Objectives, Measures and Indicators

Vehicle Fleet

We primarily optimize the efficiency of our fleet of vehicles through the use of modern, low-consumption vehicles and regular maintenance. GPS systems and journey optimization are included as standard, which has led to a reduction in the distances covered and better capacity utilization of the vehicles. Empty journeys are avoided wherever possible.

We make sure that our vehicles are up-to-date in terms of technology. We have completely stopped adding diesel vehicles to our compact car segment and swapped to low-consumption ecoFlex gas vehicles. We have also replaced a wide range of old diesel vehicles with new Euro 6d-TEMP standard vehicles, and we have expanded our network of service and workshop partners to avoid unnecessary journeys.

We will integrate a number of natural gas, hybrid and electric drive vehicles into the fleet in 2019 and test them in our everyday work. We are also planning a pilot project for the use of hydrogen drive vans.

The use of e-bikes has also become more commonplace at Vonovia now. 21 employees travel through our neighborhoods on e-bikes. This makes it even easier for our customers to approach our employees directly and connect with Vonovia – while our employees protect the environment. 174 traditional bicycles are also currently a regular part of our vehicle fleet. 305-5

Fleet Software

We systematically collect and analyze the fuel consumed by our fleet using our fleet software. We inform employees who cover a lot of miles of the costs and CO₂ emissions associated with their driving and provide advice on fuel-saving driving. 305-5

Reducing the Number of Kilometers Driven

Centralized Processes

Through the centralization of processes in transport and logistics and the use of our journey planning tool we can drastically reduce the miles our employees have to drive. Our repair center, for instance, is responsible for centrally handling repair queries and coordinating service appointments. Our employees estimate demand and the amount of time needed based on the number of queries they receive and plan appointments for the service technicians in a way that optimally conserves resources and ensures cost efficiency. Our service technicians are also responsible for dealing with smaller jobs from other trades so that no other Vonovia employees have to attend. Our technicians receive training for this where necessary.

In order to avoid long journeys at the beginning of the working day, we try to make appointments for our technicians close to their homes. We use local subcontractors to complete trade work at buildings that are far from our technical service locations.

Innovative Logistics Concepts

We have been making use of an overnight delivery system for a number of years now. The service delivers replacement parts and materials directly to our vehicles overnight so that our employees do not have to pick them up. We were able to increase the volume of direct deliveries again in 2018. Our close branch network of trade partners enables us to procure materials and replacement parts at short notice that could not be delivered.

The “empty apartment deliveries” system is another successful logistics concept that we use across the Group, and is a well-established process. This system entails bundling materials for several trades into one delivery.

Both concepts save us time and reduce kilometers driven – and therefore also reduce the consumption of valuable fuel and CO₂e emissions. 305-5

Deploying New Technology

In our modernization work we fit our apartments with smart meters that enable the digital recording and billing of heating consumption. This means heating meters no longer have to be read by Vonovia employees in person, which in turn allows us to reduce the energy consumption of our fleet further. We now use smart meters to bill customers in around 130,000 residential units (2017: 80,000 residential units) via a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vonovia.

Reducing Business Trips

We try to avoid business trips as much as possible and instead use digital communication channels whenever employees from different locations need to exchange information with one another or with stakeholders.

Whenever a business trip can’t be avoided, we try not to fly but prefer to travel by rail and car. Car pools are formed if several employees are going on the same business trip.