Lightfoot warns that while global markets are out of fleet managers’ hands, driving
efficiency remains the ultimate hedge against rising costs.
Lightfoot says that while pump prices remain unpredictable, how efficiently vehicles
are driven is something fleet operators can control and the savings are significant.
With petrol prices ranging from around 106p to 191p per litre over the past five
years, and diesel from 112p to nearly 199p, long-term fuel cost planning has become
increasingly difficult for fleet operators. These aren’t marginal shifts, they represent
swings of up to 80% that can dramatically alter operating budgets with little warning.
A range of factors have driven this instability. Issues such as Covid, the threat of
international tariffs, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and domestic challenges
including increased taxation have all contributed to significant fuel price uncertainty
in recent years – and with the global outlook remaining unsettled, there is little
indication that volatility will ease any time soon.
David Savage, Chief Revenue Officer at Lightfoot, says the fluctuations serve as a
clear reminder of where fleet managers should focus their energy.
“Petrol and diesel costs can spike rapidly due to global events or supply pressures,
and for fleets running hundreds or thousands of vehicles, even small per-litre
changes can add hundreds of thousands of pounds to annual fuel bills,” said
Savage.
“In 2025, Lightfoot drivers saved around 109 litres of fuel for every 10,000 miles
driven. If fuel reaches £2 per litre, that’s roughly £218 saved per vehicle – and for
large fleets those efficiency gains quickly add up. That’s a meaningful financial buffer
against market uncertainty.”
The impact doesn’t stop at the forecourt. Rising energy costs can ripple through
supply chains, pushing up delivery costs and squeezing operational budgets at a
time when many businesses are already navigating rising expenses across the
board. With the UK electricity network still partly dependent on gas-fired generation, Savage
also warns that fleets transitioning to EVs aren’t immune to energy price swings.
“Volatility doesn’t just affect petrol and diesel – it can also influence electricity prices,”
he said. “That means even fleets moving to electric vehicles need to think carefully
about how they manage energy use and efficiency. The underlying principle is the
same whatever the fuel type.”
Lightfoot’s in-cab driver coaching technology targets the behaviours that burn fuel
unnecessarily – excessive acceleration, harsh braking and engine idling. Fleets
using the system have reported fuel economy improvements of up to 15%, with a
further 9% MPG uplift available through the Lightfoot driver app.
“The reality is that fleets can’t control what happens to energy prices,” said Savage.
“But they can control how efficiently their vehicles are driven. In an unpredictable
market, reducing consumption through smarter driving and better data is one of the
most effective strategies available to fleet managers – and the results speak for
themselves.”
END
Press Enquiries:
Julian Kirk Steve Moody
e: julian@smcprcreative.com e: steve@smcprcreative.com
t: 07986 036067 t: 07770 377217
About Lightfoot
Lightfoot is an award-winning, government-supported technology that is helping to make
roads safer, the environment cleaner and business vehicles less expensive to run.
Its revolutionary technology has become the fleet management solution of choice for many
of the UK’s largest fleets, including Tesco, Asda, Virgin Media, and South West Water.
Backed by Volpi Capital, Lightfoot rewards better drivers with a platform that monetises
good driving.
A ‘Fitbit for cars and vans’, Lightfoot is pioneering a new standard for measuring efficient
driving. Lightfoot’s technology has been developed in partnership with leading driver-
behavior experts at Bath University. Using advanced, real-time engine analytics that
measure different factors such as load and road gradients, it provides live, in-cab coaching
to help drivers improve efficiency and safety.
Tests at Bath University’s Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems proved a
direct correlation between Lightfoot’s in-cab visual alerts and reductions in NOx. Studies
showed when drivers halve the number of lights on Lightfoot’s in-cab dashboard device, a
fivefold reduction in NOx is achieved.
Lightfoot’s industry-leading solution combines instant in-cab coaching via the dashboard
mounted device with its driver rewards platform to deliver substantial, sustainable results.
The dashboard display device uses live engine data to provide drivers with real-time visual
and audible feedback, allowing them to manage their own performance and build better
driving habits.
Alongside the in-cab device, Lightfoot also provides a dedicated Drivers App. Here, drivers
can view their performance data, keep track of their driving score, and compete in league
tables with other drivers. When they reach Lightfoot’s ‘Elite Driver’ standard (scoring 85% or
higher) they gain access to a range of exclusive competitions, including The Drivers’ Lottery,
where they can win up to £200 each week, and a host of prize giveaways, such as consumer
tech. Together, this helps to incentivise better driving, ensuring long-lasting results.
Lightfoot has two core components:
- A small device that communicates directly with the vehicle’s engine and provides
the driver with visual and verbal feedback to stay within the engine’s ‘sweet spot’
(optimum efficiency). - An exciting rewards platform enabling drivers to benefit personally from better
driving (whether at work or at home) through competitions, prizes, discounts and
other incentives.
The benefits of Lightfoot:
· A rapid and measurable improvement in driving styles
· Improved welfare and safety of drivers
· Changes sustained over time because of ongoing cab engagement
· Minimal management input required – Lightfoot gives results, not lots of data
· Fuel and emissions savings of 15-20% (validated by Professor Chris Brace of Bath
University)
· In EVs, a more uniform Lightfoot-enabled driving style contributes to range increases
of up to 15%.
· Accident reductions of up to 40% (validated by Allianz Insurance Plc)
· Tracking, driver ID, business v private mileage is all available and easy to use
· Reduced wear and tear on vehicles (downtime reduced by 45% – Ian Thorn, CEF)
· Lightfoot regularly achieves driver engagement levels in excess of 60%, which
compares favourably with conventional telematics that struggle to achieve
engagement levels higher than 5%.