Hey there, I’m Jon Sullivan, your go-to guy for anything related to wheelchair accessible vans. With almost a decade in the business, a Bachelor’s degree in physical education, and a background as a registered emergency medical responder, I’ve been working for MoveMobility and collaborating with cities and communities to meet their accessible transit needs.
Today, let’s chat about something important – the annual fuel costs for wheelchair accessible vans. It might seem like crunching numbers, but trust me, it’s the secret sauce to a smoother ride for your organization.
Why does knowing annual fuel costs for wheelchair accessible vans matter?
So, you’ve got this magic number that tells you how much you’re spending on fuel each year. Why does it matter? Well, imagine you’re planning a road trip. You wouldn’t just hit the gas without knowing how far you can go, right? The same goes for your organization. Knowing your annual fuel costs is like having a GPS for your budget. It helps you plan better, avoid financial potholes, and ensures you’re cruising on the highway of financial stability.
If you’d like to learn more about fuel costs by watching instead of reading, check out the video below!
Fuel efficiency of P-Series vans
Our P-Series wheelchair accessible vans boast an average fuel consumption of around 21 miles per gallon, or 8.90 kilometers per liter. Keep in mind that our influence on fuel efficiency is limited since this depends mainly on the fuel consumption of the OEM chassis the vans are built on.
Now, let’s break down what that means for your organization.
Weekly fuel costs
For a weekly snapshot, consider the following:
Miles/kilometers driven weekly: [Insert your organization’s average weekly mileage].
Weekly fuel costs: Miles or kilometers driven weekly / fuel efficiency (21 mpg or 8.90 km per liter) x cost per gallon for miles, and cost per liter for kilometers = weekly fuel costs.
Monthly fuel costs
Zooming out a bit, monthly costs can be calculated as follows:
Miles/kilometers driven monthly: [Insert your organization’s average monthly mileage].
Monthly fuel costs: Miles or kilometers driven monthly / fuel efficiency (21 mpg or 8.90 km per liter) x cost per gallon for miles, and cost per liter for kilometers = monthly fuel costs.
Annual fuel costs
Looking at the bigger picture, let’s calculate annual expenses:
Miles/kilometers driven annually: [Insert your organization’s average annual mileage].
Annual fuel costs: Miles or kilometers driven annually / fuel efficiency (21 mpg or 8.90 km per liter) x cost per gallon for miles and cost per liter for kilometers = annual fuel costs.
Remember, these figures can fluctuate based on how extensively your organization uses the vans.
Simplifying the formula
Now, let’s plug in some numbers and take a more detailed journey into the practical application of our formula to understand how it unfolds in the real world. Imagine a bustling organization that navigates through urban landscapes, clocking in an average of 20,000 kilometers annually with a fuel efficiency of 21 miles per liter. Check out the video below for a full walkthrough.
It all starts with the equation we mentioned above. For this example, let’s assume the cost per gallon is $1.384. For the organization clocking in 20,000 kilometers a year, it would look like this:
Annual fuel costs = 20,000 /8.9 x $1.384 = $3,110.11.
Benefits of knowing annual fuel costs for wheelchair accessible vans
There are a variety of benefits to knowing the annual fuel costs for wheelchair accessible. Let’s take a closer look at that.
Environmental benefits
Guess what? Knowing your fuel costs isn’t just about saving money; it’s about earning some eco-friendly brownie points. You can proudly say, “Hey, we’re not just saving money; we’re also reducing our carbon tire print.” And who doesn’t love a pat on the back for being a bit kinder to the Earth?
Navigating the efficiency highway
Now, let’s talk about route optimization – the VIP lane to savings. When you know your annual fuel costs, you’re armed with the power to streamline your routes. It’s like having a traffic app for your vans. You can dodge those fuel-guzzling traffic jams, take the scenic, fuel-efficient route, and maybe even find a shortcut to savings town.
Why should you care?
Time savvy: Ever wish you could avoid those pesky traffic jams? With optimized routes, you can breeze through the streets faster and reclaim precious minutes of your day.
Fuel efficiency for your wallet: Just like finding the shortest line at the grocery store, efficient routes mean less fuel consumption. That’s more money staying in your pocket, not going into your gas tank.
Reliability: Ever been late because of traffic? Imagine being the one who’s always on time. Optimized routes set you as a reliable urban transit provider.
Less guesswork, more strategy
Imagine playing darts blindfolded. Not a great idea, right? Well, running your organization without knowing your annual fuel costs is a bit like that blindfolded dart game. Knowing your fuel costs isn’t just about hindsight; it’s about foresight.
You can strategically plan for the future, adjust your sails when fuel prices decide to play rollercoaster, and steer your organization away from unnecessary financial bumps. While it might seem like crunching numbers, it’s also about ensuring the longevity of your transportation program. When you understand and budget for fuel costs, you’re safeguarding the continuity of your essential services.
Think of annual fuel costs as the linchpin in your operational stability. For some organizations, the inability to cover operating costs, especially hefty fuel expenses, could force them to halt their transportation programs. Understanding and managing fuel costs actively steers your organization away from such unnecessary disruptions.
Maintenance matters
In the world of accessible vans, it’s not just about the fuel – it’s about keeping your wheels in top-notch condition. Regular maintenance is like giving your vans a spa day. It might sound fancy, but it’s about ensuring that everything runs smoothly, from the engine purring like a content cat to the tires gripping the road with confidence.
Well-maintained vans sip fuel more efficiently and also dance through the miles with grace, saving you from surprise breakdowns and hefty repair bills. So, think of maintenance as your van’s way of saying, “Thanks for taking care of me!”
The joy of informed decisions
In the end, it all boils down to this – the joy of making informed decisions. Back to the GPS example, it’s like driving with a GPS that tells you where you are but also the best route to your destination.
Knowing your annual fuel costs is your organizational GPS. It guides you, empowers you, and ensures you’re in the driver’s seat, confidently navigating towards a future of financial wisdom and sustainability. Now that you know more about the fuel costs of these vans, you should take a look at our article on the cost of wheelchair accessible vans.
You should also take a look at our article on how to compare wheelchair van quotes. This article will give you a better idea of things to keep an eye out for when you’re shopping around for your wheelchair accessible van.
So, there you have it – the not-so-secret sauce to a smoother, savvier ride for your organization. Keep those wheels turning, and let the road to savings be your guide!
Happy trails,