New initiative will help van operators save money and be greener

The Government estimates that a five per cent improvement in vans’ fuel efficiency could save UK businesses some £250 million pounds a year and reduce carbon emissions by three quarters of a million tonnes.

However, research published to coincide with the launch of the new Van Best Practice programme suggests that improving fuel efficiency is currently not a priority for most van operators. Despite the recession, more than half (52 per cent) admitted they had not considered ways to reduce fuel costs in the past 12 months, and just seven per cent said they plan journeys based on fuel efficiency.

Larry Martindale, programme manager for Van Best Practice said: “Through the programme we aim to raise awareness of the range of best practice guidance available to the van sector, helping businesses to improve their safety and operational efficiency while informing them of the financial and environmental benefits of implementing this advice.

“There are simple things that van drivers could be doing to improve the efficiency of their vehicles, such as ensuring tyres are at the optimum pressure through regular checks and avoiding carrying non essential items.”

To coincide with its launch, Van Best Practice has produced two guides for fleet managers and van drivers: the first providing practical advice on reviewing existing practices, reducing running costs and introducing improvement measures; the second supporting this with a step-by-step guide to managing fuel use.

British Gas, which has already implemented a fuel monitoring programme, with drivers provided with feedback and practical advice on improving efficiency based on their fuel use, is one of the companies supporting the initiative.

Colin Marriott, its general manager of fleet, said: “British Gas is one of the largest fleet operators of vans in the UK, and we consider this as a unique opportunity for us to let other businesses have an insight to some of our operating practices and ideas aimed at improving road safety and cost efficiency. We hope that this insight will stimulate great interest in the UK van sector.”

Transport Minister Paul Clark, who launched the initiative at the headquarters of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), added: “Vans are vital to the economy and therefore vital to our efforts to encourage low carbon transportation. This programme will help reduce emissions as well as well as assisting users to save money by reducing costs. 

“For the automotive industry, indeed for all of us, finding ways to cut vehicle emissions is not an optional extra, it is an absolute necessity.”

The Van Best Practice programme is fully funded by the DfT and will be managed by climate change consultants AEA. 

The initiative has attracted strong support from the transport industry, including the likes of  SMMT, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association, vehicle leasing and rental suppliers Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Arval, as well as programmes such as Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) and Driving for Better Business.

Announcing the organisation’s support for the initiative, SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: “The motor industry’s future depends on its ability to progress to low, lower and ultra-low carbon vehicles. This initiative will inform purchasing decisions as well as encourage better driving techniques. It will also allow us to meet safety and environmental objectives, while enhancing cost savings for business.” 

The SMMT was one of a number of industry organisations to oppose last month’s proposals from the European Commission (EC) for a new law to cut average CO2 emissions from vans.

The industry argued that the timetable put forward by the EC – which would see the new requirements phased in from 2014 to 2016 – is too tight, given seven-year product development cycles in the van and light commercial vehicle market.

There is little argument over the fact that emissions from vans need to be reduced, however, accounting as they do for around 12 per cent of the EU's total carbon emissions.