New Zealand Post developed an in-house fuel efficient driver training programme to reduce fuel use and emissions from its large fleet of delivery vehicles. The programme trained drivers from the long haul courier division on techniques to improve fuel efficiency. Initial results found fuel reductions of 3-40% on training days, with an average 20% reduction, and sustained reductions of 5% fleet-wide. New Zealand Post aims to complete training all 120 long haul drivers and expand the programme to other parts of the business to work towards its emissions reduction targets.

1. February
2013
Fuel Efficient Driver Training
Programme
Results & Reflections
New Zealand Post Group: New Zealand Post Limited.

2. Who are we?
New Zealand Post Group
Courierpost
─ Nationwide Coverage from Kaitaia to Invercargill
─ Overnight Express
─ 2-3 Day Standard Mail and Economy Courier
─ Print Products (newspapers and magazines)
─ 13.95 Million Km travelled per annum (55,000Km per
day)
RuralPost
─ Nation-wide service to rural New Zealand, 99.89% of
the network receives 5 or 6 day a week delivery with
the remaining delivery points receiving a 1 - 3 day a
week service.
─ Services include delivery of letters, parcels, private
bags, couriers and circulars.
─ Pick-up service for outgoing mail and prepaid courier
and parcel items.
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3. Background to Sustainability at Post
NZ Post has an overall commitment to Corporate Sustainability
We achieved a 16.1% reduction on our 2007-08 baseline, and are now pursuing a further
2% per year
Emissions from our fleet account for over 75% of this baseline so fuel reductions are a
significant focus
Established Action Groups to focus on identifying and implementing initiatives to reduce
environmental impact
─ Energy & Waste, achieved 20% reductions between 2007-12
─ Transport, achieved 10% reductions between 2007-12
Transport Action Group has led out this Training programme as part of its initiatives
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4. Our Fleet
Fleet composition:
─ ~120 Trucks
─ ~900 Vans
─ ~300 mixed cars
─ ~350 assorted vehicles inc. forklifts, corporate
vehicles
─ ~200 motorbikes
Delivery Services are generally contracted to
owner-drivers
─ Fuel part of contract payment package
Vehicle standards and rollover obligations in
place
Sales fleets generally hybrid vehicles owned by
NZ Post Group
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5. Driver Training Programme
Development
Driver behaviour identified as a major variable in
fuel efficiency of our fleet
Trailed a range of programmes, challenges with
cost and uptake
Decided to develop our own offering – same
content, unique delivery
Initial focus of Long Haul Courier (120 drivers)
─ B-Trains & 6 Wheelers
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6. Our Programme
Network of Eight driver trainers in place to
deliver programme nationwide
Supporting material developed and learning
outcomes in place to ensure consistency
between trainers
Trainers are all contracted owner/drivers – more
reputability
Effectively compulsory for Transport fleet
contractors
Trainers were engaged in the development of
resources and the general approach – built
ownership
Made to suit the needs of the trainers by being
adaptable
A centralised administration approach allows
tracking of results across the fleet
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7. Format & Delivery
On-the-road training model with some classroom instruction
Takes about ½ day
General format:
─ Pre-training test drive
─ Training/coaching/classroom session
─ Post-training test drive
Can accommodate groups
One-on-one approach seen as valuable by participants
Backed up with take-home resources and tip-sheets
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8. Challenges & Mitigation
Fuel efficient driving challenges in general
─ Tight operating windows
 Demonstrations that F/E is not necessarily slower
─ “Not my fuel”
 Reminding O/D’s that they pay for fuel
─ Degree of control over contractors/ subcontractors
─ Poor road conditions in some areas
Programme specific challenges
─ Uptake
 Individual contact from Senior Managers
─ “Don’t teach me how to suck eggs”
 Driver trainers were carefully selected
─ Communicating success
 Exploring league tables or similar competitions
─ Rural Post challenge of delivering training
economically across a spread-out group of people
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9. Results
Approx 50 drivers have completed training since October
─ Aiming for 120 by end FY 11/12
Day of training reductions between 3% and 40% after training, average 20%
reduction in fuel use
Sustained reductions around 5% across fleet
We estimated a reduction potential of 5%, so we are on track
Have generated interest in other parts of our business e.g. sales
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10. Next steps
Complete all 120 heavy truck drivers
Roll out a similar programme to RuralPost
─ Self-learning based due to geographic
spread
─ Focus on high ROI drivers
─ Huge variance in run length, focus on high
Km’s
─ Estimated 50 RP drivers to start
Opportunity to add Fuel Efficiency into other
training packages
Consider some re-training in cases of poor
performance
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11. End
Questions are welcome, or email:
tom.croskery@nzpost.co.nz
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