A right-sizing analysis is to ensure that fleets have the optimal number of properly specified vehicles to fulfill their mission.

In some cases it justifies the need for vehicle count reduction or a need for vehicle count growth. It may also justify a need for a change in vehicle type or features. This analysis can help build a sustainable fuel efficient fleet.

The Center can analyze your fleet’s make-up and fuel usage patterns to make recommendations on the most cost-effective alternative fuels and technologies that your organization could use to become more productive and efficient. This can help your fleet save money while reducing emissions.

The Eco-Driving Training program was created to provide an overview of low-to-no cost driving behavior changes that can lead to fuel savings, increased efficiency, prolonged vehicle life, and reduced emissions.

We offer half-day, hands-on, fuel-efficient training sessions for organizations as part of our suite of Fleet Services. We can provide direct training for drivers as well as training for managers in how to effectively reinforce safe and fuel-efficient driving techniques. To receive your eco-driving certification and sign up for the online course, please contact Rick Sapienza.

Sustainable fleet practices provide a process of continuous improvement, fleet modernization, and impact and risk reduction.

From a management perspective, a sustainable fleet can be summed up simply with three words: energy, emissions, and efficiency. Building toward a sustainable fleet is a complex multi-aspect process that involves planning, understanding, learning, tracking, analysis, training, and organizational cultural change. Our staff can provide guidance and a road-map to building and managing a sustainable fleet.

Our staff can provide alternative fuel or transportation technology-specific training or a general overview of the variety of options available.

Training covers background, characteristics, safety, applications, considerations and best practices, success stories and business case studies, and marketplace availability and options. Topics include natural gas, LPG, electric vehicles (BEVs, HEVs and PHEVs), renewable fuels, biofuels, idle reduction technologies and telematics.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil, animal fat, recycled cooking oil, seed crops and even algae.

It can easily be blended with conventional diesel in mixtures of 5% up to 100%. Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gases, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and unburned hydrocarbon tailpipe emissions.

Electric vehicles typically fall under three distinct categories: hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and electric (EV).

Hybrid electric vehicles contain both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles also contain both engines, but can be recharged from a wall outlet or charging station. Electric vehicles only contain an electric motor and are recharged from a wall outlet or charging station. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions while HEVs produce no tailpipe emissions when in all-electric mode. Electric vehicles often cost less to own over the vehicle lifetime and even perform better than a traditional vehicle.

Ethanol is a fuel produced by fermenting organic materials like corn, grains, crop, and forestry waste materials.

Vehicles running on ethanol fuels emit less carbon monoxide and other toxic chemicals than those running on gasoline. Most gasoline contains a 10% blend of ethanol. However, consumers and fleets have the option to run a higher blend of 85%. Ethanol fuel is already blended into 96% of gasoline in the United States.

As a transportation fuel, natural gas can be either compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG).

Natural gas vehicles meet stringent 2010 federal emissions standards without utilizing diesel particulate filters which add weight and maintenance expense. CNG typically costs less than both gasoline and diesel at a $.50-$.70 less per gasoline gallon equivalent. Public and private natural gas refueling stations are widely available across the state of North Carolina for both light and heavy duty natural gas vehicles.

Propane, or liquified petroleum gas (LPG), is the world’s third most common vehicle fuel and has been used to run vehicles for decades.

Propane is typically stored as a pressurized liquid, both in its storage cylinders and on board vehicles. It has a high octane rating. The vast majority of the propane sold in the United States was also produced domestically, which supports the American economy.  Historically, propane has typically been cheaper than gasoline in the United States, though its prices do fluctuate. Propane vehicles can run cleaner than gasoline vehicles. Propane vehicles are readily available in light, medium, or heavy duty applications direct from the manufacturers or from third-party conversions.