In March 2023, Simon Stiell, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, underscored a critical truth: “We’re running out of time but not out of options to address climate change.” As a leader in fleet management, Fleet Complete recognises your unique role in shaping a sustainable future. The transportation sector’s substantial greenhouse gas emissions demand immediate attention, and reducing your fleet’s carbon footprint is not just responsible—it’s essential.
Why is Fleet Sustainability Important?
Irrespective of your fleet’s size, instituting a sustainable fleet program emerges as a potent weapon against climate change. Consider these sobering statistics:
- In 2021, 28% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions originated from transportation, according to the EPA.
- Road transportation accounted for a staggering 81% of these emissions.
- 4 litres of petrol emits about 10 kilograms of CO2, translating to 6 to 9 tons of CO2 per vehicle annually.
These numbers underscore the urgency of adopting sustainable strategies. Beyond the statistics, there are compelling reasons to prioritise sustainability:
- Lower operational costs through improved fuel economy.
- Fleet modernization through electrification and right-sizing.
- Compliance with emissions regulations.
In a world facing economic uncertainty, the time to prioritise sustainability has never been more critical.
Stages of Sustainable Fleet Management
A sustainable fleet management strategy aims to enhance environmental impact by boosting efficiency. It revolves around improving fuel efficiency, meeting emission reduction targets, and reducing operational costs, encompassing four stages: Assess, Adopt, Accelerate, and Aspire.
Assess
Before enacting change, assess your fleet’s current state. Gather data on CO2 emissions, idling times, vehicle utilisation, and fuel consumption to establish benchmarks and identify areas for improvement. Once these benchmarks are in place, evaluate sustainable fleet solutions.
Adopt
The next phase involves implementing CO2 emission reduction strategies where immediate impact can be made. For instance, curtailing unnecessary idling significantly enhances sustainability by reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Monitoring idling trends and establishing policies through telematics devices can train drivers to idle less.
Another impactful step is route optimisation, which reduces unnecessary travel and boosts asset utilisation. Analysing driving data can lead to consolidating trips, minimising stops, and, consequently, decreasing emissions and fuel wastage.
Introducing electric vehicles (EVs) is also vital, you can begin exploring Fleet Electrification here. EVs eliminate tailpipe emissions and might offer a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Initiate pilot programs and an EV Suitability Assessment to determine the feasibility of electric adoption.
Accelerate
Building on initial successes, the acceleration phase focuses on optimising EVs’ operation. Monitor charging behaviour, set up alerts for non-compliance, and promote electric operation for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
Aspire
Leadership, innovation, and collective effort are essential to create a sustainable future. Go beyond fleet sustainability by staying informed about trends, advocating for policy changes, fostering a sustainability culture, and exploring emerging technologies. Proactive measures can substantially reduce carbon emissions and inspire others in the industry.
The Future of Sustainable Fleets
Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s the future. Governments will intensify climate change regulations and incentives. Exploring sustainable fleet solutions now ensures compliance and mitigates potential future costs and disruptions.
Sustainability isn’t just about ethics—it makes financial sense too. Adopting sustainable fleet management boosts efficiency, reduces costs, and improves your bottom line. Many businesses find that going green is a competitive advantage, attracting environmentally-conscious customers and investors.
Creating a sustainable fleet necessitates calculated efforts and continuous adaptation to evolving practices. It’s an investment in a cleaner, more responsible future for the transportation industry, and Fleet Complete is your partner on this transformative journey.
If you would like to take our fleet management system for a spin to see how it can help you reduce your fleet footprint, get started today. Try our Fleet Complete demo.
This article was originally published by Geotab on the 10th May 2023.
