Future of freight

DRONES will be used to deliver packages on remote Scottish islands as part of nine new in‐novative freight projects which have been awarded £1.2m in UK government funding.

The funding is one part of the govern‐ment’s Future of Freight Plan launched last year, setting a strategy to work closely with in‐dustry to deliver a world‐class freight system.

The system is hoped to support economic growth and build on the measures already taken to tackle the global HGV driver short‐age.

UK Roads Minister, Richard Holden, said: “Whether it’s drones for deliveries on remote islands or zero emission buggies, we want to invest in future technology that could trans‐form how we move goods around the coun‐try while reducing emissions and traffic and creating skilled jobs. aided by a 48v battery to make a mild hybrid that ben‐efits emissions, power and economy.

“The Freight Innovation Fund gives innova‐tors the opportunity to test their ideas and help our freight industry become greener and more efficient unlocking better connectivity and boosting growth across the country,” confirmed the Roads Minister.

The Plan is a three‐year £7 million pro‐gramme designed to make delivering freight across the UK more efficient and cleaner.

It’s a practical car too with even the lead‐in version hav‐ tainly not a performance model though when 62 mph takes 11.4 seconds, but in normal use the i20 doesn’t feel pedestrian. The manually geared versions fare better

Most i20s will spend their life pottering around towns and cities with the occasion‐al long run. Which is a shame as it handles rather well on cross country roads and especially with the nicely slick manual gearbox that would be my recommendation on the gearbox choice. Overall the i20 is refined, comfort‐able and very well equipped. It offers rather a lot of car for not a lot of money.