Tool to reduce freight emissions

Driving efficiently can result in a 35% difference in fuel consumption, the New Zealand Transport Association says.

In light of this, Transporting New Zealand has announced a new online tool designed to help the road freight industry decarbonise.

The Green Fleet Self-Assessment tool is a ten-question survey that lets transport businesses estimate their emissions and identify ways to reduce them.

The tool will encourage operators to drive more efficiently, reduce empty trips by optimising routes and backloading, and perform regular servicing and preventative maintenance.

The tool will be made available after a Road Freight Decarbonisation Update in Auckland on October 24, featuring updates on Low Emission Freight Certificates, EECA’s Low Emission Heavy Vehicle Fund and more.

“This is a practical guide that enables operators to identify what they’re already doing to reduce emissions, and what more they could do,” says Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive, Dom Kalasih.

“For many businesses and ordinary Kiwis alike, a brand-new zero-emission vehicle isn’t feasible just yet, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be done.

“Not only do these strategies reduce emissions, but greater fuel efficiency reduces costs, which is imperative for operators in what is a highly competitive sector.

“Customer demand for greener business practices has been growing for years. But many of the more transformative zero-emissions technologies for heavy vehicles are still in their infancy, and tight margins present a challenge to investment here.

“Transporting New Zealand hopes that our members and the wider industry will find value from this tool and use it to communicate their decarbonisation efforts with customers.”

The road ahead

The freight sector contributes roughly a quarter of New Zealand’s transport emissions, with heavy trucks alone responsible for about 6%.

Transporting New Zealand says the Green Fleet tool is designed to make decarbonisation more accessible for operators of all sizes, especially smaller firms that lack the resources to conduct full sustainability audits.

By offering a clear picture of current practices and potential improvements, the organisation hopes to build a stronger, data-informed understanding of how the industry is progressing toward national emissions reduction targets.