What is your role in the industry? What does your organisation do?
VARTA is dedicated to manufacturing high-quality batteries that meet the needs of modern haulage and logistics companies, ensuring longer-lasting, more reliable performance for our customers.
We work in partnership with truck manufacturers to develop batteries that meet the needs of our customers and to meet legislation that sets stricter emissions standards. When producing VARTA Heavy Duty batteries for commercial vehicles, we take into account modern trucks have more electrical comfort and safety features on board, such as the parking cooler/heater in the cabin. Due to the increased number of nights spent inside the vehicle, high vibration resistance is vital; that’s why our VARTA AGM has been developed, to cater for today’s challenges.
Why are you and / or your organisation getting involved in National Lorry Week 2024?
VARTA are thrilled to be able to take part in National Lorry Week 2024 to showcase how our batteries are permanently in a closed-loop system encompassing battery design, manufacture, transport, recovery and recycling (99% of our batteries are recyclable). VARTA also want to promote the wealth of career opportunities available, ensuring the sector has the right people and skills to meet future demands, and drive further economic growth which is paramount for our industry.
Why is it important to celebrate the road transport industry?
Not only are trucks, drivers and the industry important to our business, they are just as important to nearly everyone’s day-to-day life. 96% of goods in the home have been on board a lorry at some stage. It is important that we celebrate the unsung heroes of the economy.
Are there any misconceptions about road transport that you would like to put right?
We think many people in the haulage industry get overlooked; not just drivers but also fleet managers and workshop/service staff. Haulage companies up and down the country enable us to have the products we need and want in our homes and in our businesses, and we provide the necessary power with our VARTA Batteries.
What issues must we raise awareness about in road transport and why are they important?
There are lots of things to improve; drivers’ facilities, secure parking, theft of lorries and theft of trailers. We need to look after drivers, because being able to rest, eat and refresh in clean and well-equipped facilities shouldn’t be a perk or a privilege, just as being able to rest or spend the night without the fear of being put in danger. It is so important to look after drivers wellbeing to retain existing talent and attract new drivers to the industry.
On the 10th anniversary of National Lorry Week, what excites you about the future of road transport?
10 years ago the role of the battery was starting to develop. From starting the engine and powering a few electrical consumers, batteries are now the heart of the vehicle and often re-located to areas that were not previously considered. Batteries need to play a part when alternators are switched off and have increased charging acceptance. Driver assist, mirror cams DVS, ADS, emission controls, microwaves, coffee machines and integrated heating all need robust batteries to help power them. We are also seeing an increase in electric and alternative fuels on the market. The next 10 years will be exciting, and vehicles will always need a battery; the question is how many and what technology.