21 Vehicle Fleets Join Gov't Energy-saving Program

Some 21 domestic vehicle fleets in Taiwan jointly signed a letter of intent (LOI) and announced their participation in an energy-saving program sponsored by the Bureau of Energy (BOE) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). The signing ceremony was witnessed by Francis Liang, Deputy Minister of MOEA, and Jerry Ou, Director General of BOE.

Over next three years, the 21 vehicle fleets are expected to save 27,000 kiloliters of fuel or about NT$900 million (US$30 million), with related technical assistance and driving-habit training provided by the program.

Government statistics show that heavy-duty transportation vehicles account for about 30% of the total road transportation fuel consumption in Taiwan, and the BOE energy-saving program tries to cut such fuel consumption by 9,000 kiloliters per year and CO2 emission by 24,500 tons, as well as help the fleets lower operation costs.

Participation in the energy-saving program is not compulsory, BOE says, but is a way to upgrade a vehicle fleet's cost competitiveness and fulfill a company's social responsibility. By adopting energy-saving auto parts (like fuel-efficient tires, aero-dynamic body parts like spoilers etc.) and auxiliary powertrain systems (such as hybrid propulsion systems), fuel-efficient driver training (not to  accelerate too quickly, always  warm up engine etc.), better fleet management systems (such as incentives provided to fuel-efficient drivers, on-time vehicle maintenance, smart route control etc.), BOE says, can help to save every drop of fuel, and the achievements are expected to attract more participants in the energy-saving program for commercial vehicle fleets.

From 2011, BOE began commissioning the ARTC to form a team for helping local commercial vehicle fleets cut their fuel cost in three ways: vehicular techniques, driver behaviors, and fleet management. Over the past three years, 46 vehicle fleets in Taiwan have received the center's help in information consulting and vehicle inspection etc. services.

The Department of Environment Protection (DEP) under the Taipei City Government, for example, has successfully cut its fleet fuel consumption by 3.45%, or about 118,000 liters of gasoline and diesel fuel, in 2012, by adjusting its fleet management system and renewing drivers' fuel-saving concepts. Another successful case is NMC Logistics International Co., Ltd., which sent its fleet vehicles to ARTC for certifications for electrified refrigerator trucks, and truck drivers to fuel-saving driving courses at the center.

BOE stresses that it will continue to promote the energy-saving programs in Taiwan, to build the island into a low-carbon society.