By Barney Goffer (pictured), UK Product Manager at Teletrac Navman UK
More consumers and businesses than ever are expecting brands and suppliers to address climate change in a meaningful way. One method fleet operators are using to reduce their carbon footprint is through software that uses smart algorithms to analyse trip data and identify which vehicles in their fleet are suitable for the transition to EV – even showing the total cost of ownership comparisons to help make the business case.
In fact, 30% of fleet operators are planning to accelerate their transition to electric fleets over the next year according to our recent TS23 Global Telematics Survey.
While this is an excellent solution for many companies, a comprehensive transition can also take time to complete, so there are many steps that can be taken sooner to reduce a carbon footprint, particularly with the help of fleet management software. These proactive measures are not only good for the environment, but also for a company’s bottom line.
- More Efficient Travel
Poor route planning results in lost productivity, increased fuel spend and underutilised assets. In terms of carbon footprint, the extra travel results in greater emissions on longer routes and the potential for increased idling as employees wait for additional assignments.
With better vehicle tracking systems and real-time route planning, dispatch teams with large fleets can assign jobs more effectively, eliminating downtime between jobs, as well re-route quickly and efficiently if traffic is becoming a problem.
- Decreasing Idling
An idling vehicle is an inefficient vehicle. Heavy-duty diesel engines such as those in long-haul trucks put off a significant number of pollutants while idling. In addition to increased emissions, idling also wastes fuel.
With fleet management software, fleet managers can track engine idle time more efficiently. This data can also be used to create and enforce anti-idle policies within a fleet, leading to an overall reduction in fleet vehicle emissions.
- Better Vehicle Performance
Due to their heavy daily use, poorly maintained fleet vehicles are more likely to experience mechanical issues that can result in increased emissions, such as fuel injection problems, sensor issues or faulty exhaust systems.
With fleet management software and pre-trip checklists, your team can spot issues with a fleet vehicle early, preventing faulty vehicles from being in service for prolonged periods.
Fleet management software can have a positive impact on reducing a company’s carbon footprint. By putting actionable data at decision makers’ fingertips, businesses can potentially reduce your fleet’s impact on climate change and increase your profit margins.
