Schneider National, based in Green Bay WI, is encouraging its owner-operators to drive efficiently by providing them a payback for lower mile-per-gallon usage, according to Schneider information.
To illustrate its fuel program launched in 2001, Schneider gave an example: “Assume that an owner-operator averages 6.8 mpg and is purchasing fuel at $4.502 a gallon this week. Through Schneider's Fuel Protection Program, the owner is compensated an additional $0.5025 per mile — the figure Schneider has determined to correlate with fuel costs ranging between $4.500 and $4.549 per gallon — over and above the regular mileage rate. This owner-operator is now receiving $3.417 toward the cost of each gallon of fuel. As a result, the owner-operator's net fuel cost is $1.085 per gallon.”
“A high number of our owner-operators are driving for efficiencies and improving their miles per gallon,” said Mike Bethea, Schneider's director of operations for owner-operators. “These smart driving techniques enable them to take full advantage of the Fuel Protection Program and receive relief from high fuel prices. Every one of our owner-operators has the opportunity to realize a great cost savings with our Fuel Protection Program.”
The program is designed to give owner-operators the financial support they need to remain successful. Protection increases the higher fuel prices go. Each time the Department of Energy's average price jumps, Schneider's Fuel Protection Program per-mile payout increases by a corresponding rate and at an increased compensation rate.
Schneider plans to grow its owner-operator fleet by 450 units before the end of 2008.