E-SMART
| The vision: | Drive fuel efficiencies in transportation. |
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transport and distribution links of the fluid milk value chain come almost entirely from diesel fuel use in trucks, with a much smaller source of emissions coming from refrigeration.1 Retrofitting used trucks with existing technologies (trailer aerodynamics, idle reduction systems and tire upgrades), reduces fuel consumption by more than 8% while driving and up to 60% while idling.2 Training drivers in simple techniques referred to collectively as highmiling (coasting down hills, and taking the foot off the gas as soon as one sees a stoplight) and mapping more efficient routes can reduce fuel consumption by another 5-25%.3
E-SMART takes a two-stage approach to tackling this problem. The first stage links the dairy industry with the EPA SmartWay program including free resources and tools for improving fleet fuel efficiency. The second stage involves developing and disseminating dairy-specific tools and guidelines, including case studies on refrigeration technologies, driver best practices and aerodynamics.
| The bottom line: |
$57.7 million in industry cost reductions annually given 16.5 million gallons of diesel fuel saved at $3.50 per gallon. 20% reduction in GHG emissions by 2020 would cut carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 165,000 metric tons. |
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1. University of Arkansas. Processor Survey. 2008. (Preliminary results).
2. EPA SmartWay Package Savings Calculator Explanation of Assumptions, http://www.epa.gov/smartway/transport/calculators/calculatorexplanation.htm.
3. Experts Cite Driver Behavior as a Key Factor in Extending Service Life, Raising Efficiency. Zuckerman, Amy. Allbusiness.com. http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation/road-transportation-trucking-trucking/11664391-1.html.
