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Every year on 22 September, World Car Free Day encourages people around the globe to imagine what life would be like without cars as our primary mode of transportation. It’s a day to pause and think about our impact on the planet, especially since transportation is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. For fleet businesses, going car-free might sound impossible – after all, vehicles are your bread and butter. But the spirit of the day is a reminder that there’s always something we can do to reduce our ecological footprint and be kinder to Mother Earth.
Cut emissions without cutting corners
Transportation is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, and fleet vehicles play a large role. In New Zealand, the goal is to reduce transport emissions by 41% by 2035. That’s no small feat, especially for businesses that rely on vehicles to get the job done. And not to mention the market for heavy electric vehicles (EVs) in New Zealand is still in its infancy: public charging infrastructure to support heavy vehicle electrification isn’t available yet. Fleet operators face challenges of keeping up with essential services while hitting environmental targets and planning for a greener future despite current infrastructure limits.
The answer lies in making smarter, more sustainable choices in fleet management and leaning on technology.
Practical steps fleet businesses can take
While fleet operations can’t simply pause for a day, there are practical steps businesses can take to reduce emissions and improve sustainability:
- Optimise fuel use with smarter route planning
Fuel consumption is a major part of a fleet’s carbon footprint. TN360 provides advanced route planning capabilities, allowing fleet managers to optimise routes in real-time. This reduces unnecessary travel, helping to lower fuel use and emissions. In larger fleets, real-time job assignments can further minimise travel distances.
- Reduce idle time
Engine idling leads to significant fuel waste. Light commercial vehicles can consume 2–3 litres of fuel per hour while idling, with prime movers using up to 4 litres. TN360 enables fleet managers to monitor and reduce idle times so engines are used more efficiently and fuel consumption is minimised.
- Driver monitoring and training
Telematics isn’t just about vehicles – it's about their drivers, too. Driver behaviour has a direct impact on fuel efficiency and safety. Actions like speeding, harsh braking, and aggressive driving increase fuel consumption as well as raising safety concerns. TN360 provides detailed driver scorecards and behavioural insights, allowing fleet managers to identify areas for improvement and implement targeted training programs.
TN360 also helps create a robust safety program through driver behaviour scoring, which shows how each driver performs against the fleet average. This data-driven approach lowers the risk of collisions and enhances road safety and can also reduce insurance premiums and overall operational costs. Besides, fostering a culture of safety contributes to employee satisfaction and retention, critical pillars of long-term business sustainability.
- Monitor vehicle condition
Maintaining vehicles in good condition is crucial for fuel efficiency. Issues like underinflated tyres or loose fuel tank caps can increase fuel consumption. TN360 helps fleet managers monitor vehicle conditions in real-time, enabling prompt maintenance and reducing unnecessary fuel waste.
- Maintain a consistent service schedule
Regular maintenance is key to keeping vehicles running efficiently. TN360 automates maintenance scheduling so all fleet vehicles can benefit from timely service. This helps prevent breakdowns and ensures that vehicles operate at peak efficiency, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Teletrac Navman’s tools for a greener fleet
To support sustainability efforts of fleet businesses, Teletrac Navman offers insightful tools like the Electric Vehicle Evaluator (EVE) and the Sustainability Dashboard. EVE is a powerful platform that uses telematics data and predictive analytics to help fleet managers create a tailored plan for transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). It helps identify which vehicles are best suited for EV transition, compares the total cost of ownership between internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs, and models the most efficient charging infrastructure to support the transition.
The Sustainability Dashboard further enhances this by providing a clear view of your fleet’s progress toward decarbonisation goals. It tracks emissions reductions and helps identify areas for improvement, ensuring that your fleet stays on course to meet its sustainability targets.
This World Car Free Day, consider how your fleet can take steps toward a more sustainable future. Your actions today will contribute to a cleaner, greener world for generations to come while optimising fleet operations.