When most people think of the word green in relationship to fleet management they think less of the color and more of the environmental concept. It’s hard to put a finger on the exact point in time when the definition of green changed, but change it did, and with that change came a new battle flag for environmental stewardship.

First thing to know about the color green is that it is not a primary color but a blend of blue and yellow. This certainty holds true that green is not a naturally occurring miracle in your shop. Yes, other components have to be blended together to make a green fleet.

Advertisers spend millions of dollars to understand how people react to certain colors. We would never see the Serria Club logo on a black background with hot pink letters and we would likely not deposit our money in a bank that had a playful rainbow colored logo “ YOUR BANK”. These advertising companies know that there are emotions attached to colors and so should it be with the “greening” of your fleet.

A recent article in Entrepreneur Magazine says “blue is perceived as trustworthy, dependable, fiscally responsible and secure. Strongly associated with the sky and sea, blue is serene and universally well-liked. Blue is an especially popular color with financial institutions, as its message of stability inspires trust”.  It goes on to say that “ in every society, yellow is associated with the sun. Thus, it communicates optimism, positivism, light and warmth. Certain shades seem to motivate and stimulate creative thought and energy. The eye sees bright yellows before any other color, making them great for point-of-purchase displays.”

By combining the blue qualities such as stability and trust along with the association of yellow optimism and positivism we will naturally create an unshakable foundation on which to build a green fleet.