ZF North America announced that it joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry that provides a framework to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of goods movement supply chains. 

ZF will have access to SmartWay Program tools to identify and collect data points that will generate and quantify freight emission reports, including CO2 and other outputs. This data will enhance ZF’s supply chain environmental management.

“ZF is proud to be designated as a SmartWay Transport Partner, and to exemplify the importance of environmental responsibility within the automotive industry,” said Brandon Paquette, head of Supply Chain Management, ZF North America. “As part of our steadfast commitment to sustainability, we appreciate programs such as SmartWay® that directly help us reduce our carbon footprint.” 

This partnership is the latest environmental program ZF has aligned with in recent months. In 2021, ZF announced its enrollment in DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program, a renewable energy program that allows companies to attribute a percentage of their electricity use to DTE’s wind and solar projects. 

”ZF is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040,” said Paquette. “In order to obtain that goal, we are making incremental improvements across all aspects of our business, including commitments to critical programs like SmartWay, and encouraging our partner carriers to utilize the SmartWay program and verified technologies that improve efficiency and drive a more sustainable economy.” 

The SmartWay Technology Program has verified numerous technologies, which fleets are adopting for their return on investment.

According to the EPA, EPA-verified technologies save fuel and reduce emissions for tractors, trailers, and locomotives. EPA verifies aerodynamic devices, idling reduction equipment, and new and retread low rolling resistance tires. EPA also designates tractors and trailers equipped with certain combinations of EPA-verified technologies as SmartWay Tractors and Trailers.