The government’s Advanced Propulsion Centre has formally announced its round five competition for APC funding and simultaneously launched a new ‘spoke’ at the University of Newcastle dedicated to R&D around electric machines.
Electric Vehicles
Cheese production specialist FJ Need has expanded its all Volvo FH tractor fleet with the acquisition of six new Globetrotter cabbed FH-500 6x2s – six fleet replacements and one addition.
Tractor Units
RAE (the Royal Academy of Engineering) has published its first ‘challenge’ paper – reviewing technology and policies to reduce traffic congestion by 2030.
Social / Corporate Responsibility
Ambulance and specialist vehicles converter Eagle International has converted a fleet of Renault Trucks Master L3H2 125.35 panel vans for healthcare operators in the UK and worldwide.
Emergency Service VehiclesThe fuel filter's integrated heater may be defective and could cause the cover to distort. This could cause air ingress and fuel egress. Either could cause poor starting and a warning light should illuminate. On affected vehicles replace fuel heater cover. Check and if necessary replace connector. Vehicle ID: VF7******CS519265 to VF7******EZ059357
Recalls
Less than a week after its premiere (3 December 2015), Volvo Trucks’ most recent Live Test – entitled ‘Look Who’s Driving’ – has already been viewed more than six million times online arond the world.
Road Tests
Morrisons has now completed deployment of its Microlise telematics system across the 545-strong fleet of HGVs and says it is expecting to reduce fuel costs while also maximising vehicle uptime and cutting carbon emissions.
Driver / People Management
Onspot – the automatic traction control (ATC) system for trucks, vans and buses – is now also available for shunting tractors in yards, ports and factory depots.
Safety systems
FTA (Freight Transport Association) – again the title partner of the FTA everywoman Transport & Logistics awards – has opened the 2016 nominations programme.
Driver / People Management
Federal-Mogul Powertrain is presenting its Unipiston developemtn this week ((7 -10 December) at the 2015 CTI Symposium, in Berlin.
Clutches/Transmissions
The McLaren-Honda Formula 1 truck team has notched up a new record in its Mobil Delvac 1 driver efficiency challenge – 4.8% overall fuel savings during the European legs of the latest Grand Prix season.
Lubricants & Systems
FORS (the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) has announced that 100 fully accredited DCPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) Staying Legal courses are now available to FORS-accredited truck operators free of charge.
Driver CPC