Slowing down saves fuel. It looks like some trucking companies are catching on.
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Schneider National cuts top speed to 60 mph
By DINESH RAMDE
AP Business Writer
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MILWAUKEE (AP) -- One of the nation's largest trucking companies is capping its drivers' speeds at 60 mph, a move designed to save fuel and protect the environment.
Schneider National Inc. expects the change to save the company nearly 3.8 million gallons of diesel fuel a year. It also will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 40,000 tons, according to the Green Bay-based company.
"Sixty miles per hour is our sweet spot," company spokeswoman Janet Bonkowski said. "In order to meet our responsibilities to our customers, our drivers and the environment, 60 is where it all came together."
The company already uses computer equipment on its 10,600 trucks that prevents drivers from going faster than 63 mph while on cruise control. By July 1, the equipment will be reset to limit the maximum speed to 60 mph, she said.
The 3 mph decrease would save 3.75 million gallons of diesel fuel per year, the company said. With the price of one gallon of diesel averaging $4.15, savings could exceed $15.5 million.
"It's not just about the money," Bonkowski said. "We're trying to do the right thing."
Schneider's announcement followed an industrywide call by the American Trucking Associations, an Arlington, Va.-based group that represents 37,000 companies. The group on Thursday called on Congress to enact a nationwide speed limit of 65 mph for all vehicles, including passenger cars, to save fuel and cut emissions of greenhouse gases.
One association member, Con-way Truckload, realized back in November it would have to combat mounting fuel costs by reining in its drivers. Last week the Joplin, Mo.-based company wrapped up an upgrade to its 2,700 trucks, reducing their maximum speed from 70 mph to 65 mph.
"It was really driven by the cost of fuel," vice president Bruce Stockton said. "We expect this will save us about 2.8 million gallons per year."
Dennis Damman, Schneider National's director of engineering, said the computerized controller limits the amount of fuel that gets to the engine. The controller can be set to prevent drivers from exceeding 60 mph on cruise control but they can override cruise control and go up to 63 mph manually to pass a slower vehicle.
The company offers drivers financial incentives to stay at 60 mph, Damman said.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman welcomed the news that trucking executives were looking for ways to drive more efficiently.
"We're always pleased when people are looking for ways to conserve fuel," EPA spokeswoman Cathy Milbourn said.
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