GreenFleet 103

2017 CV SHOW

ELECTRIC TAXIS

www.greenfleet.net

EV CHARGING

ISSUE 103

TELEMATICS

FUTURE FLEETS The key technology trends shaping the way we travel

EXPERT PANEL

TELEMATICS

Our experts share how telematics is changing the fleet management profession FIRST DRIVE HYUNDAI IONIQ HYBRID PREMIUM SE

Lowering emissions north of the border GreenFleet Scotland took place on 5 May. Read the review on page 48

BMW Fleet & Business Sales

The Ultimate Driving Machine

NATURAL SELECTION. THE BMW PLUG-IN HYBRID RANGE.

BMW Fleet & Business Sales

THE BMW PLUG-IN HYBRID RANGE. To achieve the optimum balance of performance and efficiency, these cars are powered by both a petrol engine and an electric motor, and also offer a pure electric mode which is perfect for city driving and the morning commute. All of this results in BIK rates as low as 9%, plus impressive fuel efficiencies of up to 148.7mpg*.

Model

CO2 emissions

Electric range

BIK

Charge time (0 – 100%)

BMW 225xe iPerformance Active Tourer

46g/km*

25 miles

9%

2.2hrs

BMW 330e iPerformance Saloon

44g/km*

25 miles

9%

2.2hrs

BMW 530e iPerformance Saloon

46g/km*

29 miles

9%

2.9hrs

BMW X5 xDrive40e

77g/km*

19 miles

17%

2.25hrs

BMW 740e iPerformance Saloon

49g/km*

27 miles

9%

2.7hrs

BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance Saloon

54g/km*

26 miles

13%

2.7hrs

CHARGING SOLUTIONS. All BMW iPerformance models can be easily charged at home through a conventional household power socket via the supplied standard charging cable – this takes approximately 3.5 hours. For a faster and more convenient charge, there’s the wall-mounted BMW i Wallbox, which reduces charging time to just over two hours. This also gives you the option to switch to a greener energy contract, ensuring that the energy you use is produced sustainably.

Visit bmw.co.uk/iPerformance Official fuel economy figures for the BMW iPerformance range: Combined 83.1-148.7mpg (3.4-1.9l/100km). CO2 emissions 78-44g/km. *Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle using a combination of battery power and petrol fuel after the battery has been fully charged. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions. The BMW iPerformance range is a selection of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that require mains electricity for charging.

The Ultimate Driving Machine

THE NEW BMW 530e SALOON. INNOVATION. A brand new interface gives the driving assistance systems an enhanced, user-friendly appeal, while a generous standard specification including BMW Professional Navigation, City Collision Braking and Bluetooth® ensure drivers stay safe and connected on every journey.

EFFICIENCY.

CO2

A reduction in weight and the inclusion of BMW iPerformance technology results in CO2 emissions as low as 46g/km*. And, because aerodynamics can make all the difference to fuel efficiency, this new model is equipped with a number of features designed to reduce drag, including active airstream kidney grilles which open only when the engine requires cooling.

All of this will minimise your fleet’s carbon footprint while keeping running costs and tax bills down.

SUPERIOR COMFORT.

46g/km* 141.2mpg*

(combined)

BIK

9%

From fully-autonomous driving to an augmented surround view, a variety of technological enhancements make long journeys as comfortable as possible. What’s more, 19 different driver interventions are available to help keep drivers safe. *Emissions, fuel consumption and range figures are provisional and based on the EU test cycle. Figures may vary depending on the tyre format specified.

THE BMW 225xe ACTIVE TOURER. The stylish and practical BMW 225xe iPerformance Active Tourer makes everyday life more exciting and long trips more relaxed.

The premium interior is both spacious and inviting with ample head and legroom.

There’s also plenty of space for luggage, as both the rear seat backrests and front passenger backrest can be folded down flat†.

CO2

46g/km* 141.2mpg* (combined)

BIK

9%

†Folding front passenger backrest optionally available on SE and Luxury models (without Sport seats and electric front seats).

THE BMW 330e SALOON. The BMW 330e iPerformance Saloon combines the class-leading driving dynamics of the exceptional BMW 3 Series with the practicality of BMW plug-in hybrid power.

The result is excellent efficiency and CO2 emissions that fall below the 50g/km* tax bracket, even with the sportier 17" and 18" alloy wheels.

CO2

44g/km* 148.7mpg* (combined)

BIK

9%

THE BMW X5 xDRIVE40e.

The BMW X5 is versatile enough to take any challenge in its stride. Three adaptive suspension options and the BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system ensure optimum traction in every driving situation, whatever the weather. Making light work of heavy loads, the seats can be folded down to provide up to 1,720 litres of storage space, while the two-part tailgate provides easy access to smaller items of luggage.

CO2

77g/km* 85.6mpg* (combined)

BIK

THE BMW 740e SALOON AND 740Le xDRIVE SALOON. The BMW 7 Series with eDrive technology adds the efficiency of BMW iPerformance to class-leading luxury. The BMW 740Le xDrive model also comes equipped with BMW xDrive all-wheel drive as standard, ensuring a safer and more confident drive on any road surface.

CO2

49g/km* 134.5mpg* (combined)

BIK

9%

17%

ELECTRIC TAXIS

www.greenfleet.net

EV CHARGING

ISSUE 103

TELEMATICS

FUTURE FLEETS

Lowering emissions north of the border GreenFleet Scotland took place on 5 May. Read the review on page 48

The key technology trends shaping the way we travel

EXPERT PANEL

TELEMATICS

Our experts share how telematics is changing the fleet management profession FIRST DRIVE HYUNDAI IONIQ HYBRID PREMIUM SE

Visit t.tv nflee video e e r g e v ti a rm for info tent on t con tal flee nmen enviro agement man

Comment

2017 CV SHOW

Follow and interact with us on Twitter: @GreenFleetNews

The demise of diesel?

The past month has seen more negative diesel stories in the headlines. Volvo have made a bold statement that it is likely to stop making new diesel engines, saying the cost of making the vehicles compliant with ever-higher anti-pollution standards makes it not worth the investment.

A report from an economist at Stanford University meanwhile suggests that in the next eight years, there will be no more petrol or diesel cars, buses or trucks sold in the world, only electric vehicles – which will lead to a collapse of oil prices and the petrol and diesel industry.

Also focusing on 2025 as an end date for diesel, the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto says it promises to ban the sale of diesel cars and small vans in the UK by that year, and that they will introduce a diesel scrappage scheme.

To counteract negativity surrounding diesel, the SMMT gathered a display of Euro 6 commercial vehicles at the opening of the 2017 Commercial Vehicle Show. This was to demonstrate that vans and trucks play a huge role in the UK’s economy, safety and our daily lives, and that new diesel vehicles are the cleanest in history and play a critical part in improving air quality.

Where do you stand on the diesel debate? Email your thoughts to editorial@psigroupltd.co.uk Angela Pisanu, editor

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PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED

226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 Web: www.psi-media.co.uk EDITOR Angela Pisanu FEATURES AND ROAD TEST EDITOR Richard Gooding EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Andrea Pluck PRODUCTION CONTROL Ella Sawtell PRODUCTION DESIGN Jo Golding WEB PRODUCTION Victoria Casey PUBLISHER George Petrou ACCOUNT MANAGER Kylie Glover ADMINISTRATION Vickie Hopkins REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

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© 2017 Public Sector Information Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 2399-4940

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Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

3

THE NEW FORD

KUGA

Powerful, good-looking and a great communicator.

With its range of economical engines, bold styling and sophisticated SYNC 3 touchscreen, the New Ford Kuga really is the whole package.

To find out how Ford can help your business go further, call the Ford Business Centre on 0345 723 2323.

NEW FORD KUGA P11D

£35,090-£21,640

BIK

33%-25%

C02

173-115g/km

COMBINED MPG

37.7-64.2

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the New Ford Kuga range: urban 30.1 - 58.9 (9.4 - 4.8), extra urban 44.8 - 67.3 (6.3 - 4.2), combined 37.7- 64.2 (7.5 - 4.4). Official CO 2 emissions 173-115g/km.

The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. Model shown is Kuga ST-Line X. BIK values were correct at the time of printing and are based on taxation rates for 2017/18 tax year. P11D value is the sum of RRP (plus VAT) and number plate charge (£25). Options available at additional cost.

Contents

Contents GreenFleet 103 20

24

09 News

42 Electric taxis

20 Electric vehicles

46 Passenger transport

Liberal Democrats promise to ban diesel car sales; all vehicles will be electric by 2025, report says; Government’s air quality draft plan criticised; Volvo to stop making diesel engines

When driven, electric vehicles are zero-emission and greatly benefit air quality. But when they are charging, the ‘upstream’ emissions can vary, depending on where the electricity comes from and what time it is.

Matthew Trevaskis, head of electric vehicles from the Renewable Energy Association, explains further

24 Telematics

With the advent of self-driving cars and connectivity increasing new mobility trends, technology is changing how we travel. Shwetha Surender and Benny Daniel from Frost & Sullivan explain further

28 Expert panel: telematics

33

In the first of a new panel discussion, we ask our experts their views on how telematics have shaped and driven change within the fleet management profession, and why reluctance to use fleet technology still exists within some organisations

33 2017 CV Show

Now in its 18th year, the 2017 Commercial Vehicle Show boasted more exhibition space and hosted some major new truck and van launches. GreenFleet shares its highlights

London Taxi Company has recently opened a new factory for the development and production of electric vehicles only. The firm’s chief operation officer, Paul Woolley, has since discussed the aim of its new factory and research hub with GreenFleet’s Andrea Pluck

The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) held its annual media briefing to discuss the future of the bus and coach sector, and a popular topic amongst panelists was the urgency for fleets to be updated to the Euro 6 emissions standard

48 GreenFleet Scotland

On 5 May, GreenFleet Scotland highlighted the growing air pollution issues north of the border, with ultra low-emission vehicle displays as well as a host of seminars and test drives.

Richard Gooding reports from Edinburgh

50 First drive: Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

The Ioniq signals Hyundai’s intent to launch a range of ‘green cars’ and spearheads the company’s move to become an eco-friendly vehicle leader. With three electrified powertrains in one body style, Richard Gooding finds out how the hybrid – the most conventional of the trio – lives up to its eco billing

52 First drive: Renault Scenic dCi 110 Futuristic looks, enhanced practicality, improved economy as well as lower emissions: the all-new Renault Scenic brings impressive qualities to the compact MPV class

42 50

52 GreenFleet magazine

www.greenfleet.net Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

5

IN A WORLD OF HYBRIDS, SOME FOLLOW, OTHERS LEAD.

THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV SAVE £1,000s ON YOUR COMPANY CAR FLEET

1

Compare the tax savings of running a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as your company car against these market leaders.

OUTLANDER PHEV 4H AUTO

HONDA CR-V EX AUTO

BMW X3 XDRIVE 30D SE AUTO

AUDI Q5 S-LINE PLUS AUTO

MERCEDES E220D AMG LINE AUTO SALOON

COST OF THE CAR - P11D VALUE

£39,399

£32,625

£40,665

£40,035

£44,350

GOVERNMENT GRANT REDUCTION

£2,500

£0

£0

£0

£0

£32,625

£40,665

£40,035

£44,350

ADJUSTED FINAL PRICE

£36,899

11

CO2 EMISSIONS G/KM

41

179

156

133

129

BENEFIT IN KIND RATE

9%

34%

33%

28%

27%

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITHOUT FUEL PROVIDED

£1,418

£4,437

£5,368

£4,484

£4,790

THE EXTRA TAX YOU PAY VS PHEV (40% TAXPAYER)

–

£3,019

£3,949

£3,066

£3,371

£2,232

£7,511

£8,351

£7,015

£7,231

–

£5,279

£6,119

£4,783

£4,999

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITH FUEL PROVIDED THE EXTRA TAX YOU PAY VS PHEV (40% TAXPAYER)

Find out more. Search PHEV | Visit mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find your nearest dealer Outlander PHEV range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Full Battery Charge: no fuel used, Depleted Battery Charge: 51.4mpg (5.5), Weighted Average: 166.1mpg (1.7), CO2 emissions: 41 g/km.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a different animal. It delivers up to 166mpg2, with an electric range of up to 33 miles and a combined electric and petrol range of up to 542 miles3. And with ultra-low CO2 emissions there are significant savings that your business can make. You’ll be able to write down 100% of the cost of an Outlander in year one4, saving £1,000s in Corporation Tax5 – and you’ll save money on your associated Class 1a National Insurance Contributions6. Business users will only pay 9% Benefit in Kind taxation7 plus it’s exempt from the London Congestion Charge8 and its first year of road tax. Fully charged in just a few hours using a domestic plug socket9, a free Chargemaster Homecharge unit10 or one of over 11,000 UK-wide Charge Points, this 4WD SUV legend continues its journey onwards as the UK’s leading selling plug-in hybrid.

We call this Intelligent Motion.

Compare the corporation tax savings of a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV against a typical company car.

TYPICAL VEHICLE

OUTLANDER PHEV

PROFIT BEFORE TAX (PBT)

£100,000

£100,000

TAX RATE LIST PRICE OF VEHICLE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE (£)

19%

19%

£36,500

£36,89911

8%4

100%

£2,920

£36,899

TAXABLE PROFIT (ON £100,000 PBT)

£97,080

£63,101

CORPORATION TAX (NO VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£19,000

£19,000

CORPORATION TAX (WITH VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£18,445

£11,989

£555

£7,011

SAVING DUE TO CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

THE MITSUBISHI

OUTLANDER PHEV THE UK’s LEADING SELLING PLUG-IN HYBRID

FROM £32,249 - £43,499 Including £2,500 Government Plug-in Car Grant11

BUYING A PHEV WILL SAVE YOU A TOTAL OF £6,456 IN CORPORATION TAX (YEAR 1)

1. Outlander PHEV 4h compared with Honda CR-V, BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes E-Class – average gross pay saving £5,585 for a 40% taxpayer. The savings for business drivers with a company fuel card are higher.

2. Official EU MPG test figure shown as a guide for comparative purposes and is based on the vehicle being charged from mains electricity. This may not reflect real driving results. 3. Up to 33 mile EV range achieved with full battery charge. 542 miles achieved with combined full battery and petrol tank. Actual range will vary depending on driving style and road conditions.

4. Outlander PHEV qualifies as low CO2 emissions vehicle for the purpose of Capital Allowances. 8% write down allowance used for comparison. 5. Savings achieved due to lower Profits Chargeable to Corporation Tax (PCTCT). 6. Class 1a NI only payable on 9% of list price compared to 30% average for other models shown. 7. 9% BIK compared to 30% average. 9% BIK rate for the 2017/18 tax year. 8. Congestion Charge application required, subject to administrative fee. 9. Domestic plug charge: 5 hours, 16 Amp home charge point: 3.5 hours, 80% rapid charge: 25mins. 10. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. For full terms and conditions, visit Mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/chargepoint 11. Prices shown include the Government Plug-in Car Grant and VAT (at 20%), but exclude First Registration Fee. Model shown is an Outlander PHEV 4hs at £38,999 including the Government Plug-in Car Grant. On The Road prices range from £32,304 to £43,554 and include VED, First Registration Fee and the Government Plug-in Car Grant. Metallic/ pearlescent paint extra. Prices correct at time of going to print. For more information about the Government Plug-in Car Grant please visit www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants. The Government Plug-in Car Grant is subject to change at any time, without prior notice.

MANUFACTURING

Lib Dems promise to ban diesel car sales

Volvo to stop developing new diesel engines

The Liberal Democrat’s manifesto has outlined plans to ban the sale of diesel cars and small vans by 2025 if they are successful in the general election.

In addition to this, the party pledges to extend low emission zones to 10 more towns and cities.

Party leader Tim Farron said he wanted to launch a Green Transport Act and an Air Quality Plan to “reduce air pollution and protect UK citizens.”

In the manifesto, Farron says: “Air pollution in the UK is a killer. It contributes to 40,000 premature deaths a year and costs the NHS £15 billion.

“This year, London exceeded its annual air pollution target in just days. The government has failed time and again to comply with EU limits on pollution.”

He added that Green Transport Plan, which includes a diesel scrappage scheme, would

Volvo’s chief executive, Hakan Samuelsson, has said that the firm is likely to “not develop any more new-generation diesel engines”, as a result of the costs associated with reducing emissions of nitrogen oxide. Samuelsson went on to say that Volvo would keep developing current diesel-powered models introduced in 2013 to meet future emissions standards, but then the costs of keeping them compliant with higher anti-pollution standards would no longer be worth it, with the current generation likely to be produced until about 2023.

Volvo is now set to invest in electric and hybrid cars, with the first all-electric model expected for 2019.

support the manufacture of low-emission and electric vehicles, generating jobs and exports.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/mok96ex

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EVENTS

EV CHARGING

LowCVP to host annual conference supported

by London’s mayor

Domestic charge point sharing service opens

The LowCVP is set to hold its annual conference to coincide with the publication of new transport and environment strategies for the capital.

Supported by the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the event will take place at City Hall, 27 June, and will be followed by a VIP drink reception in ‘London’s Living Room’. It will focus on how city-level policy needs to adapt to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and air pollution in an era of “mobility revolution”.

Key themes include maximising ‘electric miles’ and how the electric revolution provides the UK with industrial opportunity; changing technologies such as cleaner, low carbon urban vehicles and fuels; and how the LowCVP is helping to accelerate the mobility revolution in cities.

A number of speakers have already been confirmed which include the likes of Andrew Benfield, group director of transport for Energy Saving Trust, LowCVP’s chairman, Darran Messem, and James Thornton, chief executive at Client Earth. More speakers are also expected to be announced soon.

A new website that allows EV drivers to charge vehicles at domestic charge points across the UK is open for bookings.

Chargie is a peer-to-peer website which puts EV owners looking for an accessible power point into contact with other electric drivers who have one at their homes for them to use.

The Airbnb-style site will see EV drivers connect with each other to share compatible power points for a fee.

The service has over 60 charge points available across the country.

As a result of the website’s popularity,

News

POLICIES

the firm is now looking to extend its services to outside the UK. The charge point owner specifies their per-charge cost when they register on Chargie, and Chargie adds a small service fee, which is halved if the person has already put their own charge point on the network.

Registration and search are free, and charge point owners can specify when their units are available.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/mnuza7h

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Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

9

We could explain at a molecular level how our all new lighter, more powerful, more fuel efficient turbo diesel engine meets Euro 6 emission standards without the need for AdBlue.

But who has the time?

THE NEW GENERATION ISUZU D-MAX. IT JUST WORKS.

CALL 03303 335126 OR VISIT ISUZU.CO.UK TO BOOK A 48 HOUR TEST DRIVE #Over 40 MPG figure applies to manual transmission models. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel figures for the Isuzu D-Max range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 30.4 - 38.7 (9.3-7.3). Extra Urban 40.9 - 50.4 (6.9 - 5.6). Combined 36.2 - 45.6 (7.8 - 6.2). CO2 emissions 163 - 205g/km. For full details please contact your local Isuzu dealer or visit isuzu.co.uk *3.5 tonne towing applies to all 4x4 models. **125,000 mile/5 year (whichever comes first) warranty applies to all new Isuzu D-Max models. Terms and conditions apply. Visit isuzu.co.uk

News

FOSSIL FUELS

All vehicles will be electric by 2025, report says In the next eight years, there will be no more petrol or diesel cars, buses or trucks sold in the world, according to a new report.

The report, Rethinking Transportation 2020-2030 by Tony Seba, an economist at Stanford University, says that all vehicles will be switched to electric so that drivers can save money, which will lead to a collapse of oil prices and the petrol industry.

Seba also believes that people will be banned from driving once data shows how dangerous they are compared to robots.

The report concludes that “By 2030, within ten years of regulatory approval of autonomous vehicles, 95 per cent

of US passenger miles travelled will be served by on-demand autonomous electric vehicles owned by fleets, not individuals, in a new business model we call “transport as-a-service” (TaaS).

“The TaaS disruption will have enormous implications across the transportation and oil industries, decimating entire portions of their value chains, causing oil demand and prices to plummet, and destroying trillions of dollars in investor value — but also creating trillions of dollars in new business opportunities, consumer surplus and GDP growth.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/mdbwzbk

HYDROGEN

Ford to delay hydrogen car plans

Ford’s plans to develop a hydrogen vehicle by 2017 is being pushed back because of slow technology progression.

The car maker announced in 2013 that the firm would be teaming up with Mercedes-Benz and Nissan in order to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology, which was expected to enter the vehicle market this year.

However, Ford’s chief technology officer, Raj Nair,

has told Business Insider that a hydrogen car is not on the way just yet and that the timeline has changed.

He said: “I think hydrogen fuel-cell technology has a very spikey technology progression and there are times that we feel like we are really progressing fast and then it’s going slow.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/k6bpjex

LowCVP’s Andy Eastlake

Green fleets start with green drivers

Over the last year or more we’ve seen lots of discussion about air quality and carbon emissions, mostly around vehicle and fuel technology, much of it focusing on ‘real world’ performance.

Here in Westminster, though, there’s more interest than ever in how the driver’s style and behaviour impacts on the push for cleaner air. As readers of this magazine know very well, driving style is one of the most significant variables in terms of fuel consumption, but far less is known about how it impacts on polluting emissions. This is definitely an area in which policy makers are getting increasingly interested.

Fleet managers receive large quantities of detailed information through this magazine and at GreenFleet shows around the country (other sources are available!) about certified emissions for CO2, NOx and particulates based on laboratory tests, but with the advent of new measurement technology, it’s now realistic to both measure – and maybe even model – the emissions resulting from different driving styles and operations.

As we all know, vehicle users often have a strong influence on vehicle selection for business fleet use, but at least the fleet manager has some control over this. Once the vehicles are on the road, though, it’s far more difficult to assess or control the actual emissions impact. As a result, we’re seeing a significant increase in interest in every aspect of driver behaviour, now with a focus on what this can deliver in terms of NOx reduction, as well as fuel efficiency and CO2. Future options may include eco/smarter-driving training in driving lessons and tests for new drivers, to ongoing training and assessment of driver behaviour. Vehicle manufacturers (and, possibly, after-market suppliers) will also be encouraged to include innovative technology solutions to encourage the lowest impact driving behaviours.

Drivers are an essential part of the solution to tackling poor air quality and reducing carbon emissions, so giving them the best information to both help choose the right vehicle for the job and then to use it in the most effective way for both fuel consumption and emissions, is vital. Driver information and new technology, may all be applied more vigorously in the future and new policies could, potentially, be introduced to help drive this change.

The LowCVP certainly intends to help by supplying better information as we develop the new car information standard, label and complementary systems based around the improved testing regime of the WLTP (World Light Duty Test Procedure). You will be hearing much more about this in the coming months. Once in use, it will give the fleet manager a much better idea of the fuel economy that is achievable across the whole vehicle range. If you wish to get involved in issues around the communication of the new standard, do contact us.

So, once the new government is installed after June 8th, it will have some interesting choices to make in this key policy area; it will need to decide how much to ‘nudge’ driving behaviour and whether more direct policy might be used to help ‘steer’ driving habits in the right way. In any case, it’s becoming clearer that driving behaviour as well as providing the cleanest, most efficient technologies to ‘help’ them will feature amongst the ways we will be looking to clean our air and reduce carbon emissions in future.

FURTHER INFORMATION Join us at the LowCVP’s Annual Conference at City Hall on June 27: ‘Cities in Motion; Tackling the Pollution and Climate Challenge’. Visit www.lowcvp.org.uk/events/conference17.htm

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

11

THE NEW INSIGNIA P11D FROM £16,930

BiK FROM 23% | CO2 FROM 105G/KM | UP TO 70.6MPG

YOUR PERSONAL ASSISTANT With groundbreaking services like destination download and hotel bookings** courtesy of Vauxhall OnStar†, New Insignia Grand Sport has connected car features designed to assist your drivers in ways you might never have imagined.

Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive.

New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 25.2 (11.2)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban: 39.8 (7.1)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km.

Pre-book your New Insignia 3 Day Test Drive.

Visit vauxhallfleet.co.uk/newinsigniatestdrive Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. 2017/18 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their own tax position. New Insignia Elite Nav 2.0 (260PS) Turbo 4X4 auto model illustrated (P11D of £27,155) features Dark Moon Blue two-coat metallic paint (£555), VXR Styling Pack (£850) and Driving Assistance Pack Four (£595), optional at extra cost. * = Terms and conditions apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please call 0330 587 8221 for full details. ** = Via booking.com.

E-mail address and credit card required. Minimum age of reservation owner is 21 years. † = Includes 12 months of OnStar services from date of first registration and a 3 month/3 GB Wi-Fi free trial period (whichever comes first) effective from the date the customer accepts the nominated network operator Wi-Fi Ts&Cs. OnStar services and 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot require activation and are subject to mobile network coverage and availability. Wi-Fi Hotspot service requires account with nominated mobile network operator. Charges apply after free trial period. The OnStar subscription packages could be different from the services included in the free trial package. Terms and conditions apply. Check vauxhall.co.uk/OnStar for details of availability, coverage and charges. Vehicles purchased without OnStar cannot have the required technology retro-fitted. Destination download only available on vehicles with factory installed navigation systems. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (May 2017).

News

BATTERIES

StoreDot reveals battery that reaches full charge in five minutes StoreDot, an Israeli startup known for making fast-charging batteries, is claiming that its EV battery can reach a full charge in five minutes.

The five-minute charge is expected to allow cars to have a range of 300 miles.

To prove that the technology works, the company has demonstrated its product’s charging capability on stage at the CUBE Tech Fair in Berlin.

StoreDot’s FlashBattery technology uses layers of nanomaterials and proprietary organic compounds, which it says have never been used on batteries before.

The company also claims FlashBattery is safer than lithium-ion since it’s not flammable and has a higher combustion temperature.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/nymxasb

EV CHARGING

Siemens introduces high power EV charging systems Siemens has introduced high power charging systems which can charge electric vehicles in 10 minutes.

With an output of 150 kilowatts, the new generation of the Siemens high power charging system is capable of charging current and future electric vehicles with voltages of up to 920 volts.

It will allow vehicles to travel up to around 62 miles after charging.

Up to three electric vehicles in compliance with the main charging standards CCS, CHAdeMO and Type 2 can be charged in parallel.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/m8k7wfn

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AIR QUALITY

Government’s air quality draft plan criticised The Green party has labelled the government’s draft air quality strategy as a “feeble plan” which will not be enough to tackle air pollution.

In the strategy, the government has stated that pollution targets could be met if emissions charging schemes are introduced in UK cities, however, local authorities will not be required to introduce charging zones.

In addition to this, a targeted scrappage scheme for vans and cars has been put forward, which could see the owners of older and more polluting vehicles offered a cash incentive to scrap their vehicles.

The document also considers retrofitting buses, lorries and black cabs as a way of delivering cleaner air and introducing clean air zones in dozens of cities and towns.

However, co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, has criticised the plan stating that the government is “standing idly by while Britain chokes.” She went on to say that the proposals “won’t go anywhere near far enough in tackling this public health emergency” and that “huge investment in public transport” is needed, along with “serious taxation changes and a new Clean Air Act.” The UK has struggled to keep within EU limits on pollution, specifically nitrogen dioxide, which is produced by diesel engines and linked to a range of

respiratory diseases including asthma.

Thirty-seven regions out of 43 in the UK are currently in breach of EU NO2 limits.

Ministers had originally tried to delay publishing the draft plans by submitting a court bid claiming that making the plans public would breach purdah rules in line with the general election.

The bid was then rejected by the high court, to which the government decided not to appeal the decision.

Caroline Lucas: UK government “standing idly by while Britain chokes”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/krjcaw7

FUEL RATES

Calls for plug-in car advisory fuel rates to be published Fleet representative body ACFO has called on HM Revenue and Customs (HRMC) to publish advisory fuel rates for plug-in cars. This comes after ACFO provided them with real world mileage reimbursement figures. The figures were for 100 per cent electric vehicles, range extended electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid petrol and diesel models which were submitted to HMRC following a fleet industry summit.

Advisory fuel rates apply where employers reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars, or require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel.

Published quarterly, they provide a range of rates based on engine size and fuel type (petrol, diesel or LPG), and when used, are deemed to be tax-free.

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

For many years, ACFO has been calling on HMRC to publish official tax-free company car advisory fuel rates for plug-in vehicles.

ACFO chairman John Pryor, who chaired the industry summit, said: “ACFO acknowledges that it is possible for businesses to calculate rates themselves and then obtain permission from HMRC to use them to reimburse drivers.

“However, it can be extremely time consuming and difficult to obtain all the relevant data to undertake those calculations.

Far better for HMRC to publish official figures as it does for petrol, diesel and LPG cars.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/m7tqp5d

News

EV INFRASTRUCTURE

PROCUREMENT

InstaVolt and ChargePoint team up to expand EV network

Fleet managers urged to review reliance on diesel According to fleet management firm Venson, with government plans to review the way diesel vehicles are taxed already underway, including changes to company car benefit-in-kind, fleet decision-makers need to prioritise a review of their current policies and plan for a future with fewer diesel vehicles.

Diesel company cars incur an additional three per cent benefit-in-kind tax supplement up to a maximum of 37 per cent, which the government has previously said would remain in place until April 2021.

However, national and international

pressure for governments to take action to cut demand for diesel vehicles could see tax rises announced as soon as the Autumn Budget.

Venson says that “tax policy already drives fleets towards plug-in and ultra-low emission vehicles” and that “currently Euro 6 compliant diesel vehicles are the “cleanest” oil-burners available, so any new changes could see a big shift away from diesel.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/kmcvnul

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Alternative fuel vehicles expected to increase market share A survey of brokers by Paragon Car Finance has found that there is an increasing preference for alternative fuel vehicles.

It found that 28 per cent of respondents expect diesel car sales to decline this year, with 81 per cent predicting that the diesel market shrinks over the next five years.

In the survey, participants were asked what impact recent calls for action on diesel vehicles would have on the market in 2017.

Twenty-nine per cent stated they expect a decrease in sales. This compares to just 10 per cent who expect sales to increase.

Nineteen per cent of respondents also stated they expect to see a decline in sales of petrol engine vehicles, compared to 29 per cent who expect sales to grow.

The sale of electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to increase with 77 per

cent of respondents expecting sale growth and 81 per cent foreseeing an increase in the market share for hybrid vehicles.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/lbkrk2q

InstaVolt has signed a multi-million-pound deal with American firm ChargePoint to see the first 200 rapid chargers of a new EV network deployed across the UK. They will be installed later this year, marking the first time the rapid charging systems will be deployed in the UK. InstaVolt, which installs and maintains electric vehicle charging points at places such as forecourts and service stations, will begin installing the first of the ChargePoint ‘Express Plus’ rapid charge systems this summer.

They will be placed close to popular routes across the country, enabling drivers to easily charge their vehicles during long journeys.

The Express Plus charging systems can add hundreds of miles of range in as quick as 15 minutes.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/kwtzzph

TRAINING

Mitsubishi rolls out technical training for plug-ins Technicians in the Mitsubishi Motors’ UK dealer network are to receive IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) qualifications in electric and hybrid vehicles.

The firm has delivered its first IMI Level 3 course after working with the IMI and assisting with the creation of industry-standard courses in the maintenance of alternative-fuelled vehicles.

The course is one of the highest levels in the suite of electric and hybrid vehicle IMI courses that have been developed and will now be delivered as standard to all Mitsubishi technicians within the service and maintenance level of their Pathway.

It is designed to provide the knowledge and skills required to work safely in and around a vehicle’s high and low voltage electrical system and electric drivetrain system.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/kdsq26x

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

15

Commercial Vehicle News

REFUSE TRUCKS

LCVs

Volvo Trucks and Renova test autonomous refuse truck Volvo Trucks and Swedish waste management company Renova are testing an automated waste collection truck to see if it can contribute to safer, more efficient refuse handling and create a better working environment for drivers.

The first time the automated refuse truck is used in a new area, it is driven manually while the onboard system constantly monitors and maps the route with the help of sensors and GPS technology.

The next time the truck enters the same area, it knows exactly which route to follow and at which bins it has to stop.

When the automated system is activated, the driver climbs out of the cab and empties the bin in the same way. When the operation is completed, the truck automatically reverses to READ MORE

the next bin upon receiving the driver’s command. The driver walks the very same route that the truck takes to have a full view of what’s happening in the direction of travel.

“By reversing the truck, the driver can constantly remain close to the compactor unit instead of having to repeatedly walk between the rear and the cab every time the truck is on the move. And since the driver doesn’t have to climb in and out of the cab at every start and stop, there’s less risk of work related injuries such as strain on the knees and other joints,” says Hans Zachrisson, Strategic Development Manager at Renova.

Since the automated systems optimise gear changes, steering and speed, fuel consumption and emissions can also be reduced. tinyurl.com/l6lbwx4

HYDROGEN

Harrods converts electric Nissan van into a refrigerated vehicle Family business Vic Young has secured a contract with Harrods to transform its Nissan e-NV200 into a fully refrigerated vehicle.

The company has developed technology to design and build electric vehicles which enable on-board refrigeration units to stay cold without taking power from the van.

The technology means the fridge can have a battery life of between five and six days, while still allowing the electric

van to run for up to 110 miles.

The e-NV200 has a range of up to 170km on a single charge, which means it is easily capable of making up to 50 deliveries per week covering an average distance of 241km in the London area with Harrods only needing to charge it once a week.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/mahcg3f

HYDROGEN

UPS set to deploy its TfL to source fuel cell buses as part first fuel cell truck of JIVE project

by September Shipping firm UPS is set to deploy its first extended-range fuel cell vehicle in California

by September.

According to UPS, its prototype will be a medium-duty delivery truck that will be powered by an electric motor.

In addition to this, it will have a hydrogen fuel

18

cell-powered range extender that will enable another 125 miles of range.

UPS is working with the US Department of Energy on the project.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/mfh36p7

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a tender for the bulk procurement of fuel cell buses.

Working in partnership with other UK cities, TfL is calling for potential suppliers of fuel cell buses to join a framework for the supply of single and double decker vehicles for cities across the UK.

The procurement activity is part of the JIVE project, an EU-funded project deploying 139 new zero-emission fuel cell buses across nine cities, the first deployment of this scale in Europe.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/leop49u

Commercial Vehicle News

FREIGHT TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Government air quality plan consultation released

Biogas-powered bus to go on five-week trial Arriva North West’s biogas-powered double decker is set to travel from Manchester to Altrincham for a five-week trial.

The bus, which runs entirely on biogas created from waste products, has been developed over a two-year period by Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer, Scania, specifically for the UK. The vehicle is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by

The eagerly awaited revised draft UK Air Quality Plan was released on Friday 5 May, but the Government appears to be holding its cards closely to its chest.

The plan has already received criticism for its lack of clarity and many vehicle operators are left none the wiser on the future implications for their fleets.

up to 84 per cent and can operate on biogas created from products from household food waste or waste water.

The bus will be fuelled using a mobile refuelling station provided by Scania’s infrastructure partner Roadgas while on trial.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/kjwohuh

Credit: thebiglemon.com

SOLAR POWER

The Big Lemon Bus Company rolls out solar-powered electric buses The Big Lemon Bus Company has had 120 solar panels fitted to the roof of its depot at a cost of around £25,000.

The panels are capable of generating 30,000kWh of electricity, enabling at least two buses to operate purely on renewable energy.

The move to solar-powered buses comes as part of the The Big Lemon Solar

Bus Project in partnership with Brighton Energy Coop and Sussex Backup.

The funds for the solar panels were provided by the M&S Community Energy Fund, which the three firms were shortlisted for.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/mnkok99

Becki Terry, climate change policy manager, FTA

A few details can be gleaned from the report, however. The previously proposed form of Clean Air Zones (CAZs) appear to be unchanged. Any diesel vehicles that do not meet the Euro VI/6 requirement will receive a fine, not a ban, and there is still a hierarchy of vehicle classes – so local authorities cannot pick and choose which vehicles to charge.

London and the ‘first five’ CAZs – Birmingham, Leeds, Southampton, Nottingham and Derby – will go ahead as planned in 2019 and any further locations announced in the final plan on 31 July will go ahead in 2020. Although not yet named, the Government has confirmed there is a further list of 38 English authorities, an unnamed 27 of which could be required to introduce a CAZ. However, operators must wait longer to discover the vehicle types targeted by the CAZ, as the Government will then be discussing these with the local authorities involved.

We now may not know until 2018 which cities will actually start charging non-Euro VI/6 lorries and vans in 2020.

One thing from the draft is clear, HGV and van operators will be feeling the brunt of the Government’s proposals.

The plan mentions a potential scrappage scheme offered to car users and some van users, however the suitability of the scheme for vans is currently unknown and other types of support could prove to be more beneficial. Help for HGVs is currently non-existent.

HGVs and vans appear higher up in the vehicle hierarchy than cars and will therefore be affected by more CAZs. With more than four million vans on Britain’s roads and 400,000 licenced HGVs, the Government’s current plan places almost all immediate responsibility for upgrading and scrapping lorries and vans squarely onto local businesses. The uncertainty caused by not confirming the locations until next year will leave businesses with very little time to adapt and potentially large bills.

This in addition to already rising operating costs.

FTA responded to the consultation, criticising the approach for the heavy burden placed on HGV and van users.

The Association also fears that any costs of the car scrappage scheme would be paid for by HGV and van operators in the form of increased diesel taxation following the current review. FTA was left feeling disappointed in the lack of detail and clarity provided by the draft, and remains hopeful the final report will deliver more help, less restrictive regulation and some much-needed answers.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.csrf.ac.uk www.fta.co.uk/lcrs

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

19

Electric Vehicles Written by Matthew Trevaskis, head of electric vehicles, Renewable Energy Association

Charging considerations for electric vehicles When driven, electric vehicles are zero-emission and greatly benefit air quality. But when they are charging, the ‘upstream’ emissions can vary, depending on where the electricity comes from and what time it is. Matthew Trevaskis, head of electric vehicles from the Renewable Energy Association, explains further Many EVs and PHEVs have been adopted by company car drivers and fleets, incentivised by lower operating costs and, especially for company cars, low Benefit-in-Kind rates linked to the low CO2 rating. But the real-world CO2 from these vehicles largely depends on the electricity used to charge them and, in the case of PHEVs, on what proportion of their miles are driven electrically. Every ‘electric mile’ is zero emission at the point of use, improving air quality, but the upstream emissions can vary, depending on the source of the electricity, such as a solar panel array or via the grid.

Emissions can also vary depending when they are charged.

Whilst a robust and accessible public charging infrastructure, especially consisting of rapid chargers along major routes, is required for increasing the uptake of electric cars in particular (as compared to vans) it is worth remembering that the vast majority of recharging of all vehicles is normally done at just one or two ‘private’ locations; at home and the workplace.

of wind and solar power on the grid there are also times of ‘overcapacity’ when it is desirable to charge EVs to make use of power that might otherwise have to be turned off or ‘curtailed’ – meaning that they are not generating to their full potential.

This can be quite localised and can result in, for example, high levels of solar energy on summer weekend afternoons when there is very little industrial or commercial activity.

Charging during these times, often without any significant impact on a vehicle’s usage or flexibility, can reduce the ‘upstream’ carbon impact significantly.

Charging of an EV (or PHEV) should primarily be carried out using a ‘proper’ charging point. This is technically referred to as ‘Mode 3’ charging, meaning that they are ‘smart sockets’ that check the connection and tell the vehicle how much power is available.

This provides safer and faster charging since they are installed on a new, dedicated circuit. There are grants available from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) for domestic and workplace charging through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) and Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) respectively. Some vehicle manufacturers also subsidise the cost of home charging points. It should be noted that the WCS is for fleets and commuters, not customers, so retail and hospitality sites cannot offer them for such use.

nies Compa EVs e that us mine the exa should nity to install opportuwn renewable their o generation energy as solar such els pan

Peaks and lows Energy production and supply is not constant throughout the day, with significant peaks of demand in the early evening, especially in winter, as people arrive home and begin cooking dinner. There are other peaks on weekday mornings as the working day gets underway and industry and commerce picks up. As demand peaks, the carbon intensity of that energy generally increases as dirtier generation is fed into the grid.

With the healthy increase in the amount

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A familiar plug Evidence suggests that the uptake of Mode 3 charging points lags far behind the number of vehicles being registered. In part this is due to many vehicles being supplied with

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

a ‘granny’ or ‘EVSE’ (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) cable fitted with a familiar ‘3-pin’ plug for use with a standard domestic socket.

The intention of these is as Occasional Use Cables where no other option is available, but a layperson will often consider it to be suitable for regular use. Many vehicle dealers also do not understand the implications of either recommending or, by omission, not discouraging the use of these cables as the primary charging method, despite the condition of the OLEV Plug-in Car/Van Grants to advise about safe recharging. It is often seen as a barrier to the sale of the vehicle to ‘complicate’ the process further – and add cost.

Whilst these plugs are very familiar to novice adopters, there are significant issues with using them, notably ensuring correct earthing of the vehicle body for safety, especially when charging outdoors, and the potential to overload old or sub-standard wiring from the additional significant draw, sharing a circuit with many other sockets.

Because of this, EVs and PHEVs have to slow down the charge to, typically, 10 Amps/2.3 kilowatts as a maximum (although this still may not be safe) and is less than a third of what they are often capable of achieving.

The length of time needed for a full charge can then be significantly extended which can cause further issues with house wiring.

Economy 7 Domestic customers in an area without mains gas and relying on electric storage heaters may already have a two-rate energy tariff (colloquially known as ‘Economy 7’ after the first such scheme in the 1970s) giving a cheaper energy rate for a number of hours overnight, and are usually aware that all electrical load overnight is cheaper and will often ‘time shift’ their EV charging anyway.

Other customers are not required to take a tariff to encourage them to charge their EV overnight. Because their energy is the same price 24/7, many commuters will begin charging their vehicle the moment they arrive home. This unnecessarily adds to the peak demand on the grid and may lead to excessive demand if a cluster of vehicles develops in a neighbourhood.

and how they charge even if there is no direct financial benefit. There is also a duty of care advantage to ensuring a proper charging point, installed to the latest Code of Practice, is available to drivers both at home and at any work place or site.

Where companies are promoting or encouraging the use of EVs or PHEVs for commuters, they should (re)examine the opportunity to install their own renewable generation, such as a solar array on their

roof, which can be dimensioned to meet the demand of charging their fleet – especially commuter vehicles that will generally be present throughout the peak output.

Managed charging at work can also allow many more vehicles to be charged without straining the supply to the building. !

Electric Vehicles

Charging impacts It also poses a ‘trilemma’ for the choice of charging method. From a 3-pin ‘granny’ cable, at the slowest charge rate, a PHEV may take several hours, stretching across the whole evening’s peak demand and an EV, with a larger battery, may extend its charge throughout the night.

A Mode 3 charging point, which increases the charge rate to around 3.3kW – 3.6kW or even 7kW, will shorten the charge duration but also ‘concentrate’ it into the evening peak which, from the power generation and local grid’s perspective, may be even worse. Neither of these is desirable, nor scalable, to widespread uptake of EVs. The use of a Mode 3 charging point, crucially in combination with an element of time delay which may be incorporated into the charging point, by use of a timer function as built in to many new vehicles or potentially, as being trialled, via an external signal from the grid or energy supplier, can shift the charging into an ‘off-peak’ period, such as the middle of the night when there is little demand. This can avoid overload on the local grid; reduce the carbon intensity of the energy consumed; allow greater amounts of renewable energy on the grid; and level out some imbalance between energy supply and demand.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.r-e-a.net

What can fleets do?

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Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

21

THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, TELFORD TF3 4JH 6th & 7th June 2017 Now in its 44th year, the NAPFM Conference and The Emergency Fleet Exhibition is an established yearly event, bringing together key eet managers from a membership which accounts for a eet size of over 44,000 vehicles - deemed to be the 10th largest in the UK. This is not just a Police eet event; it showcases eet related vehicles and equipment for all the emergency sectors.

The 2017 exhibition will feature over 100 key suppliers of vehicles, equipment and technology used by the emergency service & rescue organisations on a daily basis. The major vehicle manufacturers who supply emergency services vehicles will also be exhibiting current vehicles and those of the future, making it the essential event for anyone involved with eet vehicles.

The Future is Green Many of the manufacturers will be featuring their ever expanding range of electric, plug-in hybrid vehicles in both 2 and 4 wheel versions.

NAPFM The Emergency Fleet Exhibition 2017 - Exhibitors 3M United Kingdom PLC A J Engineering Services Ltd Alfa Drop Box Ltd Antennentechnik Bad Autogas Ltd APD Communications Blankenburg GmbH Babcock International Group Vehicle Engineering Be-Ge Seating Blue Light Services SV Ltd Bluelite Graphics Ltd BMW Group - Government and Authorities Division Brightwells Ltd Broadband Technology 2000 Ltd CANM8 Limited Cartwright Conversions Civica Clark Masts Systems Limited Cloudspec CM Specialist Vehicle Division Continental Automotive Cox Automotive - Manheim Designs Signage Solutions Ltd

Drivershields UK Ltd Eberspacher UK Ltd Emergency Service Times/Show Enterprise Holdings Euro Car Parts Ltd Eurosigns (UK) Ltd FAB Recycling Ltd Federation of Communication Services Fiat Professional Fire Times Fischer Panda UK Ltd Fleet Manager Live Ford Motor Company Freight Products UK Ltd Gamber-Johnson LLC Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK & Ireland Ltd GovPlanet Halfords for Business Halls Electrical Handsfree Group Havis Inc Haztec International Ltd Honda UK

Hyundai Motor UK Ltd Intellitec MV Ltd Jaama Ltd Jack Hodson Ltd Jaguar Land Rover Kawasaki Motors UK Lakeside Films Ltd Ludo McGurk SVE Martin Williams (Hull) Ltd Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd MiX Telematics Europe Ltd Mobility Access Solutions Ltd Motormax UK Ltd Nemesis GB Ltd Nightsearcher Ltd NMI Safety O2 Telephónica Opus Claim Solutions Ltd Ortus Technology Ltd Ovik Crossway Panasonic Toughbook Panorama Antennas Ltd Peugeot Motor Company Phoenix Seating Limited Premier Hazard Limited

Pressfab EVO Ltd Protect Signs PVL UK Ltd RAM Mount UK Ltd Ramar Ltd Rennicks (UK) Ltd RSG Engineering Ltd Seatskinz UK Serco SMC Group Special Vehicle Solutions Ltd Stanners Equipment Supply Plus Ltd Sure Antennas Tecalemit Garage Solutions The Institute of Car Fleet Management Vauxhall Special Vehicles Vision Track Ltd Volkswagen Group UK Ltd Volvo Car UK Ltd Willcox & King Engineering Ltd Woodway Engineering Ltd Yamaha Motor Europe NV Branch UK

The conference and exhibition is an ideal opportunity for emergency services professionals to engage with each other and with colleagues from across the industry, to share best practice, to exchange new ways of working and to help shape future thinking.

In this regard it is clear that the conferences have played an important part in helping colleagues to change the way we provide and manage our eets within emergency services, this event provides a unique opportunity for this to happen as we face the new challenges and expectations involved inkeeping key personnel on the road and able to serve the public.

Conference and Exhibition Agenda

Keynote speakers to include

Exhibition open to pre registered visitors, exhibitors and delegates

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accounting (CIPFA) on Benchmarking

Tuesday 6th June 0900hrs – 1700hrs Wednesday 7th June 0900hrs – 1600hrs

Tracker on Stolen Vehicle Tracking Goodyear on Tyre Technology and Innovation

National Association of Police Fleet Managers Conference

Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on Exemptions and Policies

Tuesday 6th June 2017

Closing Keynote Speaker – Penny Mallory

REGISTER NOW AT www.napfmevent.org.uk Web: www.napfmevent.org.uk

E-mail: joanna@napfmevent.org.uk

Tel: 07885 353160

Written by Advertisement Feature

Udae elisimincim facepro et,issues sed we face In thisnonsend month’sicidisquid column, I quam have decided to look intoet the quodicharge blaborum utback molorem ationse nos eumque laboribus with point officeaut interoperability, the benefits of electric et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti vehicles when it comes to servicing, how the second hand EV market rest,shape sitiatisup, ut and idemwhether quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae will autonomous vehicles take off nimus earibus, tem ipsaest moluptatium es net et EV Drivers currently face the issue of carrying xoxoxoxoRFID cards in order to have the multiple comfort that they can actually use a charger once they getINFORMATION to it. Recently the Department FURTHER for Transport held a consultation on a variety xxxissues facing EV uptakes and the EV driver of experience, in which interoperability between charge point back offices was highlighted as an issue which we all face as EV Drivers.

When you travel in Europe, they have already faced this issue and you can use any charger you want with just the one RFID card, regardless of the charger manufacturer and regardless of the back office it is connected too. We will need to follow their lead as it is the most convenient system to improve the electric vehicle driver’s journey, as well as encouraging EV uptake for future buyers. Recently it was announced that Chargemaster were revoking New Motions agreement to roam across the Charge Your Car back office, this meant that EV drivers could no longer charge their vehicles at any Chargemaster/Charge Your Car charge points. This to me seems a big backwords step, the priority should be on creating a seamless charging experience for all EV drivers to allow them a problem free journey.

I hope the department for Transport’s decision to allow for interoperability will stop issues like this occurring and allow for a better charging experience.

Servicing Moving on to servicing now, it is true that electric vehicles contain less parts; in an EV you’ll have maybe half a dozen moving parts compared to the hundreds of working parts in an internal combustion engine. You will also find that these half dozen parts are a lot

simpler to replace, reducing engineer costs if any work is required. There is no need for fluids or fluid disposal systems because there is no oil or power steering fluid, brake pads require less attention as the vehicles require less friction on the brakes to stop, there is also no clutch. Knowledge is power and I believe it is important that facts like this need to be stressed to potential EV drivers.

When you consider factors such as reduced running costs, no road tax, saving money on servicing, then it really paints a picture that going electric makes complete sense.

Second hand value The second hand value of EVs at the moment is a bit of a grey area. There are concerns around the second hand market for electric vehicles but there are also positives to consider. For example, electric vehicles retain their value much better than petroleum fuelled vehicles; the Tesla model S for example has value retention of 83 per cent, 71 per cent and 57 per cent respectively after one, two and three years which is much higher than any petroleum fuelled car in its category.

The main problem which the market faces is the batteries long term performance.

There is the possibility that in the future an EVs battery may need replaced which depending on the vehicle can be costly, however there are battery leasing schemes set up which allow you lease the battery for a monthly cost which will cover any problems relating to battery performance.

More and more vehicle manufacturers and carrying out a lot of research and development into driverless capabilities. I am a huge fan of the concept of driverless capability in new electric vehicles, however there is still

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some work to do in order for it to become common place in the industry. When you see a Tesla driving without any influence from the driver it looks fantastic, however there is the elephant in the room; where there has been two fatalities which are claimed to be due to the ‘’autopilot’’ feature which Tesla boasts. Manufacturers need to spend more time in development to ensure these kind of incident do not occur. However I do believe we will start to see more manufacturers release vehicles with the driverless capability. !

FURTHER INFORMATION For more information about our services contact Gary Stirling at gary.stirling@everwarmgroup.com

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

23

Telematics Written by Shwetha Surender and Benny Daniel, Frost & Sullivan

24

A change in direction for travel With the advent of self-driving cars and connectivity increasing new mobility trends such as car sharing, ride sharing and e-hailing, technology is changing how we travel. Shwetha Surender and Benny Daniel from Frost & Sullivan explain further The automotive industry has been heavily influenced by a few key technology trends that have the potential to change the current structure, ecosystem and value proposition.

Increasingly the industry is shifting away from the car as a product to the car as a service.

The first technology trend is the boom in the number of connected devices. Every meter, every household, every person will be connected by 2025.

Today more smartphones are sold annually than cars. Devices are growing at a pace that is five times that of populating growth. The connected device universe is expected to explode from less than five billion today to 80 billion by 2025. This is going to essentially facilitate connected car communication as well as the new mobility services that are evolving.

Connectivity is going to serve as the under bed that is required for all future digital services.

Artificial intelligence The second key trend is the evolution of AI (artificial intelligence). In a world of cognitive artificial intelligence, machines will be able to make their own decisions simply because there will be more insightful real time data that gives them the context to make sense of it and react just like a human would.

In future, cars will be cognitive – not only will they recognise voices and be able to optimise the journey, they will also incorporate other cognitive technologies of AI – computer vision and machine learning. This will change the future of cars, challenge traditional business models and create immense potential for innovation.

The first step in this journey is the automation of cars. Frost and Sullivan forecasts eight million semi and highly automated vehicles to enter the market in the next 10 years. Legislation will be the primary determinant of commercialisation of the technology. Whilst there continues to be ambiguity concerning the legislation of autonomous vehicles; fully automated cars are expected to be commercialised by 2025 which is a $84bn per annum market opportunity.

Commercialisation of autonomous

le Last-mi vity ti connec s like solution g, ride in carshar hailing and , esharing sharing are bike ning to begin off take

vehicles will have far reaching impacts. For instance, in the trucking industry 300,000 truck drivers could lose their jobs due to automation. The entire landscape as well as the future of cities will change.

Smart technology The next trend is how the concept of ‘smart’ is evolving in various industries. Looking at the automotive industry in the future, cars are just part of the equation. In a truly smart city, cars will talk to each other as well as the roads, crosswalks, tollways and parking structures.

Vehicles will know they need to keep a safe distance from each other, crosswalks will tell the car to slow down if there is a pedestrian. Cars will update each other on real time traffic. Technology underpins this movement toward smart, be it smart cities or smart mobility within those cities.

An example of the first step toward smart mobility is a pilot project in Manila. The city is collaborating with the World Bank and Grab taxi to analyse Grab taxi’s GPS traffic data and provide accurate, real-time information for initiatives that can help reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety.

Urban problems The concept of mobility of the future is heavily influenced by these technology trends in addition to other social trends. As a result in the urban mobility landscape, last-mile connectivity solutions like carsharing, ride sharing, e-hailing and bike sharing are beginning to take off. These services are growing as they are obviously starting to solve some of the core challenges we face in our cities and in other areas.

This has certainly really underpinned the growth of the car sharing market. Advances in vehicle sharing technology are one of the biggest drivers for car sharing and connectivity plays a big role here in making

Total cost of ownership From the service operator’s perspective the total cost of ownership is expected to fall, as the impact of the variable costs will be much lower. As an end result there will be a drop in fares for the consumer.

The current operating model for e-hailing is also expected to evolve. Today the market is dominated by asset light tech platforms such as Uber. They provide an online platform and charge a commission for connecting drivers and customers. The model is expected to shift toward an asset heavy business model. There will still be autonomous vehicles that are privately owned that people could rent to the e-hailing firm. However, they will now need to diversify into a model where it relies on fleet from others as well as relies on a fleet of its own. And that will be regionally impacted, with some cities like London and New York likely to have low private car ownership rates, hence the e-hail firm would own fleets. In suburban regions, it could be an asset light business model where people want to generate revenue out of their cars when it is parked idle.

Smart parking is another market expected to change. Technology has already allowed for the increased the utilisation of parking spaces; we are also seeing the growth of peer-to-peer parking, and monetisation of data either by cities or other service providers. A good example is that earlier in the year TfL opened all of the parking space data at London Underground for the first time and they are allowing third parties to see what spaces are available. They are starting to work out how they can sell that through these third party platforms. So TfL can benefit from increasing their revenue and are happy to get people to drive to the station and then take their train enabling multi modal transportation.

In Pisa, there is a smart parking pilot that uses and intelligent parking system to help motorists find a free parking space easier and quicker than before, as well as pay for it via

Telematics

it more convenient for customers. For instance, data analytics is used to predict where demand will arise and ensure more effective rebalancing of the fleet.

In some cases customers are incentivised to drop off cars in specific locations.

From a long term perspective, autonomous driving will have a big impact on the model.

In the midterm automated parking will make the customer experience more seamless, but the real impact will be when vehicles become fully automated at which point car sharing will start merging with other business models.

In the taxi market as well, autonomous driving in conjunction with an intelligent transport ecosystem is likely is to lead to a paradigm shift. The biggest change would be the reduction of driver cost that technology would lead to, as the driver forms the largest variable cost component. The second is that the utilisation of each vehicle would increase as the number of daily trips goes up. However, this does not necessarily mean that the global taxi fleet would shrink; rather demand is expected to outstrip the higher utilisation leading to growth for the market.

their smart phone. Thus we are seeing a broadening of the portfolio from just seeing the availability of parking spaces to plan, book and pay often using a smartphone.

The technology is removing some of the barriers to make parking more seamless.

True mobility As we move toward the future, to unearth the true potential of shared mobility, mobility is needed to transform how connectivity and autonomous will link. For instance, considering autonomous technology as an individual entity, its whole philosophy of improving safety, convenience and congestion can only be leveraged if there is a connected ecosystem around it that enables it. The car by itself being autonomous is not enough for the society to benefit, it needs to be underpinned by an intelligent transport ecosystem that makes it autonomous wherever it goes.

In shared mobility, the actual true potential of cost savings from a fleet of taxis or car sharing can be benefited from only if the car can capably drive itself. In the long term the lines between the new shared mobility business models will blur. There will cease to be a distinction between a ‘drive yourself’ model like car sharing and a ‘be driven’ model like taxis.

At some point when autonomous becomes fully commercialised and the price point falls, these business models will also begin competing with public transport and the entire transportation landscape will see a paradigm shift and there will be convergence across the board.

Industries will look at convergence between connectivity, autonomous and mobility to drive change. Examples of this convergence are the next 100 years of BMW where the platform looks at connectivity, shared mobility and autonomous.

Volvo’s Drive me is creating shared platforms that are autonomous and connected. The stakeholder who embraces

these three pillars together is the one likely to succeed in the future. !

FURTHER INFORMATION ww2.frost.com

Intelligent Mobility, 28-29 June Frost & Sullivan’s Intelligent Mobility event takes place on 28 and 29 June at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel in London.

The event provides a platform featuring high-profile industry experts and visionaries, thought leaders, parliamentarians and senior executives who gather to debate, discuss and present on the future of mobility and new business models.

By providing insights from Frost & Sullivan’s global mobility research and the perspectives of leading mobility providers, its annual workshop sheds light on the factors impacting industry, business, infrastructure, public and personal mobility, global differences and new business models.

In 2016, nearly 400 global delegates attended to hear senior and board-level speakers from BMW, JLR, TomTom Telematics, Ford, Daimler’s moovel, Renault Nissan, among others.The event included interactive exhibitions showcasing future technologies, test drives and vehicle displays, providing a powerful forum for networking and debating the vision for the ever-evolving mobility market and how to generate business opportunities for those involved.

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Industry Comment Advertisement Feature

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Do you know how good your drivers are?

Most people responsible for running their vehicle fleet have a pretty good idea who their bad drivers are. They are the ones that have a history of collisions or speeding offences, or sometimes they are the people that everyone in the office avoids getting lifts from. I’m sure most people have experienced that at some time. But many fleet managers don’t know how good their drivers are across the fleet What represents a ‘good’ driver?

Most people believe they are above average drivers and who are they comparing themselves to anyway?

Perhaps it is too simplistic to look at it in this way. Being defined as a good or a bad driver is very subjective and prone to individual prejudices. What’s really important, and what can be measured in a more robust and scientific way, is what risk exposure they have while driving for work. Historical data on crashes and offences does influence risk exposure but so do the style of driving, observation techniques and hazard perceptions as well as the mileage driven, working patterns and the driver’s individual experience.

The only way to determine how good your drivers are is to set a common benchmark against which you can judge the risk exposure for all your drivers and then provide suitable training.

Assessing driver’s risk exposure can be achieved in-vehicle with an assessor, face-to-face or, more likely today, through an online risk assessment.

Typically looking at driving history, knowledge, attitude, observation skills and hazard perception, assessments show whether a driver has a high, medium or low exposure to risk when behind the wheel.

Once that is determined, online learning can often be offered that focuses on specific areas of driving where the drivers’ knowledge is not up to scratch. In addition, the relevant on-road driver training can be identified and planned if it is needed.

Clearly, if a driver is low risk, no additional training intervention may be required.

The days of delivering the same driver training to every driver – the ‘sheep dip’ approach – should be long gone. Companies now rightly expect that the money they invest in driver training – I prefer the term, ‘coaching’ – not only means safer drivers and duty of care compliance, but it also delivers significant financial costs savings.

In a nutshell, driver training needs to drive a better business.

We know one size doesn’t fit all.

Driver coaching is all about challenging drivers’ core beliefs and changing hearts and minds. We call this driver ABC – attitude, behaviour and competence – and every driver is different.

So how do you tailor a course to the needs of the driver?

We believe that gathering data about your driver, you might call this a ‘driving DNA profile’, is the way forward.

Clearly, online assessments, points on a driving licence, and collision statistics can all play a part in building up an individual profile. In addition, the use of in-vehicle telematics delivering real-time data on speeding, harsh acceleration and braking can also help build the jigsaw. In more recent times, in-vehicle cameras – both forward and reverse-facing – bring new insights.

Additionally, driver biometrics, an emerging technology that identifies stressful events while driving, will play its part, too.

By building this information at an individual driver level, and then aggregating this data to give an overall view of your entire business driving community, is very powerful and delivers real insight. It can also be used internally to help justify the return on investment in your training and then identifying other areas where additional attention is needed. Ultimately, this data can then be used as a predictive tool where groups of drivers could be identified for training before an incident or collision takes place. It may also identify drivers who have responded well to training and those that need more attention. It may also determine whether different training is needed for different age groups, vehicle types or driving styles.

Summary Overall, creating a data-driven driver risk programme can deliver real and measureable business benefits as well as a community of drivers that have a lower risk exposure after training. That creates a win-win situation as the company is legally compliant as well as saving money because there are less incidents to administer, drivers are safer and probably drive using less

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

David Richards

David Richards has spent the last thirteen years working in road safety training, both for fleet drivers as well as members of the public. As a result of personal experience, he is passionate about road safety and is keen to share ideas that aim to eliminate road death and serious injury from the roads.

fuel, and the environment benefits from lower CO2 emissions and cleaner air.

DriveTech can help organisations to collect, analyse and act on all available driver and vehicle-related data to ensure that driver assessments and training works for you, your drivers and your bottom line. !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.drivetech.co.uk

Industry Comment ADVERTORIAL

Are you 800 WORD reaping EDIT the rewards HEADLINE of vehicle telematics?

HERE AS TIGHT AS POSS Darryll Finch, O2 Smart Vehicle product owner at O2, shares four big opportunities to transform fleet management with advanced telematics

Darryll Finch

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Game-changing solutions like O2 Smart by up to 33 per cent for non-urban driving.

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by Geotab, are rapidly By deliveringfacepro audio alertset andet, coaching quodithe blaborum ut telematics. molorem aut ationse eumque laboribus pushing limits of vehicle drivers innos real time, you can work towards They’re redefining the cost-efficiency, eradicating nitibusdae bad habits behind the wheel. et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nullacianti productivity and safety of today’s fleets. So, Using O2 Smart Vehicle to promote better rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae whether you’re already using some form driving styles can help you save up to 14 per nimus ipsaest moluptatium es fleet’s net fuel et costs, and reduce MPG of vehicle earibus, telematics, ortem are considering cent of your doing so, now’s the time to reassess what by between seven per cent and 14 per cent. xoxoxoxo today’s advanced solutions have to offer.

Fleets like yours are using advanced vehicle 3. Take a proactive approach telematics achieve millions of pounds worth to maintenance FURTHERtoINFORMATION of financial savings and performance gains Bad driving styles are a sure-fire way to xxx year. Or to put it another way, they’re every cause excessive wear and tear on the saving almost £1,150 per HGV per month; or vehicles components, leading to unplanned around £133 p/m for a typical passenger car. downtime and unnecessary expenditure.

Just think what those savings would add The cost of unscheduled maintenance up to across your own fleet each year. interruptions range from £310 – £545 per Let’s start by taking a look under the hood day, not including repair costs. Remote vehicle of today’s cutting-edge vehicle telematics. monitoring and in-car coaching gives you three ways to tackle this issue by actively The state of the art correcting poor driving with real-time audio On-Board Diagnostic (OBD-II) devices are the alerts, which will help prevent component latest step-change in vehicle telematics. They damage. Also, by monitoring engine fault plug discretely and covertly into the OBD-II codes means you can take fast corrective port of the vehicle, giving fleet managers action as soon as a problem emerges and remote visibility of detailed information remote visibility of mileage makes it easy to about the vehicles location, how it’s being maintain correct vehicle servicing intervals. driven and to whether there are any faults.

O2 Smart Vehicle helps you What sets O2 Smart Vehicle apart is implement preventative and predictive its comprehensive database of reversemaintenance to keep your fleet on the engineered engine diagnostic trouble codes. road, while reducing maintenance and Combine this with in-car coaching audio repair costs by up to 14 per cent. alerts, and you have a complete solution for both proactive and reactive driver and vehicle 4. Improve vehicle management. Now let’s look at four areas and driver safety of fleet management you can dramatically Think how much more quickly and divisively improve with advanced vehicle telematics. you could respond to an accident if you were alerted the instant it happened. Depending 1. Ramp up productivity on the severity of the incident, you could Unnecessary vehicle idling time and immediately notify the emergency services, inefficient route planning reduces your and start arranging vehicle recovery. Not only fleet’s productivity and profitability. By using that but with O2 Smart Vehicle, you can take real-time insights and having comprehensive proactive steps that drastically cut the risk visibility of your entire fleet will increase of accidents. Real-time in-car coaching can efficiency and maximise your profit margin. help you reduce accidents by 45 per cent.

Advanced telematics helps you complete The financial benefits of safer driving are jobs faster by deploying the most suitable significant too, like a 50 per cent reduction vehicles and drivers. You can plan smarter in accident pay-out costs and up to 25 per shift patterns and complete more customer cent lower comprehensive insurance costs. calls or drops on every round. And you can cut mileage reporting, idling times Case study: Van Elle and expensive overtime claims. Solutions O2 Smart Vehicle in action at Van Elle like O2 Smart Vehicle are proven to boost With its large fleet of vehicles, Van Elle productivity by up to 12 per cent, and to needed a smarter way to maintain visibility reduce manpower costs by the same figure. of their people, vehicles and plants. They immediately recognised the potential in 2. Drive down fuel costs O2 Smart Vehicle, and realised how it Aggressive driving wastes huge amounts of could improve day-to-day efficiencies, fuel. It’s estimated that excessive acceleration while helping the business plan for growth and heavy braking can reduce fuel economy and create new business opportunities.

Darryll Finch, Smart Vehicle Product Owner, O2 Having worked in fleet telematics for 20 years, I’m really excited by all its innovations that vehicle telematics and the Internet of Things brings today and in the future.

Van Elle has already achieved significant operational improvements. Real-time vehicle location means the nearest driver can be deployed to a job, to make the business more efficient. Remote, proactive monitoring ensures vehicles are better maintained. While detailed data on mileage and fuel use is reducing operational costs. The information also helps the company with its duty-of-care by making sure drivers are driving carefully and safely.

Tom Lindup, group managing director of Van Elles said: “The O2 solution is unique. Other companies could do driver behaviour and tracking, but no one else could get that detailed information from on-board diagnostics about how vehicles are performing on a day-to-day basis.” !

O2 Smart Vehicle is built on market-leading Geotab technology. Geotab vehicle telematics devices are deployed in over 500,000 vehicles worldwide.

FURTHER INFORMATION Email: o2smartvehicle@o2.com

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Expert Panel: Telematics

EXPERT PANEL TELEMATICS In the first of a new panel discussion, we ask our experts their views on how telematics have shaped and driven change within the fleet management profession, and why reluctance to use fleet technology still exists within some organisations

Darryll Finch, Smart Vehicle Product Owner, O2

Colin Ferguson, MD of fleet & optimisation, Trakm8

Martin Kadhim, sales director, Lightfoot

Having worked in fleet telematics for over 20 years, Darryll is excited by all its innovations, none as much as the impact of the Internet of things (IoT). He’s product owner for O2 Smart Vehicle with responsibility for its future roadmap. O2 Smart Vehicle gives fleet managers and leasing companies real-time visibility of their fleet.

As a former fleet manager, Colin’s extensive understanding of the industry assists Trakm8 in providing businesses with better efficiencies, improved safety initiatives and significant cost reductions. He is the managing director of fleet and optimisation at telematics provider Trakm8.

Martin has extensive knowledge in the IT, advertising and automotive sectors. He is passionate about the use of technology and psychology to improve driver behaviour, lower costs and reduce harmful emissions. He has been a pioneer in the sector since 2006, playing a key role in the growth of Lightfoot.

Fleet management has become a profession that is more strategic, advanced and demanding than it has ever been before. Tight budgets, duty of care responsibilities, lowering emissions, and keeping up with evolving technology – and the data it creates – all form part of a fleet managers daily responsibilities.

What’s more there is a greater understanding and appreciation of the role that fleets play in an organisation’s overall success.

“Fleet management has unquestionably become a more challenging and demanding job,” says Martin Kadhim from Lightfoot. “Whereas once fleets were seen as a necessary expense, they are now being seen more as an asset which businesses are prepared to invest in.”

Telematics has had a major impact on the profession – and to some extent, has shaped

28

it into the role it is today. Fleet managers went from having no ‘control’ or visibility of their vehicles once they were on the road, to having an abundance of technology that could offer information on all areas – from routes, to vehicle performance and driver behaviour. This new data allowed them to make informed decisions about what changes to make for a more efficient, greener, safer and cost effective fleet. It armed them with evidence to make drivers more accountable.

“Today’s advanced vehicle telematics are having a genuinely transformational impact on fleet management,” says Darryll Finch from O2 Smart Vehicle. “It facilitates improvements in the most fundamentally important areas of fleet management, like operational efficiency, productivity, duty of care and customer experience. And ultimately, telematics offers a

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Mike Hemming, UK director of professional Services, Masternaut Mike has over 12 years’ telematics experience. This has involved implementing telematics solutions across the globe and partnering with large companies such as Shell and the National Grid to provide consultancy services aimed at improving driver behaviour, reducing fleet risk and maximising return on investment.

host of powerful opportunities to drive down costs and make businesses more competitive.”

“The type of rich, detailed telematics information today’s solutions capture allow organisations to make better, more informed business decisions,” Darryll adds.

Echoing this view, Martin Kadhim from Lightfoot says: “The availability of data has given fleet managers the opportunity to become more scientific in their work and, with that, enhance the contribution they make to their organisations. However, with their increased strategic importance comes increased pressure – with operations, finance, health & safety, environment and CSR teams, amongst others, all looking for outcomes from fleets and fleet managers.”

Mike Hemming from Masternaut agrees that the availability of data has added

Data overload With all the detailed information that comes out of telematics, there is a risk that fleet managers could suffer from ‘data overload’ and consequently not act on the inefficiencies it flags up. Making sense of all the data can be seen as a daunting task and an added burden.

Mike Hemming from Masternaut believes that when fleet telematics first started to emerge, this was the case: “In the early days telematics data was not used to its full potential, with many suppliers and users of the data not using everything at their disposal to maximise the possible benefits. However this is now changing as customers are making more informed purchasing decisions around their telematics, and suppliers are keen to ensure that customers maximise their efficiencies.”

Colin Ferguson from Trakm8 believes it is the job of the telematics provider to help fleet managers in this area: “Although connected insights have helped fleet managers to gain a greater understanding of their operations, and how to achieve greater efficiencies, there is a real danger of becoming bogged down in the masses of data available to them.

With this in mind, it is imperative that their telematics provider listens to the challenges they face before providing them with the KPIs that are relevant to their goals.”

Darryll Finch from O2 Smart Vehicle adds that fleet managers will need to become more confident in making decisions based on data and analytics, but that the benefits are worth it: “Today’s sophisticated telematics tools are invaluable in helping fleet managers rise to the demands of a their complex and exacting roles.

“Enhanced telematics data sets aren’t just transforming fleet financials. They’re creating a foundation for the increasing importance of fleet managers within the business.”

Corporate responsibility Whilst fleet management is a lot more involved now, what still remains fundamental is the safety of drivers. The Corporate Manslaughter Act means that employers could be liable should their staff be killed in an accident whilst driving for work.

Therefore companies must demonstrate that they are actively assessing the risks involved with driving for work, such as driver hours and journeys, and put in place a health and safety policy.

“Fleets are bound by increasingly strict compliance regulations,” comments Colin Ferguson from Trakm8. “With the government’s increased focus on road safety – such as the new deterrents for the use of a mobile phone and speeding – fleet operators must approach regulatory compliance as seriously as possible. Technologies such as CellControl, driver behaviour monitoring and ADAS are enabling policies to be enforced with ease and sophistication and, in turn, are lowering costs through accident reduction.”

Colin continued: “Fleet managers have access to a range of tools, from those that minimise driver distraction to tachograph analysis, and features that enable vehicle safety checks to be conducted remotely – all of which can be used to identify risk and minimise collisions and downtime.

“Fleets that can demonstrate a commitment to improving safety are seeing dramatic reduction in insurance premiums, with some fleet managers reporting savings of 15 per cent from driver behaviour monitoring alone.”

Better drivers “As driver behaviour technology is used more and more, fleets will become safer as a result,” comments Mike Hemming from Masternaut.

But the technology can also be used to make the drivers more fuel-conscious, which will result in CO2 and fuel cost savings.

Telematics systems can help achieve this by sending data back to head office on how staff are driving – whether they are speeding, or braking and cornering too harshly, or leaving the engine idling in between jobs. Many systems give real-time feedback to drivers too so they can modify their driving style whilst on the road.

With d aile the det tion informaes out m that co tics, there a of telemk that fleet is a ris ers could manag om ‘data suffer frrload’ ove

Data on driver performance allows managers to give the appropriate training to staff, and in some cases, provide incentive schemes that reward safe and fuel-efficient driving.

Darryll Finch from O2 Smart Vehicle says:“We all know that poor driving styles like excessive acceleration waste fuel. But with today’s telematics solutions, fleet managers can easily identify the worst culprits. Then they can configure in-car audio alerts that warn drivers when they need to correct their behaviour. The benefits are considerable – not just a saving in fuel costs but potentially lower insurance premiums and less costly unplanned maintenance.”

Martin Kadhim from Lightfoot believes that working with the driver and using real-time telematics to improve driver behaviour is a real way to make improvements. He explains: “At Lightfoot we focus on working with drivers, in real-time and in their vehicles, to give them the necessary tools and motivation to solve poor driving at source. This results in just a quick check each week by the fleet manager to ensure that each driver is hitting their KPIs, rather than having to invest valuable time and resource in retrospectively monitoring reports and then addressing poor driving behaviours.”

Expert Panel: Telematics

pressure to the role. He says: “Increased information has created additional pressures on the fleet manager, as the role has become less focused on the purchase of the fleet, but on the fleet as a whole entity and its integration within the business.”

Efficient operations Greener and more conscientious drivers result in improved efficiencies, and this is further enhanced by route optimisation. Telematics can help fleets to understand which routes are the most efficient in terms of traffic and length, which vehicle is right for the job, and real time tracking can make for more punctual logistics.

Colin Ferguson from Trakm8 says: “Unique algorithms are now used to assign vehicles, drivers and schedules in the most efficient manner. Not only do these algorithms reduce a fleet’s mileage and CO2 emissions but can also increase vehicle utilisation by 20 per cent.”

Darryll Finch from O2 Smart Vehicle also sees the benefits telematics can bring to scheduling and logistics: “Telematics allow fleet managers to gain a single comprehensive real-time view of driver and vehicle status. This makes it easy to select the nearest or most suitable vehicle for a job. Or to dynamically plan and optimise routes according to the demands of a job, the type of vehicle required, and so on.” !

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Expert Panel: Telematics

Expert final thoughts Darryll Finch One of the biggest areas where I expect to see an impact is in how engine and vehicle diagnostics will help businesses make better decisions about vehicle purchasing or leasing. Detailed historical data about individual marques, models and even individual parts can help fleets evaluate what will be the best performers for their businesses in future. These insights can also help fleet managers negotiate better rates with manufactures and leasing companies based on a wide variety of telematics-based evidence.

Colin Ferguson While the connected car is still in its infancy, the telematics industry thus far has done an excellent job in increasing the efficiencies, improving the productivity and reducing the emissions of fleets. The growth of IoT and the disruption of autonomous vehicles will undoubtedly automate the compliance aspect of a fleet manager’s role. Autonomous vehicles will think for themselves and be programmed to drive as safely and efficiently as possible, informing owners of maintenance and service requirements automatically.

Martin Kadhim Despite all this amazing technology, the driver, as a human, can’t be overlooked. They have a massive impact on fleet operations and the efficiencies achievable. That’s why at Lightfoot we are focusing on the driver and introducing rewards and incentives to ensure they are motivated to want to be better in the first place.

This includes our unique Fleet Driver of the Week award, sponsored by Allianz, which sees one of our fleet drivers earn the title of “Fleet Driver of the Week” and win a prize.

Mike Hemming As telematics becomes more widely used in the fleet industry, the emphasis will focus increasingly on the integration of data. Connecting telematics with complementary data sets will ensure that the customers get more out of all of their fleet-related systems.

This could be as simple as sending CANbus derived odometer readings to a customer’s fleet provider, or a more complex solution of transferring high volumes of data to and from a job management system.

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! Reluctance There has been a perception in the past that telematics are typically used by large corporates operating a large fleet of vehicles. And research has indicated that some SMEs are not fully aware of the benefits that telematics can bring them. So do our panelists believe there is a reluctance amongst some to adopt telematics?

For Darryll Finch from O2 Smart Vehicle, it is the “overtones of big brother” or the view that telematics is “a cost that won’t yield a Return on Investment (ROI),” that is concerning some organisations. However, he adds: “I’m seeing those attitudes decline as it becomes evident how much value vehicle telematics can offer – not just to fleet managers but throughout the business.”

Colin Ferguson from Trackm8 believes there are two main reasons why SMEs and small business are reluctant to adopt telematics.

He explains: “Firstly, many SMEs and small businesses do not consider their fleet to be large enough to experience the benefits of installing telematics. Secondly, many of these businesses wrongly believe telematics implementation is costly and struggle to see a positive return on investment.”

Martin Kadhim from Lightfoot believes that reluctance is often down to fear: “Fear of culpability, fear of the impact it may have on daily operations, fear of damaging relationships in the workplace and fear that they won’t be equipped to deal with the output. There is also sometimes a reluctance to face up to corporate responsibility and duty of care.”

Darryll Finch O2 Smart Vehicle urges those with concerns to have a fresh look at the benefits of today’s solutions. He says: “I think businesses would be surprised at what they’d gain from telematics in terms of cost savings, operational gains and HR improvements. Or by how today’s solutions present actionable, easy-to-understand information.”

Giving advice to fleets that are considering telematics, Mike Hemming from Masternaut says: “Companies considering telematics should bear in mind two key aspects. The first is that the business case for telematics is proven. It is not just a tool for a fleet manager or depot to use to see where their vehicles are, but a tool for a business to measure itself, manage inefficiency and improve service delivery.”

The second piece of advice that Mike gives is for businesses to concentrate on one or two benefits in the initial period: He says: “In many cases this will be focusing on driver behaviour and idling, as this for the majority of customers will provide a cost neutral ROI for the business.

Cement these within the business first, then introduce new measures from the system, such as utilisation, as these are harder savings to realise and will need a little more time.”

people’s lives and jobs easier. There has already been great strides made in researching and trialling autonomous vehicles, and connected vehicles have created a shift in the way we travel – with options like car sharing and car clubs growing in popularity. So how do our panelists see telematics developing in the future?

“One of the biggest areas where I expect to see an impact is in how engine and vehicle diagnostics will help businesses make better decisions about vehicle purchasing or leasing,” says Darryll Finch from O2 Smart Vehicle. “Detailed historical data about individual marques, models and even individual parts can help fleets evaluate what will be the best performers for their businesses in future. These insights can also help fleet managers negotiate better rates with manufactures and leasing companies based on a wide variety of telematics-based evidence. That could mean price reductions for models that cost more to maintain, or bulk discounts for fleets that make a greater investment in a more fit-for-purpose vehicle.”

Colin Ferguson from Trakm8 believes the cost of telematics will come down. He says: “As connected car technologies become commonplace, the cost of telematics systems will tumble, whether this is down to the reduced requirement for third party installations, or the increasing presence of devices fitted

by OEMs. Technologies are also beginning to merge, again acting as a catalyst for further cost reductions. For example, dash cam and telematics technologies are becoming increasingly available as all-in-one units, removing the downtime and cost of purchasing and installing these systems separately.”

Martin Kadhim from Lightfoot sees the natural progression for telematics is to become a fully integrated platform for data collection, transmission and sharing in order to streamline aspects such as preventative maintenance schedules which will, in turn, reduce vehicle downtime. He explains: “Telematics systems will identify that, although the recommended service is not due for another 2000 miles, because of how the vehicle has been driven, it may be that it actually needs that service much sooner. Not only will the telematics system be able to pick up on this, but it can then cut out the ‘middle man’, reducing the administration needed to get the vehicle booked into a service centre.”

Mike Hemming from Masternaut agrees with the point about integration: “As telematics becomes more widely used in the fleet industry the emphasis will focus increasingly on the integration of data. Connecting telematics with complementary data sets will ensure that the customers get more out of all of their fleet-related systems. This could be as simple as sending CANbus derived odometer readings to a customer’s fleet provider, or a more complex solution of transferring high volumes of data to and from a job management system.” "

As ics telematmore s becomeed in the us widely dustry, the fleet in is will focus s empha asingly on e incr gration e t n i e th of data

The future Technology is evolving constantly and there will always be new ways technology can make

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Advertisement Feature ADVERTORIAL

Trakm8: technology that keeps it simple for fleets In theory, technology should make a fleet manager’s life easier – and there are a growing number of systems, ranging from telematics to dash cams to optimisation. However, the danger is that the fleet manager spends more time managing an array of suppliers and technologies than they do actually running the fleet. Does the answer lie in integration?

One of the biggest buzzwords in fleet management right now is “integration” – and for good reason. Increasingly sophisticated technology is creating new solutions for fleets all the time; but this means that fleet managers can end up overwhelmed.

provide a fleet with the pertinent elements of our end-to-end solutions, so the organisation only pays for the bits it really needs. This also means fleet managers have the flexibility to scale up by procuring additional modules as their enterprise objectives change over time.

Single Source An end-to-end system from one supplier helps keep things simple – one log-in, one dashboard, and one tool for generating reports. In this way, the technology does the heavy lifting, without adding unnecessary complexities to the fleet manager’s role.

Trakm8 offers a comprehensive single source solution that encompasses GPS tracking, vehicle compliance checks, driver behaviour, vehicle health, dash cams and fleet optimisation. This can significantly boost productivity for the fleet manager, while helping them to hit targets for fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Integrated hardware is also increasingly simplifying procurement and reducing installation costs. The forthcoming Roadhawk 600 4G telematics camera from Trakm8 is a great example. This combines Trakm8 telematics with crystal-clear footage and live streaming from both forward-and rear-facing cameras. Other integrated features include first notification of loss (FNOL) alerts in the event of an accident, driver behaviour monitoring, vehicle health alerts, and geofencing; plus automated time sheet generation. That’s pretty impressive for one discreet unit that tucks behind the rear view mirror.

Small fleet solutions Many small businesses still view telematics as an expensive and unnecessary complication.

This was perhaps true a few years ago, when off-the-shelf systems were aimed at – and priced for – larger fleets. However, modern solutions such as Trakm8prime are specifically designed for fleets of 10 or fewer vehicles and it can be bought online without the need to see a salesperson. It focuses on the KPIs that matter to small business owners including GPS tracking; driver behaviour; P11D returns; and vehicle health.

GPS tracking is well understood, as it enables managers to keep customers informed of accurate arrival times and helps prevent unauthorised use of vehicles.

Driver behaviour is increasingly popular, because better driving helps companies to cut their fuel bills, reduce at-fault accidents and protect their public image.

Priced at just £12.99 per vehicle per month, Trakm8prime can easily pay for itself on fuel savings alone.

One of the most overlooked features is P11D mileage returns. With just one click, a business owner can calculate the company’s business and private mileage. This can significantly increase productivity, as both manager and drivers freed from unnecessary paperwork.

Finally, an innovative element of

Modular approach There is a lot of talk in our industry about “solutions”; however we take the definition very seriously at Trakm8. A genuine solution solves a problem for a fleet manager.

One size does not fit all; and for this reason we have built a sales team full of very good listeners. Creating long-term, sustainable and successful relationships with customers starts with us listening to their needs. In this way, we can identify the fleet manager’s KPIs and deliver a tailored solution to their specific challenges.

Tailored solutions require flexible technology and at Trakm8 we have developed a modular approach. This enables us to

Trakm8prime is vehicle health, as the technology sends real-time alerts for any vehicle diagnostic trouble codes, such as low battery state of charge.

These help fleets to avoid breakdowns, non-starts and unplanned down time.

The Cardiff Window Cleaner is a family-run business, working across south Wales and in the Bristol area. It recently signed up to Trakm8prime for its three vans and company car, after testing the technology in a 30-day free trial.

Joseph Richards, managing director, said: “In addition to the clear safety improvements driver behaviour monitoring has had on our fleet, there has been a noticeable reduction in our fuel consumption.

“Also, knowing exactly where vehicles are at any given time across South Wales allows for rapid response to situations that may arise. This allows us to give an even better service to our important clients.”

Emilio Evangelista, one of Joseph’s drivers, said: “Initially the thought of my driving been tracked wasn’t really appealing.

However, since having the tracker fitted I feel my driving has definitely improved.

I feel more responsible to ensure that my driving is safe and courteous to other road users. I also enjoy being able to review my driving at the end of the week and see where I can make improvements.” !

FURTHER INFORMATION Sign up for a free 30-day trial of Trakm8prime at www.trakm8prime.com Tel: 0330 333 4124 info@trakm8.com

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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“

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Providing high quality vehicles and service solutions to the logistics industry

Aquila Truck Centres are committed to raising the standards of excellence for service to transport operators throughout the UK. With 4 dealerships and 1 authorised repairer, we are able to offer award winning Iveco commercial service.

24 Hour Workshops throughout the week “We know how important it is to maintain a vehicle throughout its operating life, making sure that it performs as you would expect, achieving the highest resale value when the time comes”

with overnight servicing available at weekends*

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Fixed Price Servicing Contracts available on HGV’s, trailers, vans & cranes*

24 Hour Breakdown Cover Available on the new Iveco range throughout the UK & Europe

2017 is seeing big changes at Aquila We have recently opened a dedicated Iveco Daily van centre in our Worcester depot, with an extensive range of Iveco Daily stock & demonstrators, we are geared up to handle all commercial van operators in the Worcestershire area.

(Conveniently located 1 mile from junction 6 of the M5) At Aquila we are investing in people, increasing service and allowing our customers to focus on their core business, giving peace of mind & simplicity.

Aquila are a leading Iveco franchise dealer in the UK, we have dedicated time and resource to get things right. We offer transport solutions for all types of fleets ranging from 3.5 Tonne to 44 Tonne,

Another reason to choose Aquila.

Registered Office: Aquila Truck Centres (Italia) Ltd Chimney Road, Great Bridge, Tipton. DY4 7BY

Branches At: Avonmouth: Gloucester: Swindon: Worcester:

Tel: 0117 916 2240 Tel: 01452 314900 Tel: 01793 422366 Tel: 01905 753213

www.aquilaitalia.com – Registered No: 8480919 – VAT No: GB 161 2652 30

Now in its 18th year, the 2017 Commercial Vehicle Show boasted more exhibition space and hosted some major new truck and van launches. GreenFleet shares its highlights from the show The CV Show took place at the NEC, Birmingham from 25-27 April, and brought together all elements of the freight, logistics and road transport industries in a major exhibition, as well as topical seminar sessions.

Now in its 18th year, the 2017 CV Show was its biggest event for eight years, with 10 per cent more exhibition space than last year, around 460 companies exhibiting and around 23,000 people attending.

The case for clean diesels The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) used the show to highlight the importance of the commercial vehicle sector to the economy, and how the latest diesel technology is the cleanest in the fuel’s history – despite its negative portrayal in recent years.

Marking the opening of the show, the SMMT arranged a gathering of commercial vehicles, including emergency response, utility and works vehicles – all powered with the latest clean diesel engines (below).

The aim was to demonstrate that the UK’s economy and safety depends on commercial vehicles – most of which run on diesel.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Commercial vehicles play an essential but often overlooked role in keeping Britain functioning, performing jobs and transporting vital goods and services that we all rely on every day. This sector has never been so important to the UK economy – and to British jobs – and diesel’s role in powering these vital vehicles should not be downplayed.

“Nearly all our commercial vehicles are driven by diesel, and thanks to heavy investment by industry to develop world-leading low emission technology, the latest Euro VI CVs on our roads today are the cleanest and safest ever.”

The 2017 Commercial Vehicle Show also hosted two new live features, an Innovation Hub, presented by Motor Transport, and interactive Twitter Lounges, where visitors and exhibitors could tweet their experiences and news live from the show.

MAN While MAN is best known for its trucks, the manufacturer debuted its first large van – the TGE – which is based on the latest Volkswagen Crafter and includes all its safety and efficiency features.

The MAN TGE fills the requirement for a light commercial vehicle with a gross weight rating between 3 tonnes and 5.5 tonnes and will be ideal for everyday light transport tasks in the transport and haulage sector.

The TGE goes on sale in September, with prices starting from £23,990 for the entry-level 3.0-tonne version, and from £26,490 for a 3.5-tonne model – which is where MAN expects to do most of its business.

a turning circle of just 9.8m (smaller than a London Taxi) and is only 3.6 metres long.

The front seats of the van are separated from the cargo area by a mesh partition, with loading through the tailgate and two rear side doors, derived from those of the passenger car.

Power comes from an AC electric motor developing 60kW (the equivalent of 82bhp) and 210Nm of torque, with drive to the front wheels through a single speed gearbox.

The van has a range of up to 99 miles on a single charge from its lithium-ion battery pack.

Volkswagen has said it has no immediate plans to market the smaller van in the UK, but is interested to gauge public reaction to it at the show as a potential future addition to its portfolio.

Also on display on the VW stand was the new Crafter. With new EU 6 engines and a new exterior design, the model has the lowest consumption and emission figures. VW says that engineers accompanied vehicle users from key customer groups, including couriers, construction workers and long distance drivers on their rounds during the development stage, in order to understand precisely different customers’ requirements. As a result, the Crafter offers innovative, practical and electronic solutions for various individual challenges, VW says.

The 2017 C Show h V per cen ad 10 t more exhibiti o n compan space, 460 ies e and aro xhibiting 23,000 und pe attendi ople ng

Volkswagen One of the smallest electric vans ever created made its UK debut at this year’s show. The VW e-load Up is based on VW’s smallest passenger car, yet despite its diminutive proportions it has a load capacity of almost 1,000-litres and a 360kg payload, making it the ideal vehicle for urban deliveries in areas where both space and emissions are restricted.

Aimed at service technicians, food delivery companies and couriers, the e-load Up has

Isuzu Prior to going on sale in the spring, the new generation Isuzu D-Max had its public !

The SMMT gathered a display of Euro 6 diesel commercial vehicles together to showcase clean diesel

Commercial Vehicle Show

2017 CV Show highlights

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DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

DAF had a mix of models from its LF, CF and XF ranges on display. The manufacturer used the event to promote its Transport Efficiency initiative, which encompasses a range of product enhancements such as Silent Mode and Predictive Cruise Control ! reveal at the show. The D-Max has been revised with a brand new 1.9-litre Euro 6 turbo diesel engine, which produces 162bhp and 360Nm of torque. The engine builds upon D-Max’s workhorse character and retains the 3.5 tonne towing capacity and 1-tonne payload whilst providing a quieter, more refined and economical driving experience.

As per previous D-Max models, Shift-On-The-Fly 4x4 is a key feature of the new truck. The rotary dial allows the driver to select four-wheel drive on the move as well as low range gears. New Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist are fitted across the range.

Mellor Coachcraft Lancashire-based coachbuilders, Mellor Coachcraft, showed off its new Orion E, a fully-electric 16-seat bus.

The Orion E is unique as it has single-step entry and a completely flat, low-floor saloon which offers flexible seating configuration and space for up to four wheelchairs with passenger access through either a rapid sliding side entry door or the double doors at the rear.

The vehicle achieves its unique layout by having an electric front-wheel drive system, allowing Mellor Coachcraft the freedom

to develop the passenger area without the intrusion of a prop-shaft and rear differential.

The vehicle is fitted with independent trailing arm suspension which helps to provide a large floor space that can be configured to suit customer needs.

The bus has an estimated 100-mile range and a claimed recharging time of 100 minutes, using industry-standard Lithium-Ion battery packs.

Mitsubishi The one-off Mitsubishi L200 Desert Warrior, which was built in conjunction with Top Gear magazine, was unveiled at the Commercial Vehicle Show. Codenamed ‘Project Swarm’, it was designed as a ‘pre-runner’ off-road vehicle for desert races.

The vehicle is enhanced by a set of bespoke Cobra racing seats, external roll cage, heavily modified suspension, oversized wheels with self-inflating tyres, long range LED lights and other equipment to negotiate some of the world’s harshest terrain.

Top Gear is planning to use the Mitsubishi L200 Desert Warrior for an upcoming challenge which will feature in the magazine and online.

Inspired by this one-off vehicle, the L200 Barbarian SVP (Special Vehicle Projects) vehicle was also on show – and is available

Transport efficiency DAF had a mix of models from its LF, CF and XF ranges on display. The manufacturer used the event to promote its Transport Efficiency initiative, which encompasses a range of product enhancements such as Silent Mode and Predictive Cruise Control. This is supported by the company’s range of customer support services, namely, DAFaid, DAF MultiSupport R&M packages, DAF Parts and PACCAR Financial – all combining to provide operators with a total transport solution.

Cartwright had its biggest ever stand at this year’s show and showed products with a strong focus on urban transport.

This including a 13.6-metre refrigerated trailer, designed to comply with PIEK low-noise standards. It has been fitted with a low-noise fridge system and includes a tail lift and pneumatic shutter operation.

In addition, a 13.6-metre 52-pallet Double Deck Wedge Trailer was on display, featuring Cartwright’s 4-ram direct drive hydraulic full length lifting deck.

An 11-metre tandem-axle Streetwise Urban Delivery Concept trailer was also shown, with twin temperature refrigeration, side unloading through doors on both sides and multi-function ramps for pavement or road-level unloading.

Commercial Vehicle Show

to buy, although numbers are limited. It has been specifically built from the ground up, giving it a rugged new appearance.

Meanwhile the commercial Outlander PHEV 4Work was displayed with a new EV button to allow the vehicle run on electric power alone.

Refrigeration GreenFleet Award winner Perpetual V2G, a supplier of battery-based power systems, were present to display its range of products for delivery vehicles. The company recently teamed with Fraikin to begin trials of a zero-emission temperature-controlled vehicle system.

Perpetual V2G’s technology can power refrigeration units fitted to 3.5-tonne light commercial vehicles, and Fraikin is making a demonstrator available for fleets to trial nationwide.

As the first system of its kind in Europe, it has been designed to future-proof LCV fleets against ever-tightening environmental legislation, by lowering emissions and sound pollution levels, while also reducing running costs.

The new technology can be charged via the mains or by harvesting wasted power through the vehicle’s alternator – one of the unique aspects of the design. For optimum efficiency, Euro 6 engine alternators operate intermittently, preventing them from providing the consistent charge lithium-ion batteries require to remain operational.

Meanwhile, Thermo King and Frigoblock showed visitors a portfolio of diesel, hybrid and all-electric applications to suit all refrigeration requirements from trucks and trailers to home delivery vans.

The show saw the UK premiere of the new Thermo King SLXi platform of trailer refrigeration units and the new Hybrid Drive Trailer concept. " Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Commercial Vehicle Show

! The Thermo King SXLi range provides optimised performance and fuel savings of 10 to 20 per cent, compared with its predecessor. It’s the industry’s first fully telematics-enabled refrigerated trailer unit, delivering full visibility of the unit and load condition with the TK BlueBox communication device and Bluetooth as standard.

The Hybrid Drive Trailer concept offers additional fuel and operational savings, as well as low emission and noise levels enabling transport companies access to inner city areas and restricted zones.

Hubbard Products and Dearman exhibited their high performance, zero-emission transport refrigeration unit that they developed in partnership.

Using the liquid nitrogen (LN2)-powered Dearman Engine, the system has zero-emissions and is near-silent in operation, while being cost competitive.

A transport refrigeration unit (TRU) powered by a secondary diesel engine can emit up to six times as much nitrogen oxide (NOx) and almost 30 times as much particulate matter (PM) as a Euro 6 heavy goods vehicle engine. However, the Hubbard-Dearman TRU eliminates emissions of NOx and particulate matter, providing a significant improvement in air quality, while also reducing carbon footprint and noise.

The Dearman system has been undergoing an extensive commercial trial with Sainsbury’s since June 2016, with further international deployments expected to begin later this year.

Volkswag en Crafter

ic All-electr 10 LDV EG

Everything in between It is not just the trucks and vans that drew the crowds to the 2017 CV Show. As the largest and most comprehensive road freight transport, distribution and logistics event staged in Britain, the CV Show catered for every operator’s requirements and is purposely designed to be a one-stop shop for anyone involved in associated industries.

Ancillary suppliers offered products such as handling equipment, insurance, logistics, tyres, telematics, training providers, fuels, lubricants, and much more.

Pick-up accessory specialist Truckman showed the latest additions to its range of secure hardtops and accessories,

such as the newly launched range of the high-capacity Truckman Classic hardtop and the solid sided cab high Truckman RS. Another of Truckman’s commercial hardtops on display will be the high-capacity, all-round gull-wing side access Truckman Utility. Popular with field-based engineers and utility customers, the Utility can be kitted out to operate in off-road situations, such as carrying out railway track maintenance, and gives technicians unrivalled organised storage and access to tools and equipment.

Cameras Brigade Electronics launched a new 3G-enabled digital recording system at the show. "

BALANCED WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION INCREASED PAYLOAD STRONG, LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURE

WHEEL GRIP

CORNERING PERFORMANCE & ROAD HOLDING

LOWER HEIGHT & CENTRE OF GRAVITY BRAKING EFFICIENCY

AL-KO AMC: THE ADVANCED COMMERCIAL CHASSIS AL-KO AMC provides manufacturers with a state-of-the-art chassis that significantly improves the performance of their commercial application. AMC’s lightweight design provides increased payloads, improved road holding and cornering, and many other benefits. AMC therefore enables manufacturers to build commercial vehicles with even greater levels of performance, quality and safety.

To find out more about AMC visit our stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC Birmingham, April 25th-27th, Hall 5, stand 5F90 - or contact us: 01926 818500 | amc@al-ko.co.uk | www.al-ko.co.uk

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Commercial Vehicle Show

As the largest and most comprehensive road freight transport, distribution and logistics event staged in Britain, the CV Show catered for every operator’s requirements and is purposely designed to be a one-stop shop for anyone involved in associated industries ! The new mobile digital recording system (MDR) allows operators to remotely access footage and other vehicle information such as speed and location in real time. The standard MDR has been one of Brigade’s most sought-after products in recent years but now the company can offer a fully managed and hosted 3G solution.

The new service allows operators remote access and live streaming of footage from up to eight vehicle mounted cameras.

Immediate access to data is invaluable; in the event of an incident, to refute claims, assess which party is culpable and reassure drivers in the event of an emergency.

The managed service includes a 3G SIM card and access to Brigade’s hosted server. By hosting the service, Brigade is able to identify any SIM or network issues through remote diagnostics, saving the customer valuable time and resource. Customers have the choice to access footage via the Brigade dashboard or by downloading the app on their phones.

Meanwhile, Intelligent Telematics used the Show to demonstrate its 3G vehicle camera system, which it says is the only 3G solution currently available in the fleet marketplace that delivers integrated driver behaviour monitoring and proactive claims management.

Intelligent Telematics’ IT1000 and IT2000 3G devices use sophisticated camera technology, so that HD footage of any collision, near miss or harsh driving incident

is captured and transmitted within minutes of it happening, direct from the scene.

Training FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, took its FORS Professional brand to the show, to promote the range of training it offers and delivers to its members.

The FORS Professional training package supports the scheme’s three core principles of best practice – safety, efficiency and environmental protection – bringing together the full suite of FORS training materials and opportunities.

The training provides educational tools for operators, including specific training for drivers and transport managers – and for transport companies regardless of size and make-up. Fully funded for FORS members, FORS Professional offers training courses and eLearning as well as toolkits, guides and other materials to ensure fleets have the best possible access to education and best practice.

What’s more, FORS has launched a take-away pack called Toolbox Talks to help operators teach their teams. The ‘Talks’ are a take-away resource that provides valuable information and support material to help operators to promote their companies’ safety, efficiency and environmental culture.

FORS Toolbox Talks focus on drivers to help meet the needs of FORS Bronze requirements.

Fleet management BT Fleet, a provider of outsourced fleet management services, were present to demonstrate how it uses innovation and technology to help fleets keep their management costs down.

Delivered through a nationwide network of 64 owned garages and 42 mobile engineers, the company manages more than 120,000 vehicles on behalf of its customers.

BT Fleet’s customers include G4S, Post Office, St John Ambulance, E.ON, the AA and Environment Agency.

Visitors to BT Fleet’s stand will have an opportunity to gain an insight into how, as part of the BT Ventures group of businesses, BT Fleet claims to deliver innovation through technology to help its customers turn operational challenge into a competitive advantage.

Fast-fit services Kwik Fit promoted two new services at the show – ‘Mobile7’ and a Fleet Web Booking tyre facility, both designed to minimise fleet and driver inconvenience and maximise vehicle uptime.

Kwik Fit has 1.4 million vehicles on its tyre management service and Fleet Web Booking enables drivers of those company vans and cars to make an appointment at a centre of their choice or use Mobile via smartphone, laptop, PC or tablet.

The database will check tyre stock availability, centre fitment slots available that are convenient to a driver’s location and offer the option of Kwik Fit Mobile fitment.

The company is also providing fleet and retail customers with a seven-day a week mobile tyre fitting service following the launch of ‘Mobile7’ inside the M25, from 8.30am to 8.30pm, seven days a week.

Following the successful launch of ‘Mobile7’ in the London area, Kwik Fit is now considering rolling the expanded service out to other metropolitan areas during 2017. " Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

Mitsubishi Barbarian SVP

Commercial Vehicle Show

! Software Jaama, the fleet industry asset management software system provider, showed of its new functionality, Key2, which is a web-based vehicle, driver and workshop management solution.

As an Associate member of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and a partner to the Freight Transport Association’s Van Excellence scheme, Jaama is firmly focused on helping fleets achieve compliance best practice through implementation of Key2.

Jaama has introduced vehicle inspection sheets within the Workshop touchscreen module. This allows technicians to view their work allocation and record their time against each vehicle work item.

In addition, a technician is able to complete a vehicle service/inspection checklist, which is fully customisable. Each check on the list has three options – completed, requires attention or not applicable – and if a technician’s work on a vehicle service or inspection is interrupted, the sophisticated technology will return to the appropriate page on resumption.

On completion, checklist sheets are stored against the Key2 Workshop job sheet.

A further development by Jaama is its new ‘My Vehicle App’, which allows Key2 to be operated remotely by drivers and operators.

Chevin Fleet Solutions meanwhile will be demonstrating its FleetWave software, which is designed to help busy organisations retain optimal control over costs, compliance and workload in every

Isuzu D-Max

aspect of fleet and asset management.

The software works by bringing together a wide variety of internal and external data (from job card and vehicle defect information to real-time supplier parts availability) into a single, secure system.

Testing, testing Millbrook Group, the independent vehicle testing provider, used the show to promote its new Technology Park, which will open this summer. The company has recently broken ground on the latest phase of its Technology Park, which has been supported by £1.2 million of funding from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP). It adds new workshop facilities for the development and testing of commercial vehicles.

The new development, due for completion in July 2017, will feature three large workshops with wide bays and tall access points, particularly suitable for buses, trucks and off-highway vehicles. Each workshop is 170m2 and includes dedicated office space. Tenants can rent the workshops on a short or long-term basis. Designed to provide the ideal setting for automotive

Volkswagen e-load Up

suppliers and engineering companies, the Technology Park is located at the heart of Millbrook Proving Ground, giving tenants access to Millbrook’s extensive testing facilities and expertise. The test tracks include a constant speed circuit, city and urban simulation routes, a mile straight, truck slopes, and different surfaces for structural durability, allowing testing to be undertaken in a controlled environment across a wide range of scenarios, gradients and surfaces to suit customers’ exact requirements. " FURTHER INFORMATION www.cvshow.com

The DVSA recently revealed that 88.5% of LCVs stopped at the roadside were overloaded.

With plans to pull over more LCV’s on the roadside and to potentially enforce HGVlike legislation on the LCV market, isn’t about time you checked your minibus or van’s laden weights, especially the individual axle weights? SvTech has discovered many more vans have overloaded rear axles than previously thought. Any overload could invalidate your insurance.

SvTech can help with uprating your LCV to give you more payload, keeping you safe and legal. Most makes and models catered for. Call us to discuss your needs and try using our free Load Distribution program – www.svtech.co.uk/lda If you need to Downplate your LCV for LEZ purposes, we can help with that too.

SvTech Ltd, Chandler House, Talbot Rd, Leyland, Lancs PR25 2ZF 01772 621800 www.svtech.co.uk

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

41

Electric Taxis

Developing an electric future for London cabs

Written by Andrea Pluck

London Taxi Company has recently opened a new factory for the development and production of electric vehicles only. The firm’s chief operation officer, Paul Woolley, has since discussed the aim of its new factory and research hub with GreenFleet’s Andrea Pluck

tory The fac as it is e, is uniqu“UK’s the ly ility sole c a f t s r fi ed to dedicat uction d the pro ectric l of e ” vehicles

London Taxi Company (LTC) has recently opened a £300 million factory in Coventry, which will produce only electric vehicles, alongside a new research development assembly facility which will be used to develop new zero-emission models.

In addition to this, the firm has revealed that it is looking into developing electric commercial vehicles, alongside the taxis which are already set for production.

The investment of £300 million came from Geely, LTC’s owners, and it has also been supported by £16.1 million from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, through the Regional Growth Fund, which was awarded in 2015.

In an interview with Paul Woolley, LTC’s chief operation officer, GreenFleet got the opportunity to find out more about the company’s electric endeavours.

Green principals According to Woolley, the factory is unique in comparison to other manufacturing facilities in the UK because it is the “UK’s first

42

facility dedicated solely to the production of electric vehicles”.

He said: “We will only make our range extended electric taxis and vans at the site.”

In line with the company’s “green principals”, Woolley says that the factory is an “extremely sustainable building”.

“As well as the large photovoltaic array on the roof to generate electricity, the building also recycles waste heat and water – and is extremely energy efficient”.

LTC’s research, development and assembly facility at Coventry’s Ansty Park is expected to be used to develop the new TX5 model – a zero emissions taxi – and other hybrid technology vehicles. Woolley told GreenFleet that the aim of the centre is for it to become “a centre of excellence in lightweighting technology across the group”.

The facility will be Geely’s research and development hub for the UK, which will assist the firm in cutting vehicle weight and increasing vehicle range.

LTC’s aim is for 90 per cent of group vehicles sold in 2020 to be “new energy vehicles”.

The TX5 model which is currently being built at the factory, has many differences

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

in comparison to the iconic black cab, the TX4, according to Woolley.

He said: “The next cab will not have a single carry-over part from the TX4. It has been re-designed from the ground up as a purpose-built electric taxi.”

Woolley added: “As well as our famous features – like easy wheelchair accessibility and high manoeuvrability – the new vehicle will have an ultra-efficient range-extended electric powertrain, which has been designed for the demanding commercial operating requirements for today’s taxi drivers.”

This technology is set to allow LTC to “dramatically” reduce operating costs for drivers in comparison with its current cab.

Other key features of the TX5 include a new forward facing wheelchair position, integrated USB charge points and Wi-Fi, and the ability to accommodate six passengers.

Production process The factory has an expected capacity of producing around 32,000 vehicles a year, which will be a mixture of vans and taxis.

This figure is part of the firm’s aim to focus on “quality, reliability and

London Taxi Company said goodbye to its iconic diesel black cab at The Confused.com London Motor Show on 4-7 of May. The TX4 cab has spent 10 years working as a popular taxi of choice and has been exported to over 40 countries around the globe, including Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand. The cab will be replaced by a new range of extended electric taxis at the end of 2017.

A giant “leaving card” was displayed at the LTC stand, which guests could sign with their favourite taxi tales and best memories of their time spent with the car.

The model on show was a limited edition TX4, which is one of the last-ever 300 diesel cabs to roll off the production line. Like all new diesel taxis, it will come with a Euro 6 engine which delivers an 83 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxides when compared with older models.

The TX4 is also estimated to have appeared in over 5,000 movies and TV shows, including the likes of James Bond films, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes, and many of its impressive feats were honoured at The Confused.com London Motor Show.

Electric Taxis

Farewell to the diesel black cab

Paul Woolley, Chief operation officer, London Taxi Company

The factory has an expected capacity of producing around 32,000 vehicles a year, which will be a mixture of vans and taxis

durability,” rather than quantity.

Shortly after the factory was unveiled, it was announced that zero-emission commercial vehicles would also be added to the production line.

According to Woolley, this is to “meet the growing urban demand for these vehicles at a time of concern about air quality issues”.

LTC’s research and development team of around 200 people are currently working on building a new “core EV platform architecture” in order to “develop a light commercial vehicle (LCV) that is fit for the world’s cities in the 21st century”.

The LCV will be built using the same range-extended EV technology platform as the taxi – which means lower running costs for the delivery drivers. Woolley said that the van is in an “advanced stage of development” and will be on the road in around a year to 18 months after the taxi.

in the Geely group in the construction of the EV plant.

“The biggest challenge came from something much closer to home, in the shape of a rare newt population in Ansty Park – which delayed construction of the factory by three months.”

In order to overcome this issue, the firm worked with Natural England in order to re-home the newts.

Woolley said this included the “construction of various ‘newt hotels’ around the edge of the site”, which was “time well-spent to ensure that we live up to our environmental credentials”.

Challenges When asked if LTC came across any challenges when developing the EV plant, Woolley said that the main issue revolved around construction and newts.

He said: “There is a lot of expertise

ULEZ An Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is set to come into force and will charge vehicles which do not meet exhaust emission standards, including taxis.

It will operate in the Congestion Charging

Zone area in London, which could see taxi firms that do not currently have a fleet which meets the required Euro 6 standard be charged a fee for entering this area, affecting its capability of operating.

GreenFleet asked LTC’s Paul Woolley how this will affect the future of the taxi industry in London. He said: “Because both taxi and van drivers earn their living being on the road, getting people and goods around the cities, they are some of the most affected by poor air quality.

“It is for this reason that many are very supportive of the transition, and for some, the new vehicles cannot come soon enough”.

Woolley concluded that “for these, there will be a marked reduction in operating costs – presenting an opportunity for small and large firms alike”. !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.london-taxis.co.uk

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

43

We’ll keep your fleet working for you From 24-hour breakdown cover to accident assistance, mobile tyre fitting to telematics that help optimise vehicle performance, we’ll keep your fleet on the road.

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Smaller fleets benefit from a range of breakdown packages comprising roadside, recovery and onward travel options as well as whole fleet cover in Europe and Breakdown Repair Cover – with specific services for specialist vehicles and minibuses.

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For specific motor manufacturer customers, the AA employs dedicated technicians with the same on-board diagnostics and tools that would be available at a manufacturer’s main dealer network, leading to better roadside repair rate and higher customer satisfaction.

Alongside our core breakdown provision, the AA also provides a wealth of additional services both relevant and specific to fleets.

Supporting the roadside operation are our mobile fleets providing glass repair and replacement, fuel retrieval, key replacement (including cutting and programming of electronic keys and erasing of the missing/ broken keys) and battery replacement.

Our comprehensive Accident Management service includes driver rehabilitation as well as vehicle recovery and repair. Via AA DriveTech, we provide a full range of Driver Training Services and Risk Management Solutions The AA’s 100+ years of motoring heritage enables us to support our fleet customers wherever possible with technical advice for their drivers (for example summer/ winter driving tips, vehicle maintenance checks

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As a fully rounded fleet supplier and operator one of the UK’s largest operational fleets, the AA understands what is required to help customers keep their fleets running efficiently and effectively. Stuart Thomas explains how Udae nonsend icidisquid quam elisimincim facepro et et, sed quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nosvehicle eumque laboribus The AA offers Roadside Assistance to vehicles and essential model information Stuart Thomas ranging from motorbikes to HGVs of for user/ choosers) as well asnullacianti support at et quoditiat doloright quiupde volecab orerisqui nitibusdae 44T GVW and for fleet sizes from one single fleet roadshows and head offices where rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae vehicle to hundreds of thousands. Cover is the AA can undertake windscreen chip nimus nationwide earibus,and tem moluptatium eschecks net et 24/7/365 the ipsaest AA also provides checks, tyre and basic vehicle maintenance demonstrations.

As part of the AA’s commitment to supporting the whole life cycle of a fleet vehicle, we also provide Vehicle Inspections both at point of purchase and end-of-life, helping to raise standards of independent garage networks and to maximise residual values.

Finally, the AA’s broad range of fleet services also cover options for fuel cards, telematics and fleet insurance.

Investing in Innovation The AA’s award-winning breakdown app includes our route planner and traffic data, as well as vehicle reminders for MOT, tax, insurance and service dates. And we’ve added enhanced features for all AA members – including fuel prices, our parking-space finder and dashboard warning lights information.

The app has already been downloaded by millions of personal members and all of this member functionality will soon be available for our fleet customers.

Most excitingly, the launch of the app for our fleet customers will give their drivers access to the AA’s Rescue Tracker, allowing roadside incidents to be reported and monitored via the app, with real-time patrol tracking and no need to call. GPS technology pinpoints the breakdown location accurately and assists in swift dispatch of an appropriate resource.

In recent years we have launched and expanded our garage and vehicle inspections services, growing our existing account with BCA and winning the major Motor Codes business. This means that we are able to work closely with the SMMT, dealer networks and other major bodies to enhance the quality of service drivers receive at garages whether they are a franchised dealer or an independent garage.

Our inspections cover areas such as quality of work carried out; staff training; charges for work; health and safety; equipment and its safe use; customer facilities; appearance of premises and staff. Garages which meet our strict criteria and pass the inspection are able to display the joint Motor Codes and AA certification, thereby giving customers and fleets the reassurance of our trusted brand and the quality they will receive.

Garages which do not meet the criteria

Stuart Thomas, head of fleet and SME – The AA are given detailed guidance and advice on how to improve so that when we make our follow-up inspection they can ensure they meet and maintain the required standards.

Prioritising partnership We have worked with some of our partner organisations to develop exclusive, innovative deals for SME customers, enabling them to benefit from our larger business relationships.

We have also set up exclusive offers for SME customers using AA Fleet Intelligence and also competitive driver licence checking services through IDS – both services which would normally be more commercially advantageous towards larger fleets.

As a fully rounded fleet supplier and operator one of the UK’s largest operational fleets, the AA is best-placed to provide everything required to help customers keep their fleets running efficiently and effectively.

The AA’s many relationships with motor manufacturers enables us continuously to improve our roadside repair capability.

This is enhanced via tailored MI, enhanced tooling and equipment, patrol training and specialist services for driver-induced issues.

We pride ourselves on focusing what is appropriate to the driver/ customer and recognising that one size does not fit all. !

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0800 551188 Stuart.Thomas@theAA.com

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

45

Passenger Transport Written by Andrea Pluck

Cleaning up passenger transport The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) held its annual media briefing to discuss the future of the bus and coach sector, and a popular topic amongst panelists was the urgency for fleets to be updated to the Euro 6 emissions standard

Coach and bus fleets need to seriously consider updating their vehicles to Euro 6 standard as widespread low emission zones are predicted for the future.

Five panelists from the low-emission and bus and coach sector spoke at the SMMT briefing about the challenges surrounding updating fleets and gave their thoughts on what the future will be like for low emission fleets.

The panel welcomed the likes of: the UK country manager for the electric vehicle manufacturer BYD Frank Thorpe; Robert Drewery, the commercial director for bus and coach manufacturer Optare; and Nigel Base, commercial vehicle development manager at SMMT, amongst others.

Inevitable restriction zones According to the LowCVP report – Any Journey is Greener By Bus – there will be 12 Low Emission Bus Zones rolled out in inner London to support the introduction of an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) due to be rolled out from 8 April 2019.

The ULEZ will mean that double-decker buses operating in the Congestion Charge Zone will need to be hybrid-electric vehicles, and

46

The of Mayor ealed rev London the first two of bus routes tric all-elec ntral London for ce of plans to as part nate NOx elimi CO2 to dictate vehicles such as all single-deckers will and low emission zones,” therefore have to be fully-electric or a hydrogen model.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has since brought the scheduled restriction zone forward by a year and it will see all buses and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) face a charge of £100 to drive within central London.

As a result of this, fleets will need to reconsider their type of vehicle in order to avoid being charged for operating in selected areas.

Speaking on the panel, Kathye Vincente, marketing manager for Eminox, manufacturer of exhaust after treatment systems for HGVs, stated that there is going to be other clean air zones introduced by 2020, meaning that vehicles need low emission solutions. She continued: “The introduction of clean air zones means there is a need for more operators to get their fleet to Euro VI standard, whether that be through new vehicles or changing old ones.”

Vincente was not the only person on the panel with this view, as BYD country manager Frank Thorpe added that the future will see a “layer of regulations that are going

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

making the need to lower emissions for fleets much more demanding.

Khan’s plans do not stop there as he is now proposing to expand the ULEZ across Greater London for heavy diesel vehicles, which includes buses, coaches and lorries, in 2020.

This therefore restricts bus and coach fleets further, and increases the pressure for vehicles to be changed to meet the requirements of the zone.

As of September 2016, Khan also revealed two of the first all-electric bus routes for central London as part of plans to eliminate NOx and CO2 emissions.

Meanwhile, the first Low Emission Bus Zone was launched in March in order to introduce cleaner buses to one of London’s most air polluted streets.

Putney High Street, which runs a total of 145 buses on seven scheduled routes, is now only accessible to cleaner buses which complies with the regulations.

Another 11 are set to follow, with the Brixton route set to start later this year, making the demand for electric bus fleets much more urgent.

quality targets, and in 2015 the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) announced £30 million of new funding in order to encourage the uptake of Low Emission Buses (LEBs) and infrastructure in order to improve air quality.

The funds for the 2016 to 2017 low emission bus scheme were made available to 13 successful winners of which included Transport for London, Milton Keynes Borough Council and Birmingham City Council.

It saw Transport for London receive a total of £5 million to fund 34 electric buses and infrastructure.

BYD’s Frank Thorpe, however, has argued that there needs to be more government support in order to allow for changes in line with Euro 6.

He stated that coach and bus fleets are not motivated to transition into electric technology because the “investment is so large”.

He went on to say that companies may not want to shed out on millions of pounds to adapt its fleet because it can take up to 10 years to get the money back.

Costs The costs involved in updating fleets to Euro 6 standard was another hot topic amongst panelists at the SMMT Media Briefing.

Robert Drewery, commercial director for Optare, a bus and coach manufacturer, stated that although electric vehicles are a “long-term solution” to cutting down on harmful emissions, “the downside is the costs associated.”

He went on to say that diesels have been invested in for around 150 years and adopting Euro 6 standards would mean that diesel tanks and filling stations would need replacing, which is “expensive.”

Drewery continued: “It will come down to willingness to invest. In terms of bus fleets, someone ultimately has to find the money, which could come from charging passengers, but this is also a route that many don’t wish to go down.”

However, Giles Fearnley, managing director for First Bus, stated that funding schemes from the government are useful in terms of “getting things moving” and can allow bus operators to purchase electric vehicles.

Government schemes have been devised as a result of carbon reduction and air

The future of EV technology Batteries needed for electric vehicle technology could see a slight change in how they are distributed to consumers, according to BYD’s Frank Thorpe.

He went on to say that a replacement battery for an electric vehicle costs about £20,000, and so we could see fleets buying Kilowatt hours and buying the amount of mileage they need instead of a battery.

It was also commented on that the batteries which bus operators use, could in fact be useful to the wider community as a way of storing energy.

Thorpe said: “Batteries have a tangible use for bus operators once, but after this they can still have a use and value to the wider community, and I can see that developing.”

It is apparent that the future for bus and coach fleets will be with electric technology, as it is a long-term solution to high air

Passenger Transport

According to the LowCVP report – Any Journey is Greener By Bus – there will be 12 Low Emission Bus Zones rolled out in inner London to support the introduction of an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) due to be rolled out from 8 April 2019 pollution levels and the upcoming restriction due to be put into place in the near future.

In addition to this, it is clear that panelists feel that electric vehicle technology is becoming more of a norm within society, keeping in mind challenges such as range anxiety and costs.

For example, Thorpe believes that “the view on electric vehicles is changing, as people start to see the implications between public health and pollution”.

Kathye for Eminox also stressed the importance for fleets to update, as well as a need to be more willing to invest into alternatively fuelled vehicles.

She said: “New technology, such as electric vehicles, is moving forward with industry challenges.

“The industry is changing from Euro 5 to Euro 6, with new technology, and this is just a snapshot of where we are at the moment.

We have to decide as a company to invest in public transport because there is currently no enthusiasm for funding, and these key things need to be addressed.”

Overall, discussions from the SMMT day made apparent that the future is going to lie with electric technology for bus and coach fleets, as restriction zones are soon implemented across major routes.

The need for vehicles to update to meet the relevant air quality requirements is much more demanding. In addition to this, the need for further assistance from the government to help fund the updating of fleets was brought to attention a number of times.

Those working within the vehicle sector believe that the future will be heading into a more electric-focused future, which could see battery distribution change, and a further understanding from the public as to why electric vehicles are a more environmentally-friendly mode of transport. !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.smmt.co.uk

47

GreenFleet Scotland Written by Richard Gooding

Scotch bonnets!

On 5 May, GreenFleet Scotland highlighted the growing air pollution issues north of the border, with ultra low-emission vehicle displays as well as a host of seminars and test drives.

Richard Gooding reports from Edinburgh

Test drives were fully-booked as eager fleet managers sampled the latest EVs

BMW’s stars were the i8 and the new 530e plug-in

Air quality is now regularly in the headlines.

Over 38 Scottish zones have air quality safety standards regularly broken, and according to Friends of the Earth Scotland, air pollution causes more than 2,500 deaths in Scotland each year. In 2015, the Scottish government released its ‘Cleaner Air for Scotland’ (CAFS) strategy which set out how it will deliver its commitment to further improve air quality to protect human health as well as fulfilling Scotland’s legal responsibilities.

GreenFleet Scotland in association with the Energy Saving Trust, Transport Scotland and ChargePlace Scotland opened it doors on 5 May at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston to educate fleet managers and transport executives in ways to save money as well as reducing CO2 from their transport operations.

Static displays and test drives Traditionally, highlights of GreenFleet Scotland are the static displays and test drives of low and ultra-low emission vehicles, and the ninth year of the show was no exception. Getting behind the wheel of ultra-low and zero emission vehicles

48

can be both useful and enlightening in terms of both experiencing the technology itself and convincing those of the need to make the switch, and there were plenty of vehicles at GreenFleet Scotland to enjoy.

BMW’s range of iPerformance models was well-represented at GreenFleet Scotland, with the familiar i3, 2 Series Active Tourer PHEV and 1 Series available to drive, as well as the less well-recognised but still technologically exciting and fleet-friendly 330e plug-in hybrid.

The German manufacturer also showcased the brand-new plug-in version of its just-out Series saloon, the 530e, alongside the i8. Fleet managers also had the chance to see Mini’s first plug-in hybrid up close, as the 49g/km, 134.5mpg Countryman S E All4 was on static display in side the main hall. Nissan dealership Alex F Noble & Son brought the best-selling electric car, the Leaf, and its e-NV200 van sister, as well as the brand-new Micra, which has only just been launched in the UK. Hyundai brought along its new Ioniq hybrid and all-electric models, while Mitsubishi’s popular Outlander PHEV and its commercial sibling, the Outlander PHEV 4Work could also be put through their

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

paces on the Highland Centre’s test track.

Wowing visitors both inside and outside the hall, the new 100kWh, four-wheel drive Tesla Model X SUV was available to examine and drive, as was the established Model S. Toyota was also on hand in Edinburgh, and made a test drive splash with the new C-HR hybrid, Prius, and 22g/km Prius Plug-in, while the Mirai hydrogen car was on show on the main hall floor. Lexus championed the CT 200h and NX 300h hybrids, while local dealership The Belmont Group brought along a range of Kia models, including the distinctive Soul EV, as well as the new Niro Hybrid and the 37g/km, 176.6mpg Optima PHEV. 2017 EV Challenge The EV Challenge is another active highlight of GreenFleet Scotland. Sponsored by Leaseplan and Route Monkey, the 2017 EV Challenge saw competitors line up outside the Royal Highland Centre and were waved off silently on their 50-mile trip around Edinburgh by Andrew Benfield, Group Director of Transport at the Energy Saving Trust and Tom Lessells, Assistant Manager, Transport, Energy Saving

Once again, the EV Challenge proved popular

A packed seminar programme was a highlight of GreenFleet Scotland 2017

Trust, Scotland. Winners of the Nissan Leaf category were Stewart Paul and Claire Bain from Fife Council, who travelled 52.6 miles with 5.5 miles per kWh, equal to 265MPGe in a diesel vehicle. Victorious in the Nissan e-NV200 category were Alan Hamilton and Jock Selkirk from Hamilton Driver Training, while Central Taxis fielded a number of drivers, with David Shek and Tony Kenmuir taking the category win.

Seminar programme A comprehensive seminar programme is also an essential ingredient of GreenFleet Scotland, and the 2017 event enjoyed three sessions throughout the day. The first, ‘Air Quality and The Role of Clean Commercial Vehicles’ was chaired by GreenFleet Features and Road Test Editor Richard Gooding, and saw four speakers share their experiences and outline plans on how greener commercial vehicles and buses can help improve air quality.

First up, Eleanor Pratt, Senior Air Quality Officer at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) outlined the agency’s involvement in reducing air pollution, while Stephen Thomson, Head of Environment and Sustainability at Transport Scotland gave a presentation on the National Low Emission Framework (NLEF). Glen Davies, Chair of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS), imparted information on the scheme itself as well as the LoCITY driving courses, and Will Garret, Spatial Policy Manager, Planning and Transport at The City of Edinburgh Council gave details on what measures the council uses to lower air pollution.

The second session was on Efficient Fleet

Management and was sponsored by Route Monkey. Chaired by Andrew Benfield, Group Director of Transport at the Energy Saving Trust, Toby Poston, Director of Communications & External Relations at the BVRLA gave insights into the area of grey fleet, while Gordon Manson, Abigail Betney and Laura Anderson of the Energy Saving Trust detailed cost and emissions-reducing programmes.

Finally, Dan Jenkins, PR & Marketing Officer at Route Monkey offered insights into the sustainable transport solutions the company offers. RouteMonkey launched its new ‘MyRouteMonkey’ EV journey-planning app at the show, too, which allows users to optimise routes for electric cars and vans, including implementing a schedule for charging.

The final session, Emerging Technology: the 15th E-cosse Forum, was chaired by Urban Foresight. Head of the Low Carbon Vehicle Policy Team at Transport Scotland, Zak Tuck detailed the ‘Switched on Scotland’ roadmap, which includes the aim of no fossil fuel vehicles by 2050, and George Paterson, Customer Solutions & Programme Director at Dukosi told delegates of plans to develop a wireless battery and charging system for use in EVs. Matthew Lumsden, Managing Director of Connected Energy gave an insight into the world of second-use EV batteries, while Alan Clarke, Public Policy Associate at Uber spoke about the ride-sharing company’s plan to switch to all-electric ‘cabs’. Busy question and answer sessions followed every seminar.

Packed exhibitor show hall As well as the outdoor and seminar activities, there was the usual packed show hall, with exhibitors showcasing charging infrastructure as well as the vehicles which need them. BMM was the Recharging Partner for the event and experts were on hand to answer any questions, while leasing and mobility specialists Alphabet were also on hand to share details of how it is driving up electric vehicle use through contract hire, tailored rental services and its AlphaCity car-sharing scheme. !

FURTHER INFORMATION

GreenFleet comes to Southampton on 8 June Southampton was identified as one of five cities that will have to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in 2019 due to high levels of air pollution. This will require the most polluting HGVs, buses and taxis to pay penalty charges when entering the zone.

GreenFleet Scotland

The 100kWh four-wheel drive Tesla Model X SUV wowed visitors in the main hall and on the track

In November 2016, Southampton City Council showed its commitment to improving air quality with the release of its Clean Air Strategy. This detailed measures to support the Clean Air Zone, three years ahead of the mandatory requirement on 2019/20. Part of the council’s clean air plan includes additional actions to complement and support the penalty charging. Amongst these are plans to make buses and taxis greener, as well as incentives for ultra-low emission vehicles.

The council also plans to raise awareness of the CAZ prior to any penalty charging and advise those affected how they can improve their emissions. The strategy also explains plans to combine the work of the Sustainable Transport project and its MyJourney branding with the CAZ to provide clarity on transport options.

GreenFleet Southampton Against this backdrop, GreenFleet is coming to St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on 8 June to allow fleet and transport managers from the area to hear the latest on how air quality plans will affect them and how they can play their part in reducing emissions.

Staged in association with Southampton City Council and sponsored by leasing and mobility specialists Alphabet, GreenFleet Southampton will see council officials, major OEMs and other industry experts present keynote presentations on the day. Sessions will highlight Southampton’s vision for a greener region, plus the latest on car, van and charging grants.

Delegates will also be able to test drive the latest electric and ultra-low emission vehicles such as BMW’s electric i3, Nissan’s popular electric Leaf and e-NV200 van, as well as LDV’s electric van, the EV80.

Hosted by motoring journalist Quentin Willson, visitors will get the benefit of one-to-one sessions with experts in electric vehicles and infrastructure. To book your free place, please email Lauren.Matthews@psigroupltd.co.uk or visit www.events.greenfleet.net/ southampton

events.greenfleet.net/scotland

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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First Drive

FIRST DRIVE

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Premium SE

Written by Richard Gooding

The Ioniq signals Hyundai’s intent to launch a range of ‘green cars’ and spearheads the company’s move to become an eco-friendly vehicle leader. With three electrified powertrains in one body style, Richard Gooding finds out how the hybrid – the most conventional of the trio – lives up to its eco billing

What is it?

South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai claims its new Ioniq is unique, the first car range to offer a choice of three electrified powertrains in one body shape, ensuring ‘low- to zero-emission mobility accessible to everyone’. First seen at the Geneva motor show in spring 2016 in electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, the Ioniq faces a range of competitors. They vary from hybrids including Toyota’s ubiquitous but very capable Prius and in-house rival the Kia Niro, to all-electric cars such as the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf. The Ioniq Hybrid and Electric arrive first and are on sale now, while the plug-in hybrid is due to be launched in the second quarter of 2017.

50

How does it drive?

The Ioniq Hybrid (or ‘HEV’: Hybrid Electric Vehicle) shares its five-door body with its electric and plug-in siblings. A handsome but conservative car, the Ioniq’s looks echo those shared by its most obvious rival, the Toyota Prius. An extremely aerodynamic Cd figure of 0.24 is helped by front wheel air curtains, side sill skirts, and a floor undercover.

Whereas the electric Ioniq has a sealed front end, both versions of the Hybrid come with a more conventional grille with active air flaps to help aerodynamic efficiency. Blue highlights on the bumpers and selected interior touch points ensure drivers know they are in the petrol-electric model.

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

Aimed at the more ‘premium’ end of the market, all versions of the Ioniq feature soft-touch, leather-trimmed, and interestingly-surfaced plastics throughout their cabins. Hyundai claim a brand first, in that the Ioniqs are the first European Hyundais to be fitted with a new high-resolution seven-inch TFT driver instrument display, which changes when various driving modes are selected.

The display shows lots of information including mpg, range, energy flow as well as driver settings, and is pin-sharp clear and well organised. Cabin storage is down a little on the electric version thanks to the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, but,

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Premium SE ENGINE:

103bhp/77kW 1,580cc, four-cylinder petrol with 43.5bhp/32kW electric motor and 1.56kWh lithium-ion battery

CO2 /NOx:

79g/km / 2mg/km

MPG (combined): VED:

72.4 £90 (first year), £130 (standard rate)

BIK:

17%

PRICE (OTR):

Eight-inch colour touchscreen displays eco information

Blue detailing marks out the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid’s interior

overall, the whole car feels very well built, and very ‘normal’ – something which won’t alienate drivers new to hybrid technology.

Just as we found with the Ioniq Electric (GreenFleet issue 100 / bit.ly/2pTu3LF), ‘normal’ is one word which can be used to describe the driving experience, too. It’s obvious that the Ioniq Hybrid has a petrol engine as it only sadly stays in all-electric mode for a very brief time when setting off. Yes, while it’s not as quiet as its electric sister, at relaxed cruising speeds, the Ioniq Hybrid is a comfortable and relatively quiet companion. It’s fairly swift, too, with 0-62mph coming up in 10.8 seconds, only a fraction slower than the electric car.

Powered by a 103bhp 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine from the ‘Kappa’ range of units, the Ioniq Hybrid’s ‘parallel hybrid’ powertrain also features a 32kW/43.5bhp electric motor and 1.56kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

Maximum system output is 138bhp, while torque is 195lb ft/265Nm at 4,000rpm.

The electric motor and combustion engine are used for mechanical propulsion, while the battery is charged by a blend of both the engine itself and regenerative braking.

The Ioniq’s efficiency is a strong selling point.

Hyundai claims a combined cycle 72.4mpg for models with £400 optional 17-inch rims as worn by our test car. Further efficiency can be achieved by the car’s regenerative braking function. Sadly, unlike the electric Ioniq, the hybrid car does without steering wheel paddles and therefore multi-level adjustability, and while it can be sensed working, its effect rarely feels as severe or beneficial as that of the electric car. A low friction, third-generation system ensures maximum energy recuperation, though.

Similar to the Ioniq Electric, two selectable driving modes are available: ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’.

In ‘Eco’ mode, the gearbox optimises its selection for economy, shifting early to higher ratios for optimum efficiency. ‘Sport’, as you’d expect has an opposite effect: lower gears are held on to for longer, while performance

from both the engine and electric motor are maximised. The steering also becomes heavier and the TFT screen’s speedometer fades out, replaced by a red-coloured rev counter instead. An impressive enough driving experience, it’s better to adopt a more relaxed driving style with the Ioniq Hybrid, as engine noise is much more noticeable when it’s strung out at higher revs.

The Ioniq Hybrid has a multi-link rear suspension set-up, differing from the electric version which has a simpler rear torsion beam to save space, and there is both more road and cabin noise than its EV sister. Hyundai claims the Ioniq Hybrid has a lower centre of gravity than a Volkswagen Golf GTI, and while we’d not pretend the South Korean hybrid is a sports car, it handles tidily enough.

The lightest Ioniq Hybrid tips the scales at 1,377kg, thanks in part to a weight reduction programme, including the use of both an aluminium tailgate and bonnet, saving 12.4kg.

How economical is it?

Hyundai claims a combined cycle fuel economy figure of 83.1mpg when the car is riding on 15-inch wheels. We achieved an average of 66.9mpg from our test car with optional 17-inch rims over a 70-mile test route, while a week spent with a 15-inch-tyred Toyota Prius achieved 63.7mpg. On smaller rims, the Prius edges the Ioniq on CO2 emissions – 70g/km against the Hyundai’s 79g/km – but the Ioniq boasts more power and more space.

Both cars are still under the 100g/km VED band cap which means tax of £90 in the first year, rising to £130 in the years that follow.

What does it cost?

Mirroring other models in the Hyundai range, a trio of Ioniq Hybrids are available: SE, Premium and Premium SE. SE cars are priced from £20,585 ‘on-the road’, with specification including 15-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, automatic headlights, driver’s

First Drive

The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is available in three models starting from £20,585

£24,185 (including VAT)

seat electric lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, five-inch LCD colour touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and rear parking sensors. Safety kit is high, with Autonomous Emergency Braking and lane-keeping systems as standard.

Premium-specification cars kick off from £22,385, and add kit such as automatic dimming rear view mirror, bi-xenon and LED headlights, eight-inch infotainment system with integrated satellite navigation, TomTom Live Services and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, heated front seats, keyless entry, LED rear lights, and wireless smartphone charging.

Premium SE models such as our test car add automatic wipers, front parking sensors, a powered driver’s seat with memory function, heated outer rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. A Blind Spot Detection system is also standard. Premium SE cars start at £24,185.

How much does it cost to tax?

The Ioniq Hybrid has CO2 emissions ranging from 79g/km to 92g/km depending on wheel size. Lower-emitting 79g/km versions cost £90 per year to tax in the first year, rising to £130 thereafter, while 92g/km models attract a £120 first year rate, £130 in subsequent years. All Ioniq Hybrid models attract a 17 per cent Benefit In Kind rate for 2017/18.

Why does my fleet need one?

Competitively priced, comfortable and well-specified, the Ioniq Hybrid is a very credible contender in the HEV class. Built well and with handsome looks, the hybrid Hyundai offers commendable economy and an easy-to-drive nature. Hyundai doesn’t see the Ioniq as an alternatively-fuelled car, more of a ‘mainstream’ one. And just as with the Electric version, that’s the overriding impression of the Ioniq Hybrid: it feels very normal to drive and very much like a ‘mainstream’ car.

Add in the South Korean company’s standard 5-year unlimited mileage warranty package (with additional high voltage battery cover of 8 years or 125,000 miles) with potentially low running costs and tax, and the Ioniq Hybrid should appeal to existing Hyundai owners as well as drivers from other brands who want to both green their motoring ways and save money. !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.hyundai.co.uk

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

51

First Drive Written by Richard Gooding

FIRST DRIVE

Renault Scenic Dynamique S Nav dCi 110 Futuristic looks, enhanced practicality, improved economy and lower emissions: the all-new Renault Scenic brings impressive qualities to the compact MPV class

Renault Scenic Dynamique S Nav dCi 110 ENGINE:

1,461cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2/NOx: MPG (combined): VED: BIK: PRICE (OTR):

100g/km / 30mg/km 72.4 £120 first year, £140 standard rate 22% £25,565 (inc VAT, £28,200 as tested)

What is it?

It’s hard to believe that the Renault Scenic has been around for 20 years. First launched in 1996 – and European Car of the Year in 1997 – it was considered to have invented the compact MPV segment.

Four generations later, the new Scenic combines the traditional people-carrying virtues of the older car with brave and bold styling, along with a revitalised range of five economical petrol and diesel engines.

As before, the standard car offers seating for five, while a new second-generation Grand Scenic caters for seven. The new cars are built at Douai in northern France on the same Renault-Nissan Alliance Common Module Family (CMF) platform shared with the All-New Megané, Megané Sport Tourer, and Kadjar (GreenFleet, issue 99).

52

How does it drive?

The first thing that strikes you about the new Renault Scenic is how it looks. Heavily influenced by the R-Space concept car from the 2011 Geneva motor show, the new French compact MPV certainly cuts a dash.

On Dynamique S Nav models upwards this is enhanced still further, with the addition of a contrasting roof panel and door mirrors.

Our Honey Yellow car featured a black roof and really looked the part, also helped by the standard 20-inch alloy wheels.

Twenty inches? Yes, but don’t think large rims necessarily equal less economy.

Renault has taken the decision to equip all Scenics with 20-inch rims – which undoubtedly help the looks – but has negated some of the environmental and cost ill-effects of larger wheels. The tyre walls for example, are no wider at 195mm than those on 16-inch rims for lower friction. Narrower tyres mean less drag, too, which Renault says saves 2g/km of CO2 emissions when compared with the outgoing Scenic. Low rolling-resistance tyre compounds also play their ecological part. Finally, the tyres themselves are A-rated for improved economy, and with three chosen tyre suppliers Renault states the cost for 20-inch rubber should be similar to that four-inches smaller.

The dCi 110 variants will be the pick of the range when it comes to performance and

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economy. The 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine will be familiar to drivers of similarly-engined cars from the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and performance is more than adequate. The car’s 192lb ft/260Nm of torque gives lots of mid-range power, which makes it fine on open roads and motorways. You’ll want to take the new Scenic off motorways, too, though: its steering is nicely-weighted, body roll is kept to a minimum, and it turns in well for something so family-friendly.

Pleasantly, the 20-inch wheels don’t create too much road noise, either – unless you’re on really coarse tarmac – and for the most part, the new Scenic has an admirably comfortable ride despite the giant rims. The car only becomes unsettled on really potholed surfaces. Overall, though, the new Scenic is a good-handling and safe MPV, Renault equipping the car with autonomous braking, blind spot warning, cruise control, lane departure, and traffic sign recognition systems as standard.

Enhancing the driving experience, Renault’s ‘Multi-Sense’ technology is borrowed from the company’s executive models, and is fitted to Dynamique Nav models and above.

It allows drivers to personalise the car with five modes – Neutral, Comfort, Sport, Eco, Perso (‘Personal’) – offering various levels of accelerator and engine response, steering weight and air conditioning performance, as

The all-new Renault Scenic has bold looks inspired by the R-Space concept car

As before, the main difference between the all-new Scenic and its Grand Scenic sister is more space.

The wheelbase is up 70mm, while the Grand Scenic is 234mm longer overall. The same bold concept car styling as the Scenic extended to cover an additional third row of seats. With the extra two rear seats in place, the Grand Scenic feature 233 litres of space.

Thanks to engine electrification technology consisting of a 48V battery, electric motor and generator mated to the dCi 110 unit, both the new Scenic dCi 110 Hybrid Assist and the new Grand Scenic dCi Hybrid Assist have low emissions of 92g/km.

The Hybrid Assist system’s electric motor is powered by a 48V battery which, as the name suggests, assists the internal combustion engine to save fuel and lower CO2 emissions.

Energy is recuperated during braking and deceleration, too, and is fed back into the car’s electrical and 12V battery systems. The 10kW electric motor also supports the engine during re-acceleration, and Renault claims that the Hybrid Assist system improves fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10 per cent when compared to the standard dCi 110 model.

Economy on the NEDC combined cycle is 80.7mpg (up from the standard car’s 72.4) and all Hybrid Assist Scenics are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox. well as ambient lighting. It works well, while a separate switchable ‘Eco’ mode optimises the engine’s performance for economy. The Renault Driving eco2 setting also helps adopt a more parsimonious driving style. As well as the dCi 110, there are also dCi 130 and 160 models with 127 and 157bhp respectively, while the pair of turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engines are available in 112 and 127bhp states of tune.

How economical is it?

Renault quotes 72.4mpg on the combined cycle for the Scenic dCi 110, which is impressive for a small MPV. Typically, on our 80-mile test route we averaged a less determined 50mpg. The seven-seat Grand Scenic dCi 130 we tested alongside the standard car has a claimed economy figure of 61.4mpg. If diesel is not your thing, both new Scenic and Grand Scenic models fitted with the TCe 1.2-litre petrol engines are rated at 48.7 and 46.3mpg respectively.

What does it cost?

The £25,565 Dynamique S Nav dCi 110 tested here sits near the top of the new Scenic range, and inside, Renault has done an exemplary job of making the car feel much more premium than its predecessors. Leather covers the dash and seats, while the centre console is dominated

Grand Scenic: more room with a view

The 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen controls most interior functions

First Drive

A helping hand: Hybrid Assist

The most efficient Grand Scenic has the dCi 110 engine. In the larger car, this emits 104g/km, with official fuel economy rated at 70.6mpg.

To drive, the Grand Scenic’s impressive refinement is balanced by agile handling for a seven-seat MPV, while ride comfort is equally commendable. We tested the Dynamique S Nav dCi 130 and the larger 1.6-litre diesel engine offers a useful 17bhp more than the dCi 110, the extra 44lb ft/60Nm of torque providing effective extra punch.

Economy is a claimed 61.4mpg, with emissions rated at 119g/km.

The Scenic’s 18-version model range is mirrored by the Grand Scenic with entry-level Expression+ cars priced from £23,575.

Standard 20-inch wheels feature narrow A-rated tyres which reduce emissions

by its portrait-orientation 8.7-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system. This almost iPad-size ‘R-Link 2’ screen controls most of the car’s interior functions, and has crisp, clear graphics, is fast to react and is the largest in the segment. Adding to its new-found more premium status, a BOSE 11-speaker sound system is standard on Dynamique S Nav models and above, while a full-colour head-up display is also available on selected versions.

The range starts at £21,605 with the Expression+ TCe 115, while the Dynamique Nav models begin at £23,105. Dynamique S Nav cars kick off at £25,105, while the highest-specification Signature Nav Scenics cost from £26,605. Equipment is high on all models, although the Expression+ and Dynamique Nav cars feature a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 1.7 inches down on the 8.7-inch unit fitted to Dynamique S Nav models and above.

How much does it cost to tax?

The dCi 110-engined version of the new Renault Scenic is the most efficient both in terms of emissions and cost – for now.

A class-leading 92g/km ‘Hybrid Assist’ version (see panel) joins the range this year.

Until then, the dCi 110 new Scenics have CO2 emissions of 100g/km and incur a £120 first year rate, £140 thereafter. The most

expensive new Scenics to tax are the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol versions at 129g/km.

The Grand Scenic dCi 130 we tested alongside the standard model (see panel above) is rated at 119g/km, which costs £160 to tax in the first year, dropping to £140 thereafter under the new rates which were introduced in April 2017.

The cleaner 104g/km dCi 110 version costs £140 per year which is the same as its initial first year period. Just as with its smaller brother, Grand Scenics fitted with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine emit 136g/km.

Why does my fleet need one?

As good to drive as they are practical, the new Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic prove that MPVs no longer have to wear bland, square-edged suits.

Renault states that the new cars are “MPVs you want rather than need”, and we’d agree – those distinctive looks and bold detailing, lower running costs, improved economy, and impressive practicality make the all-new Scenic and Grand Scenic genuinely desirable not just to families, but to people-moving fleets, too. !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.renault.co.uk

Volume 103 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

53

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Invitation to Attend THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, TELFORD TF3 4JH 6th & 7th June 2017 The Emergency Fleet Exhibition and the National Association of Police Fleet Managers’ Conference, now in its 44th year, is one of the largest emergency service eet events in Europe.

It has established a European and world wide reputation for the quality of the exhibition with a broad range of products and vehicles on display, and attracts a focused high level audience.

The exhibition focuses on transport for Ambulance, Fire & Rescue & Police but also attracts exhibitors and visitors from the other Emergency Services, local authorities and some Government departments.

On display will be a comprehensive range of vehicles, equipment and services for the bene t of this specialised area of the public sector.

We look forward to welcoming you to the event.

Web: www.napfmevent.org.uk E-mail: joanna@napfmevent.org.uk Tel: 07885 353160

TIME TO CLEAN UP YOUR ACT?

Our exceptional choice of world-leading hybrids helps you reduce emissions and save money. For a test drive or more information call 0344 701 6186 or visit toyotalexusfleet.co.uk/cleanup