Penske Truck Leasing is now participating in the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport initiative, which is geared toward achieving better fuel efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing air pollution.

Major program goals include cutting between 33 million and 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2012, as well as 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012, while saving 150 million barrels of fuel per year.

SmartWay was launched by the EPA in 2004 to provide cleaner and more efficient transportation methods in the United States. Subsequently, SmartWay Transport was begun as a joint effort between the EPA and the freight industry -- trucking companies, railroad carriers, maritime cargo -- to achieve the same environmental and energy goals.

To become part of the program, the EPA ranks each freight carrier’s fuel efficiency methods and environmental performance. Penske’s 200,000-vehicle fleet received a 1.25 rating, the highest score possible. Penske's cutting-edge fleet technology, as well as other fuel efficient strategies and ongoing education of customers and employees alike, helped it achieve the score.