FTA’s Van Excellence appeals for 70mph speed limiters 14 June 2012

The Freight Transport Association's Van Excellence governance group has appealed to van manufacturers to supply vehicles with speed limiters set at 70mph as a no-cost option.

Following a recent meeting of the group, it was agreed that, despite recent reports trailing government plans to increase motorway speed limits to 80mph, manufacturers should play their part in managing van top speeds and to restrict vans to the current speed limit.

The group insists that, aside from the legal implications, restricting van top speeds will minimise fuel, as well as repair and maintenance bills.

"We find it impossible to justify why any conscientious van operator would allow its vans to operate above the national speed limit," states Gary Whittam, chairman of the Van Excellence governance group.

"A van travelling at 80mph will be using much 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," he adds.

"Without exception, manufacturers can easily limit the top speed of their vans. So the question is, why don't they make limitation the default standard or at the very least a no-cost option?"

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

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