Cost of fuel continues to put operators under pressure, says FTA report

Monday 27 June 2011

The price of fuel is still the biggest headache for transport companies battling to cope with rising costs, with haulage rates failing to keep up, according to a report published by the Freight Transport Association.

FTA’s Manager's Guide to Distribution Costs 2011 calculates that the cost of diesel for commercial vehicle fleets rose by 15.6 per cent in the twelve months to 1 April 2011. The second biggest increase was in the cost of overheads, followed by vehicle maintenance. The total rise in vehicle operating costs to 6.8 per cent outstripped the rise in domestic haulage rates, which increased by an average of 3.41 per cent. International haulage rates increased on average by 5.40 per cent.

Bruce Goodhart, FTA Research Analyst, commented:

“The high and rising cost of fuel continues to put companies under considerable financial pressure. With haulage rates failing to keep up with increasing vehicle operating costs, profit margins are being squeezed and jobs put at risk, hampering economic recovery.”

The Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs is produced annually based on data supplied to FTA by a survey of member companies in April each year. The data on wages, vehicle operating costs and haulage rates is then updated quarterly.

Included in this year's guide are:

the latest wages trends for drivers, workshop staff and warehouse staff

the latest vehicle operating cost tables for a range of vehicles from car derived vans up to 44 tonnes gvw articulated vehicles

the latest warehouse cost trends produced in conjunction with King Sturge, a leading real estate advisory firm

the latest haulage rates trends

updated bulk diesel price and operating costs forecasts

a guide to reducing fuel costs

a diary of forthcoming legislation and FTA events in 2011

appendices covering topics such as drivers’ subsistence payments, the National Minimum Wage, fuel duty rates, VED rates and useful web links

Notes for editors

Average cost movements for the 12 months to 1 April 2011 for rigid, articulated and drawbar vehicles:

Cost element Annual % change
VED 0.0%
Insurance +1.9%
Depreciation 0.0%
Diesel +15.6%
Tyres +2.5%
Maintenance +3.8%
Employment cost of driver +3.0%
Overheads +5.3%
Vehicle costs +9.5%
Vehicle and driver costs +7.1%
Total vehicle operating costs +6.8%
Total vehicle operating costs excluding fuel +3.0%

For further information on the Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs or to subscribe to the Guide at a cost of £146 per annum, which includes the quarterly updates, please contact FTA’s Cost Information Service team via email at cost.info@fta.co.uk 

FTA Press Office

01892 552255
press.office@fta.co.uk