The rising prices of fuel have taken their toll on commercial fleet managers. Even a slight rise can dent the bottom line of the company. Thus, managers are trying to make their fleets more eco-friendly. But it is easier said than done.
It is a long-term approach that requires consistency, investment, and commitment towards a greener future.
The proven 10 ways in which you can make your fleet eco-friendly are discussed here.
Make It A vision
Making our fleet eco-friendly is a step-by-step process, and it requires that you and your employees are on the same page.
Make it a vision, discuss it among your employees, and align the company and employee goals. The employee’s growth is related to the company’s growth which is related to the sustainability of the business.
Responsible Drivers
It’s the drivers who have and drive the vehicle. The way drivers operate the vehicle has a great impact on the fleet. Drivers develop bad habits sometimes, which affect fuel efficiency.
You need to educate drivers, and that is possible if you know about them. Dashcam trucks evaluate the surrounding vehicles and the way the driver drives the vehicle. You can use it to learn their habits and make necessary amends by training them.
Fleet Management Services
It is the information age. Once you have information where you are lacking, you can make the required amends.
To collect the data about your drivers, vehicles, their management and how they are currently performing, you can ascertain the difference between the present and desired performance. Fleet management solutions monitor your vehicles, the way they operate, and what improvements can be made. They are a valuable investment.
Optimized Routes
It is not difficult to understand that the less you travel, the less you spend on fuel. Thus, drivers must take the optimized routes, saving fuel and making you step towards a greener tomorrow.
The GPS tracking devices show the best possible and shortest route to the drivers and save you a great amount of fuel cost.
Invest In Right Vehicles
Many companies make the mistake of investing in vehicles that use cheaper fuel. For example, if a vehicle is available in petrol and diesel variants, companies choose a cheaper variant, i.e., diesel.
It is not aligned to your goals and pushes you down the eco-friendly ladder. Diesel residue is harmful to the environment as it pollutes the air.
Electric vehicles are emerging as a great solution to build an eco-friendly fleet. The infrastructure is developing, and more companies are investing in manufacturing these vehicles. By upgrading to e-vehicles, you can bring a massive change to your organization.
Fleet Maintenance
Fleet management services keep a tab on your fleet’s maintenance.
They keep data about your vehicle, when was it repaired last, when was its oil changed, when it was last washed, when was the last time you had it checked, etc.
Investing in your fleet’s maintenance keeps them as good as new and improves fuel efficiency.
Fuel Management
Apart from the dashcams and GPS devices for trucks, you must take full advantage of the fuel monitoring system. They keep a tab on your vehicles’ daily, weekly, and monthly consumption and inform you if you need measures in place to avoid excess consumption.
You can use fuel cards to ascertain the vehicles that are consuming more if it is a driver’s way of operating, causing more consumption and other factors. It is a significant effort towards an eco-friendly fleet.
Lower The Excess Load
It is an aspect that remains unaddressed every time eco-friendly fleet plans are discussed. Several reports have pointed out that the lower the load, the less fuel it consumes.
If the cost of fuel for 100 pounds exceeds the cost of transporting it separately, then it is better to transport it separately and lower the load on the vehicle. Plus, it also increases the burden on the engine, shortening its lifespan.
Lowering the load to a smaller extent can significantly save fuel costs and improve your fleet’s performance.
Recycle The Parts You Can
Fleet companies do not give heed to a car once it is useless. But if your vision is to create an eco-friendly fleet, you must check if an older vehicle or its parts can be recycled.
You can hire a company for the proper disposal of obsolete vehicles and enjoy tax benefits.
Check on Emissions
Your emission system also plays a key role in improving your engine’s performance. It is important to keep it clean and in the best conditions.
You can save money this way and also stop the harmful emission into the environment.
Perpetual Planning
Going eco-friendly is not a one-time exercise that you make a plan, execute the required changes, and now you own an eco-friendly fleet.
It is a perpetual exercise that you must undertake every day to fulfill your duty towards the environment. Commitment, monitoring, and execution will make it a success.
Final Thoughts
Today, companies understand their responsibility towards the environment. There are several software and tools which can aid you in achieving your goal of an eco-friendly fleet.
There are fleet management services, dashcam truck installations, vehicle tracker devices, fuel management systems, etc., which your organization can invest in and enjoy the benefits.
They play important roles in each aspect of the fleet management business and are worth buying.
