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The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (SVV) has set an ambitious goal: to become the best authority in sustainability. Well on their way, they have recognized the importance of accurate data and alignment throughout the organization.
– When 25 percent of the vehicle fleet is to be reduced, it is crucial to have a solid database to make the right decisions, says Andre Kempe, senior advisor to the Norwegian Statens Vegvesen.
For it was precisely the 25% figure that emerged after consultants were hired to review the use of the cars. Such a large share of the vehicle fleet could be removed or scaled down, as many cars were underused.
– This was not exactly surprising, as the data had already shown us this. But we needed more than data,” says Kempe.
Sindre Røstad, also a senior advisor at the Norwegian Statens Vegvesen, explains further.
– We have previously tried to remove unnecessary cars, but now we saw that we needed both data, meaning knowing where we stand, and alignment with management. That there is a real willingness to address a problem. Now we had both. This is crucial to achieve sustainable solutions, and the work of phasing out fossil cars is already well underway
In addition, part of SVV’s overall sustainability strategy is to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2023.
– We use as much electricity as a small city, and it is clear that this is not sustainable in the long run. We need to include all relevant factors and clean up our own processes. It is a collective effort to achieve our goals, says Sindre Røstad.
Morgan Kittilsen, Sales Manager for Fleet & Asset Tracking Solutions at GSGroup, notices that more people are keen to document their own environmental footprint.
Motivations can be different. This may be a requirement in their internal environmental policy or because the company provides services to the public sector. But in recent years we have noticed an increased focus and demand for solutions that can document, among other things, CO2 and KW consumption.
Part of the problem and the solution
By addressing the challenges internally and implementing changes based on insightful analysis, SVV can become a role model for other organizations that want to follow the same path to sustainability, Røstad hopes.
– It is not always easy to admit that you are part of the problem, but we are. It’s only when you see where you stand that you can figure out where you’re going and how to get there.
Kittilsen at GSGroup notices that SVV has focused on changing its environmental profile, and finds it positive that such a large player is leading the way.
– We have had good collaboration with the Norwegian Statens Vegevesen for several years. The starting point for the project was electronic travel logs, but gradually the focus has also shifted to delve deeper into the collected data and analyze the use of the vehicle fleet, says Kittilsen.
SVV has taken several initiatives in addition to reviewing its vehicle fleet and electricity consumption. Other areas where changes have been made include the reuse of furniture, work clothes and more careful control of waste management.
– Social sustainability is also an important aspect, with several sub-goals and elements contributing to a holistic approach, says Røstad.
Transition to an electric vehicle fleet and range anxiety
SVV has achieved significant milestones, including being the first company in Norway to take such concrete steps towards sustainability in its vehicle fleet. They have won awards for their green efforts, and their ambition is to become the leading government authority for sustainability.
Røstad also reflects on the challenges.
– We represent a part of the problem of emissions, but no other government authority has come as far as we have in terms of sustainability. We must have the ambition to use our purchasing power to make a difference and inspire others.
Within the vehicle fleet, we have encouraged the use of Nordic Swan Ecolabeled wash stations, and we have partnered to make this a reality. SVV has taken a leading role in implementing sustainable measures in its vehicle fleet, and we have ambitions for all our cars to be electric by 2026, says Røstad.
– Cooperation between SVV and GSGroup has been crucial to achieving these goals. Data has been an important resource for understanding vehicle use and taking effective action, says Kempe.
We initially saw that more people were skeptical about switching to electric cars. Here too, data became crucial. Some were worried that they would not be able to get from point A to point B and back. On the other hand, the data showed that our cars rarely move over such large distances that it would be a problem. When it comes to the collaboration with GSGroup, data-driven sustainability is a central part of the strategy for 2023 and beyond.
The focus on the use of our vehicles combined with the environment and economy has also given us valuable knowledge that we can pass on to other companies and organizations with large fleets.
– At the same time, we must not forget that our solutions have no limit on the number of objects, whether the customer has few or many, says Kittilsen of GSGroup.
When asked what it takes to achieve this goal, SVV emphasizes the importance of having sustainability as a central focus. While challenges such as accessibility and security are important, they argue that sustainable initiatives can no longer be postponed. SVV will continue to use data as a tool to drive sustainable decisions and lead the development of environmentally friendly practices.
