Con-way Freight announced that it has turned back the speed governors on its 8,400-tractor fleet from 65 to 62 mph in a move to improve fuel conservation and reduce carbon emissions.

The move is expected to reduce consumption of diesel fuel from its over-the-road tractor fleet by nearly 3.2 million gallons annually while eliminating approximately 72 million pounds of carbon emissions from the environment. The carbon gas reduction is equivalent to removing nearly 7,300 automobiles from America's highways.
"Freight transportation, by its nature, is a significant consumer of carbon-based energy resources. Yet it also is one where if we look creatively at how we operate the business, we can find and adopt practices that reduce our carbon footprint and help the bottom line," said John G. Labrie, Con-way Freight president. "Fuel conservation and cost savings aside, this speed reduction initiative will have the single largest impact on carbon footprint reduction of any operational or business practice change available to us."
Con-way Freight has been a member of the EPA's SmartWay Transport Program since 2006. SmartWay is a voluntary partnership between the EPA and freight industry businesses aimed at reducing emissions of carbon dioxide by 33 to 66 million metric tons and nitrogen oxide by up to 200,000 tons, as well as saving up to 150 million barrels of oil per year. The program officially opened to all companies in February 2004.
Labrie emphasized that the move does not reduce Con-way's service standards.
Con-way Freight annually consumes some 100 million gallons of diesel fuel in its trucking operations. Other things the company has done to reduce fuel use and decrease its impact on the environment include:
• Equipping trucks with special aerodynamic fairings to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency
• Specifying engine and drive-train combinations that maximize fuel mileage and peak power requirements
• Using special engine and transmission lubricants to improve operating efficiency and fuel mileage
• Setting engines with auto shut-off controls to minimize idle time while parked
• Recycling used trailers and refurbishing them for return to the fleet through its sister company, Road Systems Inc., vs. buying new trailers, minimizing consumption of new resource materials.