08 January 2025

Currys plc, the UK’s largest omni-channel technology retailer, has succeeded in reducing its annual fuel bill by more than £400,000 thanks to the successful adoption of Lightfoot’s cutting-edge in-cab driver coaching technology and rewards platform.

Used across its fleet of 262 Ford Transits and 410 Iveco Dailys, telematics data captured by Lightfoot, compared during its blind to live trials, has shown that Currys has seen a 10.8% increase in MPG, a near 11% fall in CO2 emissions and reductions in vehicle idling by 5%. As a result, in the last year alone Currys saw its annual fuel bill drop by £416,000 – equivalent to nearly £620 for every vehicle on the fleet.

First adopted by the retailer in 2016, Lightfoot has evolved with the business, providing real-time driver feedback that has reduced instances of harsh acceleration, cornering and braking. This has contributed to a 98% reduction in incidents of riskier styles of driving.*

Additionally, Lightfoot provides telematics and tracking data via its portal, which Currys uses to accurately identify where and when vehicle incidents occur, alongside speed data. Currys also uses Lightfoot’s MPG data to contribute to annual reporting relating to fleet greenhouse gas emissions, and to its annual Environmental and Social Governance reports.

Lightfoot’s ability to reduce both fuel use and emissions is possible thanks to its live in-cab audible and visual alerts, delivering advanced learning which keep drivers in the sweet spot of the engine.

Through real-time coaching, audible end-of-journey scores, competitive driver leagues, and reward and recognition, drivers are encouraged to be the best that they can be, helping individuals to be safer and more efficient on each journey. This not only reduces Currys’ environmental impact but the likelihood of accidents on the road, resulting in a 15.8% reduction of total annual blameworthy accidents between FY 16/17 and FY 22/23; a fact which the company actively shares with insurers and brokers.

Lightfoot’s fully integrated technology and fleet manager portal allows Currys to analyse telematics data in detail at the same time as motivating its drivers through engagement comms that encourage entry into Lightfoot’s range of weekly prize draws for Elite Drivers. This sophisticated combination enhances driver self-moderation at the same time as flagging those individuals that require closer management or training. This allows Currys to focus on those areas of greatest gain for the business, enhancing efficiency and saving time.

“"From the early days of working with Lightfoot, we recognised the huge benefit that real-time driver feedback has to play in changing driving styles for the better. It’s a world apart from using telematics retrospectively and has helped our drivers improve their driving standards, enabling them to become smoother, and safer at pace.

“For us, the key is driver engagement. From consumer tech rewards to cash prizes in The Drivers’ Lottery, our drivers see the direct benefit of becoming Elite Drivers; all without the headache of benefits in kind. We also use data from Lightfoot to feed into our Delivery Crew of the Year competition.

“Add to that the fact that a good Lightfoot driving record can help reduce private vehicle insurance premiums, and it’s easy to see why so many of our team are using the app, helping them to become better, more mindful drivers on the road."”

Chris Georgiou Head of Compliance for Supply Chain and Service Operations at Currys

Paul Hollick, Managing Director of Lightfoot, commented: “As an early adopter of our disruptive driver-focused solution, Currys has seen the game-changing impact that our technology has had on its fleet. As a result, we’ve saved the business hundreds of thousands of pounds in fuel, reduced vehicle wear and tear, and contributed to its decarbonisation strategy.

‘As Currys moves to a low carbon fleet – which includes a commitment to transitioning 100% of its small van fleet and 50% of its medium to heavy fleet to electric or alternative fuel by 2030 – we look forward to playing a continued part in motivating its drivers to be smoother and safer, enhancing vehicle range and delivering a greener, cleaner fleet, that’s fit for the future."

To find out more about how Lightfoot can transform your fleet for the better, visit www.lightfoot.co.uk

ENDS

Note to editors:

* Lightfoot recorded driver data during blind trials with Currys. Once Lightfoot went live, drivers reduced incidents of riskier styles of driving by 98%.

About Lightfoot

Lightfoot is an award-winning, government-supported technology that is helping to make roads safer, the environment cleaner and business vehicles less expensive to run. Its revolutionary technology has become the fleet management solution of choice for many of the UK’s largest fleets, including Tesco, Asda, Virgin Media, and South West Water. Backed by Volpi Capital, Lightfoot rewards better drivers with a platform that monetises good driving.

A ‘Fitbit for cars and vans’, Lightfoot is pioneering a new standard for measuring efficient driving. Lightfoot’s technology has been developed in partnership with leading driver-behavior experts at Bath University. Using advanced, real-time engine analytics that measure different factors such as load and road gradients, it provides live, in-cab coaching to help drivers improve efficiency and safety.

Tests at Bath University’s Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems proved a direct correlation between Lightfoot’s in-cab visual alerts and reductions in NOx. Studies showed when drivers halve the number of lights on Lightfoot’s in-cab dashboard device, a fivefold reduction in NOx is achieved.

Lightfoot’s industry-leading solution combines instant in-cab coaching via the dashboard mounted device with its driver rewards platform to deliver substantial, sustainable results. The dashboard display device uses live engine data to provide drivers with real-time visual and audible feedback, allowing them to manage their own performance and build better driving habits.

Alongside the in-cab device, Lightfoot also provides a dedicated Drivers App. Here, drivers can view their performance data, keep track of their driving score, and compete in league tables with other drivers. When they reach Lightfoot’s ‘Elite Driver’ standard (scoring 85% or higher) they gain access to a range of exclusive competitions, including The Drivers’ Lottery, where they can win up to £200 each week, and a host of prize giveaways, such as consumer tech. Together, this helps to incentivise better driving, ensuring long-lasting results.

Lightfoot has two core components:

  1. A small device that communicates directly with the vehicle’s engine and provides the driver with visual and verbal feedback to stay within the engine’s ‘sweet spot’ (optimum efficiency).
  2. An exciting rewards platform enabling drivers to benefit personally from better driving (whether at work or at home) through competitions, prizes, discounts and other incentives.

The benefits of Lightfoot:

  • A rapid and measurable improvement in driving styles
  • Improved welfare and safety of drivers
  • Changes sustained over time because of ongoing cab engagement
  • Minimal management input required – Lightfoot gives results, not lots of data
  • Fuel and emissions savings of 15-20% (validated by Professor Chris Brace of Bath University)
  • In EVs, a more uniform Lightfoot-enabled driving style contributes to range increases of up to 15%.
  • Accident reductions of up to 40% (validated by Allianz Insurance Plc)
  • Tracking, driver ID, business v private mileage is all available and easy to use
  • Reduced wear and tear on vehicles (downtime reduced by 45% - Ian Thorn, CEF)
  • Lightfoot regularly achieves driver engagement levels in excess of 60%, which compares favourably with conventional telematics that struggle to achieve engagement levels higher than 5%.

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