Manufacturers ‘need to educate fleet operators’ to go green
The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has called on manufacturers to “remind” fleet operators about the green technology available to them.
Speaking on a visit to Guest Truck and Van in West Bromwich, Street said: “It’s clear that green technology for commercial vehicles is advancing and I know a lot of work is being done in the West Midlands. At this stage in the development of technology and deployment of regulations, I think education is vital to remind truck and fleet operators exactly what green technology they have available to them and how they can positively influence the environment with their actions right now.”
Robert Spittle the managing director of Guest said that it had been good to talk to the Mayor about the challenges the industry faces: “As the former head of John Lewis he understood the operation of commercial vehicle fleets and how important an issue it is. I welcomed the opportunity to update the man who has the biggest responsibility for developing the region and who has influence at very high levels.”
Spittle said: “Most commercial vehicle manufacturers are making significant investments in technologies that will decrease the environmental impact of their trucks and vans, and the fuel they use. A greener option is already available, however a world of logistics that is totally zero or ultra-low emissions is unfortunately still quite a way off.”
Spittle added: ” We hear about creative plans to transfer freight from road to rail and even to the canal network, but there is no avoiding the reality that even with a huge investment in infrastructure, products will still have to be transported from their point of origin to a hub, and then again the final mile to their destination. The world will need trucks for a very long time to come.”
