Whether you’re planning on opening something like a restaurant or an entire trucking business, you’re going to need a fleet. Here we review how to start an eco-friendly fleet to ensure some sustainability standards.
A fleet is an individualized group of vehicles that’s exclusive to a person or company. It’s what you use to deliver services and products while also advertising yourself.
However, acquiring a fleet is more than simply purchasing a bunch of vehicles. There’s a lot more involved in this than you may think, especially when you’re aiming for an eco-friendly fleet. Here’s what you need to do to get your own fleet while keeping it eco-friendly.
Search For Suitable Vehicles
Many businesses often use different vehicles that are best suited for each individual job. But the type of vehicles you need heavily depend on what your business caters to. Restaurants primarily use smaller vehicles to deliver food while trucking companies use 18-wheelers to haul supplies. And with the car industry rapidly evolving, you can even help the environment by using electric vehicles. These cars run solely on a rechargeable battery, so you won’t have to worry about gas. This makes it a great way to reduce fleet costs, which may fluctuate given today’s uncertain climate.
In fact, electric cars have seen a huge boost in popularity, and for good reason. The exhaust pipes in regular cars expel a greenhouse gas, which can pollute the air around us. It even goes so far as to contribute to the pressing issue of climate change. Another benefit of going eco-friendly is that it can save you a lot of money while giving you a break on your taxes.Â
However, vehicles such as 18-wheelers are currently in development and most likely won’t be perfected until a few years have passed. You can invest in any vehicle you prefer, but assessing your business can help you prevent spending more than you have to. However, no matter what vehicles you decide to get, make sure you purchase fleet insurance. You can place multiple vehicles on one policy, which is a lot cheaper than buying a bunch of policies.
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The Technology You Need
Next, we need to go over the equipment each vehicle must have as there are various regulations that fleet owners must abide by before they can render their vehicles operational. These regulations mandate the implementation of driver safety and anti-theft equipment. Electronic logging devices (ELDs), tachographs, dash cams, and even anti-lock brakes are all examples of what your fleet needs. Another piece of technology your fleet needs are GPS tracking devices.
These are what you use to keep an eye on every vehicle within your fleet. A recommendation is to utilize the Samsara platform as it combines everything you need into one resource. Combine this with state-of-the-art fleet management software and managing your drivers will be one of the easiest tasks of your day.
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Carefully Consider Your Potential Employees
Since you’re going to need drivers, you need to make sure you don’t hire anyone who’s not fit for the job. Your fleet is one your business’s biggest investments, so you only want the best drivers to operate it. Carefully screen each applicant thoroughly and don’t lower your standards. Find ways to cultivate personal responsibility regarding sustainability as it relates to their role in your business. Having ecofriendly elements in your training programs and handbook is a great way to start.Â
Review the Fleet Compliance Guidelines
Before you officially let your fleet loose, it’s always a good idea to review the fleet compliance guidelines laid out by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). It’s to ensure you’re not missing something and you won’t run into any legal trouble as you do business.
