In an effort to save money, IDF soldiers have been ordered to scrimp on gas. Effective October at the latest, all military-issued cars will be ordered to use no more than predetermined amounts of fuel.
Any officer with a military-issued vehicle using more gas than this amount will automatically have the difference deducted from his or her salary. In the event that the vehicles belong to the division rather than an officer, fuel use exceeding the preset limit will be docked from the division's budget.
The plan is expected to save the IDF, host to some 12,000 motor vehicles including over 8,000 cars, some NIS 20 million (about $5 million) annually. Currently, the IDF uses over 150 million liters of fuel a year.
At the order of IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gadi Ashkenazi, some divisions began testing the concept of fuel quotas as early as half a year ago, following a price hike in gas. Despite subsequent decreases in the price of fuel, the military decided to continue with the plan.
Several Israeli hi-tech companies, who provide leased cars to their employees, began a similar policy a few months ago, in efforts to mitigate company losses in the current global climate.
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