Schneider National Thursday announced plans to operate the most energy-efficient fleet in the industry, including slowing its fleet to 60 mph.


"Operating an energy-efficient fleet, conserving fuel and minimizing our environmental impact have always been a part of how we conduct business," says Chris Lofgren, president and CEO of Schneider National. "Since 1978, we've been improving our equipment and training our drivers to be responsible stewards. Today, we're announcing our plans to take our efforts to an even higher level by committing to run the most energy-efficient fleet in the industry."

Schneider will expand its fuel conservation efforts starting immediately when it voluntarily slows down its fleet to 60 mph.

The environmental impact of just a 3-mile-per-hour reduction is significant: The effort will reduce the fleet's consumption of diesel fuel by more than 3.75 million gallons per year and reduce truck CO2 emissions by 83.25 million pounds per year - the equivalent of taking 7,259 cars off the nation's highways.

Schneider's announcement came in conjunction with the release of the American Trucking Associations' overall plan for addressing sustainability. The company served on the ATA's Sustainability Task Force, which was charged with developing the industry plan.

Lofgren pointed to several examples of how his company is already living out the ATA's sustainability strategies:
• Schneider National was the first truckload carrier to sign on to the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership. The fleet's EPA scores for fuel efficiency and emissions are among the best in the industry.
• The company's aggressive stance on idling dates back to 1978 when the carrier pioneered driver incentives for idle reduction and fuel management. Schneider trucks currently idle half the industry average.
• Schneider National's new 60-mph speed limit clearly meets what the ATA is calling on carriers to do.