As we face a global environmental crisis, the fleet industry is coming together to cut emissions. The good news is that the right technology can increase sustainability and improve bottom line at the same time.
Here are ten ways IoT fleet management can make shipping more sustainable while also increasing efficiency and savings.
Tracking fuel usage with IoT fleet management solutions can help companies understand their fuel consumption.
Real-time vehicle tracking can also help fleet managers monitor progress. For example, fleet managers can see how much fuel new sustainability initiatives have saved. It can also give companies up-to-date information for reporting purposes.
Route optimization does more than simply give the best directions. It takes into consideration traffic and other deployed trucks. For example, if ten deliveries must be made in one area, real-time data and traffic monitoring can provide a driver with the shortest route. On top of cutting down unnecessary miles, customers can also have realistic expectations for delivery.
When vehicles are performing optimally, they break down less and can be used longer.
IoT can provide predictive maintenance to help extend a vehicles' lifecycle. Real-time maintenance monitoring can ensure that harmful, unnecessary emissions are not occurring.
It also helps companies with efficiency and vehicle longevity. Research from the Deloitte Analytics Institute found that, on average, predictive maintenance reduces breakdowns by 70%. It also increased productivity by 25% and lowered maintenance costs by 25%.
Throughout a vehicle’s journey, IoT fleet management software can track metrics such as speed, weight, and brake utilization. This data is helpful for fleet managers to inform drivers on fuel-efficient driving practices.
Inefficient driving practices can consume unnecessary amounts of fuel. For example, idling for 30 seconds wastes more fuel than turning off and restarting a vehicle. Hard accelerations and decelerations can also lower gas mileage by 15 to 30% at freeway speeds.
Smart metering is a method that monitors and reports real-time consumption of resources like fuel. For example, it can report on electricity usage in warehouses and offices.
Monitoring the consumption of natural resources in real-time can help fleet managers eliminate wasteful consumption. Smart metering is on the rise, too. In 2017, the Energy Information Association reported that nearly half of all U.S. electricity customers had smart meters.
Many companies nowadays are offsetting their carbon emissions. Real-time monitoring can help companies understand their carbon emissions. Once they know it, they can pay a nonprofit to remove the same amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
For example, a company with 500 tons of CO2 emissions per year could budget $5,000 in offset credits with Terrapass or a similar organization.
Warehouses are a great place to implement sustainable measures. IoT fleet management solutions often include measures that make warehouses more sustainable while also making them more efficient. For example, IoT can help eliminate errors (and waste) in order processing with end-to-end visibility. It can also monitor shelf space for better forecasting
Monitoring shipments in real-time has especially helped when it comes to shipping temperature-controlled goods. Shipping perishables like produce and medicine is a loss if products expire en route
Having the ability to track shipment temperature helps fleet managers know when shipments are at risk. This real-time information can help to divert shipments to facilities and get them regulated. Not only does this preserve the value of goods, it also prevents waste!
Poor demand planning and forecasting can lead to overproduction and is costly. Products themselves must be discarded, and the carbon emissions used to ship them go to waste.
IoT fleet management analytics can help companies better understand their supply and demand needs. An accurate report on fulfillment needs can help cut down on overproduction. For shipping, IoT can also ensure that cargo space is being used to its fullest extent to reduce excessive trips.
As the urgency for sustainable fleets ramps up, so are new goals and policies for the environment. Right now, 24 states and D.C. have established some kind of GHG emissions target. IoT can help companies ensure that they are remaining carbon compliant with proper authorities.
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Using IoT fleet management to ship smarter is a great way to incorporate sustainable initiatives into a fleet. IoT also thrives on efficiency and multi-tasking. This way, companies can achieve sustainable practices while also saving money and operating smarter. For further information on IoT solutions for fleet sustainability, see our e-book.
KORE Fleet is a partner in using IoT for good. Whether you are a seasoned expert on sustainable fleet solutions or just starting out, KORE Fleet has options to get you to the next level. To learn more, download the eBook, “IoT for Good: Location-Based Services Aids in Sustainability.”
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