QTC Fleet
Helping Fleets Reduce Costs, Improve Efficiency and Elevate ROI.
Vehicle Specification: Challenges, Risks & Rewards
Specifying vehicles can be challenging & nerve-wracking — but also incredibly rewarding. Mistakes in ordering can be costly and disruptive, from selecting the wrong wheelbase or roof height, to choosing single front passenger seats instead of doubles, or misjudging payload and towing capacities.
Your fleet vehicles are tools your employees use every day. Small specification changes can have a big impact on:
🚗 Driver Engagement
📈 Productivity
🧰 Vehicle Usability
⚠️ Exposure to Health & Safety Issues
Understanding Requirements - It’s critical to fully understand the operational needs before considering a build or even ordering a vehicle you should consider the below points
🛠️ What are you building?
🎯 Why are you building it?
✅ What does it need to do?
⚖️ What weights will it carry and/or tow?
👥 How many passengers will there be?
📜 What legal constraints are there?
🔍 What options are open to you?
⚡ What are the pros & cons or potential compromises?
⏳ What timescales are you working to?
💰 What cost constraints are you working to?
Once you’ve understood the essentials sit down with the end users and discuss the solution and if you are replacing existing fleet ask:
🟢 What currently works?
🔴 What doesn’t?
🟡 What’s still needed?
⚪ What’s never used?
This may sound obvious, but many fleet managers skip this step — and it’s one of the most valuable parts of the process. Whether you're building a basic van or a complex HGV or tanker, user input is essential.
Real-World Example: Waste Tanker Project
One project involved specifying a waste tanker used to collect effluent from portable toilets. The previous vehicles worked, but had several issues:
❌ No external storage
❌ Suction controls on the driver’s side, increasing risk of passing traffic
❌ Pumps overheated during events
❌ No run-stop system, increasing theft risk
Whilst we were reviewing the specs we
✅ Upgraded to FORS Gold standards
✅ Added automatic transmission to reduce clutch failures
The new spec added just 7% to the cost, but the benefits — reduced clutch failures, improved safety, increased efficiency/productivity and positive driver feedback was substantial.
Not All Improvements Cost More
In other projects, we’ve been involved with delivered:
💸 £900 reduction in conversion cost per vehicle
⏱️ 3-month reduction in conversion lead time
🔧 Improved specification of vehicles and build quality
Just because you’ve always used a particular converter doesn’t mean they’re the best, fastest, or most cost-effective.