The number of commercial vehicles on Britain’s roads has reached the highest level in history, according to the latest annual Motorparc data, published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Some 5,483,319 vans, trucks, buses and coaches were recorded in operation at the end of 2021, a 4.1% increase on the previous year. Working vehicles now comprise 13.5% of the 40,506,971-strong national fleet following a bumper year for van registrations and a return to growth for trucks and buses. Vans remain the most popular class of commercial vehicle in operation, comprising 4,804,833 units, up 4.3% from 2020. HGV numbers returned to growth after last year’s fall, increasing 2.5% to 604,035 units.

This article was first published in the July 2022 issue of Logistics Insight, subscribe to the magazine by
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Leicestershire based Samworth Brothers Supply Chain has just taken delivery of their first batch of new New Generation MAN TGX trucks. They enter the fleet following the success of a demonstrator vehicle which impressed Samworth Brothers Supply Chain with its competitive fuel efficiency, impressive uptime record and the high amount of positive driver feedback. The latest additions to enter the temperature-controlled distribution specialist’s fleet are both new generation MAN TGX 26.470 6×2 tractors, featuring the popular GM cabs.

Global relocations specialist Matthew James has commissioned a low-entry Mercedes-Benz Econic with unrivalled direct visibility credentials that make it ideally suited to removals work in and around London. The compliance-focused company, which operates from head offices in Dartford, Kent, and the Spanish resort of Malaga, purchased the latest addition to its fleet from established supplier Rygor Commercials. As an 1830 L variant the air-suspended chassis is powered by a 7.7-litre in-line six-cylinder engine that produces 220 kW (300 hp) and is paired with a fully automatic six-speed Allison gearbox.

Logistics UK’s Next Generation Van conference, held at Doubletree by Hilton in Coventry on Thursday 7th July, boasted an expert speaker line-up including Tim Campbell, Managing Director of Campbells Consultancy and Jackie Hewson, Alternative Fuels Implementation Manager at John Lewis Partnership. Now in its second year, the free-to-attend conference explored the steps operators need to take to ensure the necessary power supply for their depots’ operations both now and for the future. It also focused on skills, provided an insight into future van taxation and explored decarbonisation.

The NHS will soon be receiving medical consumable products delivered by a fleet of eight fully electric trucks, as part of the Department for Transport’s £10 million Battery Electric Truck Trial (BETT). NHS Supply Chain in partnership with its logistics provider Unipart Logistics is one of the key operators in the 12-month pilot project which is seeing 20 DAF LF Electric trucks using pioneering technology entering service with the NHS and local authorities. NHS Supply Chain is commencing use of eight 19 tonne LF Electric rigids with refrigerated bodies at four locations across the country: Bury St Edmunds, Normanton, Rugby and Alfreton.

It is wonderful to see the volume of commercial vehicles on the road hit its highest ever level, serving the logistics industry.

George Simpson

Features Editor

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