Public sector fleets have their own special challenges and characteristics just as any other fleet, though people erroneously think life is made easier for public companies or governments compared with private enterprises. From dealing with winter maintenance to the centralisation of the fleet control, from controlling big workforces to compliance with environmental, legal requirements and annual budgets, challenges for councils seem to never end.
Environmental targets and objectives are pressing concerns right now and not just something that might crop up down the line. Their impact is clear and legislation is already in the pipeline that sets emissions targets which all companies are required to respect; and public sector fleets are probably first under scrutiny because they above others are expected to set an example for the rest of the community to act in an appropriate way towards the challenge of environmental issues.
Addressing the crisis of global climate change, for some, means a big economic policy fix, for others, it means old fashion hard, patient work, such as gradually improving efficiency in the way we use energy. For those in the second category, working on the efficiency of energy consumption also creates a number of challenges, such as beginning to change behavioural habits—and we know how hard that can be. The public sector is no exception, and is called to act quickly: in Ireland, for example, following a Green Paper seeking consultation on energy policy, and a White Paper adopting certain energy policies, the government issued Maximising Ireland’s Energy Efficiency: The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2009 – 2020 where it formally committed to a 33% savings in energy by 2020 for the public sector.
For the purposes of the policy, the public sector includes the Civil Service, commercial and non-commercial state bodies, the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, Health Service Executive hospitals, Local and Regional Authorities, schools and universities.
A similar program has been developed in the UK referred to as the Energy Efficiency Scheme, in which Northern Ireland participates, that provides financial incentives to reduce emissions by putting a price on carbon. It applies to both public bodies and to large, low-energy intensive businesses.
In such a complicated background, where public sector fleets have to deliver the highest standards, how can telematics offer tangible help with environmental concerns to a sector that makes high demands on fuel?
1. Cloud computing
Cloud computing has proven environmental benefits. Moving software applications from local computer systems to centralised cloud services can cut IT energy consumption by up to 87%. Telematics applications are no exception to this, as SaaS companies like Transpoco provide the SynX technology from any web browser or device 24/7.
2. Fuel consumption control
Only with the best fuel economy-focused products can it be possible to make cost savings and considerably reduce the carbon footprint. By integrating with fuel cards or data from on-site fuelling systems, public sector fleets can get the most accurate calculations of fuel consumption ratios and the carbon footprint of vehicles.
3. Certified provider
Technology does not have to be environmentally unfriendly—quite the contrary! If your provider belongs to an approved compliance scheme for the collection, treatment and recycling of electrical waste and electronic equipment and is respecting standards, it is most likely a sound choice.
