Advantages of Alternative Fuels for Fleet Vehicles

Did you know that the transport sector generates around 25% of all greenhouse gases (GHG)? This pushes us all, individuals and companies, to look for alternatives that allow us to reduce the carbon footprint in the transport sector.

 If you’ve been considering changing your fuel source, alternative fuels for fleet vehicles can offer a number of business benefits, including:

• Cost savings: this fuel can be cheaper than gasoline and diesel.
• Improvement of the company’s image: many companies advertise the use of alternative fuels in the signage of their vehicles to promote their commitment to the environment.
• Driver recruitment and retention: the next generation of professional drivers is interested in sustainability issues, and alternative fuel-powered fleets can attract these younger drivers.
• Environmental responsibility: alternative fuels produce fewer emissions than fossil fuels, contributing to greater sustainability.
• Government incentives: many governments offer incentives and subsidies for using alternative fuels, which can help offset any initial costs in transitioning to a new fuel.
• Increased fuel security: alternative fuels are often produced domestically, which can help reduce reliance on foreign fuel sources.
• Improved vehicle performance: Some alternative fuels, such as electric, can improve acceleration and torque compared to gasoline or diesel, which can be great for some vehicles and driving conditions.

Besides the advantages, it is necessary to check the availability and cost of the alternatives in the region or regions in which you operate. The type of vehicles your company manages will also influence the decision-making process.

What alternative fuels should you consider? 

Electricity is currently the most popular alternative fuel for vehicle fleets. And as we’ve already seen in recent years, large numbers of fleets are increasingly adopting electric vehicles (EVs), especially for shorter routes and in urban areas where charging stations are readily available. Despite range issues, EVs can deliver savings for commercial fleets and help businesses reduce their carbon footprint.

Fleets that cannot immediately invest in EVs may find other, more viable non-electric options in the near term. Non-electric alternative fuels are essential to quickly reduce fleet carbon emissions like today’s internal combustion engines can run on or be retrofitted. In addition, alternative fuels can extend the life of vehicles and reduce a company’s CO2 emissions.

Likewise, there are non-electric options that can support you on the path to sustainability. The most commons are:

• Biodiesel and renewable diesel: these fuels are made up of organic residues such as vegetable oil. Renewable fuels are used only for blending, and are often used by commercial transportation fleets.
• Natural Gas: Compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas are widely used as alternative fuels for fleets, especially heavy trucks and buses. Natural gas produces less carbon emissions than diesel.
• Sulfur-free gasoline and diesel: Inland and seagoing vessels have been using sulfur-free fuels since 2011. Sulfur-free fuels improve catalyst performance, meaning vehicles emit far fewer CO2 emissions.

If sustainability is one of your organization’s core values, being an early adopter of commercial electric vehicles makes a lot of business sense as you’ll have more data about the vehicles increasing the operational efficiency of your fleet and reducing maintenance costs.

At BDS, we believe that the meeting point between sustainable mobility and fleet efficiency is possible.

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