Using a lever that carriers still control
Diesel prices have climbed sharply in 2026. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports the national on-highway average above $5 per gallon this spring, with forecasts pointing to continued pressure on margins.
Whether prices climb or hold, fuel efficiency is one of the few cost levers a carrier controls. An in-cab coaching system gives drivers real-time feedback on controllable driving behaviors that impact fuel efficiency, such as accelerator pedal use and gear selection.
How does ISAAC’s in-cab coaching work?
MIT research, cited by the U.S. Department of Energy, shows driving practices can lower fuel consumption by 15% to 30% on highways and up to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. A real-time in-cab coaching system, such as the ISAAC Coach, allows drivers to adopt the best eco-driving practices.
The ISAAC Coach collects more than 100 parameters, sampled up to 200 times per second, from the truck’s data network. This data is analyzed and transformed into simple indicators that appear on the in-cab tablet. The system evaluates if the engine power being used is adequate, based on the factors in play, such as the truck’s gear ratio and accelerator pedal pressure percentage. The resulting score is adjusted to be fair to the driver, taking into account road and weather conditions.
For drivers, the interface is simple. Three green or yellow circles help them make the best decisions. The system provides guidance on the following items:
- the optimal accelerator pedal pressure to maximize fuel efficiency
- when to change gears
- whether or not to use cruise control
Three green indicator circles show that the driver is applying the optimal pressure on the accelerator, based on current driving conditions. If the driver applies excessive throttle, the indicators turn yellow and begin to fill, signaling that less pedal pressure would improve fuel efficiency. When the “accel” indicator appears in red, the driver should ease off the accelerator. The “shift” indicator appears when it is time to upshift or use the top gear.
Does coaching work for all types of transportation?
When fleets monitor fuel economy, they tend to group drivers performing similar operations to facilitate comparison: region, heavy haul, city, etc. The ISAAC Coach doesn’t look at the fuel consumed, but rather at how efficiently the driver operates the truck. This means you could accurately and fairly rate two drivers performing entirely different types of transportation, whether it be city or highway, or with light or heavy loads, independently of the wind, aerodynamics or engine type. By following the practices suggested on the tablet, drivers will save fuel.
How much fuel savings can be expected?
ISAAC’s real-time coaching system can reduce fuel consumption by 0.5% for every 1-point improvement in the ISAAC Coach score. A carrier improving its fleet average by 10 points on the ISAAC Coach score will save around 5% in fuel.
How Tandet saved fuel with ISAAC Coach
Tandet is a bulk transportation fleet hauling dry bulk as well as gas and oil products. By using ISAAC Coach, the company improved its drivers’ average performance score from 84% to 92% over the course of four years. This improvement resulted in 540,000 gallons of fuel saved — approximately $1.5 million at $3 per gallon — highlighting the measurable impact of real-time coaching on fuel efficiency.
Improve your fleet’s fuel efficiency with ISAAC
The real-time in-cab coaching system is a valuable tool to help you achieve fuel savings. The ISAAC Coach can also support you in setting up incentive programs to reward your drivers and positively impact the safety of your fleet.
Find out how ISAAC can help you improve the fuel efficiency of your entire fleet.
