Ann Arbor, MI-based LTL carrier Con-way Freight, a subsidiary of San Mateo, CA-based Con-way, is joining the SmartWay Transport Partnership. The program is a voluntary collaboration between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.
Margo T. Oge, director of EPA’s office of transportation and air quality, estimates that Con-way Freight already ranks in the top 2% of “green” fleets in the U.S. due to its existing energy-conserving operating procedures.
“Their commitment to reducing carbon dioxide and nitrogen emissions represents a substantial contribution to freight-based environmental performance and fuel efficiency,” she said.
“Our fleet drives over 500 million miles a year and consumes over 90 million gallons of diesel fuel,” said David McClimon, the LTL carrier’s president. “With numbers that significant we are in a great position to help the environment via operating improvements, such as by buying ‘greener’ engines that emit less carbon and nitrogen oxides. We are also currently testing more efficient tires and reduced air drag mirrors, plus maintaining a strict idling policy in place with an automatic shut off after five minutes.”
McClimon added that the company’s current use of synthetic lubricants, clutch-type fans and external aerodynamics also help boost energy efficiency while lowering emissions.
Under the Smartway program, Con-way is committing itself to help reduce carbon dioxide emission from the freight hauling industry by 33 million to 66 million metric tons and by up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012.
