Fleet Co2 Emission Reductions


Increased road transportation activity has resulted in increased burden on the environment. In particular, transportation-generated pollution in the form of greenhouse gases can cause acid rains, photochemical smog, water runoff, and it is strongly associated with global warming processes. Greenhouse gases are a by-product of fossil fuel combustion. Even though government policy instruments have greatly reduced levels of heavier gasses, they have not yet fully addressed CO2 emissions.

DRIVERS ARE THE KEY TO SUCCESS! 

Eco-driving is a driving style that is both ecological and economical - it is a combination of Safe driving - Defensive driving and Anticipatory driving. For this concept to be successful it involves working with fleet drivers to monitor and introduce a more fuel efficient driving behaviour.

This model has been described as light touch or smooth driving. It can also entail state-of-the-art in-cab telematics information systems that can provide the driver with information about the optimum throttle position for a given load and speed.

At a practical level, for this concept to be successful, it requires monitoring and the encouragement of drivers to adopt a consistent eco-friendly and safety conscious form of driving. 

Delivering CO2 reductions by ensuring vehicles are driven properly is a key factor if you wish to achieve and exceed your company’s carbon reduction goals. Driving safely and in an eco-friendly manner has never been more important than it is today; lowering Co2 by the use of green engine technology combined with a driver monitoring scheme will not only help reduce costs, it will reinforce your company’s commitment to road safety and a greener environment.

Mandatory Carbon Reporting became law on the 1st October 2013 for all FTSE listed Companies.

Reducing harmful exhaust fumes are seen by some as being one of the easiest ways to help the government achieve its global GHG reduction targets. Therefore, it is very likely that over time this requirement will be extended to smaller companies particularly those involved in fleet transportation.

Studies undertaken by the United Nations Environment Programme have shown that when drivers adopt an Eco-safe driving style the driver can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%. Over time, without driver monitoring some drivers can return to their previous driving style which not only lowers the benefits gained in lower fuel consumption but they can also pose a significant risk to the company’s road safety strategy. The RoadDriver monitoring programme will help focus the drivers attention on the task at hand which is to drive safely and economically 100% of the time.

The Department for Transport has decided not to make eco-driver training a compulsory part of Driver CPC, due to evidence it has gathered that suggests at least some parts of the industry are making progress in carbon emissions reduction voluntarily.

The DFT Freight Carbon Review states “The information we have received suggests that eco-driving training is one of the more popular measures being undertaken to reduce HGV fuel consumption,”

“Whilst eco-driving training has clear carbon reduction benefits, particularly when backed up by performance monitoring, the Department remains of the view that operators are best placed to know the particular development needs of their drivers and therefore has no plans to make eco-driving training a mandatory element of periodic training at present but will keep the issue under review.

”Eco-safe driving refers to a driving style characterised by lower speeds, less acceleration and "thinking ahead" in traffic. The influence of speed and driver behaviour on emissions and fuel economy is significant. With improved driver behaviour, there are not only great safety benefits, but substantial reductions in maintenance costs such as those for brakes, clutches and vehicle suspension. 

Read further in this series - Tips and Advice on Eco-driving