The trucking industry is necessary to keep America running. Most people don’t stop to think about it often, but many of the products that end up on store shelves get there because they were delivered by the massive 18-wheelers you see rumbling down the highways. While they need to be out there making deliveries, they do burn fossil fuels, which contributes to pollution.
Keeping these vehicles in good working order by replacing any worn-out semi-truck parts is one way to help the environment. However, there are many others as well. Let’s take some time to talk about eco-friendly trucking and what drivers and shipping companies can do to attain it.
What Does the Term “Eco-Friendly” Mean?
Let’s start by defining the term “eco-friendly.” As it relates to the trucking industry, this term means technologies and practices that are better for the environment. They reduce the environmental impact that occurs when companies own and operate a fleet of trucks.
It is the responsibility of virtually all industries and niches to learn how to pollute the environment as little as possible. Some have been reluctant to take the necessary steps to reduce their carbon footprint, but most of them understand that they need to make the effort. Otherwise, they will damage the planet to the point where it could be rendered uninhabitable.
Now, let’s review some of the specific actions trucking companies can take that could earn them the title of eco-friendly.
Better Route Planning
It is always to the benefit of truck drivers and the entities they serve to plan out their routes as carefully as possible. Part of that is getting from Point A to Point B as quickly and directly as they can.
This means the trucks will spend less time on the road, so they will emit fewer pollutants. Part of what can facilitate this is using the latest and most advanced GPS maps. The time of paper maps is long gone. These days, a trucking company can utilize not just digital maps that show the most convenient route to a destination but also ones that show any road closures and slowdowns in real-time.
If a truck driver knows there is a traffic jam ahead or that the route they would normally take is temporarily closed off to them, they can make adjustments so that they are not stuck sitting in traffic for hours. This can keep them from burning unnecessary fuel. If these drivers also try to plan ahead to avoid rush hour traffic, that can serve the same purpose.
The Use of New Technology
There are also forms of technology that exist now that can help truck drivers and their companies earn the distinction of being eco-friendly. The best of these forms of technology can monitor and optimize fuel efficiency. At the same time, other forms of tech can reduce idling time. Automation systems and sensors exist now that can accomplish this.
There are also smart logistical solutions that can be implemented. They can help with routing, but they’re also in place to assist with load distribution. That’s a neglected optimization area that should be considered by truckers and the individuals that help to load these massive vehicles.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
Improvements in fuel efficiency are another area that can help the trucking industry better serve the environment. If a truck is well maintained, then it’s more likely that it can operate at peak performance. There are government regulations in place that dictate how often trucks need to be serviced, but the companies that own and operate them can take it a step further.
If they stay on top of these maintenance tasks, they are more likely to spot issues with the fleet that would cause delays or require more lengthy repairs. If a truck is running at peak efficiency, that means it should require less fuel consumption. Fewer pollutants being released is a direct effect of that.
The Use of Alternate Fuels
The use of alternate fuels is another way trucking companies can reduce their environmental impact. Traditional trucks run on diesel. That has been the case for many years.
There are other options now, though. Renewable diesel is available, but so are biodiesel, natural gas, hydrogen, and even electricity. While there are few semis yet that can run entirely on electricity, they are in development.
In the near future, electric trucks large and powerful enough to carry heavy loads from one side of the country to the other will be a legitimate possibility. In the interim, using trucks for shorter runs to neighboring states can be a way to test alternate fuels to see if they are reliable enough to pursue in a more dedicated way.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology might represent the most exciting innovation in this area. These cells are still in development, but they show promise.
When they are widely available, they won’t just save a lot of pollution over diesel-powered trucks. They will also be whisper quiet, which individuals living in neighborhoods by highways should appreciate. Gone will be the days of diesel trucks waking up the whole street with their clamor.
Any technology that reduces greenhouse gasses and results in fewer emissions can be a lifesaver for the planet. Diesel should be seen as a last resort in the face of climate change that is becoming more of a concern with each passing year.
From alternative fuel vehicles to using the latest tech to optimize routes, the trucking industry is one that is in flux right now. That might seem intimidating for companies that have become used to doing things in a certain way, but there is no stopping the march of progress.
The best trucking companies and the ones that are most likely to succeed in the coming years are those that are willing to embrace these new ways of doing business. Perhaps government subsidies that reward the use of cleaner fuels and similar initiatives will serve as additional incentive for these business entities to do their part.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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