At Insite, we create regular articles like this one to highlight events in the UK HGV sector and much has already transpired in 2023. Today, we bring you news of a call from the Department of Transport (DfT) for drivers and operators to help design the UK’s zero-emission HGV infrastructure via the HGV Infrastructure survey.

The survey has been introduced to determine exactly what kind of infrastructure network will be needed in the United Kingdom in order to fuel zero-emission HGVs.

The Government’s 2030 & 2040 Commitments

In November of 2021, the UK government committed to phasing out petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, as well as confirming that all new heavy goods vehicles would be zero-emission by 2040. Also, as part of this world-leading pledge, heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under will be sunsetted by 2035.

However, in order for this commitment to come to pass, adequate facilities need to be provided for its real-world implementation. This means having a sufficient charging system and understanding how HGV drivers work on a daily basis, how and when rests are taken, and the routes driven most often.

Speeding Up the Industry Rollout

The survey is targeted specifically at HGV drivers and operators, and the findings will be used to determine how the government can help to speed up the rollout of electric HGVs according to the existing plans. Launching the survey, a DfT spokesperson had this to say:

“We’re looking to understand HGV movements in the UK to help build a picture of national infrastructure requirements for zero-emission HGVs.

To aid the rollout of zero-emission HGVs, it’s important to understand details about HGV drivers’ driving patterns, including daily driving distances, behaviours around rest and sleep breaks, and what vehicles they typically drive for which routes.

Completing this survey will help DfT to understand the infrastructure needs for zero emission HGVs and how to support the rapid rollout of new vehicles.”

Any HGV drivers or operators wanting to participate in the DfT HGV survey should visit the Freight Portal Website. All responses are anonymous.

Understanding the Zero Emission HGV Future

The future of the HGV industry looks very different in a zero-emission world, however, in order to get there, it’s important to understand what that future looks like. For the rollout of electric HGVs to be successful, the network needs to meet all driver and operator needs and asking for the input of those actually working in the industry is a wise move.

The results of the survey are yet to be known, but in the meantime, the HGV team will carry on doing what we’re best at – offering leading, scalable HGV licence acquisition programs via our extensive national training centre network. To find out more about us and what makes us different, please browse our website, where you’ll find everything you need to know.

At a time when the battle against the HGV driver shortage continues to be waged, the Prime Minister has stated that UK logistics is  ‘mission critical to how we live our lives’. He urged young people to consider pursuing a career in the logistics sector after figures showed that startling few currently see it as a real option.

Speaking at a PM Connect town hall event at the new Wincanton distribution centre of furniture manufacturers IKEA, Rishi Sunak referred to logistics professionals as “the lifeblood of our economy, where nothing happens without you and your colleagues”.

10% Would Consider a Role in the Sector

Pointing towards the work that goes on every day in the UK logistics sector, the Prime Minister described those involved as inspirational. He continued, “I’m sure if any of your friends spent time with any of you or came here, they’d be pretty inspired by what all of you are doing, the skills you’re learning and the careers you’ve got”.

The comments made by the Prime Minister came after damning results from research conducted by the government-backed campaign body Generation Logistics. While 40% of the young people asked said that they agreed that the logistics sector was vital in keeping the country successful and moving, just 10% would consider working in the industry.

“Promoting Real People With Real Passion”

Also commenting about enticing young people into the logistics field, Generation Logistics program manager Bethany Windsor had this to say, “Generation Logistics is speaking directly to the next generation of logistics professionals by promoting real people, doing real jobs, with real passion. Encouraging young people into the sector is critical, and there can be no higher endorsement of the profession than the Prime Minister.”

Generation Logistics is an industry-led initiative launched to increase awareness and uncover the next generation of talent for the UK logistics sector. Launched back in August of 2022, it represents a collaboration between over 40 leading trade associations and companies from across the UK. Furthermore, it’s managed by Logistics UK and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT(UK)).

Attracting People From All Demographics is Key

The words of PM Rishi Sunak are welcome, and at Insite, we echo his words about the work done by professionals across the logistics industry. Young people need to be shown the rewarding careers that are available both as HGV drivers and in logistics support. In fact, more needs to be done to attract people from all demographics.

Meanwhile, we’ll continue to deliver new HGV-driving talent to the UK supply chain via our scalable HGV licence acquisition programs. With a national network of more than 60 training centres staffed by some of the most experienced and skilled instructors in the game, we’re well-placed to meet any size of need.

If you’d like to find out more about the work we do and what makes us different, please take the time to browse our website. Alternatively, to speak to us about your precise training needs, call 0330 818 8888 or click on ‘contact us’ and enter your details – after which we’ll get back to you as fast as we can.

From the 28th to the 30th of June 2023, the HGVC team was in attendance at this year’s Road Transport Expo (RTX), held at the NAEC exhibition & trade centre in Stoneleigh, Warks. Put on in association with MotorTransport, Commercial Motor, Truck&Driver, and Transport News, we’re pleased to be able to say the event was a roaring success and enjoyed by all.

The RTX is known as the one-stop industry event that’s dedicated to all things trucking, with the biggest manufacturers – Scania, Isuzu, Volvo, DAF, Mercedes, Electra & more – displaying their wares. Having been at RTX 2022, we can tell you that it was even bigger than last year, with 224 exhibitors there to talk about the industry’s latest challenges.

The event also offered the opportunity to talk to over 200 different suppliers in one large venue, with the latest tippers, tankers, and trailers there to test drive. Whether visitors were after Euro-6 diesel models through to biogas and battery-electric vehicles, everything was available to engage with under one roof.

HGVC Offered a 70% Subsidy on HGV Training

As the UK’s largest provider of HGV training via our nationwide network of over 60 training centres, it’s only natural that we attend to be at RTX each year. That said, we had a specific purpose for attending on this occasion, as we were there to show businesses across the UK how we could help them overcome the ongoing HGV driver shortage issue.

Located on Stand G12, we were also there to offer a huge 70% subsidy on the HGV training we provide, as well as our popular Driver Academy HGV Skills bootcamps. Scalable to any size of need, from small operators to large fleets, our HGV training offers the highest pass rates in the industry and can give delivery-related businesses the skilled drivers they need.

The response to our offer was significant, with business owners queueing up to speak to our experienced experts. Demand for these kinds of services is high, perhaps unsurprisingly due to the strain currently placed on the UK’s supply chain. We’re happy to say that we’ll be helping many businesses we met at the event with their HGV needs in the coming months.

Continuing to Make a Difference in the HGV Industry

At HGVC, we’ve been working hard to help businesses fill the void that is the HGV driver shortage in the UK. The ongoing problem is being addressed as we speak with the services we offer, helping organisations to take proactive steps to upskill their existing staff. We’ve already successfully trained hundreds of new drivers in recent months, and more are on the way.

If you’d like to know more about HGVC and what makes us an industry-leading provider of scalable HGV licence acquisition programs, please take the time to browse our website, where you’ll find everything you need to know and more.

Electric scooters have become ubiquitous in towns and cities across the UK, offering a cheap and convenient personal transport option. However, what many see as a positive development has presented an extra hazard on our roads that HGV drivers need to be aware of – particularly as it’s leading to more accidents and deaths. 

According to a report by digital platform SNAP, the rise in popularity and use of electric scooters, the accidents caused are increasingly involving HGVs. With a large number of riders acutely unaware of the number of blind spots a lorry has, the potential for future accidents in urban areas is a major source of concern.

2 Million E-Scooters On UK Streets in 2022

In 2022, 2 million e-scooters were driving on UK streets, and the SNAP report described those using them as ‘prime candidates’ for disappearing in an HGVs blindspot. 

The general accident statistics speak for themselves, as according to the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), there were 33 deaths involving e-scooters. 

The youngest person to die while riding an e-scooter was 12, with the oldest being 74, with sixteen dying in single-vehicle collisions. As previously mentioned, the lack of knowledge of HGV blind spots needs to be addressed on a wide-scale basis. 

36% of Riders Couldn’t Say How Many HGV Blind Spots Existed

As cited by SNAP, a recent National Highways campaign highlighted the fact that over ⅓ (36%) of people couldn’t accurately state how many blind spots a lorry has. Short-term hire e-scooters are now available in 51 towns and cities across the UK – something that’s potentially putting truck driver routes under threat. 

It also stated that more awareness of this factor within road-using communities could prove vital in driving down the number of collisions. Speaking on the matter, the Managing Director of SNAP, Matthew Bellamy, had this to say:

“Truck drivers are a lifeblood of the UK economy, and we need to make life as safe as possible for them. Extra mirrors and technology have helped, but other road users still unknowingly threaten HGV drivers by vanishing into their blind spots.“

Awareness of This Aspect of Road Safety Must Be Improved

E-scooters seem to be here to stay for the time being, meaning that they’re something that all HGV drivers in the UK need to keep a keen eye out for. However, even then, blindspots mean that even the most vigilant of drivers can’t always prevent accidents involving electric scooters. As such, awareness of blind spots must improve

The Insite team will continue to do our part in combatting the problem by delivering world-class HGV training that equips drivers with the skills needed to attain the highest possible safety standards. Available via our national network of training centres, we can cater for any size of requirements, from single-driver training to large-scale needs. 

If you’d like to know more about us and how we operate, take a look around our website or to talk to us about your precise needs, call 0330 818 8888 or click on ‘Contact us‘, and we’ll get back to you as we possibly can.