Online tool aims to reduce road freight emissions

Road freight association Transporting New Zealand are announcing the launch of an online tool that aims to help the industry decarbonise. The Green Fleet Self-Assessment Tool is a ten-question survey that allows transport businesses to estimate their emissions and identify opportunities to reduce them. 

It will be made available after a Road Freight Decarbonisation Update in Auckland later this month featuring updates on Low Emission Freight Certificates, EECA’s Low Emission Heavy Vehicle Fund and more.

“This is a practical guide that enables operators to identify what they’re already doing to reduce emissions, and what more they could do,” says Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive, Dom Kalasih. “For many businesses and ordinary Kiwis alike, a brand-new zero emission vehicle isn’t feasible just yet, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be done.”

The survey outlines some actions operators can take, including:

• Fuel efficient driver training
• Route optimisation and backloading to reduce empty trips
• Preventative maintenance and regular servicing

“Not only do these strategies reduce emissions, but greater fuel efficiency reduces costs, which is imperative for operators in what is a highly competitive sector,” says Kalasih.

NZTA data has found there can be up to a 35 per cent difference in fuel consumption between efficient and inefficient drivers, demonstrating the cost savings to be made. “Customer demand for greener business practices has been growing for years. But many of the more transformative zero emissions technologies for heavy vehicles are still in their infancy, and tight margins present a challenge to investment here.

“Transporting New Zealand hopes that our members and the wider industry will find value from this tool and use it to communicate their decarbonisation efforts with customers.”

The launch event will be held at TR Group’s premises in Auckland on the 24th of October. If you’re interested in attending please contact the Transporting New Zealand team at events@transporting.nz before Tuesday 14 October.

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Source: Transporting New Zealand