The modern day sustainability movement in the U.S. actually began as early as the 1970s with the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the enactment of notable legislation by the U.S. government.
In the early years, much of the EPA’s focus was on reducing pollution and improving air quality, working primarily within the power generation segment. Since 1990, the greenhouse gas emissions from electric power have decreased roughly 21%, thanks in part to greener energy sources and more efficient end-user products.
As power generation, metal production and other key industries continue to improve their own environmental impact, added focus is now being placed on the transportation sector.
Sustainability is not a new concept within the trucking industry. In the 1970s, an energy crisis prompted truck manufacturers to begin developing more fuel-efficient vehicles, a trend that continues to this day. For decades, trucking companies have utilized technology to improve driver safety, equipment performance and customer service.
Despite these advancements, the transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. today, with emissions actually increasing more than any other sector from 1990 to 2020. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks account for 26% of the transportation sector’s emissions, placing the trucking industry in the sustainability spotlight.
PGT Trucking Inc., a multiservice transportation firm offering flatbed, dedicated, international and specialized services, has included environmental stewardship in the company mission since its establishment in 1981, but as more innovative technologies have emerged, PGT realized that greater sustainable improvements could be made, leading the way to an industrywide green revolution.
In 2020, PGT made the cultural shift to refine its sustainability efforts by launching its Future of Flatbed program. The Future of Flatbed encompasses all corporate initiatives that focus on developing innovative shipping solutions for PGT’s customers, meeting environmental sustainability goals and enhancing the driver and employee lifestyle. PGT is proactively confronting current and future challenges in the transportation industry by utilizing automation, artificial intelligence and clean energy through its strategic partnerships with like-minded companies.
To lead its decarbonization efforts, PGT established a new executive appointment, naming Laurence Cox as vice president of sustainability. Under Cox’s guidance, the company began analyzing data under a new lens, looking at PGT’s overall operation to identify key areas where immediate gains could be made. PGT also set a carbon reduction emissions goal, committing to a 35% reduction in the emissions of its company-owned fleet equipment by the year 2025.
PGT has already made an impact by shifting its mindset about vehicle specifications, using a data-driven approach to move the sustainable needle.
Newer truck models are naturally more fuel efficient than their older counterparts, but by focusing on increased fuel efficiency and peak performance, PGT’s newest equipment will provide an even greater advantage. The company has upgraded its order for 2023 models and will continue to evaluate future purchases with the same scientific outlook. As other trucking companies routinely upgrade their equipment, the newer models will continue to help reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, but Cox argues that more can be done.
“Going green is not just about having a better truck,” Cox said. “The Future of Flatbed is a companywide movement to improve the way we do business for our customers, employees and planet, creating a sustainable model for the years to come.”
One of Cox’s first energy-efficient projects is to reduce the electrical consumption of PGT’s corporate headquarters in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, by 50%. Cox is overseeing the replacement of fluorescent lights with new LED tubing and the installation of motion sensor light switches and timer switch outlets, with plans to apply similar designs at PGT’s other company locations. While it may seem like a minor change, PGT expects to save 95,000 kilowatt-hours and $9,000 per year.
“Sometimes it’s the little things that set the tone and inspire higher impact ideas,” Cox said. “These are real changes that we are making now, helping us to achieve our carbon goals while we work toward more innovative industry advancements.”
Part of PGT’s Future of Flatbed program includes long-term investments in automation and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles through its partnerships with Locomation and Nikola Corp. While these innovative technologies are still in testing phases, PGT is playing an integral role in their development, taking the next step to bring this equipment to market.
“There is a general fear in the trucking industry about change, like implementing automation and electric or fuel cell vehicles,” Cox said. “We had some of those fears initially, but instead of questioning what could go wrong, PGT decided to start questioning what could go right.”
PGT has been an active partner from the ground level, working with innovative companies during key product development stages to ensure that the technologies have practical applications for flatbed transportation, which has different needs than dry van shipments or tanker services. PGT gives critical input on design and vehicle specifications and participates in thorough testing to account for real world trucking scenarios.
Internally, PGT is earnestly preparing to implement these new technologies, selecting the fleet of professional drivers who will haul the first loads using fuel cell electric vehicles and semi-autonomous trucks. These elite drivers are working closely with PGT’s Future of Flatbed project leaders, Locomation and Nikola engineers and development teams, and multiple customer representatives to provide driver insight, receive advanced training and lead the way to revolutionary change within the industry. PGT has also identified the primary customers that will benefit from these initiatives, with the first pilot battery electric truck program expected in Q1 2023.
PGT, recently named a 2022 Top Green Fleet, is uniquely positioned to be a part of the industrywide change, working toward larger sustainable goals while still creating immediate impacts within its own company.
“We understand that most other trucking companies cannot make these large-scale investments,” Cox said. “Lasting change in the industry will take time, but PGT is committed for the long haul, ensuring that trucking will have a cleaner future.”
The majority of carriers in the U.S. are small companies; according to the American Trucking Associations, 91.5% of fleets operate six trucks or less. In comparison, PGT operates in excess of 1,000 power units.
PGT, however, believes that sustainability goals are attainable for carriers of any size. By adopting a greener mindset, smaller companies can begin improving processes within their own operations, helping to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint one step at a time. As innovative products become readily available, carriers can incorporate new equipment and technology when they are ready.
Cox has advice for companies that are still unsure of where to begin. “Sometimes you just have to start with a lightbulb.”
