Penske Logistics has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay program as a High Performer in a pair of clean transportation categories. Penske earned the listing in the Truck Carrier Carbon Metrics and Logistics Freight Management categories.
SmartWay Partners like Penske Logistics annually submit efficiency and air quality performance data to the EPA.
The SmartWay program noted that a High Performer such as Penske Logistics consumes less fuel for every mile traveled and for every ton of freight that is moved.
According to SmartWay a company can earn entry to the Truck Carrier Carbon Metrics list by being among the fewer than 10% of all SmartWay carriers that operate fleets efficiently enough to earn placement for reduced carbon emissions.
SmartWay also placed Penske on their Logistics Freight Management list for being among the 5% of SmartWay logistics companies that meet the emissions and carrier selection criteria. High performing logistics companies serve their customers in manners that consider the efficiency gains and emissions reductions of a logistics fleet.
“We are very pleased to be recognized by the SmartWay program as a High Performer,” said Marc Althen, Penske Logistics president. “We are dedicated to reducing the carbon footprints of our own fleet and that of our customer’s operations.”
By "Move Ahead" Staff
EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible, while protecting public health and reducing air pollution.
SmartWay Affiliate honorees have proactively initiated and executed recruiting, promotional and marketing activities that raise awareness and encourage their members to address air pollution from freight activities.
For the last three years, Penske has captured the SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award in the United States.
“We are truly honored to be a repeat winner of the SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award,” stated Drew Cullen, Penske vice president of fuels and environmental Affairs. “It is in our company DNA to not only be good environmental stewards ourselves, but to also aid our customers in identifying, quantifying and implementing sustainable transportation solutions.”
“I commend Penske for its level of commitment, enthusiasm, and creativity in promoting EPA’s SmartWay program, and sustainable transportation,” said Chris Grundler, director of EPA’s office of transportation and air quality. “Penske’s work in this arena brings us all closer to achieving the shared goals of clean freight and clean air.”
The EPA launched SmartWay in 2004 to help business improve the sustainability of their freight supply chains.
In a matter of months new emissions standards for refrigerated trailers will take effect nationwide, and the industry is preparing for increased costs and changes to their operations. 
For companies that achieve their goals and contribute to other elements of the SmartWay program, the EPA offers opportunities to participate in various program development activities, webinars, and workshops. The agency also acknowledges and publicly recognizes the progress its partners are making on its website, at industry conferences and through other channels.
A key but perhaps overlooked component of adapting to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated 2010 emission technology requirements for commercial trucks is the effective use of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to support Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology.
DEF is vital to the operation of 2010 trucks utilizing SCR technology. It works to greatly reduce Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). Less NOx translates to a truck’s exhaust being cleaner and less harmful to the environment.