Initiatives to Introduce Low-pollution Vehicles and Enhance Fuel Economy

Nippon Express is making vigorous efforts to reduce emissions of CO2, NOx and particulate matters, as well as putting eco-friendly vehicles into service to improve fuel efficiency.

Instead of merely obeying the law, Nippon Express went beyond and actively introduced eco-friendly vehicles including newly developed models. In 2005, we reviewed the definition of the clean energy vehicles that we had been adopting until then and revised our policy. We stopped purchasing electric and methanol vehicles, manufacturing of trucks had been discontinued, and emphasis was shifted to decreasing emissions of large vehicles. In fiscal 2006, we increased the purchase of hybrids and CNG vehicles that conform to the new long-term regulations for large-sized vehicles, which increased our total fleet at the end of March 2007 to 2,670, against our target of 2,500 vehicles.

(Number)

Vehicle type	FY
	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Methanol vehicles	33	32	31	8	1	0
Compressed natural gas vehicles	117	171	228	264	300	337
Hybrid vehicles	30	44	61	155	229	322
Electric vehicles	3	2	2	0	0	0
LPG vehicles	759	866	998	1,079	1,120	1,143
Ultra-low PM vehicles (large type)	–	–	–	117	339	447
New long-term regulation vehicles	–	–	–	14	139	421
Total	942	1,115	1,320	1,637	2,128	2,670

• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Trucks

  Fuel for these trucks is the same natural gas used by urban households, compressed under high pressure. CO2 emissions are 20 to 30% lower than gasoline, NOx emissions are much lower than diesel and there is no PM. However, further problems that need to be solved include making fuel tanks smaller and lighter and enhancing fueling stations.

• Hybrids

  Hybrids use a combination of motive force, including ordinary engines and electric motors. Energy created by the engine and braking is converted to electricity and stored, then used as supplemental driving power when starting, accelerating and climbing.

• LPG Trucks

  Engines are fueled with liquefied petroleum gas, which is commonly used by taxis. NOx emissions are far lower than diesel and there is no PM. Because fueling stations (LPG stations) are found nationwide, this is the most common type of clean energy truck.

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“Eco-driving” has two meanings: ecological driving and economical driving. The idea behind eco-driving, or driving in an eco-friendly manner, is to protect the environment and resources and yet achieve economical profits. Furthermore, it involves working toward safety by endeavoring to drive moderately.

Every year from facilities around the country, Nippon Express gathers employees who play a central role in driving instruction and conducts comprehensive instructor training. This training program is called the “driving instructor training course,” and its purposes include mastering eco-driving, learning how to drive safely and having participants see how driving smoothly without sudden acceleration and braking is an integral element of safe driving. Those who complete the course are designated as in-house driving instructors, who then train and instruct drivers personally. This course enables instructors to understand eco-driving with both mind and body , and they further educate fellow drivers at their respective branches.

• Frequently Asked Questions about IR (FAQ)

Related Information

• Promoting Modal Shift
• Reducing the Use of Packing Material
• Collection and Delivery System Improvements
• Environmental Certification
• Reducing Waste and Advancing the 3Rs