Obama Fleet Initiatives - Copy

The rising costs of fuel will affect every commercial fleet or vehicle-based company, so finding innovative ways to increase fuel efficiency is a dire need for any fleet owner. With the government mandated standards for fuel efficiency set to come into effect for trucks and vans, it’s necessary to find ways to cut costs now to prepare for the challenges ahead.

 

And to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions created by heavy-duty trucks, President Barack Obama announced he will take further action outside of the limits set to into effect in 2018.

 

Previously, in 2011, the first-ever fuel-efficiency standards were set for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and vehicles such as buses and vans. The GHG criteria called for these types of vehicles to decrease fuel consumption by 10-20 percent, depending on the type and purpose of the vehicle. Those GHG limits encompassed the 2014-2018 model years of heavy-duty trucks, vans and buses.

 

Under the limits, trucks manufactured from 2014 through 2018 will reduce GHG pollution by roughly 270 million metric tons. Particular semi-trucks will have the prerequisite to achieve up to 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and GHG emissions by 2018, saving truck drivers and fleet owners up to four gallons of fuel for each 100 miles that are driven.

 

But now the Obama Administration will begin working on post-2018 fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles as a way to further reduce fuel consumption. The aim is to develop fuel economy standards beyond the 2018 model year for heavy-duty vehicles as a way to further reduce fuel consumption through advanced cost-effective technologies.

 

According to the EPA, considerations for accomplishing this include better engines, improved transmissions, more aerodynamic designs and fuel-based strategies.

 

Investing in a fuel efficiency resolution is one of the smartest decisions any fleet owner can make. Fleet companies can drastically increase fuel economy with GPS tracking software, up to 30 percent in many cases. Implementing GPS software places emphasis on shrinking idling engine time, cutting out harsh braking, eradicating out of route miles and avoiding traffic dilemmas.

 

The fuel savings help your bottom line, and the decreased fuel consumption by using GPS software combined with the government’s plan to reduce GHG all add up to a greener outlook for the entire fleet community.