Sustainability Archives

It’s a fact that the trucking industry keeps the economy moving. Every day, drivers haul essential goods across the country, connecting farms, factories, stores, and homes.

However, it’s also a fact that the same industry that keeps shelves stocked also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, both fleets and individual drivers have been looking for ways to make trucking more sustainable.

Reducing your carbon footprint as a driver doesn’t always require major changes or expensive upgrades. Many small choices made daily can add up to meaningful results. From adjusting your driving habits to taking better care of your truck, here are 9 practical steps every truck driver can take to help the environment while staying efficient and safe on the road.

Prioritize Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is one of the most important factors in reducing emissions. Since most emissions come from fuel combustion, improving miles per gallon directly lowers your carbon footprint.

You can start by maintaining steady speeds and minimizing unnecessary idling. Cruise control can help you keep a consistent pace on highways, while gentle acceleration and braking reduce wasted fuel. Even small adjustments, such as easing up on the throttle when approaching traffic or hills, can improve efficiency over time.

You can also use route-planning tools and apps that avoid heavy traffic or steep grades. These can help save fuel while also reducing wear and tear on your vehicle.

Keep Up with Preventive Maintenance

A well-maintained truck runs cleaner and more efficiently. Simple tasks like checking tire pressure, replacing air filters, and scheduling regular engine tune-ups make a real difference in performance.

Low tire pressure, for example, can reduce fuel economy by up to 3%. Dirty air filters restrict airflow, causing the engine to burn more fuel. Even ensuring that your truck’s alignment and oil levels are correct can prevent wasted energy.

When possible, it also helps to choose low-viscosity synthetic oils and high-efficiency filters. These improve lubrication and engine performance, which reduces friction and energy loss.

Minimize Idling Time

Idling is one of the biggest sources of unnecessary fuel use. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, long-haul trucks can waste more than 1,500 gallons of fuel per year through idling alone.

Whenever possible, turn off your engine during extended stops. Many truck stops and rest areas now offer electrified parking spaces or idle-reduction technologies that allow drivers to power cab systems without running the engine. Auxiliary power units (APUs) are another option, providing heating, cooling, and electrical power using far less fuel.

Even small reductions in idling time each day can lead to large annual fuel savings and lower emissions.

Adopt Smart Driving Habits

Efficient driving goes beyond just watching the fuel gauge. Smooth driving reduces mechanical stress on your truck and improves overall sustainability.

Try to avoid rapid acceleration and harsh braking, as these increase fuel consumption and wear out tires and brake components faster. Plan your moves ahead of time by trying to anticipate traffic flow, lights, and turns to keep momentum steady and reduce the need for sudden stops.

If your truck is equipped with telematics, be sure to review the data to see where you can improve. Many fleets use these systems to track idling time, RPMs, and fuel use, helping drivers identify areas for better performance.

Reduce Weight and Drag

The heavier your load and the greater your truck’s drag, the more fuel your engine needs to keep moving. While you can’t always control cargo weight, there are steps you can take to make your vehicle more aerodynamic.

Remove unnecessary items from your cab and ensure that external attachments like toolboxes or spare parts are properly stored. Close trailer gaps with fairings or side skirts if available, as they can improve airflow and boost MPG.

Even keeping windows closed at highway speeds helps reduce drag. Small adjustments like these can make a noticeable difference in fuel use over long distances.

Choose Eco-Friendly Products and Fuels

If you have the option, consider using biodiesel blends or renewable diesel. These fuels are made from plant oils or waste fats and can significantly reduce lifecycle emissions.

You can also choose eco-friendly products in your day-to-day routine. Refillable water bottles, reusable utensils, and biodegradable cleaning supplies reduce waste. Even properly disposing of used oil, filters, and tires helps prevent environmental harm.

More carriers are also adopting electric or hybrid vehicles, especially for regional and short-haul routes. If your company uses these, consider taking time to learn the systems and how to operate them efficiently.

Support Sustainable Carriers and Practices

Many trucking companies are setting sustainability goals, from lowering emissions to improving recycling and energy efficiency in their facilities. Drivers can play a key role in supporting these efforts.

Be sure to follow company sustainability policies, such as fuel-saving targets or recycling initiatives. You should also offer feedback or ideas to improve efficiency on the road, since drivers often notice opportunities that managers may overlook. By staying informed and proactive, you contribute to broader industry change.

Plan Ahead and Combine Trips

Trip planning doesn’t just save time and stress. It also reduces the number of miles driven unnecessarily. Before starting your day, map out the most efficient route that accounts for delivery times, rest breaks, and fuel stops.

If you’re an owner-operator, look for opportunities to combine loads or backhauls to prevent empty miles. Technology tools can help match available freight with your route to maximize each trip’s productivity and sustainability.

Educate and Inspire Others

Finally, one of the best things drivers can do for sustainability is to spread awareness. You can do this by sharing fuel-saving tips with new drivers, discussing idle-reduction benefits, or by posting about eco-friendly trucking habits online. The more the message circulates, the more likely it is that others will adopt greener habits.

Small changes made by thousands of drivers can have a major collective impact. As the industry continues to move toward lower emissions and cleaner technology, drivers will remain central to that progress.

Wondering about other ways to stay ahead of the curve in the transportation industry in 2025? Be sure to check out more posts on our blog and connect with us on social media!

The pressure to become more eco-friendly and “go green” has been stressed in almost every industry over the past 20 years. Trucking has especially taken the brunt of the pressure, as the industry accounts for over 50% of NOx emissions in the U.S. The EPA estimates that as freight activity increases across the world, the impact that semi-trucks have on the environment will grow as well.

That’s not to say that all is lost. Many larger trucking companies are moving towards sustainability in a number of different ways. These include the widespread use of electric vehicles and alternative fuel sources aside from gasoline. But as a trucker, are there any ways you can help lessen your carbon footprint? Whether you’re a company driver or an owner operator, here are 5 ways you can practice eco-friendly trucking.

1. Less Idling

When it comes to eco-friendly trucking, less is always more. The biggest way to cut down on your emissions while driving is to stop idling. Aside from wasting fuel and money, you’re also not doing the environment any favors by keeping your truck running while parked. Some states even have laws against idling that can lead to hefty fines. But, it’s understandable why some drivers idle. They may need to run the A/C or heat while parked at a stop. The good news is that having an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) installed gives drivers the best of both worlds by letting them run their HVAC while not burning any unnecessary fuel.

2. Rolling Resistance Tires

The right tires go a long way in making your truck more fuel efficient and eco-friendly. Rolling resistance is what makes the big difference when it comes to tires. Investing in low-rolling resistance tires can save you up to 2% in fuel consumption per year. While that might not sound like a lot, when you add up how much fuel a truck uses in a year, it’s easy to see that it’s an investment worth making.

3. Side Skirts

Aside from tires, aerodynamic devices like trailer side skirts can reduce fuel consumption as well. Side skirts are long pieces of material (usually rubber or aluminum) that are installed between the front and back tires of a trailer. Their purpose of a side skirt is to reduce wind resistance and drag that wastes fuel, making trucks more eco-friendly and fuel efficient. A 2012 study by the SAE found that trucks that have side skirts saved up to 5% on fuel economy per year.

4. Maintenance

The value of regular truck maintenance can’t be overstated, especially if you’re trying to become more eco friendly on the road. Just like with rolling resistance tires and side skirts, the main goal here is to limit your fuel consumption. It’s been shown that regular maintenance on engines, air compressors, fuel filters, electrical systems, and A/C can increase a truck’s fuel economy up to 10%.

5. Recycle

While this tip doesn’t just pertain to truck drivers, it’s still an important way to become more eco-friendly. While on the road, practice organizing your trash into what’s recyclable and what’s not, then hold on to it until you get to somewhere that recycles, like a truck stop or gas station.

You can also meal prep with reusable containers at home before you hit the road. Aside from cutting down on the amount of plastic you’re using, you’ll be saving money as well. It’s a simple tip, but every little bit makes a big difference when it comes to being eco-friendly.

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Trucking and Sustainability: What Drivers Can Do to Reduce Their Carbon Footprint