Two drivers, the same van, the same route—and yet a difference of up to 20% in fuel consumption. That difference isn’t in the engine, but in the right foot. Eco-driving makes that difference visible in the numbers, so you can do something about it.
AllConnects is a Flemish telematics company based in Kontich that connects vehicle fleets, equipment, and mobile teams. The eco-driving feature is part of the FLEET.connect fleet management platform and measures driving behavior directly from the GPS tracker in the vehicle.
What is eco-friendly driving, and why do you measure it?
Eco-driving—also known as green driving—is a driving style that minimizes the strain on the engine: accelerating gently, anticipating traffic in advance rather than braking hard, maintaining a steady speed, and avoiding idling the engine unnecessarily. Less strain on the engine means lower fuel consumption, fewer emissions, and less wear and tear on tires, brakes, and suspension.
The problem is that no one can objectively assess their own driving style. Everyone thinks they’re a smooth, safe driver. Only when you measure it do you see where the differences lie—and only then can you provide targeted coaching. That’s why eco-driving is first and foremost a matter of measurement, not a matter of good intentions.
What driving behaviors does a GPS tracker monitor?
The tracker in the vehicle continuously records a number of events directly related to fuel consumption and safety:
- — Accelerating abruptly. Every time you press the gas pedal too quickly, the engine consumes many times the normal amount of fuel.
- — Hard braking. Usually the result of anticipating too late. It wastes fuel, wears out brake pads and rotors — and increases the risk of an accident.
- — Taking curves too fast. This puts strain on the tires and suspension and is the leading cause of cargo damage.
- — Excessive speed. Above about 90 km/h, air resistance—and thus fuel consumption—increases exponentially.
- — Idling. A diesel engine that’s idling can easily consume 0.5 to 1 liter per hour without moving a single meter.
These individual incidents are aggregated into a single driving behavior score for each driver or vehicle. This gives you a score that you can track, compare, and see how it changes over time.
What Aggressive Driving Really Costs Your Fleet
The costs come from three different sources. The fuel bill is the most obvious, but rarely the largest: brake pads that wear out twice as fast, tires that need to be replaced sooner, suspension that fails sooner, and vehicles that, as a result, spend more time in the shop than on the road.
Then there’s the issue of damage. It’s no coincidence that hard braking and taking turns too fast are also the two behaviors that most often lead to collisions and cargo damage. Every instance of damage means an out-of-pocket expense, a vehicle that’s out of service, and, over time, a more expensive insurance policy.
From liters of fuel to kilograms of CO₂: the math
The conversion is simple and fixed: one liter of diesel equals approximately 2.6 kg of CO₂ (gasoline is around 2.4 kg). So you don’t need to set up a complicated model to track your emissions—your fuel consumption is your emissions.
Calculation Example
A delivery van that travels 30,000 km per year at 9 l/100 km consumes 2,700 liters of diesel, accounting for approximately 7 metric tons of CO₂. If fuel consumption drops by 5% due to better driving habits, that saves 135 liters and over 350 kg of CO₂—per vehicle, per year. With twenty delivery vans, that adds up to 2,700 liters and about 7 metric tons of CO₂.
These figures are a sample calculation for illustrative purposes. Your actual results will depend on the vehicle type, trip profile, and initial conditions.
How AllConnects Measures Eco-Friendly Driving
The eco-driving feature is built into the GPS trackers installed by AllConnects. The tracker collects data on acceleration, braking, turns, speed, and idling, and sends it in encrypted form to the platform, where it is analyzed immediately. If the values fall outside the set thresholds, this is recorded as an event.
GPS data or accelerometer: What's the difference?
There are two sources for measuring driving behavior, each with its own strengths. Which one you use depends on the vehicle and the type of trips.
| GPS data | Accelerometer | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Reliable for speed and general trends | More accurate; also detects even small shocks |
| Without a GPS signal | Does not apply in tunnels and underground parking garages | Just keep measuring |
| Getting Started | Ready to use right away, no setup required | First, perform an automatic calibration |
| Best suited for | Fleets with high mileage | City driving, construction traffic, many short trips |
Adjusting Threshold Values to Match the Vehicle
A heavily loaded truck simply accelerates differently than a light delivery van. That’s why the thresholds for acceleration, braking, and cornering are set for each vehicle type, so that a driver doesn’t receive a poor score for something that’s perfectly normal for their vehicle. The devices can also automatically calculate these values based on the vehicle’s characteristics. Our technical team will help you determine realistic thresholds—the best approach depends on your fleet and configuration.
Real-time feedback in the cab
A report that a driver doesn’t see until two weeks later doesn’t make much of a difference. That’s why the tracker can activate an LED light or buzzer in real time: if the driver exceeds the limits, he’ll hear or see a warning immediately. In practice, that immediate feedback works significantly better than a monthly report, because the driver makes the connection between his behavior and the signal.
Keep privacy in mind
Driving behavior data constitutes personal information as soon as it is linked to an individual driver. You therefore need a clearly defined purpose, a provision in the employee handbook or a policy, and transparent communication with your employees. Those who introduce the system as a coaching tool rather than a monitoring tool will encounter much less resistance in practice. You can read more about this on our page about legislation and tracking.
This is what the setup inside the vehicle looks like
Six Benefits of Eco-Friendly Driving for Your Fleet
Lower operating costs
Less fuel, but also noticeably less wear on tires, brakes, and suspension.
Longer lifespan
A vehicle that is treated with more care will last longer and retain a higher resale value.
Safer on the Road
Fewer abrupt maneuvers mean fewer collisions—and therefore fewer traffic jams and insurance claims.
Lower emissions
Every liter you don't use is 2.6 kg of CO₂ you don't emit. Useful for your sustainability reporting.
Shipments that arrive intact
Braking gently and taking turns slowly reduces the risk of damage to your cargo.
Objective Conversations
A data-driven score eliminates the gut feeling from a conversation with a driver.
Five Steps from Measurement to Better Driving Behavior
A score alone doesn't change anything. What works is a short cycle of measuring, discussing, and following up. Here's how to do it:
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1
First, take a baseline measurement
Let the system run for one to two months without connecting anything to it. Without a baseline, you won't be able to demonstrate progress later on.
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2
Explain what you're measuring and why
Communicate openly with your drivers: what is being recorded, what it’s used for, and what isn’t done with it. This is the moment when you’ll either gain or lose their support.
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3
Set realistic thresholds for each vehicle type
Adjust the values based on the type of vehicle and driving profile so that the scores are comparable and fair.
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4
Discuss the figures in a small group
Posting a monthly ranking on the wall rarely works. A brief conversation with the drivers who have the highest profit margins usually does, though.
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5
Associate it with something positive
A bonus, a team goal, or simply recognition for those who perform well. Rewarding people generally yields better results than punishing them.
Curious to see what you can gain from your fleet?
In a 30-minute demo, we'll show you the driving behavior reports based on real data and walk you through where the greatest potential for improvement lies.
Schedule your demoWhat do you need to start driving green?
The foundation is a GPS tracker in every vehicle you want to monitor. The comprehensive driving behavior data and reports—speed, sudden braking, rapid acceleration, sharp turns, and fuel consumption—are included in the FLEET.PRO subscription. If you also want to view the score by driver rather than by vehicle, you should add driver identification so that each trip is linked to the correct person.
Driving behavior integrates well with other data from the same platform. Anyone who tracks the fuel monitor will see the effect of improved driving behavior directly reflected in fuel consumption. And through maintenance planning, you’ll eventually notice that brakes and tires don’t need to be replaced as often.
Would you like to see all the options at a glance? Check out the driving behavior monitoring solutions page or the complete fleet management platform.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eco-Friendly Driving
What exactly is eco-friendly driving?
Eco-driving is a driving style that minimizes the strain on the engine: accelerating gently, anticipating rather than braking hard, maintaining a constant speed, and avoiding unnecessary idling. In a telematics system, this behavior is measured via the GPS tracker and summarized in a driving behavior score for each vehicle or driver.
How much fuel do you save by driving green?
That depends heavily on your starting point: a fleet that already drives smoothly will see fewer savings than one where drivers tend to drive aggressively. In practice, we see savings in the range of a few percent on total fuel consumption, plus reduced wear and tear on brakes, tires, and suspension. A baseline measurement period of one to two months will give you the most accurate picture of the potential savings for your fleet.
Are you allowed to record your drivers' driving behavior in Belgium?
Yes, provided that you comply with the GDPR regulations. You must have a specific and legitimate purpose, clearly inform your employees about what you are collecting and why, and document this in your employee handbook or a separate policy. Do not collect more data than is necessary for that purpose, and use it only for that purpose.
Does eco-friendly driving also work for delivery vans and machinery?
Yes. The feature is built into the trackers themselves and therefore works in passenger cars, vans, and trucks. You set the thresholds for each vehicle type so that the scores remain comparable across vehicles. For machinery, the driving behavior score is less relevant, but tracking operating hours and idling time often yields significant benefits in those cases.
What subscription do I need for driving behavior data?
The comprehensive driving behavior data and reports are available in FLEET.PRO. FLEET.START includes the basic functionality for tracking, trips, and reporting, but does not include detailed driving behavior analysis. We’d be happy to work with you to determine which configuration makes the most sense for you.
Hilde Lavrijssen
Marketing manager at AllConnects. Closely monitors the digitization of fleet management, equipment management, and time tracking in the construction and transportation industries, and translates legislation and technology into practical insights for companies on the road and at construction sites.
