Summer transforms fleet operations. Increased temperatures and altered traffic patterns and intense vehicle strain necessitate adjustments. Fleet and transport managers who adapt can reduce costs, mitigate risks and enhance productivity.
UK fleets are moving more than ever. Van activity in Great Britain saw a 1.9% rise to 58.7 billion miles in June 2024 — from 57.6 billion miles in 2023 — covering 18% of all miles spent on roads. With the demand on the rise, fleet operators can’t afford inefficiencies, especially during the high-pressure summer period.
Here are 10 strategies to optimise fleet performance during the summer:
1. Adjust shift times based on live traffic patterns.
Summer holidays, school closures and festivals drastically change road usage. A delivery route that’s smooth at 7:30 a.m. in the spring could be jammed in the summer. You can use telematics data and real-time traffic analysis to fine-tune dispatch procedures per area or vehicle. Staggered shift schedules can help improve time-on-road accuracy, avoid congestion and reduce stress for schedulers and drivers.
2. Use microclimate data to route around heat zones.
Urban centres with concrete-heavy infrastructure create hot spots where road temperatures can go beyond 50 °C. By layering microclimate data into routing software, you can avoid zones with higher surface heat — which can increase engine strain, affect tyre performance and raise fuel consumption. Microclimate data can also help with rerouting around sudden floods and summer storms.
3. Use solar-powered cabin ventilation systems.
Cabs can heat up quickly under direct sunlight. Drivers returning to hot vehicles tend to run the air conditioning longer or keep the engine idling — both of which waste fuel. Solar-powered ventilators can extract hot air and bring in cooler air from outside without straining the battery.
4. Issue portable solar charging kits for auxiliary equipment.
Some fleet vehicles carry extra kits that draw power. During the summer, consider using solar charging units mounted on vehicle roofs or trailers. These systems provide steady charging to auxiliary systems without placing additional strain on the engine, thus reducing emissions at idle and cutting fuel costs.
5. Install real-time tyre pressure and temperature sensors.
Heat increases pressure, but if tyres are stressed or underinflated, blowouts can happen. Use sensors that can track temperature and pressure in real time so drivers have enough time to respond before a failure happens. This tech also helps monitor trends over time, so fleet managers can proactively replace tyres and prevent unexpected downtime.
6. Upgrade depot bays with high-speed doors.
Slow or manual loading bay doors can cause bottlenecks. High-speed doors open and close in seconds, reducing vehicle wait times, keeping the interior cooler and protecting perishable cargo. Less waiting also means less idling, faster vehicle turnaround and better fuel efficiency.
7. Apply UV-blocking window film to reduce cabin heat.
Install UV-reflective film or low-e coatings across windshields and side windows to reduce indoor temperatures and make vans less reliant on air conditioning. This relatively low-cost upgrade is particularly useful for vehicles parked outdoors between jobs.
8. Optimize refrigeration units with smarter cooling cycles.
Refrigerated vans are heavily affected by external temperatures. Pre-cooling cargo, scheduling cooler delivery windows and limiting door openings can reduce fuel used by fridge units. Using remote sensors can also help prevent overcooling, which adds fuel drag.
9. Enhance communication with live dispatch tools.
Ensure that drivers can receive live instructions via in-cab equipment or mobile apps. Real-time rerouting, delivery updates and ETA tracking help keep operations flowing smoothly and reduce unnecessary miles.
10. Carry out a targeted mid-year fleet audit.
Look beyond general maintenance and assess vehicle availability, AC repairs, tyre replacements and other routine compliance processes. Pinpoint assets that are consistently draining the budget and use the data to adjust maintenance schedules, rebalance routes and consider asset replacement.
Maximise Every Mile This Summer
Summer operations require more than seasonal checks. They demand smarter thinking across all parts of the fleet. With the UK’s van mileage numbers hitting record highs, efficiency is key. Whether it is routine around urban heat zones, using solar to power equipment or investing in high-tech doors, every upgrade helps fleets move safer, faster and leaner during this peak season.
Evelyn Long, Editor-in-Chief of Renovated Magazine
