The Knowledge Pool

Vehicle procurement

The types of vehicles in a fleet has a major impact on both emissions and fuel cost. For example, replacing a typical large six cylinder vehicle with a medium sized four cylinder vehicle can reduce greenhouse gas emissions per kilometre (and fuel consumption) by around 17%. Most organisations have a number of options to improve vehicle procurement, ranging from major changes to the fleet size, vehicle function, and composition, to simply replacing certain vehicles with models that have lower average fuel consumption.

This document provides an introduction to the benefits of switching to vehicles with lower average fuel consumption, and an overview of low emission vehicle options. Each option discussed includes an assessment of the rationale for purchase, and a summary of potential environmental and financial implications.

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Vehicle procurement

The types of vehicles in a fleet has a major impact on both emissions and fuel cost. For example, replacing a typical large six cylinder vehicle with a medium sized four cylinder vehicle can reduce greenhouse gas emissions per kilometre (and fuel consumption) by around 17%. Most organisations have a number of options to improve vehicle procurement, ranging from major changes to the fleet size, vehicle function, and composition, to simply replacing certain vehicles with models that have lower average fuel consumption.

This document provides an introduction to the benefits of switching to vehicles with lower average fuel consumption, and an overview of low emission vehicle options. Each option discussed includes an assessment of the rationale for purchase, and a summary of potential environmental and financial implications.

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Alternative fuel and vehicle technologies

Increasing public concern about the challenges of climate change, urban air pollution and rising fuel costs, has lead to a range of new vehicle and fuel technologies entering the market. The challenge for many fleet managers is how to determine which technologies will meet operational needs, while also helping to reduce fuel costs and emissions.

This document provides an overview of the various alternative fuel and vehicle technologies that are either currently available or close to being commercially ready. The strengths and weaknesses of each of the following are discussed – liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biofuels, natural gas, direct fuel injection technologies, variable cylinder systems, as well as hybrid petrol-electric and fully electric vehicles.

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Alternative fuel and vehicle technologies

Increasing public concern about the challenges of climate change, urban air pollution and rising fuel costs, has lead to a range of new vehicle and fuel technologies entering the market. The challenge for many fleet managers is how to determine which technologies will meet operational needs, while also helping to reduce fuel costs and emissions.

This document provides an overview of the various alternative fuel and vehicle technologies that are either currently available or close to being commercially ready. The strengths and weaknesses of each of the following are discussed – liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biofuels, natural gas, direct fuel injection technologies, variable cylinder systems, as well as hybrid petrol-electric and fully electric vehicles.

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More efficient fleet management and driving practices

Reducing fleet emissions by the best possible extent requires a focus on more efficient fleet management and driving practices, in addition to improved vehicle procurement. Improving fleet management can involve more efficient trip sequencing, providing navigational assistance to drivers, improved vehicle servicing, using teleconferencing to replace a proportion of face-to-face meetings, or benchmarking the average fuel use of different drivers. Improving driving practices can involve training drivers on 'eco driving' techniques such as smoother accelerating and braking, reducing unnecessary idling, or simply using cruise control when driving in highway conditions.

This document provides an overview of a range of options to help reduce the average fuel consumption of an existing fleet. For each option an estimate of the potential reduction in fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions is provided.

More efficient fleet management and driving practices

Reducing fleet emissions by the best possible extent requires a focus on more efficient fleet management and driving practices, in addition to improved vehicle procurement. Improving fleet management can involve more efficient trip sequencing, providing navigational assistance to drivers, improved vehicle servicing, using teleconferencing to replace a proportion of face-to-face meetings, or benchmarking the average fuel use of different drivers. Improving driving practices can involve training drivers on 'eco driving' techniques such as smoother accelerating and braking, reducing unnecessary idling, or simply using cruise control when driving in highway conditions.

This document provides an overview of a range of options to help reduce the average fuel consumption of an existing fleet. For each option an estimate of the potential reduction in fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions is provided.

Environmental legislation and policy

All levels of Australian governments have implemented measures to reduce vehicle emissions. A number of these measures – such as the proposed national Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, tightening vehicle emissions standards, and the NSW biofuels mandate – have potentially significant implications for fleet managers.

This document provides an introduction to the range of environmental policies and legislation that impact on fleet mangers. It should be kept in mind that the information presented is intended to be an overview of such measures, and should be not be used as a substitute for the need to obtain independent legal advice.

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Environmental legislation and policy

All levels of Australian governments have implemented measures to reduce vehicle emissions. A number of these measures – such as the proposed national Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, tightening vehicle emissions standards, and the NSW biofuels mandate – have potentially significant implications for fleet managers.

This document provides an introduction to the range of environmental policies and legislation that impact on fleet mangers. It should be kept in mind that the information presented is intended to be an overview of such measures, and should be not be used as a substitute for the need to obtain independent legal advice.

Download this document