Heading
Close X
Menu
A facilities‑maintenance business operating across Leeds, Wakefield and Sheffield was facing rising operating costs, particularly in fuel spend and clean‑air/emission‑zone charges. Despite running predictable, short, urban routes, their fleet consisted mainly of larger diesel vans designed for long‑distance payloads.
After a full fleet review using the same methodology outlined in Northside’s Van Selection Guide and the Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire Fleet Efficiency Data Set, the business rebalanced its fleet - and unlocked significant savings within the first 12 months.
The Fleet at a Glance
- 34 vans in total
- Operating across urban hubs: Leeds, Wakefield, Sheffield
- Daily routes: 70% under 120 miles
- Work type: multi‑drop, service calls, light equipment transport
- Pain points: rising fuel costs, emission‑zone charges, tight‑street manoeuvrability, unplanned maintenance
The Challenge
Despite being a well‑run operation, the fleet suffered from a common issue highlighted in the regional data set, vehicles didn’t match the work.
Telematics and load‑profile analysis revealed:
- Vans were oversized for typical loads
- Drivers were navigating tight city streets in long‑wheelbase vehicles
- Urban routes were being run in diesel vans that rarely exceeded 120 miles per day
- The fleet was paying unnecessary emission‑zone charges
- Fuel consumption was higher than expected for the route type
This mirrored the broader regional trend:
> Fleets that right‑size their vans save 12–18% annually in running costs.
The Review Process
Northside conducted a full fleet assessment using:
- Telematics data (mileage, stop frequency, average speeds)
- Load‑utilisation analysis
- Route mapping (urban vs mixed vs motorway)
- Vehicle spec and powertrain suitability
- Cost data (fuel/energy, maintenance, downtime)
The findings aligned perfectly with the insights from the regional data set:
- Urban routes were ideal for Citan/eCitan
- Mixed routes suited Vito/eVito
- Only a small portion of work required Sprinter payloads
What Changed
The business implemented a phased transition over three months:
1. Right‑sizing the fleet
- Replaced 12 large diesel vans with:
- 6 Vito models for mixed routes
- 6 eCitan models for short, predictable urban routes
2. Powertrain optimisation
- All sub‑120‑mile routes moved to electric
- Diesel retained only for heavier loads and longer regional routes
3. Access and efficiency improvements
- Better side‑door access reduced loading times
- Drivers reported easier manoeuvrability in city centres
The Results (Year One)
Financial Impact
- £28,000 total savings in the first 12 months
- 40% reduction in emission‑zone charges
- 22% lower running costs across the updated vehicles
- Fewer unplanned maintenance events due to right‑sized vans
Operational Impact
- Improved route efficiency
- Faster loading/unloading thanks to better access
- Higher utilisation of each vehicle
- No disruption to service levels or route structure
Driver Feedback
- Easier to park and manoeuvre
- Quieter operation on electric routes
- Reduced fatigue on multi‑stop days
Why It Worked
This fleet followed the same principles highlighted in the regional data set:
- Right‑size the van to the job
- Use electric where routes are predictable and under 150 miles
- Avoid overspecifying vehicles
- Match powertrain to route type
The result wasn’t a radical overhaul - it was simply aligning the fleet to the work.
Key Data Points
- 70% of routes under 120 miles
- 12 vans replaced with right‑sized models
- 6 routes moved to electric
- £28,000 saved in year one
- 40% reduction in emission‑zone charges
- 22% reduction in running costs
Conclusion
This Yorkshire operator proved what the data shows:
> When fleets choose vans based on real‑world usage, the savings follow.
Right‑sizing and selective electrification delivered measurable financial, operational and environmental benefits - without changing the work itself.
Want to explore what this could look like for your fleet?
A quick review of your current routes,loads and vehicle mix can reveal similar opportunities. Northside can provide a no‑obligation fleet assessment based on your real‑world data.