Greener Fleets: Fuel Economy Progress and Prospects

Fleets can play an important role in introducing more fuel-efficient vehicles into the U.S. passenger vehicle stock but need some encouragement to do so, according to this study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The report finds that local governments have taken the lead thus far in setting fuel-economy policies, and that business fleets represent a large untapped potential for efficiency.

Changes in basic fleet practices and interactions will be needed to move forward, however. “Fleets need to coordinate vehicle purchase and fuel management functions,” notes Daniel Williams, co-author and ACEEE’s transportation program assistant. “But to really make a difference, fleets will have to work together and tell manufacturers that the perennial fleet favorites, from the Stratus to the Explorer, must get more miles per gallon.”