Imagine a cost-efficient solution that not only makes your site a significantly safer place to work, but also saves € 2.300+ in energy costs for each and every forklift operating on its premises. Sounds too good to be true? Well, one major logistics player in the Port of Antwerp now has the results proving it can be done.
In June 2022, this particular logistics site implemented Rombit’s Digital Driver Coach. A personal driver coaching solution, for each of the 24 forklifts operating on its plant. In the interest of total transparency: the main objective was to improve safety by preventing man-machine and machine-machine incidents. The first results on that front are also in and, to say the least, are definitely satisfactory.
Safer, more sustainable while still productive
But the numbers also reveal a consequential impact on other key performance indicators. One such being the ever more relevant and auditable energy efficiency. A growing body of studies confirms that safer driving relates to lower energy use. This is known as eco-driving: a sustainable and energy efficient use of motorized vehicles. Statistics showing 20% more energy efficient are far from exceptional.
Just as significant is the 2019 Erim Europe study that shows drivers presenting a safer, more disciplined driver behavior, made up to 60% less mistakes. Further debunking the idea that speed equals higher productivity.
Digital Driver Coach continuously and accurately tracks non-eco driving events. Such as speeding and unnecessary fast or frequent acceleration. This allows for clear and detailed insights in the energy efficiency of each forklift (operator).
The numbers don’t lie
As the graphic below shows: from June to July, the first month of Digital Driver Coach implementation, the count of non-eco driving events drops from +4000 to just above 2000. This number then consistently keeps on decreasing to less than 200 events during the fifth month.
The individual driver approach of Digital Driver Coach also makes it easy to objectively analyze the slim decrease in non-eco driving events from august to September. It allows for a fact-based attribution of this slower drop-off rate to one distinctly ‘bad student’. A valuable and actionable observation by itself.
Calculating energy cost and savings …
The precise data gathered throughout this steep, consistent an possibly ongoing decrease in non-eco driving events, translates into an easily substantiated number of energy costs saved. Factored in the price per Kwh and amount of running hours, this comes down to € 2.361 or $ 2,517.
Multiplied by 24 forklifts = € 56.664 or $ 60,417.
And because all parties benefit from maintaining this safer and more sustainable driver behavior, this decrease in energy costs should continue on. Year after year. For this one site. And this specific logistics player has several others. Each with their own forklift fleet and operators and also showing comparably promising results.
Add to that …
- … the costs saved in maintenance, wear and tear on tires and vehicle and the yearly number goes up to € 3.300+ or $ 3,500+. Per forklift, per year.
- … the fact that the amount of money saved is not taken from another area or budget in your company’s structure. It is ‘just’ the result of a change in driver behavior with nothing but benefits and no disadvantages.
- … the growing importance and auditability of an environmental friendly systems.
- … the impact on energy saving being comparable between electric and fuel-driven vehicles.
And ask yourself …
… how many forklifts operate at your site(s)?