DCLI’s commitment to sustainability is interwoven in our core values of customer focus, respect, collaboration, integrity, social responsibility, and safety always. DCLI acknowledges today’s environmental challenges and knows that preserving natural resources is a shared responsibility. As the largest chassis provider in the United States, DCLI is dedicated to collaborating with our stakeholders to understand our impacts, provide solutions, achieve common environmental goals, and enrich communities, all while staying resolute on our core value of customer focus.
One of DCLI’s recent customer-focused and sustainability-linked initiatives is our industry-leading transition to radial tires. Since DCLI’s carve-out from Maersk in 2012, our chassis fleet has expanded from 65,000 chassis to over 290,000 chassis through various acquisitions. Most of our international container chassis and many of our domestic container chassis were operating on outdated bias-ply tires when the company acquired them. Since 2018, DCLI has invested over $125 million into converting our chassis to radial tires, and as a result, over 85% of our international container chassis and substantially all of our domestic chassis are now operating on radial tires.
Radial tires are not only more economical, providing an estimated additional 0.5 miles of travel per gallon, but also lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions related to their operation. In 2024, DCLI engaged a global consulting firm to conduct a comparative analysis of carbon emissions associated with the use of radial and bias-ply commercial vehicle tires. Based on available data, it is estimated that the longer lifespan and superior fuel efficiency of radial tires reduce annual tire fleet emissions from the avoided purchase of tires and the combustion of diesel fuel by 40% and 8.5%, respectively. This results in an estimated annual emissions avoidance attributed to DCLI’s fleet conversion of approximately 92,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent which is akin to taking 20,000 passenger cars off the road.
In addition to our radial tire initiative, we’re continuing to invest in other environmentally friendly solutions such as chassis refurbishment and remanufacturing. DCLI has made improvements in other environmental areas as well, refining our carbon accounting and reporting, determining our baseline emissions data, and establishing an environmental management policy.
DCLI understands that sustainability encompasses more than environmental concerns, and that is why we are also dedicated to the wellbeing of our people and the communities where we operate. Award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs have increased our diverse population from 28% to 36% of our workforce, while resource groups and mentorship programs have bolstered employee retention, engagement, and health. Additionally, DCLI strengthens its local communities by supporting local nonprofits, such as the Special Olympics, and through our participation in community events, such as Pride Parades in Charlotte and Los Angeles with our longstanding customer, Maersk.
Sustainability is inseparable from DCLI’s core values and is critical to the long-term success of the company and its customers. By embracing sustainable practices, DCLI hopes to foster a more resilient future for all of its stakeholders.
