How to Decarbonise a Fleet: The Playbook You Actually Need

Send me a message Fleet sustainability isn’t just about going electric, it’s about smart planning, cultural buy-in, and tackling operational friction head-on. In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I’m joined by Steve Saltzgiver, Director of Fleet Success at RTA Fleet, who brings over 40 years of public and private sector experience in managing and modernising fleets. We get into the real-world obstacles holding back fleet decarbonisation - politics, procurement cycles, and the ever-persistent myth that owning a car qualifies someone to manage a fleet. Steve talks about how electrification is progressing unevenly across the US, why right-sizing and right-typing fleets are essential first steps, and how even basic maintenance practices can yield massive emissions savings. We also touch on the growing role of data in fleet operations - how VMRS codes, utilisation metrics, and carbon baselining can turn strategy into action. Steve shares stories from his time working with governments, utilities, and large enterprises, and reflects on the cultural transformation needed to make sustainability stick. Whether you manage a municipal fleet or oversee logistics in a Fortune 500 company, this episode is packed with grounded, practical advice for making fleets leaner, cleaner, and smarter. 🎧 Listen now - and if you’re enjoying the podcast, consider becoming a Sustainable Supply Chain+ subscriber to unlock the full back catalogue and shape future episodes. Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability. Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world. Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation. Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues. Act today. Influence the future. Podcast supporters I"d like to sincerely thank this podcast"s generous Subscribers: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can become a Sustainable Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to the full back catalog of over 460 episodes. Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities: If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let"s talk! Finally If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link. If you liked this show, please don"t forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.