Moving to zero emissions
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
