SP EC I A L FE AT U R E Fleet managers concerns include the scale of the electric charging network conducted in the UK may prove to be a game-changer for existing diesel fleets, once the results have been concluded (see box, below). First adopters Scandinavia is among the leading global regions in terms of sustainability, and Finnish Affiliate Niemi is proud to be making the transition to a net zero emissions fleet by 2030. The company started a 10-year fleet transition strategy in 2021, which will mean replacing all its diesel vehicles with a mix of electric trucks and vehicles that run on biogas, along with the possibility of adopting hydrogen-powered trucks. Of the companys fleet of 161 vehicles, 10 run abroad on the international routes across continental Europe. These currently run on renewable diesel, but Niemi is looking to replace them with liquified biogas. By the end of this year, 15 per cent of the companys fleet should comprise electric vehicles. Currently, while these trucks are good for shorter distance work, they are not the ideal choice for longhaul international travel. Ville Hyrynen, Fleet and Sustainability AGM Group carbon capture trial a game-changer Kirk Dugard, COO of AGM Group 24 AGM Group, parent company of moving and relocation brands including Abels Moving Services, Bishops Move (not affiliated to FIDI) and Gerson Relocation in the UK and the Netherlands, has been taking part in a trial investigating carbon capture, which it believes will be a game-changer. The British-based moving group is participating in the study which also involves a large fleet operator and a company operating smaller diesel-powered delivery vans in road-testing an innovative technology. It is the only moving company taking part in the research. Two identical 18-tonne trucks from the AGM Group moving fleet were chosen and one fitted with a new carbon capture device. This was fitted onto the trucks existing exhaust system without requiring modification to the chassis or bodywork. Initially, after being run for an hour, the vehicle fitted with the device produced 68 per cent fewer CO2 emissions compared with a truck with a standard exhaust. Subsequent tests every two months since the start of the trial have recorded a 97 per cent reduction. Carbon from the catcher device is recycled once the device is emptied and has been used for purposes including manufacturing carbon fibre. Full results from the trial are expected to be published this summer in an academic journal, and Kirk Dugard, Group Chief Operations Officer at AGM, says: Its quite a ground-breaker and we are excited to be involved. With AGMs European trucks covering around 100,000 km every year, use of the new technology could provide the company with significant savings. It may also offer a more affordable way for moving companies and smaller transport operators to convert to greener fleets as some of these currently find the cost of new electric trucks prohibitive. When published, this carbon capture trial may open the door for movers and other fleet operators to extend the life of their diesel fleets in an environmentally sound way.