FWD members collectively operate over 7,000 delivery vehicles which make over 200,000 deliveries every week to small businesses in every postcode of the UK. FWD is therefore closely involved in policy discussions around transport, logistics and distribution around the UK.
Deliveries to shops and restaurants in busy towns and cities keep these businesses afloat, but they can be disruptive. FWD members seek to abide by parking restrictions and delivery hours and work with local authorities to minimise their impact.
FWD is currently monitoring possible changes to parking regulations following a recent consultation, and contributed to the debate on Ultra Low Emission Zones, which could see older diesel-engine delivery vehicles banned from some city centres by 2020.
The Treasury has launched a consultation on Red Diesel and other rebated fuels.
Red Deisel:
At Budget 2020, the Government announced that it will remove the entitlement to use red diesel from April 2022, except in agriculture, rail and for non-commercial heating. The consultation seeks views on whether the government has overlooked any exceptional reasons why other sectors should be allowed to continue to use red diesel beyond April 2022.
FWD is working with the Cold Chain Federation on a response, which includes a potential delay or help to buy new cleaner tech as an incentive for removing red diesel used to power refrigeration units in multi-temp vehicles.
Tyre ban
The Government has announced a ban on tyres over 10 years old on all HGVs and heavy trailers, which will apply to tyres fitted to the front axle of HGVs. Re-treaded tyres will be subject to the same restrictions as first-life tyres, where the date of re-treading will be used to determine the age of the tyre. The policy will come into force after a 3-month implementation period, at the end of which vehicles will be expected to be fully compliant.
BACK
Clean Air Strategy:
January 14: The Government published its Clean Air Strategy, a cross-departmental frameworks which sets out actions to improve air quality by reducing pollution from a wide range of sources. The report reiterated the Government’s pledge to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2040.
The Clean Air Strategy has the following implications for FWD wholesalers:
Transport:
The strategy notes that analysis shows that the actions set out in this strategy can meet the Government’s ambitious emissions reduction targets, if they are implemented with the necessary pace and determination. The Government also claims that these improve on current EU rules.
The Department of Transport launched a on consultation on sustainable ways to deliver goods as well as another consultation on urban mobility strategy
The Government’s ambition is to see ultra-low emission vans to represent 40% of all new vans purchased by 2030, and that by 2040 zero emission vans should represent 100% of new vans purchased. However, registrations of ULEV vans represent less than 0.5% of all new van registrations.
Key points from the Last Mile consultation:
The Government has pledged to collaborate with the industry in the coming years to help the sector fulfil the commitment to reduce HGV carbon dioxide emissions by 15% by 2025.
The Government strategy on sustainable ways to deliver goods builds on the government’s Road to Zero Strategy which forms an important part of government’s work on the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge. This is considering how emerging technologies and services can be used to address a range of transport challenges.