• Save money
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Stay ahead of the regulatory curve
• Reduce air toxic pollution and associated health impacts
• Increase energy security
• Enhance public image and lead by example

Save money.  For example:

• The City of Seattle found replacing meter vehicles with Segways saved the City over $8,000 per year and increased staff efficiency, enabling more meters to be read over the course of the work day.[i]
• The State of North Carolina saved over $290,000 in purchasing and fuel costs and over 81,000 gallons of fuel by right-sizing 94 vehicles.
• Economic analyses from the State of Washington show increasing the fuel efficiency of our motor vehicles can save Washington citizens at least $1.5 billion dollars by 2030,[ii] assuming gas prices of $1.74.  At the time of this document, gas prices exceed $3 per gallon, which would practically double the savings estimated by Washington State. 

Reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs), the pollution that causes global warming.  According to a study conducted by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, transportation accounts for over 50% of the Puget Sound region’s total GHG emissions.  The report also estimates transportation emissions are likely to increase by approximately 30% by 2020.

Similarly, two local governments in the Puget Sound region estimate that fleet emissions account for a significant portion of their organization’s emissions.  For example, King County estimates county-owned vehicles account for 43% of the organization’s direct emissions.  The King County Metro bus fleet accounts for 26% of these emissions, with other fleet vehicles adding another 17% to the total.[iii]

For more information about the effects of global climate change in the Pacific Northwest, see the Fact Sheets in Appendix __.

Stay ahead of the regulatory curve.  The vast majority of Americans recognize that global warming is real and think the government should be taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.[iv]  Some companies are also calling on the government to take action.  Sooner or later, this groundswell will lead to action by the government and there will be regulations on greenhouse gases.  Even before that, some organizations are taking action.  For example, Mayor Nickels of Seattle has launched the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which requires cities to meet or beat Kyoto’s target for greenhouse gas emission reductions.  Many cities in the region have signed the agreement and should be setting goals to reduce these emissions soon.  The smart fleet manager will recognize this coming wave and take steps now to get ahead of this effort.

Since fleet operations represent the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions for many agencies, fleet managers can expect their departments to get much attention when agencies move to address these emissions.  Taking action first will put the forward-thinking fleet manager in a better position to control and guide the process when this inevitable attention comes.  Furthermore, some actions that address greenhouse gas emissions, such as using regular vehicle turnover to introduce more fuel-efficient vehicles into the fleet, take time to have significant effects.  This means it is important for fleet managers to move as soon as possible to have a meaningful impact on the fleet’s performance.  Lastly, once it becomes a goal of the agency, fleet managers will likely be evaluated based on their performance with reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fleet operations.  The sooner you understand the issues and start doing something about it, the better off you will be.  For your own good and the good of your fleet, not to mention the good of the planet, a fleet manager would be well served to get ahead of the growing push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduce air pollution and potential adverse health impacts in the region. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency evaluated cancer and non-cancer health risks associated with air toxics in the Central Puget Sound in 2003.  The evaluation showed that

• Motor vehicles account for approximately 85-95% of the potential cancer risks from toxic chemicals in our ambient air.  
• Approximately 70 to 85% of this risk is due to diesel soot.

As a result, reducing vehicle emissions, such as diesel particulates from public transit, equates to substantial reductions of a key source of air pollution and adverse health impacts in our region.

Increase energy security, promote our regional economy and insulate against volatile petroleum prices.  Currently, the US imports more than 60% of its crude oil and transportation accounts for almost two-thirds of US petroleum consumption.[v]  Furthermore, the US transportation sector is approximately 97% dependent on petroleum for energy.[vi]  Reducing or replacing petroleum use increases our energy security and can allows funds to be spent on businesses within our country and even region.

Fuel prices have varied dramatically over the past year and a half (see chart below) and the US government predicts additional price increases in the future.[vii]  These dramatic changes have corresponding effects on the cost of operating a fleet and can wreak havoc on an organization’s budgeting process.  To insulate your fleet from this volatility, take steps to reduce your fleet’s dependence on petroleum, which is exactly what you are doing when you green your fleet.

At the same time the regional analysis of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s Climate Protection Advisory Committee showed that improving vehicle efficiency would save the region over one billion dollars by 2020.[viii]  These savings can be passed on to other parts of our regional economy, promoting our businesses. 

Enhances your agency’s public image and allows your agency to lead by example.  Green vehicles and alternative travel modes (e.g., Segways) provide concrete examples to the public about government leadership on an important public issue.  Many elected officials realize the advantages in promoting green policies within their organizations.[ix]  Greening your fleet is an excellent way to demonstrate government leadership and commitment to the environment and the future of your community.

All of these points demonstrate the importance of greening your fleet. In addition, when the benefits of greening a fleet are multiplied across a large number of fleets in the region, the advantages become substantial. Greening your fleet also gives you and your agency an opportunity to work on problems that often seem intractable or insurmountable, such as global warming.