Accelerate to Zero: Three ways to approach your fleet decarbonisation strategy differently.
Giorgio Delpiano, Senior Vice President, Business Mobility at Shell
Road vehicles are essential to almost all of us. From the deliveries they bring to getting us where we need to go, they are central to our way of life. However, they are also central to our efforts to create a more sustainable future.
The case for change – for fleet decarbonisation – is clear. Achieving net-zero emissions is vital, but acting to deliver that change is not always easy. Fleets must balance sustainability with productivity – while adapting to new technologies and commercial challenges.
Finding that balance is possible. With the right solutions, expertise and data, fleets can establish a roadmap to a more environmentally and economically sustainable future. A roadmap that consists of incremental steps and clear, attainable milestones. But this means approaching decarbonisation differently.
This need to do things differently is why, at Shell Fleet Solutions, we created our Accelerate to Zero (A2Z) programme. Combining our portfolio of energy solutions and services with our team’s expertise, the programme can help fleets navigate key challenges – from the data they use to the customised solutions and support they need long term. Since launching last year, our A2Z programme has developed into a community of 500 businesses of different sizes across a variety of sectors.
Here are three ways we work with them that can help you to approach fleet
decarbonisation differently:
1. Use data to help drive effective decision making
Whatever stage fleets are at in their decarbonisation journey, data will play a crucial role. Offering insights into every aspect of vehicle operations, it allows fleets to develop a decarbonisation plan, measure their progress and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
The key to getting the most from data is integration. Integrating historic and real-time vehicle data through a telematics solution, for example, can provide fleets with insights that are not just valuable, but actionable too. After all, anyone can collect data on their fleet, but it is how they use this data that allows fleets to stay ahead of the competition by creating a robust and informed strategy.
2. Implement the right solutions to simplify operation
To successfully meet their sustainability goals, fleets need access to a suite of robust and scalable solutions they can rely on to deliver results. Alongside this, they also need to work with mobility and energy providers who have the technological expertise and industry experience to support them in meeting their specific business needs.
To successfully meet their sustainability goals, fleets need access to a suite of robust and scalable solutions they can rely on to deliver results. Alongside this, they also need to work with mobility and energy providers who have the technological expertise and industry experience to support them in meeting their specific business needs.
3. Collaborate to create clarity and internal buy-in
Our research with Deloitte last year found that almost half (46%) of fleet operators surveyed cited restrictive operations – such as staffing, systems and current duty cycles – as a major barrier to deploying their decarbonisation strategy.
Clarity and alignment are therefore critical within a fleet decarbonisation strategy. Especially when you consider the wide-ranging implications that decarbonisation decisions can have across all areas of a business – from technology and operations to finance, people and risk management. Equally, when operating a fleet across multiple markets, understanding local infrastructure requirements and regulations means fleets can make informed decisions in each region or country they operate in.
To mitigate issues – and support informed decision-making – our A2Z programme leans on the fleet management expertise of our team. Armed with first-hand customer and industry experience, we collaborate with our customers to create an impactful business case that drives alignment among decision makers in their organisation to achieve shared decarbonisation goals.
Turning ambition into action
Demonstrating the difference effective collaboration can make, we are working with companies such as DHL Express and G4S as part of our A2Z programme to advance their fleet’s decarbonisation strategies.
To help G4S and its fleet of 15,000 vehicles work towards its target of becoming a net zero business by 2050, we are working with them to install charging solutions across their sites and provide their fleet with hybrid Shell Cards. This allows them to manage their traditional fuels and electric vehicle (EV) charging payments with a single payment solution. Around 600,000 hybrid Shell Cards have been issued across multiple countries, giving drivers access to more than 500,000 charge points in our roaming network for EV charging across Europe.
Similarly, we are supporting DHL Express in its efforts to reduce fleet-related emissions. As well as using the hybrid Shell Card for on-the-go charging, through the A2Z programme, we have helped DHL to develop its on-site fleet EV charging infrastructure at its depots and warehouses using tailored hardware and software management. This includes the Shell SKY platform, which gives DHL the ability to efficiently deploy and manage its own network of smart EV charging stations at scale.
Through our integrated offers, we are supporting commercial and fleet partners to decarbonise and electrify their fleets by providing integrated charging infrastructure and services. This includes charging solutions, combined with power provision at their depots, and on-the-go payment services through the
Shell Card. Currently, we have agreed to install 5,000 eDepot chargers across different customers’ facilities.
Establishing an alternative route ahead
At the end of the day, a successful decarbonisation strategy is one that delivers reduced emissions and improved cost-effectiveness. A simple equation in theory, though not always in practice. Backed by data, driven by innovative solutions and supported by collaboration and expertise, our A2Z programme can help fleets to simplify the process – empowering them to act today and take the next steps on their unique decarbonisation journey.
Learn more about how Shell Fleet Solutions can work with you to help accelerate your fleet’s decarbonisation journey: http://www.shell.com/a2z
