The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has honored Covenant for the second consecutive year as a 2022 SmartWay High Performer for carbon emissions as a truck carrier. Fewer than 10 percent of all SmartWay carriers operate fleets efficient enough to make the SmartWay High Performer list for carbon emissions. This means that Covenant consumes less fuel for every mile traveled and for every ton of freight moved, helping to reduce operational costs, and cut harmful emissions in a meaningful way.

EPA’s SmartWay program helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking, and improving freight transportation efficiency. All SmartWay partners submit efficiency and air-quality performance data to the EPA annually. The EPA calculates the data and divides it into five ranked performance ranges. For the past six years, SmartWay High Performers have been the partners whose efficiency and/or air quality performance falls within the top-ranked performance range. 

“EPA commends Covenant Transport for its continued efforts as a SmartWay partner and its contribution to a more efficient, productive, and sustainable freight industry,” said SmartWay’s Joann Jackson-Stephens, brand manager. “Our progress to making freight in the supply chain more sustainable and efficient is due to the vision, commitment and hard work of SmartWay partners and affiliates.”

“Over the last decade, Covenant has become increasingly mindful of the impact we have on the environment and have taken bold moves to minimize the impact our core businesses in transportation and warehousing are having on the environment,” said Covenant’s Matt McLelland, vice president of sustainability and innovation. “We are honored to have earned this designation demonstrating our dedication to making a positive impact on the environment and building a sustainable business.”

In the past several years, Covenant has committed to the following:

• Adopted aerodynamic technology, TruckWings, that improved trucking fleet’s fuel economy.
• Installed Electric Auxiliary Power Units (EAPUs) to reduce fuel consumption, increase driver comfort, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions during idle periods.
• Participated in a tire recycling program that kept 600,000 lbs. of tire waste out of landfills.
• Installed 150kw of solar panels generating 100-percent renewable energy for the company. Installed white roofs on Covenant facilities, which reflect sunlight and reduce heat buildup.

Click here to view Covenant’s Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

Prior to being named a SmartWay High Performer, Covenant received a prestigious bronze sustainability rating by EcoVadis, the world's largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. This rating ranks Covenant in the top fifty percent of those assessed for sustainability practices.