By Eugene Maslov, Founder and Finance Broker at Lendr360
Published 1 October 2026 · Last reviewed 1 October 2026
A truck repayment may remain the same each month. The cost of putting that truck to work does not.
Fuel consumption, standstill time, maintenance, utilisation, routes, loads and driver behaviour can all change what the truck costs for every kilometre, delivery or completed job.
That means the finance repayment is only one line in the total-cost calculation.
The driver is part of the cost equation
UD Trucks’ 2026 Australian Extra Mile Challenge assessed drivers using onboard telematics across four areas:
- Anticipation and braking
- Driveline utilisation
- Speed adaptation
- Standstill time
UD Trucks says improvements in driver behaviour can contribute to better fuel efficiency and reduced vehicle wear.
Volvo Trucks provides another useful manufacturer benchmark, stating that its best drivers are typically 5–10% more fuel-efficient than average drivers.
That is not a saving every operator should expect. Results will vary significantly according to the truck, route, load, traffic, terrain, maintenance and type of work. However, the benchmark reinforces an important point: operating performance does not depend on the vehicle alone.
Four measures worth reviewing
1. Fuel per kilometre or completed job
Total monthly fuel spend can be misleading if one truck travelled further or completed more work.
Compare fuel consumption against a meaningful operating measure, such as:
- Productive kilometres
- Completed deliveries
- Tonnes transported
- Machine or engine hours
- Revenue-producing jobs
Use the measure that best reflects how the truck earns income.
2. Standstill and idling
Standstill time can be caused by traffic, loading delays, customer waiting times, scheduling or driver practices.
The number alone does not explain the cause. Compare it by route, customer and type of work before deciding what needs to change.
3. Braking, speed and driveline use
Frequent harsh braking, unnecessary acceleration or unsuitable speed patterns may affect fuel use and wear.
Driver coaching may help, but the route and operating conditions also matter. A vehicle working in dense metropolitan traffic should not be compared directly with one operating mainly on open highways.
4. Vehicle utilisation
A truck can be mechanically reliable and still produce a poor financial result if it spends too much time parked, travelling empty or waiting for work.
Track productive kilometres and revenue-generating hours alongside total kilometres and total operating time.
Compare like with like
Review a representative operating period and separate the factors the driver can influence from those outside the driver’s control.
Account for:
- Urban versus highway work
- Route length and terrain
- Vehicle configuration
- Load weight
- Empty running
- Traffic and loading delays
- Seasonal demand
- Scheduled and unscheduled downtime
The objective is not to blame the driver. It is to understand where the money is going.
Build a simple operating-cost dashboard
A practical monthly review could include:
| Measure | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Finance repayment | The contracted monthly cash commitment |
| Fuel per productive kilometre or job | Shows fuel cost relative to completed work |
| Standstill or idling time | Identifies waiting and scheduling inefficiencies |
| Maintenance and tyre cost per kilometre | Helps reveal emerging wear or reliability issues |
| Unscheduled downtime | Records the time the truck could not earn income |
| Empty versus loaded kilometres | Provides a clearer view of utilisation |
| Revenue or contribution per truck | Connects the asset with the income it generates |
Look for changes over time rather than relying on one unusual week.
Improvement or replacement?
A newer truck may offer better efficiency, reliability, technology or capacity. However, replacement is not automatically the only answer.
Before changing vehicles, ask:
- Is the existing truck properly matched to its route, load and task?
- Are operating costs rising because of the vehicle, its utilisation or the way the work is organised?
- Could servicing, driver coaching or route planning address part of the problem?
- How much unplanned downtime is the existing truck causing?
- Will the expected operating benefit from replacement justify the new repayment and changeover cost?
The strongest decision will usually combine operating records with realistic forecasts for the proposed replacement.
Consider the complete finance structure
When comparing truck finance, look beyond the advertised rate and monthly repayment.
Consider the loan term, deposit, balloon or residual, fees, early-payout conditions and how long the business expects to keep the truck.
Lendr360 can help you explore Truck & Trailer Finance and discuss a structure that reflects the asset, its expected working life and the business using it.
Transport operators can also view our dedicated Transport & Logistics finance solutions.
Planning to replace or add a truck? Call Lendr360 on 1800 870 779.
General information for business-purpose finance only. Manufacturer benchmarks are not guaranteed savings. Actual operating results depend on the vehicle, driver, route, load and business circumstances. Finance is subject to lender assessment, eligibility, fees and terms.
Sources: UD Trucks – Australia’s Top UD Truck Driver Named for 2026 · UD Connect · Volvo Trucks – How to improve truck fuel efficiency.