About ECO Stars
ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme (Efficient and Cleaner Operations) is a free, voluntary scheme designed to provide recognition, guidance and advice to operators of goods vehicles, buses and coaches across South Yorkshire.
ECO Stars rates individual vehicles and your fleet’s overall road transport operation using star rating criteria, to recognise levels of operational and environmental performance.
The ECO Stars scheme was the first of its kind in the UK, launched in 2009. It is straightforward to join and there is no formal audit process.
Each member signing up to the scheme will receive tailormade support to ensure that their fleet is running as efficiently and economically as possible, to help them progress to higher ratings.
The scheme is open to operators of all types of commercial vehicles (light goods vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches), across all sectors of activity (own account, hire and reward, private and public sectors, retail, haulage, industrial, parcels, community transport, local registered bus services, longer distance coach services etc) and all sizes.
- Free Scheme
- Improve fuel efficiency
- Save money
- Reduce emissions
- Get tailormade support
What are the benefits of membership?
- Recognition at both vehicle and whole operation levels for what is currently done.
- Support in outlining measures which could help to improve performance, potentially leading to higher operational star ratings over time.
- Additional opportunities for enhanced recognition for further progress through the scheme star ratings.
- Opportunities to raise operational and environmental profile, particularly in the eyes of other operators, customers and local communities.
Save £2,300 per vehicle in fuel costs
By implementing the key measures recommended by the ECO Stars Scheme, a typical HGV operator could expect to reduce fuel consumption by a minimum of 5% in the first year. Based on 80,000 miles per year at 8mpg and an average of 1 GBP per litre of diesel, there would be a saving of the equivalent of £2,300 per vehicle. For an operator with 10 vehicles this equates to a saving of one whole tanker of diesel!*
A typical HGV could also see annual output of carbon dioxide fall by six tonnes per year!*
* figures from Department For Transport Freight Best Practise Programme
The ECO Stars team develop a tailormade ‘Road Map’ for each member to help improve performance and progress to higher ratings levels.
Members also receive windscreen decals issued for each vehicle to profile efficiency and environmental credentials to the public and customers.
How does the scheme work?
Membership of the scheme is free of charge, regardless of fleet size. It is simple, straightforward and we will help - we can even visit you to help with your application.
You can use your tailormade ‘Road Map’ to improve your rating up to the maximum five stars. All five star members receive a special plaque to recognise their achievement.
All members are listed on the website and receive regular updates from the ECO Stars Team.
Partner Information
The ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme is managed by four South Yorkshire local authorities (Barnsley MBC, Doncaster MBC, Rotherham MBC, Sheffield CC), along with the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), under the banner of the South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan Partnership. In addition, NHS Barnsley supports the scheme due to the potential public health benefits across all communities in South Yorkshire.
On setting up the scheme, the Partnership recognised the need to engage with fleet operators, in order to recognise best practice from operators in fuel management and emission reduction, as well as encouraging further improvements. This scheme therefore works towards the Partnerships’ aspirations for improved air quality and reduced CO2 emissions.
The South Yorkshire ECO Stars scheme is supported by grant funding from the European Commission during 2011-2014 as part of the ECOSTARS Europe project (more details can be found on this at www.ecostars-europe.eu)