Sustainable fleet management focuses on the implementation of fuel saving measures 19/07/2010 Car cutting or better car right-sizing can prove to be economically and socially more acceptable than cost cutting. With a focus on changing usage patterns, the RECODRIVE project supports road transport companies willing to adopt improved fleet management and logistics optimisation practices with the potential to push fuel savings beyond 10 per cent and reduce CO2 emissions as well.
The project Rewarding and Recognition Schemes for energy Conserving Driving Vehicle procurement and maintenance (RECODRIVE) offers to certify car fleets by merging existing "ecodriving" initiatives with good fleet management and logistics optimization practices. This will help saving fuel beyond 10% and therefore reduce emissions. The whole project is based on a wider information on sustainability on the basis of what has already been done for 39 certified fleets throughout Europe. A national contact person will assist fleet owners. The fleets will also be listed on a EU-branded RECODRIVE website.

All fleets which fulfil 3 out of 7 categories are certified. If a fleet achieves 5 of the criteria, a notice of excellence is added to the certificate: - Vehicle bound fuel consumption monitoring - Driver training "ecodriving - Maintenance / Depot staff training - Procurement staff training - Logistics / Tour planning staff (Freight / Service fleets - Public transport) - Collecting individual "ecodriving" information from operation - Rewarding staff contributing to fuel efficiency Demonstrating fleets in nine European countries tested different measures in various types of fleets. With the RECODRIVE approach, procurement profits from better knowledge about usage patterns. Consequently, the total costs of ownership of vehicles will eventually be lower. Rewarding and recognition schemes for the fleets' drivers, maintenance and procurement staff are one important part of the system that opens the floor to: - reduced investment costs of vehicles - reduced investment costs of refuelling stations - reduced expenses for tires, brakes, clutches - reduced indirect accident costs - reduced insurance costs Drivers are not only motivated to drive in an energy efficient approach but also consider PRESS4TRANSPORT is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)
themselves to be professionals in operating the vehicle in a way that helps reducing maintenance costs. Considerate driving reduces the risk of crashes as well. Savings include cost reductions, unplanned outages and road calls. These factors can contribute to a better overall automotive economy. Last but not least the project will help develop policy guidelines that will allow fleet owners to set up recognition and rewarding schemes for drivers and managers and for procurement and maintenance staff. For further information: www.recodrive.eu
PRESS4TRANSPORT is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)