OUR CHANGING or CHARGING INDUSTRY?

Whether we like it or not this industry (HGV road transport) is going to have to change its ways over the next few years.  Our changing or charging industry?  Not a comfortable place to be – very few embrace change willingly.   To ensure our future wellbeing and company prosperity we must acknowledge the changes coming.  The EV vehicle is here to stay, and although in its infancy, technology is forging ahead, and it will evolve and develop quickly.  Driven (no pun intended) by legislation all forms of road transport will have to move to alternative fuels – and for now electric vehicles are leading the way.

Consequently, there are endless questions around all types of alternative fuel vehicles, quite understandably.  Asking questions of experts does not always get the correct or best answer, it is often slightly skewed by the expert’s interests within the field.  So trying to get to the truth can be difficult.

What is the real timing?

Many manufacturers are pushing  electric HGVs.  Listening to them you would believe that they are here already.  However,  when you ask the question “When will they be available?” the answers can be quite disheartening.  Many vehicles not even on a production line yet.

However, this is a real game-changer for the industry, and everyone will have to start looking at these changes and how they affect their fleet.  New fuels mean that it is not simply about buying a new vehicle to add to your fleet. This change of fuel will impact on every aspect of the operation – the yard, scheduling, maintenance, drivers, etc.

How is changing the fuel, going to change my fleet?

It opens up so many questions:-

• If I place an order, when can I expect delivery?
• What can I do about the infrastructure required on my leased yard?
• What are the real costs of maintenance of these vehicles?
• How much training will my drivers require?
• What impact does it really make to my route planning?
• If the technology is changing rapidly, how does that impact RV values?

There are answers out there, and there are companies (as well as the vehicle manufacturers) in data, infrastructure, maintenance.  All of them are looking to support the transition to this new way of working.

Start the conversation now – get the facts at your fingertips.

So take a look at your fleet.  You need to start looking now at how you can move into this new world of alternative fuels.

• What are the real choices out there for your fleet?
• Which vehicles will need to be changed first?
• How will this impact on your scheduling?
• How will you manage the infrastructure support your fleet will require?
• How will this change your driver’s lives – what training will be required?
• How can gathering data help make the right choices?

Talk to partners and build your own roadmap.

One of the best ways is to start a conversation with someone who knows a little more.  We can all use expertise and help when dealing with something new.  Someone who can call on supporting partners to give you the full picture, rather than offer a small piece of information.  It is a big subject, and all the answers are not going to come from one place.  Burying your head in the sand and ignoring what is happening may be fine for a little while more.  Be careful for then you could well be behind your competition in changing your fleet.  So don’t stand still, start asking questions now and make sure that you have the knowledge to make the best decisions for your fleet, when the time comes.