Well, if you’re a driver it certainly does. Measuring and disciplining drivers based on reported MPG is not only discouraging — it’s unfair. It’s also safe to say that this strategy is annoying to drivers, so much so that they might decide to leave. With turnover being a constant challenge, it’s in a fleet leader’s best interest to do all that’s possible to encourage drivers to succeed and improve in the fairest way possible.
The truth is that reported MPG will always be an important metric for every fleet. After all, it’s the ultimate economic outcome of fuel purchased versus miles driven. Every fleet wants it to go up — and every fleet spends time and capital on different ways to help it do so. But while MPG is a key metric, it’s not the best one to use to measure and reward drivers.
If you want to improve your retention rate, stop using MPG! Instead, use fuel efficiency metrics that measure what drivers can control, and isolate what they can’t (truck, load, route, weather, etc.). Fuel efficiency (versus fuel economy) metrics provide a fair, precise, and valuable means of measuring and rewarding drivers.
MPG is Important — But it Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
Look at it this way: the highest reported MPG in your fleet might not come from your best driver. On the other hand, the lowest reported MPG does not necessarily mean that that driver needs the most improvement. There are too many factors not controlled by drivers that can be the cause of higher than average or lower than average MPG.
Ultimately, measuring drivers on reported MPG will not bring you the results that you want. Whether your goal is improving fuel efficiency or engaging drivers and lowering turnover, if you’re not measuring your team off of the right metrics, then you’re not setting yourself up for lasting success.
Fuel For Thought: The True Fuel® Advantage
A tool like True Fuel® actively takes into account uncontrollable factors that MPG doesn’t. It’s a smart way to engage your drivers and to get them aligned with your fleet’s goals. With real-time, in-cab coaching, drivers can take ownership of their development by improving key fuel wasting behaviors like idling, engine speed control, and shifting. With supportive coaching and these fair metrics, they are motivated to improve — both for their own personal growth and for the success of the fleet’s bottom line.
With an accurate and fair incentive program built on fuel efficiency (and not just MPG), drivers can be rewarded for doing great things, and they can know for certain that they’ve really earned those rewards. This provides a realistic solution to turnover by giving drivers the chance to be truly happy and engaged doing the important work that they do. What fleet wouldn’t want that for every single driver on its team?
When fleets and drivers have the chance to promote smart driving behaviors, optimal fuel efficiency becomes an achievable reality. Measuring and rewarding drivers on MPG won’t do this for you — but True Fuel® can.