Where does decarbonization stand in your list of business priorities? At Panasonic’s Smart Mobility Office, we work with three basic categories of companies with existing electric vehicle or decarbonization efforts: Companies that are focused on compliance requirements, companies that have money-saving initiatives in place already, and companies that wholeheartedly embrace environmental protection as the right thing to do but maybe haven’t started their journey just yet.
Here’s how those types of companies are staying on-mission with decarbonization efforts despite recent government changes.
For many companies, sustainability is a cost of doing business. In these cases, environmental initiatives fit into the “compliance” box to fulfill stakeholder expectations and regulations in all countries where they sell, import, or otherwise work. Looking ahead, companies that fall behind on compliance could face a future costly uphill journey in the event sustainability requirements eventually return in the U.S.
Many companies have already established cost-cutting sustainability initiatives, like fleet electrification. The obvious strategy here is that if your initiative is working and either saving money or on track for a positive ROI, that’s why you stick with it – because it already makes financial sense.
Fleet electrification isn’t just about the environment, it’s about smart business. For companies that are saving money with less maintenance, longer vehicle life, lower labor costs, and easier fleet management, a changing political climate just doesn’t matter.
If you’ve started decarbonization efforts but are worried about the value of the investment, take a close look at your ROI projections. Following through on fleet electrification can often be better for operations and cost savings in the long run. If your operating costs are projected to drop enough to pay off the investment, let the money talk and stick with the plan.
The last group of decarbonization-focused companies includes those that lead because it’s the right thing to do. If sustainability is part of your mission, like it is for us at Panasonic, then you’re looking for ways to lower your operation’s carbon output regardless of political focus.
If you’re in this camp, your stakeholders and partners may think differently in today’s climate. Where motivational messaging may have carried the day previously, now moving forward will depend more on proving ROI, compliance, and other tangible near-term benefits.
If you have been relying on grants to jump-start decarbonization projects, now is the time to get creative on other funding options. Those can include partnering to create more purchasing power and possibly benefit from economies of scale. Also look for opportunities to launch a smaller program and use its positive ROI to fund next steps.
Creative thinking will carry the day, especially for divisions within larger corporations that have independent targets. We think it’s smart business to lean in on sustainability. Decarbonization can not only save money on operations, but it keeps companies ahead in global trade and shifting political climates.
For more information about how Panasonic’s Smart Mobility Office is helping fleets in each of these categories to take the next steps in their journeys, reach out to our team. We look forward to working with you!