Reducing your Fleet's C02 - Arval

Reducing your 

Fleet’s C02 

The Arval fuel card Driving Training www.arval.co.uk 

Tips and advice 

What is the 

current situation? 

Driver behaviour 

Vehicle choice 

Efficient maintenance 

Journey planning 

Alternative fuels and 

vehicle technology 

Drivers top 10 

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What is the current situation? 

Global warming is said to be the greatest challenge of the 21st century. 

With a quarter of UK carbon emissions emanating from road transport, fleets 

are at the forefront of efforts to drive down CO2. 

This message was underlined by the Budget in 

March 2008. Alongside new carbon-based tax 

measures designed to raise more than £2 

billion from vehicle users, the Treasury 

published a major report on the future for 

low carbon cars – the King Review. 

If formally adopted by the Government, the King Review is expected to become the roadmap for 

cutting CO2 emissions from passenger cars by an ambitious 30% in the next five to ten years. It 

urges the Government to create a framework in which low carbon vehicle technologies can go 

from ‘shelf to showroom’ as quickly as possible and where fiscal incentives and public education 

create a ready market for new, low emission products. 

Currently, the Government’s policy is to ‘encourage the polluter to pay.' Drivers can expect rising 

BIK taxes on greenhouse gases and higher operating costs for environmentally inefficient vehicles, 

for example higher congestion charges and VED. For businesses that reduce their carbon footprint 

there will be opportunities to take advantage of tax breaks, as well as a lower fuel bill! 

For example, a fleet of 200 drivers, averaging 15,000 business miles per year produces over 700 

tonnes of CO2 during a year. If the fleet reduced its annual emissions by 20%, through measures 

such as mileage reduction and buying lower-emission vehicles, it could save over 140 tonnes of 

CO2 (and around £60,000 in fuel purchases). 

How do I know what my fleet's current CO2 is? 

Wanting to reduce your fleet’s carbon footprint is one thing, but knowing what it currently is, is 

essential. Fuel cards are a powerful tool in this respect, they enable fleet operators to capture and 

analyse data on CO2 emissions, worked out on the actual fuel consumption of every vehicle, and 

the fleet as a whole. This gives companies a starting point, and from this, plans and targets can 

be set and monitored over time. 

What can I do to reduce my fleet's carbon footprint? 

There are a number of ways to reduce carbon emissions, mainly surrounding vehicle choice, 

maintenance, driver behaviour and the journey taken. 

By looking at each area in detail it will allow you not only to reduce CO2 but to enjoy additional 

business benefits - such as a reduction in repairs, wear and tear costs, an improved driver risk 

rating and a lower fuel bill. 

Find out more about: 



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To find out more detail on 

how you can reduce C02 click 

on the links above.

What can my drivers do to reduce their C02 

footprint? 

Your drivers play a very large role in determining your fleets' CO2 emissions. 

They do this through the way they drive; their attitudes and expectations; 

and the cars they choose. 

Let drivers know that reducing CO2 is an important goal for your business, and that they are 

expected to drive efficiently and avoid making unnecessary journeys. Include statements to this 

effect in the fleet policy and driver handbook. 

Drivers must start to realise the link between fuel consumption and C02, 

it is therefore essential for them to understand and act on the following points: 

Check your revs – Change up between 2000 – 2500 rpm. Revving your vehicle’s engine wastes fuel; Avoid 

fast getaways at the traffic lights – accelerate slowly when the light turns green. The faster you accelerate 

the more fuel you will consume. Avoid revving your engine before you turn it off. 

Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly – Avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves 

fuel, tyre wear and reduces accident rates. Drive smoothly – aggressive driving increases fuel consumption and 

produces more CO2. Avoid accelerating or braking too hard – this can reduce fuel consumption by more than 

10% in urban areas. 

Use air conditioning sparingly – As it significantly increases fuel consumption. 

Drive away immediately when starting from cold – Idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid 

engine wear. Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue for a long period of time, or waiting for someone. 

Restarting a modern engine uses effectively no extra fuel. 

Avoid short journeys – A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five 

miles to become effective. 

Avoid excess idling – Idling gets you nowhere but still burns fuel. Turn the engine off when you’re in a queue 

for a long period of time, or waiting for someone. 

Stick to speed limits and make your fuel go further – Driving at 85 mph rather than 70 mph uses 25% more 

fuel. It may be tempting to drive fast over long, empty roads but fuel-efficiency drops significantly over 70 

mph. Use cruise control if you have it – on major roads this helps you maintain a constant speed and, in many 

cases, will improve fuel consumption. 

Plan your journeys – To avoid congestion, road works and getting lost. 

Check your tyre pressure regularly – Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption 

by up to 3%. 

If you’re stuck in a jam, switch off – Cutting the engine will save fuel and stop emissions. 

Plus – before you drive: 

Remove roof rack when not in use - they increase drag significantly. If fully loaded, a roof rack can push up 

emissions by 30%. Keep your boot or back seat clear of unnecessary items that add weight to your vehicle. 




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These notes are available in a 

separate ‘drivers’ handout’ 

which can be found under 

fuel on www.arval.co.uk: 

Arval also offers a range of 

initiatives to help minimise 

emissions from everyday 

fleet activities including 

smarter driving through our 

Eco Driver Training Model.

Choosing more C02 efficient vehicles? 

Every vehicle purchasing decision will have an effect on the fuel 

consumption and CO2 emissions for the lifetime of that vehicle. To help with 

vehicle choice ‘green’ labelling has been introduced, similar to the energy 

efficiency rating we are used to seeing on electrical appliances. 

Lower CO2 vehicles usually cost less, 

CO2 emission figure (g/km) 

over their lifetime 

Maintaining your fleet and reducing emissions 

Vehicle condition has a significant impact on CO2 emissions. These rise 

considerably if engines are allowed to go out of tune or if faulty tyres or 

steering add to cars' rolling resistance. 

Potential ‘carbon costs’ of vehicle faults:F 

Fault Increase fuel consumption 

by up to 

Out of tune engine + 10% 

Clogged air filter + 10% 

Misaligned wheels + 6% 

Under-inflated tyres + 3% 

Source: Department for Transport 

Here's a checklist of carbon-friendly maintenance and vehicle awareness 

practices: 

Service your engine - A well-maintained engine can minimise CO2 emissions, so follow your 

manufacturer’s recommendation on servicing. Information regarding service intervals can be 

found in your vehicle manual. 

Keep your tyres at the right pressure – Correctly inflated tyres are safer and last longer, an 

under inflated tyre can increase CO2 by as much as 3%. An under or over inflated tyre will wear 

more quickly and is also more susceptible to failing. The best time to check your tyre pressure is 

when it's cool outside or in the morning after your car has not been driven. Faulty wheel 

alignment will also slow down the rolling resistance of your car increasing CO2 emissions and 

wearing tyres out more quickly. 

Use the correct oil - Always use the appropriate grade of motor oil, as the manufacturer's 

recommended lubricant can prevent unnecessary CO2 emissions. Higher quality oils can also help 

your engine operate more efficiently. However, take care not to over-fill the oil. 

Keep an eye on your fuel consumption - The more aware you are of the amount of fuel you use, 

the more you can do to try to reduce your CO2. If you notice your fuel efficiency is decreasing it 

could indicate a problem with your vehicle. 




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How do I shrink the carbon footprint of 

journeys? 

Tackling unnecessary mileage – is an essential part of reducing CO2 

emissions. You can also do a lot to minimise waste during the journeys that 

have to be made. 

Plan trips and driving routes to avoid traffic congestion - Getting stuck in heavy traffic 

dramatically increases CO2 emissions per mile travelled. Use route planning tools in advance and 

set radios to receive traffic alerts. It is also worth considering that the quickest route could also 

be the longer route and so CO2 emissions could be higher. 

Drive less – Encourage drivers to think about the trips they make and to use alternatives to 

driving such as video conferencing or home working. Promote car sharing, especially where a 

number of employees have to go to the same meetings. 

Develop a corporate travel plan - Travel plans help businesses assess and simplify their travel 

needs. Smaller companies can pool resources with neighbours to share costs and increase their 

target audience The Department for Transport offers a comprehensive "Essential Guide to Travel 

Planning" at its web site at: www.dft.gov.uk 




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Alternative fuels and vehicle technology 

In response to the environmental impact vehicles have and Government 

legislation, technology and fuel types are being developed on a continuous 

basis. It is worth remembering that many of these developments require 

higher demand levels and infrastructure enhancements to be truly effective 

and offer a mainstream proposition 

Vehicle development 

Car manufacturers are constantly improving the efficiency of conventional engines using 

techniques such as advanced combustion control, automatic stop-start, regenerative braking and 

lightweight materials. This will significantly reduce emissions from diesel and petrol over the next 

few years without requiring radical new technologies to emerge. 

Alternative fuels 

Bio fuels emit less fossil-derived CO2 per mile, or are made from renewable sources. By 2010, all 

retail fuel sold in the UK will contain a 5% of renewable 'bio' fuel, which is mixed prior to 

distribution. This approach does not require any enhancement to engines and doesn’t affect prices 

at the pump. 

It is possible to run vehicles on higher concentrations of biofuel. However, the vehicles may have 

to be modified to prevent engine damage. There are also warranty implications as well as the 

issue of whether there is a sufficient refuelling infrastructure. 

The chart on the next page shows the advantages and disadvantages of alternative fuels 

currently available. 




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Fuel Type 

Biodiesel 

(first generation) 

Bioethanol 

(first generation) 

Road Fuel Gases 

LPG, CNG and LNG 

Description 

Alternative to diesel fuel 

that is produced from the 

oil of crops such as oil seed 

rape or from waste food 

fats. 

Pros 

Renewable. 

Ordinary diesel from most 

refuelling sites already 

contains 5% biodiesel. This 

does not affect engines or 

warranties. 

Liquid bio fuel made from Renewable. 

starch plants such as sugar E5 (5% blend) is currently 

beet and corn. 

already available at most 

petrol retailers mixed with 

petrol. 

Fossil fuel produced from 

gas present in oil wells. 

Cons 

Extremely limited 

refuelling infrastructure 

for higher blends. 

Most manufacturers will 

not support warranty 

when high blends are used. 

Destabilising effect on 

world agriculture and 

food pricing. 

Extremely limited 

refuelling infrastructure 

for higher blends. 

Most manufacturers will 

not support warranty 

when high blends are used. 

Destabilising effect on 

world agriculture and 

food pricing. 

Slightly lower CO2 emissions Car manufacturers have 

compared with petrol. turned away from LPG. 

Residual values remain 

poor and the refuelling 

infrastructure will not 

grow. Pump price has 

risen due to loss of duty. 

Hydrogen Can be burned in internal Theoretically a zero 

combustion engine or used emission fuel, if the 

to generate electricity via hydrogen is produced using 

an on-board fuel cell. renewable electricity (e.g. 

wind power). 

Electricity All-electric (battery). Potentially zero emission if 

primary electrical source is 

renewable. 

Fuel cell technology still 

in its infancy. 

Hydrogen is difficult to 

store and distribute in 

bulk. 

Limited range, although 

this is being overcome. 

Environmental damage / 

concerns over battery 

production & disposal. 

Hybrids Liquid fuel-electric hybrid. Lower emissions compared Environmental damage / 

to an all liquid fuel engine. concerns over battery 

production & disposal. 




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How fuel cards can help your fleet reduce CO2 

Although careful selection of vehicles and fuel types play a major role in 

reducing emissions, fleets can still miss out on CO2 reductions if they do not 

closely monitor the performance of drivers and vehicles. 

Fuel cards are a powerful tool when it comes to driving down CO2 emissions. They allow fleets to 

capture actual fuel consumption and so emissions, which enables them to plan and manage their 

CO2 reduction programmes. 

Arval provide a suite of reports for use by Fleet Managers. Using information obtained from 

Arval fuel cards high pence per mile figures and inefficient drivers can be pinpointed. This allows 

action to be taken quickly, before costs and unnecessary CO2 emissions mount up. 

There are many additional benefits of using a fuel card 

The cost of fuel has risen dramatically. Today, it can account for as much as 

25% of your entire fleet expenditure. Our fuel card is a simple, effective way 

to control this cost and keep paperwork to a minimum. 

Arval offers the leading fuel management service in the UK and more than 1.2 million of our fuel 

cards are now used in the UK. These are just some of the benefits you will expereince from this service. 

The cost-saving alternative to pay and reclaim 

If you currently re-imburse your drivers on a fixed pence per mile rate, you may be paying them 

too much. Fuel card reporting gives you the actual fuel cost per mile. So, you could save 

substantially on business travel costs by paying staff the real cost of the fuel. 

Easy access across the UK 

Drivers can use fuel cards at 95% of the major UK filling stations where the AllStar logo is 

displayed. This includes all the leading fuel brands, motorway services and low-cost supermarket 

sites. With such a large network of fuel stations to choose from, your drivers won't waste time 

and fuel searching for somewhere to refuel, therefore reducing their carbon footprint. 




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Manage your fuel costs through management information 

You can quickly find out where your fuel spend is going at any time with secure access to reports 

over the web. Not only does this information enable you to set fleet policies and monitor 

compliance, you might even pinpoint potential savings too. 

Taking the hassle out of invoice processing 

All your fuel costs appear on a single consolidated VAT invoice. Breakdown by card and cost 

centre enable you to reallocate cost and produce reports with ease. What is more, the invoice is 

approved by the HMRC for tax records. So, there is no longer any need to process individual till 

receipts, saving you valuable time and resources. 

Secure and flexible 

Advanced security features, such as the ability to detect suspect patterns of transactions, make 

fuel cards safe as well as convenient. And, we can block the use of lost or stolen cards within 

moments of you reporting it to us. 

You can also control how the card is used, restricting transactions to fuel, oil and vehicle washes 

for example. You can even decide whether to allocate cards to drivers, vehicles or both, giving 

you flexibility as well as control. 




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Driver Training from Arval 

Eco driver training – not just good for the environment 

Eco-driver Training provides specific on-road driver tuition to drivers improve 

fuel efficiency and so reduce their carbon emissions. Using techniques that are 

endorsed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) you could make fuel savings of 

between 10 and 15% if these driving techniques are adopted. 

Eco-driver Training is usually carried out in conjunction with our Practical Driver 

Assessment programme, but training can be provided in isolation if required. 

The Benefits of Eco-driver Training 

This training can benefit both your company and drivers by: 

• Helping you meet your 'duty of care' obligations 

By assessing the driving standards of your drivers and so gauging the 

risk to your business 

• Reduce your fuel costs 

Through a series of improved driving techniques 

• Reduce accident rates and vehicle repairs 

Safer driving techniques are explained 

• Reduce fleet operating costs 

More efficient driving reduces wear and tear on vehicles so lowers 

maintenance costs 

• Identify drivers who need additional driver training 

and then work out individual driver development plans 

For further information please contact your Account Manager 




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Ten tips for safer, greener, stress-free driving 

1. Check your revs 

Change up between 2000 – 2500 rpm. 

2. Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly 

Avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel, tyre wear 

and reduces accident rates. 

3. Use air conditioning sparingly 

It significantly increases fuel consumption. 

4. Drive away immediately when starting from cold 

Idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear. 

5. Remove roof rack when not in use 

They increase drag significantly. 

6. Avoid short journeys 

A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can 

take five miles to become effective. 

7. Stick to speed limits and make your fuel go further 

Driving at 85 mph rather than 70 mph uses 25% more fuel. 

8. Plan your journeys 

To avoid congestion, road works and getting lost. 

9. Check your tyre pressure regularly 

Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by 

up to 3%. 

10. If you’re stuck in a jam, switch off 

Cutting the engine will save fuel and stop emissions.

Reducing your Fleet's C02 - Arval

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