Fleet Challenge - Mission

Our mission is to reduce carbon and smog-causing emissions from on-road transportation fleets by helping to responsibly accelerate the adaptation of proven green fleet technologies and best management practices.  We are change agents and have been successful in influencing policy and operations regarding green fleet transportation.

 

The Fleet Review Process

The Ontario Municipal Fleet Review Program is an advanced performance management strategy based on the E3 Green Fleet Rating system which is the vehicle equivalent of LEED © for buildings.

Fleet Challenge Ontario (FCO) works in collaboration with fleet operators to green their operations and achieve maximum efficiency while reducing costs. Throughout each phase of the fleet review process FCO provides guidance and assistance. 

The first step of the review process is the compilation of specific fleet data by the fleet department.  Fleet Challenge employs a unique software system with an extensive database of current, relevant fleet information.  A fleet's data is input and a series of computer generated reports is produced.  Results are further analyzed and interpreted by FCO experts in accordance with a fleet's unique features.

Participants receive a set of detailed reports and a synopsis; contents include recommendations and a comprehensive roadmap to green and improve fleet efficiency. Fleet managers can create “what-if?” scenarios for capital and operational budget management and gauge the impact of their proposed fleet plans. FCO experts then meet with the fleet operators and related personnel at their location to review and discuss the results and answer questions.

Fleet managers are asked to provide the following information:

  • Review and sign the registration form provided by FCO
  • Pay a nominal fee scaled to your fleet size
  • Fill out data input sheets provided by FCO

Fleet managers can expect the following information and services:

  • A customized Fleet Review summary letter outlining baseline financial and environmental results, our recommendations, a capital spending plan and KPIs, with peer benchmarks (peer benchmarks available in Ontario only at this time)
  • A ‘Sorted Fleet Detail Sheet’ which identifies the fleet’s exception units – the specific vehicles identified as needing specific actions to address poor performance and those vehicles that are performing better than average)
  • Three extensively detailed reports about the fleet’s performance; the level of detail contained in the reports is based on the amount the information provided for analysis
  • A ‘Fleet Manager’s Implementation Guide’
  • A personal debriefing from Executive Director, Roger Smith (optional)
  • Access to fleet management software to help with management decisions
  • Invitations to FCO events

The Fleet Review Program is applicable to licensed on-road, leased or owned vehicles using any fuel type. To date, FCO has reviewed over 40 Ontario municipal fleets including over 9,200 vehicles.  

The Results

FCO works with each municipality’s fleet management team to evaluate a broad range of key performance indicators (KPI) that encompasses fuel efficiency, vehicle selection, maintenance techniques, asset management, greenhouse gas emissions, and much more.   

The following represent a small sample of KPIs identified over three rounds of Fleet Reviews and potential annual savings identified by FCO:

Based on the potential annual savings above, these 31 municipal fleets could reduce oil consumption by approximately 33,000 barrels annually.

 

Participant Feedback

Participating municipalities are asked to provide feedback on select surveys and questionnaires;  this is an important component of the Program.  Feedback about the Program from all participating municipalities has been 100% positive and here is what your peers are saying:

Canadian Transportation Sector

It is estimated that almost 30% (26.3%) of Canadian greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are released from the transportation sector.  GHGs are directly related to fuel consumed.

Automotive technology is improving to reduce emission intensity however the number of vehicles on Canadian roads continues to grow. In 2000, the estimated number of vehicles in Canada was 17,570,975 compared to 20,706,616 in 2009 (Statistics Canada, 2010).

Fleets are challenged to keep up with population growth. As communities grow and expand, fleets must purchase more vehicles to support community demand. 

Municipal fleet operations usually perform according to fixed annual cycles.  Vehicles are outfitted to complete specific tasks and sustain municipal services. The Fleet Review Program delivers a comprehensive set of reports that support “green” management decisions and demonstrate ways to improve operations thereby reducing costs and GHG emissions.

 

Nominal Contribution Fee

Participating municipalities are required to contribute a nominal fee for the Municipal Fleet Review Program based on the fleet size per the following schedule:

Data Input Required  

Licensed On-Road Vehicles

The Fleet Review Program analyses data for the following on-road licensed vehicles:

  • Cars (micro, compact, mid/full size, limo, etc)
  • Pickups (1500 series, ¼ ton)
  • Van (personnel/cargo up to 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR))
  • SUV (sports utility vehicle)
  • Bus/Coach (any hauling personnel)
  • Truck – T1 (10,000 lbs – 17,000 lbs)
  • Truck – T2 (17,001 lbs – 35,000 lbs)
  • Truck – T3 (35,001 lbs – 60,000 lbs)
  • Truck – T4 (60,001 lbs – 110,000 lbs)
  • Truck – T5 (110,000 lbs GVWR and greater)

FCO Ontario Municipal Fleet Review Program

A pilot program conducted by FCO in 2007-08 included 12 Ontario municipalities.  Cumulatively, a potential cost savings of nearly $5m and a reduction of over 2,500 tonnes of greenhouse gases were identified through the Fleet Review process.  11 Ontario fleets are currently participating in the 2009-10 extension program; Fleet Review has identified the potential for a reduction of $2.4m in operating costs and 2,800 tonnes of GHGs for these 11 municipalities. 

Fleet Review has now been completed for about 7,000 vehicles of the combined Ontario municipal fleet which is believed to be about 20,000 vehicles.  Of the 11 participants in the 2009-10 program, all have recently indicated a desire to conduct subsequent reviews of their fleet’s data on a regular basis (i.e., 1-2 year intervals).

Fleet Challenge Ontario also maintains cumulative statistics for all Ontario municipal fleets that have participated in the Fleet Review program.  Additional data points include ratios relative to population density (i.e., number of constituents per fleet vehicle) as well as the municipality’s service area (i.e., number of fleet vehicles per sq. km.).  This comparative data is provided to participant fleets for assessing their Fleet Review results relative to Ontario fleet benchmarks. FCO surveys reveal that this program feature is of particular high value to fleet managers and senior municipal personnel.