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Alternative Fuels & Energy will change the Road Transport landscape It is impossible to open a newspaper without reading an article dealing with some aspect of environmental protection. Reports of Atmospheric pollution, quite properly, constantly attract stories in which new sources of pollution are identified, and, of course, diesel engines burning carbon fuel are all too easily identified as a major source of pollution. As this is written it seems inevitable that sooner or later steps will be taken to control the emissions from diesel engines. Any haulage company planning for a replacement programme for its fleet of vehicles would be well advised to consider the possibility that diesel fuel may eventually be banned in some areas, and as this is written we have a number of conflicting interests. Goods will always need to be moved and new ‘cleaner’ fuels, such as Hydrogen or Electricity, and, will be promoted. It is to be expected that we will see many new windfarms, and Hydrogen plants. Is it highly possible that we may have to deal with some form of nuclear power! We forget that electricity needs to be manufactured and, if there is too much demand, supplies will run out. We are already seeing battles between contenders in the race to provide alternative fuel. Hydrogen Europe has reacted strongly to a perceived suggestion that its product has a substantial carbon base. Of course, air transport companies and some airlines have benefitted from the impact of Covid-19 but, at the end of the day, you need an adjacent airport, and there is a limit to the size and weight of the load that can be carried. From the point of view of the haulier if the great Irish public is persuaded that diesel engines must go, the possible cost of their replacement is beyond calculation. To this cost should be added the additional cost of new tools and equipment. Will vehicles be able to travel the same distances as they do
in an age of great change, and these at the moment? And will we need new changes affect every aspect of our lives. refuelling points? In, hopefully, the very Consider, for example, the differences long term the safest answer may be to between the controls of a 1930 vehicle put any plans for vehicle replacement on and one of today, and these changes hold until the fuel issue is resolved, and are occurring at an enormous speed. perhaps spending money on premises Perhaps the most useful purchase at this should be avoided. moment in time would be a Crystal Ball. None of these changes will happen It is not the size of a haulage company overnight, but changes there are bound that make it vulnerable to these changes, to be, so there is no immediate urgency, it is the location of its customers, and but if ever there was time to read the the distances that its vehicles need trade papers, and listen to the news, this to travel beyond the country borders, is it. Now is certainly a good time to have that are likely to cause problems. another look at your customer base. It Plans for expansion perhaps should be is possible that, if any of these changes implemented cautiously. occur you will have to restructure your Text: Jonathan Lawton - jonathan@fleet. rates to remain profitable. All this while we still have the shadows of Brexit and (hopefully to All-Star Transport Training a lesser degree) Covid-19 to take Company of the Year 2021 into account. A friend in the UK recently placed Transport Manager CPC a usual order Weekend & Full-Time Courses available at: with the local Supermarket only Cork (Silver Springs Hotel) - Sat 4th Sept to be told that (Online) - Mon 6th Sept certain of the Limerick (Kilmurry Lodge Hotel) - Sat 11th Sept items could not be Galway (Connacht Hotel) - Sat 18th Sept delivered because of Brexit. Dublin P/T (Green Isle Hotel) - Sat 18th Sept The one Dublin F/T (Green Isle Hotel) - Wed 6th Oct certainty is that, for Tutor: Tony Hynes MBS, B.Comm, FCIPD, FCILT, FIITD so long as people 35 Years Successfully Delivering The Transport Management CPC have made goods to be used by “This course changed my life” Gary D. other people, those “Tony made this course very easy” John O’B. goods have needed to be transported, a “Outstanding course” Laura C. fact that sometimes All Modules Driver CPC appears to be Available Weekends - Weekdays - Evenings forgotten by those Book Online: 24/7 - www.cpc.ie who campaign the loudest against carbon pollution. Whether we like it or not we are clearly living
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