We welcome the @scotgov announcement that the speed limit for HGVs on #Scotland’s trunk roads is to be increased from 40mph to 50mph after we've campaigned for the change for a number of years. Our policy director, @RHA_MReid said: "We applaud the Scottish Government for this announcement. We have engaged in productive discussions with the Government, and they have listened and acted. This is tremendous news for Scotland’s road haulage industry. We believe it will make these roads safer, reduce emissions and help regional and national economic growth. “We know through the trial on the A9 that when the speed differential between cars and trucks is reduced it also reduces the likelihood of risky overtaking. We also know that lorries use less fuel and create fewer emissions when they can drive at 50mph. “This change will also rebalance the competitive disadvantage faced by hauliers in Scotland, compared to those in England and Wales, because of the current 40mph trunk road speed limit. When journeys take less time, they create savings which can be passed on to customers, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the Scottish economy.” #RHAInfrastructure #NetZeroForum #RHACostsAndRegulation #HGVs

First event of the #Indonesia #NetZeroForum was with the #Intellecap team and a cross section of Indonesian government agencies, private Indian & Indonesian reps. Fascinating discussion. As #GlobalSouth partners there is so much in common and so many experiences to share. #2

#RHAFutureForum – Geoff Potter, Managing Director at Gray & Adams makes the case that support for #decarbonisation should include multiple powering sources, not just battery electric… #NetZeroForum #NetZero #Emissions

We’re delighted that the Government is investing in helping haulage, coach and van operators to decarbonise through this grant scheme. Operators will shortly be able to apply for funding to install chargepoints at their depots to support their net zero transition. This is much-needed support given around three-quarters of haulage and coach operators responding to our industry-wide survey recently said they had no current plans to bring zero-emission vehicles into their fleets. A lack of infrastructure, cost, and vehicle performance concerns are key reasons holding operators back from investing. DfT is set to release the details on how you can take advantage of the scheme on Wednesday, where you can claim up to 75 percent of your installation costs. We will share this with you when it’s published. #NetZeroForum#RHACostsAndRegulation

We've set out our vision on driving economic growth as the Government embarks on its spending review... rha.uk.net/news/news/detail/… #RHACostsAndRegulation #RHAInfrastructure #RHASkills #NetZeroForum #RoadsForGrowth

It’s good to see that Swain Group transitions its London Gateway Fleet to HVO and takes on five new electric HGVs. HVO is a transitional fuel which will help the #decarbonisation journey and can reduce #emissions by 90%. Matthew Deer, MD of Swain Group, said “This move to HVO and our continued investment in electric HGVs demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and innovation in logistics. We recognise the urgent need for greener transport solutions, and we are taking meaningful steps to drive real change within our industry.  #NetZeroForum rha.uk.net/news/news/detail/…

Fantastic to see @SarahBoyack and @clairebakermsp meet with our Policy Director @RHA_MReid and Policy Lead @RHAChrisAshley1. The group discussed #decarbonisation efforts in Scotland and how to best introduce alternatively fuelled vehicles and supporting infrastructure. They discussed current barriers stopping commercial transport operators to adopt new technologies, chiefly, costs and the need for confidence from ministers in all parliaments that all technology-types such as low carbon fuels can be used. We look forward to working with politicians from all major political parties to help the industry #decarbonise. #NetZeroForum

No charging clean air zone (CAZ) for #Manchester after RHA campaign calling for alternative measures to be introduced to improve #airquality. Our Senior Policy Lead, @RHAChrisAshley1 said we're pleased that the Government and Greater Manchester have settled on plans which avoid hitting small commercial vehicle operators with additional costs moving people and goods into Greater Manchester. “Tackling poor air quality must be a priority and we fully support that ambition. We’ve consistently campaigned for measures to support investment in cleaner vehicles and improve existing infrastructure. This is a welcome boost to businesses struggling with soaring costs who operate there. We continue to call for existing charging clean air zones elsewhere to be closed down once legal air quality targets are met.” #NetZeroForum #RHAInfrastructure #NetZero #Decarbonisation #Transport @AndyBurnhamGM @transportgovuk, @DefraGovUK announcement: gov.uk/government/news/gover…

A big thanks to everyone who came to speak to us at the fantastic #EuroBusExpo at @thenec #Birmingham this week. It was great to discuss the work we’re all doing with our #RHACoaches members and others on our sector’s priorities around costs, regulation, facilities, skills, net zero and infrastructure. We were also pleased to explain how our new legal services offering for coach operators and our membership offer with ABTA. Membership director @PhilSnowdenRHA said, "It was great to discuss the work we’re all doing with our coach members and others on our sector’s priorities.” #RHACostAndRegulation #RHAInfrastructure #RHAInternational #RHAFacilities #RHASkills #NetZeroForum

Our policy lead for the environment Chris Ashley breaks down what support Government can provide transport businesses ahead of the chancellor's budget. Read our full budget asks here: rha.uk.net/news/news/detail/… #NetZeroForum

Looking forward to #highwaysuk 2024 on 16-17 October at @thenec. @jamesbarwiserha speaks on future-proofing freight and @RHAChrisAshley1 will discuss the future of hydrogen fuel on UK roads tinyurl.com/ms5auy82 #RHAInfrastructure #NetZeroForum #RHAFacilities @HWYSUK

Thank you to @catkinson80 for joining us and @SME4LABOUR for our Green Skills Panel. It was great to discuss how the Skills and Growth Levy can unlock skills to futureproof supply chains. #NetZeroForum #RHASkills

#Decarbonising your fleet – @TfL wants to hear from you to better understand how they can support firms operating in #London to #decarbonise. Your input can help them shape their #NetZero policies tinyurl.com/tfldecarb Survey ends tomorrow (Weds 25 Sept) #NetZeroForum

We're also hosting a roundtable with Labour MPs to discuss how the new Growth and Skills Levy can unlock training needs We look forward to discussing with @RachelTaylorMP, @jackabbott90, @SimonforStroud, @SarahEdwardsTam & @CAtkinson80. #RHASkills #RHACostsAndRegulation #RHAFacilities #RHAInfrastructure #RHAInternational #NetZeroForum @SME4LABOUR

Head of Policy for Environment @RHAChrisAshley1 wrote today that he was "Pleased to have attended the Hydrogen Energy Association workshop in London to tackle the thorny issue of how demand for hydrogen can be generated." He went on to say, "We at the RHA recognise that hydrogen-powered HGVs and coaches can replicate the functionality of their diesel equivalents. The stumbling block is the economics of producing and supplying the hydrogen fuel to the vehicle. "As part of the transition to #NetZero, we are open to how that stumbling block can be overcome - particularly to cater for those use-cases which battery electric technologies can not accommodate." #NetZeroForum

Our Head of Environment Policy @RHAChrisAshley1 attended @cenex_expo today and commented: “A clear pragmatic approach is needed… a multi-fuel future must be available to allow hauliers and coach operators to decarbonise rapidly.” #NetZeroForum

Our Managing Director @RHARJSmith & Head of Environment Policy @RHAChrisAshley1 are in attendance today @Zemo_Org repeating our calls for Government policies that provide industry with #clarity & #certainty on the road to net zero. #Collaboration is essential on the #decarbonisation journey. #NetZeroForum

.@transportgovuk's Freight Energy Forum wants to know the haulage industry's battery electric and hydrogen power needs. Your feedback will help inform where future energy infrastructure will be sited. Please respond by 13 September tinyurl.com/yw75eeuz #NetZeroForum

RHA Managing Director @rharjsmith on The Prime Minister's speech: The Prime Minister’s speech yesterday was a sobering reminder of the state of the #economy. He said unequivocally that that there will be pain along the way as we recover – and we’ll have a clearer picture of what that looks like when the Chancellor delivers her Budget on 30 October. This is an exceptionally difficult time for our industry with record numbers of insolvencies as many operators are no longer able to cope with relentless cost pressures and continuing drops in volumes they’re moving. But we have to stand up and support the Government to deliver on their mission to drive economic growth – and we’ve articulated measures ministers can take to help our industry do its part through our Mission Driven: A Blueprint for Delivery: bit.ly/RHAmdb24 Many will take heart that the Prime Minister reiterated that his government won’t increase National Insurance, VAT and Income Tax. We’ve made it clear that relieving the tax burden on our industry will support growth. We urge the Government to extend full expensing to the cost of leased asset vehicles which would support more investment in zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure. We’re also calling on ministers to introduce an emissions-linked rebate on fuel duty to make UK businesses more competitive with their counterparts across the Channel. Incentivising the uptake of low-carbon diesel alternatives like HVO – which can reduce emissions by 90 percent – would speed up decarbonisation. Better access to funding would also help our industry drive economic growth through the National Wealth Fund, as will the pledged reform of the Apprenticeship Levy to help operators recruit and train people into key roles. Improvements to our road network will also help – one example would be the Lower Thames Crossing – as congestion costs the UK economy £30bn each year. We’re realistic that the Government has a huge task ahead to fix the economy which is why we’re committed to offering solutions which will drive the growth that will support our sector and the economy as a whole. As ever I welcome your comments. #RHACostsAndRegulation #RHASkills #RHAInfrastructure #NetZeroForum #PMSpeech

Alongside energy infrastructure provision, stable electricity prices are a must @RHAChrisAshley1 writes: rha.uk.net/news/news/detail/… #NetZeroForum #Decarbonisation