Businesses are continuing to undertake sustainability initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment. What many are discovering is that by better managing their greenhouse gas emissions they are becoming more environmentally friendly, improving their brand image, generating positive PR, increasing efficiencies, motivating their employees and saving money.
Doing the right thing can be both environmentally and financially friendly and a smart investment. Let’s take a closer look at one important environmentally friendly practice—using alternative or green fuels to fuel fleet vehicles and equipment.
The Green Alternative
Federal regulatory requirements to lower greenhouse gas emissions and air quality standards are increasingly stringent. That’s why many fleet managers are exploring and implementing cleaner burning alternative fuels and cleaner vehicles that rival the performance of traditional “fossil fuel” vehicles and equipment.
Alternative fuels are derived from sources other than petroleum and most are produced domestically. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT92) defines alternative fuels as:
- Biodiesel (B100)
- Natural gas and liquid fuels domestically produced from natural gas
- Propane (liquefied petroleum gas)
- Electricity
- Hydrogen
- Blends of 85% or more of methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols with gasoline or other fuels
- Methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols
- Coal-derived, domestically produced liquid fuels
- Fuels (other than alcohol) derived from biological materials
- P-Series fuels
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy may designate other fuels as alternative fuels, provided that the fuel is substantially non-petroleum, yields substantial energy security benefits and offers substantial environmental benefits.
The good news is that all alternative fuels have the potential as full or partial alternatives to gasoline and diesel. The even better news is the benefits and/or advantages they can provide.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of going green.
Reduced Maintenance Costs — Alternative fuels burn cleaner than traditional fossil fuels, which means less carbon emissions. Lower carbon emissions translate into less wear on engines and other vehicle parts, less residue buildup, lower maintenance costs, better fuel economy and longer vehicle life.
Lower Fuel Costs — As fuel prices rise, alternative fuels can prove a cost-effective option. But just as the price of gasoline can fluctuate due to location, time of year and the geo-political climate, so can the price of alternative fuels. However, alternative fuel fleets can get significantly lower prices than the reported retail prices by working with a local fuel provider.
Reduced Dependence on Foreign Oil — Most of the world’s oil reserves are in the Middle East. Most alternative fuels are produced domestically, so switching to alternative fuels keeps money onshore to support U.S. energy demands.
Reduced Greenhouse Gases — When burned, fossil fuels produce tremendous amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Studies suggest that using alternative fuels can help reduce the impact of greenhouse gas.
Tax Incentives — There are federal, state and local tax incentives to help make the transition to alternative fuels more cost effective for fleets. There are also credits available for infrastructure installation, vehicles and the amount of fuel used.
Environmentally Friendly is the New Norm
No longer a novel concept, developing more sustainable business practices is becoming the new norm, and transitioning fleets to more sustainable practices is no exception. It’s certainly a topic of growing interest since operating a fleet is the biggest contributor to a fleet’s carbon footprint.
Ask your fuel provider today about environmentally friendly fuel options to see how you could start saying money – and the environment.
Learn more about the advantages of adapting alternative fuels and sustainable practices in your fleet by downloading our white paper, Green Fuels and the Future of Transportation Fleets.
