Shane has been with TR Group since 2014 as our National Sales Manager. He is responsible for leading the lease sales team, focusing on growing our asset base and long term revenue. Moreover, he leads a team passionate for trucks and people, making sure to match great customers with the right vehicles, each and every time.
Three to Fifty in Three Years: How TR Group’s growing zero emission fleet is helping reach sustainability goals
Just three years ago we added three electric rental trucks to our fleet as part of our commitment to sustainability, and in particular our role in redefining the future of the transport industry and its impact on the environment. With a goal to lead the way in offering our clients cost-effective, sustainable, zero and reduced emission solutions through emerging technologies, we have since grown our zero-emission fleet to over 50 vehicles! And we’re not stopping there.
TR Group’s zero-emission fleet is currently comprised of a range of different vehicles:
- 10 battery electric and hybrid cars and SUVs
- 42 battery electric, hybrid, and Euro 6 emission trucks
- 1 FCEV – Hydrogen Fuel Cell, which converts the chemical energy of hydrogen gas stored in the onboard tanks and oxygen from the air into electricity by passing through a fuel cell that powers the truck’s electric motor.
So far, our zero-emission fleet has travelled 1,398,063 kilometres, which is the equivalent of driving around the world 35 times! But what’s really cool, and what we’re most proud of is the impact this fleet has had on the environment, or indeed, the impact it hasn’t had:
- 215,703 litres of diesel saved,
- 582,401 of CO2 not released into the atmosphere.
Key learnings from the last three years
Through our sustainability programme and operating our zero-emission fleet, we’ve gained many valuable insights and learnings.
Here’s our top three:
Getting the right charger is critical to the success of the EV
There are many variables to be aware of when charging an electric vehicle. It’s important to understand the power supply capabilities, as well as selecting the right location when installing a charger. Interestingly, installing a charger that is rated higher than what is required can result in longer charging times.
Driver training is vital
Drivers have a significant role to play in getting the most out of zero emission vehicles. Drivers who understand how to drive smoothly, use regenerative breaking, keep a steady speed, and manage energy consumption will make all the difference to the distance the vehicle can travel on a single charge, as well as the overall lifespan of the battery. TR Driver Training has in person and online courses to support these skills.
Small tweaks can make a big difference to battery range
Low tyre pressure and carrying unnecessary weight can diminish range the EV’s range.
Heaters and AC drain the battery, so using them on high settings will reduce range faster.
Sticking to the speed limit reduces drag and helps optimise battery charge.
And, charge whenever you can – even plugging in for 15 minutes can help keep the battery topped up and extends the range.
As we head into 2025 and beyond we’ll continue to explore different initiatives and products that help improve the performance, safety, and efficiency of our fleet, as well as reduce emissions, fuel consumption, and improve running costs for our clients. Keep an eye on our Sustainability Page for our latest updates.