Frequently Asked Questions
Here you find some of the questions we've been asked with their answers.
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- What is the trucking industries impact on Canada's greenhouse gas emissions?
- How much fuel is consumed by the trucking industy?
- What sort of impact would implementing best practices have on the trucking industy?
- What effect does speed have on fuel economy?
- What are the current levels of awareness in the trucking industry regarding best practices?
- Why is it important to maximize fuel efficiencies?
Alberta freight accounts for about 23% of Canada’s freight transport sector greenhouse gas emissions.
Alberta freight moved by light, medium and heavy duty diesel trucks consumes about 5 billion litres of diesel every year.
A 5% increase in fuel efficiency in Alberta’s freight transport industry would create a CO2e reduction of over 640 kilotonnes. That’s equivalent to taking 130,000 cars off the road.
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), fuel economy usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 90 km. per hour.
In 2006, the Alberta Motor Transport Greenhouse Gas Coordinating Committee (AGCC) conducted a survey of AMTA member commercial carriers to gauge the level of awareness and uptake of greenhouse gas reduction (energy efficiency). A total of 30 companies responded. Some of the results have are summarized below.
• 90% of fleets reported having polices for pre and post trip inspection, scheduled maintenance and speed limiting.
• 40% reported polices for accelerated replacement of old equipment, environmental procurement policies, or alternative fuel policies.
• 17% of respondents reported using cash incentives to encourage fuel reduction.
• 25% of fleets reported using punitive measures to enforce fuel reduction activities.
• 35% reported not having considered implementing a speed limitation policy.
• 40% of respondents reported using no fuel efficiency training and awareness programs.
• 70% or respondents reported monitoring tire pressure for fuel efficiency purposes; and 45% reported monitoring trailer wheel alignment for fuel efficiency purposes.
Organizations that rely on trucking companies realize that reducing green house gas emissions is a corporate responsibility. They are increasingly integrating this policy into their supply chain strategy and expect carriers to be involved with reducing their own carbon footprint. Fuel is a major operating expense for trucking companies and owner operators. Reducing fuel consumption curbs greenhouse gas emissions and equates to cost reduction, increased profits, and market competiveness.