INSIDE THE INDUSTRY: ED LEDDY, LEDDY TRANSPORTATION

  • Industry News
  • September 9, 2020

Sustainability support continues to grow within the transportation industry, as evidenced by the National Association of Fleet Adminstrators’ recent introduction of the leading Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program, which provides fleets with a standard assessment of their actions and progress on sustainability.

It is important that fleet professionals are well versed on the past, present and future of green fleets, as the advancement of sustainability initiatives will continue to impact the industry as a whole. In this Peak Commercial & Industrial Inside the Industry Q&A, Lifeblood advisory member, Ed Leddy, Principal Owner at Leddy Transportation Enterprises LLC, shares his views on the green fleet industry.

 

In your experience, what are a few significant triggers that have driven the transition to green fleets?

 

Sustainability initiatives are driven on the fleet side by the pursuit of improved miles per gallon and operating cost savings. The Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, which is a public-private initiative, has also provided incentives in the development of technologies that reduce fuel consumption. In addition, there are several direct financial rewards for sustainability management including lower fuel costs, lower costs of oil maintenance, more miles from tires and extended use of equipment.

 

Please explain the most important steps fleet managers should take in greening their fleets.

 

Equipping fleets with all of the latest technologies proven to advance sustainability initiatives is a necessary step fleet managers must take. Examples include utilizing the best designed air foil technology for cabs, wheel covers, trailer skirts, trailer tails and tractor-trailer gap management, speed governance, low friction tires and axel management. Driver education is also critical to ensuring sustainability goals are met and best practices are adhered to on and off the road.

 

What do you expect the relationship between the transportation industry and sustainability to look like in the next five years?

 

The single most evident element in the relationship between the transportation industry and sustainability will be the hugely significant reduction in fuel consumption. There is an enormous pursuit to gain efficiency in every element of commercial transportation in addition to the private fleet. Over the next five years, I see very close alignment of the goals of sustainability and the transportation industry. Reducing the amount of fuel used and utilizing materials that last longer and do not need to be replaced, or at very least are replaced much less frequently, are two key elements that will drive the industry in the direction of sustainability.