To reach net zero by 2050, the world must cut carbon emissions by 45% over the next seven years. This requires the support of both state and local agencies, regardless of their size or perceived emissions impact.
Fortunately, reducing emissions for your public fleet may be easier than you realize. As long as you follow all best practices, you can make small changes that result in big outcomes.
This article presents public fleet managers with five unique insights for combating carbon emissions. It also discusses the foundational points for a successful and sustainable program.
The true impact of fleet emissions
How much carbon is your fleet releasing? It’s possibly more than you realize. The transportation sector accounts for 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and 28% of Canadian GHG emissions. Unfortunately, carbon emissions from public fleets contribute millions of pounds of CO2 each year.
The numbers don’t lie: every burned gallon of gasoline releases 8,887 grams of CO2. If your city or state fleet manages 500 vehicles or more with an average MPG rating of twenty-five (and a range of 11,467 miles per year), your public organization may be responsible for 4.49 million pounds of CO2 per year.
So, are you ready to reduce your emissions fleetwide? Let’s look at five possible solutions.
Insights to reduce emissions from public fleets
What are the most effective ways to reduce emissions from public fleets? Decades of research reveal five unique insights.
1. Establish idling rules
The U.S. government estimates that most drivers spend 40% of their time idling by choice. This results in 6 billion gallons of wasted fuel per year, which releases 30 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Imposing idling laws and installing special equipment can reduce the impact of frequent idling. Certain idling tools and telematics software can cut your at-rest emissions by up to 20%.
2. Adopt telematics
There are hundreds of third-party tools for reducing public fleet emissions. The most popular of these include:
- Route mapping software: This includes software for planning routes and avoiding high-traffic areas. A good GPS can help you save up to 20% more fuel annually.
- Speeding and braking monitors: Speeding and braking monitors can provide better coaching to drivers and trainees. The right platform can reduce unnecessary fuel use by 10% per year.
- Fleet maintenance tracking: Fleets with the best fuel performance increases perform 80% more vehicle inspections than others. This suggests that the more you inspect and maintain your fleet, the less fuel you burn and the fewer carbon emissions you produce.
3. Consider alternative fuels
To go beyond gasoline and diesel, consider sustainable fuel alternatives. Three of the most popularly discussed ones in recent literature are:
- Biodiesel: 74% lower emissions than petroleum diesel
- Ethanol: 46% lower carbon intensity than neat gasoline
- Hydrogen: No carbon emissions (only warm air and water vapor)
Keep in mind that not all these alternative fuels are currently accessible to public organizations. For example, hydrogen fuel cells may be more expensive than what most institutions can afford. However, electricity is one of the most common and cost-effective options.
4. Purchase EVs
EVs and zero-emissions vehicles are the way of the future for public organizations. Even a single all-EV can make a dramatic impact on your carbon production.
Studies show adopting the right EV can save four tons of CO2 per vehicle per year. If you switch over a fleet of 500 vehicles, you could reduce 2,000 tons of CO2 per year.
5. Rightsize your fleet
Your fleet may have too many or too few vehicles, resulting in excessive emissions over time. You must also consider physical vehicle characteristics, which may contribute to unwanted GHG emissions.
Fortunately, you have options. Purchasing vehicles with a 10% lighter body weight can increase your fuel economy by 7%. Upgrading older vehicles to newer models (even with a five-year model difference) can reduce CO2 emissions by twenty-one metric tons.
If you find it difficult to rightsize on your own, you may want to work with a third-party consultant. Such an expert can help you perform a fleet audit and make informed decisions about the next steps for your fleet.
Finding the right partners for fleet emissions reduction
Reducing CO2 emissions in your public fleet should be a journey rather than a destination. Instead of trying to do everything at once, you can take small steps to make a sustainable difference.
One of these steps includes choosing the right partners to empower your organization with third-party support. The most impactful of these include:
You can contact Sourcewell at any time to discuss competitively sourced cooperative contracts.
By leveraging data and telematics, a fleet manager can identify areas for sustainability improvement by reducing a fleet's energy consumption and carbon emissions. Sourcewell contracts ensure that government entities can take the first step in supporting these initiatives. See how Sourcewell can help with your cooperative purchasing.
