Commercial fleet briefs: Latest from Certas Energy, Logistics UK, Snap, Trakm8, Webfleet and Hex Graphics

Track end-to-end costs and emissions with new Certas Energy tool

Certas Energy has introduced a new carbon savings calculator making to help fleet managers to meet their sustainability targets.

The new Carbon Savings Calculator enables people to calculate exactly how much HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) they need to use to reach their emissions objectives, based on their vehicle or fleet’s annual diesel usage and latest UK Government figures.

This, together with Certas Energy’s fleet balancing calculator, which calculates the cost of mixing HVO with traditional diesel, helps fleet operators estimate both the carbon saving of HVO and the cost when including HVO as part or all of the fuel mix.

The calculator is part of Certas Energy’s new HVO on the Road Hub which is for fleet operators wanting to know about the drop in diesel alternative.

It includes information about HVO, as well as Certas Energy’s fleet balancing calculator.

Tim Shepherd, head of fuel cards at Certas Energy, said: “Our new HVO on the Road Hub is there to make HVO accessible for fleet operators.

“Cost considerations are obviously a major part of that. That’s why we created these tools to help managers work out how to meet their sustainability goals, and how much that is going to cost.”

Logistics UK announces Digital Transformation in Logistics conference 

Logistics UK’s Digital Transformation in Logistics conference is returning for its second year, as part of the programme for Birmingham Tech Week.

The event at The Studio in Birmingham on Tuesday, October 22, will feature presentations and panel sessions exploring the latest trends and strategies driving the future of logistics.

During the one-day event, experts in successfully implementing digital transformation initiatives in the logistics industry will share best practice, outline the key challenges to overcome and showcase the transformative impact technology can have on logistics operations.

Logistics UK, director of policy and communications, Kevin Green, said: “The conference will explore the practical ways technology is facilitating a digitally empowered logistics industry and the benefits this provides.

“There will also be the opportunity to engage in discussions with other senior leaders, exchange insights and explore innovative solutions to stay ahead in this ever-changing industry.”

Registration details can be found here. https://logistics.org.uk/events/currently-live/digital-transformation-in-logistics

Public to take the wheel in truck driving initiative

Snap is teaming up with Certas Energy and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) to raise awareness of truck driving skills at the last leg of the 2024 Snap Truckpark Tour.

The Hollies, The Stop in Staffordshire will play host on August 28, with an HGV driving simulator in place for members of the public to test their abilities against professional drivers.

The third annual Snap Truckpark Tour has already covered over 5,500 miles, visiting Snap service partners and chatting with drivers from across Europe.

Matthew Bellamy, managing director of Snap, said: “Truck driving is a highly skilled profession, and this event will help the public to understand how difficult it can be.

“Drivers go through hours of training to hone their skills and they can perform driving manoeuvres that most of us can only dream of.”

Snap, Certas Energy and the RHA want to highlight the training drivers must complete to ensure they are fit to drive professionally on the road. This includes 35 hours of periodic driver CPC training every five years.

The driving simulator will be available courtesy of the RHA, giving aspiring HGV drivers the chance to showcase their skills against the best in the business for free.

Pete Short, head of business development at the RHA, said: “We will be bringing the RHA Simulator Van to the event, offering the public and professional drivers the chance to experience driving a truck on the simulator.

“This will demonstrate the complexity of manoeuvring a truck and trailer and showcase the skills required to operate these machines daily.”

Bowker Transport aims to improve driver safety and fuel performance with Webfleet

Bowker Transport is aiming to improve driver safety, reduce fuel use and cut CO2 emissions, thanks to an integrated Webfleet fleet management and VisionTrack camera system, supplied by Daisy Communications across its fleet of 225 HGVs.

The company has leveraged Webfleet’s open API to integrate telematics data with incumbent technology.

“Before Webfleet, we had to collate information from three different systems,” said Mark Brewell, IT manager at Bowker Transport. “Now we can see everything we need to know instantly via the Webfleet dashboard.”

The company’s driver app is being integrated with the Pro8475 ruggedised tablet, allowing jobs and instructions to be sent directly to the tablet, while Webfleet’s truck-specific navigation helps drivers to avoid not just traffic, but also low bridges, narrow roads and sharp turns.

OptiDrive 360’s active driver feedback has also proved popular.

Webfleet’s powerful insights are being used to confirm the comparative fuel efficiency of different truck brands to check that they are delivering on their performance promises.

A Direct Vision Standard (DVS) 2024-ready, 360-degree, AI-based camera solution from VisionTrack has been integrated into the same system, allowing Bowker Transport’s traffic desks to view vehicle data alongside camera footage on the same screen.

“If there is a customer issue or an incident, we can view the camera images in seconds. Unlike our previous system, it is automatically uploaded into the cloud,” added Brewell.

LCB Group chooses Trakm8 to tackle rising insurance premiums

LCB Group, specialists in building repairs, maintenance, retrofit, and construction projects, has chosen Trakm8’s RH600 4G integrated telematics cameras and Insight Platform to enhance fleet safety and efficiency, while addressing rising insurance premiums.

LCB Group has been a customer of Trakm8 Reseller, Wetrack, since 2017. It initially adopted Trakm8’s Spot On telematics platform, upgraded to the Swift platform in 2021, and is now migrating to its most advanced 360-degree business intelligence platform ‘Insight’ with the addition of RH600 cameras.

The upgrade involves replacing C430S telematics units with RH600 Telematics cameras across 253 vans.

The integration of the new camera system will complement ongoing driver behaviour training.

Sean Hewings, fleet manager at LCB Group, said: “Our focus has been on emphasising a culture of safety and responsibility within our fleet. The integration of Trakm8’s RH600 cameras and Insight Platform is a crucial step in this direction.

“We believe this upgrade will not only contribute to lowering our insurance premiums but also ensure the safety and well-being of our drivers.”

Joe Heidari, fleet and optimisation sales director at Trakm8, added: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with LCB Group and support them in their efforts to tackle rising insurance costs.

“Our RH600 cameras and Insight Platform offer comprehensive business intelligence solutions that significantly enhance fleet safety and efficiency. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on LCB Group’s operations.”

Hex Graphics launches new sustainable vinyl graphics solution

Hex Graphics has unveiled a new, carbon-neutral vinyl graphics solution, Vinyl360.

Designed to be fully recyclable, Vinyl360 is supported by a supply chain that turns 100% of waste generated into secondary life products, promoting a more sustainable fleet industry.

Created against the backdrop of growing demand within the fleet industry to deliver more sustainable fleets, this product addresses the carbon footprint associated with the production and application of commercial vehicle graphics.

Mark Wood, graphics manager at Hex Graphics, said: “Fleet livery is a pivotal component of commercial fleets and thus a fundamental consideration in a truly environmentally-focussed vehicle.

“Efforts to generate streams through which to recycle PVC, the most common material used in vehicle branding, has been ongoing for many years – finally, with Vinyl360 we can offer our customers a solution.”

Vinyl360 is zero waste to landfill or incineration and provides a complete lifecycle service through recycling existing materials.

The two-stage system, which has been developed with key supply chain partners, means Hex Graphics can repurpose waste both at the beginning phase, when a new commercial livery is being applied, and at the end-of-life phase, when graphics are decommissioned and replaced.

Once stripped down, the waste vinyl and lining paper is separated, compacted and sent to specialist recycling centres in the UK.

Here, the waste is given a new lease of life, where it can be transformed into useful secondary-life products, like notebooks and even items used in the fleet operation such as plastic safety barriers and traffic cones.

Wood said: “The headline so far, with two major fleets already choosing Vinyl360, is that we have more than seven tonnes of PVC face film and backing paper from entering landfill.”