Three out of ten engines run on stolen fuel, and up to 20% of a fleet’s operating costs are lost to this type of theft. The problem is so severe that the black market for fuel is primarily fueled by siphoning carried out by drivers themselves.
Against this backdrop, Ariel Vaca, co-founder of Neotecnik a company with over 20 years of experience in fuel control shares how he decided to put an end to this problem once and for all.
1. What was the problem?
2. Getting to Work
3. What was the solution?
4. Escort: The Most Reliable Sensors
5. Results
6. Neotecnik + Escort + RedGPS = Smart Partnerships
8. About Neotecnik
Until now, the main issue was that there was no truly reliable solution to detect and prevent theft. The situation became so normalized that companies considered it inevitable and labeled theft losses as just another operational expense.
The solutions available in the market suffered from a common problem: they used indirect methods that produced imprecise fuel measurements. Others detected fuel level but not the actual number of liters—meaning they weren’t reliable solutions.
Additionally, fuel flow meters for measuring input to the engine and return to the tank also have significant measurement errors due to their method of operation.
All of this made it impossible to accurately determine the amount of fuel stolen.
We set out to create the most reliable and accurate solution. We started by studying driver behavior and how the theft actually happens—a very simple procedure: the driver removes the tank cap and siphons the fuel.
We found that the amount of fuel stolen is directly proportional to the distance driven, so it aligns with the vehicle’s historical average consumption.
For this reason, it was essential to track all aspects of fuel consumption and behavior essentially, the physics inside the tank so that events like inclines caused by changing geography wouldn’t throw off the sensor readings.
That’s why we decided to develop a solution based on real-time fuel measurement, not just reading tank levels.
To finally resolve this seemingly impossible issue, we developed a solution capable of detecting fuel theft through end-to-end traceability analyzed in every report.
We designed a fully configurable tool to record every unusual event that occurs in the truck’s tank, while simultaneously tracking actual consumption. This delivers fast economic benefits, thanks to the savings achieved by preventing theft.
We always envisioned a solution ideal for any fleet—whether short- or long-haul trucking, passenger transport, or any operation where fuel is a significant expense. It can even be implemented on heavy machinery.
To bring this solution to life, we chose Escort Monitoring Systems’ telemetry probes for their exceptional reliability; other devices failed because the sensor must have the intelligence needed to deliver truly useful data.
Neotecnik had worked for many years with a North American company, but their sensors produced very large measurement errors and did not offer the option to access and adjust device settings.
Neotecnik also tested two other brands to develop prototypes, but when they sought technical support, none was available.
That’s why they chose Escort. The first step was to integrate the probe into the RedGPS platform; next, it was installed on real trucks to collect and analyze the data.
A wide range of parameters had to be tested for the percentages of loading and unloading, given the different ways this process can occur. Additionally, a time and speed parameter was added.
It took months of collaboration between the Escort and RedGPS teams, considering every type and variation of theft, and analyzing the data until they achieved sophisticated, reliable algorithms capable of determining a vehicle’s fuel level at any moment, without generating false alerts or inaccurate readings.
After weeks of testing, calls, and adjustments, we achieved a unique solution custom-developed for the region so that integrators or platform users don’t have to invest extra time or resources to implement it.
To validate the data, this solution was installed on trucks with two and three fuel tanks. Field testing allowed us to fine-tune the tools and control algorithms.
We were able to detect thefts o 160 liters on a 1,200-kilometer journey. We also confirmed that most truck drivers steal fuel on every trip, in direct proportion to the kilometers they travel.
Moreover, all the data generated offers a wealth of study material, even revealing the points of sale for stolen fuel.
Because of the undetected theft volume and the savings from preventing it, the solution’s cost reduction pays for itself in just three months, leading to a rapid return on investment.
In short, the results have been excellent. But, most importantly, the solution has proven it can detect fuel theft without the drawbacks or limitations of other approaches.
Having partners who share the passion and vision to solve problems is essential to a project’s success. Neotecnik brought its experience in the industrial fuel sector, but they could not find suppliers who shared their vision.
Until they found Escort as the best option. They have a major center for developing new devices and prepared thoroughly to serve the Latin American market, with sales advisors and technical support in Spanish and during LATAM business hours.
And in RedGPS, a platform on par with the best in the world, with a vision focused on continuous innovation.
Both Escort and RedGPS have a genuine corporate vision and a firm commitment to continuous improvement, backed by solid technical support and a philosophy of innovating by consistently listening to their customers and understanding market needs.
They also have the technological capability to address new forms of theft as they emerge.
We organized a webinar with Ariel Vaca, co-founder of Neotecnik, from Argentina, and Alina Khalikova, Latin America Sales Executive for Escort Monitoring Systems, from Russia. Both explain in detail how this solution works, its advantages over other options, and upcoming developments. We invite you to watch:
This is the most reliable and secure solution against fuel theft and represents a paradigm shift in how the problem has been addressed.
Neotecnik is an Argentine company with over 20 years of experience developing various types of automation solutions for industrial fuel control, including in-house electronics and software development.
The company is dedicated to providing its clients with solutions for fuel control in tankers and industrial fuel dispensers.
If you want to learn more about RedGPS solutions for fuel monitoring, contact your Account Manager. If you’re not yet a customer and are interested in discovering all the features RedGPS offers for your GPS tracking business, fill out the form at the end of this article and one of our advisors will contact you.
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