Helping Greater Manchester slash fleet emissions

GreenFleet teamed up with Transport for Greater Manchester to host an event for fleet and transport managers to demonstrate how lowering emissions can be achieved, as well as sharing more information on Manchester’s air quality plans

Road transport in Greater Manchester accounts for 65 per cent of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 79 per cent of particulate emissions, along with 31 per cent of CO2 emissions.

In order to improve air quality and encourage a low-emission culture, the Climate Change and Low Emission Implementation Plan (2016-2020) and the Greater Manchester Air Quality Action Plan (2016-21) have been created.

The plans include actions to both address climate change and improve Greater Manchester’s air quality. Measures include reducing traffic, increasing efficiencies and improving company fleets by incentivising the replacement of polluting vehicles with newer, lower-emitting ones.

In light of this, GreenFleet joined forces with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to host an event at the Etihad Stadium on 15 March.

Delegates were given an update on Greater Manchester’s public charging infrastructure and were presented with information on the latest car and van grants.

This year’s key sponsor was GreenFleet’s Leasing Company of the Year, Lex Autolease. The company works closely with businesses and fleet managers to provide a wide range of vehicles to meet different needs, and were available to answer questions on the day.

Expert speakers

The day was filled with keynote presentations from industry experts, which included TfGM’s chief executive Jon Lamonte and Steve Ives from the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV), who is responsible for delivering the £40 million Go Ultra Low City Scheme and the ULEV Taxi Scheme.

Jon Lamonte spoke to delegates about Greater Manchester’s low-emission strategy and air quality action plan, which includes measures to encourage sustainable travel, such as walking and cycling, greening its bus fleet, and lowering emissions from its freight and heavy goods vehicles, as well as encouraging a low-emission culture amongst residents and businesses.

Lamonte also touched on its Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Scheme (GMEV), which is a charging network and pay-as-you go programme.

Other speakers on the day included Stockport Council’s Cllr Alex Ganotis, TV presenter and motoring expert Quentin Willson, and TfGM’s Julian Ashworth, who helps staff across Greater Manchester to travel more sustainably.

Exhibitors

Round Table break-out sessions took place throughout the day, giving attendees the opportunity to speak to vehicle manufacturers, solution providers and network with other fleet professionals and EV operators.

A number of exhibitors were on-hand to answer any questions regarding low emission vehicles, including the event’s headline sponsor Lex Autolease.

Elmtronics and eVolt were available to answer any questions regarding electric vehicle charging equipment and infrastructure.

Optare, the British manufacturer of urban buses brought along a static electric double decker bus for delegates to get a greater understanding of more environmentally‑friendly public transport options.

The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), formerly known as the London Taxi Company, also displayed a static model of its new TX electric taxi. The black cab offers zero‑emissions motoring thanks to eCity technology comprising of an advanced battery electric powertrain with a small back-up petrol generator that gives a total range of up to 400 miles including 80 miles pure electric driving.

Test drives

Car and van makers such as LDV and BMW/Mini demonstrated their latest ultra-low and zero emission vehicles, where delegates had the opportunity to take vehicles out for a test drive.

LDV’s electric panel van – the EV80 – was one of the models available for test drives. It is capable of 120 miles on a single charge and can be fully charged in one and a half hours. It also features a high-capacity Lithium Ion battery.

Iveco brought along an extensive range of alternatively-fuelled vehicles, including its natural gas-powered Stralis and Daily.

Westway Nissan brought along the new Nissan LEAF which boasts an extended range and more powerful motor, and Toyota brought its Prius Plug-in for delegates to experience plug-in hybrid technology.

Other electric and ultra-low emission vehicles were available on the day to help delegates leave the event with a better understanding of the practicalities of running a greener fleet.