Among the main cost control solutions that fleet management can adopt is having its own refueling station . After all, this is a very interesting solution for daily operations, as it also adds speed to the operation.
But are the increased speed and reduced costs worth the investment? While having your own fuel supply system might seem very advantageous at first glance, it also has its drawbacks.
Read more: The difference between cost and expense? Learn how to classify them.
Therefore, we've prepared this article to help you decide whether or not this is the best choice for your company in terms of supply management . Take a look:
What is a self-fueling system?
Advantages of having your own filling station in fleet management
Disadvantages of an own filling station in fleet management
What do I need to have my own filling station?
How to further optimize fuel management?
What is a self-fueling system?
As the name suggests, a self-service fuel supply system, or service station , refers to an installation for the internal supply of fuel to a fleet of vehicles, including a storage tank, filter, fuel pump with meter, hoses, and nozzles.
That said, aerial tanks are the most common for self-supply stations in fleet management, being installed just above the ground.
This type of tank is considered the safest when compared to underground tanks, as it allows inspections to be carried out to monitor leaks and corrosion. In addition, it is clear to give more practicality in the storage and cleaning of the tank.
Read more: Fuel control and economy in light vehicle fleet management
For this, it must be placed inside a containment basin that supports its own storage volume, plus an addition of 10%.
Finally, its installation must also comply with a series of standards and regulations to ensure operational and environmental safety . Therefore, when choosing the location for your tank installation, consider the impact it may have on groundwater and other water resources.
It is necessary to have responsible and qualified professionals to design the installation, ensure compliance with laws and the correct functioning of all equipment.
Advantages of having your own filling station in fleet management
Below, follow the main benefits that the adoption of an own filling station can provide for the management of light fleets:
Fuel quality control
With its own fuel supply station, your fleet management will have greater control over the fuel used in its vehicles . This allows you to choose the storage method and supplier best suited to the quality required by your company.
This is because the risk of adulteration of the fuel is greatly reduced, as well as contamination. With the installation of water separating filters, it is possible to reduce the presence of solid particles in the fuel, contributing to less wear on parts such as filters, engine and injector nozzles, also resulting in increased autonomy (km/l).
Control of operating costs with supply
With your entire supply operation being carried out internally in the company, supply control over cost also becomes much greater. After all, you know exactly how many liters of fuel you are consuming, how much you are buying, the purchase price, average autonomy of each vehicle and the operating cost of equipment and employees.
Thus, this greater control allows for the reduction of waste and operating costs.
Read more: Efficiency in fleet fuel management
Practicality and speed
With 24/7 availability, its own fueling system removes the need to travel to the company's partner gas stations, reducing the unit cost of fuel acquisition and bringing convenience and speed to fueling operations.
Reduced costs
Finally, since fleet management acquires fuel on a large scale and directly from the distributor, the unit cost of fuel acquisition is reduced, leading to cost savings for the operation.
Read more: Own fleet or outsourced fleet: which is the best option?
Disadvantages of an own filling station in fleet management
Below, we will discuss the main disadvantages of adopting an in-house refueling station when managing light fleets.
high investment
As you already know, to implement your own fuel station in your light fleet management, you need to have a high investment in infrastructure, safety and equipment for the operation.
Thus, the main acquisitions are:
- Fuel pump
- Storage tank
- oil filters
- Air compressor
- monitoring sensors
- Infrastructure (civil works, pipes, valves).
Maintenance
Every self-owned fueling station needs constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure smooth operation, as well as specialized employees for these activities. There is also an operating cost related to the use of equipment, as well as the cost of hiring new employees.
Read more: How to develop a fleet maintenance plan and ensure greater operational safety
Less flexibility
Finally, for companies that have a large area of activity, but only one headquarters with its own filling station, there is less flexibility when using the station, causing the need for a mixed and unprofitable operation.
What do I need to have my own filling station?
In cases where a water supply system is being implemented, it is necessary to obtain environmental licenses and adapt the structure to comply with environmental legislation and specific technical standards for this type of operation.
Read more: Biofuel: advantages of using it in your fleet
Therefore, it is necessary to have an operating license and viability certificate for the gas station , both issued by the city hall, in addition to clearance from the fire department, CONAMA ( National Council for the Environment ) and ANP ( National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels ).
In addition, over the period of use of the station, it will be necessary to revalidate some of these certifications, going through inspections that certify the permission to use the supply system.
It is important to emphasize that neglecting environmental aspects can have severe consequences for a company, such as fines and operating bans.
How to further optimize fuel management?
As can be seen, there are advantages and disadvantages to adopting an in-house fuel station in light vehicle fleet management . However, it's important to understand that having an in-house station or partnering with others are just some options for optimizing fuel supply control.
Read more: Adopt ESG actions with a fleet management system
Therefore, review your current purchasing model and weigh each of the pros and cons to make the best decision for your company. Also, evaluate the conditions offered by partner gas stations and make sure you choose the best fuel card for your fleet needs.
Finally, you can also further optimize your fuel supply control and management with tools designed exclusively for this purpose , such as the Golfleet fuel supply control add-on module.
With it, in addition to having indicators of monetary expenditure, data filtered by the desired period, and fuel exception reports, your company also achieves real savings in fuel consumption along with the other functionalities of video telemetry, telemetry, or tracking.
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