Sustainability efforts are becoming increasingly important and prominent with industries across the country. Technology is leading the way in making these efforts easier and more approachable for everyone, including the manufacturing and transportation sectors.
There’s no denying the environmental benefits of a sustainable company fleet. It can cut down on carbon emissions, boost greener efforts within the company, and help fight back against the effects of climate change.
However, sustainable vehicle tech can also reduce the cost of your fleet. Because of the high demand for sustainable products and processes, technology has become easier to access and easier to afford.
Let’s cover some of the cost benefits of owning a sustainable fleet, and how your industry can benefit from this kind of technology, especially as an affordable alternative to traditional fleet vehicles.
The Importance of Tech for a Sustainable Fleet Future
Countless industries rely on company fleets, including:
- HVAC;
- Landscaping;
- Security;
- Engineering;
- Equipment dealers;
- Insurance brokers.
Obviously, the size of your fleet depends on the growth of your business and how often your employees need to travel. However, when you consider that the average passenger car emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, the math to figure out the CO2 emissions of your fleet can quickly become overwhelming.
While some businesses require freight trucks or box vans, others rely on typical passenger cars, especially when it comes to sales. Technology can end up making the lives of your traveling employees easier, safer, and more cost-effective. By replacing just one car with an electric vehicle, your team can save about $1,000 on fuel costs. By investing in smart vehicles that allow you to collect data, you’ll also be able to optimize your fleet. Simple data collection can help your drivers with things like idling, speeding, tire pressure issues, and more. These are all factors that can contribute to more fuel consumption. Having clear data at your fingertips to let you know when something needs to be adjusted will make a big difference.
What Are the Benefits?
In addition to saving money on fuel costs, it’s impossible not to consider the environmental benefits of using sustainable vehicle tech. For example, bringing electric vehicles into your fleet might seem like an investment, upfront.
You’ll save on fuel and won’t have to spend a lot on electricity since many of today’s EVs can be charged using “trickle charging”. This is a way of slowing down the charging of the vehicle, so it can be done overnight for your employees to use the vehicles in the morning. Using less electricity is better for your business and the planet. Additional environmental benefits include better efficiency, especially when driving in cities, and no tailpipe emissions.
Finally, you can look at the maintenance benefits. Most electric vehicles are easier and cheaper to maintain than conventional ones. There are fewer fluids to worry about or change periodically, and the technology involved — including batteries, motors, and control panels — requires very little regular upkeep.
Electric vehicles are the future of transportation, and while we still have a long way to go to create the infrastructure necessary for all cars to be EVs, you can benefit your bottom line and the environment by bringing a few into your fleet.
The Longevity of a Sustainable Company Fleet
Sustainability is far from a fad. As technology continues to advance, we’ll see a greater demand for it to be used toward sustainable efforts. Since transportation makes up such a large portion of carbon emissions across the globe, it’s an industry that will always be prioritized when it comes to making environmentally-friendly changes.
Thankfully, sustainable vehicle tech is more than just a green investment for your business. Things like hybrid and electric cars, alternative fuels, and even fleet tracking software might be considered costly today, but your ROI will be greater. Not only will you save on fuel and maintenance, but investing in software can help with things like budgeting and optimizing routes for your drivers so they aren’t wasting time (and fuel) sitting in traffic.
ly is that better for your budget, but it can also improve the health and well-being of your team. They won’t be spending hours “idling”, so they can be more efficient with their work and enjoy less stress and a better work-life balance. Finally, you can actually improve your business “image” by using sustainable vehicle tech. When your customers know you’re dedicated to a cleaner, greener future, they’re more likely to stay loyal to your business and become brand ambassadors, talking about your efforts with friends and family.
If you’ve been considering adding electric vehicles to your fleet or you’re interested in investing in sustainable tech, now is the time to do it. Don’t hesitate to do your research on the tech that makes sense for you. While you might end up paying more upfront, your budget will balance out faster than you might think, and you can reduce the costs of your fleet exponentially over the next few years.
