Road freight transport : how does Goëvia limit its carbon footprint ?

15 Mar, 2021

26% is the rate of CO2 emissions generated by the road transport of goods (according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition). In view of these facts, limiting the carbon footprint is becoming an essential issue for the environment. Together, carriers and customers must minimize this impact on the planet. Discover how Goëvia, at its own level, limits its carbon footprint and commits to an eco-responsible approach via our 4 major areas of improvement.

Actions on vehicles

In order to reduce its CO2 emissions, the company relies primarily on a modern fleet. Goëvia renews its fleet of vehicles every 5 years and has 100% Hybrid or Euro 6 engines. On the latter vehicles, in comparison with Euro 5 emission standards, fine particles are reduced by 66% while nitrogen oxide is reduced by 80%. Hybrid vehicles are used for deliveries in the city center. They are 100% electric below 11km/h and have the advantage of recharging automatically on the road and not requiring any connection.

New for 2021, Goëvia will complete its fleet with 8 new vehicles powered by a renewable energy often used in cooking:rapeseed oil. The primary purpose of this oil is not to produce fuel. It comes from French production of rapeseed cake given to cattle farms. This B100 fuel (100% rapeseed) has a very positive carbon balance. Compared to fossil diesel, it reduces fine particle emissions by up to 80% and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60%.

The importance of equipment

Apart from the type of truck, the equipment is also important. At Goëvia, for example, all vehicles are equipped with side and roof air deflectors. This equipment increases the CX (coefficient of penetration in the air) and optimizes the power of the vehicle, thus allowing fuel savings. The fleet is also equipped with intelligent speed controllers that allow the maximum speed to be limited.

Actions on driver behavior

Behind these 3.5t wheels, men and women are also acting in favor of the environment. At Goëvia, our drivers are systematically trained ineco-driving. Beyond the initial training, they receive regular training and learn to analyze their behavior on the effect ofCO2 emissions.

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it” said Peter Drucker, American professor and theorist.

This is why measuring driving behavior is a daily concern at Goëvia. Each week our drivers receive a score measured on several criteria: engine stop time, sharp turns and braking, average vehicle consumption, constant speed or deceleration. These indicators allow us to visualize the drivers’ anticipation and to judge the real repercussions on fuel consumption or vehicle condition (pads, brakes, etc.). For example, they allow us to save 7000 L of diesel fuel per month!

Actions on fuel treatment and tire optimization

In addition to the measures already mentioned, fuel processing also promotes greener transportation. David Chaveroche, Technical Director at Goëvia explains: “For more efficiency, the temperature of the fuel can be controlled. At Goëvia, we treat the fuel with a product that increases the cetane number. In other words, we increase the caloric power of the fuel. The engine then has a more efficient performance and more torque: by doing so, we reduce diesel consumption. He adds, “The same product that we treat the fuel with prevents bacteria from growing in the diesel fuel. So it also prevents the filters from clogging.

As a road haulier, tires are an important part of fleet management. As the first French carrier to implement the TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), Goëvia has an automatic tire pressure monitoring system that alerts the driver in case of a problem. David Chaveroche explains: “An under-inflated tire increases diesel consumption. By measuring the pressure of the vehicle’s tires on a daily basis, this installation allows us to limit our CO2 emissions and save 0.6L/100 of fuel. He adds: “This system also allows us to detect future punctures (or slow punctures) and to intervene in time. Thanks to this, we no longer have to intervene on the road because of tire blowouts. At the same time, we increase the life span of our tires, which wear out more quickly when under-inflated or over-inflated. We can say that on average Goëvia makes 40 000 km more with each tire. We are convinced by the system and have installed it on each of our sites”!

Actions on the organization of transport flows

Finally, the implementation of an adapted transport plan allows Goëvia to optimize its routes, to limit empty trips and to facilitate last mile logistics. To do this, we optimize the loading of our trucks as much as possible and make sure to cover the imbalances present on certain lines. All our planning operators participate in this optimization during our transport operations. It is these small daily gestures that avoid waste and empty miles…

We are aware that the transportation sector is a major contributor to CO2 emissions. We are convinced that each link in the chain has a role to play in preserving the environment. Goëvia is committed, on its own scale, to limiting its carbon footprint. And you, what are your actions in favor of the environment?

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