- News
£32 million funding for next generation trucks
12/04/2021A new centre of technology for electric HGV powertrain is being established in Wales. The Government has injected almost £32 million of funding into developing electric propulsion systems for heavy goods vehicles. The project in Cwmbran, Wales...Read moreThe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has once again retained the Large Van of the Year honour at the Great British Fleet Awards.
12/04/2021John Kendall, Van Fleet World Editor and one of the judges for the Great British Fleet Awards, said: “The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter remains a firm favourite with fleet buyers thanks to its available combination of three roof heights and four lengt...Read moreFunding to fix equivalent of 10 million potholes
9/03/2021The equivalent of 10 million potholes could be filled in by Councils across England with their allocated share of £500 million for highways maintenance. It is the second of 5 equal instalments from the £2.5 billion Potholes Fund. Transp...Read moreLogistics UK welcomes electric charging at home for van drivers
9/03/2021Business organisation Logistics UK has welcomed the Government’s £50 million boost for electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints for those in leasehold and rented accommodation, as well as the expansion of the Workplace Charging Scheme for small...Read moreBritish Gas to switch 11,500 vehicles to electric by 2025
9/03/2021In one of the biggest switches to electric vehicles by a company so far, British Gas has ordered 2,000 new electric vans and plans to fully electrify its fleet by 2025. The company, owned by Centrica, runs the third-biggest van fleet in the UK, and ...Read moreGovernment faces legal challenge over road building policy
9/03/2021The Department for Transport’s £27billion programme to expand England’s road network, including projects such as the Stonehenge tunnel, the A46 Newark bypass and the Lower Thames Crossing, has been criticised for being out of line w...Read more235,000 haulier tests completed and new rules for entering France
9/03/2021The government is reminding HGV drivers to get tested for COVID-19 early in their journey at one of 37 UK haulier advice sites providing tests. The French government has recently changed the testing arrangements facing hauliers looking to travel fro...Read moreRobert Veit announced as new Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK
9/03/2021Robert Veit, currently Vice President and Managing Director Sales and Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Vans USA, will take over the position as Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK as of 01 May 2021. Robert started his career in 1995 as a member of ...Read moreMercedes-Benz trucks and Sparshatt’s back-up are key ingredients in Cook’s recipe for success
5/03/2021Mercedes-Benz trucks and Sparshatt’s back-up are key ingredients in Cook’s recipe for success Award-winning manufacturer and retailer Cook has responded to surging demand for its premium quality frozen ready meals by adding another Merce...Read moreWith Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the best just keeps getting better
7/12/2020The announcement last month of a new emergency stop function designed to further increase the safety of its ground-breaking Active Drive Assist technology has underlined once again Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ commitment to the constant improvement of...Read moreAvoid back pain from driving
7/12/2020Back pain is often not caused by anything in particular — but staying active can help to prevent it. This means that people who spend a lot of time driving can be particularly prone to the problem. Why is driving bad for your back? There are ...Read moreDrop-in advice centres open for hauliers
7/12/2020The Department for Transport has opened advice sites at motorway service stations and truck stops where hauliers and drivers of HGVs can get advice on the changes taking place from 1st January 2021. There’s one site in Scotland, at Lockerbie L...Read moreA timely reminder for van drivers to avoid SAD
7/12/2020When the clocks change many drivers start and complete their full working day in the dark. The lack of daylight hours can result in increased fatigue and susceptibility to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). A 2019 survey by Mercedes-Benz Vans reveal...Read moreMPs call for a review of Clean Air Zones
7/12/2020The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Road Freight and Logistics is recommending that the Government pauses the rollout of Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and reviews whether they are still required. In light of reports of improved air quality during th...Read morePayload and agility lead Optivo back to Sparshatt Truck & Van for new FUSO Canter crew cab
24/07/2020Seeing Double: Optivo’s second FUSO Canter has seating for a driver and six colleagues Fast-growing housing provider Optivo has commissioned a second FUSO Canter, which is now being used to clear void properties in Kent of bulky waste items su...Read moreSalvatori enters a new era by welcoming its first eight Mercedes-Benz Actros from Sparshatt Truck & Van
14/07/2020The opening by The Salvatori Group of an additional depot in Sittingbourne, Kent, paved the way for the introduction of its first Mercedes-Benz trucks. The transport, logistics and warehousing provider is now running eight new-generation Actros 2548...Read moreFormula 1 Returns
10/07/2020Fans of Formula 1 have had a very long wait for the 2020 season to get started. Following an aborted start in Australia back in March, Formula 1 finally returns with the Austrian Grand Prix. Sports commentators are speculating on what's changed ...Read moreUpdate on HGV Direct Vision Standard
10/07/2020With less than 4 months before legislation comes into effect for The Direct Vision Standard, which requires all HGVs over 12 tonnes GVW to hold a valid permit to operate in or enter the Greater London area, fleet managers are reporting that they are ...Read moreThe Impact of COVID-19 on Van Drivers
10/07/2020The coronavirus pandemic has seen a significant increase in working hours for van drivers. On average, drivers report they are working almost 20 hours more per month. Despite the added pressure, most drivers say that they feel appreciated by colleagu...Read moreDrivers Hours and ‘Tax on Deliveries’
10/07/2020The temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours rules, introduced at the start of the Covid-19 crisis, ended on 14 June and relaxation of the EU drivers’ hours rules ended on May 31. The change in drivers’ hours rules came as the Freigh...Read more