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Fleet Electrification: Fostering Continued Growth Is More

On November 21, 2021, in Benefits of Nitrogen, fleet electrification, Fuel Efficiency, Managed Fleets, by admin
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Important Than Ever
Fleet electrification is now at a point we might call “technological and economic maturity.” As it relates to electric vehicles (EVs), they’re becoming increasingly affordable, cost effective, capable, and able to perform nearly all the functions of ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles.


Full vehicle electrification means zero tail pipe emissions, and this fundamental transformation of powertrain technology can (and will) yield a similarly transformational moment for the planet, as vehicle exhaust emissions are greatly reduced, and air quality improves.


While it’s not yet possible to replace every ICE vehicle in the world with an EV, one area ripe for change is fleets. Whether it’s a multinational delivery company, or your local county government, organizations all over North America are seeing the long-term benefits of adopting EVs into their fleets.


ICE Cars and Truck = Bad Air
One of the biggest vehicle segments of polluters in the world is ICE fleets. Every day, millions of ICE vehicles take to the roads and highways of the world to deliver the goods and services that support our modern societies. For any company with a fleet, transitioning away from emissions-heavy vehicles to zero emissions and trucks offer a huge, proportional decline in greenhouse gas emissions. For these companies, the fastest path to meeting corporate environmental goals is integrating EVs into their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategies.


ESG is Key
ESG is often referred to as sustainability in a business context, but it’s also directly related to a company’s business model; that is, how its products and services contribute to sustainable development. It’s also about a company’s growth and risk management (how it manages its own operations to minimize negative impact).


As organizations adopt and embrace the global ESG push, EVs will play a key role. The speed, simplicity, and effectiveness of adopting EVs can be illustrated in the following examples. Imagine a mid-sized bakery that delivers bread in a city. The bakery might have several ICE delivery vans that bring baked goods and breads to restaurants and various customers, but it also wants to align with ESG goals it has set for itself. In the short term, the bakery might not have the ability to quickly reinvent a more sustainable way to make bread or the time to source sustainably farmed raw materials. But switching to an EV-based fleet (which can be done relatively quickly) not only has an immediate benefit
for their town’s air, but also almost instantly provides the bakery with a big checkmark in the ESG column, and gives them more time to evaluate better, more sustainable ways to produce their goods. Similarly, a giant international plastics company might not have the advanced engineering technologies to make plastics from renewable raw materials. But what it can do is offset its (rather large) emission footprint by adopting the hundreds if not thousands of EVs it will use to deliver product across the globe.


In almost every case, converting to EVs allows a company to say with conviction that “we are truly doing something big for sustainability,” without disrupting every component of their day-to-day operations.

Change is… Easy
The EV revolution is here, and this technology is only getting more powerful, efficient, and affordable. The sooner that you, the local bakery, and the large multi-national plastics maker begin to leverage this technology, the sooner you can start saving money, make your business more sustainable, and position yourself as an industry leader. Converting even a small percentage of ICE vehicles on the road today to a zero-emission powertrain can result in truly remarkable results for both your business and the planet. A trusted EV expert like Merchants Fleet can help you navigate the EV adoption journey by implementing AdoptEV, our proprietary five-step EV implementation framework to both strategically and logistically prepare your organization for the electrification of your fleet and a sustainable
tomorrow.

Author/Author Bio:
Hari Nayar serves as the Director of Electrification & Sustainability at Merchants Fleet. A leading fleet electrification expert, Nayar focuses on providing fleet clients with the tools and insights they need to make a seamless and cost-effective entry into the electric vehicle market.

 

How Nitrogen-Filled Tires Can Make Electric Vehicles Greener

On July 5, 2019, in Benefits of Nitrogen, Uncategorized, by admin
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Benefits of Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure with Nitrogen

Tires are designed for a specific pressure, and fuel economy improves by over 3% when that pressure is conserved. However, the US Department of Energy estimates that incorrectly inflated tires waste 3.56 million gallons of gas each year. When tires are filled with nitrogen, they lose pressure four times slower than air-filled tires. Conserving the pressure of tires improves fuel economy, and charge is used more efficiently in the case of electric vehicles. Electric vehicles bring several environmental benefits by themselves, even before adding nitrogen-filled tires. They can run with renewable energy sources, something that is not possible with gas cars. A common argument against EVs is that they provide no benefit when fossil fuels still dominate the power grid. However, this is not the case:

  • Even if a power grid still runs 100% on fossil fuels, electric vehicles reduce emissions in urban areas, concentrating them at power plants.
  • Power stations burn fossil fuels more efficiently than gas cars, and they are subject to more stringent regulations.
  • If a power grid is decarbonized in the future, electric vehicles transition to renewable sources seamlessly – they run with electricity regardless of how it is generated. On the other hand, gas cars cannot switch to clean energy, unless they are modified to become electric.

The benefits of electric vehicles are enhanced with nitrogen-filled tires, thanks to the increase in energy efficiency. However, there are still several barriers to overcome before EVs can become mainstream.

How the Building Sector Can Incentive the Use of EVs

One of the main limitations for electric vehicles is the lack of charging infrastructure. However, building owners can change this by adding parking spaces with EV chargers. This way, owners of electric vehicles can get charge in places other than their homes. If these units have fast charging capabilities, they can fill up an EV during an errand such as going to the supermarket. In addition, building owners who are seeking a LEED certification can earn points by having charging stations.

Since nitrogen-filled tires increase energy efficiency in an EV, each charge lasts slightly longer. The frequency of charging cycles is reduced, and EV batteries have a longer service life as a result. This is a significant benefit, since batteries are among the most expensive components in EVs.

Using Federal Tax Credits to Incentive EVs

The government can also incentive the use of electric vehicles with legislation. Perhaps the best example is the federal tax credit for EVs, which ranges from $2,500 to $7,500 per vehicle. The benefit applies separately for vehicles from each manufacturer, and it starts to phase out when 200,000 EVs of the same brand have been sold.

The full list of eligible vehicles for the tax credit has been published by the US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Note that the benefit not only covers EVs, but also plug-in electric hybrids.

Synergy Between Nitrogen-Filled Tires and Electric Vehicles

Nitrogen inflation and electric vehicles provide environmental benefits separately, and synergy is achieved when both concepts are combined. While nitrogen-filled tires reduce the energy consumption of vehicles, the use of EVs can help decarbonize transportation by switching to clean energy sources.

Nitrogen also reduces waste, since the gas is free of two corrosive agents found in the air: oxygen and water vapor. Tires not only lose pressure at a slower rate, but they also last longer. The noncorrosive nature of nitrogen is especially beneficial for metallic components of tires, such as rims. At the same time, EV batteries can have a longer service life with less frequent charging cycles.

Credit:
Michael Tobias PE, LEED, AP, CEM
Founder of Chicago Engineers, New York, NY
Mandates Integration of Energy Efficient Green Technology
To Achieve Net Zero Energy Standards

 

Beneficial Nitrogen Applications

On July 30, 2017, in Benefits of Nitrogen, by admin
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Over the course of this century, the use of nitrogen has exploded. Nitrogen is found in a wide array of sources such as factory and power plant emissions, car exhaust and farm fertilizer. Scientists predict that nitrogen levels will rise two or three times above current levels, which can dramatically affect the planet. But despite concerns over the excessive use of nitrogen, there are some applications that consider it beneficial. Two applications that use nitrogen to keep the planet green are tire inflation and forest fertilization.

 

The Benefits of Nitrogen When Used to Fill Up Tires

Typically tires are filled up with air which consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% miscellaneous gases. But there are several arguments in favor of filling up tires with pure nitrogen instead:

 

Permeates More Slowly Through Rubber

Compared to oxygen, nitrogen is less likely to migrate through the rubber of tires. Nitrogen can stay in tires approximately 1/3 longer than oxygen. This benefit allows drivers to check their tire pressure less frequently. Monthly tire checks shouldn’t be eliminated, but nitrogen gives drivers better tire pressure and maintenance flexibility (especially for people who don’t maintain their vehicles well).

 

Tire Pressure Stability Over a Longer Period of Time

This results in more consistent inflation pressures, even with sudden changes in temperature. This is one of the main reasons that race car tires are filled with nitrogen; even if the tires heat up quickly there will be a minimal shift in PSI. Nitrogen pressure in tires are also affected by colder temperatures, but will lose PSI at a slower rate than tires filled with air that consists of oxygen.

 

Doesn’t Allow Moisture Into the Tire

The purer the nitrogen content, the less likely moisture will remain in a tire. It takes time to fill and purge the tires with dry nitrogen, but once complete all water will be removed from tires. Filling up with nitrogen will increase the longevity of tires because the tire’s steel components are less susceptible to corrosion. Keeping the bead, sidewall reinforcement and belts dry can ensure that tires will last longer.

 

Improved Fuel Economy

Since filling your tires with nitrogen allows for better pressure retention, you can also improve your vehicle’s fuel economy. According to Edmunds, “under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 PSI drop in pressure of all four tires”.

 

Diverts Tires From the Landfill

The benefits above allow vehicle owners to have tires that require less maintenance and can be kept for longer periods of time. The longer tires can be used, the less we’ll see in landfills. The manufacturing and disposal of tires is resource intensive, so the longer they can be used the better.

 

The Benefits of Nitrogen When Used to Fertilize Forests

To a certain degree, nitrogen can be beneficial to plant life and act as a fertilizer to encourage growth. With the predicted increase in nitrogen levels over the next century, scientists are curious to see how forests will react to two or three times more nitrogen than we’re seeing today. Kurt Pregitzer and his team at the University of Nevada, Reno decided to fertilize four experimental forests in northern Michigan to find out.

 

As expected, the increased levels of nitrogen stimulated tree growth. The extra growth and maturity of the trees will allow more carbon to be absorbed from the atmosphere and stored. But what surprised Pregitzer and his team was the slower decomposition of the twigs and other tree litter on the forest floor. According to The Atlantic, “lignin—the tough substance that gives vegetables their crunch and is quite good at storing carbon—proved more resistant to the forest floor’s microbes”. Having more lignin on the forest floors also allows for more carbon to be sequestered. Pregitzer said that the team didn’t anticipate the effect nitrogen would have on the storage of carbon in the soil.

 

Final Thoughts

Although the explosion of human-induced nitrogen has some negative effects on environmental and human health, there are some ways in which nitrogen can also be useful. When applied to tires, nitrogen can help improve the fuel economy of vehicles and allow owners to replace their tires less frequently. By extending the lifecycle of tires, less resources are being used to manufacture them and more tires are being diverted from the landfills.

 

In this time of climate uncertainty, carbon sinks are becoming increasingly important. From the research conducted by Pregitzer and his team, we see the benefits of nitrogen as a fertilizer and ability to enhance the forest floor’s carbon capture. Although more research needs to be done to understand this change in soil chemistry, we’re able to see how forests might benefit from increases in nitrogen levels.

 

Importance of Tire Alignment

On December 2, 2015, in Fuel Efficiency, Tire Care, by admin
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The proper alignment of your car’s tires are crucial in order for it to
perform adequately. When mechanics talk about tire alignment, they
are looking specifically at toe, camber, and caster alignment.
Having your wheels aligned correctly will help keep you safe on the
road and boost your fuel economy.

What Does Alignment Refer To?

When someone tells you that your tires need to be aligned, they are
referring to adjusting the vehicle’s suspension so that the wheels
are angled correctly. Wheels can be adjusted by placing the car on
an alignment rack and having a computer measure the angles of the
wheels. The person working on your car will then adjust the wheels
based on these measurements. Four-wheel alignments are recommended
over two-wheel alignments, because four-wheel alignments will
properly adjust all four wheels at the same time.

Why Should I Get My Tires Aligned?

Getting your tires properly aligned is important for not only your safety,
but also the lifespan of your tires. Proper tire alignment makes
handling your vehicle significantly easier. Wheels that are out of
alignment will lead to tires that have uneven tread wear. Getting
your tires aligned is easy at places such as Action
Gator Tire, and they offer a four-wheel alignment service that
will allow you to maximize the life of your tires and cut down on
fuel costs.

When Do I Need a Tire Alignment?

There are no specific requirements for how often you should get your tires
aligned. However, wheels can come out of alignment from everyday
driving, or from hitting potholes or curbs. There are a few indications that your tires
need to be aligned. Here are some of the ways that you can tell when
your vehicle’s wheels need to be aligned:

  • Vehicle pulls strongly to one side

  • Uneven or abnormal tire wear

  • Steering wheel vibration

  • Steering wheel off center

Toe, Caster, and Camber

There are three factors that contribute to proper wheel alignment: toe,
caster, and camber. Toe alignment is the measurement between tires.
When viewed from above, the tires should be parallel to each other
and in equal positions. Caster is the angle of the steering pivot,
and plays a huge role in balancing steering and stability. Positive
caster means that the steering axis tilts toward the driver, while
negative caster means that the steering axis tilts toward the front
end of your vehicle. Lastly, camber is the angle of the wheel, and
it should not have too much inward or outward tilt (negative and
positive camber). Instead, it should be perpendicular to the ground.

Boost Your Performance and Schedule a Wheel Alignment

Getting four-wheel alignment is important because it can help you prolong the
life of your tires and boost the performance of your vehicle.
Vehicles that are out of alignment will suffer from uneven tread wear
and poor tire performance. It is recommended that you schedule an
appointment immediately if you suspect you are in need of a wheel
alignment.

 

Tips to Avoid Problems When Using Snowfall Tires

On July 20, 2015, in Fuel Efficiency, Sustainability, Tire Care, Trucking Industry, by admin
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Tips to Avoid Problems Using Snowfall Tires Using a Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Tire Pressure Monitoring SystemsOver the last few years the government has cracked down on car drivers who have switched tires for the season but haven’t had their Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) replaced. Most garages used to replace them for free back in the day but nowadays you will see plenty of garages charging for this.

The truth is that you can avoid this, and you can also avoid having any issues with your TPMS when you switch from summer to winter tires.

One big tip is to avoid pot holes because our roads are scattered with these annoying dips and they do have a massive effect on tire pressure, not just in cold conditions but during any time of the year.  If you are driving on well-known routes then just pay attention to these, and avoid them if you can.

 

Why Does Cold Weather Affect my TPMS?

Snow is always going to set off your TPMS sensor, and it won’t take long until you see that lovely light illuminate your dash.

Are you ready for the science behind this?

When we get a bout of cold spells, or snow, the air in your tire will become much denser than when it is warm, especially when the car has been left overnight during a particular cold or snowy period.

However, as soon as you have drove around for 20-30 minutes you should notice that as the tires get warmer through friction, your light on the dashboard should turn itself off. Just give this tip a try before you decide to take it to our local garage as you should find that this works. Oh, and you shouldn’t worry too much on colder mornings if you see your TPMS light show up, that is normal behavior.

If you are seeing the light more frequently, just be aware that for every 10 degree drop in temperature, you will lose on average 1 pound of air pressure out of each tire.

This brings us nicely onto nitrogen for your tires.

 

So Why Use Nitrogen?

If you don’t check your tire pressure regularly then some good advice is to start using Nitrogen which will help in reducing TPMS resets.

Most new cars come with these funky new dashboard lights that tell you when your tire pressure is low. The problem is, you will stop by a garage and pump air into them, and then hey presto a few weeks later that lights back on again.

However, if you were to use nitrogen your tire could last months longer, meaning you don’t have to see that annoying flashing light appear so often.

You see, replacing oxygen, water vapor and other gases that go into a standard tire, with nitrogen, will mean your tire pressure will maintain at a certain level for a lot longer. So if you were to use 95% nitrogen in your tires you would be looking at a retainer of optimal pressure for as much as 4 times longer than if you had 22% of oxygen, water vapor and other gases.

Perhaps the biggest reason for people using nitrogen is that not only can you keep a well-balanced tire pressure but you can increase fuel efficiency, safety and generally a longer tire life for each of the 4 tires on your car.

Learn more about tire sensors at the Tire Sensor Warehouse.

 

Save Money, Be Safe, & Environmentally Conscious with Nitrogen Tires

On June 25, 2015, in Uncategorized, by admin
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Tires are, by far, one of the most important components of our vehicles, but are often overlooked. While some drivers are attentive, making sure their vehicle’s tires are in good working order, many drivers forget to check tires until a problem occurs such as a flat or a blowout. Among the many factors that can contribute to car accidents, surprisingly, the condition of your tires can lead to an accident and put your safety at risk.

save-money-fast-cars

Road Safety & Tires

It’s good to get in the habit of checking your car’s tire pressure at least once a month and add or decrease the amount of air, based on your tire gauge’s reading. Many drivers think that a little extra or not enough air is OK for your tires, but over or underinflation in tires can be dangerous. Vehicles driving on tires underinflated by more than 25 percent are up to three times more likely to be involved in an accident related to tire issues. Additionally, under inflated tires up to 25 percent are subject to overheating and can affect the handling or overall life of your tire. Whether your tires have too much air or not enough, you crash risk is higher than if you had the proper amount of air in your tires. It’s important to know how much air your tires need as not all tires require the same amount of air; check out your car’s manual and always check your tires for general wear and tear or leaks. Regular rotation is also a must.

 

The Benefits of Nitrogen & Tire Safety

Since a great deal of road safety relies on the air pressure in a car’s tires, nitrogen is a good option for all drivers, but particularly those who don’t check their tires on a regular basis. Although filling your tires with nitrogen, rather than air, can reduce the loss of tire pressure by about one-third, nitrogen should not be a substitute for having your tires checked on a regular basis. Experts report that if tires are overinflated with nitrogen, it is far less harmful than over inflating a tire with air. Nitrogen filled tires may keep your tires safer due to less moisture inside your tires (which may contribute to corrosion on your wheels).

 

Save Money, Save the Environment

When you take care of your car’s tires, they will last longer and will need replacing less frequently. Subsequently, you are saving yourself money and not contributing to landfill waste, an issue that is still prevalent today. Replacing the air in your tires with nitrogen will not only extend the life of your tires, but due to a more consistent tire pressure, you may see a decrease in your car’s fuel usage.

Filling your tires with nitrogen can increase the life of your tires, save you some money, and keep you safer on the road. While nitrogen may not be as convenient or inexpensive as air, talk with a tire expert or a trusted mechanic for more information on where to have your tires filled with nitrogen.

 

– Nik Donovic

 

15 Myths About Tire Labels

On May 17, 2015, in Nitrogen in Tires Myths, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by admin
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In the world of consumer products, labeling plays a crucial part. Whether it is a new vacuum cleaner or a new set of tires, a label carries valuable details about ap roduct that consumers mus never overlook.

Learn more about tire myths and truths in our 15 Myths About Tire Labels infographic:

15 Myths About Tire Labels - Infographic

15 Myths About Tire Labels – Infographic

 

Are we closer today than ten years ago to the widespread use of hybrid cars, truck and alternative fuels

On April 10, 2015, in Fuel Efficiency, News Roundup, Sustainability, by admin
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“Are we closer today than ten years ago to the widespread use of hybrid cars, truck and alternative fuels” ? Absolutely.

We are at a point in the evolution of green cars where it is now realistic that at some point in the future, they will be the most widely used car. The quality of these cars is constantly improving and the latest news about these vehicles means we may be closer to the world using predominately environmentally friendly cars than we think. Electric & Hybrid cars are growing in popularity and even solar powered cars don’t seem as farfetched these days based on the latest news from Ford.
The reasons to buy a green car makes a lot more sense now than it would have 10 years ago. The current batch of vehicles have are more efficient and now have a range of up to 265 miles and are available for as little as $22,000.
Of course, a lot of people don’t have a green car yet but there is still a lot you can do to have a positive impact on the environment. For example, car pooling with friends and even leaving your car at home two days a week will reduce greenhouse emissions by an average of two tons per year.

​It’s Matt Allan… ​
Hybrid Cars and Alternative Energy
Crossline on the Fort

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Solutions to Optimize Energy Use Across America

On January 7, 2015, in Managed Fleets, Saving Money, Trucking Industry, by allisonmreilly
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solutions to saving energyThis is a guest post from Tim Smith. Tim writes about home improvement and energy efficiency for Modernize.

Government agencies and big industry face fleet-management problems that dwarf simple conservation techniques. Industry uses 25 percent of domestic energy for transportation costs, so finding holistic and sustainable solutions at all levels of manufacturing is essential for optimizing energy usage in the United States. Technologies that are changing the ways government and industry managers look at transportation and fleet management include hybrid cars, hybrid tires, cleaner biofuels, tanks that burn natural gas, hydrogen fuel cells and nitrogen tire inflation.

Reducing Fuel Consumption and Emissions

More people now live in urban areas than elsewhere, a dynamic that’s changed how people live, work and interact. Billions of people living in close proximity requires thoughtful solutions to reduce energy usage, lower harmful emissions and maximize limited resources.

Effects of Using High-purity Nitrogen in Tires

Nitrogen provides a sustainable solution for optimizing energy usage. Scientists and engineers have long known about the benefits of using pure nitrogen in tires, and the airline and NASCAR industries adopted the practice decades ago. Benefits of nitrogen inflation include:

● Delivering up to six percent better mileage than compressed air

● Reducing leakage from tires

● Minimizing rust in auto components, which is caused by the oxygen and moisture content of regular compressed air leaking from tires under high pressure

● Increasing lifespan of tires up to 30 percent by minimizing the harmful effects of oxygen on rubber

Bridgestone, Ford and Goodyear have conducted scientific research that proves nitrogen penetrates tires three or four times more slowly than corrosive air. Tires inflated with pure nitrogen get better mileage, deliver more even wear and increase auto safety.

Cutting-edge Companies and Technology

Businesses and government agencies can lead by example, and NitroFleet99 helps these companies adopt the technology, manage transportation fleets and invest in nitrogen-inflation technology that provides long-term cost and aesthetic benefits. About 70 percent of domestic fuel consumption is generated by the transportation industry, and fleets can save 6 percent in costs right off the top while reducing the 300 million abandoned tires each year by 30 percent.

Developing countries often have advantages when it comes to optimizing energy usage because it’s easier to design efficient systems from the gate than retrofit aging systems to reduce carbon footprints and maximize use of resources. Green transportation technologies for managing fleets are changing the dynamic, however, and companies like NitroFleet99 are providing new technologies that optimize energy use in holistic ways that cut energy use, reduce operating costs and minimize equipment wear. Working with senior management, the company helps its energy partners link energy practices with existing infrastructure and technologies, educate staff about energy savings opportunities and set realistic, evolving goals for reducing energy usage in all aspects of industry and transportation.

NitroFleet99, a company dedicated to the simple expedient of replacing the current tire-inflation systems with high-purity nitrogen, provides a working network of industry partnerships for exploring the benefits of using nitrogen in business and fleet-management applications. Safe, inexpensive and easy to maintain, tires inflated with nitrogen get better mileage and provide other holistic benefits. NitroFleet99 is working to establish a national infrastructure for inflating tires with pure nitrogen from coast to coast. Ideally, this innovation costs as little as $29.95 for filling four tires while generating substantial energy savings and longer lasting tires and auto components. Less wear means less waste in landfills from millions of pounds of rubber.

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Saving Money on Gas: 4 Ways Managed Fleets Can Do It

On September 18, 2014, in Fuel Efficiency, Managed Fleets, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Saving Money, by allisonmreilly
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nitrogen tire inflation for managed fleetsFuel costs are one of the biggest costs for managed fleets, but also one of the hardest to decrease without hurting fleet productivity.  Offsetting some of the expenses to drivers may have consequences on employee morale and retention . Reducing usage could mean fewer routes, fewer vehicles on the road, and less revenue overall. Fortunately, with the right data, fleet managers can save money on gas without long-term consequences on the fleet and the company. Here are four ways managed fleets can save money on fuel:

Implementing a Fuel Card Program

Every fleet manager wants to trust their employees, and a fuel card program may seem like a way to “look over everyone’s shoulder” as they refuel vehicles at the gas station. But, a program can eliminate the small non-fuel purchases that drivers add on, such as a soda or a pack of cigarettes. Each individual driver may not intend harm and deceit by adding those purchases, but if every driver is doing that, then every single one of those purchases will add unnecessary expenses to the fleet’s fuel costs. The drivers may not see their small non-fuel purchases as a big deal, but they do mean thousands of dollars spent on items that have nothing to do with refilling the tank.

Considering Fuel-Efficient Vehicles for Upcoming Fleet Purchases

Switching out the entire fleet for brand new vehicles is a massive and expensive overhaul, but when the time comes to purchase new vehicles, opting for more fuel-efficient models is a great way to start. With one or two fuel-efficient fleet vehicles, it’s easy to measure and compare the fuel economy between the old and the new vehicles. After that, those numbers can be extrapolated across a 100- or 1000-vehicle fleet to determine how much gas would be saved if every single vehicle in the fleet was a fuel-efficient model. This data can justify a gradual overhaul or switching out a few more vehicles.

Improving Route Planning with a Fleet-Tracking System

Utilizing a fleet-tracking system will provide a managed fleet with hard data on where vehicles are going and how they are getting there, highlighting various opportunities for improvement. For example, many GPS fleet tracking system show current traffic conditions, so drivers can opt for a different route, reducing travel time and gas usage. A tracking system can also show where any fleet vehicle is at any given time, so if someone needs to be dispatched to a specific location, the fleet manager will know which one is closest and can send that vehicle. Fleet tracking isn’t just to make sure that drivers aren’t using company vehicles for personal purposes on the weekends. The traffic and location data can be used to ensure that gas and time isn’t wasted needlessly.

Using Nitrogen Tire Inflation

Nitrogen can improve fuel economy by 3 percent by keeping tires at their proper tire pressure for longer periods of time. Although regular air can also be used to maintain proper tire pressure, nitrogen tires lose their pressure at a slower rate than those filled with regular air, thus providing the benefits of proper tire pressure (increased fuel economy, increased traction, increased tire life etc.) for much longer. Switching to nitrogen tire inflation does take an initial investment because fleets need to purchase a special machine for the inflation, but much like using a fleet vehicle with better gas mileage, the benefits exponentially increase with each vehicle that uses nitrogen.

Overall, saving money on gas requires tracking and measuring current usage so that the fleet can find ways to cut costs. It’s not enough to say, “we need to use less.” To save money on gas, fleets need to know where is being wasted and improve fuel economy or efficiency in those areas.

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