Mobile Fueling for Emissions Reduction

At the most basic definition, mobile fueling is simply the act of fueling up vehicles anywhere BUT a fueling station. 

Several mobile fuel providers are working with fleets today. Work Truck spoke with two of them to find out more about mobile fueling and the emissions reduction benefits that can be achieved in addition to savings in time and fuel expense. 

Booster provides last-mile fuel delivery services for fleets, and EzFill delivers fuel (gasoline and diesel) directly to fleets. 

Reducing Emissions Through Mobile Fueling

Since the inception of mobile fueling, time savings and savings at the pump have been well understood. But, one benefit that hasn’t been shouted from the rooftops is reduced vehicle emissions.

“Vehicle emissions are simply a product of the duration of time that the internal combustion engine is operating. According to research conducted by www.askwonder.com, fleet owners spend 62 hours per year per vehicle to refill fuel tanks. With mobile fueling, these same vehicles can now return to base after the route is completed. Moreover, the emissions historically released by traveling to a fueling station, fueling, and then returning to base are completely removed,” said Mike McConnell, CEO of EzFill.

According to Jason Godley, president of Booster, mobile fueling can reduce a fleet’s overall emissions in two key ways:

1. Offering access to lower carbon fuels. Access to lower-carbon fuels is a significant inhibitor in their adoption. Most fuel stations still do not offer any renewable fuel products at all. Through Booster, renewable fuels are easy to adopt and economical.
2. Eliminating trips to the gas station and reducing vehicle miles traveled and fuel consumed. A study by Geotab pointed out that mobile fueling saves 1.9 pounds of CO₂ emissions per vehicle by skipping the gas station. Other findings in the report include: 
   • Drivers are diverted about two miles out of the way to get gas.
   • A gas station stop adds more than 20 minutes to each trip a vehicle makes for fuel.
   • Gas station stops release an additional 3 pounds of CO₂ into the atmosphere monthly on average.

Overall, the benefits of reduced vehicle emissions will vary from fleet to fleet depending on many variables, including the proximity to a fueling station, size of the fuel tanks, etc., McConnell added. 

But how, exactly, does mobile fueling reduce emissions? 

“Reengineering the fuel delivery supply chain to skip the gas station altogether leads to a more environmentally-friendly supply chain with fewer fuel transfers and no need to store gas underground at gas stations. Booster also employs trained service professionals who work to avoid or eliminate spillage (we know that gas stations spill an average of 40 gallons per year from customer misuse). A study by Ashworth Leininger Group pointed out that mobile fueling also drives 26% volatile organic compound (VOC) reductions when compared to gas station refueling,” Godley said.

Top 4 Benefits of Mobile Fueling Beyond Emissions

Beyond emissions reductions, there are several benefits of mobile fueling, the top of which include: 

1. Improved productivity. 

Mobile fueling increases a fleet business’s productivity in several ways. 

“First, fueling vehicles during off-hours allows drivers to begin routes with full tanks. This reduces the stops drivers must make, allowing them to spend more time serving customers. Additionally, by consolidating fuel to a monthly invoice, the administrative work that would have been spent expensing gas station receipts is greatly reduced. Importantly, it also helps companies avoid gas station accidents and fuel fraud,” said Godley of Booster.

McConnel of EzFill agreed, noting that “eliminating the need for gas stations, onsite mobile fuel delivery reduced stops for drivers, helping keep them on schedule and focused on revenue generation activities for the company.”

2. Reduced Wear & Tear

Vehicle wear and tear is a considerable component in overall fleet operating costs. 

“By eliminating the need for drivers to waste time searching and waiting to refuel, the overall life of the vehicle is extended. It also enables the fleet to stay out longer, thereby generating more revenue for the company,” McConnell shared.

3. Infrastructure for Alt-Fuels

Mobile fueling also provides the delivery infrastructure that makes alternative fuels more accessible to businesses and individuals. 

“Even though you can replace conventional diesel with renewable blends, fewer than 1% of fuel stations offer renewable fuels such as biodiesel (B-20 and above) according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. Mobile fuelers can easily deliver a wide variety of energy choices to clients, including charging for electric vehicles,” said Godley.

4. Lower Fuel Costs 

Budgeting for fuel costs can feel like an impossible task with all of the factors that impact rises in prices that are outside of a fleet’s control. 

“Retail gasoline prices often vary as much as $1 per gallon between stations no further than five miles apart. With mobile fueling, one negotiated price is universal across the fleet, which gives fleet managers the advantage of leveling their fuel expenses. In addition, managers can ensure that every gallon purchased is pumped into their company vehicles,” McConnell said.