Truck and Track Summer 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 34 INTERMODAL TRANSPORT SOFTWARE will be. For example, using green vehicles reduces the cost of fuel, especially for companies operating in regions where diesel prices are higher than average. In fact, research shows that as the prices of electrical batteries drop, electric heavy-duty vehicles will cost 25-30% less to own, operate, and maintain than diesel trucks by 2030. The key elements of profitable and sustainable freight logistics Balancing profits and environmental impact takes intentionality, consistency, and planning. Here are three key elements of sustainable logistics and supply chain that companies should consider in order to achieve this balance. 1. Delivery route optimisation A critical aspect of sustainable logistics and supply chain is to make sure that there are no empty runs. For that to happen, you need to optimise driver routes and loads. The traffic on your delivery route also impacts the CO2 emissions, so you need to plan routes using traffic data. Tools such as PTV Map&Guide uses internet cloud services to offer you fleet scheduling and route planning solutions with incredible real-time accuracy. 2. Integrate cost-saving methods High delivery costs significantly reduce the profit margins for freight and logistics companies. But there’s a rather simple solution to fix that – use mileage calculators to properly calculate costs and mitigate losses. And not only that, but using sustainable logistics management also saves you from paying future fines for running non-energy efficient trucks. Speaking of the future, a long-term solution for saving costs is to shift to electric trucks. There are many benefits for making this switch such as: ■ You can have zero-emission urban freight since these trucks don’t use fuel (50% less GHG emissions). ■ Research shows that electric trucks are at least 20% less expensive than diesel trucks for urban driving. 3. Use route optimisation software The more diesel trucks there are on the roads, the more CO2 emissions there’ll be. To reduce your GHG emissions, use route optimisation software to plan out your truck routes by monitoring the traffic network in real-time. Smart software like this one uses simulations to enhance customer satisfaction, driver safety, and compliance with CO2 emission guidelines. PTV’s Route Optimiser has been used across a wide variety of sectors running transport and logistics operations and has generated great results in terms of reducing emissions and increasing profit margins. Use sustainable logistics management to reduce CO2 emissions and stay profitable Tsunamis, disastrous hurricanes, uncontrollable wildfires and other natural calamities are on the rise due to global warming and climate change. And CO2 emission from trucks, ships and factories is a major contributor to that. Now that governments are taking strong actions to slow climate change down, freight companies need to comply with new guidelines that set acceptable emission levels from their fleet. And this is just the beginning. We’re moving towards a much greener world where renewable energy and efficient systems aren’t just an option, they’re a regular part of global logistics systems. Doing so not only reduces your carbon footprint but also increases your profitability by enhancing the efficiency of your logistics management system and strengthening your supply chain. All facts were correct at the time of original publication by Adriana Stein PTV Blog 2021
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