New Volvo fleet deploys on training mission for Veterans into Logistics

Veterans into Logistics, a charity which specialises in helping former military personnel to retrain for a career in the logistics sector, has replaced its ageing fleet of three HGV driver training vehicles with modern Volvo trucks.

The new vehicles comprise an FH460 LNG Globetrotter 6×2 tractor unit donated by Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, along with a tandem-axle box van trailer donated by Asda.

At the same time, a grant from the Veterans’ Foundation has enabled the purchase of a second identical tractor unit and trailer, plus a diesel-powered 18-tonne FL250 4×2 rigid.

Veterans into Logistics will now use the three Volvos to replace its aging fleet, which will be used to help around 150 new HGV drivers train and qualify for a new career each year upon leaving the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.

Uniquely for a driver training provider, both FH tractor units will be fuelled on LNG – which reduces CO2 emissions compared with diesel – while still benefitting from the same power and driveability as a regular diesel-powered FH.

“We desperately needed to modernise our training fleet and Volvo Trucks, Asda and the Veterans’ Foundation jointly stepped up at the perfect time,” said John Harker MBE, general manager of Veterans into Logistics. “Their generosity has been incredible.

“Our Mission is to secure voluntary funds to provide HGV driver training for veterans, then guide them into well-paid careers with respected logistics partners. To accomplish this, we need quality training vehicles we can rely on. To say the new vehicles will be working hard for us is an understatement!”

Veterans into Logistics was formed in 2020 by former gunner and paratrooper for the Royal Artillery, Darren Wright. Their new trucks will operate predominantly in the northwest of England, with both LNG-powered tractor units refuelling at Asda’s regional distribution centre in Rochdale.