Simple Ways You Can Help The Environment – Haulage Companies in Cambridgeshire

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news October 30, 2018environment, haulage 0 Comment

If you work somewhere in the haulage industry, you should know the dangers and risk of driving in and nearby HGV’s (Heavy Goods Vehicles). Furthermore, not only does the heaviness and size of the vehicle give smaller ones a potentially life-life-threatening risk, but it’s contribution to pollution levels aren’t exactly good to the environment, either.

HGV’s are incredibly useful and beneficial to organisations, especially those that make frequent deliveries. Because of this, we highly doubt we will see the number of large vehicles on the road decrease because of the environmental issues it causes. It is easy to forget how some of the little things can have a major impact on the environment – and there are many small effortless actions you can take to help the environment. Regarding haulage companies, here are a few things you can do that can be more environmentally friendly as a professional driver:

Haulage Companies in Cambridgeshire

Plan Your Route – Planning your journey route before you leave will ensure you make the delivery on time and improve the efficiency of the company you are representing. By using the right technology (if you have access to it) such as a Sat Nav, the right journey route can be made for you, by avoiding bad weather or trafficking that will add driving time. This will help improve the environment because less mileage is being driven due to the awkward directing, so less petrol is used and pollution levels aren’t as increased.

Reduce Idling Time – If you aren’t planning on moving, turn your engine off! Same goes lights, computers, TV’s and the radio; it saves money and energy dramatically. Take advantage of places such as truck stops to save you on petrol and emitting greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere pointlessly.

Make Several Distributions – If you have more than one delivery to make, and you have enough room to merge the loads, then it only makes sense to make all the deliveries in one stop, right? This maximises trucking efficiency and saves petrol, further reducing vehicle emissions. In addition to this, ensure that the extra load you take doesn’t go over the weight limit of your HGV, is organised into the correct deliveries and isn’t filled up to cause damage to the load.

Relocate – If you have the money for it, and are really looking to reduce your carbon footprint, owning one central distribution centre could have a less environmental impact than a dispersed distribution system. This point mainly goes for companies that make and receive deliveries to and from warehouses.

Reduce Your Speed – Driving at 50mph uses 25% less fuel than 70mph, so slowing down will not only make your journey safer but will keep the air cleaner too.

Thank you for reading, be safe!

Becoming an official HGV driver for a haulage company

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news, Uncategorized October 11, 2018cambridgeshire, company, haulage, HGV driver, huntingdon

HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) drivers are responsible for the transportation of goods between suppliers and customers. It is a significant job that requires a wide amount of knowledge and awareness. You probably pass these huge vehicles every day but have you ever considered what it takes to be qualified to be behind the wheel of one? If so, that is precisely what we are talking about today.

Haulage Company in Cambridgeshire

Before you become an official HGV driver…

Employees must provide valid evidence that they:

Are 18 years old or more.
Have a full driving license.
Have a Certificate of Professional Competence.
Have completed a training course/apprenticeship relevant to the job (this only applies to some jobs.

Failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected. Not only do you need these significant requirements, but you need to be well informed on the job you are applying for, especially for this industry. This meaning, you need to understand the dangers and benefits of entering the profession. For example, balance the facts that although you will become acquainted with different parts of the country, whilst meeting new people, representing the brand AND getting paid simultaneously, you will also be driving a huge vehicle containing important, fragile goods, all in various weather conditions and surrounded by pedestrians and other much smaller vehicles.

The whole team at Swannells Transport are fully educated and qualified to drive our heavy goods vehicles and are fully aware of both the benefits and dangers of this profession.

Responsibilities of an HGV driver:

According to The Telegraph, the daily responsibilities HGV driver’s may have to face every day are:

Plan and take delivery routes that provide the best journey productivity.
Coordinate and organise drop-offs and pick-ups with customers.
Supervise the loading and unloading of deliveries.
Ensure products are safe and secure in the vehicle.
Check routes for alterations i.e. traffic, accidents, roadworks.
Inspect lorries thoroughly before leaving for journeys.
Logging hours and filling in delivery forms.
Responsible for any maintenance of the vehicle.
Reports any accidents or issues with the company dispatcher.
Be polite and respectful to all customers, represent the brand.

Skills of an HGV driver:

For any job in any industry it’s important you have some sort of skills to expose in your application or portfolios. For an HGV driver, some of the typical (and obvious) skills you may need are:

Excellent driving skills.
Road safety knowledge
Independent work.
Concentration/alertness.
Customer service skills.
Manners and politeness.
The ability to complete paperwork on time and accurately.
Good physical stamina.
Time management.

After you have become an official HGV driver…

So we have discussed what you need to do before you become an official HGV driver, but what about after you have become qualified?

Well, HGV drivers can continue training to obtain qualifications such as an Advisory Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) Certificate – meaning that they can handle more hazardous materials and drive a tanker.

You can also work your way up the career ladder, upgrading to higher paying positions such as an LGV instructor or maybe even the manager of an HGV company.

Here at Swannells, we are a group of confident, educated and qualified drivers, contact us today or visit our careers page to find out more!

Thanks for reading.

How New Haulage Safety Technology Has Saved Lives…

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news September 24, 2018awareness, haulage, safe, technology

In 2015, HGV’s were involved in more than 400,000 accidents, that resulted in 4,000 deaths and 116,000 injuries. As devastating as that sounds, Lorries and large transportation vehicles are highly significant to companies and the distribution industry, and as the numbers continued to rise as the years have gone by, the safety standards have risen as well.

Well, companies and organisations, over the past few years have been developed, or have developed, amazing new technology that has been proven to make driving HGV’s easier and even save thousands of lives. I mean, these numbers above were unacceptable, and whilst these new devices aren’t going to completely stop fatalities or serious injuries caused by large vehicles, decreasing the numbers is a good start.

Some of these new advanced technologies include:

Lane Departure Warning Systems – a Mechanism designed to keep the vehicle in the lane, and preventing it from drifting out in harsh weather conditions or by mistake. There are lots of different levels of this technology; ranging from a noise as an alert to get you back in the lane to steering the car back into position automatically, it’s incredibly clever. Analytics has shown that installing these systems on all large vehicles can prevent 6,372 crashes, 1,342 injuries and 115 deaths each year.
Video-based Safety Monitoring Systems – cameras and sensors that help monitor the driver’s performance, and can give feedback to the driver to suggest actions for a safer, easier drive. Analytics has shown that installing these systems on all large vehicles can prevent 63,000 crashes, 17,733 injuries and 293 deaths each year.
Volvo Trucks New System – Volvo Trucks have developed a new system that does a 360-degree scan around the vehicle to monitor anything happening around it. It will then suggest actions or alert the driver to avoid any incidents and make the journey safer for everyone. This was mostly created to protect pedestrians and cyclists, so hopefully, it’s enough to save more lives.
Self-Driving Lorries – This is the latest breakthrough in haulage technology, out of the 4. Furthermore, up to 3 lorries will travel in formation, as a test, where acceleration and braking will be controlled by the leading vehicle, whilst steering is controlled by the human driver.

These were just a few examples, as there is so much more technology that has been developed/is in development that has similar aims – to make the roads much safer for drivers.

It is awfully scary driving next to an HGV, especially because the vehicle is more than triple the size of yours. However, driving the vehicle is just as scary as driving next to one, as it is the driver’s responsibility to be aware of his surroundings, and to distribute the delivery safely and on time.

What we are trying to say is, as dangerous as these vehicles are, you yourself should stay alert at all times and be aware that:

They have larger/more blind spots.
If you can’t see them, they can’t see you.
You should leave a safe distance.
You should watch out for indications.
Just because they have this safety technology, doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t be alert of these heavy vehicles.

Thank you for reading.

Being Smart and Safe on a Motorway

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news September 3, 2018haulage, HGV, motorways, Safety 0 Comment

Every year, almost a quarter of injuries/accidents, caused by heavy goods vehicles, result in fatalities or serious injury – and given the nature of HGV crashes, it’s no wonder the government and the FTA (Freight Transport Association) have joined forces to offer efficient safety training for drivers who travel on smart motorways.

By ‘smart motorways’ we mean certain motorways that are designed to reduce congestion, by adding significant capacity to much-needed areas and improve the reliability of journey time. The 8 hour, single-day course covers both the history and future of smart motorways, including signals, driver behaviour, motorway laws and traffic officer roles etc. and as hauliers are the most frequent users of these types of motorways, and also one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road, this course would be ideal for any individual that works in the haulage industry.

Lorries and any other HGV’s are incredibly large and heavy, also making them incredibly dangerous – so it’s important you take precautions when driving them/close by one, for instance:

Driving an HGV:

Ensure you are healthy, both physically and mentally, enough to drive a large vehicle. Going onto the road in any vehicle unconfidently can potentially cause a major accident, so think about yourself in order to keep others safe.
Ensure you understand the laws of the road and haulage industry i.e. the highway code etc.
Inspect your vehicle before you leave. Make sure you have the right documents (and even your driving license), wheels are healthy, and that you have a spare one in case of an emergency, your vehicle isn’t breaking any weight restriction rules.
When on the road, you don’t attempt to overtake another vehicle, whether that is a haulage, commercial or basic vehicle, on the motorway. It can be highly dangerous and should only be done if completely necessary and observations are safe and clear in other directions.
When on the road, you don’t attempt to tailgate other vehicles, especially smaller ones. It can be rather intimidating for smaller vehicles to be closely followed by a much larger vehicle, decreasing their concentration and observation and thus increasing the chance of a severe accident caused.
Observe at all times! You need to constantly remind yourself that you are in a much bigger vehicle than others on these motorways, so you are therefore a lot more lethal. Observing everywhere ensures you are safe and decreases the chance of a potentially fatal accident.

Driving close to them:

Do not drive closely behind a large vehicle – if they have to break in case of an emergency it can cause very serious consequences for you and the passengers in your car, and they may not be able to see you.
If you plan on overtaking an HGV on a motorway, don’t mess about; stick to the speed limit but ensure the process is done quickly and safely, and avoid driving next to them for the longest time, as this can be quite intimidating.
Similar to the first rule, leave a time gap of a couple of seconds when driving behind an HGV, especially in particular weather conditions. This ensures you enough time to prepare in case of an emergency stop or action from the driver that causes you to react.
Be patient, it is a large, very heavy vehicle containing important goods… it’s their job, so think about each other’s safety, and don’t attempt to do anything that could possibly worry or confuse the driver.

Back to the topic of the available course, Malcolm Bingham, the Head of the Road Network Management Policy at the FTA believes that this course is ‘the right way forward’, that ‘providing drivers with true guidance on how to use the network and not adding confusion about which parts of the road they can use and when’. Any company or worker that wants their staff to sharpen up their skills on motorways or HGV’s, in general, should take this course into consideration, as the safety on the road is a huge problem that is overlooked.

Volvo Trucks take safety to the next level with new driver support technology

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news June 19, 2018driver, Safety, technology, Volvo Trucks

Volvo Trucks are a global truck manufacturer based in Sweden, and lately, they have been using their expertise in electrified transport vehicles to develop awesome new technologies that not only blow minds but can potentially improve safety on the road for everyone. For instance, they introduced the first all-electric truck in April 2018, and it gained a lot of attention.

Volvo Trucks goals are to create better traffic safety and enhanced working environment for drivers, and their most recent technology has been designed to reach those goals and to save lives; two accident prevention systems have been developed to support drivers and keep them confident and comfortable during their journeys in HGVs. Furthermore, using their new Stability Assist and Lane Keeping Assist systems, Volvo Trucks HGV’s will reduce the risk of accidents dramatically. They have also introduced a new function that will allow drivers to adjust to wheel resistance.

These intelligent new devices are based on Volvo Dynamic Steering – an award-winning innovation that was developed for the purpose to eliminate vibration and steering difficulty on uneven road surfaces. Furthermore, if you were driving an HGV at a low speed, as soon as the driver’s grip tightens on the steering wheel, the Dynamic Steering system will automatically self-centre. This is because when you are going slow, the steering wheel’s resistance decreases by around 75%. On the other hand, if you were driving at a high speed, the vehicle will maintain it’s direction confidently even in difficult situations, such as rough surfaces or weather etc. The Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks, also known as Carl Johan Almqvist, said; “Volvo Dynamic Steering has truly revolutionised the driver’s job behind the wheel. Better directional stability, easier manoeuvring and higher comfort have reduced the risk of road accidents and strain-related injuries. Now we are building further on our success with new functions that help make the traffic environment even safer.”

Volvo Dynamic Steering with Stability Assist

Stability Assist is a clever new support system because it stabilises and prepares the vehicle before you, as the driver, have even noticed a situation that is occurring; “Imagine you’re driving on a wet, slippery road and you suddenly notice that the rear of the truck is starting to lose its grip on the asphalt. Before this develops into a skid, you steer gently in the opposite direction until the danger is over. That’s exactly the way Volvo Dynamic Steering with Stability Assist works. The big difference is that the system can discover the risk and help stabilise the vehicle before you’ve even noticed that something is about to happen,” explains Carl. This meaning that this new kind of technology not only prevents accidents but also detects hazards more or less immediately, so the driver can be more comfortable when driving a large transport vehicle.

Volvo Dynamic Steering with Lane Keeping Assist

The purpose of Lane Keeping Assist is to reduce the risk of unintentional lane departure. This system will do this by detecting when the HGV begins edging towards the lane marking. The system will then guide the vehicle back into the centre of their lane and will notify the driver, using a vibration on the steering wheel, if it needs more assistance. Overall, Lane Keeping Assist will help prevent accidents by keeping large heavy Volvo trucks in a correct, safe position.

Wheel Resistance

As well as these new systems, Volvo Trucks have also introduced a new function, also based on Volvo Dynamic Steering, that makes steering wheel adjustments possible and easier for drivers struggling with resistance; “Each driver has a different perception of how light or heavy the steering system should be. Now every driver can adjust the steering wheel resistance exactly as he or she wants for comfortable, relaxed and safe driving.” explains Carl. Therefore, this new feature is an additional personal setting that will hopefully achieve convenient driving for individuals.

Thank you for reading. I hope you found this article informative.

HGV Work: How to be Safe

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news May 29, 2018hazards, HGV, journey, safe, Safety 0 Comment

You are responsible for your actions and your actions only. Whether you are an operator or a driver, it is your responsibility to make sure you/your employees and your vehicle are safe and prepared to be on the road. These protocols can range from vehicle checks to drug tests and could potentially stop you from causing a fatal accident. Here are 6 protocols you should undertake before leaving for a delivery.

Schedule and Plan Your Journey

As a worker, you should have an efficient system in place that will ensure you reach your destination in time. This includes taking into consideration potential congestion, weather conditions, learner drivers and road accidents, works or closures etc. Planning your journey allows you to be organised when on the road, decreasing the risk of getting distracted by maps or mobile phones.

In order to plan it, you need to be practical and must not jeopardise road safety. Meaning, you should allow time for general congestion and any other known disruptions that could affect your journey. Do this by taking into account your experience with driving your vehicle and how you feel about it – if you feel like you need to stay overnight, it’s vital that the security of your vehicle and load is highly secure.

Undertake Driver Training

Participating in driver training allows you to:

Be qualified.
Have a good knowledge of safety and the importance of it.
Be more reliable than someone that hasn’t received proper training.
Provide good customer service.
Contribute to the business’s positive image.

The training should cover all aspects of a driver’s work, and each individual duty should have some sort of practice procedure. When you are training, you should be covered on duties such as:

Emergencies.
Overnight stops.
Travelling abroad.
Safe, secure and legal loading.
Safe, secure and legal parking.
Safety of refuelling.
Correct driver behaviour.
Correct control of speed.

All of these procedures and the overall training doesn’t just concern new drivers, so don’t scroll just yet. You as a driver should ensure that you refresh your training to keep yourself up to date and valid. Whether it’s just read the driver manual/handbook frequently, it’s important that your knowledge is updated and you understand how to act safely and correctly on the road with an HGV.

Have Plenty of Rest

According to a survey completed by 4,000 anonymous HGV workers, 29% of them admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. The risk of a fatal accident is doubled with an HGV because of the size and weight of the vehicle, so it’s incredibly important that all responsible drivers avoid falling asleep at the wheel at all costs.

There are a number of ways you can be fully rested and prepared for a journey. Whether it’s early-morning or overnight, it’s always advised you have a rest and nutritional meal before departure, so you have the right energy levels to be on the road. It’s also recommended you check with your management about your shifts; if you feel like you are working too many hours, don’t ditch it, simply contact the team to try and resolve your fatigue.

Do Not Consume Alcohol or Drugs

Consuming alcohol and drugs can have a disastrous effect on your physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why it’s vital the management of all industries set out clear terms and consequences of these actions. Without these rules in this industry, it doesn’t just risk the employees, it puts all of the pedestrians and fellow road users that you come across in serious danger. So do you really think it is worth it?

Overall, as an operator, you should be introducing random drug tests so you are frequently monitoring your employees unexpectedly. This will also encourage your employees not to have it in either their possession or system. However, as an employee, if you decide to consume alcohol or take drugs before a long journey, you are potentially risking a large number of people’s lives, so just think.

Safe Load

It’s vital your vehicle is loaded safely and checked before departure. This is because overloading may cause the large vehicle to be difficult to control, making it a bigger hazard than it already is. Furthermore, overloaded vehicles can also cause damage to road surfaces, buildings, bridges and any other structures, also increasing the risk of an accident for not just you, but other fellow road users also.

Check The Weather

It’s fairly common for people to check the weather every morning, but if you don’t, you should start; The weather can affect the environment dramatically, depending on the severity of the forecast. For example, high winds can put vehicles at risk of being blown over and rain can affect the control, especially when they are large vehicles. The weather is usually notified to companies by the Highway Agency and weather forecasts. So, as an operator, we would recommend delaying your loaded vehicles’ departures and informing a driver already on the road to shelter in a safe place until further notice.

Thank you for reading. Be safe.

Volvo Trucks Introduces First All-Electric Truck

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news April 16, 2018Electric, Lorries, Volvo

If you didn’t already know, Volvo Trucks is known for its expertise in electrified transport vehicles – 4,000 Volvo electric buses sales have been made since 2010. Well, on the 12th April 2018, Volvo Trucks introduced it’s first all-electric truck range for commercial use, hoping to improve air quality and encourage others in the industry to do so too. The Volvo FL Electric is for urban distribution and refuse operations. The vehicle itself can carry 16 tonnes, has a fast recharging time of 1-2 hours (empty to full) and has a battery capacity of 300kwh, so the initial facts itself are impressive.

Facts and Purposes

At the end of 2016, there was only 0.15% of the 1.4 billion vehicles that were electric on the roads worldwide. However, by November 2017, the percentage had increased up to 1.3%! With the number of electric cars rising, businesses noticeably have become involved in producing electric transport over the past few years.

Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks, said: “We are immensely proud to present the first in a range of fully electrically-powered Volvo trucks ready for regular traffic. With this model, we are making it possible for cities to aim for sustainable urban development to benefit from the advantages of electrified truck transports.”

In addition to this, with these new lorries, there will be fewer exhaust emissions and noise, meaning the building industry can plan housing and infrastructure in urban areas more freely and the electric vehicles can be used in more natural, environmental locations without causing pollution. Without noise, the transferable goods can be delivered at night time and outside peak times, therefore making deliveries quicker and also decreasing the risk of road accidents in the day.

Necessary Framework for Electric Trucks

Many potential customers have queried about how operations generated by new technologies can affect their operations if they invest in one. Jonas Odedrmalm, head of product strategy Volvo FL and Volvo FE, has said: “In order to make the transition secure and smooth, we will offer holistic solutions based on each customer’s individual needs regarding driving cycles, load capacity, uptime, range and other parameters.” Meaning Volvo is able to develop their products to exceed the customer’s expectations and requirements to give them a perfect, environmentally friendly vehicle that they can use to deliver goods.

At the moment, Volvo trucks have two current customers in Gothenburg, Sweden – Renova recycling and haulage firm TGM. However, preparations and sales in Europe are starting next year, so be ready.

Less Pollution, Less Pay – Cleaner lorries will pay to use UK roads

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news April 13, 2018Pollution

There have been many reported methods that has helped reduce the amount of pollution in the air, but it still doesn’t seem to be enough. From February 2019, the hauliers that meet the most recent Euro VI emissions standards (i.e. less polluting) will benefit from a 10% cost reduction of the Heavy Goods Vehicle levy (HGV).

HGV Levy was created in 2014 as the first step made to make lorry drivers pay a charge to cover the damage they cause to the road surfaces they drive on (tears and wears etc.). This new method allows a chance for the quality of air to be improved, because every little helps, right? Furthermore, if we don’t act fast, we will continue to affect things like the economy, environment and public health.

HGV

What does this mean?

This means, from February next year, there will be a 10% in cost reduction for lorries that are eligible and less polluting then others. Therefore, those that use dirtier vehicles will have to pay 20% more cost because of their actions. Apparently, it has been proved that cleaner lorries emit 80% less nitrogen oxide than dirtier ones, so the results can be incredible if a lot of businesses get involved.

Ministers hope the changing rates of the levy will encourage the rest of the industry to replace their polluting lorries with less. They are hoping that when change comes into effect, the UK will be paying half less and emissions will begin to reduce.

Jesse Norman, the Roads Minister has said; “This government is committed to improving the air we breathe and delivering a green evolution to transport. Heavy good vehicle account for around a fifth of harmful nitrogen oxide emissions from road transport, but they only travel 5% of the total miles. That’s why we’re changing the HGV levy to encourage firms to phase out the most polluting lorries and bring in the cleanest ones.”

Also, our Environment Minister, Thérèse Coffey, has reported; “Air pollution has improved significantly since 2010, but we recognized there is more to do which is why we have put in place a £3.5 billion plan to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions.”

Changes to the levy

Current rate: £900

Euro VI rate (February 2019): £1000

Euro O-V rate (February 2019): £1,200

Staying Safe On The Road In Hazardous Driving Conditions

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news February 23, 2018

With adverse weather conditions set to sweep the UK again this weekend, its even more important to take care and be extra cautious whilst you are out and about on the roads. Here are a few tips to keep you safe out there.

Check Your Car Is In Good Working Order

Making sure that your tyres and brakes are in good working order is so important in the winter, it gives you that extra grip on the road. Its also a good idea to check your windscreen wipers are working efficiently, not split or worn and make sure you keep your headlights clean.

Avoid Braking Hard

The worst thing you can do in icy weather is brake hard, this of course, will send you into a spin, especially when turning into corners. The best advice is to turn gradually and gently squeeze on the brakes. If you do spin, gradually turn your wheel in the opposite direction, don’t brake hard and gently steer the car straight. Of course you can always reduce your speed by using your gears.

Be Aware Of The Weather Conditions Before You Travel

Black Ice is the one to be cautious of as its not easily seen on the road, so reduce your speed and just be aware that you should slow down well before you need to stop at junctions or traffic lights.

Don’t Tailgate

Try to leave at least 100 yards (a football pitch length) in between you and the car in front, just in case they have to brake suddenly.

Reduce Your Speed

When conditions are really bad you must reduce your speed by at least 10 mph under the speed limit.

Adjust Your Lighting

If your driving, particularly in foggy conditions, to make your visibility better keep your lights on low beam, high beam just reflects glare back at you and makes driving more difficult, also other cars can see you better.

Take A Break

If your tired, pull over and take a break…open a window, grab a coffee or energy drink and turn on some music.

Keep Informed

Keep your radio on for traffic updates, road conditions and it may also give you alternative routes.

Tesla’s Electric Lorry – Swannells – Haulage Companies in Huntingdon

Local Buzz Marketing Latest news January 2, 2018haulage companies in huntingdon

Tesla has unveiled its first articulate electric lorry, with production due to start in the US at some point in 2019.

CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk said the Semi truck is capable of travelling 500 miles on an electric charge and went on to say that it will cost less than a diesel alternative after you take into consideration fuel savings, maintenance costs and other factors.

When speaking to Tesla fans in California, he said: “We’re confident that this is a product that’s better in every way from a feature standpoint,”

Tesla did not reveal the price of the vehicle but have said customers can put down a $5,000 (£3,778) deposit on a truck.

The Key Features

The truck will have an autopilot system, which is able to maintain a set speed or slow down accordingly when in traffic.

It will also have a system that automatically keeps the vehicle in its lane/

Tesla lorries will be able to travel in a convoy, autonomously following each other.

Tesla also revealed plans to create a global network of solar-powered “megachargers” that could get the trucks back up to 400 miles of range after only charging for half an hour.

Swannells Transport – Haulage Companies in Huntingdon

Other Announcements

Tesla also made a surprise announcement with an updated version of its first sports car, the Roadster. Teslas said the new edition will have 620 miles of range and a top speed of around 250 mph.

However, this won’t come cheaply, the Roadster will have a base price of $200,000 (£150,000) and won’t be available to buy until 2020.

Tesla has been manufacturing cars for more than a decade, and it has more recently starting making solar panels.

It is now looking to break into the haulage industry to helps its goal of shifting to sustainable transport.

CEO Elon Musk is involved in a number of other projects and announced plans he says could allow his SpaceX company to colonise Mars in September. He has also just launched a new company that is digging tunnels beneath Los Angeles to alleviate traffic congestion.

Swannells – Haulage Companies in Huntingdon

Thank you for reading the latest news from Swannells. For more information on any of our services, get in touch with us today.