DfT: Eco-driver training could save businesses £300m

Businesses could save millions of pounds in fuel costs and help the environment by sending lorry drivers on eco-motoring courses.

According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the proposal may slash harmful carbon emissions by as much as three million tonnes over five years.

It would also generate a sizeable saving for fleets at the pumps, reducing petrol and diesel bills by up to £300 million over the same length of time.

The plans would make undergoing an eco-friendly driving course a mandatory component of the EU Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Anyone who drives a bus, coach or lorry professionally must hold a Driver CPC, which is separate from motorist's vocational driving license.

It comes as part of the department's pledge to save an additional 85 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from domestic transport between 2018 and 2022.

With large goods vehicles responsible for 20 per cent of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions from transport, the freight industry is a key target for policymakers.

Transport minister Paul Clark said the government is committed to reducing the environmental impact that motorists have on the country's carbon footprint and maintained that lorry drivers "must be a priority".

Mr Clark expressed confidence that the proposals will help business fleets to become more eco-friendly.

"With initiatives like this I am confident we will succeed in creating a greener and cleaner industry fit to meet the environmental challenges we face," he said.

A consultation on the DfT plans has set out the options which will allow 90 per cent of lorry drivers to receive eco-driver training.

Responding to the news, motor operations and trading manager at Aviva Risk Management Solutions Steven Palmer says: "The vast majority of fleets will see this as an essential part of running their fleets more efficiently. It's common sense to adopt eco-driver training purely from a financial stance but if you add in the other benefits such as less wear and tear on mechanical components such as brakes, tyres and transmissions improving whole life operating costs and reducing 'down time' for such repairs, as well as improved road safety culminating in less accidents on the roads and a more proactive safety culture, this initiative makes complete sense.

"However, fleet operators will need to be encouraged to adopt eco-driving and specifically CPC driver training now as many commercial vehicle operators are putting off training their drivers at the moment due to the financial constraints on their businesses, favouring to wait till nearer the CPC deadlines of September 2013 for PSV and September 2014 for LGV drivers for existing drivers."