Driving staffing firms need to work with clients to drive down fuel costs, according to recruiters.

As the RAC becomes the first recovery company to introduce hybrid vehicles to its fleet, Chris Chidley, chief executive at driving recruiter Driver Hire, told Recruiter that such a move would help cut costs. “It is the future - battery versus fossil fuel. It is very positive. In the long run, it will help to control costs. The bigger impact at the moment is having drivers that can drive fuel efficiently. We are training all our drivers to drive fuel efficiently and the impact can be between 10% and 30% on fuel efficiency.”

Barrie Dowsett, managing director at the BJD Group, adds: “Fuel is the second largest cost within a transport logistics business. It is about the right vehicles. It is about the right use of those vehicles. It is about how they are used and whether they are used to capacity. It is about educating employees, from the drivers all the way up to the senior managers.”

Ian Holford, managing director at the Logistics Network, also welcomed the move: “It’s hugely important. Margins are thin. It is good for the environment and good for the bottom line.”