Cleaning up the capital’s commercials
Feature
GreenFleet has teamed up with LoCITY on 23 February to showcase the latest low-emission commercial vehicles and inform delegates on the latest around the London Ultra Low Emission Zone and other topics of interest
As London grows, so does traffic congestion and air pollution. This has a major, damaging impact on public health. Nearly 9,500 people die early each year in London because of poor air quality.
More than 281,000 daily journeys are freight (HGV and vans) – that’s 30 per cent of all central London traffic and 10 per cent of all Greater London traffic. With transport accounting for 63 per cent of NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide) and 52 per cent of PM10 (Particulate Matter) emissions – the two principle pollutants of concern in London – it is vital that we take action to reduce harmful emissions.
The LoCITY programme has been established to help mitigate these effects and reduce commercial vehicle emissions. It allows vehicle manufacturers, fuel infrastructure providers, procurers and commercial fleet operators to collaborate to ensure everything is in place to stimulate the uptake of clean commercials.
GreenFleet has teamed up with LoCITY to develop the inaugural Commercial GreenFleet event at The Stoop, home of Harlequin’s RFC, in Twickenham, on 23 February. It will allow fleet and freight decision-makers to learn about what low‑emission vans and trucks are available now, as they gear up for London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
As well as viewing the vehicle exhibition, delegates will hear from the Mayor’s office on the capital’s clean air strategy and the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) on the government’s low-carbon transport agenda. Fergus Worthy from LoCITY will share examples of best practice and highlight what cleaner alternatives are out there for commercial vehicle operators. Leasing firm Alphabet will also discuss finance options for electric commercial vehicles.
Before and after lunch, delegates will brake into small groups for round table sessions with industry and product experts to learn, debate and raise concerns about operating a low emission commerical fleet in the capital.
What is LoCITY?
LoCITY is a structured collaborative programme that brings together the full range of stakeholders needed to stimulate the uptake of low emission commercial vehicles. It is designed to improve air quality by helping to increase the supply of low emission vehicles and associated infrastructure and make it easier for operators to invest in cleaner vehicles. LoCITY is also engaging, supporting and preparing the freight and fleet industry for the implementation of the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
Launched in January 2016, LoCITY published two research reports examining the barriers to accelerated uptake of cleaner vehicles and how to overcome them. The research results provide the rationale for the five year programme.
They highlighted the need for a source of impartial trusted information about different technologies currently available, future solutions and real world data about their business and air quality benefits.
LoCITY helps industry transition to low and zero emission vehicles by providing independent knowledge and tools to enable operators to make informed choices on the right low emission technology based on the needs of their fleet.
Four industry-led working groups were set up in early 2016 to deliver LoCITY’s objectives (see picture below).
Members of the working groups are senior stakeholders representing vehicle operators, manufacturers, trade bodies, fuel suppliers, infrastructure suppliers, industry and government bodies, boroughs and businesses.
Gathering the community
In May 2016 LoCITY held its first annual conference attended by over 200 organisations. Held at the Guildhall with opening address from Mike Brown, MVO, London’s Transport Commissioner, the event gave an update on progress and showcased some of the vehicles and technology available. Delegates always comment on the networking opportunities of LoCITY and these will continue in 2017.
LoCITY is not just about London – it is working with other cities to share information, best practice and have consistent standards.
LoCITY offers guidance, tools and support to organisations wishing to trial or transition to a low emission fleet.
This includes an online Commercial Vehicle Finder, which directs users to information about the range of low emission vehicles available on the market to meet their needs (www.locity.org.uk/locity‑commercial‑vehicle‑finder/).
This pairs up nicely with the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure map which brings all the refuelling and recharging technologies together on one map to help inform buying decisions – users can see what refuelling options are available in their area (www.locity.org.uk/resources/).
The LoCITY website also hosts three short videos that explain the aims and objectives of the programme in more detail as well as interviews with businesses about their own experiences of using alternatively fuelled vehicles in their fleets. Electric and hydrogen vans and gas trucks are features in two of the three videos.
By getting involved in LoCITY organisations can influence key decisions and best practice recommendations including infrastructure placement and the development of procurement requirements.
