September Edition

Wednesday 11 September 2024

Van Enews

Welcome to the latest edition of Logistics UK's Van enews, featuring news of interest to members active in the van sector. We welcome any comments and suggestions for new topics you would like to see included.

This enews is free to all members who operate vans, if you wish to add any additional subscribers please do not hesitate to contact us.

Main news

Restoration of 2030 phase out deadline for new petrol and diesel vehicles – OZEV update

Logistics UK has received the following information about government thoughts on restoring the phase-out dates for the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles to 2030 from contacts at the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV):

"As set out in our manifesto, we are committed to phasing out new cars that rely solely on internal combustion engines by 2030. We want to provide certainty and ensure consumers can benefit from more efficient vehicles, as we take action to clean up our transport system. The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate already requires 80% of all new cars to be ZEV by 2030. There will be no sales of new pure combustion engine cars from 2030 under our plans, and we will set out more details on specific 2030-35 requirements for both cars and vans shortly."

In the Labour party manifesto, there was a reference to restoring the phase out deadline to 2030 for cars. Vans were not explicitly mentioned. However, Logistics UK understands that a formal consultation will open in early autumn in order to confirm any regulatory changes about phase out dates by the end of 2024 and vans will be considered. We believe the consultation will seek to define hybrid vehicle specifications and set out more specific information about the phase out of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles between 2030 and 2035.

Autumn Budget 2024

The Autumn Budget will be held on 30 October 2024 and an online portal was set up by HM Treasury for submitting representations, which closes today (10 September 2024).

Logistics UK will be submitting a representation to the Treasury outlining our key asks following a Teams call with members held on 2 September.

For those who were unable to join the call, but who would still like to inform Logistics UK’s submission to the government, please click here to tell us what measure you would like the government to introduce in its Autumn Budget, to benefit the logistics sector. To receive a copy of Logistics UK’s representation, please email policy@logistics.org.uk.

Lower Thames Crossing joint business letter to the Secretary of State for Transport

A reminder that a decision by the Secretary of State for Transport to sign off the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is due by 4 October. The scheme would see a new tunnel connecting Kent and Essex providing much needed road capacity as well as a more resilient network. The new tunnel would help alleviate congestion at the Dartford Crossing, which carries 50 million vehicles a year, almost 40% of which are goods vehicles, double the national average for the Strategic Road Network. The LTC will provide benefits for the wider UK economy as it is located on a vital route for UK exports and imports with 70% of freight traffic from the Port of Dover using the Dartford Crossing. If the DCO is approved, construction will start in two years’ time and the new crossing is expected to be open to traffic in 2032. 

A joint business letter will be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport this week calling for the DCO to be approved. To view the letter, click here. Members are encouraged to add their support by completing this short form and providing permission to use their logo.

The deadline for signatories is 11:00 on Wednesday 11 September.

Electric and low emission vehicles - Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) changes from 1 April 2025

It was announced in the 2022 Autumn Statement (17 November 2022), that HM Treasury planned to introduce vehicle excise duty (VED) for electric vehicles, including cars, vans and motorcycles, from April 2025.

On 14 August 2024, the government updated its guidance about changes to the VED rates, so that from 1 April 2025, drivers of electric and low emission cars, vans and motorcycles will need to pay vehicle tax in the same way as drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles. This change will apply to both new and existing vehicles.

Currently electric vehicles are exempt from VED if the electricity comes from:

An external source, such as a private or public chargepoint.
An electric storage battery not connected to any source of power when the vehicle is moving.
Hydrogen fuel cells.

Most electric vans will move to the standard annual rate for light goods vehicles, which this year is set at £335 per annum (if paid in a single payment). More information about van VED rates is available here.

Information about the VED rates to be paid next year by electric and low emission cars, hybrid and alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs), expensive car supplements and electric motorcycles is available here.

Van market returns to growth in August

Figures released on 5 September by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that new light commercial vehicle registrations returned to growth in August with an increase of 1.7% (16,575 units), and the best August performance since 2021.

The market for smaller-sized vans, weighing up to and including 2.0 tonnes, continued to increase, up 24.5% to 427 units as new models drove demand. Registrations of medium-sized vans, weighing greater than 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes, grew by 1.9% to 2,771 units, while those of the largest vans, weighing greater than 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes, increased by 1.8% to 11,753 units, remaining the most popular van segment with a 70.9% market share.

Year-to-date, the van market is up 2.7% to 218,884 units, with all segments recording growth.

Despite the overall market growth, battery electric van (BEV) registrations fell for a third successive month this year and fifth time overall, with 908 BEVs registered, down almost a third (-30.3%) year on year. BEVs accounted for just 5.5% of all new vans in August, a fall from 7.9% in August 2023. Over the year-to-date, BEV volumes have fallen by -9.5% and market share has declined to 5.1% – barely half the 10% zero emission vehicle mandate target for 2024.

Logistics UK attends Business Day at Scottish National Party Conference

Logistics UK attended Business Day at the Scottish National Party (SNP) Conference last week (30 August).

The day began with a breakfast session with the First Minister. The First Minister spoke about challenging times for public finances and the need for public investment to be complemented by private sector funding.

Logistics UK asked the First Minister about his priorities for the logistics sector, to which he responded positively, highlighting the Highland Spring depot in Blackford as an example of how public and private partnerships can be successful, but also that they can be challenging projects.

He would like to foster more conversations about potential partnerships and drive modal shift, support forestry projects and major infrastructure needs.

Logistics UK fundraising cycle for Macmillan Cancer Support

Logistics UK staff took on another slightly different challenge to raise money for Macmillan. From the 5 to the 7 of September, the team challenged themselves to cycle 225 miles from York Minster to Westminster.

For more details of the charity bike ride and to sponsor the team, click here.

Road Closures

M62 closures - reminder

A reminder that the second full weekend closure of the eastbound M62 motorway between junction 18-20 and the westbound M62 between junction 20 to 19 will take place from 21:00 Friday 20 to 6:00 Monday 23 September.

In addition, nightly closures of the motorway in both directions which started on Monday 9 September, will continue. The work is being undertaken to demolish the current structure and install a new bridge across the motorway. More information from National Highways about the planned closures available here.

Charging Zones

Wales 20mph policy update and September Clean Air Zone member briefing

Logistics UK’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) Member Briefing note, which provides a full list of all air quality charging schemes, has been updated to reflect current information about the Welsh 20mph policy.

Following a Senedd petition, the Welsh government announced £5 million funding in July 2024 for councils in Wales to reassess speed limits on 20mph roads. The Welsh government said it expected most changes from 20mph to 30mph to be on A and B roads "which are typically main or strategic roads" and "away from places that attract frequent pedestrians" and updated guidance to councils indicated there is no need to reassess all roads.

The latest CAZ Member Briefing is available here. The briefing note covers Logistics UK’s policy position on urban air quality restrictions and contains information on all CAZs in development, including Low Emissions Zones (LEZs) and other clean air measures proposed for towns and cities across the UK. If you have experience of operating in these zones that you would like to share, or information about proposed schemes please email policy@logistics.org.uk.

International

New government support pledged to prepare for EU border checks

The EU's Entry-Exit System (EES) will be launched on 10 November, which will require non-EU travellers to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial scans, at the border.  

Ahead of the upcoming border changes, on 27 August, the government announced £10.5 million to support preparations at the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel.

Logistics UK has welcomed this announcement but warned that passengers using the border crossings still need education and information to try to minimise the impact of these new system requirements and the knock-on impact on hauliers and freight. With EES set to add time and complexity to all journeys across the border with the EU, both for private passengers and commercial vehicles, Logistics UK is urging the UK government to work with the French government and European Commission to streamline border checks and accelerate implementation of an app-based system to allow for EES remote registration to reduce border congestion.

Update to SPS transit notifications for products of animal origin (POAO)

From 3 September 2024, there are changes in the way economic operators are informed if a sanitary or phytosanitary check is required.

Previous process:

Since 30 April 2024, for landbridge transit of products of animal origin (POAO) consignments, entering or exiting GB (England, Scotland and Wales), or imported POAO consignments ending the CTC movement in GB, the Person Responsible for the Load (PRFL) and five nominated contacts on the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) were notified on the IPAFFS dashboard and by email or text, if SPS checks were required.

New process:

For Landbridge Movements

Checks on entry will be notified by GVMS only.

From 3 September 2024, for POAO goods in transit, entering Great Britain via carriers with GVMS are no longer notified by IPAFFS. The driver will need to check on GVMS to see if their load is called for SPS checks at a named BCP.

For further details on how to register for the Goods Vehicle Movement Service and how the system works, see below.

Checks on exit will continue to be notified by IPAFFS messaging.

For POAO goods in transit exiting Great Britain the system will remain the same. There will be no change, and you will still be notified by IPAFFS if called for inspection, in the usual way.

For Common Transit Convention (CTC) movements

CTC movements ending in GB there will only be GVMS messaging.

For POAO CTC movements ending in GB via carriers with GVMS, from 3 September the driver will need to check on GVMS to see if their load is called for SPS checks. You will not be notified by IPAFFS.

For POAO transit movements (land bridge and CTC movements) not using GVMS carriers

Goods moved via non-GVMS carriers will continue to be notified by IPAFFS messaging.

If operators are transiting POAO goods and carriers are not using GVMS, (i.e. operator selected ‘no’ to the question in the CHED ‘Will the transport use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service GVMS?’) the system will remain the same. Operators will still be notified by IPAFFS if called for SPS checks, as usual.

France/Italy: Renovation work in the Mont Blanc tunnel for 15 consecutive weeks starting on 2 September 2024 - reminder

The administration of the Mont Blanc tunnel was planning important renovation works on the tunnel’s vault last year. Due to the closure of the Fréjus tunnel to HGVs during several week in 2023, works were eventually delayed.

The complete reconstruction of two portions of the tunnel vault of 300 metres each has been rescheduled in 2024. These activities will require the full closure of the Mont Blanc tunnel for 15 weeks, from 2 September 2024 (17:00) to 16 December 2024 (17:00).

And finally…..

After more than six years at Logistics UK, Denise Beedell, Senior Policy Manager and Van policy lead will be retiring from Logistics UK at the end of the month. During her time at Logistics UK, she set up the Van Policy Working Group to shape and inform dedicated van policy activity at the Association, edited Van enews, as well as led the development of Logistics UK’s policy on vehicle and depot electrification, helping to educate policy makers and fleet operators and users of vans about the net zero agenda.

A regular speaker at conferences and events, and contributor to media articles, Denise has been a keen advocate for the van sector, ensuring the challenges faced by this essential part of the supply chain are fully understood. We wish her all the best for a long and happy retirement.

From the MAC

Q: We are looking into fitting fire extinguishers into our electric vehicles (EVs). Are there any specific types that would be required?

A: There is no legislation that stipulates what type of fire extinguisher should be in an EV, however, you should always go off what type of fires that extinguish. A good all-round fire extinguisher is the dry powder one as these cover most types of fire. Another one is the CO₂ fire extinguisher.

Fire extinguishers that are fitted in vehicles are only there to assist in the driver escaping the fire and not to extinguish the fire. The issue with battery fires is that they start in an enclosed compartment where the driver has no access.

Q. We operate a number of light goods vehicles that have tipper bodies as part of their build. We have been told that they need to be inspected, but not have a LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). Is this correct?

A. LOLER, or the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, applies to vehicles and machinery involved in the lifting or lowering of items. As a tipper style body does not lift a load, instead tilting, it would not be in scope of this, however, PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment) Regulations 1998 would apply, and the equipment would need to be maintained to ensure the safety of the operatives and anyone else who may be impacted by the operation of the vehicle.

Jargon/definition buster

CDG – Carriage of Dangerous Goods 2009

The CDG regulations work in line with the ADR regulations, which together regulate the carriage of dangerous goods by road. The GB regulations were substantially restructured for 2009 with direct referencing to ADR.

Invoice factoring

Invoice factoring involves a business selling its invoices on to a third party, who will then add their own fee to the charges and seek the money from the debtor.

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