GreenFleet

Success to date has been the result of a company-wide carbon reduction programme, combined with a suite of Green Fleet Review recommendations provided by the Energy Saving Trust. So far the following changes have been made:

• Introducing intelligent delivery journey scheduling using dynamic route mapping and vehicle tracking technology

• Revising vehicle choice lists to encourage company car drivers to choose vehicles emitting less than 160 g/km of CO2

• Introducing pool cars to reduce use of grey fleet (private cars used for business purposes)

• Improving the use of fuel card management reports to proactively manage fuel usage and mileage

• Launching a biodiesel fuel blending bunkering facility at the company’s Cheltenham headquarters

• Educating drivers in smarter-driving techniques

• Staff promotions to encourage the introduction of innovative alternatives to car and van use

Passionate about reducing carbon emissions
With a long standing commitment to environmental improvement, the Commercial Group has operated an Environmental Management System that is BS 8555-compliant since 2004, and is expected to achieve ISO 14001 in summer 2008. Prior to carrying out their Green Fleet Review, Commercial Group discovered that almost 90 per cent of the organisation’s CO2emissions came from its owned fleet vehicles, other vehicles used for work purposes and staff cars used on home to work journeys. Transport was therefore a priority area to be addressed.

Simon Graham, Environmental Strategist, said: “As a company we feel very passionate about reducing carbon emissions. We had already introduced many measures to help reduce our carbon footprint, including tackling vehicle use, but we recognised there was still much to be done.” At the time of the Green Fleet Review Commercial Group was operating 12 vans and 47 cars (diesel and petrol), travelling 1.2 million miles a year and consuming almost 200,000 litres of fuel. Mr Graham recognised that there were many 'hidden inefficiencies' in the company’s fleet.

Proactive fuel use and mileage monitoring
The Review identified the need for proactive monitoring of fuel use and mileage. This fitted neatly with the introduction of the company’s own biodiesel fuel bunkering facility with in-built monitoring of usage, which will leave only drivers working remotely using fuel cards. The filling station uses locally-produced sustainable biodiesel produced from waste oil in various blends, which will reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent, as well as enabling greater control over fuel usage.

To help reduce mileage, customer delivery journeys were pinpointed as a priority area for change. Intelligent scheduling, dynamic route planning and consolidated deliveries have been introduced and delivery miles have reduced from 435,000 to 276,000 in 2007. In terms of ‘greening’ the company car fleet, phase one of the project has involved providing information to encourage drivers to select sub 160 g/km vehicles; phase 2 of the project will encourage vehicles lower than 140 g/km (although average tailpipe emissions have already been reduced by 20 per cent).  Meanwhile all Euro III vans have now been retired and a six year, 300,000 mile replacement policy has been implemented.

Grey fleet and driver education addressed
The issue of employees using their own vehicles for business purposes – otherwise know as grey fleet – was a significant issue for Commercial Group for two reasons. Firstly, concerns over the age of privately-owned vehicles and the difficulty of checking documentation to comply with duty of care rules meant there was a health and safety risk. Secondly, mileage was reaching 55,000 per annum and resulting in large reimbursement claims. To address this, a fleet of more fuel efficient pool cars has been introduced and mileage and fuel reimbursement claims have both reduced.

Training to encourage safer, stress free driving has been piloted and is likely to be rolled out during 2008. Travel awareness days have generated positive results in encouraging staff to reduce vehicle use; staff bus mileage has increased from 940 miles in 2006 to 5,300 in 2007, and one employee even roller skated to work! Cycling to work is also encouraged with bicycle storage, showers and changing rooms provided.

Green Fleet Review drove company forward
Mr Graham said: “Although we had made significant steps to reduce our carbon emissions, we realised there was a lot more to do and the Energy Saving Trust provided us with the guidance and direction we needed to move forward.  “But we don’t want to just focus on our own carbon footprint. We want to spread the message as wide as possible by encouraging customers, staff and suppliers to take action too. We hold an annual CSR day where we not only tell people what we have done but also encourage them to share their experiences of best environmental practices and have made environmental criteria a cornerstone of our supplier assessment programme.

“Overall, the whole process has been incredibly valuable but also challenging and motivational. I hope other companies will follow our lead in running a more efficient fleet and contributing to a better environment.” 

Further information
Funded by the Department for Transport, Energy Saving Trust Green Fleet Reviews are available for organisations with 50 or more fleet vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. The service is free, conducted by experts and provides a comprehensive, tailored report with advice on how to reduce fleet carbon footprint, cut costs and improve efficiency.

To download this case study in PDF format, click here

To find out more visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/fleet or call 0845 602 1425