🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
Logistics UK highlights the importance of our sector to growth at Conservative Party Conference
While the highlights of the Conservative conference were the pitches from the four party leadership contenders – Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat – there was plenty of policy debate relevant to the logistics sector on the fringes.
The Logistics UK team hosted events, raised questions and networked across the conference, to ensure logistics is part of the national debate.
Logistics UK focused on its centrality to growth at panel discussion sponsored by DHL and Segro, featuring Greg Smith MP, Shadow Transport, Business and Trade Minister, Kevin Green, Logistics UK Policy and Communications Director, James Stephens, Vice President Corporate Affairs UK & Ireland of DHL, Neil Impiazzi, Partnership Development Director of SEGRO, Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, and chaired by PoliticsHome Political Editor Adam Payne.
The debate covered infrastructure and skills investment, planning and trade reform, roadside facilities, decarbonisation technologies, as well as the need for joined-up thinking.
We also hosted The Global Trade and Logistics Reception, in partnership with Heathrow, Rail Freight Group, Rail Partners and the Port of Dover. Addressing guests from across a wide range of sectors, Lord Moylan, Shadow Transport Minister, raised the importance of long-term infrastructure planning and Logistics UK CEO David Wells OBE set out a five-point plan to enable logistics businesses to drive growth.
Across the conference, Logistics UK attended dozens of events, where we raised the importance of our sector to the UK’s ambitions, including engaging with Shadow Transport Secretary Helen Whately on the role policy stability can play in attracting private investment.
Published On: 03/10/2024 13:40:00
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News In Brief
Research suggests increased use of electric vans for long-distance journeys
The Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer for 2024 has surveyed fleet usage of electric vans as they transition from diesel.
The research found that a higher percentage of fleets are deploying small electric vans for daily distances exceeding 100 miles (38%) compared to those covering shorter distances (25%).
For medium-sized vans, 37% are used for longer routes against 24% for shorter ones while large vans see 35% covering over 100 miles daily, compared to 28% for less than that.
Businesses are also implementing operational strategies to accommodate the shift towards electric vans.
These include prioritising usage where a lighter payload is feasible (30%), avoiding the need for on-the-go recharging (28%), ensuring charging facilities are available (25%), and eliminating towing requirements (20%).
Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy, Logistics UK said: “Our members are committed to making the transition to zero tailpipe emission vans and the findings by the Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer are encouraging.
“Logistics UK’s EV report published last year also found that experienced operators of battery electric vans are taking a pragmatic approach and have changed their operations to work within the capability of the EVs available, recognising that like-for-like replacement of existing diesels is not always possible.”
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