Sustainable Transport Practices for Trucking Companies
The transportation sector currently accounts for around one-fifth of the world’s carbon emissions, making it vital for the industry to take a drastic U-turn toward sustainable transport sooner rather than later. There is no denying that the trucking industry has a long road ahead as far as achieving full sustainability is concerned. Still, countless innovations are currently employed to paint our trucks green; here, we discuss these sustainable transport practices in detail.
What is Sustainable Transportation
Sustainable transportation is a broad term that encompasses all efforts toward energy-efficient and sustainable transportation. For companies, it refers to every process they implement to make their trucks eco-friendly. Every aspect of the trucking industry can and should have a sustainable approach, from truck repairs to fleet servicing. Sustainable transportation may look different from business to business, but at its core, it helps transport companies become more sustainable.
Sustainable Transport Practices Turning the Industry Green
Route Optimisation
Optimised route planning is an up-and-coming trucking trend set to change the game. This approach aims to cut fuel consumption issues by planning the shortest, most efficient routes possible before the trucks hit the road. AI technology helps predict traffic jams and weather to minimise fuel consumption and time on the road.
Improved Aerodynamics
Truck companies worldwide are taking steps to design vehicles with improved aerodynamics. Trucks with excellent aerodynamics will encounter less dragging, enhanced efficiency, and create a more sustainable transportation method. Improved aerodynamics may seem like a drop in the bucket, but we measure the race toward sustainability progress in inches, not miles!
New Technologies Paving the Way for Sustainable Transport
A handful of technological innovations are helping trucks tackle their most significant roadblock in the journey to sustainable transportation: the excessive amount of fossil fuels required.
Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Undoubtedly, the most significant innovation in the past decades has been the development of electric and alternative fuel vehicles. These trucks are powered by non-diesel energy sources—like hydrogen, biodiesel, renewable natural gas, or pure electricity. Depending on the fuel source, these trucks can produce fewer carbon emissions than traditional trucks or none at all! This technology allows trucking companies to significantly reduce their largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Telematics
Telematic is a new diagnostic and tracking technology that will revolutionise trucking company operations and create a clear path toward sustainable transportation. Telematic systems capture critical data like driving behaviours and engine performance. This data can help companies identify where inefficiencies lie in their fleet and drivers. By tracking and analysing this data, companies can identify where and how they can minimise emissions.
Driving Toward a Sustainable Future
Sustainable transport practices have never been more critical to pursue. With the world grappling with the effects of global warming, the transportation industry must play its role in pushing us towards a greener future.
William Gill & Sons have proudly gotten behind the sustainable movement and are driving green trucking practices forward in New Zealand. Get in touch today for more information on our services and how we are changing the landscape of the transport industry.