GreenFleet 111

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EV ROUNDTABLE

ISSUE 111

FLEET FUELS

THE DIESEL DECLINE

The future fuel-buying habits of fleets MOBILITY & CONNECTIVITY

RE-THINKING BUSINESS TRAVEL How can new mobility trends benefit fleets?

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EV ROUNDTABLE

ISSUE 111

FLEET FUELS

THE DIESEL DECLINE

GTR MANCHESTER SHOWCASING CLEAN VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE REGION

The future fuel-buying habits of fleets

GreenFleet Greater Manchester takes place on 15 March.

Read the preview on page 39

MOBILITY & CONNECTIVITY

RE-THINKING BUSINESS TRAVEL How can new mobility trends benefit fleets?

ROAD TEST HYUNDAI IONIQ PLUG-IN HYBRID

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Fleet manager or mobility manager?

‘Mobility’ has become the buzz word in fleet, alongside ‘autonomous’ and ‘alternative fuel’ vehicles.

The government is plugging this agenda, believing that new ways of travelling could ease up congestion and improve air quality. Indeed, a public inquiry is asking for evidence of the benefits and challenges of mobility-as-a-service.

From a fleet perspective, ACFO have responded with the proposal that employees should be given ‘mobility cards’ that could be used to access all forms of travel.

The BVRLA meanwhile has said in a recent paper that the government should introduce a scrappage scheme for old diesels that includes mobility credits that can be used for public transport, car club and car rental journeys.

This issue of GreenFleet focuses on business mobility and connectivity. Our new panel of experts – including the AA’s Stuart Thomas, Lightfoot’s Dan Regan and ACFO’s John Pryor – discusses how fleet management is evolving into ‘mobility management’. We also round up the latest mobility news, while Frost & Sullivan explains how we are in the second wave of the mobility service evolution.

Angela Pisanu, editor

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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 MANAGERS Kylie Glover, Dean Cassar ADMINISTRATION Vickie Hopkins REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

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Contents

Contents GreenFleet 111 07 News

07

Parliamentary group to raise awareness about EVs and autonomous vehicles; £30m investment into V2G technologies; Renault opens EV concept store in Europe

14 Fleet fuels

The sharp decline in diesel car sales in January looks set to continue, with fleets unsure about the future of the fuel. GreenFleet looks into the buying habits of fleets, which show that hybrids and electric vehicles are on the horizon for many

16

16 EV roundtable

The concept of ‘new mobility’ was the final topic discussed at the GreenFleet EV roundtable discussion, with delegates agreeing it provided “massive opportunities” for easing congestion and improving air quality, as well as helping to drive up electric vehicle awareness

25 Mobility news

Fall in young drivers indicates change in travel behaviour; VW’s mobility startup unveils electric ride-sharing concept; Future scrappage schemes should include ‘mobility credits’, says BVRLA

28 Mobility services 35 39

The transformation of fleet ownership to user-ship was the first wave in the mobility service evolution. The industry is now at the cusp of the second wave, where mobility is being transformed into an integrated service offering. Abishek Narayanan reports

30 Expert panel: mobility Fleet management is moving beyond simply managing vehicles to looking at how staff get about in the most cost effective and efficient way. Our expert panelists look at the future of business travel and examine how new mobility trends can benefit fleet operators

35 CV Show

The Commercial Vehicle Show offers visitors the chance to see a range of products and services that can help them to operate a safe, efficient and effective commercial vehicle fleet

39 GF Greater Manchester GreenFleet is returning to Manchester on 15 March to educate fleet and transport managers on ULEVs and how introducing them into fleet operations can save money and lower emissions

40 Road test: SEAT Ibiza SE 1.0 TSI 95

A small car staple for almost 35 years, Richard Gooding finds that the fifth-generation SEAT Ibiza brings sharp-suited dynacism and petrol-powered economy to a fiercely competitive sector

42 Road test: Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid Premium SE

The Plug-in Hybrid is the last of Hyundai’s Ioniq family to arrive, but does it offer the best benefits of all-electric and hybrid running? Richard Gooding tops up his knowledge on the South Korean newcomer

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GreenFleet magazine

www.greenfleet.net Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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M OV I N G YO U R F L E E T F O R WA R D W I T H T H E U K ’ S M O S T T E C H N O L O G I C A L LY A D VA N C E D S M A L L C A R

P11D

BIK

C02

COMBINED MPG

£21,520 - £12,970

22% -18%

118-82g/km

54.3-88.3

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Ford Fiesta range: urban 40.9-80.7 (6.9-3.5), extra urban 67.3-94.2 (4.2-3.0), combined 54.3-88.3 (5.2-3.2). Official CO2 emissions 118-82g/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.

SEARCH: ALL- NEW FORD FIESTA

Parliamentary group to raise awareness about EVs and autonomous vehicles A new parliamentary group is set to increase awareness of the benefits and opportunities of electric and automated vehicles amongst MPs. Chaired by the Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan MP (Con), the former secretary of state for Wales, the group will raise the profile of the pace of change in the electric and automated vehicle sectors.

The group will discuss the charging infrastructure roll out, opportunities for new high-value manufacturing, international trade, emissions reduction, and road safety improvement.

The group has been established amid reports of record electric car sales and following a host of commitments from major vehicle manufacturers the likes of Ford, VW, Jaguar Land Rover, and BMW who plan to invest billions of pounds globally into new battery and electric vehicle research and manufacturing.

Commenting on the setup of the group, Cheryl Gillan MP said: “It is imperative that parliamentarians are aware of the rapid pace of change in the electric and automated vehicle sectors and that post-Brexit the UK is well positioned to benefit from these new technologies.

“Clearly at hand are new opportunities to expand our manufacturing base, create new exportable expertise, decarbonise our economy, improve safety, and increase productivity.”

The groups Vice-Chairs include former coalition Government Transport Minister Baroness Kramer (LibDem), Andrew Selous MP (Con), a member of the Health Select Committee, Anna McMorrin MP (Lab), a member of the Environmental Audit Committee.

Other members of the group include former energy secretary Sir Ed Davey (Lib Dem), Mark Pawsey MP (Con) a member of the Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Committee, and Nigel Evans MP (Con), a member of the International Trade Committee.

The next event of the APPG, on grid infrastructure, will take place in the House of Commons of 1 March.

Interested parties can email the Renewable Energy Association (REA) to request a place.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yc4f7f8q

CHARGING

Improving efficiency through changes in driver behaviour As one of the UK’s leading distributors of pharmaceutical, medical and beauty products, Alliance Healthcare operates a fleet of over 1,100 vehicles, travelling approximately 40 million miles every year, delivering medicines and other healthcare products to customers around the country.

Alliance Healthcare is committed to reducing the harmful emissions created by its fleet of vehicles, introducing a range of initiatives to limit its impact on the environment.

Lightfoot devices were installed across its entire fleet of vehicles to reduce emissions, minimise risk and reduce vehicle down-time – all proven benefits of the smoother driving style that Lightfoot enables. Alliance Healthcare has chosen this technology to encourage its employees to embrace a new driving culture that sees drivers as the solution, rather than the problem.

Steve Love, national driver development manager at Alliance Healthcare, said: “Long term, we hope to see less wear and tear on the vehicles. We have also seen benefits with increased fuel efficiency. As a business, our fuel costs have been greatly reduced, which adds up to a very significant saving over the course of a year and it helps with our mission to reduce our carbon footprint by lowering CO2 emissions by several hundred tonnes per year.”

Lightfoot has already improved the high driving safety standards set by Alliance Healthcare and has also had a significant impact on fuel consumption, which has been reduced by 12.4 per cent – that’s a six-figure annual saving. As a result of this improved fuel economy, Alliance Healthcare’s fleet of vehicles has massively reduced its carbon footprint, cutting harmful emissions (both NOx and CO2) by 10-15 per cent.

Lightfoot also has a significant, sustained impact on driver behaviour – according to Steve Love: “For me, the thing I like the most about Lightfoot is the driver engagement. It has a true, accurate and instant effect on the driver, and it encourages better driver behaviour, empowering them to make their own decisions.”

Lightfoot works with increasing numbers of fleets across the country to reduce risk and improve efficiency. Alliance Healthcare has completely embraced the system and integrated it into their business – they are seeing reductions in vehicle downtime, fuel consumption and accident rates, which are resulting in sizable financial savings, as well as helping to make our roads safer and environment cleaner.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Pod Point Open Charge network hits 40,000 users Electric vehicle charging provider Pod Point has reached 40,000 users on its Open Charge smartphone app. This is up 273 per cent from 14,631 in January 2017.

It represents almost 30 per cent of all plug-in vehicles on the UK’s roads, which currently stands at 133,910, according to data provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The company has also experienced a 1,000 per cent increase in charge cycles per month on its rapid charger network since May.

News

EVS

www.lightfoot.co.uk

The Open Charge app was downloaded more than 2,400 times in January alone, with Pod Point forecasting user numbers to double again by the end of 2018 Erik Fairbairn, CEO and founder of Pod Point, said: “In 2017 the world woke up to the fact that the future of transport is electric, and we’re seeing this reflected in the take-up of our app. We’ve always believed EV drivers want friction-free charging without the hassle of RFID cards and this kind of exponential growth is a sign that we’ve got that right.”

Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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News V2G CHARGING

£30 million investment into V2G technologies New technology which will unlock the potential for electric vehicles to help power people’s homes is being boosted by almost £30 million in government funding.

This investment will support vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies that could enable electric cars and other vehicles to deliver electricity back to the smart grid, to light homes and power businesses.

The funding has been awarded to 21 V2G projects, to pay for research and design and development, with the aim of exploring and trialling both the technology itself and commercial opportunities.

These schemes, including EDF Energy’s V2GO scheme, will demonstrate how energy stored in electric vehicle batteries

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could be borrowed by the electricity system during peak hours, before being recharged during the off-peak in time for their drivers to set off on their next journey.

Using electric vehicles in dense urban areas like Oxford will significantly reduce local emissions and improve air quality, boosting the quality of life for residents and benefitting businesses. Led by EDF Energy R&D UK, the ‘V2GO’ is a large-scale demonstration of V2G charging in Oxford using 100 electric fleet vehicles (cars and vans) from a number of organisations including several delivery and taxi companies.

The project will develop, trial and evaluate potential business models for fleet operators’ use of electric vehicles and their suitability

for vehicle to grid (V2G) charging. The consortium is made up of eight organisations with expertise in energy and power markets and systems, fleet operation value chains and electric mobility: EDF Energy R&D UK, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire County Council, Arrival, EO Charging, Upside Energy, and Fleet Innovation.

At the same time, these electric vehicles will provide a cleaner alternative to many of the fleet vehicles operated in UK cities, including Royal Mail vans, and Addison Lee taxis.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yahf2ktq

CHARGING

FUEL

Chargemaster to expand POLAR network this year

Diesel cheaper and more efficient more many motorists

Chargemaster is increasing the rate of rollout of the POLAR national charging network by adding 2,000 new charging points in 2018.

This will include around 400 rapid chargers.

To match the increasing take-up of electric vehicles, Chargemaster is investing heavily in providing charging points in key strategic locations, such as hotels, petrol stations, sports clubs and shopping centres.

By the end of 2018, electric vehicle drivers using the POLAR network are expected to have access to over 8,500 public charging points, including 700 rapid chargers, with POLAR plus members being able to access all of them quickly and easily via an RFID card or key fob.

The company installed over 30 rapid chargers in January, including new sites in Canterbury, Rotherham, Swansea and London, with more than 20 new rapid chargers providing convenient

Diesel cars are suited to more than twice as many motorists as petrols, according to data from What Car?’s newly launched What Fuel? tool.

However, hybrid vehicles could be the right choice for 60 per cent of drivers, the data suggests.

The What Fuel? tool, which can be embedded onto any website, analyses factors such as annual mileage, type of roads travelled on most often and most common individual journeys.

It then uses this information to assess what fuel type is best suited, financially and environmentally, for each motorist.

In its first week, more than 5,800 motorists used the tool to find out what fuel type or powertrain they should buy in order to be most cost-effective and efficient. More than one in 10 (11 per cent) found that a diesel was the optimal choice, compared with just 4 per cent who were recommended a petrol car.

While the choice of viable electric cars is growing, range anxiety and infrastructure currently count against them.

But hybrid cars’ combination of a greener electric motor coupled with the added protection of a combustion engine increasingly makes them an ideal compromise for many.

and cost-effective charging for new electric taxis, and electric car drivers in the capital who do not have off-street parking.

David Martell, chief executive of Chargemaster, said: “The POLAR network will maintain its position as the UK’s largest public charging network, providing convenient and reliable charging for EV drivers across the country.

“Over 40,000 drivers already rely on our network, which gives them access to over 40 per cent of all public charging points on UK-wide networks, backed up with our dedicated 24/7 customer support.”

Chargemaster is working with well-known national partners to deploy EV charging infrastructure at strategic locations, including IHG hotels, Asda supermarkets, intu shopping centres and Q-Park car parks.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ycfh7kf9

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

What Car? editor, Steve Huntingford, said:“With electric cars and hybrids still a relatively new phenomenon and the government causing uncertainty over the suitability of diesels, consumers are desperate for clarity. The What Fuel? tool is designed to cut through some of this noise.”

The What Fuel? tool consists of four simple questions to find out the driver’s typical mileage, driving style and environment.

The tool’s recommendations are then calculated based on factors that affect a vehicle’s suitability to a driver, such as running costs and emissions.

To try out the What Fuel? tool, visit: https://www. whatcar.com/what-fuel-tool/

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yazly9q2

News

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Renault opens EV concept store in Europe Renault has opened its first European concept store – the Renault Electric Vehicle Experience Centre.

Based in Stockholm, visitors will now be able to discover the benefits of electric mobility and find answers to their questions on the subject.

This ground-breaking shop window for Renault electric vehicles is located in Täby Centrum, one of Sweden’s largest shopping centres, on the outskirts of the country’s capital, and a prime spot to promote the advantages of electric motoring as a means to address the issue of urban mobility.

Gilles Normand, Groupe Renault senior vice president, electric vehicles, said: “We are delighted to be opening this store which will enable us to engage with people about electric mobility, help them to learn more about the subject and give them a chance to share their ideas.

“As Europe’s number one EV brand, we will be able to use this concept store to interact with the public and help people to understand the opportunities and benefits of electric motoring.”

Visitors will be able to familiarise themselves with

the practicalities associated with electric mobility and find a personalised solution that matches their particular lifestyle.

The concept store features a number of distinct zones, including a display of electric vehicles and areas where visitors will find information about charging infrastructure and systems, local legislation, subsidies, conditions of purchase and electric-vehicle-related services, as well as a place to relax and exchange ideas.

Visitors can test drive electric vehicles directly on site, too, in order to experience the unique satisfaction of driving an electric vehicle. Customers can also order new electric vehicles.

Advisors will be available seven days a week to assist visitors. The store also features an advanced digital experience, including an exclusive electric car configurator to enable customers to find the model that meets their everyday needs.

Renault is looking at opening similar stores in other European cities.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ya2of9k7

EVENT PREVIEW

Low-emission commercials to be discussed at GreenFleet roundtable Commercial fleet operators and industry experts will gather at London’s iconic Tower Bridge on 23 February to discuss how best to lower the emissions of van and truck fleets.

Uncertainty of the future of diesel is causing fleet operators to look at alternatives. But this comes with its challenges for commercial fleet operators.

The roundtable will discuss what greener fuels are available for larger and heavier fleets, such as gas, electric and hydrogen, including their practicality and ease of re-fuelling.

The event will also discuss Euro 6 and the future of diesel, how to comply with Clean Air

Zones, and what part retrofit technologies can play.

Follow the days discussion in next month’s GreenFleet.

READ MORE www.greenfleet.net

LowCVP’s Neil Wallis

Fifteen years of – mostly – progress in ‘accelerating the shift’ It’s hard to believe but nearly 15 years have passed since the government’s Powering Future Vehicles Strategy, launched in summer 2002, paved the way for the establishment of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership; our unique stakeholder collaboration, established to help accelerate the shift to low carbon vehicles and fuels in the UK and deliver benefits for UK business.

It’s been a roller-coaster ride at times, but the imminent 15th anniversary (which we’ll be celebrating with a Parliamentary Reception on 20 March – see link) has encouraged us to reflect on the current ‘state of play’ in terms of low carbon/emission vehicles and fuels.

We’ve seen pretty consistent progress in new car CO2 emissions for almost all of the LowCVP’s first 15 years. However, the disappointment of learning that 2017 showed the first annual rise in new car emissions in all that period (commented on in last month’s blog) was a timely reminder that progress is not guaranteed and that the focus must be maintained.

Despite that setback, there has been a positive start to 2018; the news, for example, that Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) exceeded three per cent of all sales for the first time in January.

The rise of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles has, indeed, dominated the news agenda in recent times and there are growing signs of ‘take-off’ in the market. Plug-in vehicles are now such a common sight around our offices in Westminster – and increasingly present in many places outside the capital – that they’re not even considered worthy of comment when spotted.

Much of the drive for plug-ins, of course, is coming as a result of the push to improve air quality. London’s ULEZ and the introduction of other Clean Air Zones around the country can only help to further encourage sales.

2017 was punctuated by a plethora of announcements from car companies promising bigger investments in plug-in vehicles and a much greater choice of model range. In 2018, the UK’s focus has moved to the provision of recharging infrastructure and there have already been several welcome developments.

The passage of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill (now approaching its second reading in the House of Lords) will give the Government greater powers to mandate and effectively coordinate the availability of recharging facilities. Meanwhile, both Shell and BP have announced plans to introduce rapid charge facilities on their forecourt networks – their dominance of the road fuels market challenged by a growing range of private competitors and start-ups – and there are moves afoot internationally to harmonise equipment standards and improve coordination in the provision of infrastructure.

Many local authorities are getting in on the act too; Wandsworth Borough Council in London, for example, has announced plans to install charging plugs in hundreds of lamp-posts for residents who have bought, or are about to buy, a new electric car.

So, as we approach the LowCVP’s 15th anniversary, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future for low emission vehicles and about the industrial opportunity they represent for the UK. So, we’re looking forward to the celebration while mindful that there’s still much to be done to ensure the low carbon transition in road transport.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.lowcvp.org.uk

Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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News

AIR QUALITY

ClientEarth labels UK powers to prosecute emissions cheats “unconvincing” The UK government has announced a consultation on plans for new powers which would allow it to prosecute carmakers that cheat emissions tests.

However, environmental lawyers ClientEarth has said that the “government’s record on getting tough with emissions cheats so far leaves a lot to be desired”.

Reacting to the news, ClientEarth lawyer Ugo Taddei said: “The government will claim this means they’re getting

tough on car manufacturers that cheat emissions tests but their actions to this point paint a very different picture.

The UK already has powers to force carmakers to comply with the rules but the government has failed to use them.

“In 2016, the European Commission considered this lack of response serious enough to start proceedings against the government. More than two years after dieselgate, the UK government

hasn’t yet issued a single penalty or ordered any mandatory recall for vehicles fitted with defeat devices.

“New and tougher sanctions for the future are welcome but if they were serious about getting tough with emissions cheats this would already be on the statute books.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y74lshgq

CHARGING

Cornwall Garage Group to install rapid EV chargers on forecourts Cornwall Garage Group, which owns 18 petrol forecourts across England, has announced plans to install rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

The company is working with InstaVolt to install and maintain the DC chargers at nine of its sites.

David Whistler from Cornwall Garage Group, said: “The automotive landscape is changing and it’s important for us to be ahead of the curve. That’s why we’re working with InstaVolt to add to our services and offer provision for drivers of electric cars – as well as motorists using petrol and diesel.”

InstaVolt has installed the chargers for free and will continue to maintain and update them at no cost to the forecourt.

The company also pays Cornwall Garage Group a rental income in return for housing them. InstaVolt makes its money from the sale of electricity to drivers.

The Cornwall Garage Group forecourts set

to receive InstaVolt chargers are: Southville Services, Southville, Bristol; New County Services, Clophill, Bedfordshire; Putnoe Services, Bedford; Exton Services, Exeter; Honicknowle Services, Plymouth; Bassett Services, Epping, Essex; Shoreham Services, Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex; Bedworth Services, Bedworth, Coventry; and Glendale Services, Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

InstaVolt’s rapid DC chargers are available for drivers to use on a subscription-free, pay-as-you-go basis.

Motorists simply tap their contactless credit or debit card, charge-up and go.

Users are charged only for the electricity they use on a per-unit basis. There is no connection fee, minimum charge or monthly subscription fee.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yb8kaadf

AIR POLLUTION

London road breaches air pollution limits for 2018 Brixton Road in London has breached air pollution limits for the whole year, 31 days into 2018.

Under EU rules, a limit of 200 µg/m3 cannot be broken for more than 18 hours in a calendar year.

Last year the limit was broken by the fifth day. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan had created ‘Low Emission Bus Routes’ in an attempt to delay the breach where it was most likely – on Putney High Street and Brixton Road.

ClientEarth spokesperson Simon Alcock said: “The Mayor has taken some bold and welcome steps to deal with London’s toxic air problem since coming to office and the later breach this year shows his policies are making a difference. But it’s still only a month into 2018 and London has breached limits for the whole year, which shows there’s much more to do. Londoners are still breathing filthy air on a daily basis.

“There are more measures coming in London but the Mayor can’t solve this problem alone. We’ve recently taken the national government back to court for a third time over air pollution. Ministers have to get a grip and show they’re serious about protecting our health by committing to real action to tackle our toxic air.”

ClientEarth took the UK government back to the High Court last week for the third time over illegal air pollution across the country. A judgment in the case is expected in the coming weeks.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yb97pw3x

Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Commercial Vehicle News

VANS

FINANCE

Iveco and BNP to offer Worcester council’s street cleaning department goes electric finance scheme for greener vehicles

Two new electric vans have been brought in to help keep Worcester’s streets looking clean.

The new vehicles, sporting colourful designs announcing they are “Electric-powered for a cleaner city”, have replaced old diesel vans and are used by the City Council’s street cleaning department.

Councillor Joy Squires, chair of the city council’s environment committee, said: “The diesel vans we were using were over 14 years old and were really showing their age. With all the issues around pollution from diesel vehicles, we felt going fully electric was the right approach to keeping our city clean.”

The vans are being used by the Council’s two

street cleansing teams – the City Centre team and the Neighbourhood Team, which looks after street cleaning in Worcester’s residential areas.

The two new vans have a range of 106 miles, so two electric charging points have been installed at the Council’s Warndon depot and another at the Guildhall. With two rapid charge points already in place at St Martin’s Gate car park, that means the vehicles will never be more than a few miles from the nearest charging point.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ybpzoo98

RETROFIT TECHNOLOGY

£1.9m investment to retrofit Sheffield buses with emission reduction tech Sheffield is set to become a cleaner and greener city by the end of the year as Sheffield City Council announces record new investment in the city’s bus fleet. £1.9 million will be invested to retrofit 117 buses across the Sheffield network with emission reduction technology.

The retrofit will reduce NOx emissions of buses to Euro VI standard, complying with standards set out in the council’s own ambitious Clean Air Strategy.

Upgrade work will be prioritised on the bus routes that travel through the worst pollution corridors – particularly First’s routes 51, 52a, 75/76, 81/82, 95 and 97/98, plus the Stagecoach routes 7 and 25.

These buses travel around 4.8 miles and so this prioritisation will significantly improve air quality across the city.

Councillor Jack Scott, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure at Sheffield City Council, said: “Polluted air is a public health emergency across our country and we need to take decisive and urgent action to clean up our air.”

“The action we are announcing is a big step forward in achieving our bold vision of safer, cleaner air for everyone in Sheffield. I’m delighted we are making these

12

improvements, which will mean Sheffield’s bus fleet has amongst the cleanest and greenest bus fleet anywhere in the country.

“We know that air quality isn’t just about health, it’s about fairness and inequality too. As such, I’m especially pleased to confirm that we are focusing these bus upgrades on the routes where pollution is highest and vulnerable people are most affected. This will close the gap between the communities with the dirtiest and cleanest air, which I hope everyone will welcome.”

The council are already trialling the biggest fleet of low-consumption hydrogen vehicles outside of London and are introducing anti-idling education and enforcement outside schools.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yaqoc4et

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

Iveco and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions have teamed up to help transport operators renew their fleets with more environmentally-friendly commercial vehicles.

Customers will be offered preferred financing conditions for vehicles using Natural Power technologies.

These vehicles run on compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and bio-methane, electric solutions or Euro 6 RDE 2020 Ready technologies.

The range of vehicles included in the green finance scheme are: the Daily Blue Power range; the Eurocrat Natural Power; and the Stralis NP 460. Pierre Lahutte, IVECO brand president, said: “IVECO has a long-standing commitment to sustainable transport. We have pioneered alternative traction technologies for over 20 years with the objective of providing our customers with vehicles that enable them to be more sustainable, while operating profitably.

“With the Green Finance schemes, we take our commitment a step further, by helping our customers’ energy transition as they make their fleets more environmentally-friendly. This initiative with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions is testament to what can be achieved when two players from different industries join forces for such an important cause.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y8putznz

DRIVING DAF Transport Efficiency Driver Challenge entries open The DAF Transport Efficiency Driver Challenge is a nationwide search to find the UK’s best truck driver. Twenty drivers will be shortlisted to attend an all-expenses-paid two-day experience and assessment at Millbrook Test Track in May 2018.

To be eligible to apply you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the UK; hold a clean C+E License, Driver Card and Driver CPC; complete the entry form online or receive a nomination from someone else; and agree to the challenge Terms & Conditions.

Drivers may be nominated or enter themselves, though all are required to undertake an on-line questionnaire before the final shortlist is drawn-up.

Online entry is available at www.daf.co.uk/thechallenge.

The winner will be named the DAF Transport Efficiency Driver Champion 2018.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y83qv5b3

Commercial Vehicle News

FREIGHT TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION

ELECTRIC BUSES

Fourth London bus route is now electric A fleet of BYD ADL pure electric buses has taken over operation of a fourth London bus route.

Route 153, operated by Go-Ahead London on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), runs an intensive service from before 05.00 to after 23.00 six days a week.

The Route spans many of the City of London’s most congested streets between its termini at Finsbury Park in the north to Moorgate in the heart of the financial district.

The new fleet consists of 11 of the 10.8m BYD ADL Enviro200EV single deckers, similar to others operated by Go-Ahead and now a familiar sight on London roads.

The zero-emission vehicles entered service successfully and operate from the Northumberland Park Garage in Tottenham, north London.

The new buses marked the transfer of the route to Go-Ahead from CT Plus.

BYD has supplied the depot

with its own-designed and manufactured charging points.

The other three ADL BYD serviced London routes, all with Go-Ahead, are the 521 and 507 from Waterloo and the 360 from Camberwell.

Other routes and operators will receive fleets of BYD ADL electric buses in the coming months following tender wins by the partnership.

Richard Harrington, Go-Ahead Group’s engineering director, said: “We are delighted to make another significant step in the electrification of London’s bus routes and to be in the vanguard of the transformation.

“At Go-Ahead we have developed considerable practical knowledge of electric bus operation, gained over six years, and are well positioned to contribute further to the improvement of the capital’s air quality.”

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BUS FUNDING

Funding boost for bus industry to improve air quality Councils across the country will benefit from a £40 million funding boost as part of a government drive to put more low emission buses on the roads.

Funding will be awarded to 20 local authorities as part of the Clean Bus Technology Fund, which was launched in 2017 and is run by the Joint Air Quality Unit.

Speaking at the UK Bus Summit at London’s QEII Centre on 8 February 2018, transport minister Nusrat Ghani set out how the money will enable older vehicles to meet minimum emissions standards, and contribute to better air quality.

Nusrat Ghani said: “Buses and coaches are hugely important to those who rely on them and to the communities in which these people live and work.

“Road transport is going to

change dramatically over the next couple of decades – and we have to make sure that the bus industry is ready to benefit from those changes.

“We have to move away from nose-to-tail car traffic at peak times, endless engine idling, stop-start travel and rising pollution and carbon emissions. Rather than contributing to the problem – buses and coaches very much form part of the solution.”

The money will allow councils to retrofit vehicles with technology to reduce tailpipe emissions of nitrogen dioxide, as part of a drive to help ensure that more buses and coaches can contribute to improving air quality in UK cities.

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Freights preparing for clean air zones Rapid progress is being made towards the introduction of the UK’s first Clean Air Zones.

The Freight Transport Association has been working closely with all those involved and this month, Environmental Policy Manager Becki Kite offers a round-up of the latest developments.

The government is under increasing legal pressure to improve the UK’s air quality in urban areas. Last summer, ministers named 23 more local authorities required to introduce Clean Air Zones (CAZs), in addition to the first five; Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton, which were announced in 2015 along with London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

This first five are required to implement their CAZs by the end of 2019 and they are expected to include Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and vans. The additional 23 zones must complete feasibility studies by 31st March 2018, and have until 31st December to identify a preferred option for their CAZs. The standards for entering the zones will be Euro VI/6 for diesel and Euro IV/4 for petrol. Any non-compliant vehicles will be charged upon entry. The charges have yet to be confirmed, however FTA estimates it could be £10-20 per day for vans and £100-200 per day for HGVs. Unlike London, once emissions in these areas have reached a safe level, the zones will no longer be required.

London’s ULEZ will cover central London in April 2019, expanding for HGVs to Greater London in 2020 and to inner London for vans in 2021. Widening the zone will have an impact on more businesses and mean those based within the zone will need 100 per cent compliance. The later start dates will allow a second-hand market for Euro VI/6 vehicles to establish, however those operating more expensive specialist vehicles which tend to have a longer life-span, are likely to find compliance more costly and difficult. FTA is calling on the Mayor to provide financial and practical support to such operators as well as those based within the zones.

Birmingham has yet to resolve the size or position of its zone, but will announce a public consultation in March.

Leeds has issued proposals and the CAZ is expected to cover a very large area out to the M62 and M1. Heavy duty vehicles and taxis will be charged within the outer ring road from 2019. Southampton will consult in the spring.

Nottingham and Derby have not released any details on their proposed plans, however we should have a better understanding of what to expect in March. We could also see additional CAZs introduced by 2020 in Sheffield, Middlesbrough, Bath, Greater Manchester, Bristol, Coventry and Newcastle, which could include HGVs and vans.

FTA is continuing to call for the zones to be kept as small as possible, and for them to start as late as possible to allow industry adequate time to prepare.

It is also seeking sunset clauses for operators based within the CAZs and for financial support to help the general public make the transition to cleaner vehicles.

FTA members should follow the weekly e-news for updates on how the plans are progressing.

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

Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

13

Fleet Fuels

Diesel, petrol, hybrid, or other?

The sharp decline in diesel car sales in January looks set to continue, with fleets unsure about the future of the fuel.

GreenFleet looks into the buying habits of fleets, which show that hybrids and electric vehicles are on the horizon for many Diesel vehicle sales have continued on their downward trajectory, with the SMMT recording a 25.6 per cent drop in January. Business and fleet buyers were down -29.7 per cent and -1.8 per cent respectively. The conclusion to come to is that confusion over government policy and negative media coverage is continuing to cause buyers to hesitate.

Market research into the buying habits of fleets suggest that the exodus away from diesel is set to continue. Sewells Research & Insight’s twice-yearly Market Barometer found that 71 per cent of fleets currently operate diesel cars, but only 59 per cent expect their replacement cars to be fuelled by diesel. Petrol cars will take up most of the slack in the short-term, before sales of hybrid and electric cars really take off.

But this won’t take very long, as the Market Barometer suggests that as many as 30 per cent of fleets expect to run hybrid cars within the next 12 months, and a further seven per cent will buy pure electric vehicles. This represents a dramatic increase from the 12 per cent of fleets that currently have at least

one hybrid car, and the three per cent of fleets which have a battery-powered car.

Fleets employing over 250 people are leading the drive away from diesel, with 47 per cent expecting to replace some of their cars with hybrids this year, and 16 per cent preparing to run electric cars.

Essential vehicle users, such as utility companies, transport firms, and construction businesses are at the forefront of the move to cleaner emission vehicles, according to Sewells.

Phasing out diesel These findings are backed up by research from the RAC Business, which found that almost half (47 per cent) of businesses of any size are thinking about moving away from diesel. Larger businesses with between 250 and 499 staff are leading the way, at 62 per cent, while smaller companies may need more time, at 33 per cent.

The research also shows that 35 per cent of small businesses with between two and 50 employees are still more likely to choose diesel engines over any other type.

The Marketer t Baromehat as ts t sugges 30 per cent s many a ts expect to of flee ybrid cars run h the next within onths 12 m

There was also strong widespread concern about the practicality of replacing diesel vehicles with alternatively fuelled ones.

Thirty-nine per cent of all companies surveyed said the vehicles they need are only made with diesel engines. However, among businesses with 50 to 999 employees this percentage rose to 48 per cent.

Four in 10 (40 per cent) large firms (500-999 employees) said they are not confident in the range capability of most EVs currently available in contrast to the all-business figure of 30 per cent.

More than a third of businesses claim they don’t have the funds available to buy brand new vehicles but this rises dramatically to 58 per cent among sole traders.

Is it justified?

The concern expressed by some businesses about diesel engines may be misplaced, according to RAC Fuel Watch spokesman Simon Williams, who says the many new diesel vehicles perform significantly better in terms of nitrogen dioxide emissions than their predecessors and even some older petrol vehicles.

He said: “During 2017 there was a lot of debate about emissions from diesel vehicles being harmful to health and the possibility of charges being introduced for certain vehicles in some cities to combat the issue. This has undoubtedly affected attitudes among consumers and fleets and left them uncertain as to what type of vehicle to choose next.

“However, what isn’t that well understood is that the newest diesel vehicles coming onto the market now are among the cleanest ever produced and also emit far less carbon dioxide than their petrol equivalents.

“Diesel engines have always been the go-to vehicle for businesses due to their superior fuel economy, their longer engine life and their ability to move heavier loads making them more cost-effective and practical.

“If businesses are now making a switch to other types of vehicles based on anti-diesel sentiment, which may not have been entirely accurate when it comes to the latest vans and cars, they risk losing out on that cost benefit.”

SMMT chief executive believes that misinformation on the latest clean diesel engines could actually work against reducing pollution. He said,“The ongoing and substantial decline in new diesel car registrations is concerning, particularly since the evidence indicates consumers and businesses are not switching into alternative technologies, but keeping their older cars running.

“Given fleet renewal is the fastest way to improve air quality and reduce CO2, we need government policy to encourage take up of the latest advanced low emission diesels as, for many drivers, they remain the right choice economically and environmentally.”

Electric barriers Many businesses still remain sceptical about the capability of electric vans, with 25 per cent of small firms with under 10 staff saying they can’t carry the loads required, the RAC research revealed.

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

Fleet Fuels

While the benefits of switching to EVs and hybrids are clear in terms of reduction in fuel costs and avoiding fees such as the congestion charge in London, 45 per cent of small businesses say the biggest barrier for them in making the switch is being able to afford the new EVs in terms of upfront costs.

This is likely to be because most advanced commercial EVs have not yet entered the used van network, putting them out of reach for many small firms that rely on the used and approved markets for their vehicles.

Finally, 22 per cent of businesses of all sizes agreed that a significant barrier to switching from diesel to EVs or hybrids, is the lack of infrastructure to keep electric vehicles charged across the country.

The RAC’s Simon Williams adds: “The archetypal diesel van has been the workhorse of UK industry for decades and nothing beats it in terms of MPG and load capacity, enabling thousands of small businesses to ‘get the job done’ every day.

“Our research also tells us almost three quarters of small businesses own their vehicles outright, and only refresh their fleet every two to three years, so it’s going to be some time before the latest EVs are available through used dealer networks.”

Simon does believe, however, that it is time to remove the most polluting vehicles from our roads and that the government needs to do more to support fleets in the transition. He says: “We feel one of the best ways for the government to encourage the take-up of ultra-low emission vehicles is by

offering more support for plug-in hybrids, as these vehicles would then start to feed into the second-hand market and we would see a lot more of these vehicles on the roads.

“Every year technology and capability improves in electric vehicles and they will form a much larger part of the commercial vehicle fleet in years to come. But we would certainly echo concerns around the charging

infrastructure and it should be a top priority for the government if they are serious about increasing the number of EVs on the roads and being used by businesses.” !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.sewells.co.uk www.rac.co.uk

Electric Vehicle Charging Experts

.uk www.srgelectrical.co

Home Charging, Work Charging, Rapid Charging SRG Electrical Ltd are a nationwide Independent Electric Vehicle charge point specialist Design • Install • Maintain

t: 0845 644 8209 | www.srgelectrical.co.uk | email: info@srgelectrical.co.uk Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

15

Electric Vehicles Written by Angela Pisanu

With support from

EV ROUNDTABLE The concept of ‘new mobility’ was the final topic discussed at the GreenFleet EV roundtable discussion, with delegates agreeing it provided “massive opportunities” for easing congestion and improving air quality, as well as helping to drive up electric vehicle awareness At the end of 2017, the government launched an inquiry into Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and the benefits it can bring to the UK and how to overcome barriers.

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is where multiple modes of transport are brought together for one journey, and accessed as one service. In theory, this has the potential to make getting around via public and shared transport so convenient that it will negate the need for people to own a car. This could help reduce congestion and air pollution, which are major aims for the government.

This concept of ‘new mobility’ was the final topic discussed at the GreenFleet EV roundtable discussion on 15 September 2017, with delegates agreeing it provided “massive opportunities”.

A more efficient way to travel In reality, many cars are only used a portion of the day, meaning they are under-utilised, take up space, and contribute to congestion and air pollution. Looking at alternatives ways to travel other than through car ownership can unlock many benefits.

Andrew Hickford from Leeds City Council explains: “People own a vehicle which is often only used 90 per cent of the time, and the rest of the time it is parked up somewhere taking up space in already congested city centres.

But using a ‘new mobility’ model, you’ve got cars that are constantly moving and being

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Chris Chandler, principal consultant, Lex Autolease Chris has spent 25 years helping organisations of all sizes to run more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Since 1996, he has provided strategic fleet management consultancy to clients in a wide range of industries, with a focus on optimising operations.

Chris is a recognised expert in sustainable transport and alternative fuels.

Matthew Morgan, operations director, The Phoenix Works Matthew is operations director at The Phoenix Works, a national renewable energy installation company specialising in electric vehicle charging, solar PV systems and battery storage solutions.

A qualified electrician, Matthew has seven years’ experience designing, installing and maintaining systems for customers from all market sectors.

Ben Wicks, senior campaign manager, Go Ultra low Ben has been working in PR and communications for more than eight years and has worked on the Go Ultra Low campaign for the past two and a half years. As senior campaign manager he oversees its social media, PR and content delivery, as well as the extensive fleet communications campaign.

Electric Vehicles

Event delegates Matthew Morgan Operations director & electric vehicle charging / infrastructure specialist, the Phoenix Works Chris Chandler Principal consultant, Lex Autolease Lauren Pamma Head of fleet consultancy, Lex Autolease Ben Wicks Senior campaign manager, Go Ultra Low Darren Moon Operations manager, Jersey Post Ashley Grainger Project manager, Gnewt Cargo Andrew Hickford Project manager, Projects Programmes & Procurement Unit, Leeds City Council Chris Rutherford Fleet commercial manager, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Michael Cook Senior fleet engineer, Babcock International Group John Curtis Event chair, motoring journalist utilised. This has massive opportunities for urban development, retail and green spaces.”

Matthew Morgan from the Phoenix Works explains how Mobility as a Service could work: “You could pay into a monthly service which gives you access to a car-club vehicle for a certain number of hours, alongside a number of hours of train-usage, bus-usage and bike-usage.”

For many city dwellers, car ownership is not practical due to lack of parking, congestion and emissions-related penalties.

Ben Wicks from Go Ultra Low explains how he does not own a car yet he makes it work: “I live in East London and I don’t own a car, but I am a member of a car club which is a two minute walk away. While there are times when I need to use a car, I don’t need to buy one.”

The need to return a car club vehicle can act as a barrier, however, as it could “defeat the object”, Andrew Hickford comments.

This issue is being worked on however, with Zipcar introducing a service that allows members to drive one way across London without returning the car to its original spot. The new service is designed to bring more flexibility and convenience to its members in the capital, allowing shorter journeys such as running a few errands.

A single way to pay The way new mobility solutions are accessed and paid for is key for future take-up. The idea is that a single app is used to plan and

Many cars ared e only usof the n Andrew Hickford agrees a portioaning they that new mobility creates e day, m der-utilised, opportunities for electric are un space, and vehicles because it takes the risk factor out. He says: take uptribute to “Mobility opens up chances for con EVs as it takes the worry away tion from having to find charge points.” conges

book the whole journey from door to door in the most efficient way possible, using real-time service data across all the transport modes. It would also allow you to pay for that entire journey in one transaction, taking out the hassle of separate ticketing.

While these new mobility options are an attractive proposition, delegates agreed that it is more suited for cities, rather than rural areas, where dependency on a car is a lot stronger.

Electric mobility Electric or other alternatively fuelled vehicles fit well into the future mobility mix. Many car clubs have EVs on their fleet. These work for the short urban journeys that car clubs are suited to.

Having electric vehicles on a car club fleet can open peoples’ minds to electric mobility, as they get to drive an EV without having to commit to one.

Research by Enterprise Car Club last April showed that one in five (20 per cent) members had already driven an EV, with around half of those (47 per cent) admitting they chose the car deliberately as they were curious to try out one of these vehicles.

Autonomous vehicles Creating self-driving vehicles seems like the next logical step for future mobility options.

Lex Autolease’s Chris Chandler believes that an autonomous vehicle could work well in the future mobility mix. He said: “In the future you could call an autonomous vehicle and it will come to where you are and pick you up.”

The government has put in £20 million funding for research and development into the next generation of autonomous vehicles in the UK. One such trial that has received a portion of this funding is the GATEway project. This is trialling electric driverless pods around Greenwich to transport people for the first and last leg of their journeys around the area.

Event chair John Curtis summed up the discussion: “Joining up different transport assets should be relatively straight forward; you’ve got buses running already, hire cars, bikes in cities, car clubs. You’ve just got to be able to join them up in a way that is easy. Mobility as a service will come but there is a lot of work to do.” !

Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

17

Advertisement Feature

Can the fleet sector go electric?

Are electric vehicles ready for mainstream fleet use? A recent GreenFleet EV roundtable of key stakeholders discussed the main issues. Panellist, Chris Chandler, principal consultant, Lex Autolease, reveals his key takeaways The consensus amongst the fleet industry is that electric vehicles (EVs) are coming of age. All the initial concerns about reliability, the need for regular but costly battery replacements and residual values remaining low for outright buyers, have been met by the main manufacturers.

In the past, there has been misinformation in circulation about EV resilience, particularly around battery maintenance and longevity, notes Chris. “But the battery is now expected to maintain a decent state of charge and last for the life of the vehicle.”

Today, the industry clearly demonstrates its commitment to producing technology that is fit for purpose. Indeed, the panel acknowledged that EVs are working well in the field, especially in urban environments where their contribution to improving air quality is significant.

However, the notion of ‘range anxiety’ remains a concern for many, says Chris.

But, with options such as pure electric, extended range electric, plug-in hybrids and traditional hybrids available, fleet owners have the opportunity to use the most appropriate technology for them. High mileage motorway driving, for instance, would not necessarily suit a pure electric or plug-in hybrid. Conversely, lower mileage use in urban areas would perfectly suit pure EV. Charging access The UK’s charging infrastructure consists of around 14,250 charging points, compared to around 8,500 petrol station sites, each of which boasts multiple pumps. With the government pushing for all motorway service stations to provide charging points, most notably in the Queen’s Speech in June last year, the EV movement is gaining momentum.

For most users, the majority of charging will still be carried out at non-public charging points, says Chris. This could be either at commercial premises that allow overnight charging or the driver’s own home charge-point.

Of course, not every driver has off-street parking where they can home-charge, and some commercial leases may not be able to install charge points. “But, at the moment, there are many who can and in time – and with suitable investment – these issues can be overcome,” Chris notes. “The results, including greater use of ultra-low emission vehicles and the related cost-savings, are certainly worth the effort.”

18

“The key to success when expanding an EV fleet is to look for the ‘sweet spot” Motivation With government grants available for charging points and certain EV models, and write-down allowances on taxation and other benefits, it is important for companies to undertake whole-life cost analysis to identify the cost savings of using EVs, explains Chris.

“The biggest single saving over the life of any EV is on fuel. For 100 miles of travel, a charge will cost around £2 to £4 in electricity.

The same distance in a petrol or diesel car will cost around £12 to £15 in fuel.”

Nonetheless, it is not necessarily a simple choice to switch to EVs, the panel accepted. The type of vehicle must suit the user’s drive-cycles and applications, with access to both public and private charging points being aligned with that usage. But, with the roundtable highlighting examples of successful applications that have led to the expansion of EV fleets, it is clear that the concept has matured.

Rising numbers In fact, it appears the benefits delivered by EVs are becoming more widely accepted, with new registrations of plug-in cars rising from 3,500 in 2013 to more than 130,000 by the end of December 2017. Averaged over 2017, electric cars now represent 1.9 per cent of the total new car market in the UK, with the total UK light-duty electric fleet of cars and vans now having reached 137,000.

At one time, having a fleet that included a few EVs offered some PR value. Today, however, a far larger number of vehicles are needed for it to be newsworthy. Lex Autolease’s 13,000-strong plug-in fleet

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

clearly shows the level of demand, with some customers now running a 40 per cent EV fleet.

However, for Lex Autolease, the primary aim is not to promote EV at any cost, but to provide customers with the right vehicle for their needs, explains Chris.

That means offering technologies both old and new, from petrol and diesel, to pure EV and even the hydrogen fuel cell.

Targeted use “The key to success when expanding an EV fleet is to look for the ‘sweet spot’,” advises Chris. “With the technology available today, the best place to start is urban use. As ranges increase and the charging infrastructure builds, more people will be able to successfully transition.”

With many new vehicles on the market (there were 60 models available by the end of 2017), and increasing support and understanding for the concept, progress towards the mainstream for EVs is evident.

Indeed, while the general view of the roundtable was that there is still work to be done, Chris felt that there is “great optimism” that progress can and will be achieved. And Lex Autolease is on hand to help businesses make that strategic transition to an efficient and effective electric fleet. !

FURTHER INFORMATION For more information about electric vehicles and other fleet innovations, visit www.lexautolease.co.uk/business/ driving-intelligence/driving-technology

Written by

‘Preparing for your electric car future’ was the focus for Go Ultra Udae nonsend icidisquid quam elisimincim facepro et et, sed Low’s recent Fleet Summit, as government, industry leaders, and quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nos eumque laboribus UK fleet decision makers came together to discuss best practises et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti for establishing and growing ultra low emission fleets rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae nimus earibus, tem ipsaest moluptatium es net et Government is investing almost £1.5 billion xoxoxoxo to support the early market of ultra low emission vehicles through purchase incentives and infrastructure support. However, with FURTHER INFORMATION fleets making up 65 per cent share of the UK xxx electric and plug-in hybrids, it’s clear pure that businesses have an equally important role in the decarbonisation of transport.

Fleets hold the key Fleets hold the key – not only in terms of registrations, but through staff engagement and education to changing driver attitudes.

The exemplar organisations represented at the Summit demonstrated how initiatives such as providing charging infrastructure at work and supporting the installation of domestic chargepoints, or providing driver training, can help ensure electric vehicles are used in the most efficient and effective way.

OVO Energy, for example, works with its employees to assist with chargepoint installations at home, offers driving training and even pays staff a supplement to cover any potential increases in home energy costs. These initiatives are part of the business’s wider goal of achieving 70 per cent electric vehicles in its fleet by 2020.

During the Summit, Dale Eynon, director of Defra Group Fleet Services, cited staff training as the key to his organisation achieving its goal to have all of its car and van fleet as 100 per cent ultra low emission by 2025. He revealed how Defra places great emphasis on educating millennials about carbon and the environment, so it becomes an obvious choice for the next generation to move to low carbon transport.

It’s telling that both OVO Energy and Defra have publicly declared their targets for lowering fleet emissions – it reflects a shared vision from the top of their organisations to embrace low emission fleets. Eynon advised the Summit that the key for businesses wanting to drive real change is to give themselves challenging targets to work towards. Defra’s short-term milestones are tough – their next goal is to achieve average CO2 emissions of 80-85g/km by 2020 for its fleet cars and vans – before making all of its car and van fleet as 100 per cent ultra low emission by 2025.

Another key piece of advice emerging from the Summit was for operators to introduce electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles gradually. Bob Murphy from Edinburgh College revealed how his organisation has carefully grown its fleet of plug-in cars over seven years. The college bought its first EV in 2011 and now boasts 15 vehicles on its fleet of electric pool cars. The fleet covers, on average, 7,000 miles every month.

Efficiency was a recurring theme at the Summit and in particular the importance of using the right car for the right job. Ian Featherstone, fleet advice manager at the Energy Saving Trust, warned of the pitfalls of inefficient fleet operation – for example, staff running plug-in hybrid cars without charging them, which can distort the cost savings achieved versus its true potential.

Telematics is key For fleet managers, using telematics is key to assessing efficiency and changing the way they work by trying new and different ideas. Peter Eldridge, from the Institute of Car Fleet Management believes this is vital if fleet managers are to successfully blend pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles into their fleets. Increased evaluation of usage data, to assess journey costs and CO2 emissions, can help to work out cost-effectiveness of plug-in hybrids and 100 per cent electric vehicles. This should allow organisations to make a stronger business case for a move to plug-in power.

From discussions held during the Summit, it’s clear fleet operators are finding ways

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Go Ultra 800 WORD Low EDIT prepares HEADLINE UK businesses HEREfor an AS TIGHT electric vehicle AS POSS future to overcome the hurdles experienced by early adopters and are now growing their low emission fleets. There is an appetite amongst fleet managers to understand more about the capabilities of EVs and learn about emerging technologies, to give them the confidence to make forward-looking investments in ultra low emission vehicles while eliminating risk for their business.

In her closing remarks at the Summit, the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, highlighted the crucial role UK businesses have in decarbonising transport: “Government’s role in any of the big transitions is to set the ambition, try and create the policy framework, whether it’s the incentives or disincentives.

However, ultimately it comes down to corporate investment, vision and leadership.

Industry as always leads the way, as with the moves to renewable energy or indeed the transition to unleaded petrol, and we want to support you – we really want to accelerate the momentum here.”

Go Ultra Low wants to encourage every company in the UK to consider the benefits of adding plug-in vehicles to their fleets and offer their employees the chance to drive or own an electric car. To find out more and use one of our cost comparison tools go to www.goultralow.com/fleet. !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.goultralow.com/fleet

19

Scotland’s Premier Low Emission Vehicle Event Friday 4 May 2018 Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh

Register for FREE at events.greenfleet.net/scotland

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Udae nonsend icidisquid quamManagement’s elisimincim facepro et ‘Turbocharge’ et, sed As part of Pendragon Vehicle ongoing quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nosdetail eumque laboribus campaign, the fleet management company three practical initiatives et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti you can apply to your vehicle fleet now to help reduce carbon emissions rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae nimus earibus, tem ipsaest moluptatium es net et For the first time in nearly two decades, xoxoxoxonew car CO2 emissions rose. This average increase has partially been attributed toFURTHER confusion INFORMATION and uncertainty around diesel, tax and clean air zones. xxx Striving for carbon reduction however has clear benefits, and by employing effective fleet management techniques to reduce your vehicle fleet’s carbon emissions, you can save your business money, comply with reporting and duty of care requirements, and help to protect the environment.

Below are three carbon-reducing initiatives you could apply to your business fleet now.

Measure your carbon footprint Critically, there are two key pieces of data required to calculate your fleet’s carbon footprint – business mileage and fuel consumption, though it is good practice to also record car-specific CO2 emissions.

Fuel cards and telematics can both be used to streamline gathering this information, and online calculators can be used to help you work out your fleet’s footprint.

With this data, you are gaining insight that can be used to identify fuel savings, driver training, inefficient vehicles and inflated or false mileage claims. Targeting improvements in these areas will help you increase your profit margins.

There are further benefits as well – if you use cash allowances or have a grey fleet, some of the important information you need to demonstrate your duty of care is also used in the carbon footprint calculation, for example the type of vehicle your employee is using and where they are driving to. If you also collect fuel consumption and carbon emission of these vehicles, you’ll be able to estimate the footprint of this portion of your fleet.

Pendragon’s analysis found that modern-day diesels are still the most cost-effective for high mileage and motorway journeys.

Hybrid vehicles have higher on the road CO2 emissions and lower real-world MPG than officially reported, and with generally higher P11D values meant that they were less cost effective than a new diesel. Until the electric charging infrastructure and the product range, particularly electric commercial vehicles, improves, diesel vehicles should not be discounted.

With choosing the right car, it’s important that your analysis goes beyond comparing rental values of the vehicle, and instead review car selection on a whole life cost basis to get a holistic view of the total cost of your vehicle. Similarly, when considering your vehicle choice list, the cost and environmental arguments for adopting a basic capping level on CO2 and MPG are very strong. By rewriting your choice list to include only vehicles with CO2 figures of no more than 130g/km and with fuel consumption of no less than an average of 50mpg you will realise savings in fuel, National Insurance and Benefit in Kind taxation.

Utilising new technology In addition to reviewing fuel types, there are an array of devices that can aid carbon reduction. Telematics can help inform your vehicle choice policy and carbon footprint, through tracking mileage and

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Turbocharge 800 WORD EDIT your fleet: HEADLINE three stepsHERE to saving money AS carbon via TIGHT AS reduction POSS fuel consumption, whilst also telling you where your vehicles are and how they are being driven. Engaging in driver training and improving standards could lead to smoother, better planned journeys, reducing fuel consumption, length of journeys and reducing potential risk, as can light bars that provide real-time feedback to the driver in the event of harsh breaking, acceleration or turning.

Summary Whether used in isolation or together as part of a cohesive carbon reduction effort, these initiatives can power tangible savings in your business and be used to inform further developments. With the continued rise in CO2-based Benefit-in-Kind rates and last year’s revised VED rates causing fleet costs to creep up, switching to low-carbon vehicles can help improve your bottom-line and turbocharge your fleet.

Pendragon Vehicle Management have over 30 years’ experience helping UK businesses to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of their fleet operations.

Pendragon offers a variety of fleet funding methods, fleet management services, daily rental and fleet consultation. !

FURTHER INFORMATION Contact Pendragon on 01332 267 389, info@pendragon.uk.com or visit www.pendragonvehiclesmanagement.co.uk

Review your vehicle selection policy Choosing the right vehicle for your business fleet is essential, otherwise you could end up with a vehicle that is not fit for purpose, and costly to your business and the environment.

You should clearly define your needs and how they will be used. This will help determine, among other factors, what fuel type your vehicles should be.

Despite the negative media coverage,

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Industry Comment Advertisement Feature

It’s time to give CNG a chance Jon Lawes, managing director of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions explains the benefits of a fuel both cheaper and cleaner than either petrol or diesel.

Compressed Natural Gas emits less carbon dioxide than petrol and less nitrogen oxide than diesel, and can be used to power any vehicle Let me tell you about a particularly exciting alternative fuel. This fuel is both cleaner and cheaper than petrol or diesel. It doesn’t add to a vehicle’s payload in the same way that the heaviest electric batteries do. It can be used to power anything from a tiny scooter to an HGV. And, most exciting of all, it’s available today – existing vehicles can even be converted to use it.

What is this wonderful fuel?

The answer is Compressed Natural Gas. CNG is very similar to the gas that’s fed into our homes, but put to a very different use – transportation. It emits less carbon dioxide than petrol, and less nitrogen dioxide than diesel. And there are versions of CNG that are even cleaner still. Rather than being dug from the ground, Bio-CNG is sourced from decomposing food and other forms of waste.

This means that it is both renewable and a good way of capturing greenhouse gases that would otherwise be released straight into the atmosphere. It literally turns rubbish into fuel.

From the survey that Hitachi Capital UK conducted for its recent Future of Fuel report, we know that CNG is not in widespread use among fleets. Indeed, just four per cent of fleets told us that they contain pure CNG vehicles. And only three per cent told us that they contain dual-fuel CNG vehicles, which can also operate on petrol or diesel.

These numbers compare to a whopping 46 per cent for electric-hybrid vehicles.

But Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions has also seen the benefits of CNG at first hand.

A few years ago, Cadent – then known as National Grid Gas Distribution – came to us with a challenge. They wanted to reduce the emissions from their fleet, but they wanted to do so in a way that utilised their own product, gas. How could we turn down such a brilliant opportunity?

We spent a period of time researching the options for Cadent, including discussions with fleets that already used CNG, and then decided to do something that had never been done before. We partnered with Prins Autogas in Eindhoven, and sent them a new

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18-tonne Suction Excavator on a Mercedes Antos Euro VI chassis, with instructions for converting it for CNG. The vehicle was fitted with green tanks containing the CNG, which mixes with traditional diesel to fuel both the vehicle’s engine and the Suction Excavator. This is the first Mercedes Antos in the world to be powered this way.

It’s worth noting that Cadent would have preferred to run the Suction Excavator entirely on gas, but there is currently no suitable chassis with sufficient horsepower.

Even so, they – and we – were delighted with the end results. Trials of the converted vehicle, which began in mid-2016, delivered a 48 per cent reduction in fuel costs and a 44 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

Seventeen more of these Suction Excavators will be entering Cadent’s fleet this year.

So, why aren’t more fleets following Cadent’s example, and switching to CNG? We also asked this question of fleet professionals for our Future of Fuel report. They responded by describing the obstacles that stand in their way. The most frequently-cited obstacle was the infrastructure that’s available for gas-powered vehicles.

This is an understandable response.

After all, there are currently 14,000 public charge points for electric vehicles, but the number of public filling stations for gas vehicles hasn’t yet extended beyond double figures. This doesn’t mean that businesses should disregard gas, however.

Thanks to organisations such as CNG Fuels, more and more filling stations are being opened all the time. For businesses that can afford it, there’s the option of building a filling station either by and for themselves, or in conjunction with other organisations.

That said, some support from the government would not go amiss. In his recent Autumn Budget, Philip Hammond found an extra £200 million of state money – backed up by an another £200 million of private money – to create more electric charge points.

Yet there was no mention of gas. As Philip Fjeld, the CEO of CNG Fuels, puts it: ‘The benefits of CNG are real.

Vehicles powered by this gas are cleaner and less costly than their petrol and diesel counterparts. If the government really wants to encourage greener motoring, particularly among fleets doing heavier, commercial work, then this option should not be ignored.’ Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions is extremely excited about

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

Jon Lawes

Jon Lawes, managing director of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions Jon has more than 20 years’ experience in the fleet and leasing industry, and became divisional managing director of Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions in 2006. In 2015, Jon was made managing director of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, which covers all assets from cars to plant.

He has just completed a three-year stint as chairperson of the BVRLA’s Commercial Vehicle Committee and sits on the overall board of the BVRLA. In addition, Jon is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. transport’s greener future. In fact, we want to get there as soon as possible.

This means that electric vehicles should be given every chance to succeed, but so too should other alternatives – including CNG. Our work with Cadent has shown us just how effective this alternative fuel can be.

It could work for your fleet as well. !

FURTHER INFORMATION Read Hitachi Capital UK’s Future of Fuel report at www.hitachicapitalvehiclesolutions.co.uk/ future-of-fuel-report

www.greenfleet.net

MOBILITY & CONNECTIVITY A look at the future of business travel and how fleet management is moving beyond simply managing vehicles

ISSUE 111

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Joining 800 WORD up the EDIT dots: HEADLINE HERE connected car management AS TIGHT and the future AS POSS of fleets Stuart Thomas,icidisquid director ofquam the AA’s Fleet and SME Services, explains why Udae nonsend elisimincim facepro et et, sed connected car management is of growing importance to the fleet sector – quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nos eumque laboribus and how the AA is leading the field in telematics innovation et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae

nimusand earibus, tem moluptatium es netplanning et by examining Mobility connectivity are ipsaest of vital detailed journey importance to the UK fleet market, fleet journey times to identify the quickest xoxoxoxo in recent years as a leading emerging and most cost effective future routes. area in which businesses can achieve Recent research we undertook with our substantial efficiencies. client and partner, BT Fleet Solutions, as part FURTHERcost INFORMATION Over the next decade, the fleet sector of the annual BT Operational Fleet Insight xxx evolve even further. With traffic will report, shed light on the top use of telematics rates rising faster than new roads can data by fleets, with some surprising results. be built, the industry must make greater Far from focusing on disciplining drivers, efficiencies across the board in terms of 33 per cent of fleet managers primarily use cost and mobility to ensure fleets are kept the technology to reduce accident rates, running and on the move at all times. half are prioritising reducing unnecessary Connected car technology will be intrinsic mileage and 29 per cent are focusing on to future fleets’ success, saving businesses gathering evidence to reward their drivers. time and money by promoting fuel efficient, The data also provides an excellent way environmentally friendly driving through to identify staff who most require training to identifying the best routes. The focus improve efficiency and safety at the wheel. has shifted for fleet managers – it is no longer enough to run a fleet of vehicles The AA’s connected car solutions without continually reviewing performance As a business, the AA always looks to be and efficiency. The role has evolved to one ahead of the curve and strives to be aware in which managers must also prioritise of what our customers need before they helping employees to make their journeys know it themselves. While many people safely, efficiently and cost effectively, know us as the fourth emergency service, using market-leading tools to do so. a heritage of which we are justifiably proud, we’re primarily an organisation Connected car technology that keeps businesses moving, putting the Historically used for basic vehicle-tracking, driver at the heart of everything we do. telematics systems are now helping companies Our other services include car hire, to run their fleets more efficiently. This telematics services, route mapping and translates to cost savings and better use interacting with downtime management of vehicles and route planning, as well systems with the biggest leasing as resulting in safer working conditions for companies. It’s our brand promise to employees by identifying upcoming vehicle ‘keep your show on the road’, and thus faults and issues at an early stage which, if left keep your business’ show on the road. unattended, could compromise driver safety.

Our Fleet Intelligence diagnostics service The benefits of this type of data-driven plays a key role in enabling fleet mobility for technology, or telematics, to both fleets our business customers. AA Fleet Intelligence is and employers are quickly apparent. Live a small self-fit device which not only captures monitoring and tracking allows managers the information on the health of a vehicle; it to give quick feedback on their driving is also capable of reducing fuel consumption, standards resulting in fewer accidents, private mileage and can positively impact on breakdowns and recoveries. It automatically fleets’ carbon footprints. We offer this service alerts managers to when services and to our fleet clients in conjunction with Trakm8, upgrades are needed and allows for a leading supplier of telematics hardware.

AA Fleet Intelligence is a small self-fit device which not only captures the information on the health of a vehicle; it is also capable of reducing fuel consumption and private mileage 24

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Stuart Thomas

Stuart Thomas, director of fleet and SME services – the AA By reviewing driver behaviour through the data Fleet Intelligence provides, our fleet clients have been able to reduce their fuel spend by 10 to 15 per cent.

This is in addition to highlighting problems before they turn into incidents, which is critical for our customers in terms of downtime reduction.

Battery failure is the most common cause of breakdowns in light commercial vehicles. Fleet Intelligence measures battery voltage through an algorithm that predicts likely battery deterioration, which means fleets are made aware if their batteries need replacing before they experience costly periods of downtime. We know how important prevention is for our clients.

To reduce fleet downtime even further, we are launching a Technical Insight Prediction System for our patrols, which uses telematics and other breakdown data to predict the nature of faults in vehicles, helping to deliver faster fix times for our customers.

This is just one of the many ways in which we are constantly innovating, ensuring we’re at the forefront of telematics developments.

We know how important prevention is for our clients, and we pride ourselves on understanding exactly what our clients need. We’re looking forward to continued growth and further innovation in this field in 2018 and beyond.”.

FURTHER INFORMATION theAA.com/business

Mobility News

BEHAVIOUR

Fall in young drivers indicates change in travel behaviour Research by the Department for Transport has shown a continued decline in the number of young people gaining

driving licences, which could mean future travel policies need to adapt.

The research looked at the number of young adults aged 17-29 driving over the past 25 years. In 2010-14, only 37 per cent of 17-29 year-olds reported driving a car in a typical week, while the figure was 46 per cent in 1995-99.

The report said: “It is important to recognise the new realities of the lives and travel behaviour of young adults

STAFF MOBILITY

when attempting to predict future transport use.

“There is a lack of data on the use of emerging transport options (shared mobility in particular) and it will be important to adapt survey and monitoring instruments to understand how these options are perceived and used by different age groups.

“There is the need to develop approaches that can generate scenarios for future travel demand which account for cohort differences in travel behaviour.”

The report also revealed that young people generally travel less now, with the total number of trips per person made by young men falling by 28 per cent between 1995-99 and 2010-14, while the number of trips made by young women fell by 24 per cent.

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TRANSPORT

Employee cards vital for future London unprepared for future mobility success, says ACFO technology-led transport Employees should be provided with individual mobility cards by their employers that could be used to access all forms of travel, fed from an app that could plan and charge costs accordingly.

In its submission to the House of Commons’ Transport Committee inquiry into MaaS, ACFO said that mobility cards should be issued to individual employees to enable them to select the most appropriate model of travel and pay for journey to meet personal and business circumstances.

Corporate mobility managers would then analyse the total cost of journeys employees make.

ACFO has already stated in its recently published ‘Vision for the Future’ that managers

should measure the cost of each mile travelled and let technology dictate how that journey is actually made.

ACFO told MPs in its submission: “MaaS should be at the forefront of how businesses should be looking at travel to ensure they are using the best options for the journey, for environment, cost, safety and employee reasons.”

In advocating Mobility Cards, ACFO said it had seen numerous apps, for journey planning and ticket holding, from various business travel agents, as well as apps for recording and the submitting of expenses. But the ability of a company to join them together was “fairly rare”, it added.

As a result, ACFO said: “The support of government towards a more integrated system will help businesses adapt and manage their mobility needs more effectively.”

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A report by the London Assembly Transport Committee has said that the capital must predict and prepare for changes in technology in order to offer a smart transport system in the future.

The report, ‘Future Transport: How is London responding to technological innovation?’ said that there have been recent failures in London’s preparations for innovative transport services, notably the rapid growth of private hire operator Uber and the disruptive launch of dockless cycle hire service oBike.

The report recommends the Mayor, TfL and government should consider the potential development and impact of autonomous bus technology and examine whether to introduce a London-wide licensing regime for dockless cycle hire. All stakeholders should develop a new regulatory regime for demand-responsive bus services and ensure data produced by apps powered by underlying TfL data is shared with TfL. An integrated control system for ground-based

autonomous vehicles and airborne drones should also be implemented, the report said.

Keith Prince AM, chairman of the London Assembly Transport Committee said: “Autonomous vehicles could make roads safer. Dockless bikes could spread the benefits of cycling to the whole city and demand-responsive buses could give people a public transport service tailored to their needs.

The opportunity to improve mobility for millions of Londoners is here but it will require proper planning, transparency and accountability, as well as cooperation with government, boroughs and development companies.

TfL have been caught napping on the technology front and it’s time to wake up. Uber, then oBike are two examples of a poorly-prepared regulator which seems to be making it up as they go along.”

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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.

Talk to us today about Business Breakdown Cover Call 0800 294 2994 Or visit theAA.com/business

Mobility News

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

VW’s mobility startup unveils electric ride-sharing concept The mobility startup from the Volkswagen Group, MOIA, has debuted its fully electric car that is optimised for ride pooling services.

The electric car has space for up to six passengers to fit comfortably.

The interior was designed to be spacious, with standalone seats, so that passengers who wish to have no contact with other passengers are comfortable on-board. The seats are equipped with dimmable reading lights and USB ports. Each car also offers fast WiFi for passengers.

Passengers can book and pay for a MOIA

algorithm groups passengers with similar destinations together in order to increase the capacity for each car and to avoid detours. A driver app and comprehensive fleet management complete the system.

The MOIA is part of the company’s mission to take “one million cars off the road” – starting in Hamburg later this year – and was launched at TechCrunch in Berlin in December, after a 12-month development timetable. via an app, which shows which cars are available and how much the ride will cost before a customer books a trip. A pooling

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CITY MOBILITY

£1m funding available for smart mobility innovation in Dundee A call of almost £1 million has been launched by Dundee City Council to help carry out real-world testing of some of the most innovative transportation technology in the world.

The city’s Mobility Innovation Living Laboratory (MILL) is looking for new products, services and business models that can be developed and trialled using the city as a test-bed. Part of a joint drive to create and bring together smart mobility know how, the first wave of projects will meet social and economic priorities including reduced cost, congestion and carbon

emissions as well as improving air quality.

Proposals are sought for services in the following areas: advanced mobility services for the public; advanced fleet services; advanced parking services; advanced use of urban data; zero-cost bike hire scheme.

The call for proposals has been published and details can be found on the Public Contracts Scotland website. The deadline for submissions is 2 March 2018.

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MOBILITY

Future scrappage schemes should include ‘mobility credits’, says BVRLA The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has published a blueprint for transitioning away from diesel vehicles in urban areas.

One of its recommendations is for the government to develop policy which would try to reduce car ownership instead of just choosing alternative vehicles.

A scrappage scheme that provides mobility credits for public transport, car club and car rental journeys could stimulate this behaviour change.

BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Keaney said: “Diesel vehicles play an essential

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role in transporting goods and people around the country, but the emissions they produce on low-speed urban roads means they have no long-term future in our cities.

“We need a carefully blended set of incentives and restrictions that removes the oldest, most polluting diesel vehicles without crippling our economy or punishing people for decisions they have already made.”

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RIDE SHARING

Ford launches London-based commuter shuttle service Ford has launched a new commuter shuttle service in London as part of its mobility plans.

Called Chariot, the ride-sharing service is designed for city residents who live in areas where public transport is not easily accessible.

Chariot enables passengers to complete the first and last mile of their journey faster and more comfortably by connecting them with nearby transit hubs and underground stations, according to Ford.

Chariot is accessed via a smartphone app that enables users to search for a nearby route and the closest available transport hub address.

Ford has also announced plans to make all its new vehicles in the United States ‘connected’ by 2019 and 90 per cent connectivity globally by 2020.

What’s more, the company has announced plans to buy technology companies Autonomic and TransLoc to enhance its future mobility offer.

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Business Mobility & Connectivity Written by Abishek Narayanan, Frost & Sullivan

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Transformation in the mobility service ecosystem

the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and is now being gradually rolled out globally.

Fractional leasing Leasing a luxury car is still expensive for non-affluent consumers because it depreciates faster and monthly payments are not justifiable considering low asset utilisation rates. Hence, consumers seek a mobility solution that can provide a luxury car at an affordable price only for the usage period.

Fractional leasing or shared leasing addresses this need by allowing for a car-sharing model between multiple consumers.

The transformation of fleet ownership to user-ship Based on usage needs, the lessor forms was the first wave in the mobility service evolution. a group of three to four customers through The industry is now at the cusp of the second wave, an app. Over the lease period (say one year), the group can where mobility is being transformed into an integrated s r e m mutually decide on the o t service offering. Abishek Narayanan reports Cus number of weeks they a t n wa require the car and then le book the slots. They can The fleet vehicle leasing industry has come which also includes mfortabvice; o c r even swap or trade a long way, starting from a strategic move depreciation. It is now e s y their slots and will be

by OEMs to offload surplus inventory to progressing towards mobilit not largely e r charged accordingly. what it is now a full-service leasing solution. paying for usage-only a t they rned abou Fractional leasing is During its evolution, the industry has based on miles. e conc r by what in a nascent stage with given way to varied segments of service Mobility for business providers, such as independent leasing rather minor penetration. travel needs or commuting h o w o e they companies, OEM captives, and other Orto in the UK has 300 to work are the dominant d o m e t indirect channels of brokers and dealers. cars on the road with 1,200 customer segments, compared u m m co From a user perspective, fleet customers total customers. This type to leisure and tourism segments. have largely moved away from owning cars of subscription-based leasing New mobility solutions (to serve for their mobility needs to using mobility service is expected to become a specific the corporate segment) include corporate services that enable them to do away with industry segment. Although this model of car sharing, and last mile shuttle service. the responsibility of asset ownership. The leasing started with the luxury car segment, it The need of customers is primarily to have transformation of fleet ownership to user-ship is already beginning to experience adoption a comfortable mobility service; they are not was the first wave in the mobility service in the non-premium segment as well. largely concerned about how or by what mode evolution. The industry is now at the cusp they commute. Time of travel is no longer of the second wave, where mobility service Private leasing a constraint, as with Internet connectivity is being transformed into an integrated Until recently, individual ownership of being ubiquitous, commuters can utilise service offering rather than a standalone a car was a statement and a personal the time to catch up with work (integrated offer served by a single service provider. affirmation; it was more than a means of mobility and multi modal transport). commuting. In Europe, owning a vehicle Autonomous cars are garnering a lot of The fleet vehicle leasing industry became far less important than the ability interest from the industry, especially from Leasing is a predominant financing method to just use one. During the economic crisis OEMs and technology giants, and are likely used by company car fleets in the European in 2008–2009, the automotive market to be a reality in the next decade. However, market, which has an estimated market size was adversely impacted in terms of demand. achieving affordable pricing will be crucial of 13.3 million units for the year ending Consumer dialogue began to be directed for mass market application. For example, 2017. This accounts for 28.5 per cent of towards the evil of excess consumption and Volvo’s XC90 to be delivered to Uber for a the total fleet’s vehicle in operation. buying more than was needed. At the same pilot, costs €60,000. Hence, consumers will Of various leasing products, operational time, the opportunity for lending, leasing prefer to lease the car or avail other mobility leasing or full-service leasing is the services/goods did not seem to be such an services such as a “robo taxi” or ride sharing. most popular option, as it provides abstract concept anymore. What was once These factors while not exhaustive utmost flexibility in vehicle usage. a US-specific service started to become a have opened avenues for companies Operational leasing accounts for more prevalent concept in Europe as well. and prospective start-ups to innovate 18.5 per cent of the total fleet vehicle OEMs dominate this section, and independent new mobility solutions, modify existing parc, while financial leasing takes leasing companies are aggressively eyeing solutions and combine multiple solutions 9.9 per cent. Highly developed markets this segment of market. Although far from for greater synergy. Examples of this include comprise 66.6 per cent of the total maturity (3.7 million active contracts), private fractional leasing in the United Kingdom, leasing market in EU 26 countries. lease growth is rapid in Dutch and Nordic cash in lieu of company cars in Belgium The leasing industry is in the regions; it will soon expand to other European and the United Kingdom, and floating throes of ongoing innovation, all regions as well. In terms of new contracts car-sharing services in Brussels, Belgium. of which can be classified broadly sold, 2017 estimates could reach 1.6 million This product innovation is happening at as product and service innovation. contracts, which is 8.0 per cent of total car a rapid rate especially in countries such registration and 18.1 per cent of total retail as Belgium, Netherlands, and the United Product innovation registration in Europe. Private leasing is Kingdom, because these countries often Much of the innovation in the product expected to continue its growth and expand serve as test ground for piloting new mobility portfolio of leasing companies’ in more countries in Europe. Frost & Sullivan’s solutions. Once a new mobility solution targets accommodating the following Fleet and Leasing Research team anticipates finds success or is at least deemed viable, changes in consumer behaviour. that private leasing will achieve sales of it is adopted in other regions. LeasePlan’s Fleet customers have transformed from 2.1 million contracts (9.1 per cent of total “SwopCar” service, for example, includes paying for the asset (buying a car) to new registration) and a market penetration features from operational lease and paying for the duration of contract (leasing) of 4.6 million active contracts by 2021. corporate car sharing and was piloted in

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span of models and attractive offers. Other products that can replace a company car service include salary sacrifice schemes, corporate car sharing, cash/car allowance, affinity schemes, and novated leases.

Connected fleets Connectivity in fleet vehicles is undergoing a transformation from being an aftermarket solution where the likes of TomTom Telematics and RAC Monitoring provide separate hardware to OEMs themselves fitting telematics boxes as a default feature.

On the software front, service providers are becoming hardware agnostic and can connect regardless of make/model to provide connectivity services. This transformation gives OEMs greater control over the fleet vehicles to enhance aftersales service chains’ demand comprising of roadside assistance, periodic maintenance, breakdown service, and consumables.

In Europe, connected fleet penetration is approximately nine to 10 per cent for passenger cars and 12.7 per cent for light commercial vehicles.

There are various solution implementation methods. These include hardwiring the telematics box into the vehicle or portable plug-and-play devices connected through the OBD-II port. There are also independent smartphones that work without a connection to the car.

These solutions can help fleet managers to better monitor fleets, they can help drivers to improve driving experience and efficiency

and they can help the company to effectively manage fleet management and contain costs.

Over a period, the accumulated data can be leveraged through Big Data churning tools to build actionable insights by forecasting service costs, maintenance cycles, breakdown analysis, and pricing, thereby improving the fleet efficiency a win-win for all stakeholders.

Hence, leasing and fleet management service providers are actively investing into this service segment either organically or inorganically to build their own infrastructure.

Conclusion In conclusion, there is an ongoing rapid transformation in the mobility service ecosystem where innovation is the main asset of companies that want to remain competitive. Simultaneously, traditional forms of financing will not disappear; however, what was once the only method in terms of financing a vehicle has now become a playground for future models, where financing is becoming an enabler for additional services, such as car sharing, ride hailing, and shared leasing to serve the final purpose: mobility. Hence, it is imminent for companies looking for a strong position in the growing mobility market to consider embracing this transformation through informed decisions, failing which will be a lost opportunity for them. !

Business Mobility & Connectivity

Mobility Budget Mobility budgets are increasing in popularity in Western European cities, which are adopting stringent regulations towards reducing pollution and heavy traffic. Implemented in Belgium, the benefits include flexibility for employees, hassle free options for employers, and reduction in company car fleets (which are major causes of pollution). The Belgian government introduced the “Cash for Car� plan where employees surrender their company car benefits in return for cash payments that are taxed at a percentage lesser than their salary; the beneficiary is then required to spend these funds only on mobility solutions. This measure is to be implemented over the year 2018 and will be evaluated at the start of 2019.

Countries with a big fleet of company cars, such as France (3.6 million company car parc), require such mobility plans from all companies with more than 100 employees.

Although not necessarily stringent, such plans will help build awareness of this new solution. It is expected that in the light of all the regulations hitting the market, such as a complete ban of diesel engines in Europe by 2040 and the ultra-low emission zone in the United Kingdom by 2019, mobility budgets are expected to only receive greater attention in the future.

In addition, rise in mobility budgets is expected to spur the growth of private leasing, as by providing a cash reimbursement in lieu of company car services, employees have the flexibility to choose from wider

FURTHER INFORMATION ww2.frost.com

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Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Fleet management is moving beyond simply managing vehicles to looking at how staff get about in the most cost effective and efficient way. Our expert panelists look at the future of business travel and examine how new mobility trends can benefit fleet operators The concept of mobility means looking at other possibilities of travel other than owning a vehicle and how a variety of transport modes can be used in one journey, such as car pooling, car clubs, ride sharing, bike hire, public transport, and even autonomous vehicles.

For some people, such as those living in cities with difficult parking, owning a car may not be practical. What’s more, research shows that the younger people entering the world of work may not even have a driving licence in the future. Research by the Department of Transport showed that in 2010-14, only 37 per cent of 17-29 year olds reported driving a car in a typical week, while the figure was 46 per cent in 1995-99.

“Vehicle ownership is already declining in some major cities,” says Stuart Thomas, director of fleet and SME services at the AA. “Car sharing and shared ownership services appeal to consumers for whom vehicle ownership would be unaffordable or impractical. Indeed, Europe represents over 50 per cent of the global car sharing markets, with 5.8 million users and 68,000 cars. This trend is set to trickle through to the fleet sector.”

Dan Regan, head of innovation at Lightfoot likens the changes in travel to the transformation that has occurred in the music industry. He said: “Services like Spotify have already transformed the music industry, seemingly overnight. Most no longer look to buy vinyl, cassette tapes, CDs or MP3s or any other kind of media; instead we pay for music “as a service”, streaming all day every day, whatever music we like from pretty much any artist you can think of.

“In a similar way, the emergence of mobility and vehicle autonomy challenges not only how we travel, but the whole vehicle ownership model,” Dan continues. “Vehicles will be able to be centrally owned by a local authority or approved operator and used by a community paid for via models like monthly subscriptions or the local tax system, for example.

“Rather than jumping into our car on the driveway in the mornings, we’re more likely in the future to walk out onto the street and jump into the nearest autonomous vehicle,” Dan adds.

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Stuart Thomas, director of fleet and SME services, the Automobile Association (AA) With more than 20 years’ experience in the fleet sector, Stuart’s extensive knowledge of the industry comes from roles across contract hire, disposal and related fleet services. His experience includes working with organisations including Nissan Finance and Lombard. Stuart joined the AA in 2000.

Dan Regan, head of innovation, Lightfoot Dan’s background is electronic, automotive and clean-tech engineering. Being responsible for maintaining Lightfoot’s market advantage through continual innovation, he has led many projects that have made Lightfoot the respected brand it is today.

Dan works closely with academic, automotive and psychology departments to further develop the company’s approach.

John Pryor, chairman, ACFO John Pryor is one of the best known personalities in the UK fleet industry. He has been chairman of ACFO, the leading UK representative body for fleet decision-makers, since June 2014. In charge of the fleet at Arcadia Group, the leading fashion retailer, for almost 30 years, John has been an ACFO member for 20 years.

Given the changes in attitudes to travelling, advances in technology, and the focus on improving air quality, future travel policies in companies will need to adapt.

For ACFO’s John Pryor, new mobility solutions will affect ‘perk car’ provision for a variety of factors. These include rising company car BIK taxation, reduced employee interest in a traditional company cars, and younger employees looking for more flexible solutions to meet their transport needs.

So how will these changes affect the fleet manager role? “The role of the fleet manager has changed significantly, with fleet leaders increasingly becoming mobility providers,” the AA’s Stuart Thomas observes. “Although the issue of vehicle ownership is one that will

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continue into the long term, the changing role of fleet managers is occurring now.”

ACFO stated in its recently published ‘Vision for the Future’ that managers should measure the cost of each mile travelled and let technology dictate how that journey is actually made. John Pryor explains: “Previously it would have been in a company-supplied car, but today there are various ways to travel that mile and managers must build into their systems the most environmental, risk-free and cost-effective way to complete a journey, while also ensuring the options available are not burdensome to employees.”

Lightfoot’s Dan Regan believes that the benefits of mobility-as-a-Service for fleets are “significant”. He says: “Pool car

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Expert Panel: Mobility

EXPERT PANEL MOBILITY

Expert Panel: Mobility

fleets in particular could be significantly reduced and vehicle down-time and maintenance scheduling could become the service operator’s issue.”

Dan also believes that the simplicity of a future mobility system would be beneficial to fleet organisations. He said: “The cyber-connected world of travel facilitates linking different modes of transport seamlessly and effortlessly for the user. This could mean, for example, that combinations of different transport modes like trains, planes, autonomous vehicles and taxis may become much simpler than driving point-to-point using our highways.”

Easy access Being able to subscribe to a service that allows you to plan, book and pay for an entire journey – even if it uses different modes of transport and operators, is key for mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) to be viable. Indeed the government’s Transport Committee has launched an inquiry into the benefits and challenges of MaaS. “The ability to have fully integrated opportunities to make bookings, buy and use tickets is a must in a fully rounded MaaS system,” comments ACFO’s John Pryor.

In order to make this vision for mobility work, connectivity in vehicles and infrastructure

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Given es ng the cha udes in attit lling to travences in va and ad gy, future lo techno l policies productivity. Stuart Thomas says: “Better connectivity trave ed to can facilitate smoother will ne t and more efficient mobility p a ad solutions to allow drivers to

needs to improve.

BMW describes connectivity as the ‘driver, car and surroundings becoming one’. Connected vehicles should be able to ‘communicate’ with traffic information, surrounding infrastructure and live public transport data at all times.

Lightfoot’s Dan Regan comments on the importance of connectivity: “A better digitally-connected world can not only give rise to the seamless and efficient linking of different transport modes and infrastructures, but will be the key skeletal structure to support new transport modes like autonomous cars, taxis, and buses.”

ACFO’s John Pryor said: “More integrated systems will help businesses adapt and manage their mobility needs more effectively.

Businesses are starting to understand the power and advantages that integrated technology can supply. It should have a marked environmental impact on journeys being made.

The choices and range of services that such systems can provide should be embraced.”

As well as facilitating new ways of travel, advances in connectivity can also help reduce driver downtime, therefore improving

continue their journeys when a vehicle has been temporarily immobilised by a roadside incident. A replacement vehicle may be selected via a mobile device from the nearest car dealership or rental provider. This keeps driver downtime to an absolute minimum, reducing idle time by up to 75 per cent. Without the recent advances in connectivity and mobile applications, the communication between the dealership, repair centre and customer would not be possible.”

Self-driving vehicles Autonomous vehicles are well suited to the future mobility mix. One scenario could be for a driver-less vehicle to ferry people at the beginning or the last leg of their journey, in areas that are pedestrianised. The GATEway project for example, involves an electric driverless shuttle transporting people to businesses and homes in the Greenwich area.

From a fleet perspective, companies could benefit from autonomous vehicles in certain applications. They could work well for urban or last mile deliveries, for example. "

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Expert Panel: Mobility

Final thoughts Stuart Thomas Telematics has already revolutionised the UK fleet industry and is critical to the next phase of innovation for vehicles. The AA’s Car Genie product successfully predicts and prevents more than a third of vehicle issues before they become roadside breakdowns, which will continue to improve as the product’s use is increased. These types of connected car technology will become even more crucial to fleets dealing with multiple drivers per car with the onset of autonomous technology, as the focus shifts from driver to vehicle. Telematics will be key to understanding how autonomous vehicles behave and interact with one another and will enable detailed monitoring of vehicle health and location.

Dan Regan At Lightfoot we strongly believe that the connectivity that supports new modes of travel should come with an element of choice. Some drivers and passengers may prefer not to be “connected”. Whilst it may not be possible for them to avoid the connected world altogether, any areas in which the user can be given a choice as to how connected they would like to be can only be a good thing. Lightfoot has already proven that giving drivers the right tools and a healthy level of choice, benefits and incentives maximises the benefits to both fleet operators and wider society.

John Pryor ACFO believes that employees should be provided with individual ‘mobility cards’ by their employers that could be used to access all forms of travel, fed from an app that could plan and charge costs accordingly. Mobility cards, ACFO believes, would enable employees to select the most appropriate mode of travel and pay for a journey to meet personal and business circumstances.

The support of government towards a more integrated system will help businesses adapt and manage their mobility needs more effectively.

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# Amazon are investigating delivery drones, while UK technology company Starship Technologies is working on ground drones to replace people delivering goods.

The HGV sector could also benefit from autonomous technology. Indeed, the government has put in £8.1 million to trial a platoon of partially-driverless lorries on UK roads, with the ‘driver’ joining and leaving the motorway, and able to take control of the brakes at any time. Stuart Thomas says: “Fleets could benefit from autonomous vehicles by improving productivity, as staff can spend time making calls or doing other work instead of driving, as well as obvious fuel savings and greater tax incentives.”

have cyber-security issues overcome and GDPR addressed within a cost point that makes it attractive for businesses to use, rather than more traditional methods.

ACFO’s John Pryor also points out that the world of MaaS and connectivity has the potential to cause confusion if not regulated.

He says: “With regards to technology and connectivity, many companies are already fighting for a slice of the mobility space. They include motor manufacturers, leasing and fleet management companies and rental providers, but there are also numerous entrants from outside the established fleet sector. As a result, the multitude of offerings is developing piecemeal and that is causing confusion.

That’s why ACFO welcomes the House of Challenges Commons Transport Committee inquiry Increased connectivity can throw into MaaS and has submitted its views.” up challenges in the fleet sector however.

“MaaS will only function efficiently and The vast amount of data produced from effectively if government departments/ technology can often be hard to digest, agencies and local councils work resulting in opportunities being missed and together on a joined-up system that actions not being taken. It also makes fleet will allow flexibility,” John adds. managers more liable, for example, if data was Stuart Thomas also questions whether to show that a vehicle needs maintenance or a increased connectivity could result in more driver is being dangerous, yet they do nothing. distractions for the driver. He says: “A final Stuart Thomas says: “Whilst increased consideration is generational attitudes. access to data is allowing fleet managers Some drivers still remain un-averted to identify efficiency savings, its availability from texting whilst driving, despite the increases the liability and responsibility of fleet increased penalties made in 2017. This managers to ensure the vehicle’s health.” will become of greater importance for the “A fleet manager’s mindset will need fleet industry as productivity increases to become more data-driven,” Stuart through improved connectivity.” continues. “Our Insight report revealed Lightfoot’s Dan Regan points out that 74 per cent of fleets containing 100-plus increased connectivity has the potential to be vehicles use telematics, but only 33 per cent seen as “big brother.” He says: “Perhaps the of them use it to reduce accident rates. This biggest challenge of all are not the technical figure will have to be more like 100 per cent challenges themselves, but overcoming the as liability shifts from driver to manager, public anxiety that surrounds the very idea with the spread of autonomous vehicles.” of a highly digitally connected world. Drivers The new General Data Protection may feel like they’re being watched.

Regulation (GDPR), which comes The only way to overcome this is into affect this May, will cover to ensure they see the value e h T the driver data gathered in becoming connected. l from connected vehicles This is something that Genera tion c and telematics. Fleet we’ve directly and e t o Data Pr n which managers will have to successfully addressed io t la become familiar with with the Lightfoot is u h g t Re affect e the new rules and make platform by putting o t in s sure they are transparent sufficient benefits come ill cover th d e in the reasons why they and incentives in r ay, w e h M t collect data and how it place to make drivers ata ga driver d connected actually want to be not is being used and stored. from icles Lightfoot’s Dan only connected, but be veh Regan believes that future amongst the most efficient mobility services will need to and safe drivers on the road.” !

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Maximising 800 WORD EDIT your HEADLINE fleet’s connected HERE AS TIGHT car investment AS POSS Research we’ve recently conducted with xoxoxoxo our close business associate, BT Fleet Solutions, in the BT Fleet Operational Insight Report, revealed that 74 per cent of fleets FURTHER INFORMATION containing 100-plus vehicles are now using xxx telematics, or connected car technology.

This should come as no surprise, given the wide range of benefits that connected car technology brings. From journey planning to servicing elements, it has much to offer.

It is also proving invaluable in keeping managers up-to-date with service and upgrade requirements, improving efficiency and saving time. Rather than having to go through the service history of every vehicle on the fleet, managers can use connected car technology to automatically alert them to potential problems.

As a mobility enabler, that keeps businesses running and moving successfully, the AA’s Fleet and SME division is constantly innovating and helping managers find effective solutions to improve business efficiency. We have played a key role in bringing connected car solutions to market.

To reduce fleet downtime even further, we are launching a Technical Insight Prediction System for our patrols, which uses telematics and other breakdown data to predict the nature of faults in vehicles, helping to deliver faster fix times for our customers.

Telematics adoption across fleets is spreading at a rapid rate as fleet managers increasingly appreciate how a successful connected car programme can add value and save both money and time for their business. There’s absolutely no doubt that it’s worth making the investment to introduce fleet-wide efficiencies and improvement but introducing telematics into your fleet needs careful management to ensure a strong return on that investment.

How to introduce connected car technology into your fleet Fleet managers have a strong understanding of the unique requirements, challenges and goals of their business. Their traditional role is changing; it is increasingly important for them to focus on the journey rather than the mode of transport. Key metrics and performance indicators are shifting

from fleet size to journey success rates, timings and total annual costs.

When introducing telematics into your business, objectives for success should be set from the outset. Managers must ensure that their connected car partner understands what level of insight is required, and that they are able to provide easily actionable take-outs and analysis that can be shared with drivers, rather than pure data.

These need to be shared in easy-to-use outputs, such as that displayed in our Fleet Intelligence telematics service dashboard tool.

It is important not to become complacent with your tool of choice. Adopting a passive role towards the data you receive, in failing to review it, will mean you won’t get the most out of what the system has to offer. Even a system which is working well should be regularly reviewed as every fleet’s requirements are different and continually evolving.

It is often the unanticipated benefits that will add the greatest value. For example, a client of ours, a London delivery business, found they were able to recently save a fortune on congestion zone fines, thanks to telematics, in an entirely unexpected business win.

The firm’s drivers were not mentioning they had entered the congestion zone to the fleet manager, who was paying the higher rate fine daily for non-payment.

Using geo-fencing, the manager now receives an immediate alert and can pay the much lower daily charge. In this situation, as is often the case, connected car data acts as an enabler to further improve efficiencies within the wider business.

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Connected car technology has revolutionised the UK’s fleet market industry. Stuart Udae nonsend icidisquid quam elisimincim facepro et et, sed Thomas, director of the AA’s Fleet and SME Services, explains the steps fleet managers quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nos eumque laboribus should take to ensure the technology works as hard as possible for your business, and et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti how to set up a connected car programme to maximise your fleet’s investment rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae nimus earibus, tem ipsaest moluptatium es net et

educate drivers and improve road safety.

Half are prioritising reducing unnecessary mileage and 29 per cent are focusing on gathering evidence to reward their drivers; the focus is not on disciplining drivers.

Using telematics to support staff is the ideal way to help improve driver behaviour through learning and developing vehicle standards.

We want to encourage fleet managers to ensure they’re using telematics technology to its full potential, drilling down into the data to help colleagues to improve efficiency, mitigate risks and to cut costs.

Telematics can help with the most important areas of safety and legislation. An advisory approach is the most effective way of improving safety measures. Corroborating this, our report found 58 per cent of drivers said they would be interested in free training days to improve their driving skills – something the AA is able to deliver.” !

FURTHER INFORMATION If you have any questions about how telematics usage could help your fleet, visit theAA.com/business

How could your fleet further benefit from telematics adoption?

Our research with BT Fleet Solutions offers some valuable insight in providing answers to this question. Despite the majority of fleet managers using telematics, our findings surprisingly showed that only 33 per cent of them primarily use it to reduce accident rates. It is therefore apparent that fleets could be making much better use of the insight gained by technology to help them

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Advertisement Feature

The green road to 2030: revolution or evolution?

Bullish predictions for fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) are gaining ground as vehicle manufacturers compete with IT giants like Apple and Google to pour billions into perfecting self-driving vehicles. ReThinkX, a US think tank, now believes 90 per cent of drivers will abandon car ownership by 2030 Some of today’s high-end passenger cars already contain as many as 100 million lines of computer code – twice as many as the Large Hadron Collider and eight times more than in the flight system of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner – even without the addition of self-driving technology.

Two of the world’s biggest consultancies, KPMG and PwC, have recently issued reports predicting radical changes in mobility by 2030. In their analysis, the primary catalyst for change will not be a yet-to-be-perfected type of artificial automotive intelligence but the ongoing explosive growth in the availability of ‘mobility data’.

Data as fuel 84 per cent of executives who spoke to KPMG agreed that “data is the fuel for the future [mobility] business model”. Business vehicles will increasingly involve ‘drivership’, via carsharing, flexi-rental and mini-lease, in place of vehicle ownership. Drivership itself is likely to be one of several options within an employee’s tailored business mobility budget, which will seamlessly cover all the transport services they need.

Driving this transition is the industry’s ability to make better use of data. This is enabling companies to make more-productive and sustainable vehicles and mobile workers.

The trend is already evident in fleet management, where telematics, ‘connected’ vehicles, mobile payments and the ubiquity of smart phones are driving exponential growth in the availability of information.

If processed correctly, such data gives companies huge potential visibility over their Total Cost of Mobility (TCM) and carbon footprint.

KPMG’s 2017 Global Automotive Executive Survey report summed-up the next 5-10 years with the phrase, “Miles are gold. Data is gold.”

Astonishingly-detailed information is already available. A typical business journey used to leave almost no traces on the record aside from some receipts and a line on an expense claim. Now, information is captured at every point in the business travel chain – by leasing companies, fuel card and telematics providers, accident management providers and in payroll data and expenses systems.

By giving companies this information overlaid on to employee data – such as whether individuals are home or office-based, or the details and reasons for journeys – data specialists such as TMC can provide

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a single view of costs and a 360° view of each employee’s business travel patterns.

Mobility recommendations This knowledge, in tandem with deployment of more ultra low emission vehicles, will be key to lower costs and carbon in the years running up to the day when the promised AV revolution arrives.

Already, if you have consolidated information it can be analysed to make mobility recommendations for each individual employed. These might be around who should or shouldn’t be eligible for a company car; who could be in electric vehicles; who could be car sharing, and where it could be more cost-effective to give someone a transportation allowance rather than a conventional car or cash allowance (if for example, they use the train for more than 80 per cent of all trips).

TMC’s Mobility+ service does exactly that.

We take feeds from all your fleet suppliers, consolidate the data and produce actionable management information. Bringing all this data together into a single dashboard gives you complete visibility over your business mobility and allows strategic fleet managers to truly understand their mobility costs and provide outputs to reduce costs, improve policy and reduce carbon.

Consolidated mobility data opens up many options for cost reductions.

Real-time audit controls, together with increased visibility, reduce losses from

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over-claiming, wasteful travel and non-compliance with policy restrictions.

Real-time information can also help identify subtle cost-drivers such as creeping increases in lease rentals and maintenance charges. It can reveal where employees are filling their vehicles unnecessarily with premium fuels or at expensive sites on the motorway network.

Understanding mobility costs Further cost savings can be realised through reduced administration overheads and by using the information to steer fleet and mobility strategy and optimisation.

The consolidated data can also show were ULEVs can be deployed.

Today’s challenge for strategic fleet managers is to truly understand their business’s mobility costs and compile actionable management information to identify further cost savings, improve policy and reduce carbon. Without knowing all the costs associated with business travel, reviewing the vehicles being driven and collating all the business trips, how can a sustainable strategy be set?

Data collation is evolutionary rather than revolution but it is an essential base in order to set a strategy on mobility. !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.themilesconsultancy.com reply@themilesconsultancy.com 01270 525 218

The Commercial Vehicle Show offers visitors the chance to see a range of products and services that can help them to operate a safe, efficient and effective commercial vehicle fleet The UK road transport sector is an ever-evolving industry and the 2018 Commercial Vehicle Show offers unparalleled access to the pioneering manufacturers and suppliers who are modernising this vital industry.

Innovations leading to reduced emissions, greater road safety and increased fuel efficiency are changing the face of the transport industry forever, and the Commercial Vehicle Show offers you the opportunity to meet with those who have made these advances possible.

The Commercial Vehicle Show takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, on 24-26 April, and offers visitors the chance to see a massive range of products and services that can help them to operate and maintain a safe, efficient and effective fleet.

As well as every type of commercial vehicle for a multitude of applications, there are always new

developments in telematics systems, handling equipment, fuels, tyres and much more.

Vehicle manufacturers exhibiting at the 2018 Show include, MAN Truck and Bus, Citroën, Fiat Professional, Ford, Isuzu, Iveco, LDV, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, SsangYong, Toyota and Volkswagen. Every year, the Commercial Vehicle Show hosts global and domestic launches for the very latest products and services in every sector of the road transport industry.

The Innovation Hub, which was launched last year, hosts seminars covering some of the latest and most exciting developments in the sector. Subjects covered at the 2017 Show included autonomy, future fuels and logistics improvements.

The 45-minute sessions will include expert speakers from across the industry, followed by a debate

The Comme Vehicle rcial offers v Show i chance sitors the massive to see a ra latest p nge of the r and seroducts vices

Light commercial vehicles While van registrations fell 4.2 per cent in January, according to SMMT figures, the decline amounts to just 888 fewer vans being driven off forecourts in the first month of the year, compared with 2017.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “With business confidence continuing to be affected by economic and political uncertainty, this decline comes as no surprise. Despite this, the UK van market remains at a very high level and, although purchasing patterns are cyclical they do fluctuate with business confidence, so we continue to look to government to improve conditions so the sector can grow.”

Some of the biggest names in the world’s van and LCV industry will be among the major stars of this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show.

While most of the manufacturers are remaining tight-lipped about new developments, there will be a number of new model launches at the three-day event. CV Show director, Rob Skelton, said: “One of the great things about this show is that it clearly demonstrates the diversity and adaptability of the UK’s LCV sector.

“Not only do we have key manufacturers offering British customers some of the best vans and light trucks in the world, but we also have UK-based convertors and specialists who are able to transform those vehicles into bespoke products that are built for very specific purposes, in turn creating jobs and providing vital revenue to the UK economy.” !

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CV Show 2018

A commercial vehicle shop-front

with speakers and attendees to explore the future developments and generate feedback from the audience.

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CV Show 2018

" Workshop and Cool Zones Following the continued success and popularity of two specialist sectors, the show will once again feature Workshop and Cool zones, which will be features in themselves.

The Workshop zone in Hall 4 will be the shop window into a massive range of products covering everything needed to keep vehicles running at maximum efficiency, from OE components and replacement parts to maintenance management systems, garage, workshop and bodyshop equipment.

For those transporting temperature-controlled goods the Cool zone in hall 3A is an essential visit.

A huge range of refrigerated vehicles and bodywork, side by side with the latest fridge units, monitoring equipment and other products specific to cold chain operations will be on display.

A one-stop-shop From truck, van and trailer manufacturers to fork lift trucks, insurers, tyre companies, telematics, training providers and fuels and lubricants suppliers, the CV Show is the premier destination and one-stop-shop for everyone involved in the CV world.

“Once more the CV Show is providing the best opportunity of the year for visitors to meet all of their sourcing needs under one roof,” said Rob Skelton. “From truck, van and trailer manufacturers through to ancillary service providers, there is no better business-to-business environment for any individual or company involved

in the road transport industry. The bigger show area in 2017 was a huge hit and saw over 400 exhibitors and more than 20,000 visitors yet again. To get the most from the event and all the latest information we encourage visitors to register now for a free

entry pass, ensuring they receive important updates in the run-up to the event.” # FURTHER INFORMATION www.cvshow.com

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Industry Comment Advertisement Feature

38

NewWORD 800 productEDIT introduction –HEADLINE validationHERE and test AS TIGHT AS POSS

Technology is moving at an astonishing rate, however, the timescales for new and innovative products is reducing. Sales generally need the new product straight away in order to stay in, be competitive, or a leader in the market Udae nonsend icidisquid quam elisimincim facepro et et, sed

quodi ut sales molorem aut ationse eumque laboribus Dare I sayblaborum it that sometimes have This initialnos prototype board can then be sold a product or concept it has representative of the pre-production build et quoditiat dolo before qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti been designed. A product then has to or final product, so early validation and rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae be developed using the normal product test can start during the design process. nimus(feasibility, earibus, temvalidation, ipsaest moluptatium es net et lifecycle design, test, pre-production, production, release) ECCO Standard xoxoxoxo using a gate stage process. The regulatory At ESG we have developed the ‘ECCO approvals are mandatory and these are Standard’ in which our tests way exceed religiously The validation and minimum requirements. All of our products are FURTHERcompleted.

INFORMATION testing element are also an important part of subjected to not only the Industry Standard xxx New Product Introduction (NPI), and are the Test specification regime, but extended or normally carried out in parallel to the release. further tested to determine if the product is ‘fit for purpose’ in most if not all of the Environment applications. We are currently developing a At ECCO Safety Group (ESG), we design and new LED Beacon for the major OEM Market, manufacture lighting, safety and warning JCB, Caterpillar, CNH (Case New Holland), products for all vehicle market segments, John Deere and many others. If the product including Aftermarket (AM) and Original then meets the harsh requirements of the Equipment Manufacture (OEM) generally in agricultural market, will then be offered to the the commercial, agricultural and emergency aftermarket and emergency sectors to benefit (police, fire, ambulance) sectors. The majority with a more robust and reliable product. A of these NPI products are sold around the summary of the key tests and a description world into various environmental conditions of each is shown below for a new beacon. and applications, generally fitted to the outside of a vehicle (lightbar on the roof, Testing beacons, reversing alarms, cameras, mirrors).

If you imagine a tractor driving around a So, the product must meet the ploughed field, then the different loads and harsh environmental conditions vibration will be extremely harsh and this wherever they are installed. will apply to the ancillary equipment fitted.

Therefore, the beacon (usually mounted Design on a pole above the cab) will experience Following the design of the schematic then the same vibration. Although this scenario in the past the initial prototype would usually cannot be truly represented then the beacon consist of a veroboard with normally lots of is tested to both sinusoidal and random solder and interconnecting wires. Generally vibrations, all of which are tested for six not very robust and prone to dry solder hours on each axis. For the ECCO Standard joints, so difficult to determine if analysing then each axis is tested for 20 hours, 10g a true issue or poor joint. However, with the where minimum requirement is 1.8g. low cost now of prototype PCBs, then it is There is lots of rain in the UK. The beacon easier to design a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is tested for 12 hours with high power and have built by a local SME (Sub-contract Water jets. For the ECCO Standard then manufacture of Electronics). Alternatively, the test is carried out for 25 hours. then as most parts are now utilising SMT Humidity is tested in all products at 65°C (Surface Mount Technology) then build at 98 per cent humidity for 96 hours. locally with a solder stencil and prototyping This is generally extended for the ECCO oven, both of which are reasonably priced.

Standard (7 to 10 days). The beacon is tested fo corrosion for 96 hours. For the ECCO Standard then tested for 240 hours (10 days). No corrosion on the product must be observed. In terms of temperature, SAE J595 states that the product must be tested at +50°C for six hours. For the ECCO Standard the beacon is tested at +70°C for 200 hours. For most tropical countries this will be more than adequate.

SAE J595 also states that the product must be tested at -30°C for six hours. For the ECCO Standard the beacon is tested at -40°C

Richard Nadin Engineering Director, ECCO Safety Group EMEA Richard has worked for ESG for approaching 7 years and has a background in Electronic Design and Test Engineer. Prior to working at ESG, Richard has spent the previous 21 years Designing and Testing Emergency Equipment for the Elderly & Disabled. Products that provide safety and warning must be reliable and therefore Richard is passionate to ensure all products are fully tested and validated to ensure full reliability.

for 200 hours. For most arctic countries then this will be more than adequate.

Applicable Standards Our products conform to the following standards. BS ISO 16750-2:2010 – road vehicles, environmental conditions and testing for electrical and electronic equipment – Part 2 Electrical. ISO 20653:2013 – degrees of protection (IP code) – protection of electrical equipment against foreign objects, water and access. ASTM B117 – standard practise for operating salt spray (fog) apparatus. ASTM C150 – specification for portland cement (dust testing).

SAE J595 – directional flashing optical warning devices for authorized emergency, maintenance, and service vehicles.

Summary The ESG ‘ECCO Standard’ is our Global Standard and has been developed over a number of years to ensure that all products are tested over and above the minimum requirements to confirm they are ‘fit for purpose’ for all markets and conditions.

The ECCO Standard intends to satisfy the customer with a well proven/tested product and minimise failures in the field with the products being used for warning and safety.

ECCO’s latest ECCOLED beacon has been designed and tested based on the ECCO standard. !

FURTHER INFORMATION www.eccosafetygroup.com 0113 237 53 40

Road transport in Greater Manchester accounts for 65 per cent of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 79 per cent of particulate emissions, along with 31 per cent of CO2 emissions.

As a result, a Greater Manchester Air Quality Action Plan for 2016 – 2021 was created with the objective to improve air quality and to embed low-emission behaviours into the culture of its organisations and lifestyles by 2025.

Measures to meet the objectives of the air quality plan include reducing traffic, increasing efficiency, and improving company fleets by incentivising the replacement of older, more polluting vehicles with newer, cleaner, lower-emission vehicles.

Against this backdrop, GreenFleet has teamed up with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to host an event at the Etihad Stadium on 15 March.

Delegates will be able to hear an update on Greater Manchester’s public charging infrastructure and gain information on the latest car and van grants.

This year’s key sponsor is GreenFleet’s Leasing Company of the Year, Lex Autolease. The company works closely with businesses and fleet managers to provide a wide range of vehicles to meet different needs, and will be on hand to answer any fleet questions.

Speakers and exhibitors Keynote presentations from industry experts will take place on the day, including TfGM’s chief executive Jon Lamonte and Steve Ives from the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV), who is responsible for delivering the £40 million Go Ultra Low City Scheme and the ULEV Taxi Scheme.

Other speakers include Stockport Council’s Cllr Alex Ganotis, TV presenter and motoring expert Quentin Willson; and TfGM’s Julian Ashworth, who helps staff across Greater Manchester to travel more sustainably.

A number of exhibitors will be on-hand to answer any questions regarding low emission vehicles, including the event’s heading sponsor Lex Autolease.

Elmtronics and eVolt will be available to answer any questions regarding electric vehicle charging equipment and infrastructure.

Optare, the British manufacturer of urban buses will also be exhibiting on the day. Its award-winning buses feature an integral design and efficient diesel engine. Optare will be bringing along an electric double decker bus for delegates to explore to get a greater understanding of more environmentally friendly public transport options.

The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), formerly known as the London

Test drives Car and van makers such as LDV and BMW/Mini will be also heading to Greater Manchester to demonstrate their latest ultra-low and zero emission vehicles, along with offering the opportunity for delegates to take vehicles out for a test drive.

LDV will be allowing its electric panel van – the EV80 – to go out on test drives.

It is capable of 120 miles on a single charge and can be fully powered in 1.5 hours. It also features a high-capacity Lithium Ion battery.

Nissan’s electric Leaf will be available for delegates to take for a spin and BMW’s i3, which has a pure electric range of 125 miles, will also be present.

Other electric and ultra-low emission vehicles will be available on the day to help delegates leave the event with a better understanding of the practicalities of running a greener fleet.

The event is free to attend and comes with complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments and a buffet lunch. #

Written by Andrea Pluck

GreenFleet is returning to Manchester on 15 March to educate fleet and transport managers on ULEVs and how introducing them into fleet operations can save money and lower emissions

Feature Event Preview Heading

GreenFleet Greater Manchester – improving fleets

Taxi Company, will be bringing a static model of its new electric taxi.

The new TX eCity London Taxi offers zero emissions motoring thanks to eCity technology comprising of an advanced battery electric powertrain with a small back-up petrol generator that gives a total range of up to 400 miles including 80 miles pure electric driving.

Although it cannot be taken for a test drive, delegates will have the chance to explore the cab inside and out and understand more about the TX’s capabilities.

Round Table break-out sessions will take place during the day, giving attendees the opportunity to speak to vehicle manufacturers, solution providers and network with other fleet professionals and EV owners.

FURTHER INFORMATION For any further information, or to book your free place please contact lauren.matthews@ psigroupltd.co.uk

EVENTS

MEET THE

ULEV

BUYER

In association with

GTR MANCHESTER SHOWCASING CLEAN VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE REGION

39

Road Test Written by Richard Gooding

ROAD TEST

SEAT Ibiza SE 1.0 TSI 95 A small car staple for almost 35 years, Richard Gooding finds that the fifth-generation SEAT Ibiza brings sharp-suited dynacism and petrol-powered economy to a fiercely competitive sector What is it?

Closely related to the Volkswagen Polo since its second generation of 1993, the SEAT Ibiza debuted in 1984. The first generation of the Spanish company’s ‘supermini’ small car was designed by Italian stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro (also famous for the first Volkswagen Golf and Fiat Panda) and featured a range of engines developed in collaboration with Porsche.

Based on the SEAT Ronda, itself a re-engineered Fiat Ritmo/Strada, the Ibiza enabled SEAT to discard its then-recent roots as a builder of Spanish-badged Fiats.

Established as a full Volkswagen Group subsidiary in 1990, SEAT had access to the latest automotive technologies, and following the second-generation car, the Ibiza has always been closely aligned to Volkswagen’s Polo in terms of size, development and shared powertrains. 2002 saw the arrival of the third generation, followed by the fourth in 2008.

The latest multiple award-winning model was launched at the 2017 Geneva motor show. Better proportions and increased interior space are thanks to the new small SEAT being the first car on the smallest ‘A0’ version of the Volkswagen Group’s high-tech modular ‘MQB’ platform.

Traditionally niche, the market for small diesel-engined hatchbacks is ever-decreasing,

and neither the makers of the new Ibiza or the latest Polo expects sales of TDI-engined models to be more than a single-figure percentage. Petrol is king in the small car sector, but does it now offer almost diesel-rivalling economy?

With ’ orld ‘real-w y of economthe new g, 53.8mp Ibiza 1.0 SEAT makes a TSI 95 g case for How does it drive? lin compel l-powered Firmly fitting in with petro ll-cars SEAT’s current and sharp-suited design sma

40

language, the new Ibiza has a purposeful and confident look.

The three-door has been dropped from the range, so now, added practicality comes as standard with the friendlier five-door body.

Based on the new modular chassis, boot space is increased to 355 litres with the rear seats in place, and that shames cars from the class above. Interior space, and rear legroom in particular – the wheelbase has been stretched by 95mm to 2,654mm – is also comparable with larger cars.

As is the overall driving experience.

Small cars haven’t felt that small for a few years now of course, and the new Ibiza heightens that feeling, with on-road manners similar to cars such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, not to mention its Leon relative. Incredibly refined, it bowls along at motorway speeds in virtual silence, its three-cylinder engine managing to keep up

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with traffic with little effort. More hushed than a diesel, and with the typical offbeat thrum so typical of three-cylinder engines, the 999cc unit suits the Ibiza well, offering pep and parsimony, qualities usually associated with gruffer diesel motors. Punchy, even from lower down in the rev range, we would quite happily choose it over one of the TDI versions.

When you get off the motorway, the Ibiza delivers, too. Damping is first rate – only its Polo cousin rides better – and supremely well-judged, absorbing all but the harshest of pock-marked surfaces. The steering does a good job of feeding back information about what the front tyres are doing, and good body control with little roll pairs nicely with lots of grip. Very pleasingly, even though it’s not the most engaging car to drive in its class, it’s right up there with the very best.

And it’s a similar story inside. Obviously, quality is a Volkswagen Group watchword, and while the new Polo still just shades it, the latest Ibiza assuredly offers an almost-premium small car interior. Mostly. Soft-touch plastics abound, with only the door trims and the lower reaches of the dashboard appearing slightly inferior, while the 8.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment and satellite navigation system – an £810 option on our test car – is super sharp and super quick, and even has an ‘Eco Trainer’ function which gives an arcade game-style display to hone your economy driving skills.

How economical is it?

A petrol engine will rarely be as economical as a highly-efficient diesel, but the latest

A natural fit? The SEAT Ibiza TGI In mainland Europe, SEAT also sells a Compressed Natural Gas-powered Ibiza. The Ibiza 1.0 TGI is a factory-installed system and cuts CO2 emissions down to 88g/km.

A pair of CNG fuel tanks increase the total combined fuel range to almost 745 miles (1,200km). The Ibiza TGI also offers lower running costs thank to the increased efficiency of its engine, as well as the lower cost – and lower duty – of CNG in the first place.

SEAT claims that CNG also emits 85 per cent fewer nitrogen oxide emissions when compared to diesels, while CO2 emissions are 25 per cent lower than those of petrol engines. CNG is a key player in the Volkswagen Group’s new alternative fuel strategy, and it also offers a gas-powered version of the new VW Polo powered by the same 89bhp engine as the Ibiza.

Latest Ibiza packs fuel-efficient engines and technologies

generation of small-capacity turbocharged engines put up an extremely good, and surprisingly able, fight. SEAT quotes a combined cycle economy figure of 60.1mpg – the preserve of diesel engines a few short years ago. We managed a highly impressive 53.8mpg in everyday mixed driving, proving that the latest range of TSI units give adequate, peppy performance with little sacrifice for economy.

A highlight of the new Ibiza’s petrol engine range is the 1.5-litre ‘EVO’ unit, first seen on the latest Volkswagen Golf. Incorporating clever cylinder deactivation technology, the 150bhp unit shuts down two of its four cylinders under light engine loads for improved economy and lower 112g/km emissions. There’s even a CNG Ibiza in mainland Europe (see panel) which offers emissions as low as 88g/km.

What does it cost?

The new SEAT Ibiza range kicks off with the 112g/km 1.0 74bhp S at £13,410, while the cheapest diesel, the 99g/km 1.6 S TDI starts at £15,995. Standard equipment on entry-level S cars includes air conditioning, auto headlights and a 5.0-inch ‘Media System Touch’ mono touchscreen infotainment system.

SE trim starts at £14,000 for the 74bhp car, while our TSI-engined 94bhp model costs from £14,595. Added equipment over S cars includes 15-inch ‘Enjoy’ alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, LED daytime running lights / rear lights, as well as a 5.0-inch ‘Media System Colour’ touchscreen infotainment system. Our car also featured the £810 ‘Full Link – Media System Plus’ and £365, 300W ‘Beats’ sound system with 8.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system.

SE Technology Ibizas tail and top at £14,250 and £16,835 respectively, while SE Design models start at £14,700. SE Technology cars boast an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation and full MirrorLink / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto

Road Test

New SEAT Ibiza’s shows a quality feel, while 8.0-inch colour touchscreen (below) is clear and responds quickly

smartphone connectivity. SE Design models, as you would expect from the name, offer style-led upgrades including 16-inch ‘Design’ alloy wheels, dark-tinted rear windows, a panoramic sunroof, and a 300W ‘Beats’ sound system.

The sporty FR-trimmed cars begin at £16,015 and introduce a 113bhp version of the 1.0-litre engine of our test car, as well as a DSG gearbox option. The advanced 1.5-litre TSI ‘EVO’ petrol engine with cylinder deactivation also comes in at this trim level.

Ibiza FRs add sports-themed touches including 17-inch ‘Dynamic’ wheels, front sports seats, black-capped door mirrors, as well as an inductive wireless smartphone charging pad.

Finally, Excellence models add more luxury with alcantara upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry. The 74bhp naturally-aspirated model starts at £16,715, rising to the £19,300 1.6 TDI, the top of the current Ibiza tree.

How much does it cost to tax?

With CO2 emissions of 106g/km, the SEAT Ibiza SE 1.0 TDI 95 costs £140 in the first year to tax, and the same thereafter. The cheapest variant in terms of taxation is the 99g/km 1.6-litre TDI, coming in at £120 for the first year and £140 thereafter. The 112g/km versions are the priciest SEAT superminis to tax at £160 for the first year, dropping to £140 in subsequent years.

Why does my fleet need one?

With sales up – an almost 10 per cent increase in January 2018 – thanks to a good-looking and good value range of new models targeting both traditional and buoyant new markets, SEAT is riding the crest of a demand wave. The latest Ibiza is typical of the company’s new attention to detail and ‘emotional’ push. Powertrain technologies are very much core strengths, too, though, and the latest Ibiza puts forward a compelling case for petrol-powered small cars.

Diesels may offer lower CO2, but the Benefit in Kind rates are higher, so small-engined petrol cars score highly at this fiercely competitive and sensitive price point. And as the new Ibiza’s family of turbocharged petrol engines is so strong, you don’t feel short-changed in everyday driving situations picking the car fuelled from the green pump.

Small cars have obviously moved on in the last 34 years, and the new SEAT Ibiza typifies the contemporary breed. Extremely refined, comfortable but with a dynamic edge which makes it enjoyable to drive, the latest incarnation of SEAT’s good value supermini brings a rarely-seen maturity to the small car sector. It may still be a very traditional car in a very traditional segment, but the new Ibiza is none the worse for that. In fact, its strengths are amplified to make it one of the best small cars currently available. # FURTHER INFORMATION www.seat.co.uk

SEAT Ibiza SE 1.0 TSI 95 ENGINE:

999cc, three-cylinder petrol

CO2:

106g/km

NOx:

37mg/km

MPG (combined, NEDC):

60.1

GF MPG (combined):

53.8

VED:

£140 first-year, £140 thereafter

BIK:

20%

PRICE (OTR):

£14,595 (including VAT, £16,945 as tested)

Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

41

Road Test Written by Richard Gooding

ROAD TEST

Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid Premium SE The Plug-in Hybrid is the last of Hyundai’s Ioniq family to arrive, but does it offer the best benefits of all-electric and hybrid running? Richard Gooding tops up his knowledge on the South Korean newcomer What is it?

First seen at the Geneva motor show in spring 2016 in electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, the Hyundai is the first car range to offer a choice of three electrified powertrains in one bodystyle, ensuring, as Hyundai claims, ‘low- to zero-emission mobility accessible to everyone’.

The Ioniq faces a range of competitors, varying 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 new Nissan Leaf. The Ioniq Hybrid (GreenFleet 103) and Electric (GreenFleet 100) were the first to arrive, while the plug-in hybrid was launched in the second quarter of 2017, and takes on the plug-in versions of the Niro and Prius head-on.

single-speed reduction gear, maximum system output is 138bhp, while torque is 185lb ft / 265Nm at 4,000rpm. Performance is almost identical to the Ioniq Hybrid, with 62mph coming up in 10.6 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than the non-plug-in car. So swift rather than fast, but that was always going to be the case – blessed with a more relaxing demeanour, the Ioniq is just that kind of car.

At cruising speeds, the Ioniq Plug-in as hushed as the Hybrid, and makes for a comfortable and relatively quiet motorway accomplice. The Ioniq Plug-in has the same failsafe, tidy handling as its all-electric and hybrid siblings, and while it’s not the most involving car, there are pockets of fun to enjoy, most notably in EV operation.

Hyundai quotes an electric-only range of 39 miles, and that alone makes it more enjoyable to drive than the standard Ioniq Hybrid.

With an average EV distance of over 30 miles during our test, we found it more usable in everyday situations. Running on electric-only power more often, we frequently saw ‘99.9mpg’ on the car’s multifunction display. The Hybrid car’s petrol engine cuts in far too early, and that’s not the case here.

Three driving modes – EV, HEV Hybrid and Sport – can be selected, and a button on the centre console saves the battery charge for all-electric use in urban areas. As with other plug-in vehicles, it’s best to use the car’s petrol engine at higher speeds.

A more ar le c enjoyabstandard e than th ybrid, the Ioniq H -in has even ug Ioniq Plter appeal to grea attuned eco- ts flee

How does it drive?

Sharing the same quietly handsome five-door body with its all-electric and hybrid relatives, the Ioniq bears similar wind-cheating lines to the Toyota Prius, but with a drag-coefficient figure of just 0.24, the Hyundai is one of the most aerodynamically effective cars currently on sale.

That’s also helped by active air flaps in the front grille, while blue exterior and interior accents are also shared with the standard Ioniq Hybrid.

The cabin is the same, too, and that’s no bad thing. Premium-feeling materials feature in all three Ioniqs, with plenty of leather-trimmed and soft-touch materials.

The same eight-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system as on other Ioniqs gives the same clear and responsive experience, and incorporates features from both, giving fuel economy, battery charge, EV range, as well as fuel station and chargepoint locations. The seven-inch TFT display ahead of the driver also imparts information such as electric-only and fuel range – as well as energy flow – so you’re under no illusion and are in charge (pun intended) at all times of how the car is driven.

And that drive is, unsurprisingly, very similar to its brethren. Powered by the same 103bhp 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine from the ‘Kappa’ range of units as the Ioniq Hybrid, the Plug-in’s powertrain boasts a larger-capacity 44.5kW/59bhp electric motor allied to an 8.9kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

Driven through a six-speed dual clutch transmission rather than the Ioniq Electric’s

42

How economical is it?

Unlike the Ioniq Hybrid, the Plug-in car rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels, an inch

Topping up from a 16A wallbox takes two hours and 15 minutes

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larger than the non-replenishable car. But because of its top-up capability, the Ioniq Plug-in boasts a better combined cycle fuel economy figure. Hyundai claims an official 256.8mpg on the NEDC cycle – compared to the Hybrid’s 83.5mpg.

Through diligent use of a 7kW wallbox topping up the battery every evening, we achieved a ‘real-world’ average of 83.5mpg, which although the same as the standard Ioniq Hybrid’s official figure, is around 17.5mpg more than we eked out in everyday driving conditions.

The car itself features a 7kW on-board charger, and from a 16A wallbox, topping up the battery takes around two hours and 15 minutes. Hyundai have also recently announced the availability of a cost-free Pod Point home charger with the purchase of an Ioniq Plug-on or Electric, previously a £300 option.

Unique to the Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid, the navigation system has ‘ECO-DAS’ technology with predictive energy management, which optimises the battery charge and discharge, as well as a coasting guide.

What does it cost?

Like the all-electric version, the Ioniq Plug-in is only available in Premium and Premium

How much does it cost to tax?

The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid has CO2 emissions of 26g/km (4g/km more than the Prius Plug-in) which allows it to sit in the first band of VED which costs. With the £10 alternative fuel discount applied, the Ioniq Plug-in is exempt from VED in the first year, and costs £130 per year thereafter. That’s a potential £120 saving in the first year when compared to the non-socketed Ioniq, but it’s worth remembering that car is a fair bit cheaper to buy in the first place. All Ioniq Plug-ins currently attract a nine per cent Benefit in Kind rate, around half that of the hybrid car.

Why does my fleet need one?

Our admiration for the Ioniq Hybrid is heightened by the Plug-in model. While we’d still take the all-electric version of Hyundai’s family car over either of its petrol-electric sisters, the Ioniq Plug-in offers a good compromise between all-electric running and range, and the ‘safety blanket’ of conventionally-fuel back-up. While it wasn’t as economical as the Toyota Prius Plug-in (GreenFleet 109) in real-world use, the Ioniq is

cheaper, has less challenging looks, is just as practical and is less daunting inside if you’re not used to electrified powertrain driving.

Just like the Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Electric, the Ioniq Plug-in is competitively priced, comfortable and well-specified. It also enjoys the same easy-to-drive nature, and feeling of a ‘normal’ car, one of the characteristics Hyundai was striving for. The South Korean company has scored with the final iteration of the Ioniq.

As with its EV and petrol-electric sisters, there is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty package (with additional high voltage battery cover of eight years or 125,000 miles), and although it costs more outright than the all-electric Ioniq post-PiCG deduction, the security of the petrol engine reserve will comfort some.

A more enjoyable car than the standard Ioniq Hybrid, the Ioniq Plug-in has even greater appeal to environmentally-attuned fleets. #

Road Test

SE trims, and not the standard Hybrid’s entry-level SE grade. Before the government’s £2,500 Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), the Plug-in Premium costs £27,495, the range-topping Premium SE – our test car’s trim – starts from £29,295. Deduct the PiCG and the price drops to £24,995 and £26,795 respectively.

Perhaps the plug-in Hyundai’s most direct rival in terms of space, looks, and concept, the Toyota Prius Plug-in is considerably more expensive.

The Japanese car starts at £29,195 for the Business Edition Plus with the PiCG deducted, rising to £31,395 for the high-spec Excel model.

Premium spec offers 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch integrated satellite navigation unit with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, cruise control, heated seats and steering wheel, LED head and tail lights, rear park assist system, and wireless smartphone charging. A host of technology keeps safety in check, while moving up to Premium SE grade adds blind spot detection and a front park assist system. Other additional features include alloy pedals, electrically-adjustable memory-function driver’s seat, front seat ventilation, and rain sensing wipers.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.hyundai.co.uk

Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid Premium SE ENGINE:

103bhp/77kW 1,580cc four-cylinder petrol with 59bhp/44.5kW electric motor and 8.9kWh lithium-ion battery

CO2:

26g/km

NOx:

37mg/km

MPG (combined, NEDC): GF MPG (combined): VED:

256.8 83.5

£0 first-year, £130 thereafter

BIK:

9%

Ioniq Plug-in cabin shares many features with its Hybrid and Electric sisters

PRICE (OTR):

£29,295 (including VAT, £29,860 as tested.

Prices exclude government PiCG)

Hyundai claims an all-electric range of 39 miles, and during our test in ‘real-world’ conditions, it never dipped below 30 miles

43

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Alpha Heating Chesterfield Ltd APi Electrical www.apielectrical.co.uk Email: office@apielectrical.co.uk Tel: 01942 870 397 FREE Charge Your Car subscription offer – for 2018 customers! http://bit.do/FREECYCSUBSCRIPTION APi Electrical, the North West’s Leading independent specialist offer the largest choice of OLEV-Approved Chargepoint brands in the UK, from low-cost to hi-tech ‘Smart-Charging’ with back-office management, load-balancing and ultimate reliability.

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Units 1-4 Vanguard Industrial Estate Britannia Road, Chesterfield, S40 2TZ Tel: 01246 558723 Email: info@alpha-heating.co.uk Website: www.alpha-heating.co.uk

Barlow (Hull) Ltd

Alpha Heating Chesterfield Ltd is a family run business that has been trading for over 20 years carrying out works for local authorities, nursing homes, schools, commercial and private customers. We have recently added a new division to our portfolio and become an electric vehicle home charge scheme and workplace scheme authorised installer.

Barlow Electrical are Electrical contractors specializing in electric vehicle charging installations, based in Hull. Allow us to take you on a journey from initial visit to completed installation. We are OLEV approved for installations under the EVHS (domestic) and WCS (workplace) schemes, and provide a full design & installation service.

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JPS Renewable Energy Ltd www.jpsrenewableenergy.co.uk enquiries@jpsrenewableenergy.co.uk JPS Renewable Energy’s OLEV approved EV Installation Team provide impartial customer focused EV charging solutions to domestic, commercial and public-sector clients. We offer a hand in hand approach to our clients, from technical advice through to product selection, design and installation of the chosen solution.

We are based in Kent, providing EV solutions across the South of England.

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Contact details will be: Phone: +44 (0) 20 7139 7777 Email: rfq@sintec.uk.com Website: www.sintec.uk.com

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“Sintec UK is a leading electrical installer of automotive systems, an approved installer of OLEV chargepoints under the Electric Vehicle Homecharge and Workplace Charging Schemes. We are NICEIC Approved contractor, a registered member of ECA and a proud member of the British Safety Council. We operate nationwide aiming to provide a state of the art service to all customers.”

Doyle Electrical Services Ltd, are OLEV grant approved EV charge point installers for Rolec, MyEnergi, and EO. We are also approved installers for Tesla. We cover East Anglia, Norfolk, and Essex.

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Manchester Electrical

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We are an approved OLEV installer in the domestic properties and workplace claiming any grants for our customers. We initially installed over 200 car chargers around Greater Manchester for TfGM in 2013/14. These were street installs but we also work in hospitals, universities and tram station car parks.

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

West and West Limited are OLEV approved installers of workplace EV charge points. As experts in all types of commercial installations we can give you technical advice, sales information and ongoing service support. We install charge points to meet any budget and specification throughout West London and the Home Counties.

Eastbourne Electrical LLP www.eastbourne-electrical.co.uk Tel: 01323 724248 Email: sales@eastbourne-electrical.co.uk Eastbourne Electrical is your specialist charge point installer for the southeast. We work closely with you to ensure we install the most suitable charge points for your needs.

We are OLEV approved and provide ROLEC, EO, Schneider and Tesla charge points.

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Carbon Zero Renewables www.carbonzerorenewables.co.uk Carbon Zero are you Expert Installation Partners. We have installed nearly 500 electric car charging stations since 2012. We install a variety of charging stations to suit the client and their needs. We are OLEV Approved and can access grants. We also specialise in Solar PV and Approved by Tesla.

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BMM Energy Solutions Ltd Website: www.bmm-ltd.com Bmm Energy Solutions are a market leading supplier and installer of electric vehicle charging equipment. Being technology agnostic, we can offer the widest range of electric vehicle charging equipment available in the market place. We specialise in fully managed installations including back office systems & maintenance for both private and public-sectors.

EV RECHARGING

SJK Electrical Stratford Energy Solutions www.stratfordenergy.co.uk 01789 262411 Whether you are looking to install a domestic charging point or multiple workplace charging units we provide a full design & installation service for all electric vehicle charging needs.

Working with leading manufacturers we are OLEV-accredited so relevant grants can be claimed.

EV RECHARGING

CC Solar Tel: 01903 734817 Email: info@ccsolar.co.uk Website: www.ccsolar.co.uk CC Solar is one of the leading suppliers and installers, approved by OLEV, of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging units on commercial and private properties across the South East of England. Specialising in the renewables industry, CC Solar also installs and maintains Solar PV and Energy Storage across the south east.

www.sjkelectrical.com

Saliis

SJK Electrical are commercial and domestic NICEIC registered electricians, specializing in electric vehicle charging installations, based in Wakefield. All installation needs addressed with the growing adoption of electric vehicles.

We are OLEV approved for installations under the EVHS (domestic) and WCS (workplace) schemes, and available to assist in obtaining grants under this scheme.

www.saliis.com Telephone: 028 90 455136 Email: info@saliis.com

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SALIIS Ltd is one of the leading suppliers and installers, approved by OLEV, of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging units on commercial and private properties across Northern Ireland.

Specialising in the renewables industry, SALIIS also installs and maintains large public and private sector contracts in Solar PV across the United Kingdom.

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Voltacompliance Limited

Orbis Engineering Services Ltd

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Voltacompliance based in Leeds and serving the North East are OLEV grant approved.

Specializing in workplace charge points and stations for your business. Rest assured with over 20 years experience within the electrical industry you can expect a customer focused professional solution, incorporating the latest technology.

Orbis Engineering Services, leading specialist EV Charging Installers accredited by OLEV Grant. We are approved EV charge point installer with a vast range of EV charging points for destination and work place. Our professional services include maintenance, back office integration, reporting and payments. Please contact our friendly team to discuss.

Volume 111 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

45

Product Finder

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McNally Electrical Yorkshire

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Phone: 01535 444101 Website: www.mcnallygroup.co.uk Email: info@mcnallyelectrical.co.uk

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Tel: 01529 302 665 Web: www.raybutler.co.uk Email: info@raybutlerltd.co.uk

At McNally EV, our professionalism and quality have led to us becoming the nationwide installation partner for Rolec, one of the largest distributors of outdoor electrical charging equipment in the world. No matter how big or small a job, McNally’s are here for you every step of the way. From installation, to maintaining your unit.

Our mission statement signifies what everybody wants from an EV, to be Economical and reliable. Now expanding our services nationwide, we are OLEV accredited for both EVHS and WCS schemes. We offer professional, profitable EV solutions. Our specialist EV team is here to help you with all your requirements.

Butlers is a family-run electrical firm and one of the few OLEV-approved commercial and domestic installers of electrical vehicle (EV) charge points in Lincolnshire. Working with ROLEC EV, which manufacture Europe’s largest range of EV equipment, Butlers can manage the entire process from applying for funding through to design and installation.

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SRG Electrical Phone: 0845 644 8209 Website: www.srgelectrical.co.uk SRG Electrical Ltd, are an independent EV design, installation, maintenance and civils capable contractor. We are OLEV approved for domestic and workplace charging and remain one of the leading installers in the country.

With nationwide coverage, from home charging to rapid chargers our portfolio is one not to be overlooked.

HYDROGEN

ULEMCo 01928 787 179 info@ulemco.com www.ulemco.com The Quay, 12 Princes Parade, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1BG ULEMCo Ltd offer services to convert commercial vehicles to run on hydrogen dual fuel. Including the supply & installation of safely engineered retrofit, warranty and VSO certificate. Ideally suited to significantly reduce emissions for urban duties. Advice, consultancy and the supply of hydrogen refuelling capability can also be provided.

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EV RECHARGING

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EV Driver Ltd Website: www.evdriver.co.uk With electric vehicle infrastructure becoming increasingly important, the time to install is now. We supply, design and install domestic, workplace and commercial charge points.

In addition we run a network that operates the chargers so you deal with one company.

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