What’s the problem?
What is Clean Fleet?
Why become a Clean Fleet participant?
Cost savings
Bus operators
Waste management contractors
Fuel tax credits
Who can be a Clean Fleet participant?
What is involved in being a Clean Fleet participant?
How do I join Clean Fleet?
How much does it cost to participate in Clean Fleet?
Audits
Are there any other audits?
How much do audits cost?
Promoting yourself as a Clean Fleet participant
How do I leave the Clean Fleet program?
What’s the problem?
Emissions from diesel exhausts are a major source of fine particle pollution and impact on the environment.
Diesel vehicles produce about 60 per cent of the particulate matter emitted by road transport and they are increasing as a proportion of the total transport fleet.
What is Clean Fleet?
Clean Fleet is a vehicle maintenance program, designed to improve air quality by reducing diesel vehicle emissions. Through the implementation of best practice fleet management and maintenance practices, fleet owners and operators can demonstrate their commitment to the environment.
Clean Fleet has been developed by Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) in consultation with the diesel vehicle industry through an extensive emission testing program. Almost 3,000 diesel trucks and buses were tested from around 60 fleets.
This program identified the repair and maintenance factors that have the biggest impact on pollution levels. The Clean Fleet guidelines are based on this research.
By implementing these guidelines, operators are assured that their vehicles are running as cleanly as possible.
Why become a Clean Fleet participant?
Being a Clean Fleet participant will provide you with significant economic benefits by improving the performance of your diesel vehicles.
Cost savings
A reliable maintenance program will result in:
- Less maintenance
- Fewer breakdowns
- Better fuel consumption
- Improved vehicle performance
- Improved vehicle reliability
- Improved vehicle resale value.
Bus operators
In April 2005 the Ministry of Transport included a requirement in their Metropolitan Bus Systems Contract that operators must comply with Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority)’s Clean Fleet Program.
Waste Management Contractors
In May 2005 the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) included in the Model Waste and Recycling Collection Contract that Waste Management Contractors must become members of the Clean Fleet Program within six months of beginning a Waste Services Contract with Local Councils.
Fuel Tax Credits
The Commonwealth Government implemented a new fuel tax credit system from 1 July 2006.Under the new arrangement businesses wishing to seek a fuel tax credit for the use of diesel fuel in a heavy road vehicle ie over 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass must satisfy one of four environmental performance criteria to be eligible for the credit.
- Vehicles manufactured after 1 January 1996 – if the vehicle has been manufactured on or after 1 January 1996 fuel used in the vehicle is eligible for the fuel tax credit.
- Vehicles that are part of an accredited maintenance program – if the vehicle is part of an accredited audited maintenance program, for example Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority)’s Clean Fleet program, it is eligible for the fuel tax credit.
- Vehicles that meet the Australian Transport Council’s in-service emission standard referred to in the Diesel National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure – if the vehicle passes the Australian Transport Council’s in-service emission standard for diesel vehicles (also known as the “DT80” test) and that test is performed by a suitably equipped test facility, it is eligible for the fuel tax credit.
- Vehicles which comply with a Government-endorsed maintenance schedule – if you conduct regular engine maintenance on the vehicle, you may be eligible for the fuel tax credit.
More information about the Fuel Tax Credit arrangements can be found on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website at www.infrastructure.gov.au go to Roads then Fuel Tax Credits for Heavy Vehicles.
Who can be a Clean Fleet participant?
Anyone who has a diesel vehicle registered in NSW can become a Clean Fleet Participant.
Each applicant is considered as a separate Clean Fleet Participant so if you are a Company with a number of depots you may decide that you want to join depots individually.
What is involved in being a Clean Fleet participant?
Participants must ensure their diesel vehicles are well maintained through an effective Emissions Management System that meets the required Clean Fleet Standards. These standards are:
- Standard 1 - Clean fuel. Fuel used by your diesel vehicles must be free of contamination and meet national fuel quality standards.
- Standard 2 – Engine settings. Engines must meet manufacturer’s specifications, particularly fuel pumps and injection timing.
- Standard 3 – Maintenance schedules and methods. Your vehicles need to be maintained and serviced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer, or to equivalent standards.
- Standard 4 – Fault identification and repair. A method for identifying, recording, assessing and acting on reported faults must be in place.
The good news is that you decide how you are going to meet the four standards. Many professional operators already have in place systems that are meeting the Clean Fleet requirements.
How do I join Clean Fleet?
Download the Clean Fleet Information Package located on the Clean Fleet home page.
The Package includes information about the Clean Fleet Program, the Clean Fleet Participation (Terms and Conditions) Agreement, an Application form and a Self-Assessment Entry Audit Report (operator assessment of the four Clean Fleet standards) to complete.
When you return these documents your Entry Self-Audit will be assessed and if you meet the four Clean Fleet standards you’ll become a Clean Fleet Participant. If you don’t meet the standards we’ll assist you to meet the requirements. This becomes your Emissions Management System.
How much does it cost to participate in Clean Fleet?
It costs nothing to become a Clean Fleet participant you only have to pay for audits.
Audits
Within 6 months of becoming a Clean Fleet Participant an external independent audit by an Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) approved auditor will be undertaken to ensure that your Emissions Management System complies with the Clean Fleet standards.
Clean Fleet Logo labels, a CD with the Clean Fleet logo to use on your stationery and a Certificate of Participation will then be sent to you.
Participants pay for audits to be undertaken.
To maintain your Clean Fleet participation a renewal audit will take place after two years and your performance will be assessed. If your performance is satisfactory, your participation will be renewed for a further two years.
Are there any other audits?
Triggered audits can occur as a result of complaints or a smoky vehicle report. Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) will pay for these audits.
How much do audits cost?
The entry audit is an operator assessment of the Clean Fleet standards. The first external independent audit by an Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) approved auditor takes place after 6 months. You choose which auditor you want to use and discuss the fees payable with the auditing firm.
Promoting yourself as a Clean Fleet participant
When you become a Clean Fleet participant, and during your participation, you can use your Clean Fleet promotional materials to promote your business and your participation in the Clean Fleet program.
Companies are able to use the Clean Fleet logo, and promote themselves and their business as environmentally responsible.
We’ll give you Clean Fleet Logo labels for your participating vehicles, a CD with the Clean Fleet logo to use on your stationery and a Certificate of Accreditation for you to display in your place of business.
How do I leave the Clean Fleet program?
You can withdraw from the program at any time, unless you are a bus operator or a waste management contractor with a Waste Service Contract with a Local Council and being a participant of Clean Fleet is a requirement of your contract.
You will need to:
- Advise Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) in writing that you wish to withdraw from the program
- Remove all Clean Fleet labels from vehicles
- Cease using the Clean Fleet logo and all promotional materials
- Remove all references to the Clean Fleet program from any signage, stationery, letterheads and advertisements.
Contact
If the caller requires more information contact Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) on 1300 364 847.