What Every Business Needs To Know About Fleet Tracking
If there is one thing that is constant about fleet tracking technology – it’s change. As new trends emerge, it is important for fleet professionals to stay current with new advancements and how they will affect their business. The 2014 Fleet Guide provides updates on current trends for the fleet industry and how using a tracking solution, like GPS Insight, can help solve challenges that real businesses face.
Car Fuel Efficiency Hits Historic High with Mazda, Nissan Leading Way
Automakers raised the fuel efficiency of their new models last year to record levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Obama Administration has made it a priority to improve the efficiency of cars and light trucks as part of its plans to combat climate change and reduce the country’s dependence on oil.
Vehicles averaged 24.1 mpg or a 0.5 mpg increase over the previous year, marking an improvement of nearly 5 mpg since 2004, according to data released Wednesday. Fuel economy for all vehicles has risen for eight of the past nine years while carbon dioxide emissions are at a record low.
“Today’s announcement points to the greatness of American ingenuity and the strength of our auto industry,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a statement. “Our report shows that today’s vehicles are saving Americans money at the pump while emitting fewer greenhouse gasses.
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More Cars Getting Stop-Start Despite Driver Resistance
Gas-saving stop-start systems, which turn off the engine when the vehicle isn't moving and restart it when the brake pedal is released, will be standard on more cars and trucks than ever before — whether drivers like it or not.
Automotive industry analysts say the technology improves fuel economy an average of 3.5 percent — and as much as 10-15 percent in cities and heavy stop-and-go traffic.
Detractors say the feature is annoying and makes them think their cars have stalled when the engine shuts off at a light or stop sign. Southfield-based forecasting firm IHS Automotive says 7 percent of vehicles sold today in the U.S. have stop-start, compared to 60-70 percent in Europe.
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Small and Medium Business Uses for GPS Fleet Management
Large organizations have used GPS-based fleet management to reduce costs for at least a decade. On the other hand, smaller companies have traditionally stayed outside the market, either because of cost concerns or low awareness of the products and services. These days, that's all changed thanks to technological advances that have made GPS fleet management more cost-effective.
Tusker Wins Green Apple Award for Environmental Initiatives
Contract hire and salary sacrifice provider, Tusker, has won a Green Apple Environmental Award for its innovative Green Project, which includes carbon offsetting on all new cars and free advice on ultra-low emission vehicles.
The Green Apple Environment Awards were launched in 1994 by The Green Organization and have become established as one of the major environmental recognition schemes, both in the UK and internationally.
