Reducing CO2 emissions through improved fleet optimization
March 21, 2023
To reduce your fleet emissions, you must be mindful of the direct correlation between CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Improving driver behavior is an important factor in conserving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions within your fleet.
Element Fleet Management brings unmatched services and expertise to clients. Our solutions provide opportunities to improve driver behavior, boost fuel efficiency, achieve cost savings, and reduce fleet emissions.
What are fleet emissions?
Fleet emissions are the tailpipe emissions generated by a fleet of vehicles as they burn fuel to complete their company operations.
How to reduce CO2 emissions by improving driver behavior?
There are multiple strategies to reduce fleet emissions. By shaping driver behavior, fleets benefit from a range of solutions that reduce fuel purchases and fleet emissions. Here are 3 approaches to consider:
- Route optimization
Driver route optimization supports fleet managers in determining the best routes to do business. It also saves time and money by helping fleets to operate more efficiently.
To reduce CO2 emissions and increase operational savings, drivers can leverage fleet management applications to locate the closest fuel station along routes and pay the lowest price for fuel. Additionally, using the fuel grade recommended by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) supports optimal spending. - Eco-driving
Eco-driving involves adopting driving behaviors that lead to fewer emissions and less fuel consumption. Eco-driving tips such as limiting idling, speeding, harsh braking, hard acceleration, aggressive driving, and hard cornering can positively influence driver behavior.
According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center adhering to the speed limit, accelerating and braking gently and gradually, and reading the road ahead can improve fuel economy by up to 30% at highway speeds and up to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
As a partner in safe and green driving habits, Element recommends adopting more fuel-efficient vehicles to maximize Eco-driving and making use of new technologies by OEMs to promote energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe driving behaviors. - Telematics
Telematics contains the most powerful tools. It offers real time visibility to monitor and address driver behavior. It allows clients to identify patterns and areas to target for driver training.
Element has telematics solutions that clients can leverage to reduce CO2 emissions, unsafe driving practices, and fuel costs. DriverCare CoPilot provides clients with insights into driver behavior to proactively manage their risk, provide feedback, and assist in developing a strategy to improve driver performance. QConnect tracks fuel economy to reduce fuel costs, minimizing idling and fuel misuse by monitoring driver usage of assets.
Electrifying your fleet to reduce emissions
Many fleets are setting ambitious sustainability goals to reduce fuel consumption and are adopting alternative fuel vehicles as part of broader economic, social, and governance (ESG) plans.
The fastest way to reduce fleet emissions is by switching to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids. In Mexico, alternative fuel vehicles reduce emissions by up to 25% compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Similarly, adopting EVs helps drivers to offset emissions, as EVs have zero tailpipe emissions. In the United States and Canada, the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction from driving EVs range between 17.6% to 99.9% when compared to ICE counterparts.
Finally, companies can reduce overall fleet spend as EV adoption brings cost savings by lowering maintenance and fueling costs. Our Arc by Element program provides end-to-end EV support for your fleet transition. Element has tools that clients can leverage to calculate fleet emissions.
Championing fleet emissions reduction
Drivers are the direct champions of reducing CO2 emissions, amplified by driver behavior coaching, to highlight fuel economy benefits that can make fleet optimization go further in reducing carbon emissions.
Case study – Emissions reduction
- Client in the food service industry committed to reducing their carbon emissions by 34% by 2025.
- Client’s leadership is targeting improvements in both direct and indirect GHG emissions. Improving fuel efficiency was a top priority in their recent Global OEM bid.
- Element presented its Life Cycle Cost Analysis showing the projected impact on the client’s carbon footprint by moving to more fuel-efficient vehicles for their sales fleet.
- The slightly higher up-front cost was offset by reduced fuel and lower CO2 emissions.
- Moving to hybrid vehicles reduced emissions by 1.6 metric tonnes annually per vehicle.
- 320 Metric Tonnes annual reduction.
- Projected fuel savings of $2,100 per vehicle.
Are you ready to take action?
Consult with our experts to learn more about how we can help your fleet to reduce CO2 emissions.
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