Why is it important?
The transport sector is responsible for approximately 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions(1) of which 70% are from road transport, 11% from maritime transport, and 12% from aviation.(2) When including emissions from the production of vehicles, boats, planes, the figure is even higher. Road transport has, therefore, a major role to play in decarbonising our societies.
Next to the electrification of cars, switching to lighter and fuel-efficient vehicles is one of the most impactful strategies to reduce fleet-related emissions due to the significant environmental impact of heavier and inefficient cars.(3) Heavy vehicles, such as SUVs and large 4×4, typically emit higher levels of carbon dioxide and other pollutants per kilometre travelled compared to lighter counterparts, like compact cars and electric vehicles. For example, SUVs consume around 20% more energy than average medium-sized vehicles.(4)
Heavier vehicles also lead to higher operational costs. By transitioning to lighter and more fuel-efficient options, organisations can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also achieve substantial savings in fuel expenses and support sustainability goals.
What is the solution?
Organisations should prioritise lighter and fuel-efficient vehicle options tailored to their specific mobility needs. The first step is therefore an analysis of mobility needs. Opt for smaller, less powerful vehicles whenever the context allows, e.g. for use in cities. Consider electric vehicles, notably in countries with a low-carbon energy mix. Alternative vehicles could also be two-wheelers or electric bikes. Additionally, select vehicles with low emissions and fuel consumption per kilometre, adhering to the latest EURO emissions standards for those bought in the European Union.
Consider buying second-hand cars to reduce emissions from the production phase. When evaluating second-hand options, assess the safety, financial, and technical implications and ensure the availability of parts and maintenance services. Establish procurement guidelines that prioritise environmental criteria, integrating climate considerations into supplier evaluations. Lastly, provide staff training on the benefits and operation of lighter, fuel-efficient vehicles to facilitate a smooth transition towards sustainable transportation practices.
Point of attention
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Point of attention
Hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery.
- Plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) are vehicles that combine a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery that can be recharged by plugging it into an external power source. They are therefore also heavier than a comparable model with an internal combustion engine.
- Full hybrid cars automatically switch between the electric motor, the internal combustion engine or a combination of both. A full hybrid is charged by recuperating energy from deceleration and braking and excess power from the engine, the battery cannot be plugged in to recharge.
The extra weight of the batteries of PHEVs increase fuel consumption considerably. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) performed a study on the real-world usage of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The study found that real-world fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are on average three to five times higher than the official approval values from the laboratory testing procedure (WLTP – Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure). This is because PHEVs are not always driven in electric mode as much as was assumed in testing.(5)
Some organisations recommend considering full hybrid vehicles when purchasing new vehicles, notably for city driving. Real-life fuel consumption should be carefully monitored to confirm savings and develop further recommendations.
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Key actions
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#1 Analyse mobility needs
It is crucial to analyse local mobility needs and optimise movements to determine the optimal vehicle fleet set up. This, combined with national regulations (e.g., load limits for trucks, “Euro” Classification accepted) and the limitations of the surrounding area, will provide the necessary information to select the most effective fleet configuration.
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#2 Opt for the lightest possible vehicle
Avoid using ‘overqualified’ vehicles, excess or underutilised vehicles contribute to unnecessary waste and costs.
Select the smallest, lightest, less powerful vehicles (ex: avoid using a heavy duty 4×4 in the city). Consider two-wheelers in certain contexts (electric bicycles) or minibuses instead of two city cars – depending on identified mobility needs.
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#3 Choose fuel-efficient vehicles
Select vehicles with the lowest emissions per km and the smallest fuel consumption per 100 km. For cars bought in the European Unions, opt for the most recent EURO (European Emissions Standards) classification. If a Landcruiser is need, choose the new generation Landcruiser model.
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#4 Select the least impactful energy type
Selecting the right fuel type is dependent on a series of factors very specific to each context of operation. Consider electric vehicles in urban contexts and notably in countries with a low-carbon energy mix.
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#5 Consider buying second hand
Assess safety context and financial impacts due to increased maintenance cost, technical impacts (e.g. access to spare parts and maintenance services) as well as local availability. Buy second hand from reliable NGOPs or UN agencies with high maintenance standards.
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#6 Establish procurement guidelines
Put in place guidelines and procurement policies for staff to prioritise light and fuel-efficient vehicles. Put in place environmental criteria in the selection process and integrate climate and environmental considerations in supplier questionnaires.
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#7 Train staff
Provide training for staff on the benefits and operation of lighter and fuel-efficient vehicles to support the operational shift.
Humanitarian 4x4
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Humanitarian 4x4
International aid organisations have to reach areas that are often difficult to access and where alternatives to road transport are rare. The vehicles used in these particular contexts, must be highly reliable and particularly robust as the safety of passengers and goods depends on it.
Most international organisations use the Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ76 (4×4), which has been specially designed for humanitarian contexts. But these diesel Land Cruisers are heavy and come with a high fuel consumption.
In addition, organisations often use them them indiscriminately in urban or rural contexts, regardless of road conditions or existing alternatives.
While the Land Cruiser HZJ76 (standard humanitarian Landcruiser, with Euro 0) is a must-have in certain contexts, as well as being puncture-proof, other options for lighter 4 wheel cars should be explored. In addition, Toyota launched a new special humanitarian model, the GDJ76 (Euro 4), which will emit 30% less emissions.(13)
To consider
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Potential co-benefits
- Reduced purchase cost
- Reduced fuel and other running costs (insurance, maintenance)
- Mobility needs analysis invites to review and maybe reduce the number of vehicles
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Success conditions
- Implementation of organisation-wide guidelines and policies for vehicle choice
- Buy-in from fleet management
- Considering cost from a whole life cycle perspective
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Prerequisites & specificities
- Security context remaining the most important selection criterion
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Potential risks
- Sudden change in security context
- If there is a significant change in operations, light cars may be more difficult to reassign
- In the event of a collision, heavier vehicles offer better protection
- Lighter 4×4 are not always available with diesel powered engine, which poses a security risk in contexts where NGOs need to store fuel for their own consumption
Tools and good practices
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Fleet Forum
The Fleet Forum is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to cleaner, safer, and more effective humanitarian transport in developing nations. Through professional fleet management, they help members to deliver life saving and life changing aid to communities in need. Through their knowledge platform, the Fleet Forum shares resources for all areas concerning fleet management.
Explore here -
Fleet Forum, Rightsizing your fleet tool, 2019
The Fleet Forum prepared guidance to choose and select the right number and types of vehicles. The tool includes a description as well as an excel-based asset planning tool.
Explore here -
MSF Pacemaker: 100 logistics answers to meet our climate and environment commitments, 2024 (in French)
MSF developed a practical guideline for its own operations, and shared it publicly. It explores how to choose a new car, when to go for electric cars or internal combustion, which criteria to take into account when buying a vehicles, etc.
Explore here
Further reading
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The International Council on Clean Transportation, 2023
The ICCT is an independent, nonprofit research organization founded to provide exceptional, objective, timely research and technical and scientific analysis to environmental regulators. Our work empowers policymakers and others worldwide to improve the environmental performance of road, marine, and air transportation to benefit public health and mitigate climate change.
Explore here -
International Energy Agency (IEA), Transport, 2023
The IEA provides background information on sectors that are key to achieving global decarbonisation goals. The agency also tracks progress of these sectors against net zero emission scenarios.
Explore here -
Carbone4, IPCC Group III report: what the scientists tell us about transport, 2022
This summary gives an overview of the main conclusions of the IPCC's 6th report on reducing transport-related emissions.
Explore here
Updated
Last updated July 2024. Share your success stories, suggestions, and comments with us! contact@climateactionaccelerator.org
Featured
Carpooling
Car use rationalisation
Maintain and keep vehicles longer
Sources
(1) IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022, 5.3 Transport, p. 8. DOI: 10.1017/9781009157926.001.
(2) IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022, 5.3 Transport, p. 98. DOI: 10.1017/9781009157926.001.
(3) IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022, 5.3 Transport, p. 38. DOI: 10.1017/9781009157926.001.
(4) IEA, “As their sales continue to rise, SUVs’ global CO2 emissions are nearing 1 billion tonnes”, Commentaries, 2023. Available here.
(5) ICCT, “Real-world usage of plug-in hybrid vehicles in Europe: A 2022 update”, Fact Sheet Europe, 2022. Available here.
(6) IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022, 5.3 Transport, p. 98. DOI: 10.1017/9781009157926.001.
(7) IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022, 5.3 Transport, p. 98. DOI: 10.1017/9781009157926.001.
(8) ICRC, “Sustainable Fleet Management”, Logistics, 2022. Available here.
(9) IEA, “As their sales continue to rise, SUVs’ global CO2 emissions are nearing 1 billion tonnes”, Commentaries, 2023. Available here.
(10) IEA, “As their sales continue to rise, SUVs’ global CO2 emissions are nearing 1 billion tonnes”, Commentaries, 2023. Available here.
(11) IEA, “Transport”, 2023. Available here.
(12) IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2022, 5.3 Transport, p. 99. DOI: 10.1017/9781009157926.001.
(13) C. Pennington, “This Is The ‘New’ Toyota Land Cruiser For Humanitarian Efforts”, Motor 1, 2023. Available here.
Credits
Cover photo: Malik Shibly/Unsplash