Wal-Mart Drives The Drive: A 15% Gain Realized Already, 25% Mileage Improvement Feasible, More To Come.
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 07.19.07
Hey, it's been awhile since we talked Wal-Mart right? They report having achieved a 15% improvement in transportation efficiency and are headed to 25% and beyond. Moreover, their progress is going to drive the competition and independent shippers to take similar steps. For background, check out an earlier post we did on one of the long-term truck design changes that will help Wal-Mart meet a stretch goal beyond 25%.
Back to the present: Wal-Mart says it is already well under way to meet its transportation efficiency goals. Its "fleet of about 7,200 semi-tractor trailer trucks is already about 15% more fuel efficient and the company knows what changes it needs to make to meet a target of 25% by late next year. The annual savings in carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, would be equal to taking 67,744 cars off the road."
"The 15% gain has come mainly from three changes: A fuel additive mix, more fuel-efficient tires and small diesel generators called Alternate Power Units added to tractors to provide power for things like heating and air conditioning in the cab, allowing the big truck engine to be turned off rather than idling when the truck is parked."
A spokesman said ""the biggest piece of the solution will come from future hybrid diesel-electric engines." Wal-Mart is pitching in $2 million a year for research and development by two teams of national truck manufactures - International Truck with ArvinMeritor Inc. (ARM) and Peterbilt with Eaton Corp. (ETN) - and has agreed to buy the prototypes."
"Wal-Mart is also working with Great Dane on prototype trailers that would cut fuel use with the help of aerodynamic designs, including adding a cover or skirting down the sides at the bottom of the truck and crimping the back end of the trailer so that the sides and top turn in."
Via:: Dow Jones News (subscription only). Image credit:: ITPA.
So, walmart's shipping operation of 7200 semis used the equivalent of 270976 cars? Damn.
Good job Wal * Mart, I hope all companies will start doing the same. If we all try a little, we'll get alot back.
So what's the fuel additive?
WalMart will ultimately transform the US economy again, and again, for the better. First they lowered the cost of living, now they will lower our emissions. Despite my misgivings over their decline in quality, WalMart is a wonderful benefit to the US as a whole.
I think wall mart is doing a great thing except we would benefit a whole lot more if we bought from our own continent because we would not have to ship product like from China which is on the other side of the planet yeah we get it cheep from low wages but we loose on gas to ship it here
I think wall mart is doing a great thing except we would benefit a whole lot more if we bought from our own continent because we would not have to ship product like from China which is on the other side of the planet yeah we get it cheep from low wages but we loose on gas to ship it here
Sustainable business was reporting Wal mart changed some of their Semi's to Diesel electric Hybrids to reduse shipping cost by 15% but i wonder how much that was put into play.
It could also be contributed to the fact they have their own fuel depots at most wal mart stores i bet and the real net saving was whole sale Diesel vs retail.
So how does one find out the truth?
D~W
I was interested to read some of the comments posted in response to this article. I work for a fairtrade wholesaler who imports products from the Far East (China & Indonesia) to the UK (yes the goods do come from the other side of the world).
By my calculations the huge container ship can move our container the 10,000 miles around the planet using less fuel that the semi truck and trailer that transports our container the 150 miles from the docks to our warehouse.
By sending freight by road and not sea or rail you are compounding the problems. We may be luck in Europe as we have a huge integrated rail network and big sea ports in all coast lying countries.
I like WalMart is doing.But it seems they could do a whole lot more.For a company that has billions.What if you covered all of WalMart roofs with solar panels.How much power would that generate?What about using biodiesel or wvo for fuel.They have enough stores.They could mainstream the fuel faster than anybody.