Working together

Grahame Neagus, Head of LCV, Renault Trucks UK & Ireland

Topics covered were wide and varied, and all provided much food for thought.

A fascinating debate involved the role of warehouses, and what the warehouse of the future might look like in 2050. Naturally, there was much interest around data, AI, robotics and automation in how to make these often huge warehousing units more productive and more sustainable. However, decarbonised transport is a vital link in this chain, yet there was little mention of the infrastructure provision required for the electric vehicles that will drive this change.

Indeed, the warehouse of the future may be one of the answers to the current infrastructure challenges for HGVs.

New warehouses tend to be built from scratch on brown or greenfield sites with a vast amount of space and placed near to motorway intersections, the ideal location to install suitable 50kw to 350kw rapid chargers from day one. And in order to receive planning permission, new warehousing should be required to have the necessary infrastructure installed to support the operation of electric HGVs, with good opportunity charging options made available to visiting vehicles. This would allow vehicles to recharge as they wait to load or unload on the dock, making longer haul runs feasible and offering warehouse owners an additional income stream from charging. By working together we can accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles of all sizes, effectively creating our own industry infrastructure up and down the country, while the public charging network catches up.

Additionally, the UKWA (UK Warehousing Association) is pushing hard for the adoption of sustainability initiatives including the fitting of solar panels on the roofs of these mega warehouses, reducing energy costs and offering the opportunity to power the visiting cleaner, greener electric vehicles with renewable energy. Indeed, according to a report from UKWA, UK warehousing has enough roof space to become a net producer of green energy if warehouse owners and leaseholders use all the available space for solar PV.

Also thrown into the discussions was how the warehouse of the future might be multilevel, akin to a multi-storey carpark, whereby only electric vans could enter the upper levels to reload or deliver. And, because they are emission free, these decarbonised vehicles could enter safe internal docking zones for parcel collection and returns. Similarly, Micro Electromobility solutions such as the Kleuster E-Cargo bike from Renault Trucks, are already allowing zero emission transport to merge seamlessly with inner city warehouse facilities for enhanced efficiency for last mile and last metre deliveries.

Another futuristic opportunity focuses on autonomous subterranean parcel tubes to connect inner city warehouses with residential areas, businesses and public sector. Life goes on above ground with minimum congestion, while deliveries are moved efficiently and effectively under our feet.

Transport, logistics and the entire supply chain are experiencing rapid changes due to innovation in technology, changing consumer demands, and environmental concerns. It is clear that these pressures are driving change, and as an industry we are at the cutting edge. However, we do need a joined up approach across all sectors, from OEMs, warehouses and distribution centres to last metre delivery, integrating our shared experiences and visions to remain competitive, efficient and sustainable.