UK businesses will be encouraged to make the switch to electric power following the government’s decision to extend plug-in van and truck grants by a further two years.

The RHA (Road Haulage Association) is urging people in the commercial vehicle sector to get behind a new campaign to improve driver facilities.

Fleet transport insurance specialist, McCarron Coates, is urging HGV and other commercial vehicle drivers to act now on diesel spillages, to avoid themselves – and others - paying the price.

The number of HGV drivers in the UK fell by 49,000 in Q4 2021 compared to Q4 2019, according to the latest ONS statistics (Office for National Statistics), published by business group Logistics UK.

Logistics UK has launched affiliate membership for members of the Vehicle Body Repair Association (VBRA). This will give these businesses access to a variety of Logistics UK’s services and discounted rates on training courses, vehicle inspection services, Tachodisc analysis and fuel card products.

New statistics show that Volvo Trucks was the market leader for heavy all-electric trucks in Europe in 2021 with a market share of 42%. The company took orders, including letters of intent, for more than 1,100 electric trucks worldwide.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has welcomed The Department for Transport’s decision to pause the roll-out of all-lane smart motorways in the UK.

Truck operators in the UK who tamper with their vehicles’ number plates in an attempt to avoid identification are to be targeted by DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency).

American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) President and CEO Chris Spear has confirmed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has withdrawn its vaccine-or-test emergency temporary standard (ETS).

Volvo Trucks has launched a new, patented safety feature for electric trucks – Active Grip Control. The new technology significantly improves stability, acceleration and braking in slippery conditions. Tests performed on a low friction surface showed 45% improvement at full acceleration.

Insurance broker McCarron Coates Ltd is urging HGV operators to not only be aware of the new changes to the Highway Code that come into force in the UK on January 29, but to also reflect on how the new ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ affects their risk management.

From 29 January, rules for all types of road users will be updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses.

German trucking journalist Jan Burgdorf recently tested a fully-laden 490kW Volvo FH Electric truck, with a combination gross weight of 40 tonnes, on Germany’s Green Truck Route.

DKV Mobility and Tolltickets, one of the leading providers of European tolling services, have announced a new partnership that will enable customers to access the Scandinavian tolling network with a one-box solution from January 2022.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has confirmed the proposed changes to the Congestion Charge, following a period of consultation.

Volvo has recently conducted extensive tests on its electric trucks during extremely cold weather, close to the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden.

DVSA Vehicle Standards Assessors in the UK have picked up on a small number of heavy vehicles being presented for annual test with some form of tampering carried out to the exhaust emissions data recorded on the vehicle manufacturer’s plate.

DKV Mobility customers can now settle the Slovenian e-Vignette via the DKV CARD. The digital vignette, which replaces the current toll sticker, is mandatory for vehicles up to and including 3.5T driving on Slovenian highways and expressway.

A sweeping review will seek to improve compulsory ongoing training for HGV drivers in the latest of 30 measures to support the road haulage sector and encourage more people to return to the profession.

Scania GB has opened a new sales and service centre at Eurocentral in Scotland.