3 Ways Telematics Can Help You Achieve Your Fleet Sustainability Goals 

A study done by Our World in Data showed that of the estimated 34 billion tons of greenhouse gases emitted worldwide annually, 11.9% of the total emissions come from road transport. With sustainability taking center stage in today’s business world, it’s important that companies operating fleets look to adopt eco-friendly practices and reduce their carbon footprint.

To ensure long term success, it’s important to set sustainability goals that pinpoint your commitment to a reduced carbon footprint. These goals should not only guide you in reducing CO2 emissions, but help with business viability and reputation. If done right, telematics solutions like those offered by Mobilizz™, can assist you in achieving these fleet sustainability goals all while reducing costs.

With 11.9% of all CO2 emissions coming from road transportation, reducing fuel consumption is one of the most significant ways that companies can make a positive impact on the environment. For many fleet owners, fuel is one of the largest expenses, making up 36% of all fleet expenditures — so not only is reducing fuel consumption a win for the environment, but a win for your bottom line.

Managing fuel is not a black and white endeavor. Fleet managers need to take into consideration inconsistent driver behavior and fluctuating fuel costs. A study conducted by Descartes and Geotab showed that the effective use of telematics can cut fuel costs up to 14%. This study also showed that one medium duty vehicle (Class 3, 4 and 5 vehicles) with an average annual mileage of 24,000 miles could save you up to $648 USD per year. If you had 300 vehicles in your fleet you would be looking at savings up to $196,344 USD per year in fuel costs.

This study clearly outlines  the benefits of implementing telematics into your fleet. To get the maximum benefit of these cost savings and reduced emissions, it’s crucial to implement a corrective driving program or retrain drivers on proper driving techniques and protocols. Without telematics, you could be missing out on massive potential savings and opportunities to decrease your carbon footprint.

By leveraging the right telematics solution, it is possible to monitor and optimize engine idle time, effectively mitigating the detrimental effects of idling on the environment and achieving substantial reduction in both emissions and fuel consumption. According to a study done by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, long-haul trucks can consume up to one gallon of diesel fuel per hour at idle, which can add up to 2,400 gallons of fuel every year per truck annually. On average, each idling truck emits approximately 21 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and 0.3 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) annually. For a fleet of 100 trucks, this amounts to 2,100 tonnes of emissions per year.

In addition to the unnecessary emissions, each truck would accumulate between $5,000-$12,000 USD per year in wasted fuel per vehicle. Idling can also damage your engine which means costly repairs. By reducing idling time, you would be looking at an additional $2,000 USD in potential savings in maintenance and repair costs per year.

Idling is a costly and environmentally damaging issue for fleets, but utilizing telematics solutions to monitor and reduce engine idle time can result in substantial savings and significant reductions in emissions.

The benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) are widely known, so it’s no surprise that businesses are looking to transition to EV fleets to cut costs and reduce emissions. If you have already begun the transition to EV or hybrid vehicles, telematics plays a crucial role in maximizing your savings potential and ensuring you continue to reduce your footprint long after your EVs have been implemented. You need rich data to determine your progress towards your sustainability goals, this is where telematics comes in. With the help of an experienced provider, you can monitor the range and performance of your EV vehicles in comparison to fuel, so you can track your savings and the reduced CO2 emissions.

Like gas-powered vehicles that waste fuel due to poor driving habits, EVs can also experience reduced efficiency and wasted energy when drivers engage in behaviors such as harsh braking, abrupt cornering, idling and speeding. Research conducted by Rivus on idling in electric fleets found that over a six month period covering 20,000 miles across 6 vehicles, 9000kWh of energy was consumed. This data revealed that 6% of the energy used was lost to idling, which is equivalent to 1000 miles. Over a year, this would equate to $35 USD per vehicle — if you have a fleet of 300, reducing the idling time would accumulate to $10,500 USD per year in potential savings.

In addition to correcting poor driving habits, telematics also assists with routing and dispatching. The data provided by telematics can help your fleet become more efficient by establishing better routes and improving driver productivity. Mobilizz™ also uses the data collected to determine which vehicles can be seamlessly transitioned to EVs by conducting an EV Sustainability Assessment (EVSA). By making informed decisions about which vehicles to transition to electric, your fleet can reduce energy consumption, cut labor costs, and create a more environmentally sustainable fleet.

As the world acknowledges the need to reduce emissions, businesses are under immense pressure to take immediate action. Collecting data is the first step to a greener future. You must identify problems before taking corrective action. Analyzing the data can help pinpoint strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for enhancing cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

Mobilizz™ is devoted to assisting fleet-owned businesses in fulfilling their sustainability goals through the power of data. With years of dedicated experience in the field, the right choice is Mobilizz™.

Go green and contact us today!