Consolidated deliveries trial cuts CO2 and vehicle journeys

A sustainable delivery trial at London’s Billingsgate Market, involving Ford Pro, City of London Corporation and DHL Supply Chain, has helped cut emissions and congestion in the capital.

Launched in March and continuing until August, 40 traders at Billingsgate are taking part in the trial, which focusses on deliveries from the market to commercial customers in the capital.

Many traders rely on vans to make these deliveries, but for much of the day these vans are not in use. The City Corporation identified the opportunity to consolidate trips, which avoids duplicating journeys and requires fewer vehicles.

Funded by the City Corporation, which owns and manages Billingsgate Market, the trial uses Ford vehicles, software and servicing support from the company’s Ford Pro commercial vehicle division and DHL Supply Chain expertise.

The 18-week collaboration has seen an estimated 37% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with business as usual, from 949 fewer vehicle journeys on central London’s congested roads resulting in 15,000 less miles driven.

Tutu Akinkoye, GoGreen lead for DHL Supply Chain UK and Ireland, said: “We’re delighted with the results of the trial, which support our approach to not only ‘burn clean’ through the use of sustainable alternative fuels and drivetrains, but ‘burn less’ by reducing the energy and fuel consumption of our operations.

“We’re equally delighted with our engagement with the traders and partners, and the future direction that this strategic project offers customers of London’s wholesale markets – the wide choice of goods, the range of delivery options, and the more sustainable way in which products will reach the restaurants, wholesalers and consumers in and around the London area.

“Most exciting of all is the solution is replicable in other cities facing similar challenges, both in the UK and globally.”

The trial is part of the City Corporation’s aim to reduce the environmental impact of its wholesale markets through innovation, including the planned relocation of Billingsgate, Smithfield and New Spitalfields markets to Dagenham Dock. Electric vehicle charging has been installed in the market car park.

Chris Hayward, policy chairman at the City of London Corporation, said: “This pilot has proved that using different modes of delivery not only reduces emissions and traffic, but can also offer a better service to both our market traders and their customers.”

Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro in Europe, added: “Bringing our expertise to bear alongside that of City of London and DHL Supply Chain has clearly shown how Ford Pro’s software-driven, sustainable solutions are solving problems for our customers – in this case helping the historic fish market combine its deliveries for greater efficiency and to help reduce congestion.”

The seven refrigerated Ford Pro vehicles, including an all-electric Ford E‑Transit, are equipped with sensors that feed real-time data into Ford Pro Telematics  and Ford’s Liive connected uptime system to support fleet managers in monitoring the efficiency, condition and health of their vehicles.

This connected vehicle data helps Ford Fleet Management monitor and manage remaining oil life, AdBlue levels and tyre pressures to reduce the likelihood of unscheduled downtime.

Fleet managers are also alerted to punctures or windscreen damage and can schedule required servicing and repairs around operating hours to minimise the impact on productivity.