CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — Challenger Motor Freight has received an Environmental Excellence award from the US Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay Transport Partnership.

The award recognizes transport companies that reduce emissions, improve fuel economy, and help the environment. Challenger was one of 27 companies and organizations from among the SmartWay Transport Partnerships’ more than 1,000 partners (636 truck carriers), to receive this distinction. Challenger received the award for its leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities, and was the only Canadian-based winner to make the list this year.

“We hope shippers recognize and support carriers who embrace and tangibly demonstrate progress in reducing emissions and other environmental stewardship, so that together we can have real impact on our environment,” said Eugene Moser, president of Challenger.

“We believe this award speaks to our vision of being a responsible corporate citizen,” added Enno Jakobson, executive vice-president for Challenger. “Our partnership with SmartWay reaffirms our belief that the programs we’ve established, are doing the right things to improve our efficiency and environmental performance.”

In the last 18 months, Challenger has improved its fuel mileage and lowered emissions by working with OEs, to incorporate automated transmissions that shift at the most efficient RPM possible. In addition, the company has: installed software to monitor fleet driving and braking activity; fortified driver training programs to improve fuel efficiency awareness; installed auxiliary power units that run on a fraction of the fuel that idling uses; and implemented a speed management incentive program. Challenger’s initial three-year goal has been to improve fuel economy by 10% and the company has already achieved half of that commitment.

SmartWay was introduced by the EPA and a select group of 15 shipping and business leaders in 2004 as an innovative, market-based partnership to reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollutants from the freight sector.