Welcome
Fleet Challenge Ontario is a not-for-profit program of
the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance that helps fleet operators reduce their
fuel consumption, operating costs and tailpipe emissions through sharing of
modern fleet management techniques and proven best management practices.
In Ontario, Fleet Challenge Ontario represents the
E3 (Energy,
Environment, Excellence) Fleet Program.1 E3
Fleet Review applies comprehensive data analysis tools for our members in order
to produce custom reports and recommendations for reducing emissions, fuel,
operating and capital costs for each fleet.
The highly successful Fleet Challenge Ontario 2007-08
pilot program completed Fleet Reviews for 12 Ontario municipalities in 2008. We
are proud to announce the continuation of the Fleet Review program to enable
participation from more municipalities 2009 through 2011 with the support of
the Ontario Government.
E3 has also developed a comprehensive system that
makes it possible for fleets to be rated at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or
Platinum level (similar to the LEED®) certification for buildings.
The organization also completes research, studies, and
commercial projects on a service provider basis as Fleet Challenge Consulting
Group Inc. (FCCGi).
1Participation in the Municipal Fleet Review program is a
first step towards obtaining an E3 Green Fleet Rating (www.e3fleet.com) and
joining the ranks of E3 certified fleets like Hamilton, Ont., Langley, B.C,
Enbridge Gas Distribution and many others across Canada. Participating fleets
will be recognized and celebrated at Fleet Challenge Ontario events, including
Green Fleet Expo and the Green Fleet Leadership Awards.
Global Warming, Climate Change and the Transportation
Sector
Heat waves, storms, floods and other extreme weather
events have focused global attention on the threat that climate warming poses
to local communities. Recent findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change indicate that global warming is progressing even more rapidly than
expected. Eleven of the last twelve years (1995-2006) rank among the twelve
warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature since
1850, with 2006 being the warmest winter since 1880.
Global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) due to human
activities have grown since pre-industrial times, with increases on order of
70% between 1970 and 2004. In urban areas, the major greenhouse gas emissions
are carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Carbon dioxide is emitted when
fossil fuel-based energy is used by households, institutional and commercial
buildings, industry, and in particular, auto transportation.2
Of all exhaust emissions, carbon dioxide is the most
directly related to fuel consumption. Today’s automobiles run on
hydrocarbon fuels mostly derived from crude oil, such as gasoline and diesel.
Increasing the amount of fuel consumed in an engine causes the amount of CO2 in
the exhaust to increase by the same degree (all else being equal). While
catalytic converters can reduce many pollutants from automobile exhaust, such
emission control systems cannot remove CO2. Certain Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOX) and Nitrous Oxide (NOX) emissions emitted by vehicles are also powerful
GHGs. Specifically, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have high global
warming potentials that make them about 21 and 310 times, respectively, more
potent than CO2. Transportation is the cause of about 30% of Canada's total
greenhouse gas emissions.
Most would agree that any corporation that employs the
latest technology and best practices in managing its vehicle fleet can help
reduce emissions and become a more environmentally responsible organization.
Perhaps not as common is the notion that as we reduce emissions we often also
reduce costs.
Fleet Challenge has recently completed a Green Fleet
program for Ontario Municipalities. The Fleet Challenge Ontario municipal
program was designed to help municipal fleet managers cut emissions and
operational costs by applying fleet management tools and techniques shared
through E3 (Energy Environment Excellence) Fleet Reviews, information sessions,
and a Best Practices manual. Municipalities can then, optionally, take part in
the E3 Fleet Rating, which uses a point-based Rating System Checklist for
rating fleet performance, with points for fleet management practices and energy
and emissions performance. Municipalities can also attend one of several
information sessions or access the Best Practices manual in order to learn more
about green fleet practices.
The associated cost-savings vary by fleet but some of
the most common are:
- Managing and constantly monitoring historical data
will take a fleet to a whole new level of excellence, opening the door to
increased fiscal and environmental responsibility through effective fleet
management.
- Converting vehicle fleets to clean burning or
renewable fuels, and the use of high-efficiency vehicles like hybrids reduces
emissions and can reduce costs.
- Thorough route-planning and load-sharing can reduce
fleet mileage.
- Downsizing and right-sizing the fleet to meet the
true needs of the corporation.
- Reducing vehicle idling can reduce fuel
consumption and thereby decrease emissions.
- Driver awareness programs can improve fuel
efficiency, reduce emissions, prevent accidents and save on insurance
costs.
- Encouraging travel by public transit, rather than
company vehicles, can reduce mileage and fuel usage. Or better still, employing
video conferencing removes the expense of travel.
- Relocation of staff and resources can allow for
reduced vehicle use and cost.
Chris Hill, Fleet Manager of the City of Hamilton's
Public Works Department and participant in the Fleet Challenge Ontario program
has witnessed first-hand the cost savings of a green fleet.
"We use 10 million litres of fuel a year. That's just
over $10 million, so we are always looking at ways to cut that cost," said Mr.
Hill. "In 2006, our fuel efficiency was five per cent better than 2005, mainly
due to the use of hybrids, which consume 50 per cent less fuel than the
vehicles they replaced." The City of Hamilton is continuing to look at ways to
reduce their emissions and fleet management costs.
The tools and concepts from Fleet Challenge Ontario
can be applied to both public and private sector fleets. By reducing the
environmental impacts of their fleets, it is our hope that the private sector
can realize that it is not only the responsible decision but also a wise
financial investment.
2Methane is
emitted in urban areas as waste decomposes in landfills and from wastewater and
sewage treatment processes.
