The Future of Green Fleets

Green technology is continuously being developed, and it’s fair to say that finding the green alternatives to commonly used fuel is one of the hottest topics in the industry today. But just how likely is it that green fleets will become a reality in the not too distant future? In this article, we will explore this question in greater detail, whilst also considering the most likely renewable fuel that is capable of sustainably powering vehicles in the future.

Electric Vehicles

At present, electric powered vehicles look like the only genuine green alternative to take the place of diesel and petrol. With many cars across the world already running solely off electricity, the next step is to bring electric-powered fleet vehicles to the market.

Tesla, the market leader in electric powered vehicles, appears to be extremely close to putting a solely electric powered vehicle on the market, with the Tesla Semi in late stages of development. This feat of engineering is set to come with two base ranges, one capable of travelling 300 miles without charge, and the second is able to travel an impressive 500 miles. Not only does the Tesla Semi have a remarkable range, but it also claims to be one of the safest lorries thanks to an enhanced autopilot system which helps drivers avoid collisions.

The main stumbling block for most haulage companies will be the price of electric-powered vehicles, with the Tesla Semi coming with a base price of between £110,000 – £140,000. However, to offset this, one of the most significant advantages the electrically powered Tesla brings is a guarantee that its drive train will last 1 million miles, which is a substantial improvement on current diesel vehicles lifespan. This guarantee stands to save fleet managers a considerable sum of money over time, with Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk stating, “We believe the Tesla Semi will deliver a substantial reduction in the cost of cargo transport, while increasing safety.”

Whilst green alternatives within the fleet industry are not quite ready to be rolled out fully; there is a sense of optimism surrounding electric vehicles. In the coming years, technology could be ready to take the fleet industry by storm, offering a cheaper and environmentally kinder alternative to the fuels we are currently using today.

 

Why Go Green?

There are a whole host of benefits to going green within your fleet, just some of the positives are:

• Reputation Boost – It’s fair to say that any company that shows a commitment to being as environmentally friendly as possible is vital within the fleet industry. Not only will potential and existing customers respect your business more, but there is a whole host of opportunities to be recognised for your efforts through awards and schemes.
• Forward Thinking Company – being perceived as a forward-thinking company is vital within the fleet industry. If you are able to confidently tell your customers about all of the latest tech you have installed within your fleet, this can be a huge selling point as customers will recognise you are doing everything to ensure your business is keeping up with the times.
• Huge Savings – Tesla claim that electric energy costs will be half of diesel ones, and with fewer systems to maintain within electric powered vehicles, savings of over £150,000 are easily possible. This could play a huge role in seeing the fleet industry boom in the coming years

Issues Faced by Green Fuel Alternatives

When it comes to implementing green fuel alternatives, there are several issues faced by manufacturers at present. The main problem many green fuels come up against is finding a way to keep an engine running over long distances, which is obviously vital to anyone within the fleet management industry.

Whilst there are many green fuels that could be used in the future, there are some pretty substantial limitations current research has found from some of the most environmentally friendly forms of fuel. From issues with stability when travelling over long distances continuously to exceptionally high price points, work still needs to be done to ensure there are an abundance of green fuel options available to fleet managers in the future.

No matter what the future holds for fuel used in fleets, you can rest assured that you will always have the means to effectively manage your fleet’s fuel consumption through our fuel management systems. Here at Fueltek, we are excited about what the future holds when it comes to green fuels, as we are continually striving to make our fuel monitoring systems and in-house processes as environmentally friendly as possible.