September/October 2015
www.bvrla.co.uk
BVRLA News The bimonthly newsletter of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
VW’s crisis puts the focus on air quality As the owners and operators of over three million cars and vans, most of them with diesel engines, the VW emissions testing crisis will have major ramifications for our industry, says BVRLA News editor Toby Poston. These consequences will take time to reveal themselves as numerous investigations and legal actions run their course. In the meantime, the fleet industry will have to get used to working under increased air quality-related scrutiny from government, the media and environmental groups. Diesel’s market share is going to continue falling, as it has been for some time. We can already see that more fleets and private motorists are opting for the latest generation of highly efficient petrol engine cars as well as increasing numbers of pure electric and hybrid vehicles. It is the speed of this market shift that will be most interesting. Hopefully, common sense and solid business judgement will prevail. We must remember that diesel engines are the most energy-efficient internal combustion engines, and diesel vehicles remain a vital part of the fleet mix. Diesel is often Air quality and emissions will be the main theme of the 2015 BVRLA Industry Conference in Solihull on 3 December – although, with its usual attention to key operational and strategic issues, the event will also help delegates prepare for 2016. For further information and to book tickets, see www.bvrla.co.uk
the most appropriate powertrain for longdistance journeys and non-urban freight transportation, and the latest Euro 6 engines have made some major gains in reducing harmful NOx emissions. For some time now, the BVRLA has been calling for the swift introduction of more accurate and reliable real-world testing regimes for both CO2 and NOx. Recent events may represent a significant step backwards in the journey towards lower emissions, but the leasing industry has already demonstrated its ability to drive major changes in fleet market demographics. We look forward to working with policymakers and vehicle manufacturers in refocusing efforts to improve overall road transport CO2 and NOx emissions. Until then, our members will continue to offer impartial, knowledgeable advice and guidance to help steer their fleet clients through this period of emissions-based uncertainty. By doing this, they will be able to maintain their hard-won customer confidence and credibility. u Toby Poston is the BVRLA's Director of Communications & External Relations
Plug-in Car Grant will last until 2016 Continuing demand for electric vehicles has led to an extension of this incentive scheme for hybrid buyers. page 4 DVSA pushes ‘remote enforcement’ The motoring agency moves away from roadside checks in favour of IT and ‘compliant operators’. page 5 Golf Day Special Relive the swings, pins and putts with our birdie’s eye view of the BVRLA’s favourite sporting fixture. page 6 Compliance reminder! Have you got to grips with the new compliance regime for 2016 set out in the BVRLA’s revised Codes of Conduct? page 7 Research update Highlights from the BVRLA’s latest Leasing Broker survey and HMRC statistics on benefit-in-kind tax. page 9 Lex recommends BVRLA training Member’s high praise for the BVRLA’s Automotive Technician Accreditation as more than a dozen individuals make the grade. page 10
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