Exel's green challenge
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• Exel Logistics is to spend more than £3m on an environmental policy — and it is challenging the rest of the road transport industry to follow suit.
The money will be spent on aerodynamic equipment designed to reduce its fuel bill by 10%, equating to a yearly saving of £1.4m at current prices. So far 20% of Exel's 3,300 vehicles have been equipped.
By 1992, the NFC subsidiary also plans to have fitted its entire fleet with speed limiters; so far 25% of its trucks have limiters. This, backed by driver training, is expected to save a further 5% on fuel bills, taking the potential saving to £2m a year.
Launching the green policy Exel slammed the road transport sector as a major polluter. It says that if the industry adopted its initiative it could make fuel savings of £400m a year.
Exel is not restricting the policy to its fleet. Most of its 140 UK depots will be fitted with plug-in power points for reefers to reduce noise and fuel consumption, and all new vehicle washers will use recycled water and biodegradable cleaners.
About 65% of Exel's cold storage is already CFC free; extra precautions are being taken at its five major CFC stores to prevent leakage. The company plans to phase out the use of CFCs as alternative refrigerants become available for its cold stores and 1,000 reefers.
To oversee the programme Exel's managing director of the grocery and leisure division, George Hazle, has been appointed environmental director.
He believes that the policy could mean the difference "between a well-regarded, buoyant company and one struggling under the weight of customer and consumer contempt".
Urging other operators to face up to the problem, Hazle adds: "The initiative would help to tackle the tarnished environmental image of the industry and ensure that future generations continue to view it as an attractive employment option."
He believes one of Exel's biggest contributions to the environment will be by educating its 13,000 employees to "think green".
TNT has also launched an environmental programme, which includes new operational methods and equipment, and research into fuel-efficient vehicle designs.
Next month TNT and the Department of Energy will publish results of fuel trials on an aerodynamic MAN tractive unit and Cartwright trailer.
The trial is being monitored by the Transport Road Research Laboratory.