UK hauliers have long been battling a perfect storm of challenges, from an ageing driver workforce and inefficient road networks to persistently rising fuel and non-fuel costs, most recently exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East. Now, the sector faces an additional and increasingly pressing issue: razor-thin profit margins. The RHA Cost Movement Survey shows that average pre-tax profits for Hauliers has fallen to just 1.58%, down from 2.6% the previous year. This, coupled with the fact that 30.1% of all HGV kilometres are driven empty, according to the Department for Transport, highlights a significant efficiency deficit within the sector.

Philipp Pfister believes this “efficiency debt” is no longer sustainable for UK Hauliers and fleets, and discusses how to tackle the issue by shifting from reactive routing toward precision mapping and real-time data to ensure every mile driven contributes to revenue.

Understanding the efficiency debt 

Empty running has always been part of transport operations, whether driven by last-minute order changes or fragmented planning systems. But as the conflict in the Middle East drives a surge in fuel prices, the cost of inefficiency is escalating sharply. Every empty mile now represents not just wasted time and vehicle wear, but significantly higher fuel spend with no revenue to offset it.

For some businesses, this has historically been a manageable inefficiency. Today, however, especially for carriers operating on tight margins, it has become a critical pressure point, turning what was once tolerated into a serious financial risk.

The result of empty mileage is a growing gap between operational effort and financial return. Closing that gap requires more than incremental improvements, it calls for greater precision in how routes are planned, executed, and connected across the wider transport network.

Moving from shortest to smartest routing

Reducing empty running starts with improving the quality of routing decisions and commercial-grade mapping solutions are designed specifically for this purpose. A smart system keeps drivers on the most efficient path to reduce out-of-route mileage and lower fuel costs by up to 10% by  incorporating real-world HGV and LCV constraints alongside operational data, allowing planners to build routes that are both safe and compliant, sustainable and efficient. This means drivers can factor in personal preferences such as 2D and 3D maps, safety views and timing of voice instruction as well as their vehicle type and load, traffic patterns and congestion, road restrictions and infrastructure and sustainability priorities. 

Unlike consumer GPS, cloud-based solutions are built specifically for HGV and LCV operations, integrating legal restrictions and vehicle-specific parameters into route planning. By ensuring routes are compliant before departure, these tools reduce unnecessary mileage caused by routing errors while supporting fuel efficiency and emissions compliance. Crucially, by combining routing algorithms, map data and customer site information into a single platform, they create a consistent “single source of truth” from planning through to real-time execution and post-trip analysis.

Aligning planning with execution

Reducing empty miles starts with better planning, and that planning must be tightly connected from back office to cab. By investing in advanced commercial navigation tools, carriers can ensure drivers have full visibility of optimized routes in real time, aligned with central planning decisions. This eliminates the disconnect that often leads to unnecessary detours and inefficiencies.

Crucially, when routing, scheduling, and execution operate from the same data and commercial logic, carriers can actively minimise empty running rather than react to it. The result is fewer wasted miles, lower fuel costs, and a more resilient, efficient operation, something that is no longer optional in today’s high-cost environment.

There are additional operational benefits, too. This technology is also a huge aid when onboarding a new or less experienced driver. The International Road Transport Union (IRU), estimates that Europe is short of nearly 500,000 drivers, with fewer than 5% under the age of 25. This worrying stat demonstrates the importance of getting a driver up to speed and comfortable in the role as soon as possible. A smart advanced mapping tool will allow any driver, no matter their experience, to navigate unfamiliar routes with confidence, improving productivity from day one and reducing reliance on local knowledge. This also affords drivers peace of mind and confidence in their abilities, which ultimately means they are less likely to leave the business further down the road.

Using data to unlock backhaul opportunities

For hauliers, investing in a market intelligence solution that delivers in-depth, real-time insights into market rates, spot rates, lanes, and capacity, and how these evolve over time, is a critical first step in improving visibility. When combined with smart mapping data and both real-time and historical market insights, this enables a clearer view of available capacity and demand.

Alongside this, spot freight, encompassing non-contractual transactions, offers agility, making it particularly valuable for surge volumes, irregular shipment patterns, and rejected loads. When used strategically, it allows hauliers to secure competitive rates, optimise backhauls, and ultimately enhance overall market efficiency.

With this level of insight, operators can identify backhaul opportunities more effectively and align loads with demand in real time. Ultimately, this means carriers have the opportunity to make more informed decisions about pricing and route selection. Rather than relying on static planning or manual coordination, fleets can respond dynamically to changing conditions. Over time, this reduces the structural imbalance that leads to empty return journeys.  

To conclude

While the challenges facing UK Hauliers aren’t new, with the margin for inefficiency getting a lot tighter, empty running is no longer a viable option. Addressing this requires a new approach to how routes are planned and executed. This means moving away from basic consumer navigation GPS tools and towards new commercial technology that addresses the pain points HGV and LCV drivers face. Be it aligning planning with in cab execution or data that can help match capacity with demand.

Of course, it’s impossible to eradicate all empty miles completely. However, by upgrading its planning and routing technology, a business can minimise avoidable costs and inefficiencies. For many UK hauliers, this will be the difference between maintaining profitability and falling behind in an increasingly constrained market in volatile times.