Parker Transport operates a structured approach to emissions reduction and environmental initiatives to support our green approach to the delivery of transport solutions.

As responsible operators, Parker Transport is very aware of the importance of protecting air quality and the health of the population.  Major cities are introducing Low Emission Zones which ban or restrict central areas to diesel vehicles with many more cities seeking to follow their example.

Locally, Bath and North East Somerset have created a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in the centre of Bath which requires commercial vehicles, and some other large vehicles such as motorhomes and horseboxes to pay a daily charge if they do not meet the required emission standards. Bristol is also due to implement a CAZ covering all City Centre routes from 28th November 2022.

In the capital, Transport for London has tightened up on their Low Emission Zone (LEZ) charges affecting operators of pre-Euro commercial vehicles operating within the Greater London area. Additionally, from 22nd March 2021, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) requires operators of Heavy Goods Vehicles (ie over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight) to obtain an HGV safety permit and to install close proximity sensors with audible warming systems before entering and operating in most of Greater London.

Parker Transport has a robust fleet renewal programme so we are ensuring that our most recent purchases comply with all the new requirements, and any of our older vehicles will be routed to avoid these areas.

The industry has responded to calls for cleaner air in cities and to cut the permissible limits for nitrogen oxides.  Manufacturers are making their diesel engines ever more efficient and the majority of Parker Transport’s own vehicles have the most up-to-date Euro 6 engines. 

The addition of Adblue to fuel also helps to moderate the effects of diesel engines on the environment. New emissions regulations for diesel vehicles came into effect in September 2018 to target harmful gases linked to respiratory disease.  One of the techniques used by vehicle manufacturers to clean up diesel emissions is selective catalytic reduction (SCR).  A fluid known as Adblue, a solution of urea in water, is fed into part of the vehicle’s exhaust and a chemical reaction breaks down and converts the harmful exhaust pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (of which nitrogen dioxide, NO2 is the most harmful) into harmless nitrogen and water.

Fuel does, however, continue to represent a very high percentage of operating costs and it is a commodity which can have extreme fluctuations in price dependent on international market conditions.  Parker Transport adds a variable fuel and emissions reduction surcharge to transport rates to mitigate the cost of fuel and Adblue and to recover some of the increasing costs of environmental compliance.

Please contact us for more details of our fuel and environmental compliance surcharge.