Spotlight on a policy manager

As Public Policy Manager, I’m involved with shaping and developing our policy positions that form the basis of our campaigns to influence government policy that affects our sector.  I lead on vans and electrification and part of my role is to keep members up to date on the changes taking place with the net zero agenda. The technology supporting decarbonisation is rapidly changing, so I try to ask the questions members may be reluctant to ask so I can pass on the information they need to manage the decarbonisation of their fleets in line with the challenging deadlines.

From 1 January 2030, it will not be possible to purchase new petrol or diesel vans, although second hand ones can still be bought and sold. We have a little over seven years to understand the new technology, put in place the infrastructure and policy to support it, and upskill operators to use it. With more than 4.3 million registered vans on the road, there are a lot of vehicles to decarbonise, and 2030 is just the starting point.

Most vans will be electric, but not all, and some vans and van usages will be hard to electrify, especially in the short to medium term. Part of my job is to ensure government policy recognises this and that alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, will be allowed for heavier vehicles, or exemption periods will be adequate until zero emission technology at the tailpipe has caught up.

From 2030 ‘alternative fuels’ will start to become the norm. But these new fuel technologies add weight to vehicles so Logistics UK is calling for a fundamental review of the weight threshold regulations to recognise this. We need to get the balance right or risk operators having to put more vehicles on the road to deliver the same amount of goods and services, which will lead to increased emissions, congestion and costs for customers.

This isn’t just about vans; all types of road vehicles will be affected by heavier propulsion systems to reach zero emissions within their own deadlines for decarbonisation. The lessons we can learn from how the van sector safely and efficiently makes the transition will be essential for supporting heavier vehicles meet their deadlines which start from 2035.   

As many van operators are now finding, the biggest challenges are with ensuring adequate power supplies at depots and public refuelling infrastructure that is accessible for commercial vehicles. We are engaging with Ofgem and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to call for a fair and equitable way of paying for the significant costs involved in increasing energy supply. Currently, this all falls on the operator requesting additional power.

Keeping members informed about this rapidly changing decarbonisation agenda and helping them to understand the new technology is an important part of my job. I use my contacts with government officials to discuss proposals with members at various working groups, and as I learn more about the new technologies, I can pass this information on to members either individually or at our conferences.

Outside of sustainability and the net zero agenda, I also work on urban issues. There is a growing overlap with decarbonisation and urban logistics which has significant impacts on van operators. As urban centres introduce restrictions on motorised vehicles for air quality and congestion purposes, we continue to press the essential nature of logistics in serving communities and the importance of kerbside access for deliveries, servicing and maintenance for businesses and consumers. This engagement happens in many ways, including responding to consultations and calls for evidence, requesting input to guidance documents, meetings with local authority officials and speaking at events and in the media. 

I work closely with many members to understand their concerns, and our working groups and freight councils are an integral part of engaging with members. I provide secretarial support for the Van Policy and Environment Working Groups, two forums that help to shape and inform Logistics UK’s policy. Outcomes from these groups are considered by elected members at our regional and road councils, to agree and formalise our policy positions.

Members’ input to my working groups is excellent and keeps me updated with vital information on the sector to help me do my job, so thank you. And it’s really heartening to hear members tell me how much they value the opportunity provided at the working groups to have direct conversations with key stakeholders in the industry such as Innovate UK, BEIS, and the Department for Transport (DfT), as well as the National Business Crime Centre and Ofgem.

As well as meeting members at various working groups and councils, this year I will be speaking at some of the upcoming Transport Manager events on electrifying depots. I’m also actively participating in the Delivering Decarbonisation Conference for senior business leaders and next year I’ll be involved with several Logistics UK events, where I hope to able to catch up with lots of members. These events are great for showcasing Logistics UK as well as providing a greater understanding of the challenges our sector faces to a wider audience.

I love working in public policy; it is always interesting, often challenging, and can even be very demanding at times. The best moments come where I’ve been able to make a difference influencing a new policy, changing hearts and minds about the value of our sector, or securing a win to help logistics work better. Outside of work, I keep bees, play the baritone and manage Wadhurst Brass Band. The busy festive period is my favourite time of year with the band, where we play at lots of Christmas carol concerts and Santa lights switch-ons across East Sussex and Kent – do say hello if you hear us.

I’ve not always worked in logistics, but transport has always fascinated me.  My family know how much I love to drive and for my last birthday I was gifted a driving experience in an HGV with trailer, which was really great fun! I’m now hoping someone will let me have a go on a vehicle with caterpillar tracks!  

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns

Published On: 20/10/2022 15:45:00

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