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Tag: EV

Technology Expertise United to Accelerate Fleet Electrification

Posted on by David Priestman

Hitachi ZeroCarbon and MUFG have joined forces to supercharge the global transition to electric vehicles by removing the technical and capital constraints to decarbonisation. In combining Hitachi’s technology and operational expertise with MUFG’s financial strength, fleets benefit from strategic EV guidance and support, and reliable access to low-cost capital that protects long-term asset value.

This partnership addresses the biggest barriers to electrification faced by fleets all around the world: capital availability and change management. Across the industry, fleet operators have less than a decade to decarbonise, but the cost of replacing diesel vehicles, installing new infrastructure or upskilling workers can delay or prevent businesses from reaping the benefits and revenue opportunities of the EV transition.

MUFG’s global financial strength and presence ensures that fleets can scale their electrification seamlessly across markets, while Hitachi’s platform helps operators to better understand, manage and optimise their assets, for example electric vehicles, batteries or charging infrastructure. Fleets maintain full operational control of their services while benefitting from the financial and technical expertise of both partners. Hitachi’s managed service maximises the residual value of assets, ensuring they can be reused or recycled at the end of the lease period, protecting investment returns for fleet operators.

Commenting on the partnership, Hiroki Miyashita, Managing Director of Business Co-creation Division at MUFG said: “We have a proud history of working closely with Hitachi, and our shared values and business philosophies have driven fundamental transformation across countless industries. We are committed to addressing the barriers in the way of societal progress, and combining our expertise with Hitachi will help the commercial fleet ecosystem decarbonise at speed, and realise the real-time benefits of electrification far more quickly.”

The model has already made its mark with the leading UK bus operator, First Bus. The operator is on a mission to decarbonise its 4500-bus fleet by 2035 and has already purchased more than 1000 EV batteries, and benefitted from managed services for 1500 buses to enable electrified operations.

First Group, the parent company of First Bus, has saved more than £20M in deferred capital, and is anticipating more than £40M in future savings. This NextGen project was recognised for Innovation of the Year at the IJGlobal Awards 2023, showing how technical and financial expertise underpins the successful decarbonisation of commercial fleets.

Ram Ramachander, Chief Executive Officer at Hitachi ZeroCarbon said: “Cost remains the greatest hurdle to fleet electrification. We’re removing that barrier by giving fleet managers the confidence that decarbonisation is not only achievable, but financially viable. With access to financing through partners like MUFG, operators can accelerate progress toward their net zero targets while unlocking new revenue streams. By helping customers optimise their assets, we’re enabling long-term investment returns and creating meaningful commercial value. It’s a win-win, advancing both sustainability and profitability, and making fleet electrification a practical reality.”

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EU Changes Road Transport Rules

Packfleet and Who Gives A Crap ship over 9m rolls

Posted on by David Priestman

All-electric courier Packfleet and Who Gives A Crap have ended crappy deliveries for Londoners, with over nine million toilet rolls delivered across the capital. 

It’s not just customers that are benefitting, it’s the planet too, with the brand saving approximately 54,500kg of carbon emissions thanks to Packfleet’s ultra-efficient, all-electric fleet.

These figures will only continue to increase, with Packfleet on course to ship over 10 million rolls by the end of 2024.

From working with Packfleet alone, Who Gives A Crap is set to reduce the total carbon emitted by its UK-EU region by 0.6%.

To mark the new partnership, the Who Gives A Crap team recently became Packfleet delivery drivers for the day – bringing ‘random acts of crappiness’ directly to customers’ doorsteps.

Londoners were treated to free cupcakes alongside their toilet roll, with furry friends being offered branded dog biscuits.

As a result of the partnership, Who Gives A Crap has seen a 25% drop in customer queries on the whereabouts of their orders, thanks to the introduction of Packfleet’s transparent, user-friendly recipient experience.

Packfleet’s delivery failure rate is 10x less than traditional couriers, resulting in over 98% of Who Gives A Crap customers receiving their bog roll on time – an over 4% improvement on the UK industry average – cutting down on resource-intensive redeliveries.

The two B Corp certified brands teamed up in October 2023, and have been disrupting their respective sectors together ever since.

Tristan Thomas, CEO of Packfleet, said: “We’ve achieved a lot in the short time Packfleet has been working with Who Gives A Crap, with both customers and the environment seeing the upshot. 

“Our close relationship with the Who Gives A Crap team has allowed us to do some amazing work, including letting them experience what it’s like to be a Packfleet driver first hand. 

“Whilst we can’t promise to deliver toilet rolls directly to the bathroom door, we are confident we can maintain the high standard we’ve achieved and continue to put a stop to crappy deliveries.” 

Phillipa Taylor, Head of European Supply Chain at Who Gives A Crap, added: “We chose to work with Packfleet due to their carbon neutral deliveries, tech platform and customer focus.

“Deliver and Delight is one of our core values at Who Gives A Crap. Packfleet have consistently lived up to this, with reliable and excellent service, week in, week out – driving down our customer tickets. 

“The Packfleet team continually comes to the table with proactive ideas and opportunities on how we can further improve our customer experience. 

“Surprising our customers on delivery day was a real highlight for us. We couldn’t have done this without Packfleet’s trust and cooperation. They have been great to work with and have enabled us to get closer to our customer experience. Thank you, Packfleet.”

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UK Parcel Delivery to Lead Europe This Festive Season

DHL to support the rollout of bp pulse’s EV charging network in the UK

Posted on by David Priestman

DHL Supply Chain has been appointed by bp pulse in a new warehousing and transport contract. bp pulse is bp’s electric vehicle (EV) charging business. It is one of the leading rapid and ultra-fast public EV charging networks in the UK and aims to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 100,000 worldwide.

Through the new deal, DHL will be responsible for storing EV chargers and ancillary equipment including critical parts, substations, wiring and cabling at its Ryton warehouse which will act as a national logistics centre for bp pulse. Equipment will be despatched from Ryton and delivered to locations across the country, with a secondary site in Belfast servicing Northern Ireland. By consolidating EV assets across these two sites, DHL will support bp pulse in streamlining its operation for greater efficiency.

Leveraging digital solutions including telematics, DHL will provide real-time tracking and monitoring of deliveries, while coordinating with relevant parties such as electrical suppliers, councils and franchises to ensure smooth and efficient charger installations.

Paul Mason, Vice President Operations, Manufacturing Logistics, DHL Supply Chain UKI said, “bp pulse is delivering charging infrastructure at pace, and our specialist logistics service and the scale of our network gives us both the expertise and capacity to support its EV network roll-out.

“With first-rate training, safety protocols and digital systems in place, we are committed to delivering an effective and reliable service to bp pulse, to optimise its operation.”

DHL has introduced training and compliance processes to ensure the safe handling, storage and transport of EV chargers in line with bp pulse’s safety policy. This includes adherence to independent auditing standards set out by ISNetworld. In addition, DHL drivers have obtained ADR qualifications ensuring they are permitted to handle certain EV chargers which are classed as dangerous goods. Two-person delivery processes are also in place across DHL’s bp pulse operation, to guarantee specific training in lifting and handling EV equipment is followed at all times.

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Transition Tool for Informed Fleet Electrification

Transition Tool for Informed Fleet Electrification

Posted on by David Priestman

Webfleet, Bridgestone’s global fleet management solution, has launched the EV Transition Tool to support businesses transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) or expanding their EV fleets. This innovative solution, the first resulting directly from the recently introduced EV Services Platform, promises to transform the way fleets approach electrification, helping them to meet sustainability targets and run efficient, reliable operations.

In collaboration with leaders from the energy and mobility industries, the Webfleet EV Transition Tool is designed to demystify and simplify the process of transitioning to electric vehicles using a single platform.

By leveraging their own fleet data, customers can assess their readiness for electrification, estimate the total cost of ownership (TCO) for going electric, the operational cost and CO2 savings.
Additionally, they can gain valuable insights into the most suitable EV models and the estimated charging infrastructure needed for their specific operations.

The tool not only simplifies the decision-making process for fleet managers but also allows them to directly reach out to leading energy and mobility service providers – partners of the EV Services Platform. Initially, customers can directly connect to VEV, Heliox, The Mobility House, CTEK, Justplugin, ChargeGuru and Zeplug for end-to-end charging solutions across depots, workplaces and homes, streamlining the setup of charging infrastructure.

“Our goal is to take the guesswork out of the EV transition for our customers, based on their own fleet data,” said Taco Olthoff, EV Programme Director of Bridgestone Mobility Solutions. “By providing fleets of all sizes with a quick TCO estimation, they can kick-start their electrification journey without the need for time-consuming and costly consultancy. Users can then take the next steps to electrification, supported by our network of expert partners, directly accessible within the tool itself.”

The introduction of the Webfleet EV Transition Tool marks a significant step forward in fleet electrification support. The solution utilises fleet data for customised fleet electrification plans at no extra cost to European Webfleet customers subscribed to specific tariffs.

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Adopting EV Fleets Presents Challenges

 

Diesel Van Turns Electric at Press of Button

Posted on by David Priestman

An advanced retrofit solution which fits to existing diesel vans to make them both electric (first) and/or diesel at the touch of a button using innovative in-wheel motor (IWM) technology has been launched by BEDEO, an electric vehicle supplier and manufacturer based in Farnham, Hampshire, UK.

The new RE-100 Range Extender, part of its ‘Reborn Electric’ range, enables organisations with large fleets of vans, often with major conversions (e.g refrigeration units, bespoke fitouts, minibuses etc), to retain those vehicles for longer while still transitioning to an electric future. A vehicle fitted with a RE-100 Range Extender is electric first, with 117km of electric range, making it ideal for ‘Last Mile’ deliveries. Its existing diesel mode can be used when needed for longer trips, switching to electric when entering a low-emission zone and densely populated areas to eliminate emissions and accelerate decarbonisation.

At the heart of RE-100 are two in-wheel motors and a battery designed, engineered and manufactured by BEDEO. The in-wheel motors are fitted to the rear axle of the vehicle. The motors are more compact, lighter, efficient and easier to install than an equivalent e-axle and powered by a 37kWh battery. No suspension modifications are required to the front or rear, which means there is no loss of ground clearance and no loss of load space or height.

BEDEO came to national attention in 2019 manufacturing electric vans for significant players in the ‘Last Mile delivery’ market such as OCADO, DHL and TNT. Founder Osman Boyner says that with the concept of Reborn Electric he is providing a new business model for an industry caught between the twin goals of cost and sustainability. “The traditional model of fleet owners is to invest in new vans,” he explains. “But electric vans today don’t meet the needs of the market and even Euro VI diesel vans are still responsible for a disproportionate amount of carbon emissions. With the RE-100 we have created a new category of hybrid that not only meets the needs of the market but also accelerates transport decarbonisation.”

The RE-100 is a hybrid in as much as it can have two modes of power – electric and diesel – but with the BEDEO technology the vehicle cannot be operated as diesel within controlled low emissions zones, unless in an emergency. Outside of controlled zones the driver is in control and can determine when to stay in electric for a more pleasant driving experience, or switch to diesel for longer distances.

The ability to retrofit BEDEO’s IWM into an existing vehicle is an entirely new proposition: “BEDEO has leveraged this advanced IWM technology to develop the next generation of retrofit vehicles, unlimited by the constraints of a standard e-axle,” Boyner adds.

Commercial fleet operators face a number of significant challenges in the next few years, not least the uncertainty of a moving government deadline for an all-electric future which makes the RE-100 launch even more important. Osman believes that while switching to an all-electric fleet is desirable, it is also very expensive and wasteful, requiring investment not only in the vehicles themselves, but also the infrastructure to support them.

“While sustainability is, of course, a key driver, the end-to-end sustainability (whole lifecycle) of the vehicle also needs to be taken into account,” Boyner continues. “It cannot be sustainable to replace a vehicle that has not reached the end of its useful working life, neither is it sustainable to replace not only the vehicle, but also the refrigeration units or bespoke fit-out that many of these vehicles have. Retrofitting with electric overcomes these challenges and more, satisfying the need to reduce emissions in our city centres where the majority of the ‘Last Mile’ journeys are required, breathing new life into older vehicles.”

Today BEDEO can fit Reborn Electric solutions to a wide range of large commercial vans including the Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Jumper, the Fiat Ducato and Vauxhall Movano, with the intention to be a solution provider for all large vans. BEDEO has the capacity to convert hundreds of vehicles at any one time at its sites in Europe.

Reborn Electric is a range of retrofit solutions that includes the RE-100 range extended option and the BE-100, BE-250 and BE-350 full electric options.

Government Action Needed to Decarbonise Logistics Sector

Posted on by David Priestman

The UK Government must ensure policy supports the decarbonisation of London’s logistics sector if the UK is to meet net zero ambitions, according to a new report released today.

Installing rooftop solar panels across all logistics spaces and clarifying the electrification of HGVs across the Capital, are two of the three recommendations made to Government today by planning and development consultancy, Turley, and the London Industry and Logistics Sounding Board (ILSB) as part of The Accelerating Logistics Towards Net Zero report. The report highlights the issues facing London’s logistics sector.

Logistics remains one of the largest emitting sectors in the UK. Transport alone produced 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020. While the Government has a programme to confirm the way forward for zero carbon HGV fuels by 2030, this new report argues this will be too late for the logistics sector. Instead, Turley and the ILSB are calling on Government to provide interim direction and policy support, to allow investment that supports the rollout of hydrogen or electric-powered HGVs for nationwide fossil-fuel free fleets.

Businesses like Amazon are already committing to a sustainable HGV future. The retail giant is investing £300m in the UK to decarbonise its fleet and replace with electric HGVs, electric vans, and eCargo bike fleets, as well as rolling out fast charging infrastructure. Other organisations are delaying due to the lack of clarity on the way forward. A second recommendation calls for further support to speed up the deployment of rooftop solar panels on warehouses in London and the rest of the UK.

Existing warehouse roof-space across the UK could host 15GWp of solar power, doubling the nation’s current total installed capacity without any loss of land. However, only 5% of warehouses currently have solar panels installed, according to the UK Warehousing Association.

The report argues that slow grid upgrades, regulation around sharing and selling energy generation, and the need to embrace smart management is holding back the rollout of solar across the logistics industry. A need to embrace complexity is hindering the development of the last mile logistics sector too. Last mile delivery can significantly cut the carbon footprint of deliveries across London, by bringing storage closer to the point of delivery, with different vehicles like electric vans, bikes, drones, autonomous robots and even walking supporting the final stage of delivery.

However, as last mile logistics can be so variable in nature and needs to be closely located with other uses, a flexible and positive approach is required from a planning/policy perspective. Both the public and private sector will need to think more creatively to incorporate local distribution hubs in strategic urban locations where this type of space is needed the most.

Barny Evans (pictured), Director, Sustainability, at Turley, said: “The logistics sector is the lifeblood of our economy. The industry recognises it is a significant source of GHG emissions and other environmental impacts; it is eager to accelerate its decarbonisation. There’s a responsibility on Government to unlock the barriers to this, and provide the policy needed.”

Sarah Bevan, Director, Planning & Development at BusinessLDN and co-founder of the Industry and Logistics Sounding Board, said: “Logistics is one of the fastest growing sectors for the economy and substantially impacts aspects of all businesses across the Capital and UK. Like all high carbon-emitting sectors, regulatory certainty and policy reforms are necessary to drive innovative solutions, such as HGV decarbonisation, and investment in renewable energy solutions like rooftop solar installations to reduce our carbon footprint. “That’s why it’s imperative that steps are taken now to decarbonise the sector and help us reach net zero before it is too late.”

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, added: “Our net zero targets are ambitious and if we are to meet them the decarbonisation of energy intensive sectors like logistics is critical. Businesses operating in the sector have a key role to play but Government support will be equally important. This report calls on Government to speed up the decarbonisation of one of our most important sectors and proposes three key areas for action.”

Alan Holland, Managing Director for Greater London at SEGRO, added: “SEGRO and many of our customers are making huge strides towards the transition to net zero carbon, but success will also be measured on whether the whole sector can lower its carbon emissions not just a proportion of those operating within it. To be effective, much of this collective action and investment needs to be matched by having the right public infrastructure and a smart approach for how we plan the use of land. We welcome this report’s exploration of some of the key challenges, we encourage industry peers to embrace the innovation opportunities it identifies and we ask for policy makers to act on its recommendations.”

DHL Introduces Volvo Electric Tractor Units

Posted on by David Priestman

DHL Supply Chain today announces the introduction of the UK’s first fully electric Volvo heavy duty tractor units. The four Volvo FM electric trucks 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 300km/180 miles, allowing them to complete full round-trips servicing DHL’s retail and automotive customers across the UK.

Saul Resnick, CEO DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, DHL Supply Chain said: “Today 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.

DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialised solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 94 billion euros in 2022. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

Cold Chain Electrification Supports EVs

Posted on by David Priestman

Carrier Transicold has begun initial production of a new all-electric Syberia eCool temperature-controlled unit, continuing the electrification of the company’s eCool series and further demonstrating its commitment to cold chain sustainability. Compatible with most electric trucks, the new system delivers zero direct engine emissions and ultra-low noise operation, making it the ideal solution for all-electric urban deliveries. Carrier Transicold is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.

First unveiled at IAA Transportation 2022, the Carrier Transicold Syberia eCool is available now in limited quantities in both single and multi-temperature configurations and expected to be widely available to customers in 2024. The system combines a front-mounted Carrier Transicold Syberia 14 engineless refrigeration unit undergoing field testing with the company’s highly efficient power box. The power box converts high-voltage current sourced directly from the vehicle’s powertrain into the 400-volt AC current required to drive the unit, eliminating direct emissions without significantly affecting range or refrigeration performance.

“We set ourselves the challenge to develop an easy to install, all-electric solution that delivers low-energy consumption without losing efficiency,” said Scott Dargan, Managing Director UK and Northern Europe at Carrier Transicold. “The Syberia eCool is that product. It underlines our ability to meet the challenges of urban electric distribution, providing an efficient and cost-effective answer to the ever-growing interest among our customer base for operating fully electric trucks.”

The existing all-electric architecture of the Carrier Transicold Syberia unit means the eCool version effectively offers plug-and-play installation when combined with the power box, delivering more than 95% efficiency when converting energy from the electric driveline to power the refrigeration system. The complete setup also operates below the PIEK standard of 60 db(A), which, in addition to its emissions credentials, means it offers the ultimate solution to tightening inner city and urban regulations, while also creating a more harmonious working environment for drivers.

The new Syberia eCool will support Carrier’s 2030 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, which include helping its customers avoid more than 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions.

EV Fleet Expansion with 40 new Vans

Posted on by David Priestman

CitySprint, a British same-day distribution company, has announced the expansion of their electric vehicle (EV) fleet with the acquisition of 40 new electric vans from vehicle manufacturer Maxus.

The new electric vans, which have an impressive range of up to 213 miles/ 344 kilometres on a full battery, will add to CitySprint’s expanding green fleet to offer customers a range of sustainable delivery options.

They have been strategically deployed across the UK with the aim of helping to reduce pollution levels in key cities in which CitySprint operates, including London, Leeds, Bristol, Manchester, Southampton and Birmingham.

With the expansion of Low and Ultra-Low Emission Zones in cities across the UK, the electric vans will be a valuable addition to CitySprint’s existing fleet and will play a part in ensuring the business continues to offer its customers a seamless and premium sustainable experience year-round.

Mark Footman, Chief Operating Officer at CitySprint commented: “At CitySprint, we have always acknowledged that, due to the nature of our work, we — and the logistics industry as a whole — have an important role to play in lowering emissions. For us, doing the right thing for the environment, the communities in which we work and for the people who live, work and play in these communities is vital. That’s why we are constantly looking for ways to further strengthen our existing green fleet across the UK.

“Our new electric vans will help us to reduce our environmental impact in the cities in which we operate and is a step in the right direction for us to achieve our aim of having a fleet of over 200 green vehicles across the major cities we work in the next 2 years.”

As a result of this acquisition, CitySprint’s electric vehicle fleet now comprises of 43 electric vans, 24 cargo bikes, 6 electric motorbikes and 4 electric bicycles, with the business continuing to explore ways to further grow this in the year ahead. This news follows the announcement last year that CitySprint has achieved carbon neutral status — 18 months ahead of schedule.

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Adopting EV Fleets Presents Challenges

EV Charge Cost Turns Logistics back to Diesel

Posted on by David Priestman

With UK Government encouragement, media pressure and customer demands the automotive industry is continuing its drive toward cleaner logistics through the use of electric vehicles (EV’s). However, this forward planning is now being impacted by the current energy crisis, writes Nigel Lyons, partner at Browne Jacobson LLP.

Is EV investment still a sound logistic business sense ?

As the automotive industry continues to be innovative those businesses that don’t embrace the fast moving technology that is being offered will be left behind, for example, in the last 12 months Sony announced plans to enter the EV market, with Apple working on a self-driving electric car and Mercedes-Benz’s claiming a EV vehicle range of up to 620 miles.

The ongoing challenges for retailers with large carbon footprints

Whilst automotive manufacturers may be able to demonstrate innovative ways of tackling the limitations with the existing EV infrastructure, mass market EV’s still demand the need for a greater charging network. On that note, in the UK the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has launched a Local EV Infrastructure Fund to support the roll-out of larger on-street charging schemes and rapid charging hubs across the UK.

The war in Ukraine has brought a further significant issue with the huge increase in the cost of EV charging. This is adding another dimension to the cost of powering vehicles, with businesses having to ultimately pass on the increased expense onto their customers.

The issues surrounding EV charging points

The OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that helps provide support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points. The scheme is run by the OZEV and administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). This grant can be used in conjunction with the EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets. It helps fund both the installation of charge points and the cost of charge point infrastructure.

The EV future

The RAC motoring organisation has identified that the price of using the fastest ultra-rapid chargers now stands at 74.79p per kilowatt hour, up from 50.97p in May 2022 (47%) and 63.94p in September 2022. Drivers using rapid chargers now pay 20p per mile for their electricity, only a penny less than those using less common ultra-rapid chargers who pay 21p per mile. These costs are higher than the equivalent per-mile rate for a petrol car that achieves an economy of 40 miles to the gallon (17p per mile) and are on a par with a diesel car achieving the same economy (20p per mile).

Recent UK new car registration figures show that the demand for EVs is clearly still there, however, even with the OZEV scheme there is a risk that if energy prices remain high this will put businesses off using EV chargers. The Government is being pressed to review the current VAT policy as businesses pay four times the rate of tax as those charging at home.

If the EV use is to expand through our logistic network then the Government will need to be as innovative as automotive manufacturers if it to maintain the drive to bring down air pollution and decarbonise the UK’s transport infrastructure.

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