Fuel Theft: A Billion-Dollar Crisis
Fuel theft under lack of fuel monitoring isn’t just a petty crime—it’s a serious financial drain.
U.S. fleets lose approximately $3.2 billion annually to fuel theft alone, with average fleet managers reporting 68% lack of real-time visibility, and losses of $2,400 per vehicle per year.
In some fleets, fuel theft can eat up to 40% of fuel expenses, dramatically reducing profitability.
Conversely, deploying telematics-enabled monitoring—including ultrasonic sensors—can reduce fuel theft by up to 30% and enhance operational efficiency .
When fleets grow, fuel siphoning losses grow too. Without accurate differentiation, managers cannot distinguish normal use from theft—until it’s too late.
The Problem: Shell's Fuel Loss Challenge
Shell–managers of large fleets–faced another layer of pain: when fleet size increased, fuel siphoning and abuse rose in tandem. Losing hundreds or thousands of liters per month, they needed a precise, tamper-resistant solution to regain control.
Our Solution: Real-Time Ultrasonic Sensing + Hardwired Tracker
Deploy TA34 ultrasonic fuel sensor directly onto each tank for continuous monitoring:
Non-invasive sensor measures fuel height via ultrasound
Reports precise real-time readings to the vehicle’s tracker
Sends immediate alerts on sudden drops indicating siphoning or leaks
Connected to a hardwired GPS tracker that:
Logs timestamped fuel-level data
Relays alerts via LTE/CAT‑M1 to fleet managers
Records fluctuations to support audits and investigations
Results: Pepsi's Success Story
Shell implemented this system fleet-wide and achieved:
Sharp decline in unexplained fuel drops
Quantifiable reduction in monthly fuel theft
Stronger driver accountability and audit trails
ROI through fuel saved easily offsetting sensor investment
Key Components & Benefits
| Component | Benefit |
|---|---|
| TA34 Ultrasonic Sensor | Detects siphoning instantly via real-time fuel level monitoring |
| Hardwired Tracker | Captures and reports events without battery failure |
| Fuel theft alerts | Immediate notifications on drops exceeding % or liters |
| Fuel consumption logs | Track normal patterns and detect anomalies |
| Audit-friendly reporting | Supports compliance and theft investigations |
Next Steps for Fleet Managers
Deploy TA34 sensors with hardwired trackers across your fleet
Configure alert thresholds (e.g. 5% fuel drop within minutes)
Monitor alerts and logs via fleet dashboard or app
Investigate flagged incidents and clarify misuse vs consumption
Measure trends, savings, and ROI—adjust policy and routes accordingly
Contact us for more successful use cases, and an opportunity in cooperation
