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Van miles have more than doubled in the last 25 years
Van ownership and travel has grown substantially, according to research recently commissioned by Logistics UK.
Citing statistics from the Department for Transport and Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the research reported a 106% increase in van travel over the past 25 years, with vans accounting for 16% of all motor vehicle miles in 2019.
The research, which was undertaken by research agency Red Brick, consisted of an online survey and in-depth telephone interviews with 24 participants. When asked about their top van priorities, more than seven out of ten respondents placed vehicle maintenance (74%) and compliance and fleet risk management (71%) at the top of their agendas. Interestingly, procurement of more environmentally friendly vehicles was placed third (56%) closely followed by the procurement of new vehicles.
On maintaining vehicles, respondents reported that the importance of day-to-day maintenance was connected to both the difficulty of obtaining new vehicles and driver training – ensuring that drivers know what needs to be monitored during their daily walkaround checks.
“We need drivers to be able to maintain their vehicles,” one respondent said, “drivers who aren’t fully educated on maximum load weights could damage the vehicles.”
On compliance and fleet risk management, the challenges concerned enforcing defect reporting, especially for employees for whom driving is seen as a secondary aspect to the job.
For more than half of respondents (56%), procuring greener vehicles was a top priority. While the number of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles was increasing, a 2019 Department for Transport report found that 96% of vans were powered by diesel.
Lack of viable options in the marketplace was cited as a major barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles: “We’re looking at electric vans, but there’s just not enough out there at the moment,” one respondent remarked.
Denise Beedell, Public Policy Manager, Logistics UK, said: “This latest research shines a revealing spotlight on the issues that are of prime importance to managers of van fleets. Happily, vehicle maintenance, compliance and decarbonisation are all areas where Logistics UK can support van operators.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/van
Published On: 03/02/2022 16:00:02
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