5 Easy Steps To A More Sustainable Fleet

Don’t wait until the fleet is overhauled to electric vehicles. There are plenty of Green House Gas (GHG) and cost-saving measures that can be introduced in the short-term, that will increase the bottom line, and have a meaningful impact on the environment.

This is more important than ever, considering GHG emissions from transportation account for about 27% of total U.S. GHG emissions, making it the largest contributor to U.S. GHG emissions. Between 1990 and 2020, GHG emissions in the transportation sector increased more in absolute terms than in any other sector. Likewise in the UK, transport is the largest emitter of GHG emissions, producing 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020.

Fuel monitoring: Excessive fuel usage isn’t just bad for the environment but also for business. Equip the fleet with a fuel monitoring system to monitor fuel consumption, improve fleet fuel economy and reduce operational expenses. GPS tracking technology combined with fuel sensors accurately detail how fuel is being used daily, weekly, and monthly. See the average fuel consumption for your vehicles over different time periods. Identify vehicles with the highest fuel consumption and their routes. A professional fleet fuel management solution can help you monitor fuel consumption, improve fleet fuel economy and reduce operational expenses and emissions.

Driver coaching: Slower acceleration, reduced idling time, more gentle braking, and not speeding are all things to remind drivers of, and are the basis of an eco-safe-driving style. These practices will conserve fuel and lower operating costs, and through fuel conservation, fewer harmful emissions are being output into the environment by the fleet.

Driver incentive program: Drivers who follow the previously advised eco-driving styles should be rewarded. Any investment made in the incentive program will be offset by the cost savings from fuel-efficiency. Such an initiative will also increase employee satisfaction, which will improve driver retention.

Route optimization: GPS enables route optimization which will cater to both a greener fleet and cost efficiency targets. Rerouting to avoid traffic congestion and selecting the shortest route prevents fuel wastage and enables more deliveries in the shortest amount of time. Also, with greater foresight and planning, drivers feel less pressure, meaning they are less likely to take shortcuts, such as hitting the pedal to reach destinations faster, using unnecessary fuel, and leaving the vehicle idling while they rush to drop packages off.

Preventative maintenance: Schedule vehicles for regular maintenance – a vehicle in peak condition is also more environmentally friendly.

In the short term there are plenty of small but impactful changes to make to the operation that positively affects the bottom line and the impact the fleet has on the environment. These changes can be a tester to see the impacts before larger commitments to more expensive changes such as introducing electric vehicles to the fleet are made.

Starting with short term activities as outlined, allow the fleet to respond to the need for sustainably managed fleet operations, without creating a shock by changing things too drastically in one fell swoop.