Averitt Express recently was honored by the Tennessee Trucking Association for its commitment to envrionmental responsibility.

The Clean Diesel Award is presented annually to a Tennessee transportation and logistics provider for its efforts in fuel conservation and sustainability within its fleet.

Among the practices and technologies Averitt has adopted include using ultra-low-sulphur diesel at the company's in-house fueling stations to reduce emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides and operating new low-emission diesel tractor engines.

It also provides trucks with APU's that enable drivers to reduce idling when parked for extended periods, introduced electric forklifts for its fleet and maintained balance within the company's network to reduce empty miles to reduce emissions and fuel useage.

Since joining the SmartWay initative as a charter member in 2004, Averitt has achieved a 36 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, 84 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions and saved 2.5 million gallons of diesel fuel. 

"We're dedicated to improving the sustainability of our operations and we will continue to seek innovative and creative technologies to reduce our impact on the envrionment," Averitt president Wayne Spain said.

"It's a commitment to future generations, individuals we'll never meet but who'll hopefully enjoy a cleaner earth in part becuase of our efforts," chairman and CEO Gary Sasser says on the company's website.