Continued

SmartWay Has Room for Everyone

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-driven partnership to help 

businesses move goods in the cleanest, most efficient way possible. These 

businesses include all retailers, manufacturers, distributors, cargo owners and 

other shippers, as well as private fleets, commercial carriers, freight brokers 

and 3rd party logistics providers. All of our partners play an important role in 

the partnership process and benefit from their participation and commitment.

Our Diverse Partnership

To better understand the vast array of partner types within SmartWay, consult 

the chart below. 

The SmartWay Audience

EPA’s SmartWay is a marketdriven partnership to help businesses move goods in the cleanest, most efficient way possible. 

By providing a consistent set of 

tools and information needed 

to make informed transportation choices, SmartWay enables 

companies across the supply 

chain to exchange performance 

data in ways that protect the 

environment, enhance our 

nation’s energy security and 

foster economic vitality. To 

encourage continued improvement, SmartWay provides 

incentives and recognition to 

top performers. 

What do you do? SmartWay Partner 

Category

Eligibility Role in SmartWay

Retailer, manufacturer, food, 

beverage, consumer goods, 

pharmaceuticals, lumber/paper, 

chemical and petroleum, etc.

Shipper Partner Contract the shipping of 95% 

or more of your freight with 

outside firms

Commit to ship more freight with 

more high performing SmartWay 

carriers. Encourage carriers 

and peers to register. Improve 

operational efficiency. Report freight 

activity annually.

Institutional receiver of procured 

goods, e.g., school, government, 

hospital, etc.,

Shipper Partner Contract the shipping of 95% 

or more of your freight with 

outside firms

Commit to ship more freight with 

more high performing SmartWay 

carriers. Encourage carriers 

and peers to register. Improve 

operational efficiency. Report freight 

activity annually.

Any above that uses own private 

fleet 

(includes class 2 through class 8b 

trucks) 

Truck Carrier Partner Operate and manage or 

lease your own fleet and 

contract the shipping of 5% 

or less of your freight with 

outside firms

Commit to and demonstrate 

improved fleet efficiency. Encourage 

shipper clients and peers to register. 

Improve operational efficiency. 

Report freight activity annually.

Private Truck fleet

(includes class 2 through class 8b 

trucks) 

Truck Carrier Partner See above Commit to and demonstrate 

improved fleet efficiency. Encourage 

peers to register. Improve 

operational and fleet efficiency. 

Report freight activity annually.

Commercial, for-hire truck carrier

(includes class 2 through class 8b 

trucks) 

Truck Carrier Partner Operate and manage or 

lease your own fleet and are 

hired by others to move their 

freight

Commit to and demonstrate 

improved fleet efficiency. Encourage 

shipper clients and peers to register. 

Improve operational efficiency. 

Report freight activity annually.

U.S. EPA SmartWay | EPA-420-B-13-039 | www.epa.gov/smartway
The SmartWay Audience

Continued

Commercial for hire rail carrier 

(includes class 1 or short line)

Rail Carrier Partner Operate and manage or 

lease your own rail line and 

are hired by others to move 

their freight

Commit to and demonstrate 

improved fleet efficiency. Encourage 

shipper clients and peers to register. 

Improve operational efficiency. 

Report freight activity annually.

Freight broker or forwarder, 3rd 

party logistics provider or non asset 

based carrier

Logistics Partner Contract the shipping of more 

than 5% your freight with 

outside firms

Commit to and improve operational 

efficiency. Encourage shipper 

clients, contract carriers and peers 

to register. Report freight activity 

annually.

Private fleet combined with rail and 

logistics brokerage

Multi-modal Carrier Operate your own managed 

fleet and contract the 

shipping of 5% or more of 

your freight with outside firms 

or more than 10% with rail

Commit to and improve operational 

efficiency. Encourage shipper 

clients, contract carriers and peers 

to register. Report freight activity 

annually.

Trade or professional association, 

non-profits, online retailer, truck 

stop, truck dealer

SmartWay Affiliate See Affiliate agreement Promote the goals of SmartWay 

and work to educate stakeholder 

community. Encourage members or 

stakeholders to register. 

Technology vendors, for profit 

firms, others

SmartWay Community 

Member

All others Promote the goals of SmartWay 

and work to educate stakeholder 

community.