With the unsurprising news that the chancellor yet again failed to cut fuel duty last month, operators must now content themselves with two thoughts. Fuel is still cheap, currently nudging pre-2009 prices. And, well, the fuel tax freeze continues.
Alternative FuelsSOE (Society of Operations Engineers, the umbrella for IRTE) has promoted Ian Chisholm to managing director from executive director. He joined SOE as engineering executive in 2001 and has since overseen significant development at the society.
People
Chassis costs and refuelling infrastructure issues continue to dog alternative fuels, but the technologies are forging ahead and legislators must be watching. Ian Norwell reports from Scania’s Södertälje HQ
Alternative Fuels
Getting trailer specifications right – not just for the immmediate requirement but also for the longer term – demands up to date knowledge of available technologies. However, a serious dose of informed pragmatism is also advisable, warns Brian Tinham
Telematics
Town and Country Haulage says it has cut fuel bills and maintenance costs since installing the RouteMaster fleet control system from AGM Telematics.
Telematics
Registration is now open for the 2016 Microlise Transport Conference, taking place on 18 May at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.
Fleet Management Systems
Online freight exchange Returnloads.net has announced a new real-time vehicle tracking function, available free of charge to its members.
Fleet Management SystemsMBE Fabrications, which trades as Premier Pits, has been accredited to the BS EN 1090-1:2009 + A1:2011 standard for the manufacture of prefabricated vehicle pits.
Lifting Equipment
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has confirmed that it will be attending the CV Show, due to take place at the NEC, in Birmingham, from 26—28 April 2016 – the first time since 2011.
Car Derived Vans
Swiss transport company von Bergen has been certified to the highest security level TAPA-TSR1 (Transported Asset Protection Association, Truck Security Requirements) since running 16 Krone Cool Liner trailers equipped with the Krone Telematics Door Protect System.
Telematics
Renault Trucks is attending COP21, the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris (30 November to 11 December 2015), presenting two zero-emission vehicles – an all-electric hydrogen fuel cell 4.5-tonne Maxity Electric vehicle (pictured) and a 16-tonne Range D all-electric truck, currently being trialled with Guerlain in Paris.
Alternative Fuels
Iveco Vision, the manufacturer’s concept vehicle for urban delivery operations show at this year’s CV Show (NEC, Birmingham, April 2015), has won a European award for sustainability.
Alternative Fuels