In February of 2004 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the SmartWay program. This venture was to acknowledge companies that had incorporated environmentally sound processes that produced cleaner, more fuel efficient transportation options for their customers. The program has produced a brand that identifies products and services that reduce transportation-related emissions. The SmartWay program has created a partnership between government, business and consumers to encourage protection of the environment and improvement of air quality by reduce fuel consumption and lessen the carbon footprint.
SmartWay Partners
For companies who are primarily involved in freight transportation, they can join the SmartWay partnership. Although being recognized as a SmartWay partner is benefit when customers are looking for environmentally aware transportation solutions, the SmartWay program does offer companies low -cost loans, and improved business-to-business opportunities.
Partners can purchase U.S. EPA Certified SmartWay tractors and trailers for their fleet. These units are outfitted with equipment that significantly reduces fuel use and emissions. For most transport companies the payback on investment within just one to three years and savings of approximately $9,000 each year after. The SmartWay units also are expected to have lower maintenance costs.
Vehicle Idling Reduction
One of the technologies employed by SmartWay is idle reduction. Surveys of transportation companies have found that the average driver can have the vehicle idling for some six hours a day, which can lead to an annual cost of over $6000. In addition, the idling process can increase maintenance costs and shorten engine life.
For the environment, the affects of vehicle idling is accumulative. According to the EPA, idling of engines "consumes over 1 billion gallons of diesel fuel and emits 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, 200,000 tons of oxides of nitrogen, and 5,000 tons of particulate matter".
Vehicle idle reduction has been evaluated by the EPA and the technology is now available. It can reduce the main engine idling of the vehicle and alternatively provide services, for example air conditioning or heating to the vehicle, which would otherwise require the operation of the engine while the vehicle is idling.
Improved Aerodynamics
Improvements in truck tractor aerodynamics has shown that significant gains in fuel efficiency can be achieved. The devices that have created include cab extensions and roof fairings. By streamlined the profile of the vehicle, the fuel savings can be as much as 600 gallons per year over a vehicle that has a traditional profile. Manufacturers have also found that aerodynamic profile can be improved by reducing the tractor-trailer gap, securing loose tarpaulins, and on flatbed trailers, arranging cargo to keep the outline of the total load as low and smooth as possible. These steps can reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle and reduce costs for the fleet operator.
Tire Improvements
When vehicle tires are not maintained properly, the life of the tires will be reduced and fuel consumption increased. SmartWay encourages fleet owners to invest in automatic tire inflation systems. These systems monitor and continually adjust the level of pressurized air to tires, maintaining proper tire pressure when the vehicle is in motion. Automatic tire inflation systems can reduce fuel consumption by over 100 gallons per year for a typical vehicle.
The use of wide-base tires can improve rolling resistance and therefore fuel consumption. The savings can be as much as 400 gallons per year for an average vehicle. A single wide-base tire costs about the same as two equivalent dual tires and a single wide-rim wheel costs less than two standard wheels.
Clean Diesel Finance Program
The EPA has a number of loan programs that can help small transport companies to reduce their fuel costs. The loans help companies to buy new more fuel efficient trucks, install idling technology. SmartWay also has a financial clearinghouse web site so that fleet companies can have access to private lenders who can help provide loans for a SmartWay Certified Tractor, SmartWay Certified Trailer or technologies that can help with fuel savings and reducing emissions.
The EPA awards SmartWay Excellence Awards each year to companies that significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the business. The awards honor companies that achieve the fuel reduction and environmental performance goals of the SmartWay program.
