Himanshu Gupta, CEO and Co-founder, Lawyered, talks about how women truck drivers are pioneering sustainability in India.
30 Dec 2023 | 2597 Views | By Himanshu Gupta, Lawyered
Women are driving change in the primarily male industry of trucking by establishing the standard for sustainability on the open road. Trucking has historically been linked with environmental challenges, such as high fuel use and pollutants. The current status quo is being challenged by a growing percentage of women truck ...
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Women are driving change in the primarily male industry of trucking by establishing the standard for sustainability on the open road. Trucking has historically been linked with environmental challenges, such as high fuel use and pollutants. The current status quo is being challenged by a growing percentage of women truck drivers, who are taking the helm to advance sustainability and green practices in the sector.
Even though trucking has always been seen as a masculine occupation, circumstances are changing. Truck driving is becoming more and more popular among women, defying traditional norms and assumptions. This change gives
an opportunity not only to advance gender equality but also to give the business community new viewpoints and creative ideas.
As more women enter the field, the trucking industry is gaining from a broader spectrum of thought, problem-solving techniques, and customer service. In this particular field, women have repeatedly demonstrated their tenacity, adaptability, and dedication, dispelling the preconceptions that have been stymied advancement for too long. This change in the trucking sector is a potent reminder that removing gender barriers may benefit people and organisations alike by creating an atmosphere where talent and commitment are valued more than gender. It demonstrates that everyone, regardless of gender, may succeed in any field of their choice, which is encouraging progress toward a more inclusive and dynamic workforce.
The promotion of fuel efficiency is one of the main ways in which women truck drivers are setting the bar for sustainability. Modern trucks come with cutting-edge technologies that can dramatically save fuel use and emissions, but these features are frequently not fully exploited. The usage of these gadgets is being adopted and promoted mostly by women drivers.
Long-haul women truckers have embraced fuel-efficient methods of driving like route optimisation, keeping tyres at their ideal pressure, and minimising idle time. These methods reduce both the cost of fuel and the carbon impact of the sector. In addition to strengthening their financial situation, women truck drivers' commitment to fuel efficiency has encouraged other drivers to follow suit.
The trucking industry heavily relies on diesel fuel, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Women truck drivers advocate for adopting alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and electric power for long-haul trucks. These alternatives produce fewer emissions and are more sustainable in the long run. Leading women drivers have gained prominence for switching to electric vehicles. They are of the opinion that electric trucks, which provide a cleaner, quieter alternative to conventional diesel-powered vehicles, represent the industry's future. To reduce their carbon footprint, trucking businesses have been compelled by the influence of women truck drivers to investigate and invest in electric truck technology.
Women truck drivers encourage sustainable freight practices in addition to improving their own driving techniques. To accomplish this, shippers and receivers must co-operate in order to cut waste, increase loading and unloading productivity, and encourage the use of sustainable packaging supplies.
The trucking industry has been slow to diversify, with women representing a minority of drivers. Women truck drivers are actively working to change this by encouraging more women to consider trucking a viable career option. They are participating in outreach programmes, mentoring initiatives, and advocacy groups to promote diversity.
In a field that has long been linked to environmental issues, women truck drivers are setting the standard for sustainability. These women are having a big impact on the trucking business and the environment through their dedication to fuel efficiency, support for renewable energies, promotion of sustainable freight practices, and initiatives to promote industry diversity. Along with decreasing the industry's carbon footprint, their initiatives also dispel gender stereotypes while encouraging a more diverse and creative workforce. Women truck drivers are showing that anyone, regardless of gender, can be a catalyst for positive change in the trucking industry by continuing to pave the way for sustainability. The industry's future appears to be more secure and promising than ever in their hands.