Many South Yorkshire fleet operators have been celebrating their membership of the free ECO Stars fleet recognition scheme, launched by Care4Air (www.care4air.org/ecostars) in South Yorkshire in January 2009. In two years the scheme has grown to encompass over 30 operators and 5000 vehicles in, or serving South Yorkshire.

The Award winning ECO Stars (Efficient and Cleaner Operations) Fleet Recognition Scheme, helps South Yorkshire’s HGV, LGV, bus and coach fleet operators gain recognition for their commitment to improving efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and reducing emissions – all helping to improve local air quality. The scheme has been so successful that it is being rolled out in other parts of the UK and later this year in some cities in Europe.

Key to the ECO Stars scheme is the bespoke ‘Road map’ action plan developed for each new member to help them progress to higher star ratings levels. The ‘Road map’ is a free efficiency review of each business undertaken by fleet specialists on joining the scheme. On first joining the scheme, vehicle fleet operators receive their individual best practice road map with suggestions on how they could improve their performance, including measures to reduce idling, improving driver incentive schemes and expanding their key performance indicators. By implementing these suggested actions, two operators have now became ECO Stars five star operators, achieving the highest possible rating.

With no sign up fee, help through the application process and tailor-made support for each individual company, fleet operators across South Yorkshire can improve their fleet profile through:

• Fuel management
• Developing driver skills
• Vehicle specification and maintenance
• Use of IT support systems
• Fleet performance monitoring

Joining the scheme offers operators the opportunity to cut costs by up to £2,300 per vehicle and improve environmental performance by cutting fuel consumption. The ECO Stars South Yorkshire scheme has in excess of 5,000 vehicles signed up from across 30 members, who include household names such as Sainsbury’s, Next, Stagecoach, First Group, as well as Local Authority fleets and other local fleet operators.

The key Councils behind ECO Stars South Yorkshire are: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council; Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council; and Sheffield City Council, with support from Travel South Yorkshire and NHS Barnsley.