Keeping up with the pace of change

As the 2030 ban on new sales of pure-ICE vehicles looms ever nearer, fleet operators have more choice than ever for zero-emission vehicle solutions. This May will present an ‘opportunity to sample’ at ITT Hub.

It’s no longer ‘if’ but ‘when’ as a combination of Government legislation, clean air zones and customer pressure means that the move to zero-emission vehicles is gathering pace.

Already, some petrol and diesel-only versions of vans and cars have been dropped as manufacturers switch production to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) while anticipating falling demand.

In the last 12 months the industry has begun making conscious changes, which has seen a raft of new model announcements in all van sectors and, while there’s not yet a full range from every manufacturer, there is no doubt about the direction of travel.

The best way to understand more about what’s on offer and, importantly, how it will suit your business is first-hand experience. Providing this unique opportunity is the Innovation and Technology in Transport Hub (ITT Hub), taking place 11-12 May 2022.

Staged at Farnborough International’s impressive purpose-built exhibition centre, just off the M25 in Hampshire, the quality free-to-attend event is leading the sector on this important topic.

You’re in charge

Uniquely, ITT Hub offers the chance for ride-and-drive experiences on public roads as part of the two-day event.

Those with an appropriate driving licence can get behind the wheel of a variety of vehicles on a test route that starts from the heart of the exhibition and includes a selection of local roads.

With a number of new models being launched by manufacturers, it’s expected that the more than 100 vehicles on site will include some ‘reveals’, as well as latest updates.

Thought-provoking conference

While vehicles are at the heart of green fleets, there’s much more to it than that. One of the big debating points is which technology to choose. Helping you to navigate this journey is the two-day Future Logistics conference.

Organised by Logistics UK, the free-to-attend conference will address the key challenges facing our industry today and tomorrow, delivered by thought-leaders, innovators and inspirational business minds.

Opening the conference with a keynote speech will be world-renowned space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE. Maggie will bring her experience of truly innovative solutions to issues that have been tested in space and will help our industry to re-evaluate the opportunities presented by decarbonisation.

Alongside a line-up of thought leaders and inspirational business minds, her keynote will set the tone for two days of lively debate that will help attendees address the challenges our industry faces in the coming decades.

The programme brings you a stellar line up of some of the most influential and knowledgeable professionals from organisations including National Grid, Zemo Partnership, Zenobe, Renault Trucks, Volvo Trucks, Iveco and Zenzic, giving you real insight into what you need to do to plan your future business.

The nine sessions cover major hot topics, answering key questions such as ‘when is the right time to make the switch to electric vans?’.

Another subject being tackled is a buyers’ guide to new fuel investment. The session asks what are key criteria you need to consider on your journey to net zero, and the potential pitfalls to watch out for? Keynote speaker Tim Campbell will use real world practical examples in his guide to investing in new fuels.

Moving to larger vehicles ‘HGV: The Future for Gas and the future for battery-electric’ are separate sessions considering each in turn. For each, the panel will consider the options for investment in low carbon fuels, what is gas power or battery-electric most appropriate for, total cost of ownership, how to fund investment, how mature is the refuelling/charging infrastructure, differences between hydrogen and biomethane, range considerations, speed of refuelling and upfront costs for local infrastructure investment.

Other topics in the conference include the future for autonomous last-mile deliveries, the future for freight – with senior speakers from government – and future-proofing the supply chain.

Bigger and better exhibition

The indoor exhibition hall hosts the conference and topical feature Hubs, including the newest addition to the show, the Cold Chain Hub by TCS&D, as well as the Energy Theatre Hub, Talent Hub, EV Café, Future Van Hub and Government Hub.

For anyone involved in cold and chilled transport the Cold Chain Hub is a must-visit initiative. Innovations are being brought to market to tackle the challenge posed by the removal of red diesel from refer’ units from April, and how to deal with chilled transport in a zero-emission environment. Companies participating include Thermo King, Chereau & SOR, CoolKit, Gray & Adams, Carrier Transicold, Prohire, ABC Trailer Solutions, Longhurst Refrigeration, SSI Schaefer, Petit Forestier, and Smart Graphics.

Innovative event

The EV Café is an online community that comes together every month to talk EV and low-emission transport. At ITT Hub, The EV Cafe comes alive, with the team hosting a series of lively discussions throughout the day with a range of guests, who will debate and challenge all things EV and beyond. Sit, watch and listen over a cuppa to some of the current industry thinking.

As the industry seeks to “Professionalise the Profession”, inspiring, developing and retaining people is key to a successful business.

The event’s Talent Hub hosts daily presentations from key industry representatives, with leading experts on the stand each day for one-to-one advice, alongside companies involved with training and developing the workforce.

Industry experts will be on hand each day to advise, inspire and guide you to next steps with examples of case study and success stories through a series of 20-minute informal speaker sessions and Q&As.

The Energy Hub Theatre in the heart of the event is the place where debate and discussion on transport issues will have energy running through the heart of them. Each day, three panel discussions with transport industry guests cover the latest topics affecting energy and infrastructure, including daily ‘distribution sessions’ from National Grid and Western Power Distribution.

All sectors covered

Over 100 exhibitors across the vehicles, warehouse, fleet management, software, safety, and compliance sectors are expected this year, including DAF Trucks, Renault Trucks, Volta Trucks, Ford, Harris Maxus, TRAILAR, Schmitz Cargobull, Tachosys, TruTac, TyreWatch to Disc-Lock, Air Products and Argent Energy.

Supported by commercial partners, National Grid, Western Power Distribution (WPD), Zenobē, Lloyds Bank and Lex Autolease, ITT Hub is gearing up for a bigger and even more innovative two days of networking, knowledge sharing and insight.

The high-quality event and conference are free-to-attend. On site car parking is free and there are convenient rail and air links.

For more information visit the ITT Hub website.