Aggregate Truck Man

Two factors are likely to change how fleets are financed, serviced and operated in the near future; decarbonisation and the adoption of autonomous technology. The shift to zero emission trucks that is currently being driven by regulatory requirements will in time be driven by the market itself as new OEM entrants to the market will offer increasingly attractive total cost of ZE truck ownership to operators, but there will be a profound shift in business models in the market from both the truck manufactures, electric infrastructure providers and third party battery ownership, known as Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS). Service solutions are well established in the commercial vehicle industry, however the increasing shift to electric commercial vehicles and eventually autonomous trucks brings nearer the reality of the “Truck-as-a-service” (TaaS) business model, whereby operators outsource the total management of the vehicle to the supplying manufacturer. In countries where autonomous trucks are being actively trialled commercially such as America, according to research undertaken by consultants McKinsey, this model could be taken further to a “Driver-as-a-Service” (DaaS) platform, in which operators lease trucks from either an OEM or an AI lease company including rates for “virtual drivers” on a pay per mile basis. The reality of autonomous heavy vehicles is much closer than many realise, the port of Felixstowe has stated it intends to increase the number of electric autonomous terminal tractor units from 34 to 100 in 2027. These units are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week in mixed traffic, interacting with external hauliers who come to the port every day, as well as the port’s own tractor fleet. Batteries on the autonomous trucks are changed at an automated battery swap station which enables them to exchange depleted power units for fully charged ones in just six minutes ensuring maximum fleet availability and minimal disruption to operations. In the US, leading autonomous manufacturer, Aurora, is preparing for an unprecedented scaling up of production potentially signalling the start of the race to scale autonomous truck production, as the technology is slowly becoming an integrated part of the early adopter’s everyday logistics operations. Hirshbach Motor Lines, a 3000-truck reefer specialist carrier, has signed an MOU to purchase 500 Aurora Driver powered trucks beginning deliveries in 2027. The 500 trucks will be focussed on high volume inter depot routes and will work non-stop 24/7. The carrier will subscribe to Aurora’s Driver as a Service (DaaS) model, which is said to deliver benefits for hauliers, giving them control and ownership over assets in DaaS, whilst Aurora benefits from a higher margin and capital- efficient business model. Hirshbach states that autonomy isn’t just a business move, “it’s a quality-of-life investment for our people, autonomous trucks will handle the intensive long haul routes giving drivers greater flexibility”.

Good to visit our 2nd oldest member, Smiths & Sons Ltd of Bletchington. A good opportunity to discuss FORS, alternative fuels, the driver shortage, fuel escalators and the supply of new vehicles. Here I am with transport manager Paul Needle. Photo, courtesy of @RWUK01 @RHANews