Commercial GreenFleet June 2022 by PSI Media

JUNE 2022

DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER COMMERCIAL FLEETS

LAST MILE LOGISTICS

GREENING THE VITAL LAST MILE How the boom in cycle logistics is eliminating emissions from final mile deliveries and urban fleet operations

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DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER COMMERCIAL FLEETS

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JUNE 2022

Moving to zero emissions

LAST MILE LOGISTICS

GREENING THE VITAL LAST MILE How the boom in cycle logistics is eliminating emissions from final mile deliveries and urban fleet operations

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The Department for Transport has launched a call for evidence on possible exemptions to the 2035 phase-out date for the sale of new, non-zero emission HGVs weighing 26 tonnes and under. These could include operations that carry heavy or abnormal loads, spend most of their time operating in specialist or remote areas, or are used in long-haul applications. The consultation, which closes on 22 July, says these vehicles may need until 2040 to transition to zero emission technologies. Regardless of any exemptions that may be permitted, the fact remains that the logistics and freight industry needs to move to zero emissions, and the government is now attempting to clarify how this will be made possible. Part of this involves research and trials into what works. As such, the government has announced over £200 million of funding to hold a zero emission road freight demonstrator programme. In this issue, Michelle Gardner discusses Logistics UK’s report, Decarbonising Logistics: The journey to net zero, which assesses current progress by the sector against the UK government’s policy framework and looks in detail at the government’s policy direction, fiscal incentives, infrastructure developments, and test projects. Read the feature on page 26. Meanwhile this issue focuses on last mile deliveries, with Richard Armitage from the European Cycle Logistics Federation sharing his latest commentary on the cycle logistics and cargo bike market, and we take a look at the workforce challenges facing the last mile industry, including how better to attract and retain employees. Angela Pisanu, editor

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Contents

CONTENTS COMMerCiAL GreenFleet JUNE 2022

6 News

Views sought on exemptions to 2035 ICE-truck phaseout date; Electric van registrations up 62.7 per cent first five months of 2022; and Zero emission road freight demonstrator programme announced

11 Last Mile Logistics

Cycle logistics is growing rapidly, driven by significant investment from multiple sources. Richard Armitage shares his latest commentary on the cycle logistics and cargo bike market

14 Last Mile Logistics

Nearly half of the population would consider a role in last mile delivery, research has revealed, yet the rapidly growing sector is struggling to recruit and re-skill the workforce needed to match consumer demand. So how can this situation be improved?

19 Commercial Vehicle Show

New product launches, an impressive array of exhibitors and compelling speaker sessions combined to make this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show a huge success

23 Retrofit Technology

Air pollution features strongly alongside the climate change agenda in the 2021 Transport Decarbonisation Plan. The introduction of Clean Air Zones in cities is expected to bring pollution levels down significantly, but with a high percentage of HGVs and buses on the road dating from 2015 or earlier, a large number exceed the CAZ limits. To help tackle this challenge, Zemo Partnership and Energy Saving Trust has developed the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS), writes Neil Wallis

25 Amazon Focus

Amazon’s five new 37-tonne fully-electric vehicles are now operating from Amazon’s fulfilment centres in Tilbury and Milton Keynes, transporting customer packages with zero tailpipe emissions

26 Freight Decarbonisation

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges on our industry’s agenda and logistics businesses are already taking great steps to support the UK’s decarbonisation targets. However, several significant barriers remain regarding the most efficient and commercially viable ways to reach net zero

28 Road Test:

Toyota Proace City Electric

Building on the strengths of the diesel-engined Proace City, Toyota has launched an electric version of its compact LCV. Using a proven powertrain and platform, Richard Gooding finds its practicality, refinement and good on-road manners mean it’s ready for business

ADVERTISERS INDEX The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service Artisan Electric & Trim Technik HQ Bradshaw Electric Vehicles British Red Cross

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June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Commercial Vehicle News

ZERO EMISSION TRUCKS

RED DIESEL

Views sought on exemptions to 2035 ICE-truck phase-out date

Over £6 million announced to develop red diesel alternatives The government has announced £6.6 million to help industry move away from using red diesel, also known as gas oil – a type of fossil fuel commonly used for off-road vehicles and machinery, specifically in the quarrying, mining, and construction sectors. It will see the development of red diesel alternatives, such as e-fuels and green hydrogen, as well as technologies which capture and store energy that would ordinarily be wasted from a vehicle or machine so it can be used instead.

The Department for Transport has launched a call for evidence on possible exemptions to the 2035 phase-out date for the sale of new, non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) weighing 26 tonnes and under. The consultation seeks to find evidence on HGVs or HGV use cases that could justify being exempt from the 2035 phase out date. For example they may carry

The funding forms part of the Red Diesel Replacement competition, with winners from Phase 1 published on 31 May. Seventeen projects will be funded, focusing on fuel development, distribution, storage and energy delivery systems development, as well as development of equipment and fleet management infrastructure. A total of £32.5 million will be available in grant funding for Phase 2, which will open in early 2023 for applicants. READ MORE

heavy or abnormal loads; have an additional power draw; spend most of their time operating in specialist or remote areas; or be used in longhaul applications. These vehicles may need until 2040 to transition to zero emission technologies. The consultation closes on 22 July 2022. READ MORE

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

£40m competition for commercial self-driving services The government has a new £40 million competition to kickstart commercial self-driving services, such as delivery vehicles and passenger shuttles. The ‘Commercialising Connected and Automated Mobility’ competition will provide grants to help roll out commercial use selfdriving vehicles across the UK from 2025, delivering convenience for consumers and making journeys safer, greener and more reliable. The competition will help bring together companies and investors so that sustainable business models to be rolled out nationally and exported globally. Types of self-driving vehicles that could be deployed include delivery vans, passenger buses, shuttles and pods, as well as vehicles that move people and luggage at airports and containers at shipping ports. £1.5 million of the funding will be used to study and explore using

self-driving vehicles as a means of public transport that could provide an alternative to mass transit systems. This includes, for example, using self-driving vehicles on routes separated from other traffic that could be cheaper and more flexible than new railway lines. The UK government is continuing to develop a comprehensive legal and assurance framework

for self-driving vehicles to ensure the safety of the technology. The government announced a Transport Bill in the recent Queen’s Speech that will introduce comprehensive legislation for self-driving vehicles to enable safe and responsible deployment. The first vehicles to be listed as self-driving in the UK – vehicles approved under the Automated

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Lane Keeping System (ALKS) Regulation – could be available for people to purchase, leawse or rent later this year. Vehicles will undergo rigorous testing and will only be permitted to drive themselves when they have met stringent standards.

VAN REGISTRATIONS

Fiat Professional launches E-Doblò electric van

Electric van registrations up 62.7 per cent first five months of 2022

Fiat Professional has launched the electric E-Doblò, which is equipped with a 100-kW electric motor and a 50kWh battery that allows more than 173 miles of range (WLTP). This is part of the brand’s electrification strategy – by 2024 the company aims to go fully electric on every new model in Europe and to offer an all-electric range from 2027. The new E-Doblò can reach a top speed of 80 mph and up to 260 Nm of maximum torque. It is capable of rapid charging, up to 100 kW, which allows to charge in direct current 80 per cent of the battery in just 30 minutes. It’s ‘Magic Plug’ makes it possible to use the electric energy produced by the battery for specific conversion needs like a cargo fridge or a workbench for power tools. The E-Doblò offers a payload of up to 800 kg on both wheelbases– allowing to load up to two euro-pallets. READ MORE

According to the latest SMMT LCV registration figures, some 869 battery electric vans (BEV) were registered in May – 276 more than last May. BEV registrations for the year to date are 62.7 per cent higher than last year, due in part down to significant large fleet orders delivered earlier in the year. As a result, over the year to date, overall BEV market share has more than doubled to 5.2 per cent – testament to the growing choice provided by manufacturers, with one in three models now available as a plug-in. However, the sector lags behind the new car market, where, in the year to date, BEVs comprise 14.0 per cent of new

registrations. With pure petrol and diesel cars and vans facing the same 2030 end of sale date, the need for a ‘van plan’ to encourage operators to make the switch by providing long term incentives and dedicated van charging infrastructure is readily apparent. Electric vans comprise just one in 20 new registrations and account for around one in 180 in use. This is borne out by an SMMT survey released last month that revealed 58 per cent of existing van owners would be encouraged to switch to an EV if there were more public charging points, while 57 per cent said that government incentives such as reduced tax or grants towards purchase would help.

Commercial Vehicle News

ELECTRIC VANS

Overall, the light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations recorded their fifth consecutive month of decline in May, falling -25.1 per cent to 22,000 units. Although the fall is amplified in comparison with last year, which saw the highest May registrations total in history, the market was still some -21.5 per cent below the pre-pandemic average as component shortages restricted production and therefore delivery. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Global supply chain shortages continue to hold back the market following last May’s post-pandemic bounce back. Manufacturers have, however, worked hard to get the latest zero-emission vans to customers, more than doubling their market share. However, this is still an emerging market and everything must be done to encourage drivers to switch to zero emission commercial vehicles if we are to achieve our net zero goals. The industry will tackle the supply chain challenges undermining delivery but we urgently need a van plan to address the paucity of dedicated commercial vehicle infrastructure, as well as incentives to boost the sector’s electric transition.” READ MORE

INSURANCE

Van insurance premiums driven up six per cent in 2022 According to research from pricing data experts Consumer Intelligence, premiums for vans have risen by 6.3 per cent in the three months to March, which the organisation says is due to the FCA’s general insurance pricing rules, which were introduced to put an end to “price walking”. Since January, insurers have no longer been able to offer new customers enticingly low premiums to win their business – with renewing customers only allowed access to the same deals as a new customer. Data from Consumer Intelligence suggests it’s having the effect of reducing the number of cheap deals in the market. An average annual van policy in the UK now stands at £1,135. Average premiums have now increased 40.2 per cent since April 2014 when

Consumer Intelligence first started collecting data. Within our age demographics, the bulk of these rises have come from van drivers aged 25-49 and the over-50s, who’ve seen 60.1% and 55.6% price hikes, respectively – whereas the under-25s have witnessed

price falls in the region of 23.8 per cent over the same period. Drivers using their vans for business (£1,145) continue to pay slightly higher premiums than those who use their vans as a car substitute (£1,107) under a ‘social, domestic and pleasure’ (SDP) policy.

Business users have also seen their motor premiums increase 6.8 per cent in the last three months, with premiums rising just five per cent for those using their vans as a car substitute. All age groups have recorded broadly similar premium rises in the last three months – with van drivers aged 25-49 (6.4 per cent) seeing prices increase slightly more than for those aged 17-24 (5.9 per cent) and the over-50s (5.7 per cent). A typical annual policy for a younger van driver under the age of 25 remains prohibitively high at £3,936. For those aged 25-49 an annual premium is now, on average, £835. While for the over-50s, an annual policy costs just £562.

June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Commercial Vehicle News

ZERO EMISSION TRUCKS

Zero emission road freight demonstrator programme announced

The government is putting over £200 million of funding into an extensive zero emission road freight demonstrator programme. The three-year comparative programme will begin later this year to help decarbonise the UK’s freight industry with initial competitions for battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology launching shortly. This could see hundreds more zero-emission HGVs rolled out across the nation and save the industry money, thanks to overall running costs of green vehicles

being cheaper than petrol and diesel equivalents. More efficient deliveries will in turn enable haulage companies to keep the price of goods down and protect customers from rising costs. The demonstrations will help gather evidence on the future refuelling and recharging infrastructure needed to drive the smooth transition to a zeroemission freight sector by 2050. An open-call competition will be launched for manufacturers, energy providers and fleet and infrastructure operators

to showcase their green technology on UK roads. This will begin with demonstrations of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell HGVs. The announcement expands the Department for Transport’s (DfT) successful £20 million zero emission road freight trials which ran last year, delivered by Innovate UK. As part of these trials, commercial vehicle manufacturer Leyland Trucks rolled out 20 DAF battery electric HGVs for use by public sector organisations,

including the NHS and local authorities, to support the uptake of battery electric trucks, enabling learning to be gathered from field testing vehicles in a real-world, realtime logistics environment. This project, along with six successful feasibility studies, helped prepare for the demonstrations, which will take place at scale over the coming years. READ MORE

RENTAL

Northgate to take on 350 new Mercedes e-Vito vans in 2022 Northgate Vehicle Hire is taking delivery of 350 Mercedes Benz e-Vito electric vans during 2022, as part of its commitment to the electrification of its customers’ fleets. Northgate is the first UK rental company to offer the new Vito to its customers, thanks to its partnership with Mercedes Benz, with the first vehicles due to hit the UK’s roads within the next few weeks. The new e-Vito has a reported range of up to 162 miles and comes with DC rapid charging ability of 0-80 per cent in just 35 minutes. With a gross vehicle weight of 3,200kg and a payload of up to 807kg, the e-Vito is an ideal zero emission van for both fleets and SMEs. “After the huge success onboarding electric panel vans with our customers in 2021, we are continuing to grow our

eLCV fleet with the provision of 350 new Mercedes e-Vito vans. We are proud to be the first mobility solutions provider to offer these state-of-the-art electric vans in the UK,” said Neil McCrossan, Northgate’s sales and marketing director. Taking delivery of the new e-Vito forms part of Northgate’s wider drive towards fleet electrification, entitled Drive to Zero. The

proposition was developed to ease the transition to electric LCVs and includes A fleet suitability analysis, the provision of turnkey charging solutions including infrastructure management - via its charging sister company ChargedEV - as well as servicing, maintenance, and driver training support. “The ongoing analysis of the mileage data produced across our customers’ fleets proves

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that the range provided by the e-Vito is more than practical for their daily usage. With a good payload and six cubic metres of available load space the e-Vito is already proving a popular choice with companies looking to onboard their first EVs to their fleets,” said McCrossan.

The role of low carbon fuels for HGVs

Seven in ten logistics firms report escalating costs due to fuel prices

The logistics industry is firmly committed to achieving net zero and many of Logistics UK’s members are already making investments and operational decisions to support the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, with the “net-zero by 2050” deadline looming, key questions about the best way to achieve this remain. In early 2022, the government launched its Low carbon fuel strategy: call for ideas, and while we are awaiting the outcome of this, in this article I will be giving an overview of Logistics UK’s response. For those operating light commercial vehicles, such as vans, battery electric has been widely adopted as the alternative to petrol and diesel. For some larger vans, there may still be a use for low carbon fuels or hydrogen, but, overall, Logistics UK members see the greatest potential for low carbon fuels in road transport to be for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). As has been well documented, larger HGVs are particularly challenging to decarbonise and there is not yet a commercially viable technology solution that is zero emission at the tailpipe. For smaller HGVs, battery electric vehicles could be adopted more rapidly to accommodate demand, but this is dependent on vehicles coming to market that are affordable for operators to acquire and run, as well as having sufficient appropriate and supportive infrastructure in place. Operators are currently awaiting the outcome of the Zero Emission Road Freight Trials to see which technology – or mix of technologies – offer the most commercially viable solutions for heavier HGVs, as well as how and when the infrastructure to support the vehicles will be developed and implemented nationwide. Despite this ongoing uncertainty, and the time pressures involved, operators remain keen to utilise and adopt low carbon fuels that can lower emissions from both new vehicles, and those already in the existing fleet. There are already many examples of Logistics UK members adopting low carbon fuels, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and biomethane. These have been demonstrated to offer excellent GHG emission savings and, in the case of ‘drop-in’ fuel HVO, this can be easily used in current vehicle fleets without significant modifications. A report by Zemo Partnership entitled ‘Market opportunities to decarbonise heavy duty vehicles using high blend renewable fuels’ concluded that the greatest opportunity for deploying high blend renewable fuels was in HGV fleets using back-to-base ‘depot’ refuelling. The study noted that the complete replacement of fossil fuels with Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) approved renewable fuels such as biodiesel, HVO and biomethane can achieve more than 80 per cent GHG emissions savings. It also determined significant savings could be achieved over the next decade with the HGV fleet adopting a 30 per cent renewable fuel blend taking into account diesel and gas HGVs. These findings highlight the GHG emissions savings that would be lost if low carbon fuels are not more widely adopted for use in HGVs; however, to encourage their uptake, the uncertainty around their use must first be addressed. Logistics UK views low carbon fuel alternatives as a short-medium term solution; they will play a crucial role while alternative technologies are sought, and will continue to be of use while HGVs are transitioning to newer technologies as part of the natural fleet replacement cycle once they are readily available. A nationally applied low carbon fuels strategy is vital to give logistics operators the confidence to integrate these alternatives into their vehicle fleets. However, this is not without cost and Logistics UK therefore is calling on government to provide financial support to enable more operators to adopt these fuels and reach lower emission targets, faster.

Seventy-one per cent of UK logistics companies reported an escalation in the cost of transporting goods during Q1 2022 compared to the same period a year ago amid sharp increases in the cost of fuel and other global supply chain pressures. Forty per cent of respondents said that costs had climbed by 25 per cent or more, according to the results of Logistics UK’s May 2022 Performance Tracker. Surging costs are feeding through to freight rates, particularly cargo transported by air and by road to outside the UK. More than six in ten respondents said both air and international road freight rates had increased substantially. Meanwhile, at least half of respondents said freight rates for transporting goods by sea, domestic roads and rail had increased substantially. Bulk diesel prices, which constitute about 30 per cent of the cost to operate a vehicle, have risen by 35.7 per cent to average 129.03 pence per litre (ppl) in Q1 2022 when compared with Q1 2021. All 241 respondents to the survey reported a rise in fuel costs.

The results suggest that the cost to transport goods and the broader cost of living squeeze are beginning to impact demand for goods. 35 per cent of respondents reported a decrease in orders, while 12 per cent said orders had fallen by at least a quarter. Sarah Watkins, deputy director – policy information at Logistics UK comments: “The cost to transport goods is surging at an unprecedented rate amid significant increases in the cost of fuel. The sheer numbers of logistics companies reporting increases in both freight rates and the costs to move goods suggests rising prices are deeply embedded and are unlikely to subside in the coming weeks. The sector is particularly reliant on diesel, the cost of which is likely to remain elevated even as the cost of other fuels subside. “Activity in the logistics sector is a reliable leading indicator for the broader economy and survey reveals worrying signs. More than a third of our respondents say orders are declining, likely as a result of both rising freight costs and as consumers cut back amid a broader cost of living squeeze.” READ MORE

FACILITIES

£20 million to improve roadside facilities for HGV drivers The government is investing £20 million to improve roadside facilities for HGV drivers. The funding is part of National Highways’ existing £169 million Users and Communities Fund, and will go specifically towards improving security, showers and eating facilities as well as exploring increasing parking spaces for lorry drivers. Roadside service operators are being encouraged to apply for the multimillionpound fund immediately. Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “HGV drivers play a key role

Commercial Vehicle News

Logistics UK’s Michelle Gardner

FREIGHT & LOGISTICS

in keeping our nation running and contributing to the economy, and it is vital they feel safe and comfortable wherever they stop. “That’s why we’re allocating £20 million to ramp up security and improve amenities for drivers – building on the raft of measures we’ve already taken to support the industry. “We’ll continue to work closely with the sector to boost professional driver numbers even further.” READ MORE

FURTHER INFORMATION logistics.org.uk/ environment/netzero Michelle Gardner, head of public policy, Logistics UK

June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

h o r w i n - e f l e e t . c o . u k

100% ELECTRIC

With investment coming from various sources, the cycle logistics and cargo bike market has grown significantly. Zedify, for example has benefited from further funding from Green Angel Syndicate (GAS), which specialises in financing firms that tackle climate change. The company first invested in Zedify in 2020 and in January 2022, came back for more, leading a £1.2m funding round. The cash injection means one of the UK’s leading independent cycle logistics operators can continue its expansion. Zedify has now fanned out from its Cambridge base to 11 locations, following the opening of their Plymouth depot. With its own back office and tech platform up and running, Zedify is inviting budding operators to become franchisees. Over the next four years, Zedify aims to expand to over 45 hubs, becoming the leading sustainable delivery network for cities by developing further partnerships with local and national brands. Since 2020, Zedify has delivered over 800,000 parcels, saving over 550 tonnes of CO2. It has increased operational capacity in London, expanded its central team, opened in Bristol, and been crowned ‘Urban Delivery Operator of the Year’ at the Motor Transport Awards.

Automotive industry interest Elsewhere, large automotive industry corporations are increasingly involved in cargo bikes. Bosch for example is working on e-bike motors, control systems, batteries and chargers, while Michelin’sTweel airless tyre Investor attention and wheel product still under test in the USA. It was not only Zedify having a busy January. Volkswagen Audi Group have a 20 per KKR, a well-known US-based private equity cent stake in Netherland’s PON Group, investor at the other end of the scale to the maker of Urban Arrow cargo GAS, had its offer to buy Dutch bikes, and Renault Mobilize is company Accell Group currently analysing in which for €1.56 billion (£1.3 P a rcel segment of micro-mobility billion) accepted by firms ar it should invest, but the Accell board. e hesitate showing considerable Accell is a significant to use cargo b interest in cargo bikes. player in the cycling ikes in Lamborghini is industry, owning the c like Lon ities involved in the Babboe and Raleigh d o n due to the a industry too, with its brands, making cargo b racing car front impact bikes for both family ‘micromsence of deformation technology and business use. obi hubs’ lity being deployed on the KKR and its consortium carbon fibre lightweight partners want to take quadricycle now in the company private with production at Italian market a view to expanding rapidly. entrant Sustainable Urban Mobility The April 2022 VeloBerlin event, Solutions, lead by experienced cargo bike which saw 15,000 through Templehof’s doors designer and innovator Diego Brunelli. in just two days, had dozens of cargo bikes There is evidence that cycling manufacture on display and for tryout. Babboe was there is returning to Europe and this includes cargo in force, testing the waters with its prototype bikes. In the UK, there is newcomer EAV with ‘heavy load’ cargo trike. With an electric its 2Cubed quadricycle. In March 2022, EAV motor in each rear wheel and an innovatory supplied one to Ringway Infrastructure for use suspension system to aid cornering, the in its London highways maintenance E payload will be 250kgs, excluding the rider.

Supported by

Written by Richard Armitage, executive director, European Cycle Logistics Federation

Cycle logistics is growing rapidly, driven by significant investment from multiple sources. Richard Armitage shares his latest commentary on the cycle logistics and cargo bike market

Last Mile Logistics

Cycle logistics investment spurs major growth

The target price tag is £10,000. Regarding its other models, Babboe is adopting a new stronger frame construction technique, a move that will be universally welcomed. Babboe is currently suffering significant supply chain bottlenecks, as is the whole of the bicycle industry. It is preventing almost completed cargo bikes from being shipped. Chiem de Winter, Babboe CEO, admitted to bike dealers in May 2022: “We are still finding it very difficult to determine specific delivery times for our products. Many bicycle parts have become hard to source, or are simply no longer available.”

Horwin electric scooter proves to be a great hit with Just Eat

When Just Eat opened its 20,000 square foot facility in Liverpool, they had one goal in mind, to deliver fast food to the people of Liverpool from chains such as McDonald’s and KFC as quickly as possible whilst ensuring the transport method was sustainable. Just Eat have been operating in cities across Europe for several years but Liverpool was going to be something a little different, with such a demanding city the transport needed to be not only reliable, but it needed to deliver a message to the city that Just Eat were in town!

VEHICLE LIFTS

BRAKE TESTING

DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT

VEHICLE PITS

INSPECTION & SERVICE

Back in June 2021 Artisan Electric, the UK importer of Horwin Global opened a dialogue with Just Eat and the message was clear, they wanted a complete solution; 95 per cent fleet uptime, call all out times to be within 24 hours and a product that not only delivered but looked great whilst doing the job. The Horwin EK1 (L1e) 50cc equivalent in a striking matt orange (Twister Orange) proved to be a great hit with the Just Eat team, customised branding not only gave the EK1 a striking look but also delivered the message that Just Eat had landed in Liverpool.

Since the install back in June 2021 the fleet has covered over 160,000 miles in total, and, with a regular shift lasting circa 10-12 hours, the EK1 is fitted with two batteries allowing it to cover up to 110 miles per shift. Both the team and the riders at the Liverpool Hub have been impressed with the EK1’s performance and comfort but more importantly our service. Anyone can sell a fleet of bikes. Today, the most important part of our success with Just Eat and other corporate final mile companies is our attention to detail, after sales service and customer support. With a fleet of 40 bikes used around the clock, our commitment to aftersales support is paramount, the fleet receive a scheduled visit twice a week to ensure that before and after a busy weekend the fleet is in full working order. Horwin Global are committed to providing the perfect delivery solution with the Horwin EK1 & EK3 DS, backed up by an aftersales package that’s both trusted and proven by the most demanding customers. L FURTHER INFORMATION https://horwin-efleet.co.uk fleet@artisanelectric.co.uk

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 fleet. In Portugal, Ciclo Fapril has been making cargo bike frames for over two years, and is part of a growing the Agueda ‘bicycle valley’ just south of Porto. At the same time, the cargo bike industry is maturing. For instance, Carla Cargo trailer frames used to be hand-built. They are now being made by robots in a factory in southern Germany, less than 5 miles from Carla Cargo’s Freiberg HQ and assembly plant. Public funds help drive demand The Minister responsible for transport decarbonisation, Trudy Harrison MP, arranged an online meeting in January 2022 with representatives from the bicyle industry, cycle logistics and global express parcel last mile delivery specialists. It was a lively and positive exchange but specific initiatives are yet to emerge from Marsham Street. The parcel firms left the Minister in no doubt that they are already using cargo bikes in mainland European cities, but that they hesitate to use them in cities like London due to the absence of affordable, appropriately located premises for their ‘micromobility hubs’. However, the Department for Transport (DfT) continues to stimulate cargo bike use. The Future Transport Zones in Solent and the West of England both have new trials starting, one of them at a Bristol hospital, directly replacing vans with cargo bikes. The Zero Emisssion Transport Cities, Bristol, Oxford and Norwich, have each just been allocated £500,000 feasibility cash with a specific requirement from DfT to use some of this to put forward cargo bike and cycle logistics initiatives for future public funding. In March 2022, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) released Air Quality grants to councils, and just over £3 million (nearly 26 per cent of the total) involved ‘active travel’ initiatives, several of which included using cargo bikes. Previously reported injections of public money are now bearing fruit. In Greater Manchester, for instance, two new cargo bike libraries have opened (at Manchester City and Salford City Councils). The EU-funded Ehubs project is financing a cargo bike sharing trial, under the auspices of Transport for Greater Manchester, using the Dutch system operated by Cargoroo. Twenty-five Urban Arrow Family ecargo bikes have been deployed in three residential neighbourhoods in Manchester and the early results are looking positive. The system relies on a smartphone app to access bookings and lock and unlock the bikes. The eco-system behind cargo bike operations is also starting to develop: all three cargo bike fleets are being managed and maintained by Manchester Bikes, the north-west’s cargo bike specialists. Future demand for cargo bikes and cycle logistics UK cargo bike sales data is still hard to come by, with current estimates suggesting sales in 2021 were less than 6,000. But this information deficit will soon be resolved, when the Bicycle Association Great Britain (BAGB) electronic point of sale (EPOS) data collection system is expanded to include details of cargo bike sales. BAGB’s bicycle dealer members will provide fully anonymised data, downloaded automatically via an API hooked up to their EPOS systems. However, the market in Germany is rocketing and offers a pointer at least about the future market for cargo bikes. In 2021, 167,000 cargo bikes were sold in Germany, 62 per cent up on 2020. Back in 2016, the number of cargo bikes sold rose was around 15,000. Amazon Logistics UK expects to open six micromobility hubs in 2022. One of them will be in a repurposed section of a multistorey car park rented off the City of London Corporation, where 85 vans are expected to be replaced with 50 cargo bikes. Meanwhile, the ‘dark store’ grocery delivery firms continue to expand rapidly and are deploying cargo bike fleets all over the UK. It looks like there is much more investment to come. L

Zero-emission final mile delivery

Last Mile Logistics

SPONSOR’S COMMENT

‘Final mile delivery’ is best defined as the cross-city delivery of products from a supplier to a business or domestic destination. The demand for final mile delivery is rapidly increasing in all sectors, it is now more important than ever for suppliers and retailers to find innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solutions. Horwin-e-Fleet continuously supports the government’s quest for decarbonisation by massively reducing the negative impact of final mile delivery on the climate, inner city air quality and noise pollution. In addition to all the environmental advantages, it makes sound business sense to switch to a Horwin electric delivery solution. Firstly, it’s convenient as you can charge at your place of business, and businesses can also save on fuel, maintenance, and depreciation costs. They can also benefit from zero emissions, helping companies meet their decarbonisation targets. Organisations can also increase their popularity, as electric vehicles are now at the forefront, as well as benefit from increased safety as the Horwin is simple to control and allows for better fleet management. The Horwin is also cost-effective, as there is purchase, lease or rental options available, and fleets can benefit from 95 per cent fleet uptime. The pressure is already on fleet managers to lead the charge into cleaner, greener mobility. With the ever increasing congestion of inner-city locations, switching to two wheels makes more sense for those final mile deliveries. The Horwin EK1-DS focuses on range, as today inner cities are adopting a 20mph speed limit so there is no need for speed; the EK1 sits in the 50cc (L1e) classification giving you a top speed of 30mph. The Horwin EK1-DS comes into its own out on the road; 62 miles can be covered between charges, with the option of taking a second battery the EK1-DS+ can be safely delivering your cargo at up to 30mph whilst returning a total of 120 inner city miles. Experience electric for yourself. Our national fleet team offer demonstration models of both EK1-DS and EK3-DS to enable your business to fully experience and understand the benefits of an electric cargo scooter. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.horwin-efleet.co.uk

Richard Armitage FCILT is executive director of the trade association, European Cycle Logistics Federation, and a director of Manchester Bikes, which supplies cargo bikes, bike trailers and ebikes to businesses and organisations. FURTHER INFORMATION www.eclf.bike www.cyclelogistics.eu www.manchesterbikes.co.uk

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Last Mile Logistics

The last-mile logistics workforce

development and progression will gain a competitive edge for attracting talent.”

Case study: DX DX, one of the largest parcel distribution companies in the UK, discovered that the fast-paced nature of the industry combined with a highly competitive job market was having a negative impact on employee retention. DX decided to use apprenticeships to nurture and retain inNearly half of the population would consider a role in last mile house talent while increasing its reputation delivery, research has revealed, yet the rapidly growing sector is as an employer that invests in people. struggling to recruit and re-skill the workforce needed to match In 2020, Lifetime Training started working in partnership with DX to train apprentices consumer demand. So how can this situation be improved? in Customer Service Level 2 and Level 3, Associate Project Management Level 4 and Team Leader Supervisor Level 3. As A nationwide survey commissioned by Diversifying the workforce apprenticeships were new to the company, the Lifetime Training explored the attitudes The most highly ranked business first step was helping managers to understand to last mile delivery – the final journey priority for Lifetime Training’s partners the benefits of apprenticeships, so they were from warehouse to customer – and has operating in the sector was achieving engaged and supportive of the roll-out. revealed the barriers to recruitment and a more diverse and inclusive workforce, To further maximise the success of retention in the rapidly growing sector. with 83 per cent of employer partners the programme, DX invited employees The accompanying report, Bringing ranking this as a top three priority. who were committed to their own your A Game to the last mile, explores Warehousing, logistics and delivery training and progression to apply for how apprenticeships can help address should be an accessible career for many the opportunity, making sure they were both current skills shortages and future people of diverse backgrounds, yet the workforce requirements by building investing in the people who would become industry is still overwhelmingly male and is lasting career pathways in the sector. apprenticeship advocates in future. struggling to recruit a younger generation. The research found that, while 88 per During 2021, Lifetime and DX Research conducted by Lifetime cent of respondents now buy goods online, continued to spread the Training found that 57.5 per cent a third of people don’t know what a role word by further educating of women said they wouldn’t Employ in last mile delivery involves. Fifty-six per management on why consider a career in last e in the s rs cent knew that couriers worked in the apprenticeships were an mile delivery, 10 per cent urgentl ector sector, but only 21 per cent of respondents effective tool for more than men (47.9 per knew that warehousing also plays a vital upskilling employees, cent). For warehousing position y need to t part. The statistics highlight a public encouraging managers and delivery categories, h e last mil as an in misconception of last mile delivery; with to start enrolling only half as many e n o future-l vative and many people unaware of less visible their team onto the women as men would ooking roles such as those in warehousing, new programmes. consider the role (15.2 a n d data analysis and customer service. per cent vs 8.8 per cent offer hi sector gh quality George Dee, head of employability at for warehousing roles and training Lifetime Training, explains: “We’re encouraged 22.2 per cent vs 10.6 per by findings that suggest awareness and cent for delivery driver roles). appreciation of more visible roles are Matthew Robinson, partnership improving, with 56 per cent of respondents director at Lifetime Training, explains: rating HGV drivers, couriers and delivery “Employers in the sector urgently need drivers more highly post pandemic. Yet, to position the last mile as an innovative the industry is still struggling to recruit. and future-looking sector and offer According to a report by Edge, the demand high quality, sector-specific training to for transport and logistics employees is 4.6 attract candidates and build the future times higher than the number of young workforce in last mile delivery.” people aspiring to work in the sector. To improve attraction, employers need to Training and development demonstrate the scale and diversity of the The research also revealed that nearly opportunities an apprenticeship can offer.” half (46 per cent) of respondents said that good training and skills and career Negative perceptions progression were the most important The report also uncovered negative factors when considering a new job role. perceptions surrounding pay and This fails to marry up with people’s views working conditions, with 41 per cent of of working in the last mile, with 19 per respondents saying that low pay would cent of survey respondents saying that a prevent them from taking a role in last lack of career progression would prevent mile delivery and 24 per cent saying them from taking a role in the sector. physical work would be a barrier. Phil Whitehouse, head of curriculum and In fact, the logistics and warehouse sectors learning technologies at Lifetime Training, witnessed the second highest pay change of said: “We work with employers to build any industry in the UK from October 2019 programmes with clear and visible pathways, to October 2021 (+9.63 per cent), behind so learners consider apprenticeships as only the technology sector, while the range not ‘just a job’, but a foundation for their of career options available is increasing as ongoing career progression and future the sector continues to create innovative, opportunities. Employers that can clearly technology-driven delivery solutions. demonstrate the opportunities for ongoing

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This resulted in DX experiencing a 75 per cent completion rate in their first year, as well as an increase in employee motivation and retention. The organisation also recruited several new apprentices through Lifetime Training’s Apprenticeship Recruitment Services. The improvement in employee morale and the recruitment of new talent into the business means DX is now enrolling learners onto Operations Departmental Manager Level 5 and Supply Chain Warehouse Operative Level 2 programmes in 2022, so they can continue to unlock the benefits of apprenticeships across the company. The opportunity for change Awareness and appreciation of last mile roles have increased during COVID-19, with many classified as key workers. This presents a unique opportunity for the logistics sector to build on this recognition and create a more positive perception of these jobs, by offering clear pathways into work and future career progression through reskilling and apprenticeships. L

SPONSOR’S COMMENT

With congested roads and climate change, cargo bikes have made a comeback As towns and cities battle to reduce their carbon emissions, electric cargo bikes are a great step forward in the fight against climate change. Like all electric bikes, e-cargos don’t produce any emissions, making them an easy way to do your bit for the planet. They’re also great for getting around congested areas like cities, giving you the freedom to transport goods without getting stuck in rush hour. With enough range to cover up to 40 miles on a single charge, load capacities of up to 100kg and the ability to travel along cycle lanes, the cargo bike part of the solution to urban transport. An e-cargo bike is an electric assisted bike with a large storage area. Rather than having a trailer attached to the back of your bike, e-cargos include a built-in storage unit at the front of your bike – making them the perfect tool to transport almost anything a traditional vehicle can transport, including people. With an electric motor adding a boost to your pedalling, these nifty electric bicycles will take you further and faster than regular cargo bikes – no matter how heavy your load is. Cargo bikes themselves aren’t anything new – before cars were widely available, cargo bikes were one of the go-to ways of transporting things like freshly baked goods, shopping, milk and more. But with more congestion on the roads, combined with our increased awareness of climate change, cargo bikes are enjoying a comeback. L

Last Mile Logistics

Awareness and appreciation of last mile roles have increased during COVID-19, with many classified as key workers. This presents an opportunity for the sector to build on this recognition and create a more positive perception of these jobs

FURTHER INFORMATION FURTHER INFORMATION

www.raleigh.co.uk

Download Bringing your A-Game to the last mile report from www.lifetimetraining.co.uk

Edward Pegram, head of marketing & partnerships, Raleigh UK Ltd Passionate about sustainable transport, urban logistics and how the humble bicycle can make our towns and cities more liveable places, I have been on a mission at Raleigh over the last five years to show businesses the alternatives to traditional means of transport.

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Completing last-mile deliveries more sustainably through e-cargo bikes Accell Group is the European market leader in e-bikes and the second largest in bicycle parts and accessories, with a vision of improving lives and creating a healthier environment through cycling. Within their portfolio, are bestselling brands Haibike, Raleigh, and Lapierre

About Accell UK Accell Group is the European market leader in e-bikes and the second largest in bicycle parts and accessories, with a vision of improving lives and creating a healthier environment through cycling. They employ 3,500 people across 15 countries, and their products are sold in over 80 countries. With numerous leading bicycle brands under one roof, they’re the one stop shop for any bicycle dealer or consumer. Accell deliver simple and smart solutions in order to create a fantastic cycling experience for all. They design and manufacture bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories. They pride themselves on creating high-quality, high-performance, cuttingedge products driven by the continuous exchange of knowhow and craftsmanship. Accell UK is now part of Raleigh UK, one of the world’s oldest and best-known bike brands. Established in 1887 in Nottingham, England and with over 130 years heritage, it is this that drives their passion for cycling and the vision for the future. They believe that sustainable production and products will ultimately add value to the company, which in turn will create new opportunities. Accell UK also work alongside other major UK companies such as the Caravan and Motorhome Club, where members can access exclusive cycling perks. They have also recently collaborated with FatFace to design an exclusive line of iconic Raleigh clothing. Their bike and P&A brands are also regularly featured in UK press and magazine reviews and are always recognised for their industry leading technology.

Bikes Within their portfolio, are bestselling brands Haibike, Raleigh, and Lapierre. They all boast a wide range of bikes from entry level to hight end performance bikes. They are stocked across the UK in independent bicycles dealers, giving consumers a chance to test ride them and see the range. Haibike are an award winning German manufacturer of electric bikes. They specialised in performance electric MTB, and the latest technology is always incorporated in their designs at all price points. Last year Haibike’s Allmtn 7 model was awarded the Design & Innovation Award and was recognised for its performance uphill as well as it’s attractive price-performance ratio. Their ambassador, Sam Pilgrim – British Freeride champion is constantly creating exciting content for the brand to show what’s possible on an electric MTB. Raleigh is best known for their iconic bikes such as the Raleigh Chopper and Raleigh Burner. A lot has change since the 80s and Raleigh now specialised in electric bikes such as their Motus range, perfect for city and leisure riding. One thing that hasn’t changed, is that they are still designed in Nottingham, just like they were in 1887. Lapierre boast 75 years of bicycle manufacturing, fuelled by their passion for cycling. They are a French company, that are still run by the Lapierre family. Best known for their mountain bike ranges, Zesty and Spicy, just like Raleigh they have moved into the growing electric bike market. they From Downhill mountain bike racing, to the Tour de France, Lapierre have a number of teams and riders that all compete on their high end bikes performance bikes.

E-cargo Research shows that 96 per cent of consumers are willing to pay more for goods that are more sustainable. Accell UK specialise in electric cargo bikes, and their range of e-cargo bikes are extremely popular for growing businesses across the UK. Their zero emissions and low running cost can help increase the sustainability of a business and provide more efficient last mile deliveries. The electric motor provides assistance while pedalling, and with the 900l storage compartment up to 100kg can be carried across the city. When compared to the running cost of a small diesel van, swapping to a e-cargo bike could save a company nearly £6,000 per year. There are so many benefits to electric cargo bikes, and this is why Accell UK are committed to helping companies in the UK to become more sustainable. They offer a full package from insurance to custom signage, and their dedicated business to business team are there to support through the whole process. Parts & Accessories Bikes are only half of Accell UK’s business, they have a dedicated P&A team too. Their P&A side of the business distribute over 40 brands, such as SRAM, Met, Continental, and Schwalbe. These are distributed to independent bike dealers across the UK as well as bigger companies such as Halfords and Amazon. Accell UK is the only place in the UK that still builds wheels on site, in 2021 70,000 wheels were manufactured at their base in Nottingham. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.raleigh.co.uk

June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

NEW GOUPIL G6 100% ELECTRIC, ZERO EMISSIONS Building electric utility vehicles for over 25 years, the latest and the largest model in the range offers a generous payload of up to 1,050kg for the pick-up and an impressive 9m3 for the cage body. With a vast array of body options, the Goupil G6 is suitable for various business needs and applications whilst delivering environmental and sustainable operations. Designed to fulfil everyday tasks, the 100% electric G6 comes with a 28.8kWh lithium battery providing a 93-mile range.*

GOUPIL ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMERCIAL ROAD VEHICLES WWW.BRADSHAWEV.COM/GOUPIL-ROAD-VEHICLES ENQUIRIES@BRADSHAWEV.COM 01780 782 621 93-mile range measured in accordance with the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP)

New product launches, an impressive array of exhibitors and compelling speaker sessions combined to make this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show a huge success The 2022 Commercial Vehicle Show, which Electric vans took place 24-26 May, saw a huge array of MAXUS launched two new electric exhibitors spanning the road transport sector vehicles at the Commercial Vehicle combine with compelling speaker sessions Show - the MAXUS MIFA 9 and addressing the issues impacting the T90EV pick-up truck. transport and fleet industry. The electric MIFA 9 There were many new launches, offers a range of up to Expert including new electric LCVs 323 miles on a single speaker from Harris Maxus, as well charge. With a body s show’s t on the as new products from size of 5,270 x TruTac fleet compliance 2,000 x 1,840mm, tackled wo Theatres and Locks4Vans. the seven-seater s o m e most ch Expert speakers on display model allengin of the the show’s two Theatres is a high spec currently g topics tackled some of the most vehicle boasting f a c in g the indu challenging topics currently ‘intelligent driving stry facing the industry. The housekeeper’, Road Ahead Theatre and the which automatically Workshop Theatre provided a recognises driving professional forum to address topics style through data such as driver facilities, what to consider and scene driving. MIFA 9 when electrifying your fleet, and using DVSA will be available to order from August data to improve compliance, among others. 2022, with delivery in Q1 2023.

Commercial Vehicle Show

The 2022 Commercial Vehicle Show

The MAXUS T90EV electric pick-up meanwhile will be available to order from August 2022, with delivery in Q1 2023. With a range of 198 miles and a payload of 740Kg, the visually sporty exterior is complemented by a modern interior with a 10.25-inch digital touch screen instrument cluster providing a minimalist look. The T90EV is roomy thanks to a neat dashboard design and floor console, making more room for both occupants and storage. “The MAXUS brand is synonymous with market-leading commercial electric vehicles, which is a very strong position for a brand that is relatively new but is clearly having a significant impact on the EV marketplace,” said Mark Barrett, general manager of Harris MAXUS. Between March 2021 and April 2022 there were more than 17,000 eLCVs registered in the UK with MAXUS capturing 11 per cent market share. “EVs accounted for more than 36 per cent of MAXUS registrations over the past 12 months and the growth and interest in EV vans, particularly from the grocery, delivery and pharmaceutical sectors is phenomenal,” said Mark Barrett. “In 2016 we launched our first all-electric commercial vehicle, the EV80, at CV Show. The pace at which technology is changing and at which SAIC is innovating is evidenced by the fact that in just six years, the EV80 has been superseded by two new platform EVs, the eDELIVER 3 and eDELIVER 9. And, at this year’s show, we launched two more hotly anticipated EVs for the UK market.” Specialist fleet vehicles Isuzu UK displayed an array of specialist fleet vehicles at this year’s CV Show, as well as showcasing its new Fleet Conversion Centre which provides a bespoke vehicle production service to suit the needs of any client. The E

June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Commercial Vehicle Show Maxus unveiled its new MIFA 9 at the Commercial Vehicle Show

 dedicated centre, based in Sheerness, works in conjunction with the brand’s fleet sales, homologation & technical teams to ensure Isuzu UK are in a unique position to offer their fleet customers a specialised build to order service, whilst retaining the manufacturer warranty and ensuring the capability of the vehicle is not compromised in any way. The vehicles on display, which were built to current customers’ requirements, include an Isuzu D-Max Utility Double Cab for Network Rail, featuring a Truckman canopy with roof vent and internal lighting, additional exterior lighting, all-terrain tyres, VB Tech air suspension system, Axtec axle weight load indicator system and an interior mirror reverse camera kit. Other vehicles on the Isuzu UK stand included an Isuzu D-Max Utility Extended Cab from National Resources Wales which features a Truckman canopy with internal lighting, high-power exterior lighting, and a double slide-out drawer system, with sliding cargo tray, racking storage units and a slide-out vice assembly. Other items include all-terrain tyres, an in-cab rear seat storage system with PPE hooks and a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a warning triangle. The Isuzu D-Max Utility Double Cab, used by Mitie Landscapes, was also on display. This unique vehicle includes an N&J Agrican canopy, under-rail load liner and bespoke internal ladder rack with swivel lighting. This vehicle is also fitted with the VB Tech air suspension system and a bespoke snow plough bracket mounted at the front of the vehicle and bespoke brackets for attaching portable ramps on the rear tailgate. Neil Scott, national fleet sales manager, Isuzu UK said: “At the CV Show this year we wanted to demonstrate the versatility and professional approach of our dedicated Fleet Conversion Centre, which enables us

to provide a one-stop-shop for Isuzu fleet customers. We had a number of our vehicles on display which demonstrate the adaptability and flexibility of not only the Isuzu D-Max pick-up but also the service that we can provide to meet the varying demands of our current and future customers. We believe this one-stop-shop approach means that we can help to minimise not only the overall cost of a vehicle and conversion but also any potential future vehicle downtime when it comes to repairing or replacement of any components.” Ford’s stand saw a flurry of activity, showcasing its electric vans. Mandy Dean, director of commercial vehicles for Ford of Britain and Ireland, said: “The Show was absolutely phenomenal for us. From Day One, huge visitor numbers have come to the stand to learn all about our new products and services. Footfall was great, quality of conversations with fleet managers, all sorts of industries – it’s been fantastic. We always use the Show to invite our existing customers but we’ve met lots of new people as well.” Security Locks 4 Vans launched a range of new products, including its full range of Anti-Peel solutions. As well as conducting on-vehicle security demonstrations, the company was on hand to discuss its security options for electric and hybrid vehicles. In the electric vehicle space, Locks 4 Vans provides bespoke kits for manufacturers including Nissan, Maxus, Citroen, Mercedes, Peugeot, Vauxhall and VW, offering its customers a flexible and inclusive approach to their vehicle security. Locks 4 Vans launched a range of new products this year too, including its full range of Anti-Peel solutions. Its Innovation Team has been busy improving and extending its existing product range to cover even more vehicles,

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and as a result Locks 4 Vans now have the widest range of Anti-Peels on the market. In addition to security products for LCV’s, Locks for Vans revealed its next generation of cargo locking solutions. Targeted at heavy duty, trailer and box-body applications, the security products have been tested to minus 20 degrees and has been developed for refrigerated vehicles. Meanwhile, Brigade Electronics showcased its latest technology through a unique virtual experience that allowed attendees to see its safety systems in action like never before. The company created a virtual cab that took customers on an Interactive Customer Journey that allowed users to explore what a driver sees and hears each journey for an in-depth insight into how tech like Sidescan Predict protects both the driver and vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as cyclists and pedestrians. Customers saw how cameras, and Sidescan Predict - a system that can intelligently discriminate potential collisions and warn the driver with sufficient time for intervention combine to create an optimal safety situation. Emily Hardy, UK marketing manager at Brigade, said: “This is an incredibly immersive experience that gives attendees an unbeatable insight into how the driver experiences blind spots and other dangers – and how our tech overcomes them through enhanced vision and driver alerts. This is the first time we have unveiled such a ground-breaking installation.” TruTac, the tachograph analysis and fleet compliance experts, launched its complete app and web-based ‘back-office’ management system at the show, enabling compliance with DVSA best practice and operating guidelines for all van fleets. TruVan delivers minimum risk exposure and compliance with rules and legislation – all in one system. Company directors are afforded protection while being

Telematics Trakm8 were on hand to discuss its full suite of fleet management solutions, all accessible via Trakm8’s insight platform, which provides managers with a 360 view of their fleet from a single source. With rising fuel costs set to rumble on throughout 2022, the thoughts of many commercial vehicle operators will be turning to getting the most out of their vehicles. To ease that concern, Trakm8 showcased its Route Optimisation software. Designed to reduce fuel expenditure and improve fleet efficiency, Trakm8’s Optimisation platform has a proven track record of increasing productivity by up to 33 per cent and cutting fuel bills by up to 20 per cent. Trakm8’s Optimisation technology can also help businesses shrink their carbon footprint, with the intuitive software helping fleets to work smarter with fewer vehicles and hence minimising CO2 output. The ongoing vehicle parts shortage is forcing businesses to manage ageing fleets for longer, a challenge Trakm8’s Connectedcare solution can help fleets address. Trakm8 delivered a series of live Connectedcare demos at the CV Show, utilising a live vehicle instrument cluster to demonstrate how fault codes on a vehicle are recorded within Trakm8’s fleet management software Insight, highlighting how the system can help fleet managers monitor for faults across their vehicle fleet, ultimately minimising

the risk of costly, unplanned downtime. The business also presented its newly launched C430-S telematics device, a self-fit solution that can be moved from vehicle-tovehicle, providing transport operators with a rich seam of data-led insights into driver behaviour and vehicle status. Coupled with the ACC750 Driver ID & Feedback device, this provides live in cab driver coaching and scoring. At a time when an increasing number of businesses are shifting towards the grey fleet model, a flexible, easy-to-install telematics solution such as the C430-S can be truly game-changing. Teletrac Navman meanwhile, showcased its innovative AI Smart Dashcams and EV Readiness Tool, which guides transport managers through the electrification process from start to finish. The Smart Dashcam boasts a powerful AI-enabled dashcam solution with forward and driver-facing cameras that integrates with the company’s TN360 platform. The Smart Dashcam is the newest addition to Teletrac Navman’s suite of intelligent driver safety products. The innovative approach helps build trust and reduce risk as the AI footage provides insights into driver behaviour and incident recordings. This information allows transport managers and safety managers to protect their drivers through personalised coaching. Ensuring efficiency Geotab attended the show to present its telematics technology, which reduces vehicle costs and maximises route efficiencies. As fleet operators face some of the most critical price hikes in recent history, it is more important than ever to ensure we are making the most from our existing vehicles. David Savage, vice president, UK & Ireland, Geotab, says: “Commercial vehicle fleets are facing a double whammy of increased costs and competitive pressures. We’ve experienced a fuel price hike that in many cases, can’t be passed on to clients. At the same time, a driver shortage is forcing wage prices sky high. “Many commercial operators are operating on the margins of profitability. Without the means to invest heavily in new equipment,

what they need to do is maximise the resources they have, and ensure they are making the most of their existing resources. For a small investment in telematics every month, they can manage and operate fleets to get the best effort from every driver and every vehicle in their fleet, whether that is a petrol, diesel, or electric powered.” Geotab is now providing its fleet management systems on LEVC’s electric TX taxi and VN5 van, thanks to a new partnership between the companies. LEVC Telematics feeds information from the vehicle’s on-board electronic systems through the cloud, directly to the customer’s device or desktop. This allows customers to monitor, compare and control the way their vehicles operate via the MyGeotab dashboard. LEVC is giving 12 months complimentary access to the MyGeotab dashboard (worth £300 per vehicle per annum) with every new LEVC vehicle. After this initial period, customers can then choose whether to subscribe to the service further.

Commercial Vehicle Show

provided with demonstrable reporting and dashboards for full audit control. Designed as a modular system in a single portal, TruVan has the flexibility to grow with each individual business. TruVan modules include clocking for hours and timesheet control, GPS locationtagged App, walkaround checks with DVSA templates, fully configurable templates with accident reporting, compliance best practice, driver licence DVLA checks and vehicle maintenance and planning. All of which come with online document management and storage for full and complete audit trail.

Bringing together the industry Murray Ellis, show director, says: “This year’s Commercial Vehicle Show did not disappoint, with a great atmosphere across all three days and positive feedback from exhibitors. After two tough years, the Commercial Vehicle Show has proven it remains the place to get business done.’ Murray concluded: “We’d like to thank all our exhibitors, both new and returning, for providing so many outstanding products and services, which resonated with the thousands of visitors who attended. We now start planning what will be an even better 2023 event, enhancing its reputation as the pre-eminent UK Commercial Vehicle Show.” The 2023 Commercial Vehicle Show dates have been confirmed. Next year’s show will take place at the NEC, Birmingham from 18-20 April 2023. See the website below for more information. L FURTHER INFORMATION cvshow.com

June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Driveline adds MAN to its range of CVRAS coach accreditations funding bodies of retrofit equipment. Driveline also has the benefit of a recently expanded 10 strong national support network of regional exhaust system maintenance depots. These provide DPF and Euro 5 / 6 silencer maintenance cleaning and refurbishment repairs across all makes of OEM bus, truck and coach. L FURTHER INFORMATION Driveline Emissions Technologies has now fully completed its planned Euro 6 Coach retrofit exhaust system accreditation program for a comprehensive range of engines and vehicle models. The various vehicle accreditations are compliant with the Government’s Energy Savings Trust CVRAS accreditation scheme. This means that vehicles fitted with the Driveline equipment will meet the various Local Government Clean Air Zone requirements. Typically, coach operators are charged for access or even fined for taking vehicles into designated

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zones in a number of UK major cities and tourist destinations, unless they meet Euro 6 emissions standards. This means Driveline now has accreditation coverage for the widest range of coaches in the UK, including being the only manufacturer able to supply upgrades for MAN based coaches. Driveline can also supply CVRAS approved emissions performance telematics, which is required by a number of UK grant

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Retrofit Technology

Meeting the challenge of operating vehicles in clean air zones Air pollution features strongly alongside the climate change agenda in the 2021 Transport Decarbonisation Plan. The introduction of Clean Air Zones in cities is expected to bring pollution levels down significantly, but with a high percentage of HGVs and buses on the road dating from 2015 or earlier, a large number exceed the CAZ limits. To help tackle this challenge, Zemo Partnership and Energy Saving Trust has developed the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS), writes Neil Wallis Air pollution, of course, is not confined to the Traffic is the problem UK. Measures to improve air quality have Air pollution problems are most challenging been driven by European regulations and the in densely populated areas and are strongly World Health Organisation, latterly enshrined affected by traffic levels. As the dominant in UK law post-Brexit through the Air Quality source of several key pollutants, measures Standards Regulation. to tackle vehicle emissions have These regulations set focused, in particular, on general legally binding limits improvements in vehicle engine Negotia for concentrations in and aftertreatment technology tions about th outdoor air of major and on limiting where more pollutants that impact polluting technologies are standard e s public health such allowed to operate. The first t o b applied e as particulate matter EC emissions standards f o r E u planned r (PM10 and PM2.5) were introduced for cars for intro o 7, duction and nitrogen dioxide in 1970. Since 1992 EU in 2025 , have b (NO2). The limits regulations (now also delayed een require a significant enshrined in UK law) have reduction of air pollution been imposed on all new cars in towns and cities across sold (Euro 1 to 6) with the aim the UK which exceed pollution of improving air quality - meaning a limits, particularly for nitrogen car has to meet a certain Euro emissions dioxide, which is linked to thousands of deaths standard when it is manufactured. Standards across the country. The UK is a signatory to a for the emissions produced by trucks and number of international agreements including buses were introduced from 1988 and have the Gothenburg Protocol, and is bound to been periodically strengthened too. meet its international obligations post-Brexit Negotiations about the standards to be so any weakening of the required standards applied for Euro 7 (planned for introduction isn’t expected. in 2025) have been delayed but are now

expected to be announced this summer. It’s tempting, perhaps, to suggest that the revolution to electrify transport (that’s now well under way in the UK and elsewhere) will solve the air pollution problem in quick time. However, the latest projections suggest that 100 million new combustion engine cars are likely to be sold in Europe between 2025 and 2035 and, even here in the UK with the most ambitious phase-out targets, road vehicles with polluting emissions can still be sold in some categories until 2040, meaning that, unchecked, the air quality challenge could be with us for many years to come. In the zone At the local level, measures to limit air pollution have been spearheaded by the creation of zones where polluting emissions from traffic and other sources are controlled and closely monitored. These are variously known as Clean Air Zones, Low – or Ultra Low - Emission Zones or, in Oxford, as a Zero Emissions Zone. There are currently four operational clean air zones in England: London (called the ULEZ), Birmingham, Bath, and Portsmouth (CAZs) with Oxford the first city to introduce a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) in a small pilot area. Different E June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Retrofit Technology

 charges apply depending on vehicle type and size in each zone categorized into four bands (A to D) with those in Band D (such as London and Birmingham) applying the most comprehensive regulations, affecting almost all types of vehicles. Band A zones include only buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles. (Other cities – like York – have introduced more limited regulations, targeted at diesel buses.) All zones adopt the same classification of vehicle emission standards (Euro 4/IV petrol and Euro 6/ VI diesel). Radical approach Oxford has adopted the most radical approach so far; a pilot scheme charges all polluting vehicles - such as petrol, diesel, and even any hybrid cars – for entering the city centre with only zero emission vehicles, like fully electric cars, able to enter the zone for free. A large number of other zones across the whole UK are set to be introduced or are currently under discussion, though some have been delayed or are under review as a result of the Covid pandemic. Lockdowns, of course, dramatically cut traffic levels and policymakers in several areas are reviewing the new traffic and related, modelled emissions situation in their localities in the wake of that large disruption to ‘normal’ travel behaviours. Other important cities are expected to introduce charging zones this year, including Bradford and Bristol. The extensive Greater Manchester zone is currently under review while Sheffield, Newcastle and other centres are likely to follow. The Scottish Government is introducing similar policies with Low Emission Zones (LEZs) set to be introduced this year across Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh with Glasgow’s current bus-only LEZ to be extended to all vehicles. Fewer choices for vans and buses There is wide public and policy support for these zones and the cleaner air they bring, so it’s imperative that operators of commercial fleets are able to comply with the growing array of air quality regulations in the UK while continuing to be able to operate effectively. There’s already a wide and growing range of new electric vehicles available to car, van and bus fleet operators when it comes to vehicle replacement. However, larger van, truck and coach operators typically have fewer electric or zero emission choices. These heavier vehicles with requirements for longer range combined with operations in clean air zones, tend to be expensive to replace and may have bespoke bodies or equipment fitted, creating a challenge for their owners in many situations. To operate in clean air zones introduced (or to be introduced) in the UK, all petrol vehicles need to be accredited to Euro 4 and Euro 6/VI for diesels. This applies to all CAZs, the London ULEZ and LEZs in Scotland. However, as noted earlier, there are differences in terms of the range of vehicles targeted and charged in (or excluded from) each zone. This is decided by the implementing authority and depends on the severity – and main causes - of the local air pollution problem. Of course, any vehicle sold in the last six years (or 16 in the case of petrol vehicles) meets these criteria, but with over

Road vehicles with polluting emissions can still be sold in some categories until 2040, meaning that, unchecked, the air quality challenge could be with us for many years to come. 50 per cent of HGVs and 75 per cent of buses on the road dating from 2015 or earlier, there remain a large number of vehicles exceeding the CAZ limits. To help tackle this challenge for operators, Zemo Partnership and Energy Saving Trust developed the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS). Introduced in 2019 the initiative now has 24 accredited retrofit systems listed on the CVRAS-Register. The scheme includes a certification process to approve technologies that can be retrofitted to diesel vehicles to reduce regulated emissions and achieve Euro 6 / VI equivalent standards. The scheme covers black taxis, some vans, trucks, buses and refuse collection vehicles. Technologies already accredited include exhaust aftertreatment technologies (SCR and DPF), engine replacement for battery electric powertrains, re-power and conversion to LPG and re-power with a Euro VI engine. The CVRAS database The CVRAS scheme is recognised by authorities responsible for clean air zones in England and Wales plus London’s ULEZ and Scotland’s LEZs and accredited vehicles are automatically exempted via their inclusion in the national CVRAS database, operated by EST. To date, over 9,500 vehicles are recorded as having been retrofitted on the CVRAS database, the majority with SCR and/or DPF exhaust systems installed. Vehicles operating with these systems on-board have been shown to cut emissions of nitrogen dioxide by over 80 per cent and fine particles by 90 per cent or more in real world operations. Companies including HJS, Eminox, Proventia and Driveline are providers of exhaust retrofit solutions listed on the CVRAS Register. Solutions are available for a wide range of heavy goods vehicles, vans and buses.

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Re-power Cummins and Millbrook offer accredited Euro VI engine re-power options for several buses and some trucks, while Magtec has an electric re-power service for double and single-deck buses, a selection of HGVs and refuse collection vehicles. VRS, meanwhile, has completed 400 repower and LPG conversions of black cabs. Zemo Partnership and Energy Saving Trust are now regularly monitoring and reporting on the in-service performance of vehicles which have been retrofitted under the CVRAS Scheme as well as continuing to support the development of test procedures and the accreditation of new systems as they come on to the market. Whether or not retrofitting is the best option, in any case depends on an operator’s circumstances. Some may find they are able to reorganise fleet operations such that their Euro 6/VI accredited vehicles are able to work in clean air zones, while non-compliant vehicles operate in unregulated areas until planned replacement dates. Where zero emission (or Euro 6/VI compliant) products are available, bringing forward replacement cycles may be the best solution in a growing number of circumstances as more and more vehicles serving a wider range of uses come on to the market. To support the CVRAS scheme, Zemo Partnership has updated the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Technology Guide which explains the retrofit technologies available and their application in different vehicle segments, with supporting vehicle operator case studies, an outline of how they are accredited as well as outlining the UK air policy framework which is driving the uptake of retrofit solutions. L FURTHER INFORMATION https://tinyurl.com/ycxujmxm https://www.zemopartnership.org

Freight & Logistics

Amazon adds electric heavy goods vehicles to its UK fleet Amazon’s five new 37-tonne fully-electric vehicles are now operating from Amazon’s fulfilment centres in Tilbury and Milton Keynes, transporting customer packages with zero tailpipe emissions Amazon’s first five electric DAF CF Electric Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under trucks replace diesel HGVs, resulting in up Secretary of State at the Department for to 100,000 annual road miles fuelled with Transport (DfT), said: “It is fantastic to see renewable electricity instead of diesel, Amazon and the fleet industry playing its preventing 170 tonnes of CO2e from part in the UK’s world-leading plans to clean being emitted. They are the first of nine up our air, boost green jobs and decarbonise electric HGVs expected by the end of 2022, our vital transport network. Amazon plays a joining more than 1,000 electric delivery key role in transporting goods to towns and vans currently on the road in the UK. villages up and down the country and I’m Amazon’s first electric HGVs in the UK and pleased to see they are leading the way by Europe mark an important milestone towards going green. With the zero emission market the electrification of its fleet, forming part of now taking off for even the heaviest HGVs, Shipment Zero – Amazon’s goal to deliver 50 we’ll be able to move more products around per cent of shipments with net-zero carbon by in a way that’s friendlier to our environment 2030. Heavy goods vehicles make up around while supporting our net zero mission.” 16 per cent of the UK’s domestic transport emissions. Amazon’s commitment will help Last mile logistics play a role in reducing the carbon footprint Amazon continues to focus on reducing of the UK transportation sector. Using the carbon emissions in middle mile latest innovations in battery technology, the transportation. This includes piloting a electric trucks will soon be using first-of-theirrange of alternative delivery methods in kind fast 360 kW electric charging points at collaboration with local partners, in order Amazon’s Tilbury and Milton Keynes sites. to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. “Amazon is one of the first companies in the In 2020, Amazon ordered battery electric world to put electric heavy goods trucks on trucks from Lion Electric in the US and began the road,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK testing hydrogen-powered trucks, while also country manager. “We’re committed expanding multi-modal transport to becoming net-zero carbon by to reduce the emissions from 2040, and this is a milestone as road travel. Amazon is also Amazo we continue to decarbonise evolving how it delivers n ’s first ele our transportation network packages to customers’ so we can deliver more homes, and in 2021, HGVs inctric customer orders using it delivered more t h e UK and zero emissions vehicles.” than 45 million E u rope mark a Eelco van Veen, DAF packages in the UK n Trucks director of fleet by more sustainable milesto important n e sales said: “We are transportation t o wa the elec excited to bring the methods, such as trificati rds on DAF CF Electric HGV electric vans or cargo of its fl eet into Amazon’s fleet and bikes. Customers will see support their commitment towards The Climate Pledge. The DAF CF Electric truck represents an important step in the industry towards zero emission middle mile distribution.” Commenting on the Amazon’s new electric HGVs, Investment Minister Lord Grimstone said: “This is further proof that the UK’s logistics sector continues to be at the forefront of efforts to electrify fleets and transition to zero emissions vehicles. “Amazon’s introduction of its first-ever fully electric heavy goods vehicles in their UK fleet is fantastic news not only for their customers but for our wider efforts to end our contribution to climate change and transition to cleaner modes of transport.”

more zero emissions vehicles hitting the roads as Amazon continues to expand its fleet. Amazon also continues to invest in skills development across the UK, with more than 1,000 apprenticeships created in 2021 – including Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability apprenticeships, which will deliver positive social and environmental impact – and more than 4,000 Amazon employees enrolled on the unique companyfunded Amazon’s Career Choice training programme. Through Career Choice, 1,200 UK employees have studied IT and 1,400 have studied transportation, including more than 1,000 training to become heavy goods vehicle drivers. Amazon works with Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK to identify and focus on regional skills shortages. Since Amazon launched The Climate Pledge in 2019, the company has also continued to invest heavily in renewable energy. The company is the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in Europe, with 3.5GW of renewable energy projects in Europe and 12 GW globally. Amazon is on a path to powering its operations with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 – five years ahead of the original target of 2030. While Amazon ramps up its initiatives to use zero emission vehicles, a recent report from Oliver Wyman, commissioned by Amazon, showed that shopping online results in 50 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than physical retail, and over four times less traffic with customers’ deliveries only representing 0.5 percent of total traffic in urban areas. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.aboutamazon.co.uk

June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Freight & Logistics Written by Michelle Gardner, head of public policy, Logistics UK

The road to decarbonisation Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges on our industry’s agenda and logistics businesses are already taking great steps to support the UK’s decarbonisation targets. However, several significant barriers remain regarding the most efficient and commercially viable ways to reach net zero

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Transport is the largest contributor to UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at 27 per cent. Most transport emissions are the result of road transport; this mode is also viewed as the aspect of transport which can contribute the greatest, and swiftest, reductions in total emissions. While the GHG emissions generated from both light and heavy commercial vehicles are significantly less than those generated by cars and taxis, the logistics industry understands all road transport vehicles must play their part if the sector is to reach net zero. Logistics UK’s report - ‘Decarbonising Logistics: The journey to net zero’ - assesses current progress by the sector against the UK government’s policy framework and looks in detail at the government’s policy direction, fiscal incentives, relevant technology and

As a result, reductions in GHG emissions will need to accelerate to ensure that greater progression towards net zero can be made from all sectors of the economy. There are many opportunities and challenges across the logistics sector to decarbonise and the route to achieving that target will vary across businesses depending on fleet sizes, and the type of vehicles used. One key issue yet to be solved is that zero emission technologies – particularly battery electric – will be heavier than the current petrol or diesel vehicles operating on the UK’s roads. This will challenge operators to lose payload – and therefore may require fleets to increase their number of vehicles – or result in increased regulatory requirements; this is likely to be of particular significance at the current 3.5 tonnes threshold. As a result, Logistics UK is urging government to explore appropriate regulatory thresholds for zero emission commercial vehicles, particularly as these vehicles increasingly become ‘the norm’. However, this change will have to be balanced against road safety risks inherent with increases in gross vehicle weight, which existing regulatory thresholds are intended to mitigate; safety must remain a top priority for all road users. infrastructure developments, and test projects, in addition to the sector’s progress to date in response. This report also highlights the priorities if the industry’s decarbonisation journey is to be achieved and make net zero a reality. Making vision reality As well as the legally binding commitment to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050, government must set five-yearly carbon budgets that place caps on the total GHG emissions allowed in that period. While the first (2008-12) and second (2013-17) carbon budgets have been met and the UK is on track to meet its third (2018-22), the Climate Change Committee has raised concerns that the UK is not currently on course to meet its fourth (2023-27) or fifth (2028- 32) targets.

More complicated to decarbonise Due to their size, HGVs are much more complicated to decarbonise, with costeffective and commercially scalable alternative technologies still being sought. And while Logistics UK is pleased with government’s £200 million investment to continue its zeroemission HGV trials – which will play a crucial role in identifying the right technological solutions to be used by industry – the correct supporting infrastructure, including cost effective, nationwide refuelling networks and sufficient power supply must be in place for these vehicles to offer commercially viable alternatives to diesel HGVs. High acquisition costs of alternatively fuelled vehicles remain a significant barrier for businesses, alongside refuelling and recharging

Freight & Logistics

Logistics UK’s report, Decarbonising Logistics: The journey to net zero, assesses current progress by the sector against the UK government’s policy framework and looks in detail at the government’s policy direction, fiscal incentives, infrastructure developments, and test projects, in addition to the sector’s progress to date in response.

infrastructure. Charge points for plug-in vehicles are being rolled out rapidly but more focus is needed on the requirements for commercial vehicles. Logistics depots and sites require sufficient electricity capacity to achieve rapid fleet recharging, while employees who need to take their vehicles home must also not be forgotten. While technology development continues for zero tailpipe emission HGVs, future proofing energy infrastructure for these vehicles will avoid additional costs and delays. Overall, the UK’s legally binding target to achieve net zero by 2050 will drive unprecedented change in the logistics sector as it transitions away from fossil fuels. Our industry is working hard to make significant changes to the way it operates but the scale of the task should not be underestimated, with businesses needing long-term policies and confidence to invest in lower emitting alternatives. Logistics UK will continue to work with members and government to ensure solutions for the most efficient and effective transition to net zero are sought. Representing the industry Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.logistics.org.uk

June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Road Test Written by Richard Gooding

FIRST DRIVE

Toyota Proace City Electric Icon L1 50kW Building on the strengths of the diesel-engined Proace City, Toyota has launched an electric version of its compact LCV. Using a proven powertrain and platform, Richard Gooding finds its practicality, refinement and good on-road manners mean it’s ready for business

What is it? Toyota loaded up its light commercial family with the Proace City compact van in early 2020. In the same way as it collaborated with the Stellantis group on the larger Proace – a cousin of the Citroën Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro – the Proace City can count itself a member of the Citroën Berlingo / Peugeot Partner / Vauxhall Combo compact light van family. All-electric versions of those models were launched in the summer of 2021, the small electric Toyota commercial following in January 2022. Using the same 50kWh lithium-ion battery and 100kW electric motor as the Stellantis trio, the Proace City Electric can travel up to an official 168 miles of range on a single charge. The battery pack is mounted under the floor, so the EV LCV’s load capacity is unchanged from the diesel-engined versions. How practical is it? As with combustion-engined versions of the Proace City, the Proace City Electric comes in a choice of two lengths: 4,403mm ‘Short’ (L1) and 4,753mm ‘Long’ (L2) models. The L1 van tested here has a wheelbase of 2,785mm and a load floor length of 3,090mm with

the Smart Cargo load-through system which comes as standard. The L2 version has a 2,975mm wheelbase and a load floor length of 3,440mm. Both Proace City Electrics share a 1,200mm maximum load height and can easily accommodate a pair of Europallets. Load volume is 3.8m3 on the Proace City Electric L1, rising to 4.4m3 on the longer wheelbase model. There’s 1,527mm of load width, with the twin sliding doors offering 675mm of width and 1,072mm of height. Further back, the rear opening doors have a maximum aperture width of 1,087mm, 1,075mm of height, and swing out to 180 degrees. Maximum payload for the Proace City Electric L1 is 803kg, the L2 accommodating up to 751kg. Both vans can tow up to 750kg. Inside the cargo area, practical touches include a bulkhead, lighting, an in-floor storage box, a rubber floor lining, and six load hooks. What range does it have? Rather than just aimed at ‘last-mile’ delivery cycles, the Toyota Proace City Electric has a useful WLTP-tested range of up to 168 miles on a single charge. This means the electric Toyota LCV is

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just as capable of dicing with inner city traffic as it is travelling further afield. How long does it take to charge? Two on-board chargers can be chosen when you order your Toyota Proace City Electric. The standard van comes with a 7kW unit, which refills the 50kWh battery in just over seven hours on a 7.4kW wallbox. This drops to 4.5 hours when the optional £150 11kW on-board charger is fitted. Both versions will take over 30 hours to refill the battery from a domestic socket, and refill the battery to an 80 per cent state of charge in 30 minutes when connected to a 100kW DC fast charger using the CCS socket. Type 2 cables for connection to a domestic power supply or a wallbox charging system are supplied. How does it drive? Like its diesel-engined sisters, there is no denying the Proace City Electric’s Stellantis-derived heritage. But that’s no bad thing, as the overall shape and softly chiselled lines make it one of the tidiest-looking small light commercials on the market. Inside, it’s a similar story, the cabin sharing much of its architecture and switchgear, but, if it’s a successful recipe, why change it?

Road Test

Taking the hybrid approach to LCVs

As well as all-electric versions of the Proace and Proace City vans, Toyota now offers a hybrid version of the Corolla for commercial use. Prices begin at £22,149.17 OTR.

The materials are decent, and there are nods to modern passenger cars and their high levels of technology. A multifunction leathertrimmed steering wheel is standard, as is a 3.5-inch multi-information display ahead of the driver, nestled in-between an EV dial that replaces the rev counter. Mounted in the middle of the dashboard, and angled towards the driver, is an eight-inch colour touchscreen running Toyota’s Pro-Touch multimedia system, with a pair of USB sockets. Using a passenger car-derived platform with parts taken from the Stellantis ‘EMP2’ chassis, the Proace City Electric has, as you might expect, car-like ride and handling, with excellent manoeuvrability. Nimble, the van can be placed very easily on the road thanks to its crisp and light steering, making it ideal for town use. It’s comfortable while cruising and quiet, though obviously road and wind noise are more pronounced. There is a slight whine from the electric motor, but otherwise, the Toyota e-LCV is very refined, and is hugely preferable over a diesel. With 100kW / 134bhp of power and 260Nm / 192lb ft of torque from its motor, the Toyota e-commercial makes good progress. Three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Power – allow the driver to tailor the driving experience depending on road conditions and the van picks up very well in the latter two. ‘Power’ uses the full amount of output available, with ‘Normal’ limiting it to 80kW, and ‘Eco’ to 60kW, benefitting efficiency. Additional regenerative braking is provided by pressing a ‘B’ switch next to the automatic gear selector, and this really does make a difference at all speeds, sending the energy to help charge the battery every time the driver’s foot is taken off the accelerator pedal. Other useful touches include a reversing camera, which is very handy in a van, regardless of its size.

What does it cost? Similarly to the battery options, Toyota has played it uncomplicated with the trim levels for the Proace City Electric. Only one version, Icon, is available. Priced from £31,760 ‘on-the-road’ (OTR) including the Office of Zero Emissions (OZEV) Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG) of £2,500, the Proace City Electric Icon includes 16inch steel wheels with wheel covers, automatic lights and wipers, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring connectivity, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, power-adjustable and folding door mirrors, and a host of safety systems. The only model differences with the Toyota Proace City Electric range are with the choice of length and on-board charger power. The standard L1 and L2 (£32,510) vans come with 7kW units; the 11kW L1 priced from £31,910, and the longer L2 at £32,660. The only options are metallic paint at £575, £59 rubber floormats, and plywood panelling for the cargo area, from £389. For taxation purposes, the Proace City Electric is exempt from standard annual commercial VED rate charges. Why does my fleet need one? Building on the class-winning attributes of its distant cousins and its own combustionengined siblings, the Toyota Proace City Electric is a very practical small electric commercial. Enjoyable to drive, refined, and able to carry more than some of its rivals, the Toyota e-LCV is a well-thought out and engineered proposition. A benefit for fleet users over its competitors is Toyota’s Relax Warranty. After an initial three years or 60,000 miles, the standard warranty can be extended by a further one year or 10,000 miles every time

The Toyota Professional Corolla Commercial is based on the Touring Sports estate passenger car. The Japanese car maker claims it is ‘the UK and Europe’s first self-charging, full hybrid electric van’. With the rear seats of the passenger car removed and a flat load deck and mesh bulkhead installed, the Toyota Corolla Commercial has a total load volume of 1.3m3, with a payload of up to 425kg, and a 750kg towing capacity. Developed and built at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s factory in Burnaston, Derbyshire, only one powertrain is available in the Corolla Commercial. The Corolla passenger car’s 1.8-litre, 120bhp petrol engine, 53kW electric motor, and 0.8kWh lithium-ion battery combine to return a WLTP-rated 55.6-61.4mpg, and drop CO2 emissions down to 105g/km.

the van is serviced at an authorised Toyota centre, in keeping with its service schedule. This is provided at no extra cost, up to a limit of 10 years or 100,000 miles. Similarly to other EVs, the Proace City Electric’s lithium-ion battery is also covered for eightyears or 100,000 miles. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.toyota.co.uk

Toyota Proace City Electric Icon L1 50kW GROSS PAYLOAD:

803kg

LOAD VOLUME:

3.8m3

ENGINE: 134bhp / 100kW electric motor / 50kWh lithium-ion battery CO2: RANGE (WLTP): VED: PRICE (OTR inc VAT and PiVG):

0g/km 168 miles £0 £31,910)

June 2022 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Advertisement Feature

Commercial transport industry breathes innovation and collaboration at ITT Hub The commercial and passenger road transport industry converged for the second instalment of Innovation and Technology in Transport – ITT Hub, alongside the energy and technology sectors, to unveil the latest vehicle and tech launches, hear from government, collaborate, learn and do business within this fast-paced sector with the industry, Leigh Lipton, stakeholder communications manager, UK regulation at National Grid, said: “We need to work with the transport industry and ITT Hub was a perfect opportunity to have those conversations. I’m pleased to announce that we will be here again next year to enable the transition to net zero.”

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE opens ITT Hub with Carlo Zoccali show director (l) and David Wells CEO, Logistics UK

ITT Hub, which took place 11-12 May at Farnborough International’s world-class Exhibition and Conference Centre, saw 3,800 exhibitors, innovators, transport professionals, government officials, thought leaders and sustainability experts gather to tackle the toughest challenges of the wider commercial transport industry – decarbonisation and the creation of a smarter more efficient transport eco system. Thought leadership & policy In addition to the specific knowledge hubs taking place throughout the event, the Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference was the thought leadership showcase of the event, bringing together some of the most influential and knowledgeable professionals in the transport sector. Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State, Department for Transport chose the Future Logistics Conference to announce that £200 million in government funding will be provided to continue its zero-emission HGV trials, which will help enable the logistics industry’s journey to decarbonisation. Minister Harrison also revealed that the Department for Transport (DfT) had that day published the full response to its public consultation on phase out dates for the sale of new, non-zero emission HGVs. Entitled The Logistical Challenge of Reaching for the Stars, conference keynote speaker Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE spoke about her passion for space science, attracting and recruiting talent into the space, engineering

and logistics sectors and tackling the mammoth challenge of achieving net zero. Exhibition & launches Cementing ITT Hub’s position at the forefront of the industry, a host of industry leaders used the platform of the show to introduce new technology and vehicles to the international sector, including the new concept Renault Trucks e-tech Master Optimodale, Ilsebus’ launch of its I-City Max vehicle, based on the 70C 21 Iveco Chassis, and the launch of MICHELIN Connected Fleet in the UK, which brings all the fleet management services and solutions of the Michelin Group under one banner. Alex Williams, head of brand & communications at Renault Trucks UK & Ireland commented: “We were delighted to take the opportunity of using ITT Hub as a platform to launch our industry-first multimodal last mile e-mobility concept, the Renault Trucks E-Tech Master OptiModale. Our press launch drew considerable attention and provided the industry focus we were looking for to bring this concept for cleaner, greener and more accessible urban deliveries to market.” A new feature to the 2022 show floor, the Energy Theatre Hub hosted by commercial partner National Grid and Western Power Distribution provided three panel discussions each day with transport industry guests covering the latest topics affecting energy, sustainable fuels and infrastructure as the drive for net zero accelerates. Commenting on the opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions directly

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Networking & collaboration Wrightbus announced a partnership with Australia’s Volgren to provide its groundbreaking hydrogen fuel cell powertrain technology for the manufacture of two zero-emission hydrogen single deck buses, which will be the first European-Australian hydrogen combination in the country. New addition to ITT Hub, Cold Chain Hub, supported by TCS&D (Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution), was a show highlight with over 30 leading brands driving interest from specialised and industry-wide buyers from the dry freight community. The impactful feature highlighted the increasing issue of decarbonising the cold chain sector, which produces double the emissions of the wider transport sector, and the commitment made from manufacturers and vendors to work to the common goal utilising new technology available. Discussing the success of the 2022 event, Carlo Zoccali, show director at Farnborough International, said: “The atmosphere across ITT Hub this year was electric, with thanks to our commercial partners, exhibitors, and attendees. “Since we acquired the show in 2021, our focus has been to establish ITT Hub’s position as the leading platform, news network and event connecting to the industry, from manufacturer to buyer and operator. We have been engaging and strengthening our partnerships with key government departments, national transport bodies and industry associations to do this and are thrilled with the outcomes of ITT Hub 2022.” ITT Hub was supported by strategic partner Logistics UK and leading commercial partners, National Grid, Western Power Distribution (WPD), Zenobē, Lloyds Bank and Lex Autolease. Regarded a ‘must-attend’ event by key players in the industry, ITT Hub will return on 10-11 May 2023. L FURTHER INFORMATION itthub.co.uk

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