Energy efficiency
Summary
Energy efficiency is the practice of delivering the same level of service while using less energy. In road transport, it means reducing fuel or electricity consumption per mile or per tonne-kilometre without compromising service quality, achieved through better vehicles, smarter operations, and cleaner energy sources. The outcome is lower costs, reduced emissions, and improved fleet performance.
What is Energy Efficiency?
Energy efficiency is the ability to deliver the same transport service—moving people or freight—while using less energy. In road transport, it means reducing fuel or electricity consumption per mile, per vehicle, or per tonne-kilometre without compromising service levels. Energy efficiency lowers operating costs, cuts emissions, and improves overall fleet performance, with effective fleet energy efficiency practices amplifying these gains.
How Energy Efficiency Works in Road Transport
At its core, energy efficiency in road transport is achieved by optimising three areas: the vehicle, the operation, and the energy source. Vehicle-level improvements reduce the energy needed to overcome aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance. Operational practices ensure trucks and vans travel fewer unnecessary miles and spend less time idling—for example, by optimising dock operations to reduce waiting time at loading bays. Finally, choosing cleaner, higher-efficiency energy sources further reduces overall energy intensity.
Common metrics include litres per 100 km (L/100 km), miles per gallon (mpg), kilowatt-hours per km (kWh/km) for electric vehicles, and gCO2e per tonne-km to measure freight intensity. Fleets track these KPIs by lane, vehicle class (e.g., vans, rigids, tractor units), and load type to identify where efficiency gains are most impactful.
Industry Context for Road Transport
In road logistics, margins are tight and fuel (or electricity) is a major cost driver. Energy efficiency directly influences total cost of ownership, service reliability, and compliance with CO2 regulations and low-emission zones. Long-haul carriers focus on aerodynamics, powertrain efficiency, and minimising empty running, while last-mile operators emphasise route density, stop-start efficiency, and right-sizing vehicles to duty cycles. Telematics and TMS data help planners manage energy-intensive factors such as congestion, idling, and suboptimal load factors. Clear processes that minimise corrective trips also cut wasteful miles and unnecessary empty runs.
Real-World Examples
A national carrier reduces empty backhauls by 12% using dynamic load matching, improving energy efficiency measured as litres per tonne-km across key corridors.
An urban delivery fleet switches 30% of routes to battery-electric vans and introduces eco-driving; combined changes cut energy use per stop by 25%.
A refrigerated fleet upgrades to low-rolling-resistance tyres, adds trailer skirts, and implements strict tyre-pressure management, yielding a 6–8% fuel improvement on motorway runs.
Key Benefits and Components
Lower operating costs: Reduced fuel or electricity consumption translates to immediate savings on every route.
Emissions reduction: Better energy efficiency lowers CO2, NOx, and particulate emissions, supporting ESG targets and regulatory compliance.
Increased asset productivity: Higher load factor and fewer empty miles improve utilisation without adding vehicles.
Improved reliability and safety: Smoother driving and preventive maintenance, along with secure and efficient loading, reduce breakdowns and incidents.
Competitive advantage: Efficient fleets can offer stable pricing and meet sustainability requirements from shippers.
Core Components
Vehicle technology
Aerodynamic aids (tractor roof fairings, trailer skirts, tail devices)
Low-rolling-resistance tyres and proper tyre inflation
Efficient powertrains (Euro VI, hybrid systems, BEV drivetrains)
Start-stop systems and regenerative braking in urban duty cycles
Operational excellence
Route optimisation and geofencing to limit congestion and detours
Load planning to increase cube/weight utilisation and reduce empty running
Idle-reduction policies and anti-idle equipment
Driver training (eco-driving, speed governance, smooth acceleration)
Energy and maintenance
Alternative fuels and electrification where duty cycles fit
Depot charging strategies and smart charging for off-peak rates
Proactive maintenance (alignment, filters, telematics-driven alerts)
Data monitoring of KPIs (L/100 km, kWh/km, gCO2e/tonne-km)
Conclusion
Energy efficiency in road transport is the disciplined pursuit of moving the same freight with less energy through better vehicles, smarter operations, and cleaner energy. By measuring the right KPIs and acting on data—from route design to loading, driver behaviour, and vehicle technology—fleets can cut costs, reduce emissions, and enhance service quality across both long-haul and last-mile operations.
FAQ on Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency means achieving the same output or service with less energy input. In transport, it’s moving people or freight the same distance (or delivering the same number of stops) while using less fuel or electricity.
Common metrics include:
L/100 km or mpg for fuel use
kWh/km for electric vehicles
gCO2e/ton-km to reflect freight intensity
Energy per stop or per delivery for last-mile
Normalize by distance, load, and duty cycle for fair comparisons.
It cuts operating costs, reduces CO2 and air pollutants, improves asset utilization and reliability, and supports compliance with emissions regulations and customer sustainability requirements.
Upgrade aerodynamics and tires
Optimize routing and reduce empty miles
Train drivers (eco-driving, speed governance)
Maintain vehicles proactively (alignment, tire pressure)
Use alternative fuels or electrify suitable routes
Apply smart charging and telematics-driven insights
Efficiency means using less energy to provide the same service (e.g., fewer liters per 100 km). Conservation means reducing the level of service or activity (e.g., driving fewer kilometers). Both can be combined for maximum impact.