One of the big topics of conversation for businesses today is sustainability and green fleet management is part of that essential consideration.
As the debate around climate change deepens, both companies and governments are setting targets to reduce carbon emissions, reduce waste, and offset or replace raw materials used.
According to a recent article in Statista, the transport industry is the greatest source of pollution in the UK, producing almost 25% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020.
In addition, the UK Government announced its net zero agenda in 2021, which stated a target of reducing 1990 emission levels by 78% before 2035, and reaching its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. This isn’t as far away as it sounds, so green fleet management has a crucial role in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced by fleet vehicles.
Green fleet management – what is it?
Unfortunately, sustainability and lowering emissions from fleet vehicles has not always been at the top of the agenda for fleet management. But every Fleet Manager can help to make their fleet as green as possible by adopting an eco-friendly approach in their role and making environmentally friendly choices.
In fact, many businesses have already started the transition to a greener fleet, by replacing older vehicles and seven major UK companies announced their intention to speed up the adoption of electric vehicles according to this 2021 press release from bp (and others.)
It is vital that Fleet Managers understand and use all resources available to them to reduce the carbon emissions of fleet vehicles, contributing to the sustainability pledge of the business while reducing fuel consumption and preparing the fleet for Clean Air Zones. These are already established in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside, with Greater Manchester due to follow soon.
Green fleet management is the method by which the transport, logistics, and fleet sectors will minimise their environmental impact and positively contribute to the government’s net zero ambition.
Green fleet management – setting targets
As with all strategies, it is important to know where you are going, so setting a number of time-sensitive goals to make your fleet greener will keep you on track and show you how far you have come from the starting point.
Some examples of green fleet management goals are:
- Reducing CO2 emissions by x% within x years
- Achieving the same results but lowering mileage
- Beginning the transition to all-electric by a certain date
- Reducing maintenance
- Prolonging the life of fleet vehicles
Every company is different but fleet goals and timetables should dovetail with the environmental strategy and targets set by the company management team.
Vehicle fleet management software
Data is king, and once the green fleet management goals have been established, you will need to collect the relevant data to make sure the fleet achieves them. This is where vehicle management software like our AJT Installs Tracker 365 play their part.
Fleet Managers need data to see how the fleet is currently performing and what improvements can be made to ensure that targets are met, or even surpassed.
Vehicle fleet management software normally consists of a combination of GPS tracking sensors, cameras, and engine data systems, which relay information and data to Fleet Managers. The reports compiled from this data enable savings in mileage, fuel, journey numbers, emissions, maintenance, and help to eliminate costly bad driving habits through training and education.
At AJT Installs, our experienced technicians have installed vehicle management software in vehicles from many different transport sectors, so they understand that every installation has different requirements… Why not call us today to find out how Tracker 365 can help you to reach your environmental goals as part of your green fleet management strategy?
Green fleet management goals
So, how can vehicle fleet management software help you to achieve your green goals?
Reducing CO2 emissions
Vehicle exhaust emissions are responsible for causing significant damage to the environment and contributing towards poor air quality, so reducing them should be a goal for every Fleet Manager.
The data provided by fleet management software shows vehicle mileage and how much fuel has been consumed in every journey, so can be used to calculate current emissions. Once established, improvements can be made to reduce fuel consumption and mileage per vehicle.
Data can be used for efficient route planning to make sure every fleet vehicle operates at optimal performance. Routes should be planned carefully to avoid congested routes or those with accident blackspots, road works or other delays, which could cause engine idling and fuel wastage.
Keeping clear of areas where air quality could be adversely impacted such as outside schools, old people’s homes hospitals should also be taken into consideration.
Vehicle efficiency
A key area for green fleet management is using data from vehicle management software to make sure all fleet vehicles are running efficiently.
Scheduled vehicle servicing and maintenance should be timely and planned to make sure that worn out parts are replaced so they do not produce additional emissions. Driver reminders to carry out basic vehicle checks on a regular basis, for example tyre pressures and oil levels, can also reduce fuel inefficiencies and consequently lower emissions.
Journeys can be condensed, or multiple journeys combined to reduce the number of vehicles on the road at any one time, improving productivity and reducing overall fleet costs.
Driver behaviour
Part of a green fleet management strategy is to make sure fleet drivers know about green goals and how they will be achieved. The entire team needs to be on board to have an impact and downloaded data can be used to produce reports showing where and when fuel is being wasted. This information can be used to influence and change bad driving habits that contribute to fuel wastage and higher emission levels:
- Tailgating
- Late braking
- Speeding
- Aggressive acceleration
- Engine idling
- Over revving
- Using the wrong gear
- Failing to be road aware
The training should focus on the environmental benefits of emission reduction and fuel wastage, rather than being used to censure drivers for bad driving. Once they are on board as a team, they will pride themselves on their contribution to green fleet management.
Of course, making the transition to an electric fleet will have the most impact on reducing emissions, but this is not a viable solution, especially for companies with high cost implications where it may not be economically possible.
Having a green fleet management strategy in place, with goals for going greener and reducing the environmental impact of fleets right now provides a steppingstone towards that all-electric transition. Talk to the experts at AJT Installs about the benefits of Tracker 365 and how it can help you to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and eradicate bad driving habits on your journey towards a greener fleet future.