A new guide has been launched to help fleets cut their carbon emissions and chose the right low or zero-carbon vehicles.

The free guide has been produced by Cenex – the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for low carbon vehicle technologies – which has also launched a unique Fleet Carbon Reduction Toolkit, a new simulation tool to assist fleet managers in predicting the impact on emissions and vehicle whole life costs when integrating new low-carbon vehicles in their fleet.

The free 50-page guide investigates and explains fleet carbon reduction, including analytical approaches, technology guidance and case studies.

It is technology neutral so it does will not recommend an electric van for example where a diesel van would be better suited. “The guide will signpost to all the relevant technology available that is relevant to reducing carbon emissions,” Chris Walsh, head of technical support at Cenex, told Fleet News.

“We recognise the area the fleet works in and then make recommendations as to which technology is best suited. We use other fleets’ experience to help you make the right choice.”

The guide comprises three parts:

i) Evaluating low carbon vehicle options, from making the case for low carbon vehicles to trialling low carbon options

ii) Technology guidance, providing information on the underlying improvements available in conventional engine technology, through hybrid and pure electric options and gaseous fuels

iii) Four case studies looking at the integration of low carbon vehicles into public and private sector fleets.

“Fleet operators face significant challenges in responding to the need to lower carbon emissions and to reduce the energy use of their vehicles,” explained Robert Evans, CEO of Cenex.

“We aim to help managers and operators meet these challenges through informed decisions on the best way to reduce carbon in their vehicle fleet.”

For larger fleets and public sector bodies, Cenex has produced an advanced Fleet Carbon Reduction Tool.

The online tool enables accurate estimation of the carbon reduction performance of different transport fuels and technology options.

It is designed to validate decisions and to compare different scenarios so the fleet has an accurate picture of its carbon emissions prior to implementing a vehicle change.

The sophisticated simulation model outputs whole-life cost and greenhouse gas emission predictions for each low-carbon technology fleet option.

The model yields quantitative information that can help identify the best low carbon technology option for fleet operators while reducing the need for trialling options in the field.

The free guide and more information on the fleet tool is available by emailing technical@cenex.co.uk

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