Heatwave as the IOC heads of Industry round table returned to Guildhall, a free network and natter lunch from twelve, Congestion Charge consultation headlined. Dog attacks high on the challenge list. e-retail number impact by the heady temperatures, extra Bank holidays and summer dates was key talk of resilience for the sector. Fellows moved from an energetic natter to a one pm agenda that was rich in breadth of all things express final mile, last mile in a huge content - from counter terrorism van security to three govt depts on compliance and a technical masterclass on hydrogen as a future alternative fuel for final mile.
Headline challenges in sector signposted by fellows was
-Sector resilience- heatwave, summer weeks and bank holiday impact on volumes
-Employment status and recruitment
-Dog attacks at door, strong mention (over two thousand incidents at Royal Mail in last year.)
-Software featured strongly
-Micromobility shift from large vehicle to small cargo bike
July followed the recent quarterly round tables for IOC heads of industry with very positive feedback from fellows attending, hugely positive, ‘reporting a valuable agenda rich in knowledge.’
TfL headline in the room to talk London Congestion Charge. Helen Rigby and Carolina Buneder TfL briefed on consultation for London Congestion Charge changes. review was informative and interactive while fellows voiced grave concerns on time scales for decisions and implementations. They explained express van fleet is expanding as TfL look to reduce vehicles on the road, Congestion Charge slipping away from EV favour will bring diesel vans back to London. The table took two formal votes, one on Congestion Charge, one on apprenticeship assessment change.
IOC security chair Andy Magromallis from Kinexia introduced PS Rob Munday National Counter Terrorism Policing HQ - Angel Bozhilov HHydrOdrive Hydrogen future in transport, is it the way? Anna Philips OZEV 3.5 – 4.25t EV clarified compliance on heavy small electric vans.
Trevor Hoyle asked fellows to vote on the assessment challenge for the new express delivery operative apprenticeship with Skills England. Man from the Ministry was Phil Martin DfT. Bob Hannigan DVSA delivered compliance detail across five streams with all the links signposted.
Agenda delivered for Guildhall City of London July 3rd
12.00 Network and natter – free buffet
13.00 Carl Lomas Sector challenges and introductions
National Courier Awards – Lord Mayor's Show – The Owl
13.20 Helen Rigby & Carolina Buneder TfL Congestion Charge consultation
13.40 London Road Safety report by Hannah Cordts and Stephen Manson
1410 PS Rob Munday National Counter Terrorism HQ
14.40 Angel Bozhilov Alternative fuel focus on hydrogen technology
15.30 Anna Philips OZEZ EV training changes
15.45 DVSA Bob Hannigan 4.25t derogation EV van regulation overview
16.00 Trevor Hoyle Express vote on assessment methods for delivery operative
16.30 close and natter
Next date is Oct 2nd 2025
Express delivery to door is a growing van fleet
It is the most electric and cleanest sector in transport, but may be turning back to diesel for London under new congestion charge proposals
Helen Rigby & Carolina Bunder TfL delivered Congestion Charge consultation detail to Express Final Mile – A full and frank proposal of the consultation process for changes to the central London Congestion Charge
The deadlines are tight, very tight – make your fleet decision on what may be the answer today!
Inst of Couriers is building the new congestion charge key messages
- The Express to door van fleet is growing to meet consumer demand in London for e-retail.
- A shift away from favour of EV fees will move diesel back to London roads
- Time on consultation to a Jan implementation is tight, very tight.
TfL launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the central London Congestion Charging scheme. It’s a ten-week period closing 4th Aug. Implementation expected for Jan 2026 – Timescales are very very tight. There is a growing concern by the express delivery to door operators that fee shift away for EV support will bring diesel vans back onto the London roads.
Inst of Couriers comments: as TfL seek lower vehicle numbers, the boom in e-retail shift of home delivery sees delivery to door numbers needing more volume and more vehicles to achieve customer promise of final mile success across London and the UK.
TfL were welcomed in the room, providing information to the IOC round table on July 3rd at the Guildhall Heads of industry event for IOC fellows for an interactive exchange of future on London roads. Fellows asked- ‘Is it about traffic numbers and congestion – or is it about clean air?'
TfL answered: it's about reducing the number of vehicles on London's roads.
Alarmingly, the timescale became clear as very very tight. Consultation finishing Aug, implementation for Jan '26
Votes followed – Fellows said Cleaner Vehicle Discount
1. Fellows voted No to Proposal A: increasing the Congestion Charge from £15 to £18 (and all other related charge levels) so it remains effective in managing traffic and congestion and retains its deterrent effect. The charge was last increased in 2020.
2. Fellows voted Yes to Proposal B: introducing a new Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) for electric vehicles (EVs) with the discount level varying by vehicle type. The current 100 per cent CVD will end on 25 December 2025. We are proposing it will be replaced with a new CVD to offer long term targeted support for people and businesses switching to EVs, helping to reduce carbon and improve air quality.
Quarter of a million vans represented at the IOC table for TfL Congestion Charge discusion
TfL talk consultation for congestion charging
Angel Bozhilov frank discussions on hydrogen
Bob Hannigan DVSA on vehicle compliance
