Zero emissions freight under the spotlight at Smart Transport Conference

The latest strategies to address the big challenge of decarbonising freight will feature as part of a special breakout session at the next Smart Transport Conference.

The one day event, which brings together senior transport decision makers from the public and private sector, will be held on 10 May at The Queens Hotel in Leeds.

Three vital areas will be explored as part of “The future of urban and national logistics” breakout session.

These include how to utilise rail to help reduce how many heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are on the roads, how the electrification of last mile delivery including e-cargo bikes can transform urban logistics, as well as looking at how alternative fuels can help deliver net zero targets.

HGVs are responsible for around 16% of UK domestic transport greenhouse gas emissions.

Ed Clarke, vice president, ground operations UK, FedEx Express, will look at how the business is incorporating electrification with the use of e-cargo bikes into the company’s last mile delivery strategy.

FedEx has an overall goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040.

The electrification of its global parcel pickup and delivery fleet will be key to achieving its goal and by 2040, its fleet will consist of zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs), which will be achieved through phased programs to replace existing vehicles.

For example, by 2025, 50% of FedEx Express global pickup and delivery vehicle purchases will be electric, rising to 100% of all purchases by 2030.

Laurence Drake, Daf Trucks managing director, will explore the challenges facing truck manufacturers and businesses to switch to zero emissions technology on the road to net zero.

The Government has announced it will phase out new, non-zero emission HGVs weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035, with all new HGVs sold in the UK to be zero emission by 2040.

Daf produces electric and diesel hybrid vehicle options for hauliers and will also offer hydrogen models in the future.

Drake will discuss the challenges facing truck manufacturers and hauliers with the transition to this new technology.

Clare Linton, Urban Transport Group policy and research advisor, will then explore how moving freight to rail can help reduce the number of HGVs on the road.

Figures from the Rail Delivery Group have shown that each tonne of freight transported by rail produces 76% less carbon emissions compared to road and freight trains can carry as much as 110 lorries.

The future of urban and national logistics is just one of eight breakout sessions at the Smart Transport Conference.

Advance rate tickets are available to book now.

Eight breakout session topics:

Join expert speakers from the public and private sector for thought provoking presentations that challenge traditional thinking.

• Getting creative with transport data
• Boosting confidence in public transport
• Funding the future: where money comes from and how to secure it
• Rural mobility challenges and solutions
• The future of urban and national logistics
• Transitioning to active travel solutions
• Electric vehicle and alternative fuel infrastructure
• Place-based solutions: transport decarbonisation across the north of England

Confirmed speakers include:

• Kit Allwinter, West Yorkshire Combined Authority active travel policy officer
• Silviya Barratt, Campaign for Better Transport head of policy, research and projects
• David Carnero, Padam Mobility UK country manager
• Ed Clarke, FedEx Express, vice president, ground operations UK
• Laurence Drake, managing director, Daf Trucks
• Philip Fjeld, CEO, CNG Fuels
• Nigel Hallam, Nottingham City Council Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) service manager
• Alex Hornby, Transdev Blazefield chief executive
• Martin Howell, director, transport markets UK&I, Worldline
• Oliver Johnson, UK lead electrification, ABB
• Chris Lane, head of transport innovation, Transport for West Midlands
• Dr Robin Lovelace, Associate Professor of Transport Data Science University of Leeds
• Clare Linton, policy and research advisor, Urban Transport Group
• Professor Greg Marsden, Professor of Transport Governance, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds
• Cllr Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel Transport Committee, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority transport portfolio holder
• Dr Tim Senior, Managing Director, Specialised and Asset Finance, Macquarie Group
• Jason Simpson, Vice-president Energy and eMobility Ventures, Liberty Global
• Kevin Welstead, SSE Enterprise Utilities sector director EV