Magazines

Welcome to this issue of GreenFleet, which is packed full of advice and information for fleet operators that have not yet begun their switch to electric vehicles.

Leading companies from the EV100 network share their key messages on fleet electrification with those just starting out, and we summarise the financial help available from the government, following the extension of the workplace charging and plug-in vehicle grants.

There's also essential information on workplace charging projects, how to prepare new EV drivers, and a look at what changes have been made to the ZEV Mandate.

Elsewhere you'll find a round-up of the key Chinese EV brands that are making an impact in the UK, as well as a look at the work being done to stimulate the electric-HGV market.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Angela Pisanu, editor

Welcome to the latest issue of GREENFLEET, which hosts the very special GF100 Most Influential list. 

Now in its ninth year, the GF100 is our pick of the stand-out individuals that are making a positive impact on fleet and transport decarbonisation. Congratulations to all those on the list.

There's also features on advanced technologies and how they can be used to unlock efficiencies in the freight industry, and how certain policies can facilitate a move away from using diesel vans in towns and cities to improve air quality.

Meanwhile, Climate Group reflects on the recent noise around possible ZEV Mandate changes, recounting how its EV100 network responded in defence of the regulation. We also feature a spotlight on Martin Edgecox, fleet manager at National Highways, to find out how he's aligning a diverse public sector fleet with net-zero goals.

Plus there's an in-depth look at the winners from our recent GREENFLEET Awards, which took place on 5 December 2024, as well as our usual road tests, news and commentary from the industry.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Angela Pisanu, editor

With the government recently confirming its commitment to a 2030 ban of new petrol and diesel cars, this Road to Zero special edition of GREENFLEET magazine examines the issue of transitioning to zero emission vehicles, including features on the ZEV mandate, electrification, alternative fuels, and green travel plans.

We also take an in-depth look at organisations that have made the shortlist for the GreenFleet awards, which continue to celebrate excellence in fleet and transport decarbonisation.

Elsewhere, there's features on EV myth-busting, car clubs, and an update on the ZENFreight project, where fleet operators will trial both battery electric and hydrogen fuelled HGVs.

This issue of GreenFleet magazine focuses on the challenging task of decarbonising commercial vehicles.

Despite there being more than 30 electric van models out there, electric van sales represent only five per cent of all LCVs registered so far in 2024. And there are only a small number of electric trucks in operation too.

To meet the government's Zero Emission Vehicle mandate targets, demand for electric commercial vehicles must grow.

We’ve gathered the views of the industry to identify what progress is being made in van and truck decarbonisation, as well as what the barriers to adoption are. 

This issue also looks at why bus electrification has been so successful, and whether this can be replicated in the coach market - and we look at the latest projects to secure funding through the Freight Innovation Fund.

Elsewhere, we cover EV accessibility, the second-hand electric vehicle market, driver training, and more.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Angela Pisanu, editor

Welcome to this issue of GREENFLEET magazine, where we focus on the transition to electric vehicles.

With the possibility that the production of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned again from 2030 under the new Labour government, we look at how what this means for fleets and the industry.

We also look at the lessons that can be learnt from Dundee City Council's Fraser Crichton, who not only enabled the council to have an impressive electric fleet, but also helped make Dundee one of the UK’s leading EV-friendly cities.

There's also a special insight guide into the A-to-Z EV Rally, which saw teams drive around 1,500 miles over five days in electric vehicles to test the public charging infrastructure. Find out how they got on in our review.

Plus we cover electric HGVs, logistics, EV Accessibility, road tests, EV skills gap, and more.

With Small and medium sized businesses making up over 99 per cent of the UK business population, they are crucial in the fight against climate change. But SMEs often face barriers when it comes to fleet electrification.

This issue of GreenFleet focuses on helping SMEs with the adoption of electric vehicles. Martin McTague from the Federation of Small Businesses, outlines what they see as the main barriers for SMEs, and Sadie Hodgson from Better Bankside – an organisation that is helping SMEs to decarbonise in London – shares advice on reducing freight emissions.

Elsewhere in the magazine, there's a preview of this July's EV Rally, which will see teams cover 1,400 miles around the country to stress test the electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as well as features on telematics, decarbonising HGVs, the Commercial Vehicle Show, logistics recruitment, and more.

Welcome to this issue of GreenFleet, which focuses on helping organisations that have not yet begun their EV journey.

With lots of essential information to get you started, inside you’ll find a feature on how to get the most out of an EV from Guinness World Record holder Kevin Booker, an article on how to counter EV misinformation - which is becoming an onerous task for fleet managers, as well as practical advice on charging infrastructure, grants and more.

This issue also looks at how the commercial vehicle sector is progressing towards net-zero, with features on zero emission HGVs, hydrogen vans, last mile deliveries, and a preview of the Commercial Vehicle Show.

GF100 MOST INFLUENTIAL 2024

GREENFLEET'S pick of the stand-out individuals that have made a significant contribution to fleet and transport decarbonisation over the year.

GREENFLEET AWARDS

A close look at winners of the 2023 GREENFLEET Awards, which took place on 7 December at the iconic British Motor Museum.

HAULAGE DECARBONISATION 

Chris Welch, director of GREENFLEET’s award-winning fleet, Welch’s Transport, shares his experience of running an electric truck, and gives advice to other logistics operators looking to decarbonise.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

An assessment of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling network and practicalities of running a CNG truck. 

150TH SPECIAL - GREENFLEET HISTORY

A look at how the GreenFleet brand has evolved over its 24 years of publishing.

150TH SPECIAL - TRANSPORT DECARBONISATION

Zemo Partnership's Andy Eastlake reflects on the pivotal moments that have shaped transport decarbonisation 

150TH SPECIAL - FUTURE TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

From AI to zero-emission fuels, we take a look at the future technology trends that will impact fleet management in the future

GREENFLEET AWARDS 2023 PREVIEW

A close look at the fleet organisations, companies and individuals that have been shortlisted for a 2023 GreenFleet Award

ELECTRIC VAN SPECIAL: 
GreenFleet 149 focuses on overcoming the barriers that van fleet operators face when switching to zero-emission vehicles.

LICENCE FLEXIBILITY:
A look at the recent announced changes to the operating requirement for heavier zero-emission vans up to 4.25 tonnes. This includes the removal of the training requirement and allowing vehicles to tow an equal amount to their diesel equivalent.

PROCUREMENT:
Zemo Partnership discusses the challenge of getting consistent and reliable information when buying a new battery electric van. Their investigation has led to a 'wish list' of data requirements that should be included on sales listings for battery electric vans. 

INTERVIEW: FedEx Express UK
Robert Peto from FedEx Express UK explains how the company’s getting on with its global target for 50 per cent of all newly-procured parcel pickup and delivery vehicles to be electric by 2025, rising to all new vehicle orders by 2030. 

INTERVIEW:EVRI
David Landy from Evri explains the company's work creating a sustainable fleet using bio-CNG trucks, electric vans, cargo bikes, and ParcelShops.

TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC SPECIAL

As the 2030 end-date for new petrol and diesel vehicles comes closer, fleet operators will no doubt be preparing for the switch to zero-emission alternatives. This issue of GreenFleet gathers the latest advice and information to help those on the transition to electric.  

PUBLIC CHARGE POINT REGULATIONS

James Court, CEO of EVA England, helps us understand the new Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, which stipulate better reliability, clearer pricing, easier payments, and open data. 

INFRASTRUCTURE

The BVRLA's Catherine Bowen explains how the fleet sector and local authorities can work together to achieve a fleet-friendly charging network

EV SKILLS GAP

Matthew Adams, transport policy manager at the REA discusses the skills that the UK is going to need as we move to electric fleets.

SME DECARBONISATION

The newly formed UK Business Climate Hub is optimised to help SMEs reduce their carbon footprint in areas such as transport and energy. Chris Taylor, net zero director at the Broadway Initiative, explains how it works

WASTE COLLECTION VEHICLES

Grundon Waste Management’s re-powered electric refuse vehicle – which is fuelled by the waste it collects – is the company’s latest innovation to decarbonise its fleet. John Stephens, general manager for logistics, explains the project and other efforts to create a sustainable fleet

RENEWABLE FUELS

Renewable fuels play a crucial short-term role in reducing carbon emissions from HGVs. But what options are best, and how can fleet operators be sure of their sustainability claims? Gloria Esposito, head of sustainability at Zemo Partnership, explains how the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme can help

HAULAGE

From electric HGVs to route optimisation and urban delivery centres, transport operators are finding ways to decarbonise the way they work. Chris Welch, commercial and operations director at Welch’s Transport, shares how the industry is making progress

INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIAL: PUBLIC CHARGING
Fleets play a pivotal role in keeping our country running, so it is crucial that their needs are met when charging infrastructure is designed and installed, writes

Matthew Adams, transport policy manager at the REA. Ian Johnston, chair of the recently formed trade association, ChargeUK, explains what the organisation hopes to achieve as the voice of the charging infrastructure industry.

INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIAL: REGULATIONS
We take a detailed look at the draft regulations for public electric vehicle charge points, which stipulate better reliability, clearer pricing, contactless payments and open data. 

EV RALLY 2023 REVIEW
The EV Rally 2023 pushed the boundaries of what's possible this year, with a more challenging route, a more diverse mix of vehicle sizes, and more participants – all with the aim of testing how electric vehicles and public charging infrastructure measure up. So how did the teams get on?

PUBLIC SECTOR SPECIAL - FUNDING

A look at the grants available to support charging infrastructure costs, whether that’s for local authorities rolling out charging in their local areas, or specifically for their own fleet.

PUBLIC SECTOR SPECIAL - INTERVIEW

Angie Lillistone from Nottingham City Council talks about an innovative project which saw the council install bi-directional EV charging, solar and battery energy storage at its depot to create an energy eco-system. 

PUBLIC SECTOR SPECIAL - HEALTHCARE FLEETS

The NHS has committed to reaching net zero by 2040. But decarbonising ambulances poses a particular challenge. We look at the innovation going on in healthcare fleet decarbonisation, including a trial of the Electric Dual Crewed Ambulance.

ELECTRIC VANS

Michelle Gardner from Logistics UK shares insights from the organisation’s Electric Vehicle Report, which explores fleet operators current experiences of transitioning to electric vehicles and highlights the challenges to further uptake.

HYDROGEN 

Hydrogen is expected to play a critical role in the decarbonisation of transport. Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, explains why hydrogen makes a particularly good zero-emission fuel for large and specialist vehicles.

DRONES

Drones can help decarbonise high-emitting industries, such as transport, construction, agriculture and energy, supporting global efforts to achieve net zero targets.