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What Are the Benefits of Reducing CO2 for You?

Last updated : March 10, 2025
Sustainable Mobility

Carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse gases are responsible for the warming of the planet by almost 1°C since the late 19th century.

The subject of greenhouse gases, their link to climate change, and sustainability initiatives have been in the news almost constantly over the last few years, and there has been a push to recognise climate change as a national and global emergency within Parliament.

Why is reducing fleet CO2 emissions important?

In 2019, vans registered in the EU, Iceland, Norway, and the UK emitted an average of 158.4g of CO2 for every kilometre driven, according to the European Environment Agency. When you consider that each van in Great Britain travels an average of 13,000 miles — or approximately 20,921km — per year, this means each vehicle emits around 3.3 tonnes of CO2 every year. With 14.1 million vans on the UK’s roads, approximately 46.5 million tonnes of CO2 are released annually.

With this background, it’s inevitable that commercial fleets are facing ever-increasing scrutiny about how they operate. And, they’re often integral to a business’s wider carbon reduction strategy. We know from a humanitarian perspective that it’s important to limit and reduce the CO2 companies produce, but could there be wider benefits for your business?

The benefits of reducing CO2 emissions

Saving the planet

A lot has been written about carbon offsets and planting trees to reabsorb the CO2 released into the atmosphere. However, each tree planted will only absorb around 25 kg of CO2 per year meaning, for each van on the road, you would need to plant 132 trees.

It seems obvious to say, but it’s worth repeating that the best way to reduce your CO2 emissions is to use less fuel in the first place. You can read more about this in our guide to reducing fuel waste with fleet management services and solutions.

Saving your budget

While sustainability and zero-emissions schemes are of the utmost importance to both fleets and businesses, the impact of shrinking your carbon footprint can reduce more than your CO2 emissions.

As we’ve previously mentioned, reducing your fleet’s fuel usage is the most effective way to cut your emissions. And, if you require less fuel to run your operations, this will also have an impact on how much you spend on fuel.

We know that keeping costs as low as possible is incredibly important to fleet managers and, as fuel is likely to be one of your biggest expenses, taking steps to reduce your emissions can be hugely financially beneficial.

Not just for corporate image

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that climate change is something that must be tackled at every level of society, and commercial fleets shouldn’t be an exception to that. Reducing air pollution isn’t just good for the planet or your brand’s reputation, it also helps lower health risks for the people who live and work in the communities your fleet operates in.

In essence, cutting fleet emissions means fewer respiratory issues, better air quality, and a healthier environment for everyone. Plus, by reducing the CO2 emissions of your vehicle fleet, you’ll unlock other benefits for your wider business such as those we’ve just discussed.

How to reduce CO2 emissions

1. Measure your fleet’s CO2 emissions

Before you can properly reduce your fleet’s CO2 emissions, you need a clear understanding of its current impact. There are several methods to measure emissions, and we’ve put together a guide to help you calculate your fleet’s carbon footprint accurately.

2. Optimise routes

Efficient route planning helps reduce CO2 emissions by minimising delays and unnecessary mileage. While the shortest route may seem ideal, factors such as traffic congestion and road conditions must also be considered. Telematics systems can improve route selection by identifying the most efficient paths and optimal travel times.

3. Use preventative maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your fleet efficient and reducing CO2 emissions. For example, properly inflated tyres improve fuel economy, while under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, making engines work harder and consume more fuel. Implementing tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) can help maintain optimal tyre pressure.

4. Go electric

Electrifying your fleet can significantly reduce carbon emissions. Fully electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them a cleaner, greener choice for the environment. Similarly, plug-in hybrids are also great for such contributions when driven in electric mode. To support the transition, the UK government offers various incentives, grants, and funding options to help businesses adopt EVs more easily.

5. Provide eco-driving training

If switching to electric vehicles isn’t an option, driver behaviour has the biggest impact on real-world carbon emissions. Harsh acceleration, excessive speed, and engine idling all waste fuel and thereby have a negative influence. Coaching drivers to adopt eco-friendly habits mitigate this, leading to heightened fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Implementing these actions can be time-consuming and resource-intensive without the right tools, like those offered by fleet management solutions. At MICHELIN Connected Fleet, our all-in-one dashboard helps to optimise routes, monitor vehicle health, as well as enhance overall operations so that you can effectively cut back on emissions. 

Additionally, our consultative service supports businesses looking to transition to a greener fleet. If you’re interested, then be sure to make an enquiry today.
MICHELIN Connected Fleet

Written by MICHELIN Connected Fleet

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