Esh drivers urged to cut off engines while stationary

Commercial fleet across the business have been fitted with real time telematics to assist with the monitoring of the time vehicles are sat stationary, with in-cab system alerts advising drivers to turn off the engine if it has been stationary for than two minutes.

As part of its Even Greener strategy – which sets out plans for reducing carbon emissions throughout the business and its operations – Esh used 18 HGV tippers from its fleet to understand the carbon emitted from idling, putting measures in place to actively encourage drivers to think about their impact on the environment.

With true idling being measured as vehicles being stationary for more than two minutes, the 18 vehicles reduced their idling time from a combined 392 hours in July 2024, down to just 60 hours in November – an 84% idling-time reduction, which equates to 15 return trips from Esh’s headquarters in County Durham to London’s Trafalgar Square.

Following the trial’s success, Esh Group is now gearing up to roll idling monitoring and education out across its 258-strong fleet of vehicles, which will contribute to a further reduction in carbon emissions and improved fuel efficiency across operations.

Brian Wray, Plant Director said: “The transformation has been remarkable, thanks to the outstanding commitment of our drivers, who embraced the guidance and fully supported our efforts. Before implementing the anti-idling initiative, idling time from the tippers was consistently higher than 400 hours on average each month. This is a great example of what can be achieved when considering our impact on the environment, and now the hard work begins as we continue the wider rollout across the business.”

A Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) study found that it can cost up to 3p for every minute spent idling. It also found that idling for just 30 seconds produces twice as much pollution and wastes more fuel than switching off and restarting an engine.

Steven Doran, Esh’s Carbon, Sustainability and Data Manager, said: “We’re on a major learning curve across our sector but we know that education will be a big driver in our ambitions through the next six-to-12 months. 

“The 32-tonne tipper wagons we have purchased to replace older fleet vehicles come complete with the latest, most efficient vehicle technology, which allows Esh to record key emissions and MPG metrics which ultimately will support improved environmental efficiencies across the Group.”

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Beyond the rollout, HGV Driver David Jackson has taken part in two courses on idling and best practice driving skills with Renault and Scania before returning to Esh Group to train drivers internally.

David, who has worked in the industry for 35 years, 10 of which were with Esh, said: “It’s great to see Esh putting measures in place to make the fleet eco-friendlier and genuinely a nicer place to work. We have a lot of experienced drivers among our operations but so far, we’ve all learnt some new skills through the course. By driving more efficiently, we’ve not only increased the miles per gallon for the trucks but made the drivers safer on the roads.”