Environment
News and opinions on how trucking industry impacts the environment
DAF CF Electric tames Europe’s most challenging mountain pass
A DAF CF Electric with a 26-tonne GCW has become the first fully electric truck to tame Austria’s highest mountain pass — the 48-kilometre Grossglockner High Alpine Road with 36 hairpin bends and 12% inclines. The accomplishment proves that zero-emission driving is also perfectly possible in mountainous areas. The CF Electric has been on the market since 2018 and is available as a 4×2 tractor unit and a 6×2 rigid. The fully electric vehicle – the third generation of which is now on the road – is already in use in amongst others the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the UK and Hungary for various applications including supermarket distribution, refuse collection and container transport. With smart planning and intermediate charging, customers can drive up to 500 km ...[Read More]
Landmark Tevva launch delivers the UK’s first hydrogen electric truck
Electric and hydrogen truck pioneer Tevva has launched the first hydrogen fuel cell-supported heavy goods vehicle (HGV) to be manufactured, designed and mass produced in the UK. The Tilbury-headquartered firm unveiled its hydrogen electric vehicle alongside its latest full-battery electric HGV at the Road Transport Expo. Hydrogen has been used safely in buses and other vehicles in more than 20 countries for many years and has a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries or even diesel. Because of these properties, it is particularly attractive for use in larger, commercial vehicles. On-boarding diverse hydrogen suppliers Tevva is on-boarding diverse hydrogen suppliers that can provide innovative and hydrogen services to cater to the needs of its growing customer base. Tevva CEO...[Read More]
BP and BOC unveil plans for HGV hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
BP and BOC have completed a detailed joint feasibility study exploring optimised designs for a potential hydrogen distribution and supply network for heavy duty transportation in the UK. The nine-month study provided important technical insights into requirements and options for hydrogen distribution, station design considerations, and dispensing costs for heavy duty transport applications. The study concluded that, in the near-term, distribution of hydrogen as compressed gas via road trailer is the best option to stimulate the UK market for hydrogen fuel for heavy duty transport. Over the longer term, as the market expands into new geographies, both liquid and gaseous hydrogen have potential to play a role. Network for heavy duty transport hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in...[Read More]
New Mercedes eActros LongHaul truck starts testing this year
Following the market launch of the eActros for heavy-duty distribution transport last year, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is pressing ahead with the introduction of additional battery-electric models for this and coming years. For the important long-haul segment, the eActros LongHaul, with a range of around 311 miles on one battery charge, is scheduled to be ready for series production in 2024. The first prototypes of the 40-tonne truck are already undergoing internal tests and Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ engineers are planning to start trials of the e-truck on public roads this year. The eActros LongHaul will enable high-performance charging – so-called ‘megawatt charging’. Preparing additional variants of the eActros Mercedes-Benz Trucks is also preparing addit...[Read More]
How eco-driving can help the fleet industry reduce fuel consumption
There’s no doubt that 2022 has been a challenging year for fleet businesses where we got to see the interest rates plunge twice in three months, inflation has gotten high, up to 7% and energy costs up to 25%. All this is a result of coping with the pandemic. Even in these situations, some business has eroded in profits whereas, in some areas, significant changes have been made in strategies just to break even. Businesses are looking to analyse how to save as much as possible. Therefore, creating efficiencies within fleet management might help gain traction to fight any potential barriers in the near future. Managing fuel expences The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported the highest petrol price of 12.6 pence per litre between February to March, becoming the largest month...[Read More]
How weather affects your fleet performance and how you should avoid it
While typical weather, such as an average rain or wind, won’t significantly affect fleet performance, heavy storms, snow, winds, rain, and fog like extreme weather can cause a problem. Whether you are operating in a cold Northern or hot Southern hemisphere, being prepared is highly recommended. FROM JANUARY TO APRIL, the UK and European winters can create hazards like snow, black ice, fog, and even flood, making it dangerous to operate a fleet. Decreased Visibility and Vision Bad weather like hail, fog, snow, and heavy rain can significantly decrease a driver’s road sight, making it challenging to operate a fleet. On top of that, bad weather can also reduce drivers’ ability to see nearby vehicles and pedestrians. While the weather cannot be controlled by any chance, here&...[Read More]
Manchester Clean Air Zone: Rollout Delayed until Summer?
On February 4th (Friday), the UK government has officially granted permission to authorities to delay the execution of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone. Since the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone proposal was submitted in 2019, the local authorities, in consultation with local businesses & residents, were deemed responsible for the decision. However, considering the Covid-19 impact on supply chains, availability of vehicles for hire & prices, It seems more challenging for the people of Greater Manchester and overall CAZ emission standards to upgrade to cleaner vehicles resulting in the clean air zone failing to deliver compliance and clean air to legal limits by 2024. The situation has led the Mayor of Greater Manchester to request an increase in time to deliver the NO2 compl...[Read More]
Should I buy Winter Tyres? Cost and Benefits
What are the pros and cons of fitting winter tyres on your vehicle, and are they cost-effective? Considering many hazards like rain, snow, black ice, wet roads, which sometimes can become fetal. Fitting winter tyres to your vehicle can be a significant safety asset. But after all, it depends on your cause and figuring out if they are suitable for you. What are winter tyres? Winter tyres are created to serve maximum grip and resistance in cold weather. They are carved with deeper grooves, softer compound and narrow cuts with sipes built into the tread. These specifications are designed to disperse water or snow and allow the material to move with increased contact with the road. To identify a winter tyre, look for the snowflake symbol on the sidewall. If not found any, you’ll likely s...[Read More]
2022 will be a year of EVs?
Conforming the last year’s rapid progress in fleet tech, Fleet Speak investigates the UK’s fleet sector to foresight 2022 & predict the sector’s inclining direction towards tech. Addressing the top five trends in the trucking industry for a few years, it’s clear that we are increasingly heading towards an Electric revolution. After a year-long roller coaster ride during a pandemic, we saw the world go towards climactic chaos at COP26. At the same time, the fleets and transports accelerated towards EV adoption and continued holding the industry during the calamity. Let’s look at what this year can bring to the EV world. Expansion of Fleet EVs As the affordability factor of trucks and vans increases rapidly over time, all-electric fleets are becoming more of...[Read More]
What will reduce fuel consumption of your Fleet?
In this article, let’s find out what will reduce the fuel consumption of your fleet and stay on top of your business. If you are working as a fleet manager or wish to balance & reduce your fleet’s fuel consumption, then here are some tips shared below to cut back your fuel costs. UK fuel cards are efficient ways to increase efficiency & save as much money as possible. Reducing fuel consumption is one of the best ways to keep your business buoyant and under control. As a fleet manager, your fuel priority is high. Therefore, it’s crucial to reduce the money spent on fuel & stay profitable. Tips to reduce fuel consumption for fleet drivers We believe that fuel conservation is a responsibility of the fleet drivers more than fleet managers. Therefore, the drivers p...[Read More]
Want to start your logistic business? Here’s how you can get your operator’s licence
Getting a fleet operator’s licence Even if you know the various driving licence categories in the UK, you would’ve learned about the operator’s licence. Here’s what you need to know on getting a fleet operator’s licence, whether you own an HGV business or trying to fulfil your logistic needs after getting generous support from your commercial partner (regardless of your business ownership). The aim of holding the goods vehicle operator’s licence is a promise of ensuring the safe and optimised use of HGVs and becoming as protective of the environment at your workspace. Fill the below checklist to figure out if you need the operator’s licence. You are using a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, i.e., 3500kg of combined weight, to carry goods associated with a t...[Read More]
Birmingham Clean Air Zone Map: Timing & Charges
What is Clean Air Zone (CAZ)? Before considering the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Map, let’s figure out what CAZ means. CAZ (Clean Air Zones) is a specific region in which prime measures are imposed to improve the air quality of that area. CAZ can be confined within a particular road or a whole block of the city that affects all the commercial and non-commercial vehicles with a charge or fine for entering. Initially, in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Map, there are two types of Clean Air Zone i.e., ‘Charging’ and ‘Non-Charging’ In a Charging Area, all the Commercial and non-commercial vehicle drivers are charged with a fee to enter the CAZ if their vehicle does not meet the Environment Standard Requirement. The Environment Standard Requirement in the Birmingham Clean Air Zone Map is most...[Read More]
