write their own sales-boosting copy.
