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Tag: road transport

Schenker electric vehicles cover 1.5 million km

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DB Schenker is focusing on green supply chains of the future and has already completed more than 1.5 million km with electrically powered trucks in its European land transport network. The logistics company is thus scaling up its efforts to shift its urban collect and delivery fleet completely to electric drives by 2030.

Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister of Digital and Transport, said at the recent DB Schenker Sustainable Logistics Forum in Berlin: “To achieve our climate change targets, we urgently need to decarbonise the road haulage sector. Electric drivetrains can already deploy their inherent strength, especially in cities and on the last mile. They make an important contribution to sustainably reducing emissions from transport.”

Dr. Levin Holle, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schenker AG said: “DB Schenker has already achieved good progress towards better climate protection in all major business units. We want DB Schenker, just like the entire DB Group, to be CO2-neutral by 2040. That’s a long way ahead of us, which is why we are now taking decisive action.”

Jochen Thewes, CEO of Schenker AG added: “DB Schenker is looking to join forces with shippers and freight forwarders to advance CO2-free land transport further. We are making advanced investments in green supply chains despite high costs to protect our climate. Our appeal is to customers: The offer is there, now the demand and willingness to pay for clean transport must also pick up.”

DB Schenker deployed its first two electric trucks in Berlin back in 2017. To date, the e-fleet in Europe’s largest land transport network has grown to 79 vehicles. With series-produced e-trucks from all major manufacturers in its groupage network, DB Schenker is able to make CO2-free general cargo deliveries from more than 60 locations across Europe. In 24 European cities, a total of more than 60 cargo bikes are used in urban transport.

DB Schenker organised the Sustainable Logistics Forum as a discussion platform for shippers and carriers to mark the 150th anniversary of the company’s founding. In this way, DB Schenker is once again sending a signal to the industry in its anniversary year to further intensify joint efforts for environmentally friendly transport and logistics solutions.

 

Powerful refrigeration for Swedish fleet

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Varubud Åkeri AB, a storage and distribution company of Eskilstuna, Sweden, upgraded its fleet with the new V-1000 vehicle-powered units from Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions.

Conducting deliveries in close collaboration with local municipalities, schools and senior homes, one of Varubud’s paradigms is making its distribution fleet carbon neutral and efficient. For its new Volvo FL truck, it was looking for a powerful direct-drive unit as a sustainable alternative to diesel-powered refrigeration systems. Designed for larger rigid trucks up to 25 tonnes, the Thermo King V-1000 proved to be equally or more powerful as its nearest equivalent diesel units and met all Varubud’s requirements.

“Sustainability and environmental responsibility are very important for us, our operations, and our way of doing business,” said Daniel Johansson, owner of Varubud Åkeri AB. “Our warehouses use renewable energy, our vehicles run on HVO biofuel, and we have a history of successfully using Thermo King’s direct-drive refrigeration units. When we were looking for a solution to refrigerate the larger trucks, the new V-1000 units were a perfect fit for us.”

“Our relationship with Varubud goes years back as they operate a mixed fleet including different Thermo King units. We have been closely supporting them with our service, even in remote locations, and sharing our expertise to help Varubud deliver on their promise to customers,” said Anders Thyselius, application manager, Thermo King Sverige AB. “High cooling capacity and high airflow of the V-1000 will protect their load under the most arduous conditions. And it will do with no CO2 emissions from the unit and lower noise when in operation.”

The V-1000 uses a compressor exclusively developed for Thermo King that, when driven by the truck engine – including CNG, LNG or Biodiesel – produces performance previously unattainable in units of this type. This positively impacts the total cost of operation when it comes to fuel consumption, maintenance costs and productivity, making the V-1000 a competitive investment compared to diesel powered unit with equivalent performance.

“We have several of the Thermo King V-800 units in our fleet, and they have been performing at their maximum capacity to cool our larger trucks’ boxes – practically with no technical issues,” said Daniel Johansson. “As the new V-1000 leverages the same technology as the other units, we had no doubts it would meet our expectations. Also, when compared to the hydraulic refrigeration units, we experienced that the direct-drive technology from Thermo King offers us much lower total cost of ownership. It is quieter, has better efficiencies, less impact on the engine’s fuel consumption and easier maintenance.”

Multimodal operators P&O Ferrymasters and Unifeeder combine

Posted on by David Priestman

DP World is to combine its two multimodal operators in Europe, P&O Ferrymasters Ltd. and Unifeeder Shortsea with immediate effect, offering an enhanced proposition to its customers across Europe.

Through the agreement based joint venture, DP World will establish a single brand – P&O Ferrymasters – combining the strengths of both operators and offering customers Intra-European multimodal transportation solutions via trailer, container, and rail, complemented by a set of strong supportive logistics solutions. This enhancement in offerings will allow customers to further optimise their supply chains in a much broader as well as sustainable manner.

Timm Niebergall, CEO P&O Ferrymasters, said: “By joining the forces of the two leading multimodal specialists we will establish a single brand standing for unique intra-European multimodal transportation and logistics services.

“It will enable our valued customers to benefit from the widened outreach and network, as well as direct access to a full range one-stop shop for multimodal supply chains services in Europe, while our vendors will benefit from opportunities for closer collaboration.”

Unifeeder Shortsea is a business unit of Unifeeder A/S. It will now operate under the new joint trade name P&O Ferrymasters. All present agreements with P&O Ferrymasters and Unifeeder Shortsea will be honoured and remain in place and there will be no changes to the daily business or operations.

 

IFOY FINALIST FOCUS: MOFFETT E5 25.4 NX

Posted on by David Priestman

In the first of our deep-dives looking at each of the IFOY Award nominated finalists ahead of the winners are announced at BMW World on 30th June, we look at the MOFFETT E5 24.4 NX truck-mounted electric multidirectional forklift from HIAB, a part of Cargotec Corporation.

IFOY category: Special Vehicle / Warehouse Truck

The MOFFETT ‘E5 25.4 NX’ is the latest addition to the all-electric truck mounted forklift range and part of the second generation of the world’s first all-electric truck mounted forklift. The machine now also comes with 4-way steering (Multi-Directional) and the first moving mast machine offering zero-emission, noiseless deliveries and health and safety benefits for drivers. They have not been seen before in this type of application.

Description

The MOFFETT E5-NX e-Series Electric Truck Mounted Forklift is the world’s first all-electric 4-Way Truck Mounted Truck (Multi-Directional) with a moveable mast. Within the dimensions of an existing M5 machine, the manufacturer was able to install batteries, motors, controls, etc. to fully electrify the forklift. The M5 is known for its off-road capabilities, which are now no problem even fully electric.

Typically, truck mounted forklifts are used in many applications around the world such as handling construction materials, lumber, gas, beverage/food/last mile deliveries, agricultural products (turf, animal feed) and many more. There is an increasing demand for lower-emission or zero-emission and noise-free (i.e.: morning or night) deliveries, which poses a challenge for current diesel-powered forklifts. With the new e-series, it is now possible to make zero-emission, noiseless deliveries directly from the delivery truck, even in warehouses. With a truck-mounted forklift, no additional staff is needed, which is an advantage in Europe and countries struggling with driver shortages, and also in compliance with safety regulations due to Covid-19.

CLICK HERE to watch a video of the E5

IFOY TEST REPORT

The MOFFETT E5-NX is the world’s first all-electric 4-way truck-mounted forklift. It is the bigger brother of last year’s IFOY winner. It is also the first all-electric truck with what the manufacturer calls a “moving mast”.

The unique mast can be extended, making it easier to load and unload trucks from one side. In addition, this design makes it extremely light. Extending the mast is much faster than with comparable vehicles with pantograph masts. Also, the speed at which the mast is extended is adjustable by the manufacturer. Nevertheless, this vehicle also has a pantograph, namely on the fork carriage. After the mast is extended, this pantograph brings the fork carriage forward.

For loading and unloading loads at the far end of the loading area, the test vehicle is also equipped with the optional Lift Assist. This patented system tilts two armrests against the side of the load floor. Especially when the load’s centre of gravity is further away from the truck, Lift Assist helps prevent tipping. Loads can be set down and picked up more easily and safely at the far end of the load floor. The reach is exactly the same as the loading area of a truck. When handling loads at this maximum distance of about 2.2 metres, the residual capacity of the truck – thanks to the special design – remains at 2.5 tonnes.

As there is no IFOY test protocol for this type of truck, this test report only describes the testers’ impressions. In short: the testers are impressed by the nomination. The E5-NX makes a robust and solid impression, although the legroom and the position of the pedals deserve extra attention according to the testers. When working, the advantages of an all-electric truck quickly become clear. The lack of a brake pedal (the vehicle brakes exclusively via the motor) is not a problem at all, as the brakes work as expected. The braking force is even dependent on the driving speed so that the driver does not experience any surprises.

Two other advantages stand out in the impression: the all-electric truck-mounted forklift guarantees quiet and emission-free operation. This means that the forklift can also be used indoors without any problems, so that deliveries from outdoors to indoors are also possible.

Thanks to its quiet operation, it can also be used in the early morning hours or at night without disturbing the surroundings. In addition, the operator does not need to wear hearing protection. A low noise level also means that the operator is generally more aware of his surroundings. For added safety, the steering speed can also be adjusted.

The 4-way concept in itself is not new and enables smooth driving, even with long loads and narrow passages. However, the system has been further improved on this truck. For example, the wheels are automatically and electronically controlled into the correct position. When driving sideways, the reverse warning can also be heard, which the testers found annoying.

The lithium-ion battery can be easily recharged if necessary while driving to the next delivery address. In many cases, however, the minimum operating time of six to eight hours is more than sufficient.

IFOY Test Verdict:

Following the introduction of the first all-electric, IFOY AWARD winning MOFFETT E4-25.3 NX, Hiab-Cargotec Engineering Ireland takes a logical next step towards a zero-emission and quieter future for 4-way forklifts too with the MOFFETT E5 25.4 NX. Intelligent features such as the movable mast and the patented Lift Assist make work safer and more pleasant for the operator.

IFOY INNOVATION CHECK

Market relevance: With the E5-25.4 NX, MOFFETT continues to respond to demands for individual delivery of goods at modern requirements. The environmentally friendly version of the truck-mounted forklift reaches a new performance range and is now on a par with comparable diesel-powered vehicles. The circle of interested parties will thus continue to increase, which is seen as having a high market relevance.

Customer benefit: Thanks to the emission-free operation, the user can move a wide variety of goods in load ranges up to 2.5 t very flexibly in confined spaces outdoors and indoors. The electric drive eliminates the usual restrictions when driving indoors. A further developed manoeuvrability with 4-way steering as well as the increased performance now allow easy traction on different surfaces even on steep inclines. The significantly lower noise emission of the truck offers a high increase in the daytime flexibility of deliveries. In addition, the lower operating costs lead to a positive cost-benefit balance after a manageable operating time.

Novelty: Compared to the previous model, further technical details have been added that continue to make the E5-25.4 NX appear innovative. The increased performance means that the machine has no disadvantages in a direct comparison with the diesel-powered M5-NX. A multidirectional drive solution for long goods and further options for integrating flexible lift masts are examples of innovative additions to the MOFFETT E-Series.

Functionality / type of implementation: As expected, the E5-25.4 NX features a solid yet high-quality design that is fully up to the high demands placed on truck-mounted forklifts. The all-electric version can be compared with other already electrified in-plant industrial trucks in terms of operating comfort and control sensitivity. The functions have been expanded and offer more flexibility, e.g. for long goods on various terrains.

Conclusion: MOFFETT shows that technical progress does not remain stagnant and once again delivers a convincing candidate for the IFOY AWARD.

market relevance +
customer benefit ++
novelty +
functionality / type of implementation ++
[++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / – – not available]

For an overview of all the finalists, visit www.ifoy.org

CLICK HERE to find out more about the MOFFATT E5.

Thermo King exhibits solutions for today and the future

Posted on by David Priestman

Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions, is exhibiting at the ITT Hub in Farnborough, UK to showcase technology developments that lead to sustainable and zero-emission refrigerated transport industry. From 11th to 12th of May, at the Thermo King booth 1251, visitors will find the latest advancements in transport refrigeration to prepare themselves for the future: truck and trailer units with market leading fuel efficiencies, hybrid or 100% electric and zero-emissions refrigeration.

“Sustainability, fuel efficiency, electrification and transition of conventional architecture is what is being discussed in the industry today. We’re coming to the ITT Hub to help transport operators keep abreast of the rapid changes in technology, address the environmental requirements and prepare themselves for the future, today,” said David O’Gorman, regional director North and Western Europe at Thermo King.

“The discontinuation of the red diesel rebate is one of the issues on the minds of our customers today. It’s fair to assume though, that only eliminating rebated diesel is not going to impact the environment – whether operators burn red or white diesel, they are still burning the same amount of fuel. Choosing a sustainable refrigeration technology will. At the ITT Hub we will showcase the advanced, future-ready transport refrigeration solutions from Thermo King and Frigoblock that give operators a plethora of options, both from the business and environmental point of view,” said O’Gorman.

Thermo King’s booth 1251 will spotlight the most comprehensive offering of sustainable transport refrigeration technologies. This includes the truck and trailer units with market leading fuel efficiencies, hybrid or 100% electric and zero-emissions refrigeration systems like:

  • Advancer A-Series trailer systems together with the new Whisper Pro and Hybrid units. The A-Series offers market leading fuel efficiency and can be operated as hybrid and with the new AxlePower technology with BPW’s ePower axle. The AxlePower energy recovery system and battery storage technology for trailer refrigeration units was designed to deliver immediate and long-term sustainability benefits while also helping cut day-to-day operating costs.
  • Single and multi-temperature V-1000 vehicle-powered units (pictured) designed for larger rigid trucks of up to 25 tonnes. The new V-1000 is equally or more powerful as its nearest equivalent diesel units and offers large truck operators the benefit of advanced vehicle drive technology – low cost operation, fuel savings, low weight and compact size.
  • New FK2 electric, alternator-powered units from Frigoblock for medium to heavy-class rigid trucks featuring integrated telematics and extended ambient capabilities for wider operating maps. For more sustainable transport operations, FK2 units are compatible and can be installed on both hybrid and electric-powered trucks.

Providing sustainable solutions for refrigerated transportation is part of Thermo King’s (part of Trane Technologies) overall approach to reducing carbon emissions in the industries it serves. It helps advance the 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons.

Diesel crisis: don’t be a fool with fuel

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Ecommerce businesses, 3PLs and carriers have the means to counter rising fuel bills – if they think inside the box, writes Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager, Sparck Technologies.

Diesel prices are soaring and it is easy to feel powerless in the face of global markets, but there is one area where ecommerce businesses, along with their 3PLs and carriers, can easily make real savings on fuel costs while reaping a host of other benefits.

According to the trade body Logistics UK, fuel accounts for around one third of the annual running costs of an HGV. For smaller vehicles engaged in ‘last mile’ delivery the proportion may be even greater: they are more likely to be burning diesel stuck in urban congestion, or idling while doorstep deliveries are made – a surprising proportion of drivers still hold the old-school view that idling is more economic than starting and stopping the engine. With many carriers operating on margins as low as 1%, any rise in fuel prices poses an existential threat.

Crude oil prices have been hurtling upwards, by 41% since the start of the year, with much of this predating and independent of the Ukrainian conflict. Although prices eased a little in April, peaks of around $140 a barrel were reached in March and the average price for that month was over $100. Pump prices were up 24% year on year and still rising.

But for many carriers and their customers the situation is even worse. A lot of vendors entered or increased their dependence on the ecommerce, home delivery, market at the beginning of the pandemic – at a time when oil prices were freakishly low: around $20 a barrel in April 2020. Any business that based its ecommerce business case on those sort of figures, likely including delivery for free or at nominal charge and thus with little scope to recover increased costs, is in serious trouble.

But the irony is that a large proportion of that diesel is being burnt simply to ship air. The use of significantly oversized packaging is Standard Operating Procedure for many in the industry, who see apparent economies in stocking a limited range of preform shapes and sizes, and packing goods in ‘the next size up’.

Now as it is, across Europe 24% of road freight movements run completely empty. Over 50% run part-loaded. But even for trucks and vans that are crammed to the ceiling with packages, an unknown but clearly large proportion of the payload is simply air. That means more HGVs than necessary are running trunk routes and very many more smaller vehicles engaged in ‘last mile’ deliveries are quite possibly having to return to the depot to reload several times per shift – yet more empty running.

It doesn’t have to be like this. Obviously, hand-building every package to size would be ruinously expensive and could never meet the throughput requirements, but it is now possible to ‘tailor-make’ boxes and cartons right-size for individual items or groups of items, on high speed automated lines.

Using sophisticated scanning technology and advanced algorithms, automated fit-to-size packing systems from Sparck Technologies – such as the CVP Everest – can cut, fold, seal, label and check-weigh individualised packages at rates of up to 1,100 per hour with just two staff. And as each box is made to exactly the right size, there is no wasted space and no void-fill is required.

There are plenty more benefits – radically lower material use (and card and plastics are themselves being hit by high energy prices), better use of staff, increased consumer satisfaction, lower impact on waste disposal services, improved environmental performance and so on.

But let’s focus on fuel. Our real-life customers have reduced the volumes they ship by anything up to 50%. Potentially, that could translate into a halving of the fuel cost – the principal variable element – of home delivery. Of course in practice it may not be possible to capture all of that saving, but even a portion realised will reduce both the amount and the variability of delivery costs. In fact, one of our customers is able to save a 40ft trailer a day using the CVP fit-to-size packaging system.

In the current economic climate, installers of Sparck Technologies’ CVP fit-to-size automated packaging systems will see returns on investment almost immediately. And when, or if, oil prices subside, or everything goes electric, the technology will continue to deliver its many other benefits.

 

Five ways to cut fuel costs

Posted on by Keith McKinley

With fuel prices at an all-time high, margins couldn’t be tighter for fleet-based businesses. Even if prices fall back in the short term, market volatility is here for the long haul. And as every fleet manager knows, any uptick in oil prices or unnecessary fuel consumption can hit costs hard and dent profits.

One way around this is to squeeze more miles out of every last drop of fuel, and technology is increasingly being used to achieve this goal.

Using sensors located in vehicles and linked to an always-on communications network that feeds back to a single screen, fleet managers can now gain a real-time overview of their entire operation.

By harnessing the Internet of Things (IoT), fleet managers can access in-depth data about vehicle and driver performance that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. Fleet managers can see instantly which vehicles are using fuel economically and those that are prone to be thirsty.

Here, Philip van der Wilt, VP EMEA, Samsara, picks the key elements where connected operations technology can empower fleet managers to make informed decisions about how to improve fuel efficiency and keep a lid on costs.

1. Cutting fuel consumption

Modern monitoring systems not only show how much fuel is being combusted, they allow you to account for how each drop is used. For instance, abnormally high fuel use linked with specific vehicles may point to a maintenance issue.

On the other hand, higher than average fuel consumption by individual drivers may suggest that driving traits — such as sudden increases or decreases in speed, heavy braking, speeding or prolonged stops with the engine still running — may need to be addressed.

Monitoring fuel consumption this way, ensuring vehicles work at their best and drivers refrain from fuel-burning driving behaviours, can deliver tangible benefits.

2. Improving fuel efficiency

Carefully planned itineraries that optimise delivery routes and payloads can go a long way to help with improving fuel efficiency. It’s not just planning before a vehicle leaves a depot or yard either. Real-time traffic information can highlight congestion — caused by accidents, road works or the sheer volume of traffic — so alternative routes can be initiated quickly.

In fact, the huge volume of data created through IoT-enabled connected operations enable hundreds and thousands of calculations to be carried out in minutes to ensure that each vehicle, driver, route and payload is optimised for fuel efficiency.

3. Identifying and eradicating unnecessary idling time

Attempts to reduce unnecessary engine idling are nothing new. It’s estimated that idling for one hour can consume up to a gallon of fuel. It might not seem like much, but incremental consumption over time and across a whole fleet quickly adds up.

As the price of fuel continues to climb, excessive idling only increases costs.

Connected technology that is embedded in vehicles can identify the causes of idling in real-time, whether it’s down to driver behaviour, road/traffic-related hold-ups or the need to power ancillary devices such as refrigeration systems.

In doing so, fleet managers gain a complete oversight of what idling is unavoidable, and those areas where changes would reap sizable savings.

4. Estimating fuel costs and managing change

A valuable approach for fleet managers is the ability to estimate costs as part of a broader fuel and energy report.

The most effective management tools are those that can calculate fuel costs using various price points — accounting for predicted price fluctuations — providing a view on the impact of (likely) future price hikes or fluctuations.

These planning scenarios may not deliver savings in the short term but estimates and predictions about changing input costs can help to shape management decisions and financial planning that contributes to the profitability of the business.

5. Engine run time vs miles travelled

Accurate engine hour data helps businesses monitor the wear and tear on their vehicles, even when the vehicle is stationary. The information has proven to be invaluable when it comes to fleet management systems enabling the scheduling of preventive maintenance alerts based on engine hours rather than miles travelled.

The information can also be fed into maintenance assessment programs that pinpoint exactly when vehicles need to be off the road and in the workshop. These predictive maintenance breaks – rather than more rigid scheduled downtime based on miles driven – can help to pre-empt avoidable breakdowns and costly repairs.

Such systems can also help to predict more accurately when a vehicle is no longer commercially viable and should be replaced.

Small changes, big savings

Each of these areas has the potential to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption and save costs. But, added together, across a whole fleet, over a year, and it’s easy to see how the combination of small changes can add up to a big cost saving.

Just as a vehicle is at its best when it’s properly maintained and running efficiently, so too is a fleet of vehicles that makes optimal use of fuel saving telematics to make sure it’s running on all cylinders.

 

Chiltern makes significant savings with Michelin tyres

Posted on by David Priestman

Chiltern Distribution claims to have found the ‘sweet spot’ for truck tyre performance thanks to Michelin’s fuel-saving Energy tyre ranges, which it specified as original equipment across 19 new trucks which have entered service during the last year.

The net result of its move to low rolling resistance tyres has been all new vehicles consistently returning more than 10mpg at 44-tonnes, and some even exceeding 11mpg at maximum weight.

The company optimised every part of the vehicles’ specification prior to placing the orders, split between Volvo and Scania. This included selecting 315/70 R22.5 Michelin X Line Energy Z2 and D2 tyres for the Volvo FH 460 with I-Save tractor units, and Michelin X Multi Energy Z and D fitments for the Scania S 500 tractor units – boosting fuel efficiency and lowering each truck’s VECTO score.

Brian Sagaseta (pictured), Managing Director of Chiltern Distribution, says: “Michelin has always been our go-to product, driven by serviceability, longevity and reliability. More recently, by selecting the latest generations of fuel-saving tyres, we’re also getting great efficiency and miles per gallon.

“It’s critical to match the right tyre with the right truck; because if you don’t, then you’re never going to unlock a vehicle’s maximum fuel potential. As our own data has proven, our tyre choice is saving us money and lowering our CO2 emissions. It’s a win-win situation.”

Michelin X Line Energy Z2 and D2 tyres are both A-rated for fuel efficiency – making them the most fuel-efficient Michelin truck tyres on the market, and perfect for long-distance transport at sustained high average speeds. Key to their ability to reduce fuel bills is the high percentage of silica used in the tread rubber, enabling Michelin to push the limits of rolling resistance without compromising on tyre longevity.

Michelin X Multi Energy tyres are B-rated for fuel efficiency, and have been designed to save fuel and reduce environmental impact in predominantly regional operations. As part of the wider X Multi range, they qualify for Michelin’s free accidental tyre damage guarantee, giving the reassurance that the customer’s investment is protected in the event of accidental damage before each tyre is 50% worn.

Sagaseta adds: “Both Michelin fuel-saving ranges are delivering for us on all counts – and that’s increasingly important given the rising cost of diesel and our focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.”

Comparing the new X Line Energy-shod Volvos with the older models they replaced, which ran on standard regional tyres, Sagaseta has identified a difference in fuel performance of around 1.85mpg. For a single vehicle averaging 140,000km per year, that’s a saving of around 7,000 to 7,200 litres of fuel.

The Peterborough-based business runs a 54-strong fleet of trucks, operating with temperature-controlled trailers within the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

London van drivers lose a week p.a. looking for parking

Posted on by Keith McKinley

AppyParking+ has unveiled research showing the potential impact that limited parking, lack of parking information and confusing signage – alongside the increase in fuel costs – can have on small businesses and tradespeople across London.

Basing the research on the fact that London has 221,000 registered van drivers, the AppyParking team calculated that these van owners and tradespeople are losing up to two working days per year as a result of the time spent looking for places to park when attending jobs. The average London driver spends up to 12 minutes per trip looking for on-street parking spaces, and as a result drives an extra two miles on average per trip looking for parking – an extra 211 miles annually.

AppyParking+ sought to highlight how using its parking app, as well as employing other methods of planning journeys, van drivers and tradespeople could find on and off-street parking faster and also be able to better understand parking restrictions.

London’s van drivers also receive over 838,000 PCN fines per year, costing tradespeople £54,470,000. By better planning of journeys, AppyParking+ can help van drivers avoid this additional cost by providing an easy way to research what the parking looks like around their destination before they head off.

Dan Hubert, CEO and founder of AppyWay, parent company to AppyParking+, commented: “As van owners continue to move from job to job, parking can sometimes be a real concern, where it is not readily available or located in busy areas. The outcome of this time spent not only empties fuel tanks, but it empties pockets as well.

“Although just a small part of the bigger picture for businesses, spending one minute searching for parking instead of five minutes can make all the difference. AppyParking+ helps businesses and individuals save time and money by taking you straight to your space, where you know exactly the cost and the time it will take to reach your destination, removing the rush and panic to find a space in unfamiliar or busy areas.”

Since the start of 2022, fuel prices are also on the up which is only adding to the issue. Rising by 21p per litre in the first three months of the year alone, there is also a risk that trade rates are going to increase, deferring the cost to the pocket of London’s citizens.

By providing van drivers with a way of avoiding additional costs incurred through searching for parking or parking fines, AppyParking+ can help to bring down unnecessary costs during a time where every penny counts for many.

How it was calculated

Using data that shows the average London driver spends 12 minutes per day searching for parking, and based on a Ford Custom Transit van – the UK’s most-sold van – driving at an average speed of 10mph in London at 40mpg, this is two miles extra per trip, and 211 miles per year.

The average day rate for a tradesperson in London ranges from £150 to £275 per day, meaning that most are losing up to £1,400 whilst looking for somewhere to park by spending 48 hours searching for parking spaces each year.

For some the total could be as high as £2,000 – bringing a whopping £300m bill to the doorstep of the 221,000 London trade community.

Technology changing last-mile delivery sector

Posted on by David Priestman

COVID-19 has accelerated the use of technology across almost every industry and sector, with businesses adapting to digital and remote approaches on a wide range of their traditional processes. One area of logistics which has benefitted from this influx of technology is the last-mile delivery sector and specifically the way it engages self-employment.

Historically, self-employment has always brought up connotations of stressful admin, particularly around tax and finance, which have dissuaded many people from this type of employment. With many last-mile delivery firms heavily relying on self-employed drivers to get parcels out to individuals, this created an ongoing workforce issue which is only being exacerbated by the steady rise in ecommerce.

In a recent survey commissioned by UK self-employment technology specialist, Wise, 22% of people explained one of the barriers holding them back from self-employment is the sheer amount of admin you are required to complete. Within delivery and logistics firms, lots of this relates to onboarding and the documentation needed not only to get started, but to confirm your employment status and compliance status – traditionally, onboarding a new self-employed driver with all of the required paperwork could take as long as three hours.

Now, Wise is tackling these issues around self-employment within UK logistics by creating a revolutionary digital platform that is helping both the delivery firms and their subcontractors to save time, money and stress. Currently working with over 250 UK logistics companies, its digital system helps these firms to streamline their recruitment and onboarding processes whilst also providing vital support on both legal and compliance matters.

Tom Hills, Chief Operating Officer at Wise, said: “As a country, we understand now more than ever how important a role self-employed drivers are playing within the UK supply chain, getting goods around the nation and to our doorsteps. With our innovative platform, we’re delighted to be able to play a part in improving the self-employment experience for these subcontractors and the delivery firms which engage them.”

 

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