The future of logistics

At the same time, the industry is also under pressure from external forces such as Brexit, climate change and recruitment shortages. To debate these issues, FTA will be holding a Future Logistics Conference at ITT Hub, a brand-new event taking place in May 2020 at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre. In this article, we provide an exclusive preview into the one of the key themes: future vehicles.

ADOPTING ELECTRIC 

The UK has affirmed its commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral economy in law; the Climate Change Act 2008 now includes the country’s target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 2050. To realise this ambition, the road transport sector must dramatically reduce its use of petrol and diesel and switch to electrically- powered vehicles. Encouragingly, there has already been a huge increase in the use of electric vehicles (EVs), with 5,395 plug-in electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered on the UK’s roads by December 2018.

But for electric vehicle use to grow more rapidly, the government must invest in suitable infrastructure, including fast charging stations for electric vehicles across the road network and a nationwide upgrade of the national grid. Councils must also encourage the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles and implement traffic management schemes.  

In the view of FTA, the future of vans and other light commercial vehicles lies in electrification, but further investment and experimentation is needed before electric trucks can become a viable mass-market solution.

AUTONOMOUS DRIVING

Within the next five years, autonomous cars are predicted to be given the go ahead by governments and regulators for use on the UK’s roads; autonomous vans are expected to be close behind. Driverless vans, along with the introduction of drones and other robotic freight devices, could result in significantly more efficient deliveries as operations are streamlined; it could prove pivotal for the logistics industry. 

DELIVERING THE FUTURE

Connected vehicles are expected to be at the forefront of the IoT (Internet of Things) revolution, using wifi and Bluetooth connectivity to transform driving experiences across the entire automotive industry. In fact, before long we may start to see smart vehicles that can ‘talk’ to each other and fully electric fleets being managed from a single platform.

DIGITAL POLICING 

While these technologies present many exciting opportunities, they also come with an increased risk of cybercrime; businesses must be vigilant against cyber-attacks. According to a recent magazine survey, 45% of respondents said safety factors and technical errors were their top concerns regarding autonomous vehicles; hacking threats were also of concern.

The shape of the future logistics sector will be defined by the scope and speed of introduction for these new developments. From electric planes to autonomous vehicles, all transport modes – water, rail, air and road – are set to undergo transformation as they move into the next digital age. And many of these developments will not only drive efficiencies and cost-savings, they will help the UK to reach its aspiration of a carbon neutral economy in the next 30 years.  

Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.  

Christopher Snelling, Head of UK Policy, FTA