Going Green Is Getting Easier for Fleets

As the world continues to prioritize sustainability and green initiatives, commercial vehicle fleet managers are faced with the task of aligning their business goals with these values. Fortunately, going green is getting easier for fleets due to a variety of factors such as government incentives, increased public demand, economic benefits, and technological advancements, including solutions like VQ Insight. In this article, we will explain four ways it’s getting easier for commercial vehicle fleets to embrace green fleet management:

• Government Incentives
• Increased Public Demand
• Economic Benefits
• Technological Advancements

Government Incentives

Many governments are offering incentives to encourage fleet managers to adopt sustainable practices. From tax credits and rebates to grants for electric and hybrid vehicles, there are a variety of programs designed to help offset the costs associated with going green. 

For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offers a loan program to manufacturers who make vehicles and infrastructure that use advanced technology and alternative fuels. This program provides loans to companies that want to set up or expand manufacturing facilities for these vehicles or infrastructure in the US. The loans can cover up to 30% of the manufacturing facility costs and can be utilized for creating highly fuel-efficient vehicles that emit minimal pollution. These vehicles must meet certain government standards for emissions and fuel economy and can run on gasoline, diesel fuel, hybrid electric, or fully electric power. The loans can also cover the cost of components that are specifically designed to work with these advanced vehicles.

There is a wide variety of incentives offered by the DOE that fleet managers can benefit from.

By taking advantage of incentives like these, and utilizing software programs like Derive VQ, fleet managers can reduce the upfront costs of transitioning to more sustainable practices. This can help to make the process more affordable and accessible for businesses of all sizes.

Increased Public Demand

Consumers are no longer just interested in a company's products or services. They also want to know how their purchases are affecting the environment. Companies that prioritize sustainability are seen as more trustworthy, ethical, and responsible. According to a Nielsen survey, 81% of global respondents felt strongly that companies should help improve the environment, and 73% of millennials are willing to pay extra for sustainable products and services. In the fleet management industry, adopting eco-friendly practices can boost a company's brand equity by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability.

Economic Benefits

One of the most significant economic benefits of going green in commercial vehicle fleets is the reduction in fuel consumption and associated costs. By adopting green fleet management practices, such as optimizing routes, maintaining vehicles properly, and using alternative fuels or electric vehicles, fleet managers can achieve significant fuel savings. Additionally, going green can also help to reduce maintenance and repair costs, as well-maintained vehicles experience less wear and tear.

Technological Advancements

Fleet sustainability and green fleet management are becoming increasingly important for commercial vehicle fleet managers. VQ Insight is an example of a technology that can help fleet managers optimize and make data-driven decisions in partnership with the Derive VQ platform. In fact, VQ Insight shows both aggregate and per-vehicle data, with market-level drill downs, allowing you to compare savings across vehicle models and over time. These insights enable you to transform your fleet's performance by easily detecting and correcting inefficient and unsafe driving patterns, resulting in a safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective operation.

The Importance of Data Analytics

Data analytics is crucial for commercial vehicle fleets to achieve fleet sustainability, and VQ Insight is an excellent source of data analytics for green fleet management. By analyzing data from vehicles, fleets can optimize their routes, reduce idle time, and improve fuel efficiency, all of which contribute to reducing emissions and promoting sustainability. This data-driven approach can also identify areas of improvement in fleet operations that might not be immediately apparent, leading to further optimization and cost savings. Fleet managers have access to powerful data analytics that can help them achieve their sustainability goals and remain competitive in an increasingly eco-conscious market.

VQ Insight accesses the data through Derive VQ’s platform. When you install Derive VQ onto your fleet vehicles, you instantly gain the following benefits:

• Idle Reduction: Adjust engine idle RPMs to help reduce fuel consumption and emissions when a vehicle is idling.
• Eco Adjustment: Optimize shifting patterns to help improve fuel efficiency while driving, resulting in lower fuel costs and reduced emissions.
• Speed Governor: Set a maximum speed limit for each vehicle in your fleet, ensuring that they stay within your fleet policy.

Learn more about VQ Insight, and talk to an expert at Derive to see how we can make green fleet management easier.