Green your Fleet: How an Eco-Friendly Fleet Can Help Your Bottom Line

As a small business owner working in the construction industry, you’re already aware that residential and commercial building jobs are becoming more environmentally sound these days. As such, you may already be exploring more energy efficient, less toxic materials to use in your projects. You can take the going green concept one step further by acquiring a fleet and equipment that are also more ecofriendly.

Why not? The less waste trend has gained ground in recent years because many realize that global awareness produces both environmental benefits and cost savings, as reducing energy/fuel demand contributes to a significant reduction in expenses. With that in mind, a number of manufacturers serving the construction industry are introducing products to serve this growing interest, according to the West Allis, Wisc.-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

Volvo, for example, recently introduced a hybrid wheel loader. Its L220F Hybrid promises more power, less idling and reduced fuel consumption. And Caterpillar is coming out with a hybrid bulldozer, the association reports.

“The same energy-savings technologies that you hear about for cars and on-road vehicles are now coming into place for construction equipment,” says Darrin Drollinger, vice president of statistics, technical and safety services for AEM. “Today’s machines are getting much more fuel efficient and offering technological improvements, such as advanced hydraulics. Some product sectors have long used electric to power drive mowers—like aerial platforms and mining trucks. So look for more plug-in options for the future.”

With more and more government agencies and commercial/residential customers either requiring or demonstrating a significant preference for environmentally safe practices, investing in these technologies can become a great marketing tool. But there are, of course, significant challenges, Drollinger says. “The saying, ‘It’s not always easy being green,’ can apply here,” he says. “Initial purchases can be higher, and some applications simply haven’t found a working green solution yet. But the more people ask about green equipment, the more products that manufacturers will start to offer. It also helps that these newer machines offer other benefits, such as improved ergonomics and state-of-the-art safety features.”

Other developments and resources are also emerging to enhance eco-wise fleet/equipment options for small business owners in the building industry, such as:

• You may very well get a tax break for buying energy-efficient vehicles for your fleet. The IRS regularly updates users at irs.gov about hybrid vehicles that qualify for tax credits. The hybrid version of the Ford Escape is just one of a number of 2009 models that qualify, qualifying for up to $3,000 in federal tax credits. State governments are also getting into the act. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), for example, helps construction fleets identify ways to ‘green’ their fleet—such as ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, biodiesel, reduced idling and exhaust retrofits that reduce pollution by up to 90 percent. Tax incentives are available to help with the cost of retrofits and grant money may also be available. ODEQ also has a recognition program for green fleets.
• Accessories for fleet/equipment are also improving when it comes to energy-efficiencies. SOMS Technologies, for example, now offers what it’s calling the microGreen oil filter, which extends the life of engine oil to allow vehicles to run up to 30,000 miles without an oil change—resulting in a 70 percent reduction of oil use. And 4Refuel provides 24/7 onsite diesel refueling for business owners, resulting in a reduction last year of 158.7 million pounds of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere, the company reports.
• The U.S. Department of Energy also provides updates on alternative fuels and advanced vehicles for fleets.  Cost-savings calculators and vehicle availability notices are posted regularly.
• In addition to Web searches of popular manufacturers, Drollinger says the best resource to find the latest in green technologies would be industry trade shows that showcase fleet and equipment innovations. On October 6-8 in Louisville, KY, for example, AEM will present the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition. “Trade shows can be a great one-stop shop for this kind of information,” Drollinger says.