Truck and Track Spring 2021

www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2021 Truck and Track 19 BUSINESS NEWS coming extension of mandatory testing to new vehicle classes and the phased introduction of the next DTCO generation, including mandatory retrofitting, starting in 2023. Smart tachographs have new interfaces, and workshops will have to be able to test them. Besides performing familiar tasks like checking the integrity of the KITAS seal and testing the tachograph’s memory functions, they will now have to test the DSRC interface and satellite reception. The test personnel will have to demonstrate that they have the technical prerequisites for activating, testing, installing and later inspecting smart tachographs. In addition, workshops that performthese testswill needaworkshop cardof the second generation. Continental advises workshops to update their equipment and knowledge and make sure that their technicians are trained and certified for the new generation. In the UK, all new workshop cards issued by DVSA are Smart tachograph ready. A question of economic efficiency Workshops know about this, but many are still not prepared for the new tachographs. “We’re in constant contact with our workshop partners in order to provide maximum transparency,” says Continental’s tachograph expert Markus Weide who is not at all surprised by the hesitancy of these businesses. “After all, many are asking themselves whether it’s worth the effort and expense to invest inDSRC and GNSS test equipment, plus additional peripheral devices.” When confronted with such misgivings, he reminds workshops that tachograph checks are linked with other service appointments. If they no longer offer periodic inspections as part of their service portfolio, they run the risk of losing regular customers, because the advantages of “one-stop shopping” for inspection and tachograph testing are much appreciated. “Transport companies will hardly accept the unnecessary downtimes that come from making an appointment in workshop A for inspection and a separate appointment in workshop B for tachograph testing,” he explains. Securing current business and planning for future opportunities It must also be considered that a large number of tachographs requiring new calibration can soon be expected. The EU Mobility Package I stipulates that all vehicles with a gross weight of 3.5 metric tons and over must be retrofitted for the coming second generation of smart tachographs no later than autumn of 2025 – if they are to be used for cross-border journeys. In less than a year after that, digital tachographs will also be required for light commercial vehicles weighing 2.5 tons and over – again if they are used for cross-border transport. “In view of this market potential, workshops should not ask themselves whether or not to offer periodic inspections in the future, but rather how to make the inspection process as fast and reliable as possible,” says Weide. www.vdo-fleet .co.uk A one-stop solution: The VDOWorkshop Tablet makes it possible to carry out many test steps right from the cab. Using around 2000L of per month? UK’s leading independent producer of All AdBlue production certified to ISO22241 Nationwide delivery using in-house logistics Installation, repairs and maintenance included GSM telemetry as standard for reorder management is a registered trademark of the Verband der Automobilindustrie eV (VDA) is a licensed trademark of Tennants Distribution in the UK and Ireland Contact us for details info@greenoxsolution.co.uk 0161 205 4454 www. greenoxsolution.co.uk Upgrade to a Bulk Tank and get your first 1000L FREE