By now, most people are aware of just how essential fleets are to our daily lives — we have the pandemic to thank for that. Click-and-collect culture met with the supply chain fiasco of 2022 has compounded the need for fleets to keep the supply and demand chain moving, enable technicians to deliver field services, and transport both the niceties and essentials of modern life. Fleets play an integral role in our modern society, but they also present a large problem: they are often comprised of heavy-duty vehicles that can greatly contribute to air pollution.

In fact, the Union of Concerned Scientists reported that fleets generate more than 25% of the total global warming emissions from the transportation sector. This is concerning because globally, the combined effects of air pollution are associated with about 7 million premature deaths each year. To add to that, the average human life span is shortened by more than two years from exposure to common air pollutants.

The plethora of data surrounding air pollution can be disheartening, and for businesses that rely on fleets, it can seem nearly impossible to reduce emissions. Luckily, that’s far from the truth. With the utilization of GPS tracking and telematics data, managers can reasonably implement safer, more efficient, and eco-friendly practices without halting operations or hindering the bottom line.

Implement efficient fuel practices

An idling engine can waste over a gallon of fuel each hour while also increasing engine wear and air pollutants. One of the most significant ways fleet managers can lower both emissions and costs is through the utilization of GPS tracking and telematics solutions. 

In one use case, a company found that over the course of just one month, drivers wasted about 200 gallons of fuel while their vehicles were in idle. After implementing GPS tracking and telematics to analyze the data, managers were able to decrease idle time by 30% over the course of three months. GPS tracking solutions can also help to reduce emissions by getting drivers from point A to point B in the most efficient ways possible. 

Execute regular maintenance

Ensuring vehicles are maintained and running at peak efficiency is the simplest way to boost fleet performance. Vehicles do not perform as well if they have older or malfunctioning parts—plus, maintaining vehicles in a fleet properly can increase overall miles per gallon by upwards of 25%. 

GPS tracking and telematics can help keep close tabs on vehicle status and alert managers when it’s time for all maintenance checks, including oil changes, smog checks, and transmission flushes. Getting into a consistent schedule will keep vehicles running at optimal efficiency.          

Utilize scheduling and dispatch technology

Scheduling and dispatching boosted by GPS tracking and telematics empower managers to create pre-determined stops to optimize for highway, speed, and distance preferences, keeping drivers from taking longer routes and excessively burning fuel. The ability to optimize scheduling and dispatching will limit the number of repeat visits, which means less time driving between jobs. Fleet managers can also plan to have their drivers on the roads when traffic is typically lighter so that they can reduce unnecessary idling and shorten travel times.

Identify vehicles that are most appropriate for business needs

When the time comes to replace or purchase additional vehicles for a fleet, it’s a great opportunity to reevaluate needs—identifying and purchasing the most appropriate size and class of vehicle for its intended purpose is crucial. At that time, businesses can consider the greenest options possible to help reduce air pollution. If a smaller vehicle can meet a fleet’s needs, it will typically be less expensive and use less fuel than larger vehicles.

The bigger picture

Implementing these policies and integrating GPS tracking and telematics solutions can benefit everyone — not just because of cost-savings, but because it can also help to reduce air pollution and build better relationships with consumers. These solutions aid in helping managers improve efficiency, productivity, and customer service while executing measures that will boost the bottom line and make the air a little cleaner for all of us.