Investigating the benefits of a greener fleet at RME Services comes naturally to its operations manager, Keith Fort.
After retiring from the Metropolitan Police, the former detective constable was drafted in to help run the company by his son-in-law, Trevor Roberts.
The measures he introduced, including tracker systems, satellite navigation and 65mph speed limiters on the fleet of 24 vans, led to substantial environmental benefits at the Surrey-based electrical and mechanical engineering company. The Energy Saving Trust helped shape RME's green vision by pointing out the potential financial and environmental benefits.
"Part of the focus for using systems such as tracking and vehicle speed restrictions was fuel savings," says Fort. "The use of tracking has also ensured that we maximise customer service by being able to send the closest vehicle to a job and minimise business mileage and emissions."
It also allowed the firm to quickly identify a simple measure that will potentially save thousands of miles. A field-based employee who carried out electrical testing had to deliver completed test certificates to the head office up to three times a week, diverting him from his journey home. The driver has been provided with a home-based scanning and fax system so certificates can be delivered electronically, saving 100 unnecessary miles a week. Similar measures can be replicated across the business.
The firm has also introduced a charging policy, so that drivers have to pay for private mileage outside working hours. This action has dramatically reduced van mileage in the evenings and over weekends. This has only been possible by working closely with employees. Fort says: "We held discussions with employees to make sure they understood the aims of the programme. This was a very important part of the process."
Van drivers who were worried about the impact of the 65mph restrictions were reassured that journey times to work sites would be closely monitored. Analysis has revealed there has been no impact. Fort comments that drivers say they now feel more relaxed and this single action has reduced emissions and fuel consumption by at least 10% across the van fleet.
In addition, it has contributed to driver and road safety, as there has not been a single speed-related incident or speeding penalty since implementation.
All office-based staff using vehicles are required to justify any anticipated business-related journeys and consider public transport to and from meetings. Vehicle sharing is encouraged for drivers of cars and vans alike. The firm has even purchased golf buggies and bicycles for transporting employees around large sites.
But Fort hasn't given up on coming up with further ways to save the company money and reduce CO2 emissions. "We take our responsibilities seriously," he says.
