Fleet operators, however, have lots of concerns and uncertainty about alternative-fuelled commercial vehicles, not least their cost.
Consequently, it’s difficult for them to make a compelling business case for greener vehicles and they risk making big and costly mistakes.
Do they stick with diesel for the time being or do they venture into gas or electric vehicles? What will become the dominant fuel? How will residual values hold up? Will alternative-fuelled vehicles have second or third lives after their first lease or period of ownership?
The alternative fuel landscape is moving so quickly, the likelihood is that, whatever decision they make, they’ll most probably have obsolete assets on their hands a few years down the line.
For the foreseeable future, regulations will continue to change and tighten, and technologies will continue to develop and improve.
None of us can predict exactly where the road transport sector will be in five or 10-years’ time but, the fact is that change is coming, possibly more than we’ve experienced over the past 50 years.
The key, however, is to embrace that change, take advantage of the opportunities it brings and use it to build a strong, competitive and sustainable business.
In the current transient environment, and with HGVs having relatively long lifespans, it’s unlikely that a move to zero-emission vehicles can be made in a single, quantum leap.
For most, it’ll be a journey of smaller steps over a number of years. It is, however, a journey we here at Dawsongroup truck and trailer can help you navigate and travel.
We have a history of experimenting with new vehicles and new technologies in an effort to help operators move forward, save on costs and take advantage of opportunities that arise from the ever-changing road transport landscape.
We continue to be early adopters of greener technologies. Following the government’s strategy, we’ve invested in fuel-efficient design (modern trailer aerodynamics, for example), new technology (such as direct drive, solar-powered fridges and low and zero global warming potential gas refrigerants) and alternative-fuelled LNG and CNG vehicles.
In a landscape that’s constantly moving and one that will take at least a few years to settle, our ‘try before you buy’ approach enables us to provide our rental, leasing and contract hire customers with access to emerging technologies on a trial basis.
We had a tremendous response to our ‘try before you buy’ approach following the uncertainty among operators at the introduction of Euro 6, and we’ll do the same again with low and zero-emissions technology.
Backed up by our expertise and support, customers can compare key factors such as costs, operational performance and ease of refuelling in a real-world operational environment, and be more confident in their journey along the road to zero.
John Fletcher, Managing Director