5 Tips to Reduce Fleet Emissions
3 Aug 2015Many fleet businesses for years have been considering running a greener fleet. Among the first to embrace a stiff emissions goal was the state of California. However, other states may soon follow along. One particular question that fleet managers are likely to ask is what the first step is that they will need to take toward running a fleet that is more environmentally friendly. The simple answer: GPS fleet management.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, things like heavy trucks, light trucks, construction machines, garden and lawn equipment and other parts of the transportation sector is presently responsible for around 27 percent of all United States greenhouse gas emissions. This averages to over 1800 million metric tons of harmful emissions and carbon dioxide being pumped out each year of fleet vehicles.
Below are five ways that your business can produce a greener fleet through GPS fleet management.
#1) Regular Maintenance
Your vehicles should have regular maintenance done to them. For optimal fuel efficiency, asset lifecycles, and driver safety, make sure all your vehicles are maintained and serviced immediately. Equally important, after being alerted electronically through your vehicle’s dashboard that maintenance is needed, don’t delay making the appointment.
#2) Reduce Idling and Optimize your Routes
When you are idling, you are getting 0 MPG. Although drivers have a tendency to discount the impact of idling, it can cost millions for some companies. Continual onboard stats of the engine will help you reduce it since you are unable to manage what you are not measuring.
Stats like these can, however, be measured through GPS fleet tracking. When your drivers have a GPS fleet tracking device onboard, they can re-route their route instantly for shorter traveling distance. This will help drivers to get to their destinations faster and avoid any unnecessary travel. This also helps your fleet business and emissions flow.
#3) Improve Wasteful Driver Behavior
When you can identify wasteful driver habits, you can directly impact your greening goals for your fleet operations. GPS fleet management provides you with the ability to monitor and measure fuel-wasting driver behaviors, like excessive idling, speeding, and hard acceleration, which will enable you to make required adjustments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With alerts through your GPS fleet tracker, you will have the ability to create things like Idle Alerts which will alert you when your driver as gone over the daily idle allowance. Speed Alerts can be created to alert you the moment your driver exceeds the speed limit.
#4) Set Team Benchmarks
Set a goal for a yearly percentage emissions reduction each year. Perhaps consider giving driver’s an incentive for reaching certain goals. This will allow you to motivate your drivers to reach individual and team goals.
#5) Offset the Rest
Lower or eliminate use of vehicles off hours that could be wasting your company money and contributing to your carbon footprint. You can track vehicles 24/7 through GPS tracking software.
By implementing these tips and others effectively, you will be able to improve fuel economy, boost on-road safety, and decrease emissions. You’ll not only save money and benefit from reducing your fleets’ emissions, but the environment will benefit from it as well.
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