With all the volatility in the oil futures market, and the constant fluctuation with gas and diesel pricing, some contractors (snow, landscape, irrigation, tree care, etc.,) are looking for ways to curb gas and fuel costs. Downsizing vehicles is certainly one way. Of course, some vehicles are specific to the industry of choice (snowplow trucks, salt trucks, lift trucks, bucket trucks, etc.) and cannot be changed to more fuel efficient models due to the inherent nature of their use. However, other types of vehicles can be altered to save on fuel. Sales and management staff don’t need four-wheel-drive club cab trucks. In some cases, downsizing to half-ton (or smaller) trucks can allow these folks to do the same job without the horrendous mileage associated with the big, bad rigs we all used to drive. Sales and some management staff (if previously supplied with company vehicles) can drive Prius-type vehicles rather than gas-guzzling trucks. Some plowing contractors have gone so far as to supply field staff with hybrids in summer and trucks in winter. Every little bit helps.