Fleets facing upsizing challenge

Businesses upsizing their fleets are under increasing pressure to develop a more flexible, sustainable solution.

However, driver recruitment, vehicle and company compliance, licences and vehicle complexity are just some of the complexities involved in upsizing.

Venson Automotive Solution has produced a new free white paper to address these challenges and make the upsizing process easier by outlining the positives, negatives and key details for consideration.

Danielle Tilley, business development director for Venson said: “There are huge benefits to be had from upsizing. For example an average large delivery van can carry a load weighing 1,000 to 1,800kg, yet a 7.5 GVW truck can manage 3,000 to 4,500kg, a two to threefold increase, meaning the potential to run two less vehicles to carry out a similar workload is a viable option. When you factor in a 16-tonne GVW rigid trucks’ footprint isn’t usually vastly different to a 7.5 tonne truck, then you start to tick the social responsibility box too.”

However, most standard passenger car driver licences only entitle their holders to drive vans up to 3.5-tonnes GVW, and fresh challenges present themselves when moving up to larger and more complex vans or light and heavy trucks; changes to the licensing system introduced in 1997 means that a driver must be in possession of a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Class 2 licence to drive a 7.5-tonne GVW truck.

Tilley said: “Once fleet drivers have their Class 2, what’s stopping a further increase in vehicle size if its fits with your company’s business model? A driver with a Class 2 licence can drive any rigid truck way beyond 7.5 tonnes. Fleet decision-makers need to be thinking ahead. With these unprecedented times changing the way many businesses operate, there are new opportunities to be had; while it may not fit every business model, upsizing can reduce costs and improve productivity. Furthermore, the socio-economic aspect of an upsize can give a competitive edge by demonstrating a responsible corporate image. Fleet managers shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the process; with careful guidance and planning, and strategic thinking, evolving a fleet can be done smoothly and efficiently.”