As one of the bigger contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand, the transport sector is focusing more and more on how technology can make its operations more sustainable. With the number of vehicles on New Zealand roads steadily rising, we must find ways to reduce emissions.
Harnessing the power of technology to promote fuel efficiency and eco-driving has, therefore, never been more critical. Technology is our key ally on the road to pursuing a greener, more sustainable transport industry. Let’s delve into how technology paves the way for a greener, more sustainable future on New Zealand’s roads.
Instant insights
One of the most significant advantages of AI is its ability to collect and analyse real-time data. These data points include engine performance, fuel consumption, and driver behaviour. You get actionable insights, analytics, alerts, and reports into these driving metrics through telematics and fleet management solutions. Driving style has a huge input into how your fleet can reduce costs – from maintenance to fuel, potentially leading to differences of up to 30 percent in emissions.
Machine learning algorithms can analyse vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends, enabling drivers to make smarter split-second decisions that maximise fuel efficiency and inevitably prolong the vehicle’s lifespan. With AI at the helm, eco-driving can become more intuitive and adaptive. By tracking and analysing driver behaviour, businesses and individuals can identify areas for improvement. Real-time feedback allows drivers to adjust their habits, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and is a game-changer in the quest for eco-friendly driving.
Route optimisation
Effective route planning not only improves eco-friendly driving habits but also increases productivity by reducing time spent in traffic. Teletrac Navman’s benchmark reports consistently show customers get about a 9.5-10% saving in fuel cost reduction since implementing technology. Navigation systems have evolved far beyond simply providing directions and now incorporate traffic data, user-defined exclusion areas, vehicle attributes, and real-time updates to help drivers choose the most fuel-efficient routes. Additionally, some systems consider elevation changes, traffic congestion, and weather conditions to optimise the journey. Google Maps direction also takes into consideration the greenest route possible, meaning that everyday travellers can also contribute to a greener future.
Solutions out there are getting smarter, like Teletrac Navman’s Journey Planner, which allows businesses to plan specific routes that consider scheduled stops for jobs and waypoints, familiar terrain to avoid, stretches of road to be aware of, and take into account any kind of vehicle requirements – like infrastructure that is too short for a truck to drive through. This route optimisation saves time and fuel, reduces operational costs, extends vehicle longevity, enhances overall efficiency, and ensures the driver is always on track, by notifying all involved that they’ve gone off track if they’ve deviated from that set route.
Fuel efficiency
Recent Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) research reveals that 61 per cent of people aren’t driving efficiently, wasting fuel when they don’t need to. For vehicle fleet operators looking for cost savings and with an eye on the environment, telematics can help manage and improve drivers’ habits behind the wheel. Eco-driving reduces emissions by using fuel as efficiently as possible. This highlights its dual benefits for the environment and your wallet and is an important strategy towards future proofing your operations.
Telematics provides invaluable insights into how a business can improve daily routes, reduce fuel costs, and optimise fleet performance. According to a recent Teletrac Navman customer survey, 93 percent of the businesses surveyed mentioned that their fuel costs have reduced by up to 40 percent since implementing telematics solutions. After all, when you know in real-time the areas where you exhibit poor habits, like cornering too hard or accelerating off from traffic lights too harshly, you are armed with the information you need to improve.
Four top tips for a fuel-efficient driving style:
- Gentle braking: When you’re behind the wheel, resist the urge to slam on the brakes. Harsh braking can lead to overheating the brake pads and premature wear and tear of the rotors. Easing into stops, like a red traffic light, will prolong the condition of your brakes.
- Maintain a consistent speed: Frequently fluctuating speeds, such as alternating between 75 km/h and 85 km/h every 18 seconds on a highway, can increase fuel consumption by 20 percent. That’s a significant amount. Whenever it’s safe to do so and considering traffic conditions, aim to maintain a steady speed.
- Plan optimal routes: Efficient route planning is key to eco-friendly driving. Combine multiple trips into one whenever possible and plan your route in advance. Keep an eye on traffic reports, construction zones, school zones, and try to avoid routes that pass through congested intersections or urban areas when feasible. Telematics can help you with this, but your local knowledge comes into practice here when creating routes.
- Minimise idling: Did you know that idling for more than 10 seconds consumes more fuel than turning your vehicle off and on again? Make it a habit to turn off your vehicle if you anticipate idling for more than 60 seconds when you’re not on the road.
The collective impact of technology
Eco-driving isn’t just a buzzword. These days, it’s a practical approach to reducing emissions, saving money, improving safety, and optimising fleet performance. In fact, eco-driving makes it possible to save hundreds of dollars per vehicle, per year on fuel, and makes up an important part of a fleet sustainability.
By implementing these strategies and leveraging telematics solutions, you can contribute to New Zealand’s emissions reduction goals while benefiting your bottom line. Sustainability has never made more sense. When entire fleets of vehicles embrace these innovations, the reduction in fuel consumption and emissions can be substantial for businesses, communities, and the planet as a whole.
*Andrew Rossington is chief product officer at Teletrac Navman.
