Con-way Truckload has reduced the maximum governed speed of its 2,700-tractor fleet from 70 to 65 mph in support of an enterprise-wide sustainability initiative at parent company Con-way Inc.


By adjusting its fleet to run at the lower maximum highway speed, the company expects to save 2.8 million gallons of diesel fuel per year, while reducing annual carbon emissions by approximately 62 million pounds. The savings represent the equivalent of removing 6,300 passenger cars from America's highways.

"Lowering our speed governors is a major step for us, and one of many that we're taking toward conserving fuel and supporting Con-way's enterprise-wide sustainability initiative," said Herb Schmidt, president, Con-way Truckload. "We're always looking for new ways to reduce carbon emissions and our impact on the environment, while maintaining profitability for our stakeholders and the same top-notch service our customers expect."

Since 2005, Con-way Truckload has been a member of the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership. SmartWay Transport is a voluntary partnership between EPA and freight industry businesses aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption. Through it, the agency expects to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 33 to 66 million metric tons and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 200,000 tons by the year 2012, while saving 150 million barrels of oil annually.

In addition to reducing the maximum speed of its fleet, Con-way Truckload has invested in new technologies and practices in an ongoing effort to reduce its impact on the environment, including:
• Switching to fuel-efficient single wide-base tires on all tractors for a savings of .2 miles per gallon, with all trailers to follow by the end of 2012
• Using special engine and drive train lubricants to increase operating efficiency
• Lowering each truck's weight by more than 670 pounds through specification changes, resulting in savings of 11,400 gallons of diesel fuel per year
• Equipping the fleet with highly engineered aerodynamic panels to reduce drag
• Reducing idling time through measures such as diesel-fired bunk heaters, commercial transponders for bypassing weigh stations, increasing the use of team drivers and designating convenient "no idling" parking areas at selected terminals

The move to lower the company's speed governors comes as part of an enterprise-wide Con-way Inc. sustainability initiative designed to promote awareness of and efforts toward sustainability throughout the organization. Con-way has established sustainability as a fundamental corporate process focused on continuous improvement and adoption of sustainable business practices that remove costs and waste while reducing impact on the environment.