Greener Drivers
Driver training services can boost fuel efficiency for corporate fleets
Small, easy changes in driving behavior can reduce fuel consumption.
Transportation Innovation
HIGHLIGHT
After launching a driver-training program, Novo Nordisk increased its average vehicle MPG by a half gallon last year. This change saved 80,000 gallons of fuel in just the first six months.
2009 INNOVATIONS REVIEW
Companies find that environmental sustainability helps reduce costs and gain advantages.
Many companies focus exclusively on just a few tools, such as purchasing hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles, when they are looking to "green" their fleets. They often overlook an immediate, low-cost way to increase fuel efficiency—and reduce global warming pollution: Influencing how their drivers actually operate their vehicles.
Small, easy changes in driving behavior—such as slowing down, avoiding idling and "jack rabbit starts" and planning routes in advance—can reduce fuel consumption.
But how can an already over-taxed fleet manager train a 1,000 or more sales people or service personnel to drive differently? Seeing a need to fill, several companies are now offering fuel-smart driver training programs. These include:
- GreenDriver is a full-service e-learning and certification program focused solely on driver behavior. A visually appealing, interactive online course – based on industry best practices and fact-based studies – keeps fleet drivers engaged as they learn ways to reduce their CO2 emissions and manage their fuel costs.
- Networkfleet, which provides telematics products, is also working with fleets to monitor driving habitats and encourage drivers to take steps to increase MPG.
- Advanced Driver Training Services (ADTS), which helps fleets reduce crash rates through training and services, is now offering an online "Driving Green" course.
- PHH Arval, a partner of EDF, added a driver-training component to its award-winning PHH GreenFleet program this year.
- Wheels, a comprehensive fleet management services company, offers fuel-smart driving tips to fleet drivers through a variety of existing communications channels.
Novo Nordisk reduces costs, emissions
Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is an early adopter. Last year, it launched a driver training program for more than 2,000 sales people that saw immediate results. In the first six months, the fleet's average fuel efficiency rose from 19 mpg to 19.5 mpg—which meant 80,825 fewer gallons of fuel consumed or 1.6 fewer metric tons of CO2 emitted. At today's prices, this savings equates to roughly $160,000.
Taken to scale, the impact of this type of program could be huge. There are more than three million vehicles in U.S. corporate vehicle fleets. In 2008, these vehicles emitted an average of 15 tons of CO2. If fuel efficiency improved by only 2%, a conservative estimate, one million tons of CO2 could be avoided.
Additionally, there is likely a correlation between fuel-smart driving and safe driving. The green driving tips reinforce many of the key safe driving messages: don’t speed, anticipate stops, speed up gradually, etc. Thus, these programs can reinforce key safety messages that help fleets avoid damage costs and injuries.
Posted: 09-Apr-2009; Updated: 20-Apr-2009
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