News


Electric vehicles will not solve 'transport carbon problem' 10/07/2020 The uptake of electric vehicles will not be enough to counter-balance the extra emissions caused by the Government's road building programme, a report has warned.
Winning bids revealed for ADEPT Live Labs SIMULATE programme 09/07/2020 The Government-funded ADEPT Smart Places Live-Lab programme has announced the 10 successful SMEs that will enter the SIMULATE incubator programme to trial air quality and mobility solutions in Staffordshire.
New project to prepare motorways for self-driving vehicles 08/07/2020 A new £1m project to prepare motorways for self-driving vehicles has been launched by Loughborough University and Highways England.
New charges for drivers could pay for sustainable transport, report argues 07/07/2020 Campaigners have called on ministers to accelerate the shift to sustainable transport by introducing new charges for drivers and improving public transport, walking and cycling.
Work begins on Exeter’s first solar farm and storage project 06/07/2020 Work has started to create Exeter’s first solar farm and battery storage project.
Council plans alternative fuel depot 01/07/2020 Bradford Council has proposed developing a new Alternative Fuel Centre to reduce the emissions of green house gases produced by its Heavy Good Vehicle (HGV) fleet.
Trials of e-scooter rentals to be fast-tracked from this weekend 01/07/2020 Local authorities will start hosting the trial of rental e-scooters from this weekend to help ease the burden on public transport as lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Mandatory MOT testing to be reintroduced 29/06/2020 Mandatory MOT testing is to be reintroduced from 1 August 2020 as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Public sector fleet provider becomes employee-owned 26/06/2020 Knowles Associates, transport management and car benefits provider, has become employee-owned in a move that is thought to be a first for the industry.
Conwy becomes first Welsh council to switch to electric mowers 25/06/2020 Conwy County Borough Council has become the first council in Wales to upgrade their grass cutting fleet with electric mowers.
Renewable gas could deliver 52% fuel cost savings, says trade body 23/06/2020 Switching from diesel to renewable biomethane gas could save fleet operators around 52% a year, according to the Gas Vehicle Network.
Fleet sector can support post-pandemic economic ‘rebound’, report says 19/06/2020 The vehicle rental, leasing and fleet sector can work with policymakers to deliver a swift rebound in the economy and a faster trajectory towards transport decarbonisation, new report says.
Leeds City Council purchases over 120 all-electric vans 18/06/2020 Leeds City Council has taken delivery of 122 Renault Kangoo Z.E.33 compact vans, some of which will be available to local businesses through the council’s EV trial scheme.
Electric cars becoming ‘attractive business proposition’ 18/06/2020 Electric cars are becoming an attractive business proposition for high-mileage vehicle operators like Uber in key EU capitals, a new study reveals.
EV experts join forces to cut costs and emissions 18/06/2020 Electric vehicle (EV) optimisation experts The Algorithm People have signed a partnership agreement with Elmtronics to help vehicle operators reduce costs and cut carbon emissions.
Online tyre bargains are anything but, warn fleet experts 17/06/2020 Fleet managers have been warned not to buy ‘bargain’ tyres online because they can cost more in the long-term.
FORS restarts on-site audits after Covid-19 pause 15/06/2020 The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) has announced that it will resume on-site Bronze auditing for members based in England, following a break in light of Covid-19 restrictions.
CTS Hire expands fleet for low emission zones 15/06/2020 Since the start of 2020 municipal vehicle hire company CTS Hire has continually invested in brand-new ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) compliant refuse vehicles that also meet with the new Direct Vision Standard (DVS) due to be introduced in October this year.
Fleet managers told to take zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug drivers 11/06/2020 Fleet managers should take a zero-tolerance approach to tackle drink and drug-driving, says new guidance from Global Fleet Champions campaign.
Warrington bids to become UK's first all-electric bus town 11/06/2020 Warrington Borough Council has applied to become the UK’s first all-electric bus town.
Councils get new powers to tackle misuse of cycle lanes 10/06/2020 Local authorities will be given the power to use CCTV to fine drivers who misuse mandatory cycle lanes, the Government has announced.
Council secures permission for hydrogen refuelling compound 05/06/2020 Cheshire East Council has secured planning permission to build a £1m green hydrogen refuelling compound.
Council to replace half its bin lorries with electric vehicles 03/06/2020 Manchester City Council has agreed to replace half its diesel bin lorries with new electric vehicles.
Local authorities secure £2m ecargo bike fund 28/05/2020 A £2m eCargo Bike Grant Fund from the has been shared by 18 local authorities across England.
DfT backtracks on 5-year guarantee in new street works code 26/05/2020 The Government has published a new version of the statutory code of practice for street works, and quietly backtracked on initial plans to increase the guarantee on road openings from two to five years.
A third of fleet managers set to electrify UK fleets 22/05/2020 One in three UK fleet managers expect half of their company car fleet to be electric by 2025, a new survey has revealed.
Data reveals increased levels of speeding amongst fleet drivers 21/05/2020 Fleet drivers have been more likely to speed during the coronavirus crisis, new data has revealed.
Council mows grass in two metre 'channels' to promote social distancing 14/05/2020 Birmingham City Council has come up with an unusual way to remind people to obey social distancing rules, by mowing two metre strips into its parks and green spaces.
Post-crash advice published for fleet managers 12/05/2020 New guidance to help fleet managers deal effectively with a fatal or serious road crash has been published.
Government announces £250m emergency active travel fund 11/05/2020 The Government has announced the largest ever funding boost to create a ‘new era’ for cycling and walking.
Councils use digital screens on refuse vehicles to share key messages 06/05/2020 Urbaser has been utilising digital display screens installed on the sides on its refuse collection vehicles to share key messages across the London Borough of Waltham Forest and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.
Councils signs new five-year fleet contract 05/05/2020 Runnymede Borough Council has announced the award of a five-year contract to maintain its fleet of over 80 vehicles to Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS).
Plans unveiled for 3,000 hydrogen buses 04/05/2020 A plan to bring 3,000 hydrogen buses to the UK have been revealed by JCB heir Jo Bamford.
Vehicle cameras reduce incidents and personal injury claims, survey reveals 28/04/2020 Fleet managers have reported that vehicle cameras and CCTV technology have significantly reduce incident reports and personal injury claims.
KierWSP keeps Northamptonshire contract in £120m deal 28/04/2020 KierWSP has won an extension to its Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) contract in a deal worth between £92m and £120m for an initial 16-months with the option of a further nine.
New supplier on the Crown Commercial Service's Vehicle Telematics Framework 27/04/2020 Ctrack by Inseego has been awarded a place on the Government’s new Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework for the provision of vehicle telematics solutions to public sector organisations within the UK.
Council takes delivery of first EVs through zero carbon project 23/04/2020 Oxford City Council has taken delivery of its first electric vehicles as part of the Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO).
Fleet managers to benefit from free route optimisation tool 20/04/2020 Trakm8 has announced its Insight Optimisation platform will be available for free during the Covid019 crisis to support fleets of all sizes.
Councils warned ‘parks must remain open’ 20/04/2020 Councils have been told they should not close parks in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Reduced mowing by councils will protect wild flowers, says charity 09/04/2020 A conservation charity has said the lockdown will benefit wild flowers and help tackle the climate emergency as councils are forced to cancel roadside mowing.
New technology could save fleet managers 14 hours a week, study finds 08/04/2020 Fleet managers could save nearly two days a week by adopting technology that helps them automate tasks, a new study has revealed.
Most councils still providing normal waste collections, survey reveals 06/04/2020 The majority of councils have been able to provide a normal waste and recycling collection service, a new survey has revealed.
Unattended vehicles at risk of theft or damage during lockdown 03/04/2020 A large number of unattended vans and cars could be at risk from theft and vandalism during the coronavirus crisis, an association has warned.
Councils urged to provide data on waste services during Covid-19 01/04/2020 Local authorities have been urged to provide regular information on the impact Covid-19 is having on waste services.
Pandemic forces Birmingham to delay launch of Clean Air Zone 25/03/2020 Birmingham City Council has written to the Government requesting postponement to the launch of its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) to help protect the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.
Union questions how refuse workers can practice social distancing within an RCV cab 24/03/2020 A union has called on local government employers to spell out how refuse service workers can safely provide an essential service while meeting social distancing requirements.
Local roads backlog exceeds £11bn, survey warns 24/03/2020 The average local authority is facing a shortfall of £4.9m to repair and maintain local roads, new research has shown.
MOTS for heavy goods vehicles suspended in response to coronavirus outbreak 24/03/2020 The Government has suspended MOTs for all heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and public service vehicles (PSVs) for up to three months as part of the effort to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vehicle rental supports ‘essential services’ during Covid-19 crisis 24/03/2020 Vehicle rental branches are providing cars, vans, minibuses and trucks to ensure that key workers are mobile and essential services are maintained during this difficult time, says rental and leasing body.
New guide highlights low carbon and sustainable fuel opportunities for fleet decarbonisation 23/03/2020 A new guide from the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) for fleet operators shows how renewable fuels can immediately cut greenhouse gas emissions in road transport, particularly from commercial vehicles for which few low emission solutions are currently available.
FORS suspends audits due to coronavirus outbreak 20/03/2020 FORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme – has announced that all Bronze site audit activity will be suspended from Monday 23 March 2020 until further notice.
Waste operators call for ‘performance penalty’ relief to keep services running 20/03/2020 Waste operators have asked to be excused from performance penalties from the councils they have contracts with as part of the effort to keep services running during the pandemic.
Ubeeqo adds Hyundai Ioniq hybrid to fleet 12/03/2020 Ubeeqo, Europcar Mobility Group’s car sharing brand, is extending its choice of low emission vehicles with the introduction of the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid to its UK fleet, responding to market demand as the number of UK members more than doubled year on year in 2019.
England’s top recycler praises 100% Dennis Eagle & Terberg fleet 12/03/2020 England’s official number one local authority for recycling has been named as East Riding of Yorkshire for the third year running. And the council has praised the role Dennis Eagle & Terberg Matec play in its outstanding operations.
Fleet sector welcomes electric vehicle grants 11/03/2020 Fleet sector representatives have welcomed the range of electric vehicle grants and tax incentives announced by the chancellor in today’s budget.
First electric forecourt in a £1bn network to open this summer 11/03/2020 The first electric charging forecourt in a network of 100 similar sites is set to open this summer with the support of Braintree Council and Essex Council.
Scottish council purchases 11 more Mercedes-Benz RCVs 26/02/2020 Fife Council has purchased 11 more Mercedes-Benz refuse collection vehicles (RCV).
Preventative fleet maintenance essential to avoiding ‘tragic consequences’ 26/02/2020 A new report has outlined the essential vehicle checking and maintenance procedures required for avoiding costly insurance claims and ‘tragic consequences’.
Hills Waste Solutions adds four RCVs to its fleet 26/02/2020 Waste management and recycling specialist, Hills Waste Solutions, has added four new refuse collection vehicles (RCV) to its 60 strong commercial fleet.
BCA reports ‘exceptionally strong’ January for LCV sales 25/02/2020 The average values for used light commercial vehicles (LCV) rose across the board during January, the BCA has reported.
Newcastle City Council renews like-for-like Swingo fleet 25/02/2020 Newcastle City Council has carried out a fleet renewal programme for its fleet of Swingos, replacing 11 five-year-old models with 11 new examples of the compact sweeper.
Peterborough recycling centre cuts fly-tipping by 25% 25/02/2020 Peterborough’s new recycling centre is celebrating a successful first year which has seen fly-tipping decrease by a quarter.
Men and women wanted for National Refuse Championships 2020 24/02/2020 Organisers of the most popular event on the waste and recycling calendar have called for people working in the sector to sign up and get involved.
Smart software to ‘simplify’ fleet management released 24/02/2020 Freeway Fleet Systems has developed smart software that simplifies fleet management by predicting the type and quantity of parts needed to maintain a fleet.
FORS freezes fees for fifth year running 20/02/2020 The accreditation scheme for fleet operators has confirmed there will be no increase to its membership subscription or audit fees during 2020.
Liverpool council invests £3.4m in ‘biggest eco-friendly’ refuse fleet 20/02/2020 Liverpool City Council has announced it is launching the UK’s biggest eco-friendly fleet of refuse vehicles.
Borough sees household waste recycling exceed 50% for ‘first time’ in its history 17/02/2020 The amount of household waste being recycled by residents of Tonbridge and Malling has exceeded 50% for the first time in the borough’s history thanks to Urbaser’s new recycling service.
Fleet services provider takes delivery of new sweeper 17/02/2020 Go Plant Fleet Services has just taken delivery of a new MAN TGM Sweeper – the first to join its 500 strong sweeper fleet.
Call for councils to provide information on projects that will affect ‘future energy pathways’ 13/02/2020 Northern Powergrid have called on local authorities to provide feedback on their annual outline of ‘potential future energy pathways’.
Cardiff sees rapid EV charging network roll out 13/02/2020 Engenie has installed its first two rapid EV charge points in Cardiff city centre as part of a wider rollout that will more than double the number of rapid chargers in the city.
Vehicle remarketing companies face ‘charging crisis’ due to electric vehicles 12/02/2020 A potential ‘charging crisis’ could soon emerge among vehicle remarketing companies as electric vehicles start to make their way onto the used market in larger numbers, the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) warns.
Fleet sector ‘must act’ to safeguard plug-in van grant, trade body says 11/02/2020 The fleet sector must act now to safeguard the Plug-in Car and Van Grants, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) says.
Hire company experiences over 50% reduction in risk thanks to telematics solution 11/02/2020 A tool hire company has experienced a 56% reduction in overall risk year-over-year thanks to Lytx video telematics and analytics solutions which have helped improve driver performance.
Plans outlined for Britain’s first all-electric bus town 06/02/2020 One local authority is set to receive £50m to become Britain’s first all-electric bus town.
Birmingham City Council considers ‘overhaul’ of rubbish collection service 05/02/2020 A review of the city council’s waste management service has warned that the local authority’s older vehicles are likely to result in higher fuel consumption, greater emissions and increases in maintenance costs.
Nationwide survey launched to help tackle LGV driver shortage 05/02/2020 A survey of LGV drivers has been launched today as part of a drive to tackle the skills shortage in the transport and logistics sector.
Northern Powergrid launches innovative tool to accelerate EV uptake 05/02/2020 Northern Powergrid has launched a free, online tool set to revolutionise its electric vehicle (EV) connections process.
ISS praised for ‘robust, cost effective’ anti-roll away solution 05/02/2020 ISS has launched its latest vehicle safety innovation, IDClear, to prevent vehicles from rolling-away or being stolen when standing idle during operations.
Trade body calls for investment in hydrogen to 'broaden choice' in green vehicles 04/02/2020 A national trade body is calling on the Government to invest in the UK’s gas refuelling infrastructure, to broaden customer access to hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
Grist Environmental turns to JCB for new wheeled excavator 03/02/2020 The waste recycling business has taken delivery of a JCB JS200W wheeled excavator to work on its waste transfer site in Devizes, Wiltshire.
Egbert Taylor appoints former Dennis Eagle CEO as chairman 03/02/2020 Worcester container manufacturer, Egbert Taylor, has appointed longstanding waste industry specialist and former Dennis Eagle CEO, Mike Molesworth, as chairman.
Leeds City Council buys library buses to encourage kids to read 31/01/2020 Leeds City Council has added two new library buses to its fleet in an effort to encourage a love of books and reading from an early age.
Announcing the Future Fleet Awards 2020 winners 31/01/2020 The annual Future Fleet Forum has been and gone and it was, I think everyone will agree, a triumph.
Bin weighing system receives ‘EU-type approval’ 30/01/2020 Vehicle Weighing Solutions Ltd (VWS) has received EU-type approval for its market leading ENVIROWEIGH bin-weighing system.
Plant services provider commissions first Mercedes-Benz Econic skiploader 28/01/2020 Glencoe Plant Services has commissioned their first Mercedes-Benz Econic skiploader in a bid to ‘increase efficiency’ when collecting construction waste material.
Somerset building supplier scoops up seven new ‘robust’ Isuzu Grafters 27/01/2020 CRS Building Supplies has replaced 50% of its truck fleet with the addition of seven new Isuzu Grafter N35.125 tippers.
Electric refuse vehicles could cut pollution and costs, report says 27/01/2020 A Bristol-based environmental consultancy has called for the roll out of electric refuse vehicles to help cut air pollution and local authority costs.
West Yorkshire council launches EV trial scheme 24/01/2020 Leeds City Council has launched a new scheme giving businesses, organisations and charities in West Yorkshire the opportunity to drive electric vans free of charge for up to two months.
Whitehall announces £3.4m investment in wireless charging tech 17/01/2020 The Government has announced that it is investing £3.4m in wireless charging technology trials at taxi ranks in Nottingham.
Taskforce says EV revolution ‘can be boon’ to energy system 16/01/2020 A Government-backed taskforce has concluded that an effectively managed integration of electric vehicles with the energy system can ‘significantly improve’ electricity network efficiency.
Volvo launches new 90-tonne excavator 16/01/2020 Volvo Construction Equipment has announced that it is launching a 90-tonne excavator fitted with a Stage V engine.
Plant hire company purchases first Doosan wheel loader 16/01/2020 The plant hire company DCV Engineering Ltd has purchased the first Doosan wheel loader for its extensive rental fleet.
Islington Council launches electric vehicle charging partnership 16/01/2020 The first stage of an electric vehicle charging partnership with Islington Council was launched yesterday as part of the north London borough’s push to reduce harmful air pollution.
Theft costs fleet-based businesses over £16,000 a year 15/01/2020 Stolen vehicles and equipment costs fleet-based businesses an average of more than £16,000 each year, according to new research.
UK’s first Bobcat ‘Waste Expert’ telescopic loader operating in Sheffield 15/01/2020 The UK’s first Bobcat ‘Waste Expert’ telescopic loader has been purchased by H.R. Skip Hire.
Study reveals insights into the next generation of charging technologies 13/01/2020 The next generation of charging technologies is set to be dominated by fast-charging, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-grid models, a new study argues.
Hitachi adopts 'easy' system for verifying a machine’s emissions category 10/01/2020 Hitachi has announced that it is adopting a new initiative which will enable the ‘quick and easy’ verification of a machine’s emissions category.
Briggs Equipment kicks off new year with £6.1m fleet investment 10/01/2020 Briggs Equipment has kicked off 2020 with a £6.1m investment into its short term hire fleet, which now stands at 5,500 vehicles.
Rivus workshops ‘crucial’ for Europcar customers 07/01/2020 Europcar Van customers have made the most out of the bespoke Service, Maintenance and Repair (SMR) service delivered by Rivus Fleet Solutions, new data reveals.
Geesinknorba wins majorcontract with Dacorum Borough Council 16/12/2019