Supply Chain World Volume 11, Issue 5 October 2024 | Page 19

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Net Zero
businesses can increase cost efficiency while contributing to a greener world .
Alternative fuel vehicles won ’ t save us … yet
Alternative fuel vehicles aren ’ t quite ready for widespread adoption . Of an international fleet of 12.2 million HGVs , only 13,000 are electric – representing just 0.1 percent of total HGVs on the road . There ’ s a long road ahead , which is why only a quarter ( 25 percent ) of logistics and supply chain directors think alternative fuel vehicles will be affordable in four-to-six years . Extensive research and investment are going into electric HGVs and vehicles powered by biofuels and hydrogen , but businesses can ’ t wait that long to improve the efficiency of their vehicles .
The answer lies in collaboration
Better collaboration can improve sustainable performance across the board . Two-thirds ( 65 percent ) of survey respondents agree collaboration is key to the future success of the logistics industry and will help to tackle a range of issues , including reducing costs and cutting emissions . This could explain why 61 percent are already collaborating and a further 32 percent are planning collaboration opportunities .
However , collaboration needs to be made easier for all involved , as businesses say they ’ re nervous about experiencing difficulty in either finding partners to collaborate with ( 28 percent ), or the lack of internal resources to manage collaboration projects ( 26 percent ). Collaboration translates to access to a community of transport providers that can increase operational efficiency and improve resilience . Technology provides insight and benchmarking on what others are doing , equipping businesses with a wider view of the whole industry to know how and where they can be doing things better .
Collaboration and technology investments may sound daunting , but this is where a logistics service provider ( LSP ) can add value . LSPs can provide the knowledge , technology , and expertise that businesses can ’ t match , allowing them to focus on delighting customers with timely , sustainable , and costeffective deliveries . ■
For a list of sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Helen Flanagan www . wincanton . co . uk
Helen Flanagan is the Product Director of EyeQ at Wincanton , Wincanton ’ s digital transport solution . With a deep knowledge and passion for digital solutions and data analytics , Helen is constantly developing internal products and helping businesses implement innovative technologies to solve problems and reach net-zero goals .
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