Just a third of fleets track harmful emissions

Two-thirds of UK fleet and transport managers are not using software to track harmful emissions being released into the environment by their vehicles, new research suggests.

The Government has set an economy-wide target of an 81% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2035, from 1990 baseline levels.

Microlise, which conducted the research ahead of Clean Air Day tomorrow (Thursday, June 19), said fleet managers have an important responsibility to ensure they are tracking emissions in line with this target, taking action to determine how they can be reduced across their vehicles.

“The first step for companies looking to reduce the amount of harmful gases emitted by their fleets is to track what they emit right now,” said Microlise CEO, Nadeem Raza.

“This can be done using fleet optimisation tools which ensure that routes are planned for better fuel efficiency and reducing empty loads that produce greenhouse gases without any material benefit.”

Once this analysis has been conducted, the fleet or transport manager can then decide on other ways to further reduce their fleet’s effects on the environment, explains Raza.

“By using more fuel-efficient vehicles, better planning and training drivers to drive more economically, not only reduces harmful emissions, but also saves money, improving the bottom line,” he added.

Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign and is organised by Global Action Plan with the support of Health Equals.

It aims to to focus attention on taking collective action to clean up our air, boost public awareness and understanding of the health harms of air pollution, and demonstrate support for clean air.