A Q&A with Santa, and Fleet Manager Mrs Claus, of North Pole Inc
Resurrecting your old fleet vs.investing in new hybrid vehicles presents a fiscally-motivated challenge, yet it’s easy to see why retrofitting your fleet is the way to go. While an ideal green future would be full of the new-car smell, there are simpler and faster ways to start greening your fleet.
This is especially important as sales of diesel retrofits decreased specifically last year, with only 20,177 retrofit units sold in 2011, versus 24,640 devices sold in 2010, according to the Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association.
In addition to it being a cost-efficient choice for your company, retrofitting your vehicles is healthier for your drivers and the environment while also adding fuel economy to your balance sheets. According to a study conducted by Project Green Fleet, fleets only pay a quarter of the price of a new vehicle for a retrofitted engine.
There are a number of ways to begin the retrofitting process, but we’ve compiled a list of the most popular methods.
Diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)/rebuilding the diesel engine: The DOC has the ability to oxidize carbon monoxide, particulate matter and odor-causing compounds. The unit is placed in tandem with a muffler, acting very similar to the role of a catalytic converter. In addition, by replacing your fleet’s diesel engine with a cleaner-running machine, you instantly see reduced emissions and lower total pollution output.
GPS fleet tracking systems: In addition to staying ahead of the curve on environmental regulations, fleet tracking systems have the ability to save money on costs and dramatically increase fuel efficiency. By keeping track of your fleet’s carbon footprint, you could be potentially saving your company thousands of dollars a year.
Battery air conditioning systems (BAC): This system utilizes batteries to power a cooling system that is integrated with a fuel-operated heater, when needed. The system has the capability to significantly reduce emissions and idling time.
Auxiliary power units and generator sets (APU/GS): These units assist with carbon emissions by helping to eliminate idling in heavy-duty trucks.
Fuel-operated heater (FOH): A FOH system requires little maintenance and little fuel. The unit draws fuel from the diesel tank and incubates the heat in the combustion chamber. Emissions decrease due to the FOH’s long, continuous burn.