Vehicle fleets are key contributors to a company’s overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but they do offer a way to make quick emissions reductions. Since most companies replace approximately one-third of their fleet vehicles each year, they can structure selectors to favor more fuel-efficient models; however, there is a limit to this strategy. A fleet can only downsize so much before beginning to impact the fleet mission. The bottom line is that you can’t change the fundamental requirements of your business. A company still needs to move employees and cargo in a cost-efficient manner, which necessitates a minimum equipment requirement, even if it is not perceived to be the “greenest” option. As a result, achieving broad-based reductions requires a multi-faceted approach. There is no single silver bullet to fleet emissions reduction — it requires a multi-pronged approach.

* Spec the smallest displacement engine and smallest class of vehicle that can fulfill the fleet application. Your focus should be on optimizing vehicle selection by acquiring the smallest vehicle capable of fulfilling the fleet application, powered by the smallest displacement engine. Many sales fleets have already transitioned all of their sedans to four-cylinder engines. Other companies have made great strides in altering fleet composition by removing SUVs and utilizing more fuel-efficient crossovers.

* Subscribe to a fuel management program. Aggressively monitor the metrics to identify exceptions to fleet policy and act upon them. Level III data is enhanced transaction detail that helps fleet managers identify not just the “where” and the “when” behind a purchase, but also the “who,” “what,” and “how.” It’s a tool that can help fleets run more smoothly and cost-efficiently by pinpointing problem areas before they spin out of control.

* Implement anti-idling initiatives. Until the advent of telematics devices, unnecessary idling was not perceived to be a major problem for fleets. But, once engine data was captured by fleets on a large-scale basis via telematics, it quickly became apparent that idling represented a significant “hidden” problem. The amount of unnecessary idling varies by fleet, but some fleets have recorded idling as much as 35 percent of the time.

* ImplementPilot Projects to Validate Fleet Use of Vehicles Powered by Non-Petroleum-Based Fuels. The best way to validate the viability of alternative-fuel vehicles to meet your fleet application is to conduct a pilot program. There are many fleet applications in which an alt-fuel vehicle can meet your business needs, while simultaneously lowering emissions and helping to reduce your traditional fuel spend.

* Modify driver behavior through ongoing eco-driving training. If fuel efficiency is constrained by equipment requirements, the “last mile” to achieving corporate sustainability objectives is modifying driver behavior. This represents the greatest opportunity for fleet managers to green their fleets. Most company drivers average 20,000 miles per year and employee behavior has a major influence on fuel consumption. To be a truly green fleet, you need to change your drivers’ mindsets to make them “greener” drivers. The way employees drive company-assigned vehicles can improve (or decrease) fuel economy and decrease (or increase) emissions. In fact, according to EPA data, up to 30 percent of a vehicle’s fuel efficiency is impacted by driver behavior. The way an employee drives makes a big difference in the volume of GHG emissions emitted by a company vehicle. For example, every unnecessary gallon of gasoline burned creates 19.5 lbs. of CO₂. Similarly, every unnecessary gallon of diesel burned creates 22.1 lbs. of CO₂.

* Test telematics options to determine applicability and efficacy to your fleet operation. There are many great options in the marketplace; test them out. Provide drivers the tools to identify the refueling locations with the lowest prices, regardless of where they are located. These tools exist; take advantage of them.

* Eliminate unnecessary weight from work vehicles. Drivers must pre-plan their work day by carrying only the tools needed for the job. Often, work vehicles are rolling warehouses, which needlessly reduces fuel economy by hauling unnecessary weight. There’s a direct correlation between vehicle weight, fuel consumption, and GHG emissions. Every pound of extra weight requires an engine to work harder, increasing fuel consumption and, as a consequence, increasing tailpipe emissions. Reducing fuel consumption, by default, decreases emissions. From an ROI perspective, an extra 100 lbs. in vehicle weight can reduce mpg up to 2 percent. In addition, every pound deleted from curb weight is converted into revenue-generating payload.

* Don’t rely on drivers to determine the best routes. It is a fleet manager’s responsibility to take the lead on route optimization for delivery and sales fleets. By pre-planning trips to minimize stop-and-go driving, you can reduce emissions. It is important to remember the highest emissions volume occurs when starting a cold engine. Consider combining several short trips into one longer trip. Since a catalytic converter must be heated to a certain temperature to work, fewer emissions are produced during longer trips because the engine is warmed up.

* Ensure tires are properly inflated. This is the easiest, most cost-effective (and most neglected) way to boost fuel economy.

* Adopt minimum fuel economy requirements. Make this a prerequisite before adding a vehicle to your selector.

* Make sure employees adhere to corporate fuel policies during the personal use of company vehicles.

If you’re serious about wanting to reduce your corporate fuel spend and decrease GHG emissions, don’t take a rifle-shot approach. What you need is a shotgun — a big-gauge shotgun.

Let me know what you think.

mike.antich@bobit.com