No mandatory eco-driving training for Driver CPC, says DfT

By Categories: NewsPublished On: Friday 3 May 2013

dcpctruckThe Department for Transport has decided not to make eco-driver training a compulsory part of Driver CPC, due to evidence it has gathered that suggests at least some parts of the industry are making progress in carbon emissions reduction voluntarily.

“The information we have received suggests that eco-driving training is one of the more popular measures being undertaken to reduce HGV fuel consumption,” the DfT said, in its Freight Carbon Review published this week.

“Whilst eco-driving training has clear carbon reduction benefits, particularly when backed up by performance monitoring, the Department remains of the view that operators are best placed to know the particular development needs of their drivers and therefore has no plans to make eco-driving training a mandatory element of periodic training at present but will keep the issue under review.”

The decision stems in part from progress made by the Freight Transport Association’s Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS).

The LCRS is a voluntary initiative created in order to monitor, report and reduce CO2 emissions from transport. Participation is free of charge to companies operating commercial vehicles within the UK, and by December last year it had 72 members operating more than 60,000 commercial vehicles.

The scheme has set a target of reducing the carbon intensity of its freight operations by eight per cent from 2010 to 2015.

The DfT said: “Available evidence shows that some parts of the freight industry are making substantial efforts, through a wide range of measures, to reduce their carbon emissions.

“It is less clear what is happening across the wider industry. The Department will therefore continue to work closely with the freight industry to ensure that all parts of industry are taking the actions that we know to be effective in reducing emissions and which also help to reduce operating costs.”

Rachael Dillon, FTA’s climate change policy manager, said of the decision: “The Freight Carbon Review clearly shows the benefits of an industry-led approach to carbon reduction which has been successfully demonstrated by the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme. 

“We welcome the Department’s decision to continue to work with industry on carbon reduction rather than introducing regulation.

““It is not just FTA but logistics companies themselves that have developed a workable carbon reporting scheme for industry and we encourage those who have not already done so to join the LCRS and ensure that a voluntary approach to carbon reduction continues.”

The Road Haulage Association has also welcomed the DfT’s decision. In a statement it said: “The RHA led strong industry opposition to formal consultation proposals three years ago that eco-driving training be made mandatory and it is clear that the reasoning has little changed in terms of fundamental objections.”

Operators wishing to join the LCRS scheme can visit: www.fta.co.uk/lcrs