Lack of haulage trucks a 'threat' to public and industry
Date: 20 December 2007
Demand for commercial road haulage vehicles from developing nations has led to industry concerns over a truck shortage.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has warned that an inability to cope with orders from road haulage services firms poses a threat to all parts of the supply chain.
"The current order times being quoted by several leading manufacturers of up to 18 months for a maximum weight tractor unit pose a very real threat to the industry. Not just for our Members, but for the wider operating industry and the general public," the association's director general, John Lewis, said.
Increased demand for new road haulage vehicles from the burgeoning manufacturing industries and economies in the former eastern bloc is thought to be contributing to the freight vehicle shortage.
Mr Lewis added that a lack of newer haulage vehicles meeting Euro4 and 5 emissions standards would have an impact on the general public and the environment. He urged freight vehicle manufacturers to get production back on track to avoid knock-on effects.
"For example, operators waiting to upgrade their fleet to LEZ compliant vehicles will be hit heavily when the London Low Emission Zone comes into force on 4 February as either they'll have to rent a truck or pay the penalty fine, and these costs will necessarily have to be passed on to customers," he said.
The capital's Low Emission Zone comes into force on February 4th 2008 and requires that vehicles weighing more than 12 tonnes entering the area, including those operated by haulage companies, meet European emissions targets.
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