Van best practice programme launched

A programme to help van users cut running costs, improve safety and reduce environmental impact has launched.

The Van Best Practice programme is fully funded by the Department for Transport, managed by climate change consultants, AEA and supported by a variety of organisations including the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association, vehicle leasing and rental suppliers Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Arval, as well as programmes such as Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) and Driving for Better Business.

It is estimated that an overall improvement in fuel efficiency of just 5% would save around £250 million per year, reducing carbon emissions by three quarters of a million tonnes. To help van users achieve this saving, two best practice guides are available, offering practical tips and advice for fleet managers and van drivers.

The launch of the programme coincided with the release of new research into the behaviour of van drivers which demonstrates the need for guidance. Over half (52%) have not considered ways of reducing fuel costs in the last twelve months and just 7% plan journeys based on fuel efficiency.

Transport Minister Paul Clark said: “Vans are vital to the economy and therefore vital to our efforts to encourage low carbon transportation. This programme will help reduce emissions as well as well as assisting users to save money by reducing costs.

“For the automotive industry, indeed for all of us, finding ways to cut vehicle emissions is not an optional extra, it is an absolute necessity. With initiatives like this which blend the right amount of innovation and determination, I am confident we will succeed in creating a greener and cleaner industry fit to meet the environmental challenges we face.”

Larry Martindale, Programme Manager for Van Best Practice said: “Through the programme we aim to raise awareness of the range of best practice guidance available to the van sector, helping businesses to improve their safety and operational efficiency while informing them of the financial and environmental benefits of implementing this advice.

“There are simple things that van drivers could be doing to improve the efficiency of their vehicles, such as ensuring tyres are at the optimum pressure through regular checks and avoiding carrying non essential items.”

One company supporting Van Best Practice is British Gas. British Gas has already implemented a fuel monitoring programme, with drivers provided with feedback and practical advice on improving efficiency based on their fuel use. The company has also started a process of combining its vehicle incident and fuel use data to verify the relationship between excessive fuel use and poor road safety.

Colin Marriott, General Manager of Fleet at British Gas, said: “We are currently working with the Van Best Practice team to develop a range of 'best practice' style documents aimed at the UK van market, with the objective of helping operators become more efficient and save money.

“British Gas is one of the largest fleet operators of vans in the UK, and we consider this as a unique opportunity for us to let other businesses have an insight to some of our operating practices and ideas aimed at improving road safety and cost efficiency. We hope that this insight will stimulate great interest in the UK van sector. We will certainly be learning from others and this is a great way to share best practice and individual innovation for the better of the whole van sector.”

Van Best Practice offers FREE essential information for van users covering topics such as efficiency, safety, vehicle specification and fuel management. Each guide produced by the Programme contains clear, practical advice and guidance helping van users to:

Download the guides in PDF format

Efficient Vans - A Best Practice Guide To Cost-Effective Van Use.
Fuel Management Pack - A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Fuel Use.
Safe Vans - Guidance helping operators to incorporate safer, more efficient practices into their operations.
Driver Essentials Pack - Succinct information on topics such as vehicle security, loading and unloading, driver hours and vehicle checks

Guide Coming soon - Van Specification - The capital cost of a van may account for less than 50% of its whole-life cost when fuel, maintenance and other operating expenses are taken into account. The Van Specification Guide helps van operators to identify and select the right vehicle, with the right equipment, for the purpose required.