Decarbonising Scotland's Fleets

Play your part in Scotland’s plans for complete road transport decarbonisation by 2050 by visiting GreenFleet Scotland and making your own company fleet as low-carbon as possible

Transport emissions, including international aviation and shipping, make up just under a quarter of Scotland’s total emissions, and more than two thirds of these emissions come from road transport.
    
As such, the Scottish Government is striving for complete decarbonisation of road transport by 2050. To achieve this, by 2020 it plans to have in place a mature market for low carbon cars, with new cars emitting an average of less than 95gCO2e/km, as well as having an EV charging infrastructure in place in Scottish cities. It also aims to provide effective travel plans for workplaces with more than 30 employees.            

By 2030, it aims to see significant progress in the decarbonisation of road transport through wholesale adoption of electric cars and vans, and conversion to hybrid or alternatively‑fuelled HGVs and buses.

For electric vehicle uptake, key drivers will be the continued installation of high powered charging facilities, increases in vehicle range and reductions in cost. By 2030, potentially 60 per cent of new vehicles (over 30 per cent of fleet) will be plug-in hybrid (PIH) or pure electric vehicle (EV).

GAIN GREEN INSIGHT
Companies with fleets of vehicles have an important role in the decarbonisation of Scotland’s transport sector. As such, a visit to GreenFleet Scotland on 5 September will enable fleet managers to test drive the latest low and zero carbon vehicles to help them make an informed decision about their next fleet purchase. Attendees will also be able to attend the conference to keep abreast of the environmental issues affecting the transport sector.    

What’s more, attendees can take part in a Fuel Efficient Driving Experience (FEDEx), run by EST Scotland, to put their green driving skills to the test.

GreenFleet Scotland, in association with the Energy Saving Trust, is now in its fifth year and takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh.

FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Participants of the Fuel Efficient Driving Experience will first be briefed in the methods of fuel-efficient driving, and then take to the real roads on a set route to test how frugal they can be. The participants with the best mpg figures will be crowned as the most fuel efficient drivers and go home with a price.

Ian Murdoch, EST Scotland, stated: “With staggering results demonstrated by last year’s Fuel Efficient Driving Experience, people will undoubtedly be interested in taking fuel efficient driver training sessions. In Scotland, the Energy Saving Trust can offer individuals fuel efficient driver training at a heavily subsidised cost of £12 for 50 minutes of training. Average results from this training are 15 per cent of fuel saving. This can equate to two months’ worth of fuel.”

GREEN CONFERENCE AGENDA
The conference will kick off with a session from a spokesperson from Transport Scotland, who will explain the Scottish Government’s strategy for low-carbon transport future, including its vision for electric mobility.     

EDF Energy will then tackle electric vehicle infrastructure issues, including assessing site viability and the business case for electric vehicles as company fleets.

The morning session will be followed by two speakers from organisations using electric vehicles, giving real-life feedback and looking at both the cost and CSR motivations.

The late morning session will be focused on the technology to make fleets safer, greener and more efficient. Topics discussed will include speed-and-rev limiting technology, in-cab driver monitoring and tuition, and engine re-mapping.

WHAT NOW AND WHAT NEXT?
After a buffet lunch and networking opportunities in the indoor exhibition, the afternoon conference sessions will focus on the future of green motoring; what’s here and what’s coming.

Toyota GB will kick off the session with a look at the future of drivetrain/powertrain technology. As the engineers of the original hybrid car, the Prius, Toyota are well-versed in hybrid technology. Toyota’s full hybrid system is engineered to automatically monitor driving conditions to decide whether to run on electricity, petrol or both, delivering optimum power and responsiveness at all times.

According to a study from UKH2Mobility, a government and industry led initiative to kick off hydrogen use in the UK, the first hydrogen fuel cell cars could be on the road by 2015, with 1.5 million by 2030. With this fuel not to far off from being in mass-use, Nigel Holmes from the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA) discusses a renewable hydrogen age for Scotland.

Moving on, a spokesperson from Robert Wiseman Dairies, who operate a fleet of over 1,500 heavy commercial vehicle, will discuss how running a gas‑powered HGV fleet can be a reality.

To close the session, Volvo Trucks will reveal what’s next on the LGV market.

JUMP IN, DRIVE OFF
Many of the major motor manufacturers use GreenFleet Scotland as the platform to show fleet managers their latest green offerings.
    
This year, BMW will be offering test drive opportunities of its highly successful Efficient Dynamics technology across the 1, 3 and 5 Series range, and MINI will be showing off its latest models, including the Clubvan, its first offering for the LCV market.
    
Vauxhall’s range-extended electric vehicle, the Ampera, is always a sell-out on the test track at GreenFleet events. The Ampera addresses range-anxiety concerns because the onboard generator continues to supply electricity to sustain the battery once it has run out.
    
Citroen has a range of HDi, e-HDi, Diesel Hybrid and full electric drive trains, with 20 models coming emitting just 99g/km CO2 or less, many of which will be available for test drive on the day.

Peugeot will be attending this year’s event with its entire diesel HYbrid4 range and the exciting new 208. With its sporty exterior and range of high-performance engines from only 87g/km CO2, the 208 not makes environmental sense and also provides an exhilarating drive.
    
Renault will be showcasing its four electric vehicles which appeal to wide range of drivers. These are the Kangoo Van Z.E., the newly launched Fluence Z.E.  – an elegant 4-door family saloon, and Renault Twizy, an urban compact 2-seater, and the ZOE, a stylish supermini.
    
Imperial Commercials has four strategically placed commercial vehicle Dealerships in West Central Scotland, and will be displaying Fiat’s fuel efficient commercial vehicles such as the Fiorino, Doblo and the new Doblo Maxi XL.
    
What’s more, Double A Trading Company, sole Scottish Distributors of Goupil Utility Electric Vehicles, will be showing off its dual mode electric-hybrid G5 and full electric G3 utility vehicles.

Ransomes Jacobsen, the UK’s sole importer for the Mega Professional range, will present  the new Mega e-Worker electric truck and the Multitruck 600 low emission diesel truck.
    
The indoor exhibition, where breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be served throughout the day, will house a variety of forward thinking companies including ATP Controls, Lex Autolease, Michelin, Vtec Solutions and Autokontro, showcasing products and services to help you run your fleet more efficiently.
    
FURTHER INFORMATION
GreenFleet Scotland takes place 5 September at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh and is free to attend. Register at www.scotland.greenfleet.net