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Business Fleet Africa June 2022

Transport industry is a hive of activity

It is great to see that the transport industry is returning to some kind of normal. We recently attended the Nampo harvest day and Automechanika Johannesburg and it is truly great to have these events back on the calendar after a forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both these events showcased a variety of new models in the light, medium and heavy commercial segments and the appetite for these new models was great to see.

Alternative fuels have arrived

Alternative fuels have well and truly arrived in South Africa and with an ever-increasing diesel and petrol price, this couldn’t have come at a better time.

Anglo American recently revealed their nuGen hydrogen powered mine haul truck. Developed locally this two megawatt hydrogen-battery hybrid truck generates more power than its diesel predecessor and is capable of carrying a 290-tonne payload.

Locally companies like Aeversa and Woolworths are showcasing real world solutions by putting electrically powered vehicles on the road along with the infrastructure to support these vehicles.

In terms of actually generating fuel, South Africa is truly at the forefront. Hydrox in Johannesburg has developed a unique technology to unlock inexpensive hydrogen from renewable energy sources while Renergen is launching its Virginia Gas Project imminently, which will be the first on-shore producer of LNG on local soil.

Temporary fuel price relief

Talking about the fuel price, governments announcement that it will extend fuel relief in the form of a reduced General Fuel Levy in June and July is welcomed and will ease the financial pressure on road users, however massive fuel prices mostly negate this relief and the fuel price continues to hurt consumers and the economy. While these temporary relief measures are aimed to act as a stopgap, it is imperative that government finds longer lasting solutions to mitigate against rising fuel costs. Government needs to initiate a review of the fuel price, examine all the components that comprise a litre of fuel and establish their relevance as part of the fuel price and determine if the calculations used are still correct.

We would love to hear from you

As we continually refine the offering that is Business Fleet Africa, we would love to hear what you would like to see more, or less of. Please feel free to drop me an email with any comments or suggestions, the details are alongside.

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Tristan Wiggill
Special Features Editor at Business Fleet Africa
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