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Effective fleet management is crucial for securing courier contracts in an increasing competitive UK market. With the advent of digital platforms like Courier Exchange, managing your fleet and obtaining new courier contracts has become more streamlined and accessible. This article explores how you can optimise your fleet management practices on Courier Exchange to successfully secure courier contracts in the UK.
Learn more about how you can manage your Fleet on Courier Exchange in 6 easy steps:Register on Courier Exchange
The first step towards managing your fleet on Courier Exchange and accessing courier contracts in the UK is to register as a member. You can book a live demo and create an account. To create an account you will need to provide accurate details about your fleet, including vehicle types, capacities, and availability, so that we can recommend the right membership for you. This allows potential clients to find and engage your services based on their specific requirements. Learn more about our different memberships here.
Showcase your Fleet’s Capabilities
To attract clients and increase your chances of securing courier contracts, it is essential to highlight the capabilities and strengths of your fleet. Provide detailed information about your vehicles, such as their size, weight capacity, and any special features or certifications. Emphasise any unique selling points, such as eco-friendly vehicles or real-time tracking systems, which may set your fleet apart from competitors.
Maintain Accurate and Updated Fleet Information
To ensure smooth fleet management on Courier Exchange, it is crucial to keep your fleet information accurate and up to date. Regularly review and update vehicle availability, any changes in capacity or specifications, and your preferred service areas. This ensures that clients searching for courier services can rely on the information you provide, increasing the likelihood of securing contracts.
Use Courier Exchange’s Notifications and Alerts
Courier Exchange offers various notifications and alerts features that can help manage your fleet effectively. Set up alerts for new courier contract opportunities that match your fleet’s capabilities and preferred routes. Stay informed about any changes in delivery requirements, pickup locations, or cancellations to optimise your fleet’s scheduling and capacity utilisation. Learn more here.
Leverage the Feedback and Ratings System
Maintaining a positive reputation is crucial for securing courier contracts in the UK. Courier Exchange’s feedback and ratings system allows clients to provide reviews based on their experience with your fleet. Delivering exceptional service and prioritising customer satisfaction can help you build a strong reputation and attract more business through positive ratings and reviews. Learn more about hot to get positive feedback on our platform in this short video by Pete the Courier here.
Build Strong Relationships with Clients
Building and nurturing relationships with clients is key to long-term success in securing courier contracts. Foster open and clear communication channels, promptly address any concerns or issues, and strive to exceed client expectations. A satisfied client is more likely to offer repeat business and refer your services to others, further expanding your network and contract opportunities.
Efficient fleet management on Courier Exchange can significantly enhance your ability to secure courier contracts in the competitive UK market. By registering your fleet, showcasing its capabilities, maintaining accurate information, utilising notifications and alerts, leveraging feedback and ratings, and building strong client relationships, you can maximise your chances of success. Embrace the digital tools and resources provided by Courier Exchange to streamline your fleet management and unlock your fleet’s potential.
Book a demo with sales or register for a callback here.This guide was put together by outbound and return loads platform Courier Exchange.
Emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles are a significant source of the world’s air pollution, which is why many drivers are looking into alternative fuel sources to reduce their carbon footprint. With the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy, reducing fuel emissions is on the agenda as it becomes a target to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy by 2050.
As a result, alternative fuels are rising in popularity. These are fuels other than petroleum or diesel that can power vehicles but have a lower carbon footprint. We break down six alternative fuels for vehicles to determine which are the best options for the environment.
Electricity
Electricity is one of the most widely known alternative fuels among consumers as it powers plug-in electric vehicles, which are becoming increasingly prevalent. We’re seeing a rising trend in the popularity of electric cars; in May 2022, new electric vehicle registrations rose by 17.7%, representing one in eight new cars joining the road.
Whilst electric vehicles are growing in popularity, battery efficiency remains limited. This means that an electric vehicle may not run for as long as petrol or diesel, and can take several hours to recharge, which poses an issue for electric vans for courier companies that carry out longer journeys. However, a great alternative is hybrid vehicles, powered by both electricity and petrol/diesel, which boosts efficiency.
Running an electric vehicle produces no tailpipe emissions but greenhouse gases may be emitted from the power plants that produce the parts for the vehicle, electricity is also largely still produced using fossil fuels. Despite this, a new electric car has just a third of the lifetime greenhouse gas emissions of a new petrol car.
It’s typically cheaper to fuel a vehicle with electricity than petrol or diesel, but the vehicles themselves tend to be more expensive to purchase. However, recent industry estimates have found that an electric vehicle can save £176 in running costs for every 1,000 miles driven versus a petrol or diesel-powered vehicle.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a promising emission-free alternative fuel that’s produced from domestic resources for use in combustion engines. One of the key benefits of hydrogen as an alternative fuel is that it removes the long charging times that electric vehicles face. Instead, hydrogen-powered vehicles can be refilled as quickly as petrol or diesel. Due to this, hydrogen is being considered a viable alternative fuel for planes, trains and automobiles, as well as the industrial sector.
Hydrogen vans produce no harmful emissions on the road, only water. The elimination of charging waiting times makes it a very promising alternative fuel for the future, with a view to ending the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. This also makes hydrogen a much more realistic alternative fuel for the courier industry. Whilst the UK doesn’t currently have the infrastructure to make widespread hydrogen adoption likely, the government has kick-started a hydrogen economy plan which aims to unlock £4 billion investment by 2030:
“By 2030, we envisage hydrogen to be in use across a range of transport modes, including HGVs, buses and rail, along with early stage uses in commercial shipping and aviation.” – Gov.UK UK hydrogen strategy
Due to the limited practical availability of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the UK, it’s currently very expensive to buy and run one of these vehicles, making them more costly to run than electric vans.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease. It can be used to power diesel vehicles. It works similarly to conventional diesel, with the same mileage per tank, but is produced from renewable sources and is, therefore, better for the environment. Most biodiesel is currently produced from waste vegetable oil sourced from restaurants, chip shops and industrial food producers, with some fast food restaurants using their own cooking oil to power their vehicles.
The significant environmental benefit of biodiesel is that it can be described as “carbon neutral” because when the oil crop grows it absorbs the same amount of CO2 as is released when the fuel combusts. However, this isn’t completely accurate as other processes in production cause pollution. Another benefit to biodiesel is that it’s rapidly biodegradable and non-toxic. This means biodiesel spillages are far less dangerous than diesel equivalents.
There is variation in the quality of biodiesel, as it’s not produced on a wide scale. It’s also important to note that biodiesel is more expensive than regular diesel; it’s been found that biofuel adds at least £8.80 to a full tank of diesel in a family car.
Ethanol
Ethanol is a widely used renewable fuel made from corn and other plant material. It’s commonly blended with regular petrol, such as the E10 petrol which is 10% renewable ethanol and 90% regular unleaded. However, it can be used on its own, but blending does still help vans reduce their emissions.
Whilst the combustion of ethanol does release carbon dioxide, this is offset by the carbon dioxide captured when crops are grown to produce ethanol. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced on average by 40% with corn-based ethanol produced from dry mills. On the other hand, it does require a lot of land to grow the crops required for ethanol production on a large scale.
Ethanol fuel is cost-effective compared to other biofuels because many countries have the capacity to produce it: corn, sugar cane or grain grows in almost every country. This makes it easily accessible for a large number of vehicles and industries.
Natural gas
Natural gas is a gaseous fuel that’s predominantly made from methane. As the name suggests, natural gas is naturally formed on the earth. This alternative fuel can come as compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas. Natural gas has been proven to be a reliable source of fuel, however it still only makes up a small portion of transportation fuel. Natural gas-fuelled vehicles produce significantly less CO2 than petrol vehicles, and similar (or slightly less) CO2 than diesel vehicles.
A large portion of natural gas is still considered a fossil fuel because it’s made from methane formed over millions of years by the action of heat and pressure on organic materials. You can find entirely Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), but this could be more costly.
Natural gas is significantly cheaper than petrol and diesel fuel, however natural gas-powered vehicles are yet to gain popularity.
Propane
Propane is a readily available gaseous fuel that has been widely used in vehicles for decades. It’s most commonly known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and is often used to power forklifts, skid steers, buses and other public transit vehicles, as well as wider industrial processes. Propane fuel has a high level of energy per gallon, meaning propane-powered vehicles can travel further, making it a popular choice amongst vans and couriers. Currently, there’s an issue with limited filling stations offering propane fuel, which can mean those living in rural areas struggle to fuel vehicles with LPG.
The environmental benefits of propane fuel are clear. It has clean burning properties, producing 99% fewer particulate emissions compared to petroleum and diesel. In fact, it produces next-to zero greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants.
Propane is the least expensive alternative fuel, coming in significantly cheaper than petrol, meaning money can be saved on fuel costs. It does cost money to convert your vehicle but you can buy propane vehicle conversion kits, making it easier and cheaper than buying a propane-ready vehicle.
No alternative fuel comes without its shortcomings but these are constantly being addressed, making environmentally-friendly fuels much more accessible than they once were. With the government’s plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, finding efficient and affordable alternative fuels is more important than ever.
Sources
https://heycar.co.uk/blog/electric-cars-statistics-and-projections
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-launches-plan-for-a-world-leading-hydrogen-economy
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-launches-plan-for-a-world-leading-hydrogen-economy
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/06/30/green-fuels-adding-almost-10-cost-filling-family-car/
https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol_benefits.html
That is the message being promoted during tyre safety month this October. Tyre safety is of vital importance each and every day, and this is specifically highlighted during the month of October for the Tyre Safety Month campaign run by tyresafe.org.
According to statistics from TyreSafe, nearly 1,000 drivers are seriously injured or killed in accidents annually due to tyre-related issues. This figure is likely to rise as the economic crisis leads drivers to economise and hesitate to fit new tyres or opt for re-treads (part worn) tyres, which research has shown to be 93% non-compliant .
Don’t get caught out – get yourself covered
These stats are indeed quite scary, and not only highlight the need for safety checks, but also the importance of ensuring that you have got adequate insurance cover. It’s certainly wise to check with our insurance partners at Business Choice Direct that you’re properly protected. You can get a quote here. They can do the necessary so that you can tread carefully!
Tyre safety
Our vehicle’s tyres are the only thing connecting your car or van to the road. Not only are there safety concerns involved, but checking your tyres are in good condition has implications around optimum fuel use. Keeping your tyres at the right pressure, especially not under inflated, will help ensure your vehicle uses less energy and, therefore, less fuel. Using the correct pressure also improves the longevity of your tyres, so checking your tyres are in good repair and are correctly inflated makes economic sense too.
Tyres have to cope with braking, cornering and accelerating, which puts a great deal of pressure on their performance, which becomes especially important when the roads are wet, slippery or covered in ice or snow. They can be slightly underinflated for icy roads.
Key things to check are:
· Check tyre pressure- settings will be in your handbook
· Check for wear and tear, stones and loose objects
· Bulges could be a sign of internal damage
· Check the tread dept (1.6mm minimum)
The tyre tread pattern is designed to expel water between the tyre and the road surface, so if it is worn out, it reduces grip and increases stopping distances, whilst increasing the chances of aquaplaning. For normal car or van tyres, according to manufacturer’s Michelin, an average tyre should last around 25,000 miles.
A 15 min check could save lives
Every driver should undertake vehicle checks, not just their tyres, whether or not you drive for a living. Walkaround checks should only take you around 15 min tops. They are important to ensure that your vehicle is safe to be traveling, and that you’ll be safe as the driver. Even if it’s been on the road with another driver all day, if you take over, it’s your responsibility while you’re driving it, so it’s recommended that you do your own checks again.
Everyday checks should include:
· Tyre pressure and condition
· Brakes
· Steering
· Headlights
· Hazard lights and indicators
· Remember safe tyres save lives
· Vehicle height and width
· The height of the trailer, its load and equipment (which can change)
Accidents happen
If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, however it was caused, you’ll want to be reassured that you have got good insurance cover. That is where our insurance partners BCD come in. As mentioned earlier, it really is worth checking amongst everything else, that you have the optimum cover to meet your specific requirements.
We know that insurance may not be high on your checklist, which is why talking to the experts at BCD, who understand your business, helps to make it a fast, hassle-free process. Not only that, but their policies are comprehensive and competitive too. Remember Courier Exchange members can benefit from pre-agreed special rates.
They can also help you with any claims. You’re in good hands!
Talk to BCD now for peace of mind or call them on 0344 776 5305
Business Choice Direct Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Business Choice Direct Insurance Services Ltd is registered in England and Wales No. 10301653. Registered Office: Affinity House, Bindon Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AA.
this post is on behalf of our partner Business Choice Direct
With the new number plates due out in September, here is what courier drivers should know if you’re thinking of changing vehicles. The 72-plate will apply to all new vehicles registered until February 28th, 2023.
Thinking of upgrading?
A Van or pick-up truck enables you to offer a broader scope of services thereby giving you access to a wider range of clients. Upgrading capacity could certainly enable you to undertake multiple drops and cover longer distances and a newer vehicle provides reliability and a potentially superior performance.
Is bigger better?
Van sizes are based around ‘wheelbases’, i.e., the length of the chassis, and confusingly you can get a long-wheelbase small van, or a short wheelbase large van. The other size measure is around Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), which dictates the authorised weight the vehicle is allowed to be once loaded.
As to what size you get depends upon your contracts, but a small van could be the best starter vehicle for your business.
Mid-Panel Vans
This size is flexible enough for almost any courier requirement, so this could be worth the investment. Typically, with a load space length of around 2.4 metres, they are classed as ‘short wheelbase’ on Courier Exchange.
Large Panel Vans
For capacity, this is a size that offers greater scope with many economical options available.
Lease or Buy?
This is a difficult question to answer as no one size fits all, and it depends on your individual circumstances. Both options are tax deductible as expenses.
Leasing
Pros:
· Full-service leases are available which often include maintenance, repair, accident management, insurance and registration
· Cheaper up-front costs as total cost of leasing is spread out over the lifetime of the contract
· Good option if you don’t have the ready funds to buy one
· You are paying the same amount on the lease every month, which is consistent for budgeting.
Cons:
· Many leases don’t include insurance and you will have to organise it yourself. If insurance is provided, you must check that it is suitable for your business needs and offers the appropriate coverage for tools, commercial liability, and goods in transit insurance.
· You can’t adapt or modify the vehicle.
Buy
Pros:
· Total cost of purchasing is likely to be lower than leasing, making it economical in the long term
· You can trade in your older vehicle
· No restrictions on distance and mileage
· Make it your own and fine tune it to your needs- but be aware of any modifications that could impact upon your insurance
· Not financially tied to a monthly contract
Cons:
· You may need access to finance if you don’t have ready cash
· Additions/modifications could impact the cost of your van insurance premiums
· You have to pay for maintenance, tax and insurance yourself
· Allow for the depreciation of your van’s value over time
New or old, BCD have it covered
Whether you decide to take advantage of this September’s new plate release or not, you can always rely on the superior performance of our insurance partners, Business Choice Direct (BCD) https://rebrand.ly/BCDCrEx. Whatever vehicle you own, they have the expertise to ensure that you have the most appropriate cover.
Call them on 0344 776 5303 or Email: commercialleads@businesschoicedirect.co.uk
Business Choice Direct Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Business Choice Direct Insurance Services Ltd is registered in England and Wales No. 10301653. Registered Office: Affinity House, Bindon Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AA.
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