NZ trucking business joins fuel-efficiency program

New Zealand trucking business HW Richardson (HWR) has joined the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Heavy Vehicle Fuel Efficiency program, which aims to improve fuel efficiency and decrease carbon dioxide emissions in the heavy vehicle sector. The program guides fleets through a review of their business, as well as helping to implement initiatives and monitor changes to ensure savings are sustained over the long term.

“The fuel-efficiency program not only improves the sustainability of the business; it also helps improve safety and reduce maintenance costs,” said EECA Chief Executive Mike Underhill. “Drivers who have been through training as part of the program have fewer incidents of speeding and arrive at the destination less tired or stressed.”

HWR runs over 800 trucks in 30 fleets nationwide and consumes over 19 million litres of fuel per year, moving freight from one end of New Zealand to the other. An early trial of the program with HWR subsidiary Southern Trucking identified an overall 7% fuel saving and a 48% reduction in gear changes, which flow through to a significant reduction in both fuel and maintenance costs. Fuel-efficient driving was also found to result in a seven-minute reduction in trip time.

Now, HWR is targeting a reduction in group-wide fuel consumption of 10% - nearly two million litres. This would reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions by around 5130 tonnes each year - equivalent to the carbon emissions released by 1800 cars. HWR’s Managing Director added that the company must also maintain the safety of its drivers and the public.

“We continually look for ways to improve performance, and the investment in the fuel-efficiency program will assist in achieving this,” said HWR Managing Director Scott O’Donnell. “The safe and fuel-efficient driving training that forms part of the program aligns with where our priorities lie for both our people and the communities we work and live in.”

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