Natural Resources Canada
97/19
March 24, 1997
FLEETSMART PROGRAM WILL IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE THE
COST OF CANADIAN FLEETS, McLELLAN SAYS
OTTAWA — Anne McLellan, federal Minister of Natural Resources
(NRCan), today announced FleetSmart, a new initiative that will encourage
Canadian vehicle fleet owners to operate their fleets in a more energy efficient
manner.
The FleetSmart Program will provide some of the tools that fleet managers
need to improve the competitiveness of their operations," Minister McLellan
explained. With increased fleet efficiency, Canadian organizations can
significantly reduce costs and contribute to environmental protection by cutting
vehicle emissions."
Through a federal fleet initiative launched in 1995, NRCan has played a key
role in assisting federal government fleet managers to increase energy
efficiency, with changes in vehicle procurement, maintenance and operating
practices. The announcement of the new FleetSmart program extends those efforts
to all Canadian fleets, and to operators of more than two million commercial
vehicles in Canada.
Emissions from the transportation sector have a major impact on urban
pollution. The use of cars and trucks in Canada also produces more than 20 per
cent of carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to global warming and climate
change. FleetSmart responds to the commitment made by the Government of Canada
at the Joint Federal, Provincial, Territory Energy and Environment Ministers
Meeting in December to launch a program to help private sector fleet operators
reduce fuel consumption, operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Through FleetSmart, NRCan will promote energy efficiency as a cost-effective
and responsible way to reduce the environmental impact of fleet operations. By
working with fleet operators and industry operations, the program will compile
comprehensive information on energy use in Canadian fleets, and document "best
practices."
Participating fleet managers will receive a "Tool Kit" that
includes guides on energy management planning, fleet maintenance, fuel options,
computer systems and skills upgrading. A series of FleetSmart profiles are key
components of the information kit. They describe successful fleet initiatives to
boost energy efficiency. Regional workshops on energy efficiency opportunities
will be offered through the program.
FleetSmart also builds on NRCan's experience and success with the
Pro-Trucker program, which during the past decade has provided seminars on fuel
efficiency for more than 30,000 drivers in the trucking industry. Skills
upgrading in fuel-efficient driving will continue to be offered to drivers
through the FleetSmart program.
For further information, please contact:
Pierre Gratton
Office of
Minister McLellan
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 996-2007
or
Colleen E. Paton
Energy Efficiency Branch
Natural Resources Canada
(613)
996-0765
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