Sustainable Fleet Management

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly pressing concern for the transport and logistics sector. And the race to become more eco-friendly is only going to intensify in light of the government’s net zero agenda, which was revealed in 2021. This will see the UK attempt to slash its 1990 emission levels by 78% ahead of 2035, before reaching net zero by 2050.

So, it’s understandable that making eco-conscious choices is now a common subject at fleet conferences, environmentally-friendly practices are being taught during driver training, and more companies are looking to transition to a green fleet in the next decade.

This means that if you aren’t already taking steps to make your fleet more environmentally friendly, you should start now. Not only will reducing your fleet’s carbon footprint make your business significantly more sustainable, it can also help you to cut your fleet costs and ensure your workers will be able to navigate the growing number of Clear Air Zones.

There are certainly lots of benefits to going green, but it can be easier said than done. So, to demystify the process and help you get off on the right foot, we’re going to define fleet sustainability and its importance, as well as outline our expert tips for improving the sustainability of your fleet.

What is Fleet Sustainability?

Fleet sustainability is a process which involves assessing the broad environmental impact of a fleet, and thereafter identifying opportunities for enhancement, implementing changes, and gauging progress with the intent of initiating the cycle anew.

Leading methods for achieving fleet sustainability include the use of route optimisation, the integration of electric vehicles (EVs), the provision of fuel efficiency training for drivers, the exploration of alternative fuel options, and the adoption of predictive maintenance schedules.

Why is Fleet Sustainability Important?

Fleet sustainability has gained considerable importance principally due to the growing necessity for fleets to reduce their carbon footprint. The transportation sector collectively is a major contributor in this context, being responsible for nearly a quarter of the UK's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, focusing on fleet sustainability has the potential to bring about substantial positive changes for the environment.

Many businesses have understood this core aim of fleet sustainability to mean that there aren't any direct incentives for them to prioritise it. Instead, even believing that there’s the possibility of their usual operations experiencing disruptions as a result of a shift towards new practices. Such apprehension is relatively justified, although it isn’t the case that switching to eco-friendly practices will have any negative consequences for a fleet. Rather, the inverse is true, and this can be seen in the two main benefits of fleet sustainability for businesses:

1. Cost Reduction

Cost reduction is inherent in fleet sustainability. Reason being, that one of the primary facets of fleet sustainability is on-road efficiency, which equates to less being spent on fuel. Given that fuel is one of a fleet’s biggest expenditures, better management in this area leads to drastic improvements.

This becomes even more evident when a business transitions to EVs. While EVs may entail a higher upfront investment, the long-term savings gained by eliminating fuel costs all together can make them a financially sound choice for businesses.

2. Improved Brand Reputation

Society is increasingly conscious of the importance of sustainability for our environment, and this awareness has significant implications for businesses. Customers today are more discerning in their brand choices, with a growing desire for products and services that align with their values.

Given the association of fleets with large fuel consumption, actively promoting your business's commitment to sustainable practices can enhance your reputation and attract a larger customer base. Today's consumers are more inclined to support businesses that prioritise sustainability, which in turn can enhance levels of customer engagement.

8 Expert Tips for Improving the Sustainability of Your Fleet

Set your goals

Before deciding how you’re going to make your fleet more sustainable, you need to outline exactly what you want to achieve, as well as when you would like to hit the milestones you propose. You may need to adjust your expectations throughout the process as you learn more about what is and isn’t feasible, but you should always have well-defined goals that all team members are working towards.

There are a number of different goals you could set in your journey towards making your fleet greener. For instance, you could plan to reduce your fleet’s CO₂ emissions by a particular percentage within a certain timeframe. You might wish to make the full transition to electric vehicles in the next 10 years, or perhaps you would like to reduce the number of miles your fleet currently travels. Whatever goals you choose to set, they should be achievable, measurable, and time-bound so it’s possible to track them.

Take full advantage of fleet management services and solutions

Once you’ve set your sustainability goals, you’ll need to find a way to collect relevant data that will show how your fleet is currently performing and where improvements can be made. Fortunately, there are now fleet management services and solutions that have been specifically designed to give you all of the information you might need concerning how your drivers and vehicles are performing on the road.

There are numerous benefits of data-driven solutions that make this technology worth investing in. A high-quality fleet monitoring service will collect key data points from onboard tracking systems, which should then be combined with GPS tracking data and transmitted to a data centre in real-time. This will give you valuable insights into how you can improve your driver and vehicle safety, optimise your workforce’s productivity, increase your fleet’s sustainability, and more.

Knowledge is certainly power where fleet sustainability is concerned, and having access to detailed data that shows where time, energy, and money are currently being wasted will help you to make improvements quickly and effectively.

Train your drivers with a focus on sustainability

Driver behaviour can have a significant impact on how green your fleet’s journeys are. Everything from how efficiently your drivers change gears to how long they typically idle can affect your fleet’s carbon emission levels. So, whenever you provide your drivers with training opportunities, as well as stressing how to drive safely and finish jobs in a time-efficient manner, you should focus on providing guidance on how to drive more economically.

In-cab feedback can also have a very positive impact on your drivers’ behaviour, even once they’re fully trained. Therefore, to get the most out of your workforce and ensure their compliance with your training doesn’t wane over time, you may wish to install innovative in-cab coaching devices in each of your vehicles. These will assess your drivers’ performance, detect any concerning behaviour, provide instant visual and audible warnings, and allow your drivers to keep track of their own scores. This will encourage them to always put their training into practice and ensure they drive in a safe and eco-friendly way every time they set off.

Invest in vehicles that align with your environmental goals

If you have plans to grow your fleet or are in a position to replace your existing vehicles with new models, you should strive to invest in those that align with your sustainability goals.

Right now, the most effective way to go green is with a fleet of electric vehicles, and going down this route comes with a lot of additional benefits, too. As well as shrinking your entire fleet’s CO₂ emissions, going electric will reduce your operational costs and enable your fleet to access all areas, including Clear Air Zones.

The UK’s electric vehicle infrastructure is also becoming more advanced all of the time, especially as 2020 saw the biggest annual increase of electric vehicle registrations yet (Next Green Car). The government has also announced that it will be investing £1.3 billion into the rollout of more charge points up and down the UK as part of its net zero plans (Crown Commercial Service). With all of this in mind, it’s unlikely to be long before the majority of vehicles on UK roads are powered by electricity, so investing now is a great way to prepare your fleet for the future.

Electric vehicles don’t create any exhaust emissions at the point of use and, if they’re always charged with energy from renewable sources, their lifetime carbon emissions can be almost zero. If you’re serious about shrinking your company’s carbon footprint, transitioning to a green fleet will give you the best results.

Be proactive and maintain your fleet

Staying on top of your fleet maintenance is an important step in improving its sustainability. Vehicles with faulty engines or tyre issues will use more fuel than those that are in perfect condition. So, between official services, you should ensure your workforce are regularly checking their vehicles for any areas of concern, and arranging for them to be addressed as soon as possible.

You should also implement strict servicing and maintenance schedules for all of your vehicles, and ensure they comply with the guidelines given by your vehicles’ manufacturers. Drivers should be told and trained to conduct physical vehicle checks on a daily or weekly basis, too, to ensure any issues such as low tyre pressure or broken lights are identified and fixed straight away.

Ensuring that your fleet is always in the best shape possible will improve your fuel economy and reduce your vehicles’ emissions, helping you to progress towards reaching your sustainability goals.

Provide your drivers with more efficient routes

Optimising your drivers’ routes can improve their fuel efficiency and increase their productivity. Hence, you should always be looking for ways to reduce the number of miles your fleet covers.

Business vehicle tracking will allow you to collect all of the information you need about your workers’ journeys to identify any areas where improvements could be made. By looking at the routes your fleet typically takes, you’ll be able to see whether any fuel is going to waste, if any trips could be combined, or if any routes could be refined to get your drivers from A to B in a more timely manner.

It’s wise to check your fleet’s recent routes regularly to ensure the trips all of your drivers make are essential and as efficient as possible. This will reduce your carbon emissions, save you money, and keep your customers happy in the long run.

Monitor tyres through predictive alerts

One of the most sustainable actions you can take as a fleet manager is to maximise the lifespan of your tyres. Properly maintained tyres—those with optimal air pressure, tread depth, and alignment—help your fleet achieve better fuel economy. When tyres are in optimal condition, vehicles experience less rolling resistance, which means they burn less fuel and produce fewer emissions.

Predictive tyre maintenance allows you to address minor issues before they turn into major problems through real-time alerts. By identifying issues such as under-inflation, misalignment, or uneven wear, fleet managers can take preemptive steps to maintain tyre condition.

Moreover, by using data-driven tyre management, you extend their useful life, ensuring that your fleet only replaces tyres when it’s truly necessary. This means fewer tyres end up in landfills, helping reduce waste and environmental impact while saving costs.

By incorporating tyre management solutions, you help your fleet achieve lower fuel consumption, leading to a reduction in your carbon footprint. Whether it's by monitoring tyre pressure in real time or ensuring proper alignment, these small adjustments can have a significant impact on your fleet's overall environmental performance.

Receive expert consultation

Sustainability isn’t just about technology; it’s about strategic decision-making. Fleet consultants provide you with personalised advice and strategies that help your fleet reduce emissions, optimise fuel efficiency, and achieve sustainability goals. Experts work closely with you to implement data-driven practices that make your fleet eco-friendlier.

Consultants help guide fleets through best practices, offering recommendations on how to reduce fuel consumption. This approach ensures that your fleet isn’t just sustaining its longevity, but is also adopting the right strategies to support long-term sustainability goals.

The Evolution of Sustainable Fleet Management

This is the new era of fleet management, where change isn't something in the distant future; it's happening right now. According to insights from MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s MarketPulse survey (March 2023), spanning 200 UK commercial vehicle fleets, the industry is showing a real commitment to sustainability through:

• Route optimisation - in a significant development, 53% of companies are embracing smart route optimisation strategies, designing paths that not only reduce carbon emissions but also save on fuel consumption. Every twist and turn in this journey leads to greater efficiency and a more environmentally friendly approach.

• Alternative fuels - a remarkable 65% of companies are opting for cleaner and more eco-friendly energy sources to power their fleets. From the quiet hum of electric vehicles to the promise of renewable biofuels, businesses are rethinking how they fuel their operations to minimise their impact on the environment.

Achieve Fleet Sustainability with MICHELIN

With climate change becoming an increasingly pressing concern for businesses of all kinds, actioning ways to make your fleet more eco-friendly is now non-negotiable, and our statistics corroborate that the industry is behind this notion. As we’ve highlighted, there are lots of steps you can take to earn some green credentials and shrink your carbon footprint, but this can often make the prospect seem overwhelming. 

For this reason, we at MICHELIN Connected Fleet have developed sustainable fleet management solutions and tailored services. Our holistic solutions not only equip you with all of the hardware and software needed to streamline your operations and reduce your fleet’s carbon emissions, but also ensure that your business receives expert consultation and access to our global service provider network.

Let us show you how our solutions can create a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable fleet. Contact us today to get started on your sustainability journey.