As concerns for the environment are increasing, have you ever found yourself wondering, how your fleet is impacting the environment? With the vast number of companies that utilize fleets to run their business, it’s clear that many professionals are facing the same challenge of reducing their carbon emissions while optimizing their fleet.
So, if you have been looking for ways to improve your carbon footprint, then here are some win-win tips for you to reduce your driving emissions without compromising the overall quality of business, and effectively, your bottom line.
Avoid Many Left Turns
Generally speaking, left turns can be a major drag when it comes to your company’s efficiency efforts. Naturally, turning against traffic results in long waiting times, wasted fuel, and a higher number of accidents – meaning that not only will your fleets be idling longer, but also wasting more fuel than necessary. Hurting your budget, and the environment.
While right turns, on the other side of the coin, are quicker, easier, and a more convenient way to get around busy cities. According to experts, using more right turns can help reduce several hundred pounds of CO2 within a year. A win-win for any company looking to reduce their carbon footprint. By mapping out routes with right-hand loops, and avoiding as many left turns as possible, you can strategically decrease emissions and take a step in helping the environment.
Reduce Engine Idle Time
Did you know, that compared to switching off and restarting your engine, idling for over 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more CO2? However, when you consider overall emissions and potential wear on the battery, it is recommended to turn off your engine if you will be stopped for more than 60 seconds – except in traffic.
Unnecessary idling is taking place a lot these days, and it’s wasting a lot of money and fuel while creating greenhouse gasses. So, the next time your drivers find themselves sitting in unmoving traffic, awaiting new directions, or even waiting at the traffic light, advise them to shut down their engine’s until they start moving again. A report released by EPA indicates that the breaking point when idling time utilizes less gas than restarting your engine is about one minute.
Go Easy on the Air Conditioner
There’s no doubt that your fleets air conditioning impacts the environment due to this simple fact – the Air Conditioner needs energy to work – and this energy comes from your fleets fuel tanks. Meaning, your fleet will be producing a higher level of carbon emissions. So, in situations such as these, simply by rolling down the windows could save you on fuel and from creating more CO2 than necessary. Though the minimal emissions savings in turning off your vehicle air conditioner isn’t a whole lot, every bit counts.
However, due to factors such as aerodynamic resistance, speed, engine power, and so on, there could be times where rolling down the windows consumes more fuel than the air conditioning such as when driving over 80 KMPH. So, be sure to educate yourself and your drivers on the ideal times to use the air conditioning.
Be a Smooth Operator
Slowing down and driving moderately can reduce your vehicle’s carbon print by about 20%.
There is no secret to the fact that smooth driving can be safer, more relaxed, and fundamentally better for your car. Aggressive driving behaviors have a great impact on the performance of your fleet, wear and tear, fuel consumption, and of course carbon footprint.
However, simply by driving moderately and maintaining a constant speed your drivers can reduce their vehicle’s carbon footprint by approximately 20%. A huge number for any fleet. Sticking to this is the key to avoiding wasted energy by repeatedly decelerating and accelerating. Also, when it comes to breaking, less is more. Anticipating road conditions and coasting in gear helps you make the most out of your car’s momentum – while reducing the amount of gas used, and in effect, the amount of CO2 produced.
Conclusion
Your fleet is a significant – and highly visible – part of your company’s footprint, making it very important that you are always on the lookout for ways to reduce emissions, while serving your business needs.
Reducing left turns, idling, air conditioning, and so on, are some best practices for any environmental initiative. By undertaking these initiatives, you’ll be able to make real, cost-effective reductions to your company budget, and greenhouse gas emissions your fleets produce. Sounds like a win-win, no?