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The increased awareness of climate change, the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars and the need for greater corporate social responsibility has had many a business owner retracing their steps when it comes to their carbon footprint.
If your organisation has a sizable business fleet of its own, then it’s more than likely creating its fair share of carbon emissions. And from a public relations point of view, it’s not the best of looks right now, especially when there’s plenty to be gained from more ethical, Earth-friendly practices.
Looking to cut down on your fleet’s carbon emissions? We’re here to help. Below we’ll show how, with a few tweaks and changes, you can implement a business fleet that can help achieve a smaller carbon footprint.
Perhaps the most effective way of reducing your fleet’s carbon footprint is by switching out your existing vehicles for hybrid or fully electric alternatives. For one you’ll be staying ahead of the government’s ban on new petrol and diesel cars, while the positive impact you’ll have on the environment is an undoubted PR boon too.
What’s more, the choice has never been bigger or better than it is right now. And though the upfront costs tend to be pricier than for standard petrol or diesel cars, there are government discounts that help to soften the blow.
Plus with cheaper running costs and repair bills, electric cars are a better investment in the long run. If the cost really is an issue, however, then there are plenty of electric car leases available too.
If you’re sticking with your current fleet, then it’s a good idea to train your team up on more fuel-efficient driving techniques. Performance is going to differ from driver to driver, but if everyone knows the ropes when they’re behind the wheel, then everyone will benefit from more eco-friendly – and safer – driving in the same way.
Things like accelerating hard, speeding and idling the engine all end up burning unnecessary fuel. If you’re serious about reducing your emissions, then you may want to put telematics systems in place to record your drivers’ current performance. From here, you can introduce eco-driving techniques that help increase observation, anticipation and speed awareness.
The Energy Saving Trust has shown that by doing so, drivers can create average fuel savings of 6% in the long term, with the same number when it comes to CO2 emissions reductions.
Even the way you take care of your car can have a positive effect on the environment, so make sure your team are doing what they can to improve their vehicle’s performance and minimise the number of emissions they’re creating.
Get in the habit of regularly carrying out the following:
Always stick to a vehicle’s service schedule. A full annual service is the minimum, but a six-month part service is recommended for optimal vehicle performance.
Change oil with the correct grade oil, and check engine oil levels between service intervals.
Check your tyre pressure at least once a month. It’s said that 80% of the whole-life CO2 emissions of a car tyre are generated from their use. Underinflated tyres create more resistance, so the engine must work harder and burn more fuel. This produces higher CO2 emissions.
Also known as fleet cards, fuel cards allow drivers to buy fuel for the vehicles they use for business purposes. This allows your fleet drivers to track their spend, limit usage and file expenses more efficiently.
As well as ensuring that money is restricted to purchasing fuel only, you can also customise where your drivers can top up. This creates a network of specific stations, so you’re able to accurately work out how much a journey will cost and the amount of fuel each driver will need per mile.
Working out the shortest routes for your fleet drivers to get from A to B is another effective method of reducing CO2. You’ll also have to be mindful of routes and times of the day when roads are going to be busy. Cars are far more fuel efficient when traffic is constantly moving; routes where stop-start traffic is expected are going to make your emissions skyrocket.
And remember if you don’t need to make the journey, don’t. Remote working has reduced the need for unnecessary journeys and face-to-face meetings, which obviously cuts down on the number of emissions as a result too.
If you have to travel, then try to plan journeys during off-peak hours. Likewise, it might also be a good idea to schedule multiple meetings where the destination is in a similar location. You should also be encouraging your team to carpool to meetings whenever possible.
Looking for more on what we’re doing to go green? Head over to the Brindley Green Hub to see what we’ve been doing to cut down on our own carbon emissions lately.
For more motoring tips and advice, head to the Brindley blog. In the market for a used car? Maybe you want to learn about our servicing options? Follow the links or contact your local Brindley Group dealership.