Training drivers to help reinforce DACHSER’s climate efforts
A climate-friendly driving style can reduce CO2 emissions by around 14 percent
As part of a holistic climate protection campaign, the logistics provider is implementing a training concept for professional truck drivers by the end of 2023. This will significantly reduce harmful CO2 emissions through climate-friendly driving.
As transport logistics moves toward net-zero emissions, emissions-free vehicles such as battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks will play a crucial role. But reductions in CO2 emissions can also be achieved for diesel trucks in use today—for example, by adopting an appropriate driving style. To this end, DACHSER piloted a training program at three of its branches in the summer and fall of 2022 with 54 professional and trainee truck drivers who are directly employed at the company.
DACHSER first evaluated the telematics data from day-to-day operations to provide a baseline for comparisons and changes. Over a period of four weeks, the fleet manager, who had been specially trained beforehand, and another driver instructor from the branch accompanied the drivers on their regular tours and trained them in climate-friendly driving. The tours were analyzed to reveal potential for improvement, such as better use of technology. Overall, the professional drivers in the pilot branches reduced their CO2 emissions by an average of 14 percent. Calculated for each individual truck, it’s possible to save 9.5 metric tons of CO2 per year over a driving distance of 120,000 kilometers.
As we strive to achieve our climate targets, you cannot underestimate the role played by the professional truck drivers who work for DACHSER—either directly or on behalf of our service partners.
Hendrik Jansen, Managing Director of DACHSER Service und Ausbildungs GmbH“As we strive to achieve our climate targets, you cannot underestimate the role played by the professional truck drivers who work for DACHSER—either directly or on behalf of our service partners,” says Hendrik Jansen, Managing Director of DACHSER Service und Ausbildungs GmbH. “Nothing works without them. And by driving in a climate-conscious manner, they can make a significant contribution to reducing emissions on the road.”
DACHSER intends to first train all 250 professional drivers as well as the trainee drivers it directly employs. The logistics provider has only a small number of its own driving personnel at a few locations; the remaining positions are filled by independent transport companies. DACHSER plans to offer the training concept to these subcontractors in a further step.
Positive feedback from the drivers
“The drivers, some of whom have been driving professionally for many years, take what they’ve learned and incorporate it into their driving style,” says Roland Zitzmann of DACHSER Service und Ausbildungs GmbH, who accompanied all the tours at the three pilot branches himself. “Feedback on the training has been positive across the board.”
We’re doing everything we can to bring out the best in improvement potential for everyone.
Managing Director of DACHSER Service und Ausbildungs GmbHAs part of its climate strategy, DACHSER is leveraging energy and process efficiency as well as research and innovation to make supply chains sustainable. Added to this is the social commitment that extends beyond the company’s boundaries and its core business. DACHSER is taking several specific actions, including building up a modern fleet of vehicles with the latest generation of diesel engines and testing alternative powertrains and fuels, as well as adopting a driving style that achieves climate-friendliness through energy efficiency. The training will also help save fuel, which takes on even greater importance in light of the current situation and how fuel prices are developing. “We’re doing everything we can to bring out the best in improvement potential for everyone,” Jansen says.
