While the shift from diesel to EVs may take several years for some fleets, Northgate emphasizes the importance of improving vehicle utilization and driver behavior to lower carbon emissions and fuel costs.
By measuring and enhancing the utilization of vehicles and drivers, companies can immediately reduce their carbon footprint, even before adopting EVs. This data and insight will prove valuable when determining the most suitable drivers and electric LCVs for individual delivery routes during the eventual transition to EVs.
Northgate recommends the installation of telematics systems to track vehicle journeys, utilization, and individual driving styles, enabling fleets to influence and improve driver behavior. Effective route management also leads to an immediate reduction in mileage, fuel costs, and emissions.
Furthermore, Northgate highlights the significance of right-sizing vehicles based on the capacity and weight of loads being carried, as this can have an immediate impact on carbon emissions. The company also emphasizes the role of driver training and fuel cards in improving driver behavior and optimizing vehicle performance, resulting in reduced wear and tear and emissions. Additionally, Northgate suggests using a self-service vehicle inspection app to enable regular monitoring of vehicle condition, ensuring safety and compliance.
The data collected on vehicle and driver performance will be crucial in determining the most suitable electric LCVs for individual operator journeys during the EV transition.
Northgate emphasizes that the efforts made to reduce carbon emissions prior to introducing EVs to a fleet will not be in vain. Instead, they lay a solid foundation for a smoother transition to zero-emission vehicles.