Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Wheels, Inc. Announces EcoWheels Green Driver Challenge

DES PLAINES, IL - The EcoWheels Green Driver Challenge will be launched in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 and conclude July 1.

by Staff
April 20, 2010
3 min to read


DES PLAINES, IL - Wheels, Inc., a leader in the multi-billion-dollar fleet-leasing industry, today announced the inaugural EcoWheelsTM Green Driver Challenge. Corporate fleet drivers will learn about and pledge to adopt sustainable driving practices that will minimize the environmental impact of their driving. The EcoWheels Green Driver Challenge will be launched in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2010 and conclude on July 1, 2010.

Organized by Wheels and executed by individual corporate fleets, the EcoWheels Green Driver Challenge will encourage drivers to commit to practices such as reducing idling time, checking tire pressure and practicing more efficient route-planning, among other options. By registering at a special website and indicating what sustainable actions they pledge to take during the program, participating drivers will immediately learn the environmental impact of their commitment. The website will calculate the carbon dioxide (CO2) output, in pounds, that each pledge will save and the impact of that CO2 reduction in equivalent number of trees planted.

Ad Loading...

"Small changes in driving habits can have a big impact on fuel efficiency and, intrinsically, the environment," said Dan Frank, President of Wheels Services. "The EcoWheels Green Driver Challenge is another opportunity for Wheels and our clients to make sure that we are using the most sustainable driving practices."

One of Wheels' many clients participating in the EcoWheels Green Driver Challenge is SimplexGrinnell, a Tyco International company that manages a fleet of 7,000 vehicles and aims to enroll as many drivers as possible in the Challenge.

"Our company is strongly committed to the environment and to reducing our carbon footprint," said SimplexGrinnell President James Spicer. "By participating in the Green Driver Challenge, we can engage our drivers to do their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and add the incentive of tracking in real time the positive effect their commitment has on the environment."

The EcoWheels program, developed in 2007, is dedicated to helping corporate fleets reach their environmental goals. By partnering with clients to educate drivers on practices that improve fuel efficiency, advising on best utilization of fleet assets and implementing best practices for fleet vehicle selection, the EcoWheels program has helped clients to decrease CO2 emissions by 250,000 metric tons.

"We are developing programs like the EcoWheels Green Driver Challenge in response to our clients' desire to make real improvements to and reduce their impact on the environment," added Frank. "Wheels' ability to create strategies that drive measurable change for companies like SimplexGrinnell and the others already signed up for the event secures our leadership in the fleet management arena."

Ad Loading...

About Wheels, Inc.:

Wheels, Inc. (www.wheels.com), which pioneered the concept of auto leasing in 1939, provides a full range of specialized services to help organizations manage their vehicle fleets. Wheels manages more than 270,000 vehicles. Its holding company, Frank Consolidated Enterprises, near $2 billion currently ranks as the largest privately held fleet management company and one of the largest private companies in North America. For additional information, please contact info@wheels.com.


More Fuel

title card with Ramel Lindsay, US Bank, and Chris Brown
Sponsoredby Chris BrownJuly 22, 2026

Turning Fleet Payment Data into Executive Insights

Ramel Lindsay of U.S. Bank Voyager discusses how fleets can transform payment and transaction data into actionable intelligence to reduce costs, improve oversight, and support executive decision-making.

Read More →
fuel pump and rising price graph
Fuelby Chris BrownJuly 21, 2026

Why the IRS Raised Its Mileage Rate in the Middle of 2026

Fuel-price volatility drove the rare increase to 76 cents per mile, the fifth midyear adjustment since 2000.

Read More →
Graphic showing U.S. gasoline prices as of July 27, 2026, with the national average at $4.06 per gallon. Regional prices range from $3.69 on the Gulf Coast to $5.12 on the West Coast.
Fuelby Faith HowellJuly 14, 2026

July Fuel Update: Prices Keep Rising in Light of More Conflict

Gas prices continue to rise as more and more conflicts do, too.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail on fuel volatility.
FuelJune 30, 2026

Bob Adamsky on Fuel Volatility: "Don't Panic, Have a Plan."

When it comes to up and down fuel prices, Adamsky has a message for fleets: “Don’t panic.”

Read More →
A blue, orange, and black graphic with Chris Brown and Ramel Lindsay.
Sponsoredby Chris BrownJune 29, 2026

How Fleets Can Gain Control of Non-Fuel Spend

Fuel often gets the spotlight, but non-fuel expenses can have a major impact on fleet costs. Ramel Lindsay of U.S. Bank Voyager discusses how fleets can gain better visibility and control over these often-overlooked expenditures.

Read More →
Map of the Middle East beside fuel pump nozzles illustrating how regional supply disruptions are increasing fuel prices and raising fleet maintenance costs for petroleum-based products.
FuelJune 25, 2026

Fuel is Just the Start: How Middle East Tensions are Driving Up Fleet Maintenance Costs

The Middle East conflict is doing more than pushing up fuel prices. It’s also raising the cost of key maintenance products your fleet depends on, from motor oil to tires to windshield wipers. Here’s what you need to know about this budget-busting situation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Infographic showing U.S. average gasoline prices through June 2026, with prices falling after a May peak. Regional chart shows the West Coast with the highest fuel prices among major U.S. regions.
Fuelby Faith HowellJune 23, 2026

June Fuel Update: Prices Fall Below $4

Drivers are finally getting some relief at the pump. The national average gas price has dropped below $4 a gallon for the first time in months, with prices falling in 47 states as oil markets react to developments in U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Read More →
Row of fuel nozzles at gas station
Fuelby Chris BrownMay 30, 2026

Study: How 2026's Gas Price Hikes Affect Different Vehicle Types

New data from iSeeCars reveals how rising fuel costs have affected different vehicle segments as gasoline prices climbed nearly 46% over the past four months.

Read More →
fleetio coast pay
SponsoredMay 29, 2026

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An EIA and Automotive Fleet graphic breaks down fuel prices for the week of 5/28/2026.
Fuelby Faith HowellMay 5, 2026

May Fuel Update: All Regions Experience Declines

Gas prices are finally easing in much of the country, but experts warn global tensions could quickly reverse the trend as the national average remains well above last month’s levels.

Read More →