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One way in which Nestl\u00e9 has maximized its fuel usage is by investing in alternative-fuel vehicles, which now account for nearly 600 of the fleet\u2019s 2,000 vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Nestle)<\/em><\/p>\n Fleet managers worldwide have enjoyed an extended period of steady economic growth and low gas prices. But every dollar counts, even when business is booming, and companies are finding new and creative ways to manage fuel costs and reduce emissions. Work Truck sought new insights and strategies from fleet managers around the nation. Read on to pick up some tips and tricks you can apply to your fleet in 2018.<\/p>\n Headquarters: Atlanta Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media, and automotive services company. With revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees, the company\u2019s major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications (cable television distribution, high-speed internet access, telephone, home security and automation, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Cox Automotive (automotive-related auctions, financial services, media, and software solutions); and Cox Media Group (TV and radio stations, digital media, newspapers, and advertising sales rep firms).<\/p>\n To service the entire operation, the company maintains a fleet of more than 13,000 vehicles. They have made a point of looking for \u201cgreen\u201d options whenever possible, according to Jim Bigelow, the company\u2019s senior director of enterprise fleet, investing heavily in hybrid powertrains, for example.<\/p>\n Asked to share tips for smaller fleets, Bigelow noted that every company and fleet has its own characteristics, and he would suggest every fleet manager start there.<\/p>\n \u201cWe look at ours, and we go from there,\u201d he said. \u201cEach company should do the same. There are some fleet managers who try to tackle a problem without knowing how their vehicles function. Start at the root of the issue, and then work your way up through that.\u201d<\/p>\n Headquarters: Minneapolis Sometimes, fuel management isn\u2019t necessarily a major focus for a fleet. Daniel Warner, fleet administrator for Coloplast, noted that, since his fleet is primarily used for sales, they have to approach things a bit differently. They also allow their drivers to use the cars for personal driving as well, making things a bit more complex. That said, the company does get regular reports on a variety of metrics, including how many times the salespeople need to fuel up, the tank capacity on the vehicles, and whether or not the vehicles have been fueled outside of the established territory. \u201cWe don\u2019t have a lot of restraints,\u201d Warner noted.<\/p>\n Headquarters: Pittston, Pa. Benco Dental might be a comparatively small fleet, but that doesn\u2019t mean they don\u2019t take fuel management seriously. The company relies heavily on their telematics system, said Dave Tosh, fleet services administrator. They monitor and audit their fuel usage and purchases on an ongoing basis through the system to try and maximize every mile per gallon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe certainly try to optimize our routes, but we found regular auditing and restricting off-hour usage have a large impact on fuel consumption without sacrificing our workload or service level,\u201d Tosh noted. He also noted that some of the best advice he can offer is constant monitoring, ensuring that the fleet as a whole is only purchasing the fuel it needs to operate, and not more than it actually needs.<\/p>\n Headquarters: Minneapolis Fuel management can apply to fleets of all shapes and sizes, including the General Mills fleet. It is about 1,600 vehicles strong, but work trucks are only part of the equation. Much of the fleet is comprised of sedans and SUVs used primarily for sales and executive compensation.<\/p>\n According to Adam Orth, CAFM, who serves as the company\u2019s global business solutions manager for General Mills\u2019 fleet services division, a big part of getting the best fuel usage out of fleet vehicles is by making sure they are all up to date with the latest innovations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best way we maximize fuel usage is by running newer vehicles that have the technology and configurations to limit our consumption and emissions,\u201d he noted. \u201cMy oldest vehicles are 2016-MYs.\u201d Headquarters: Stamford, Conn. Nestl\u00e9 Waters North America is the third largest non-alcoholic beverage company by volume in the United States. Some of the company\u2019s offerings include such bottled water brands as Arrowhead, Deer Park, Poland Spring, and Zephyrhills; other brands include Perrier, Pellegrino, Nestea, Sweet Leaf, and Tradewinds.<\/p>\n One way in which Nestl\u00e9 has maximized its fuel usage is by investing in alternative-fuel vehicles, which now account for nearly 600 of the fleet\u2019s 2,000 vehicles. Each of the \u201cclean\u201d vehicles in the fleet is equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system that provides 55 gallons of usable fuel. The result is an engine that is 75% cleaner than the current EPA standard and 99% cleaner than the diesel vehicles built before 2007.<\/p>\n \u201cBecoming a better steward of our environment is a priority for Nestl\u00e9 Waters,\u201d said Bill Ardis, national fleet manager for the company\u2019s ReadyRefresh business unit. \u201cWe\u2019ve been running propane autogas vehicles since 2014, beginning with five Class 5 vehicles. Based on the proven emissions reduction compared with our older diesel units, and lower fuel and total cost of ownership, we knew this was the right application for us within the alternative fuel space. With propane being domestically produced, it\u2019s proven to have a more stable cost per gallon, while the fueling and maintenance infrastructures are much more cost-effective than other alternative-fuel options.\u201d<\/p>\n What is propane autogas? It is the leading alternative fuel in the United States, and the third most commonly used vehicle fuel, following gasoline and diesel. More than 90% of the U.S. propane autogas supply is produced domestically, with another 7% coming from Canada.<\/p>\n In addition to the fuel savings and environmental benefits, the company has found that going with propane autogas also produces a quieter engine, powertrain performance equivalent to current diesel delivery vehicles, easy fueling, and simple operation.<\/p>\n \u201cMany of our drivers have provided positive feedback for the propane vehicles,\u201d said Robert Austin, director of supply chain for the ReadyRefresh unit. \u201cWe are excited about this strategic endeavor that will ultimately drive awareness, efficiency, and sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n Electric and hybrid vehicle technology is gaining steam. Tesla generated headlines around the world in November 2017, when the electric vehicle manufacturer unveiled an all-electric tractor-trailer concept, with plans to introduce it to commercial applications far more rapidly than many fleet managers expected. Tesla already has a few major players on board, including a preorder for 125 rigs from the U.S. Postal Service that was announced in mid-December.<\/p>\n Owners and operators of work truck fleets are undoubtedly paying attention. A successful launch could portend the introduction of similarly equipped vehicles in lower classes, including vans and light- and medium-duty pickups.<\/p>\n Hybrid and electric work truck powertrains are expected to grow from 125,500 on the road today to as many as 1.66 million by 2027, according to Navigant Research.<\/p>\n For fleet managers, this means that, over the next decade, there will be far more options coming to market to choose from. Fuel management strategies that work today might be obsolete as hybrid and fully electric options require entirely new approaches to maximize their efficiency on the road \u2014 and all of this is going to happen whether fleet managers are on board or not, as more government bodies put regulations, fines, penalties, and incentives into place to ensure hybrid and electric technologies are adopted.<\/p>\n The fact is, Tesla isn\u2019t the only company in a race to figure out how to electrify the work truck and fleet market. One example is Workhorse Group, which recently announced a partnership with FedEx to pair electric vans with some of the package and parcel delivery company\u2019s drivers nationwide.<\/p>\n Verizon is another major fleet testing the waters with hybrid and electric technologies, rolling out 234 vehicles with the latest hybrid technologies in a pilot program in New York. The programs might be small right now, and the adoption might be limited, but it will only continue to gain traction as more companies get on board.<\/p>\n Electrification is happening, and it will completely change the fuel management game across the board.<\/p>\n Whether fleets choose to get in now as early adopters or wait to let the technologies mature a bit, hybrid and electric vehicles will be part of every fleet at some point in the future. Thinking about them now, doing the research, and having ideas for ways to incorporate them into current fleet policies will only make the transition smoother when the time finally arrives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n by Tariq Kama<\/a>l<\/p>\nLean and Green: Ways to Save Fuel<\/h3>\n
Cox Enterprises<\/h4>\n
\nFleet Size: 13,500<\/p>\nColoplast<\/h4>\n
\nFleet Size: 320<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve considered telematics,\u201d Warner said. \u201cBut with a sales fleet, that is tough to roll out.\u201d<\/p>\nBenco Dental<\/h4>\n
\nFleet Size: 370<\/p>\nGeneral Mills<\/h4>\n
\nFleet Size: 1,600<\/p>\n
\nAnother thing to keep in mind, he pointed out, is taking into account seasonal changes that can impact fuel consumption. These include idling, filling up recreational vehicles, and holidays, which, he said, \u201ccan all provide further opportunities for increases in fuel fraud.\u201d<\/p>\nNestl\u00e9 Waters North America<\/h4>\n
\nFleet Size: 2,000<\/p>\n\nThe Electrification of Fleets<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"JMF\"](\"http:\/\/en.advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/JMF-150x150.jpg\")
I\u00b4m\u00a0a Fleet Management expert, and the manager of\u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/en.advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Cartel-Valencia-2019-1.jpg\")
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