Low Cost Vans

Many motor industry responses have come in regarding the Chancellor’s Budget yesterday, especially surrounding the fuel duty freeze and the pledge of £200million for pothole repair. Not surprising is the mixed feelings in hearing of a freeze for September’s planned 1.6p per litre rise in fuel duty. It means that there will be no rise in fuel duty prior to the 2015 general election. A relief for us motorists, but for some it comes as a resounding disappointment that there are no plans to go a step further and reduce it. James Hookham, FTA Managing Director of Policy and Communications said: “ The Chancellor has kept his promise to freeze fuel duty and industry will be £187 million a year better off for that, but he missed the opportunity to stimulate the economy further by reducing fuel duty and putting around £690 million into the pockets of families and British business. This could have given a further stimulus to the economy and locked in the positive growth already achieved. ” To r...

At the recent FTA Van Excellence conference, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency’s Gordon Macdonald - VOSA Head of Enforcement Policy, made a clear statement that those not complying with regulations would be targeted by the authorities. Within his address he stated that ‘VOSA was determined to improve van operational standards and makes no secret of its intention to significantly ramp up the number of roadside inspections and other enforcement activity’. In addition he praised the Van Excellence scheme describing it as ‘an extremely good example of the industry can take responsibility for itself’ adding that accredited operators of the Van Excellence scheme were recognised by VOSA for demonstrating good practice in the industry. Key sessions during the FTA conference seminars include managing road risk; reducing fuel spend; vehicle specifications; future van technology; VOSA’s view of enforcement in the world of vans; current and upcoming legislative issues; and an examination of the...

After much discussion and debate, the HGV Road User Levy Act became law yesterday. The levy will mean that foreign-registered lorries will have to pay to travel on UK roads. UK vehicles already have to pay to drive in many European countries. The FTA has issued a press release welcoming the news of the scheme’s arrival. James Hookham, FTA’s Managing Director of Policy & Communications said: “FTA has supported the idea of a charge on foreign vehicles for many years as a way of partly addressing the competitive differences between British registered operators and foreign-registered vehicles. There were important conditions attached to our support to avoid additional costs and burdens falling on UK operators, as the charge could not be applied to foreign vehicles alone, and, so far, these have been met. “The next key event is the Chancellor’s Budget Statement on 20 March when the new reduced Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates will be announced. We will be watching to make sure that UK op...

In a recent press release, the FTA is once again campaigning for fleets and motorists in regards to easing fuel duty. Thankfully, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) continues to hammer home the message to the Chancellor that he should reduce road fuel duty by 3 pence per litre to help ease the pressure on domestic freight operators in his 2013 Budget. Like all motorists, the price of fuel is a sore subject and is now, more than ever, crippling our finances. I recently posted on how high my local garage's prices have now crept up to and have had to look around to find the best deals. I can't even begin imagine how expensive fuel has become for a company running large fleets of cars, trucks, and/or vans. It's fantastic to see the FTA stand up and fight for this cause, where it's not only the big businesses that may benefit, but all motorists. The FTA is asking for George Osborne to include the reduction in his Budget plans. The FTA has said that "it is imperativ...

In the FTA’s newest press release, two big names have been announced as new members of the Freight Transport Association backed Van Excellence scheme. BT Fleet and TomTom Business Solutions have joined Hertz, ATS Euromaster and Route Monkey as the first Industry Partners in 2013. The FTA say that Industry Partners are an important addition to Van Excellence helping to promote and endorse the Van Excellence Code amongst their customers and encourage its standards to be adopted and followed throughout the light commercial vehicle sector. What the Industry Partners say about supporting Van Excellence: Dave Bowen, Managing Director – BT Fleet: “BT Fleet is delighted to become a Van Excellence Industry Partner and help raise awareness of the programme’s benefits. Having managed complex van fleets for over fifty years, we are perfectly placed to help van fleet operators with their day-to-day challenges; driver safety, operator compliance and peace of mind.” Giles Margerison, Sales Director ...

I was truly inspired by the FTA's latest posting celebrating women working within the transport and logistics sector. In proving their continued support of diversity in the work place, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) proudly announced they are joining forces with everywoman and are now title partner for the everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards 2013. Founded in 1999, everywoman is a dedicated community/network that promotes advancement of women in business and provides personal development resources, connections, advice, plus inspiration to address the issues women face. “ FTA  delighted to encourage forward thinking companies that are in turn committed to encouraging diversity to the freight industry, and working further with ‘everywoman’ will offer FTA opportunities to expand that work,” says Theo de Pencier, FTA Chief Executive, adding: “ the key for our industry is to be able to access a wider talent pool to be able to meet its need for good quality staff in w...

In a new press release, the FTA announced the express attendance of its members at Fleet Van Summit 2012, honouring their accreditation to the Freight Transport Association (FTA) Van Excellence scheme. The celebratory event,  sponsored by Fiat Professional, was held at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire on September 18th. Current members include the South Central Ambulance Service, Sainsbury’s, BT, Office Depot, and DHL to name but a few. What is Van Excellence? The FTA describe it as, "Van Excellence is an industry-led initiative that aims to; enhance standards of van operator compliance, celebrate operators who demonstrate excellence, represent the interests of the van industry." The scheme is open to any size van operator, fleet, or business sector and strives to promote good industry wide practice and improved standards. The Van Excellence Code sets demanding but achievable guidelines and procedures for van operation. Van operators can seek accreditation to the scheme...

According to a press release on the FTA's website, the Freight Transport Association's Van Excellence Governance Group have advised van manufacturers to supply all vehicles with a speed limiter as a no-cost option, set at 70 miles per hour. The group point out benefits of restricting the speed would include lowering fuel consumption and reduced maintenance costs, as well as the  possible bonus of reducing stress levels for drivers. Gary Whittam, Chairman says: "Simply put, a van travelling at 80mph will be using significantly more fuel than one at 70. You don’t need a calculator to work out that at over £7 per gallon, that's just burning money."  To read more Van Excellence advice, you can view the press release here .