Electric vehicle safety training course launched

Logistics UK has announced its new portfolio of electric/ hybrid vehicle training courses which cover safety awareness, preparing the vehicle for repairs and carrying out system repairs and component replacements. The safety awareness online course is now live on Logistics UK’s website and is designed to support members as the transition to electric and hybrid vehicles continues to accelerate.

The introductory half-day online safety awareness course is mapped to the IMI Level 1 Award in electric/hybrid vehicle qualification content and will enable learners to continue to work safely within their role following the transition. This webinar will benefit professional drivers, fleet managers, vehicle sales/hire company personnel who operate public service vehicles (PSVs), heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), fleets or light commercial vehicles (LCVs). The move to electric vehicles is well underway, and while much focus has been placed on ensuring the correct infrastructure is in place, it is also vital that safety is considered. The courses from Logistics UK will include expert advice and training conducted from highly qualified and quality-assured engineers.

David Jordan, deputy operations director for services at Logistics UK, comments: “With Logistics UK’s engineering technical training, your organisation will benefit from industry’s best by ensuring your vehicles remain safe and cost effective.”

“These brand-new courses will introduce the knowledge of safe working practices, the dangers surrounding electric/hybrid vehicles, and the precautions required to avoid potential injury when near these types of vehicles. Logistics UK hopes that providing these courses will help reduce the safety risk when working with these vehicles.”

Denise Beedell, senior policy manager, Logistics UK

Logistics UK’s Denise Beedell

Prior to the Spring Budget, announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last month (March 2023), the super deduction programme allowed companies to claim 130 per cent capital allowances on qualifying plant and machinery investments. Before the scheme concluded, Logistics UK – along with seven other trade associations – sent a joint letter to the Chancellor, calling for a successor to the scheme and highlighting the need for increased flexibility. Logistics UK was therefore delighted to see that its call for 100 per cent tax deduction on capital investment supporting the transition to net zero and increased productivity was acknowledged and implemented into the budget. However, it was disappointing there were no eligibility changes within the new scheme to include leasing and hiring. To hit decarbonisation targets, logistics businesses are increasingly assessing their operations to transition to greener technologies however, uncertainty remains regarding the best approach to achieve net zero. As a result, companies are reluctant to fully invest until there is clarity from the government regarding future infrastructure. Leasing or hiring offers businesses more options for acquiring new green plant and machinery technology, including vehicles, because it can help to mitigate some of the associated risks and costs especially for companies who only need use on a part-time basis.

Given that zero and low emission vehicles remain significantly more expensive to buy and with technologies developing at pace, flexible leasing arrangements can allow operators to move more quickly to decarbonise, take advantage of lower vehicle operating costs and enable easier vehicle upgrades. While continuing to allow capital expenditure to be offset against taxes for plant and machinery is appreciated, the sector also needs certainty from government that it will maintain its support for investment and introduce a more flexible approach for providing support. This will encourage greater investment in zero emission technologies as highlighted in the joint letter, while allowing businesses to choose the acquisition model that best suits their operations.

DHL Supply Chain introduces electric Volvo trucks

DHL Supply Chain is introducing four Volvo FM electric trucks to its fleet. These vehicles are designed for high-capacity deliveries operating at 40 tonnes and directly replace diesel vehicles on a range of activities. Featuring Volvo’s largest 540kWh battery which provides 666hp, the zero-emissions trucks have a range of up to 180 miles, allowing them to complete full round-trips servicing DHL’s retail and automotive customers across the UK.

Saul Resnick, CEO of DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, said: “This marks an important milestone in our journey towards alternative fuel vehicles. The size and capability of these trucks make them a truly viable alternative to diesel as they fully meet our needs and those of our customers. Following our introduction of the UK’s first 16-tonne rigid electric truck in late 2020, we’re proud to continue to lead the way in electric commercial transport.”

The new trucks share the same controls and very latest safety features seen on conventional diesel Volvo FM vehicles, making the transition for drivers as safe and easy as possible. Early feedback from drivers has been extremely positive, especially with regard to acceleration and hill performance.

The investment in industry leading vehicles reflects DHL’s commitment to ensuring its fleet is best in class and offers the highest levels of service to its supply chain customers, as well as reflecting DHL’s own ambitious Go Green agenda.

READ MORE READ MORE logistics.org.uk/environment/netzero

In other budget announcements, Logistics UK members were relieved to see the 5ppl fuel duty cut retained for a further 12 months. The cut, originally introduced in March 2022, was critical for keeping the logistics sector afloat during the ongoing war with Ukraine and supporting the country as it continued to navigate through high inflation rates. With the cost of living crisis still affecting many logistics businesses, the retention of the 5ppl fuel duty cut for a further 12 months, alongside the new policy for full capital expenditure offsetting, will help to increase the funds that the sector has available to invest in decarbonisation It is good news for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who make up 99 per cent of the industry, and will encourage businesses of all sizes to invest in productivity, growth and greener technologies, to meet the challenges for the transition to a zero carbon economy.

However, within the budget announcement there was a glaring lack of support to help businesses with energy costs, no mention of a low carbon fuel incentives to reassure operators wanting to invest in vehicles and low carbon fuel technologies that can offer immediate carbon savings while uncertainty of zero emission vehicles technologies continues, or any comment on a long-term plan for infrastructure investment. The government has repeatedly urged industry to commit to transition to a low carbon economy, but this budget has missed a significant opportunity to provide industry with the confidence it needs to do so. And with the focus on increased productivity and supporting people into work, it is very disappointing that there is no reference to the much-needed Apprenticeship Levy reform.

The logistics industry is a highly versatile and essential part of the UK economy which involves moving goods by road, rail, sea, and air. Without logistics, our supply chains would fall apart, businesses would close, and the country would come to a standstill. Logistics UK hopes that the Chancellor stands by his promise to invest in green growth and fulfilling careers, while keeping prices down in the shops. In addition, we will still push forward on government producing a low carbon fuels (LCFs) strategy to enable the sector to meet the phase out dates for traditional vehicle fuels and technologies.