Greener Motoring Delivers Savings
Whether you are motivated to reduce the CO2 emissions of your fleet out of a concern for the environment or because of the likely cost saving flowing from running more fuel efficient cars, there is little doubt that emission levels are important to fleet operators.
The Green Vehicle Guide provided by the Australian Government (www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au) provides a rating system based on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions for all vehicles available on the Australian market. This is an important guide but should only be the starting point in the vehicle selection process.
To select the right green vehicle you need to consider the type of driving that the majority of your fleet will be doing. For example, if your fleet is based mainly in the city, then a hybrid vehicle may suit your needs. Hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, automatically shut off the engine when the vehicle stops then starts again when needed. Hybrids also store the energy used to brake for the next acceleration.
However, if your fleet regularly drives at speed or long distances on a highway or toll road, a diesel powered vehicle may prove to be more fuel efficient and produce lower emissions.
Another consideration is the life cycle CO2 emissions of a vehicle. You need to consider the direct and indirect CO2 emissions of a vehicle starting with the raw materials and then vehicle assembly, fuel production and vehicle use.
An American study conducted in 2000 showed that 96% of the CO2 produced throughout the life cycle of a vehicle occurs due to fuel production and vehicle use. Therefore, when comparing vehicles, litres consumed per 100 km and CO2 produced per km are important factors to consider.
The table below provides a comparison of several vehicles based on travelling 15,000 kms per annum.
| Vehicle Description |
CO2 grs/km |
Ltr/100km |
Tonnes of CO2 PA |
| Prius Hybrid 1.5 CVT (Hybrid) |
106 |
4.4 |
1.59 |
| Civic Hybrid 1.3 CVT (Hybrid) |
109 |
4.6 |
1.64 |
| Golf Comfortline 2.0TDi (Diesel) |
157 |
5.8 |
2.36 |
| i30 1.6 CRDi (Diesel) |
159 |
6.0 |
2.39 |
| Corolla Conquest 1.8 (Petrol) |
173 |
7.4 |
2.60 |
| Astra CDX 1.8 (Petrol) |
187 |
7.8 |
2.81 |
| Camry Altise 2.4 (Petrol) |
233 |
9.9 |
3.50 |
| Aurion AT-X 3.5 (Petrol) |
233 |
9.9 |
3.50 |
| Falcon XT 4.0 (Petrol) |
251 |
10.5 |
3.77 |
| Falcon XT LPG 4.0 (LPG) |
240 |
14.9 |
3.60 |
| Commodore Omega 3.6 (Petrol) |
252 |
10.6 |
3.78 |
But purchasing a new vehicle is not the only way to reduce CO2 emissions and save money. Monitoring fuel usage can reveal some interesting trends.
For example, through the use of a sophisticated reporting and analysis system a fleet operator will be able to simply identify vehicles where fuel consumption exceeds the manufactures recommendation. This allows the fleet manager to start asking questions: Is there an accuracy issue with the vehicle data? Or are the vehicles being driven inefficiently? If the latter is the case, a driver education and training program can be instigated to improve efficiencies and save money.
Running a fuel efficient fleet can be achieved by not only choosing more fuel efficient vehicles but by driving your fleet economically. The way you drive your fleet and the way your vehicles are maintained will have an impact on your fuel costs. For example, a saving of just one litre of fuel per 100kms will save $330 per year per vehicle (based on average annual kms of 30,000 and a fuel cost of $1.10/L). On a fleet of just 30 vehicles that is a saving of $9,900 pa.
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