GreenFleet 89

TOKYO MOTOR SHOW

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

www.greenfleet.net

TEST VAUXHALL CORSAVAN

ISSUE 89

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

A HYDROGEN SNAPSHOT Driving the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle on the streets of the capital

GREENFLEET AWARDS

DRIVING SUCCESS

The best environmental-fleet pioneers and innovations awarded at this year’s ceremony ROAD TEST: TESLA MODEL S 85

It looks even better on your books.

ALL-NEW FORD MONDEO Ford Dynamic LED Headlights

Sleek curves, bold lines — the All-New Mondeo is quite a head-turner.

But its beauty is more than skin-deep: New rear seatbelts with built-in airbags that give your passengers unprecedented protection.

Dynamic LED headlights that improve all-round visibility.

With the option of a Hybrid Electric delivering over 100mpg on urban cycle.

• • •

For more information please contact our Business Centre on 0345 723 2323.

P11D

BIK

CO 2

MPG

£19,940 - £28,610

14% - 30%

176 - 94g/km

37.2-78.5

COMBINED

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Mondeo range: urban 27.2-100.9 (10.4-2.8), extra urban 47.9-85.6 (5.9 -3.3), combined 37.2-78.5 (7.6-3.6). Official CO2 emissions 176-94g/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.

Vehicle shown is the Ford Mondeo Titanium 2.0 180PS TDCi with optional Ruby Red special metallic paint, 19” alloy wheels, panoramic roof, and LED Adaptive Lighting.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

www.greenfleet.net

TEST VAUXHALL CORSAVAN

ISSUE 89

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

A HYDROGEN SNAPSHOT

GREENFLEET AWARDS

Driving the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle on the streets of the capital

DRIVING SUCCESS

The best environmental-fleet pioneers and innovations awarded at this year’s ceremony ROAD TEST: TESLA MODEL S 85

Visit v fleet.t green ative video rm for info tent on t con tal flee nmen enviro agement man

Comment

TOKYO MOTOR SHOW

Follow and interact with us on Twitter: @GreenFleetNews

The good, the bad and the ugly The recent Spending Review saw good news and bad news for the low‑carbon fleet industry. Over £600m will be invested to “support the uptake and manufacturing of ultra-low emission vehicles in the UK” between now and 2020-21 with the aim for zero-emission cars by 2040. That’s the good news.

Read the full review starting on page 37

The bad news is that the three per cent supplement which diesel cars are currently subject to over petrol models will stay in place until 2021, removing any BIK tax equalisation. The supplement was due to be removed in April next year, and the question has to be asked how much of a role the recent diesel ‘scandal’ has played.

It may no longer be dominating the headlines, but the Volkswagen emissions issue is still rumbling on, two months after the story broke. With CO2 irregularities now also reported after an internal investigation by the German manufacturer, we wait to see which direction the twisted tale goes in next. The fixes for the ‘dieselgate’ affected engines have been approved, though. Read more on pages 18 and 19.

Somewhat related, GreenFleet will, from now on, start clearly noting real-world fuel consumption figures in our road test specification panels. We started to impart NOx values earlier in the year, and with the furore currently engulfing the industry over test cycle values, it seems timely to report exactly what we are achieving in the real world, away from the confines of a laboratory.

Enjoy the issue.

Richard Gooding, acting editor

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE-TO-FACE If you would like to receive 10 issues of GreenFleet magazine for £200 a year, please contact Public Sector Information Limited, 226 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 GreenFleet® would like to thank the following organisations for their support:

PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED

226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 Web: www.psi-media.co.uk ACTING EDITOR Richard Gooding EDITOR Angela Pisanu ASSISTANT EDITOR Michael Lyons EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Tommy Newell, Rachel Brooks PRODUCTION CONTROL Jo Golding, Sofie Owen PRODUCTION DESIGN Jacqueline Lawford, WEB PRODUCTION Victoria Leftwich PUBLISHER George Petrou ACCOUNT MANAGER Kylie Glover ADMINISTRATION Vickie Hopkins REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

Printed on recycled paper

© 2015 Public Sector Information Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 1471-3713

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

3

Contents

Contents GreenFleet 89 9

09 News

Removal of diesel supplement delayed; Capital spend increase for DfT; and Nissan to create hydrogen fuel cell model

16 Down the road

GreenFleet analyses the models soon to hit the market in the world of environmentally‑friendly vehicles, including the Jaguar F-Pace, Kia Sportage and Mercedes-Benz Vito

18 VW emissions scandal

18

With additional engines being investigated and implicated, the Volkswagen emissions story keeps maintaining momentum.

GreenFleet investigates the latest news and views concerning the emission‑rigging saga

20 Commercial vehicles

Safety issues regarding HGVs is a topic that continues to rise in profile. Freight Transport Association’s Christopher Snelling discusses solutions that could improve road safety and possibly benefit the environment as well

24 Alternative fuels: hydrogen

As part of the ‘A Streetcar Named Hyundai’ programme, GreenFleet explores the benefits of Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle

27 Alternative fuels: LPG 24 27

With increasing spotlight on the issues of air pollution, GreenFleet speaks to Autogas, to see how renewed use of the fuel could help provide a solution to the problem

30 Natural Gas Vehicle Day Looking at the future vision for gas vehicles in the UK, the event was a hit for the NGV network

33 2015 Tokyo Motor Show

Held every two years, the Tokyo Motor Show took place between 29 October and 8 November 2015. With 160 exhibitors present and 75 world premieres, the show was an apt end to the motoring event year

37 2015 GreenFleet Awards

2015 has represented an important year for electric vehicles and greener transport. The 18th annual GreenFleet Awards ceremony was held at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium on the 22 October 2015 where twenty Awards where presented to deserved winners from within the green community

56 Road test: Vauxhall Corsavan

The Vauxhall Corsavan has been realigned with the revisions enjoyed by the latest passenger car version.

GreenFleet examines the changes

57 Road test: Tesla Model S 85

The current darling of the electric vehicle world, the Tesla Model S will soon be joined by crossover and sports saloon siblings. But just what is it that makes Tesla’s first volume seller both so popular and so highly thought of? Richard Gooding spends seven days with the Model S 85

60 Road test: Audi A1 S line 1.6 TDI

GreenFleet’s Richard Gooding takes the Audi A1 for a spin, to see if lower EU6‑compliant emissions and fuel economy compromise the car’s smooth style

57

37

GreenFleet magazine

www.greenfleet.net Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

7

Keep your business moving To meet the demands of your business, you’ll want to make sure your fleet stays on the move. And that means keeping things going whatever problems might crop up. AA Business Services can help with this. Whether it’s a flat tyre, misplaced car keys or a tank filled with the wrong fuel, our fleet of specialist services can offer the support you need to keep things running smoothly.

Tours

ent Due

sessm Risk As

AA Business Breakdown Cover

Fleet Risk Management from AA DriveTech

0800 294 2994 quoting 0747 theAA.com/business

E-mail: TellMeMore@AAdrivetech.com AAdrivetech.com

ent Due

sm k Asses

DIESEL

ue sment D s e s s A Tours Risk t Duesment Due ssmen e s s sses A A k s k i Tours RTours Ris AA Fleet Insurance

AA Business Insurance

0800 107 8175 theAA.com/insurance

0800 107 8175 theAA.com/business

TAXI DIESEL DIESEL

DIESEL

AA Fuel Assist FuelAssistEnquiries@theAA.com

PETROL

TAXI

DIESEL

TAXI TAXI AA Tyres 0800 810 0980 tyres.theAA.com

TAXI

AA Key Assist Fleet.Enquiries@theAA.com

For AA Business Breakdown Cover call 0800 294 2994 quoting 0747 Or visit theAA.com/business

AA Accident Management PETROL

AAAccidentManagement @theAA.com

News

AUTUMN STATEMENT ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Nissan to create hydrogen fuel cell model

Removal of diesel supplement delayed In the combined Autumn Statement and Spending Review, Chancellor George Osborne revealed that the government is delaying the removal of the three per cent diesel supplement on company car tax until April 2021.

Following on from the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, Osborne said that ‘in light of the slower-than-expected introduction of more rigorous EU emissions testing’ the supplement removal will be delayed from the original date in April 2016 to five years later.

This move may leave company car drivers facing higher tax bills from next April as diesel vehicles will remain taxed higher than their petrol counterparts.

Jenny Powley, RAC Business head of corporate sales, said: “Company car drivers will clearly be disappointed by this announcement, as diesel engines have come a long way in terms of CO2 emissions since the supplement was introduced in 2002. Many

company car drivers will have chosen diesel vehicles this year with the expectation that the supplement would be lifted in April 2016.

“Of course recent events surrounding diesel engine emissions and testing processes at VW have changed the perception of diesel in the market place. It seems that the Chancellor has also been influenced by that as the reasons given for the supplement to emain until 2021, is that EU-wide testing procedures should ensure new diesel cars meet air quality standards by then, even under strict real-world driving conditions.

“However, it would seem unfair to penalise diesel vehicle drivers by extending the Benefit in Kind tax when it was originally based on levels of CO2 emissions, which have improved considerably in the last ten years.”

READ MORE

Nissan has announced plans to create a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) within the next five years, in order to compete with new models from rivals Toyota and Honda.

The company has already topped worldwide zero-emissions scale charts with the Nissan Leaf and plans to introduce its own full cell vehicle into the market before 2021. The news was divulged in an interview between Renault Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn and Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show and is the first time FCVs have been indicated as a possibility for the Nissan brand.

While it has confirmed plans are in place, Nissan has maintained that there is no rush to produce and complete the FCV, as it has only recently released a successful electric vehicle (EV), with a second generation confirmed to be in the making.

The longterm 2021 deadline reflects Ghon’s opinion that the technology is still too young to be viable for car buyers, thus the company has decided to take its time on producing the product.

The FCV is expected to be developed

by Mercedes Benz owner Daimler, who already maintains a strong working relationship with Nissan.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/nkh7ctd

tinyurl.com/pfrygs9

BRAKE SYSTEMS ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Tesla conducts voluntary recall of entire Model S fleet Tesla has conducted a voluntary recall of all 90,000 Model S vehicles on the road due to a seatbelt issue.

The issue with a seatbelt was uncovered in a single vehicle in Europe, but has prompted Tesla to email all 90,000 Model S owners worldwide, asking them to bring their cars in for inspection.

Tesla has said that since discovering the problem, over 3,000 cars have been checked and do not have the same issue, but it wants to take the lead in protecting its customers safety.

In other news, the Model S reportedly holds its value better than almost every other car on the market, according to data and information firm CAP. CAP’s Black Book, a reference guide for used car values, claims the used price of the Model S has remained static for over a year and is unlikely to see prices

eroded as quickly as other luxury car models on the second hand market.

Jeff Knight, CAP forecasting editor, said: “The Tesla is still, relatively, rare in the UK and most are bought new by passionate enthusiasts or business fleet buyers. This means that second-hand examples tend to be fitted with between £10,000-20,000 worth of optional equipment. This helps the Tesla hold its value on the used car market.”

Knight added: “People, clearly, love this vehicle, which means it holds its value.

For anyone looking to buy an executive car with green credentials, but can handle the charging regime, a Tesla is one of the smartest investments in today’s market.”

E GreenFleet drives the Model S, p57 READ MORE tinyurl.com/qefmpa9

Hyundai Mobis Develops next‑generation brake system Hyundai Mobis has developed a next generation electronic integrated regenerative brake system for use in hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs).

The system, known as iMEB (Integrated Mobis Electronic Brake), integrates the pressure supply unit and the pressure control unit of the regenerative brake system into a single electronically driven type.

Integrating these systems is reported to provide 30 per cent cost and weight reductions, as well as reducing the energy dissipation rate by almost 70 per cent compared to existing brake systems.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/puu2do9

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

9

News PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLES

Kia confirms plug-in model for new Optima Following the announcement of its green car initiative with its new hybrid Niro, South Korean manufacturer Kia has launched its new Optima saloon.

The Optima will be available as a plug-in hybrid variant in 2016, with customers being offered the choice of either a 2.0‑litre CVVL petrol or 1.7 litre CRDi diesel engine until the plug-in hits the market.

When taking into account it’s size, the Optima possesses reasonably low emissions figures, which could be an attractive proposition for fleet buyers.

The model also offers adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert. Prices for the UK are likely to be confirmed shortly.

FURTHER INFORMATION tinyurl.com/cshjbxv

Over 550 Nissan electric taxis on European roads Nissan is leading the way in electric vehicle (EV) taxi sales, with over 550 now on European roads. The Netherland’s has the most EV taxi registrations with 194 Nissan EV taxis, followed by the UK, which currently has 134.

In 2015 Nissan has delivered more than 100 EV taxis. The EV taxi market is starting to take shape in eastern Europe, with 74 on Estonian roads and 65 recently delivered to Budapest, Hungary.

Green Lite Taxi Kft. is a Budapest based taxi company and the first in the area to go 100 per cent electric. CEO Örs Lévay said: “We are delighted to be the first taxi company in Hungary to go 100 per cent electric and the 199 km range means we only need to charge our taxis once during a shift. Along with the large savings on fuel and maintenance, the Nissan Leaf is very smooth to drive and almost silent, which means a more enjoyable journey for my customers and the drivers say typical 10 hour shifts are less tiresome.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/p4xfv86

10

EMISSIONS

Repair strategy announced for VW EA189 diesel engines Volkswagen (VW) has released details regarding the technical fixes it will use to bring two of its EA189 diesel engines into line with current emissions standards.

The fixes are designed for the 1.6-litre and the 2.0-litre diesel engines, and have been presented to the federal motor transport authority (KBA) before being offered to the public. VW assured the procedure will rectify emissions on ‘the majority’ of vehicles affected by the ongoing emissions scandal.

In a statement, VW said: “After implementation of the technical measures, the vehicles will comply with the applicable emissions standards.”

Specifically, the EA189 1.6-litre diesel engine will require a new ‘flow transformer’, a mesh material which will be used to calm air flow around the mass sensor and help regulate the internal combustion process. A software update will also be applied, while the process as a whole should take less than one hour.

For the EA189 2.0 litre diesel engine, only a software update is necessary, which should take less than 30 minutes.

VW said: “Thanks to advances in engine development and improved simulation of currents inside complex air intake systems, in combination with software optimisation geared towards this, it has been possible to produce a relatively simple and customer-friendly measure.

“The objective for the development of the technical measures is still to achieve the applicable emission targets in each case without any adverse effects on the engine output, fuel consumption and performance.

However, as all model variants first have to be measured, the achievement of these targets cannot yet be finally confirmed.”

E More on the VW emissions issue, p18 READ MORE tinyurl.com/pfg6als

CHARGING POINTS

Renault-Nissan Alliance installs 90 new charge points for COP21 The Renault-Nissan Alliance has installed 90 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points around Paris for the COP21 climate change summit.

The charge points come as part of the Alliance’s support of the summit and will be used to charge 200 EVs, including the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf, to shuttle delegates and media attending the conference.

The installation is being done in partnership with French energy provider EDF, Schneider Electric, Aéroports de Paris, Paris City Council and SNCF, France’s national railway company.

27 of the new chargers will be rapid chargers, with 14 remaining after the COP21 has finished, including two at Charles de Gaulle Airport, two on the Paris périphérique highway and one at Orly Airport.

Renault Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn said: “COP21 is a call to action to reduce the impact of climate change – including global warming resulting from personal transportation.

“Electric vehicles are the only existing,

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

practical and affordable transportation solution to our planet’s environmental challenges – and they are available today. Expanding the EV infrastructure is mandatory for any city or state that’s serious about environmental stewardship.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/o7udgbx

Environmental Audit Committee calls for VED to take NO2 into account The Environmental Audit Committee has called for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) to be rebalanced to tackle NO2 emissions.

In response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) draft plans to improve air quality, the Environmental Audit Committee claimed that more should be done to reduce harmful NO2 emissions and discourage diesel.

In its current form VED takes into account CO2 emissions but does not penalise some diesel vehicles with high NO2 emissions, which have harmful effects on air quality.

The Environmental Audit Committee also welcomed plans to retrofit older, more polluting buses, but suggested these schemes should be expanded to allow diesel vehicle owners to retrofit their engines. In addition to this, the Committee suggested that a national vehicle scrappage scheme could prove a useful incentive for diesel drivers to pollute less.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Committee Chair, said:

“Tens of thousands of premature deaths are being caused in the UK every year by illegal levels of air pollution on our roads.

Despite mounting evidence of the damage diesel fumes do to human health, changes to Vehicle Excise Duty announced in this year’s Budget maintains the focus only on CO2 emissions. This was a missed opportunity to also incentivise vehicles which emit less NO2.

“The Chancellor has the chance to strike a better balance on this next week. The Treasury must use Vehicle Excise Duty to create long-term incentives for drivers to buy cleaner hybrid and electric cars that minimise both CO2 and harmful pollutants.

Introducing a national diesel scrappage scheme could also provide a short-cut to cleaning up the air in our cities.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ov2lh6k

HYDROGEN

Toyota confirms hydrogen fuel cell Mirai eligible for OLEV grant Toyota has confirmed that its hydrogen fuel cell Mirai qualifies for a £5,000 grant towards its purchase price from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

The Mirai will start at £61,000 in the UK, joining the Hyundai ix35 as one of the first publicly available fuel cell vehicles in the country.

The Mirai is hoping to boost uptake of hydrogen vehicles in the UK and support the expansion of the country’s refuelling infrastructure.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “The first hydrogen-fuelled electric car eligible for the plug-in car grant is a milestone as industry develops low emission technology at pace. The government stands with them all the way, investing £500 million in electric vehicles over the next five years to position the UK as a world leader. I look forward to seeing this exciting car on our roads, adding to the wide choice of green vehicles available to British drivers.”

Paul Van der Burgh, president and managing director of Toyota GB, said: “We believe that with Mirai and our fuel cell technology we are taking important first steps in helping create a future low emissions, hydrogen society. Toyota selected the UK as one of the first European markets for Mirai, thanks to the support of government, agencies and

News

EMISSIONS

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Nissan e-NV200 vans for Northumbria NHS Trust Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has replaced 13 of its fleet with Nissan e-NV200 electric vans. The vans were deployed after a recent trial and are expected to cut transport costs by 80 per cent, while reducing annual CO2 emissions by 59 tonnes.

Michael Taylor, who is responsible for the Trust’s fleet, said: “With increasing financial challenges on the NHS, we needed to make the service more efficient while being more environmentally friendly so decided to look at whether electric vehicles could work for us.

“We’ve been very impressed by the performance of the e-NV200 and it’s definitely helped to change perceptions of electric vehicles among our staff. Due to its success we will be looking at how we can expand its use across the trust.”

CHARGING POINTS

Rates change for Polar Instant customers businesses to promote the development of a national hydrogen infrastructure.

“We value and appreciate the decision to support Mirai through the OLEV grant system, not just because it creates a financial incentive for customers, but because it also stands as independent acknowledgement of Mirai’s status as a genuine low-emissions vehicle.”

E GreenFleet drives the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle, p24 READ MORE tinyurl.com/oc2hbvo

The Polar Instant Pay as you Go charging network has changed its rates, introducing a £1.20 admin fee.

Customers will now have to pay the £1.20 admin fee each time they connect their vehicle to a charging point. This fee is applicable to both free and paid for charging points, however, Chargemaster has confirmed that rates will be reduced.

As of December, a 13 amp socket will cost £1 per hour, a Type 2 socket £1.5 per hour and a rapid charging point £6 per half hour.

These changes only apply to Polar Instant members, and those that are part of the Polar Plus network will not be affected.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ppapupp

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

11

News

Freight Transport Association Committee on Climate Change: decarbonising freight The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the UK’s independent advisory body to the government, is considering how the freight sector can reduce carbon emissions.

Rachael Dillon, climate change policy manager, FTA

In the Committee’s upcoming report on recommendations for the fifth carbon budget (2028-2032) scheduled to be published before the end of the year, it is expected that there will be much more detail on how freight can be effectively decarbonised than previously provided.

Under the Climate Change Act, carbon budgets must be set for five-year periods to ensure that the UK can meet its ultimate target to reduce overall carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, based on 1990 levels. Following the Committee’s recommendations, government departments including the Department for Transport will set the policy steps that need to be adopted to meet the fifth carbon budget, culminating in a major new Government Carbon Plan at the end of 2016. Transport is expected to come under the spotlight.

The Committee has recognised the need for further evidence on the potential for freight to reduce emissions. We therefore expect that the Committee’s analysis will be focused on the potential for more efficient routing; use of consolidation and distribution centres; better vehicle utilisation and reduction of empty running; use of double deck and high-cube trailers and delivering at less congested times, as well as a shift to rail/water.

Over the summer, the Committee also published its 2015 progress report setting out how well the UK is meeting its commitments to reduce emissions and assessing progress in adapting to ongoing climate change. The Committee concludes early action is needed to keep the UK’s emissions reductions on track. Making carbon savings from fixed installations such as power stations is considered easier than doing so in the transport sector. The fact that there is no carbon efficiency regulation in place for HGVs compared to cars and vans is a concern for the Committee. However, the European Commission is currently developing a carbon regulation for new heavy duty vehicles covering HGVs, coaches and buses.

The CCC supports FTA’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector via the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS), saying that the UK should ‘extend successful emissions‑reduction schemes for freight operations: larger freight operators have pioneered schemes to reduce fuel costs and emissions that should be rolled out across the industry, including small operators’.

We expect that the freight sector will increasingly come under scrutiny in 2016. It is therefore vital that we can provide evidence of the efforts and progress we are making. The LCRS is an easy starting point to carbon reduction, whether you have one or 1,000 vehicles. It is supported by Industry Partner: Bridgestone UK Ltd. We request simple fuel and business activity data to provide you with your carbon footprint, giving the opportunity to promote your green credentials to others. Importantly, the scheme also provides essential evidence of the freight sectors’ desire to improve fuel efficiency and contribute to national climate change targets.

Rachael Dillon, FTA climate change policy manager FURTHER INFORMATION www.fta.co.uk How to join the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme: www.fta.co.uk/lcrs

12

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

AUTUMN STATEMENT

Capital spend increase for DfT Chancellor George Osborne has said that despite spending cuts of 37 per cent, capital spending for the Department of Transport will rise to £61 billion.

As part of the Autumn Statement, Osborne revealed that £5 billion of the 50 per cent increase will be earmarked for road maintenance, including a ‘national pothole fund’ of £250 million over the next five years.

The Statement also highlighted £250 million support for motorways in Kent to relieve pressure caused by Operation Stack, reforms surrounding compensation after motoring accident-related injuries such as whiplash, and continuing support for the development and sale of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV), with £600 million capital available for investment during 2015-20.

The government aims for all new cars to be ULEVs by 2040, and to help maintain ‘the lead in manufacturing that has seen the UK build a quarter of all the ULEVs sold in Europe’.

Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary, said: “Faced with difficult decisions on the public

finances, we are choosing to invest for the future by increasing capital investment in Britain’s transport network by 50 per cent to £61 billion over this Parliament. This will support jobs, enable economic growth and bring our country closer together.

“Investing in transport is vital to ensuring the whole of Britain benefits from a growing economy.

By massively upgrading our railways and roads, investing in HS2, the Northern Powerhouse, buses and sustainable transport, we are delivering the long-term commitments necessary to provide security and opportunity for working people.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/pfrygs9

EV BATTERIES

New lithium-ion battery extends BMW i3 range BMW has announced that a new battery and ‘optimised driveline’ will extend the range of the BMW i3.

The new lithium-ion battery will have the same 22kWh capacity as the current model, but with a higher power density that allows for a longer range.

The i3 will reportedly benefit from a range of over 124 miles, compared to just under 100

miles in the current model.

The new battery will be available as a retro-fit for existing vehicles, and will also be fitted into the i3 range‑extender, which utilises a small petrol engine to produce electricity on the go.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/pjfpd6z

News

AUTONOMOUS DRIVING

Driverless pods win SMMT Automotive Award for Innovation The LUTZ pathfinder project to bring driverless pods to the streets of Milton Keynes has won the 2015 Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Automotive Award for Innovation.

The project, set up by Transport Systems Catapult, has developed two seater driverless pods, which are designed to provide public transport along pedestrian routes.

It was announced the winner at the 99th SMMT Annual Dinner in London on 24 November.

Real world trials of the pods began on the streets of Milton Keynes this year, and hope to propel the UK to the forefront of the intelligent mobility market, boosting the country’s reputation for research and development of autonomous driving technology.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “The quality of entries was extremely high and judging was tough but we were agreed that Transport Systems Catapult should be recognised for its work in helping put Britain at the forefront of connected and autonomous vehicle development. Technologies such as these represent a huge area of growth for the UK’s automotive

LowCVP’s Andy Eastlake industry, with the potential to deliver 300,000 new jobs within the next 15 years. The LUTZ Pathfinder trial is not only an innovation in itself but will provide invaluable data, experience and learning for the whole sector.”

Steve Yianni, Transport Systems Catapult CEO, said: “This is a massive honour for the Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) and for our project partners at Milton Keynes Council, RDM and Oxford Mobile Robotics Group. The TSC only began its operations in 2013, so to have already won such a prestigious national innovation award is a great tribute to the ground-breaking work that our people are carrying out together with our partners in the field of Intelligent Mobility.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/7emz7o4

North East Ambulance Service introduces EV fleet The North East Ambulance Service has replaced five of its pool cars with fully electric Nissan Leafs, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs.

North East Ambulance Service covers an area of 3,200 miles across County Durham, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear, and has worked with Elm EV to build a charging infrastructure. Nine EV charging points have been installed in six locations in the North East to support the new vehicles. These charging points are the first in the UK to be made by Dutch firm ICU, and use smartware technology to help ease the load on the national grid.

Clare Swift, Environment and Sustainability Manager, North

East Ambulance Service, said: “The uptake of electric vehicles was vital for the Ambulance Service. We aim to be proactive in promoting a cleaner environment and the use of electric vehicles also enables us to save money on high fuel costs.

Alex Earl, ICU UK, Country Manager said: “Having produced over 15,000 charge points for the mainland European market, ICU is very excited to have made a start now in the UK. Our success has been built on producing high quality, reliable, intelligent charge points so it is crucial for us that we work with partners in the UK who share our values. Elm EV is certainly one such partner with already great experience in the UK EV market.”

Electrifying public transport in cities I recently enjoyed an interesting visit to Leipzig – home of the Porsche factory which makes the Macan and Panamera models as well as the BMW i3 production facility. Not to drive a Porsche or BMW, but to take part in a meeting of the three-year €6m ELIPTIC project, funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme.

I often wonder how long it must take to brainstorm the acronyms which it seems are de rigeur for the description of EU-funded projects. This one means: ‘Electrification of Public Transport In Cities’. However, the coordinators clearly feel that the acronym doesn’t quite sum the project up as there’s a sub-heading on the website: ‘Optimising existing electric infrastructure and rolling stock in order to reduce costs and energy consumption’.

ELIPTIC aims to strengthen the role of electric public transport in European cities, leading to reduced fossil fuel consumption and improved air quality. In order to achieve this, the project will analyse 23 case studies in 11 European cities (including London) and aims to support the introduction of electrified public transport by developing guidelines and tools for upgrading and regenerating those systems. ELIPTIC will also support advocacy at the government level to develop political backing for the electrification of public transport across Europe. The LowCVP will support the project through communications and other activities.

The meeting highlighted several areas where we all need to learn the opportunities through collaboration: how the energy for one transport system (for example, the Tube) might be used by another (buses and taxis, for example) and also how through looking holistically at transport, energy and infrastructure together locally we can minimise the costs of changing to electrified transport systems.

The project certainly seems timely for the UK. The government has made clear that it supports a devolution agenda, with many of the key transport decisions in future being taken at the local level.

The recent upsurge in concern about air quality in many of our cities is also, of course, a local or city-level problem and it makes sense that the necessary policy levers to tackle local air quality problems are pulled at a local level. The outputs from ELIPTIC should help with this.

The LowCVP has recently published a guide to Local Measures to Encourage the Uptake of Low Emission Vehicles (available on the LowCVP website) and we’ve, so far, run two regional workshops (in York and Sheffield) to help spread the word. I’m hopeful that the outputs from ELIPTIC will also complement our work in this area.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.lowcvp.org.uk LowCVP on Twitter: @theLowCVP and @aeastlake

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

13

BUSINESS IS TOUGH. SO ARE WE.

CO

2 FROM

115g/km

MPG

BIK

UP TO

FROM

64.2

21%

JEEP RANGE ®

For more information and to book a test drive call our Business Centre on 01753 519442 or email us at fleet@jeep-comms.co.uk OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR JEEP RANGE MPG (L/100KM): EXTRA URBAN 29.4 (9.6) – 70.6 (4.0), URBAN 13.9 (20.3) – 55.4 (5.1), COMBINED 20.9 (13.5) – 64.2 (4.4), CO2 EMISSIONS: 315 TO 115 G/KM. effect on fuel consumption. Jeep ® is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.

jeep.co.uk/fleet Fuel consumption and CO 2 figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EC directives/regulations and may not be representative of real-life driving conditions. Factors such as driving style, weather and road conditions may also have a significant

Down The Road

Top 10

coventionally-fuelled cars

In association with

1

* Minimum P11D values shown for model range as of 27/11/2015

CITY CAR: FIAT 500 0.9 TWINAIR MPG: 74 – CO2: 90g/km – P11D: £13,050 – BIK: 13% / 15% / 17% Fiat’s stylish 500 sees comprehensive improvements over the previous version, is fun to drive and returns excellent economy figures – a car you can buy with your head and your heart.

SUPERMINI: PEUGEOT 208 1.6 BLUEHDI MPG: 94 – CO2: 79g/km – P11D: £14,790 – BIK: 15% / 16% / 17% One of the best mpg figures you will find anywhere, the new 208 uses Peugeot’s BlueHDI unit to great effect as an engaging yet frugal urban runabout.

3

SMALL FAMILY: VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.6 CDTI ECOFLEX MPG: 91 – CO2: 82g/km – P11D: £17,440 – BIK: 15% / 16% / 17% Vauxhall’s latest Astra is a big step forward over the old model and with the 1.6 CDTi engine and ecoFLEX focus, offers extremely low running costs.

LARGE FAMILY: FORD MONDEO 1.5 DURATORQ TDCI ECONETIC MPG: 79 – CO2: 94g/km – P11D: £21,640 – BIK: 15% / 16% / 17% You can drive a Mondeo all day long in comfort, which is exactly what you want from it. Add in the 1.5 Duratorq TDCi unit and fuel stops will be few and far between too.

5

6

SUV: HONDA CR-V 1.6 I-DTEC MPG: 64 – CO2: 115g/km – P11D: £23,345 – BIK: 20% / 21% / 22% If you want a large SUV with low running costs, Honda’s diesel engine fitted into the huge CR-V offers the best return of any conventionally-fuelled car in its class.

MPV: BMW 2-SERIES ACTIVE TOURER 216D MPG: 74 – CO2: 99g/km – P11D: £23,890 – BIK: 16% / 17% / 18% Roomy and flexible, the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer is an excellent upmarket MPV. With the engine from a Mini Cooper D, it won’t cost much to run either.

9

4

ESTATE: SEAT LEON ST 1.6 TDI ECOMOTIVE MPG: 83 – CO2: 89g/km – P11D: £21,330 – BIK: 15% / 16% / 17% One of the most underrated cars around, the Leon ST Ecomotive will sip fuel, swallow up large loads, carry five easily and still offers a decent driving experience when the mood takes.

CROSSOVER: CITROËN C4 CACTUS 1.6 BLUEHDI MPG: 83 – CO2: 90g/km – P11D: £16,635 – BIK: 15% / 16% / 17% Citroën’s C4 Cactus is has won a number of awards. Comfortable and something different, the BlueHDi unit’s frugal nature makes it a sensible choice.

7

2

8

EXECUTIVE: JAGUAR XE 2.0D MPG: 75 – CO2: 99g/km – P11D: £29,720 – BIK: 16% / 17% / 18% Jaguar’s XE offers a new choice from the traditional German saloons with a great all-round package, boosted by its advanced ‘Ingenium’ 2.0-litre diesel unit.

SPORTS CABRIO: DS 3 CABRIOLET 1.6 BLUEHDI MPG: 81 – CO2: 92g/km – P11D: £18,530 – BIK: 15% / 16% / 17% Compact, stylish and fun, the DS 3 Cabriolet proves that open-top motoring doesn’t need to be expensive with its low price and even lower running costs.

10

About Next Green Car Next Green Car provides extensive CO2 and tax information, as well as a life cycle NGC Rating for all new cars available in the UK and over 50,000 UK models since 2001. Visit www.nextgreencar.com/company-car-tax

16

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

Down th and upco

As the end of the year approaches, Gr or revised models already on sale or d

DIESEL

Mercedes-Benz Vito The new Mercedes-Benz Vito offers a broad range for potential customers, available in three lengths, three weights and two turbo diesel engines in five power ratings. Pricing starts at £17,855 (ex VAT) for the 109 CDI panel van Compact, which is powered by a 1.6‑litre diesel engine, offering a fuel economy of 45.6mpg and 163g/km of CO2. The most fuel efficient option is the 119 BlueTEC Panel Van, which is powered by a 2.1 litre diesel engine and offers a fuel economy of 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 158g/km. Euro 6 BlueTEC features on all 2.1-litre rear-wheel drive variants and all Tourer models, utilising AdBlue to meet emissions requirements.

On sale: April 2015 CO2: 158-171g/km Monthly BIK: 29-30%

Kia Sportage The fourth-generation model aims to be the most prac interior dimensions, with the vehicle’s development tea passengers. The most significant change to the Sportag to 2,670 mm, helping to liberate greater space in the c designing the new vehicle, with every engine in the ran made up of a 1.6-litre GDI (petrol direct injection) engi The new model will continue to offer the 113bhp 1.7-lit with two power outputs – 134bhp with 373Nm (275lb On sale: February 2016 CO2: N/A BIK: N/A

Down The Road

he road: the latest new oming models

reenFleet looks at some of the new due to arrive in the next few months Volkswagen Touran The new Touran is now available, with prices starting from £22,240. The updated model boasts more space, greater practicality and new on-board technology, including automatic post-collision braking and pre‑crash systems, seven airbags and a 6.5‑inch Composition Media system with DAB and Bluetooth. Five engines are available, from a 1.2‑litre TSI petrol to a range-topping 2.0-litre TDI diesel, with overall weight reductions of up to 62kg.

On sale: November 2015 CO2: 111-133g/km BIK: 20-25%

PETROL

DIESEL

PETROL

DIESEL

Jaguar F-Pace The new F-Pace starts at £34,170 and has been developed using Jaguar’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture. Both diesel and petrol engines are available across five models: the Prestige, R-Sport, Portfolio, S and First Edition. The most efficient option is the 178bhp 2.0‑litre Ingenium diesel engine, which uses state-of-the-art technologies to minimise NOx and produce CO2 emissions from just 129g/km. Topping the range is the supercharged 377bhp 3.0‑litre V6 petrol, which delivers 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds, albeit with CO2 emissions of 209g/km. The F-Pace has been designed to combine performance with everyday usability, offering a large 650‑litre luggage compartment and class-leading knee room. Additionally, it features a 10.2‑inch tablet-style touchscreen, connectivity for up to eight devices on the vehicle’s Wi-Fi hot spot and All-Surface Progress Control to enable smooth drive-away on low-friction surfaces.

On sale: April 2016 CO2: 129-209g/km BIK: 23-37%

ctical Sportage yet thanks to increased exterior and ams realising greater space and comfort for all ge’s dimensions is a 30mm growth in its wheelbase cabin. A large focus was placed on efficiency when nge Euro 6 compliant. The range of petrol engines is ine and the brand’s latest 1.6-litre T-GDI power unit. tre CRDi diesel engine, as well as a 2.0-litre turbodiesel ft) of torque, and 182bhp with 400Nm (295lb ft).

PETROL

PETROL

HYBRID

DIESEL

DIESEL

Renault Mégane The new Mégane is based on Renault’s Common Module Family vehicle architecture and will be available with six engines from launch – three ENERGY dCi diesels delivering 90, 110 or 130bhp, and three TCe petrol units with outputs of 100, 130 or 205bhp. The ENERGY dCi 110 diesel engine makes up the core of the range, emitting just 86g/km of CO2 with a combined fuel consumption of 85.6mpg. Additionally, a ‘Hybrid Assist’ diesel will be added early in 2017, with targeted fuel consumption of 94.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 76g/km.

On sale: Summer 2016 CO2: 86g/km BIK: 16%

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

17

Diesel Emissions Scandal

All change: Volkswagen emissions scandal update Alternative drive technology investment, additional engines investigated and implicated, and UK real‑world testing cycles. GreenFleet investigates the latest happenings in the VW emissions issue story The Volkswagen emissions scandal story broke two months ago now, but it still shows little signs of abating. While it may no longer be in the headlines of every news bulletin or the lead story on every motoring website, magazine news section or newspaper front page, there have been a number of ongoing developments.

Concerning both Volkswagen and the wider industry, we take a look at the major recent happenings in the ‘dieselgate’ fiasco.

Re-testing in real-world conditions In the UK, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin confirmed that a programme of re-testing diesel cars in real-world conditions would begin, starting with Volkswagen Group Euro 5-compliant vehicles. With the aim of protecting UK consumers, McLoughlin said: “There needs to be co-ordinated European work to establish trust in the testing process. As I highlighted to the Transport Council, driving emissions tests

that reflect real-world performance must be introduced as quickly as possible. In the meantime, I can confirm that the UK has now started its own testing programme.”

Volkswagen UK boss Paul Willis appeared in front of the transport select committee on 12 October and confirmed that the number of cars to be recalled in the UK is 1,189,906 and is spread across five VW Group brands: Audi; Škoda; Seat; Volkswagen; and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Around 400,000 Volkswagen Group vehicles in the UK with the now infamous 1.6-litre EA189 engine will need both software and hardware (injector) upgrades.

Comparison process Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, was also questioned on the effectiveness of the current emissions testing procedure. He admitted that the difference between NEDC tests and the real‑world could be ‘up to 30 per cent’, but that the figures are meant to be used for a ‘comparison process’ and always have a disclaimer about real‑world differences. A set of ‘comparison process’ figures with around a 30 per cent margin for error seems a little pointless to us.

VW ced announ crease in it wouldditure on expen d hydrogen an electric le drivetrains vehic e tune to th 100m € of over 0m) (£7

EA288 2.0 engine investigated Just after the last issue of GreenFleet went to press, Volkswagen announced it

WHY HAVE ACCEPTABLE, WHEN YOU CAN HAVE EXCEPTIONAL? DISCOVER THE PEUGEOT PROFESSIONAL DIFFERENCE

“ AS A COMPANY THAT OPERATES A LARGE FLEET, THE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE PEUGEOT RANGE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.” SUEZ (formerly SITA UK)

At Peugeot Professional we understand the challenges businesses face on a daily basis. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing great vehicles, outstanding customer service and network support to those that demand more than just a fleet provider.

Visit business.peugeot.co.uk/passion or call 0800 954 8781† and see the difference we’re already making to SUEZ and several other businesses.

Official Fuel Consumption in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 308 Range are: Urban 38.2 (7.4) – 80.7 (3.5), Extra Urban 61.4 (4.6) – 97.4 (2.9), Combined 50.4 (5.6) – 91.1 (3.1) and CO2 130 – 82 (g/km).

MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. †Call charges to this number from landlines and mobile networks may vary. For information please contact your network provider. Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.

THE PASSION TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

UK drivers: check if your car/van is affected by inputting the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the manufacturers’ websites below.

Volkswagen has pledged to invest €100m into alternative drive technologies during 2016, including electric vehicles

was investigating 2012 onwards Euro 5 versions of its EA288 2.0 diesel engine for the same ‘defeat device’ software. They were found to be fully legal and compliant.

However, rumoured when the ‘dieselgate’ story first broke on 18 September, it was announced that 3.0-litre TDI engines fitted to selected 2009-2016 Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen models were also affected by the emissions fiasco, implicating another 85,000 vehicles. The Environmental Protection Agency in the US stated that the affected units emit more than nine times the amount of permitted levels of NOx. New CO2 certification issue The crisis then deepened further when Volkswagen released a statement admitting that over 800,000 vehicles were affected by a new certification issue, which affected miles per gallon as well as CO2 ratings. This time around, though, both diesel and petrol vehicles were

Audi: tinyurl.com/oh3x2m5 SEAT: tinyurl.com/pxmovle Škoda: tinyurl.com/qfshabu Volkswagen: tinyurl.com/qy38ej2

affected. The failings were found during a Volkswagen Group internal investigation.

The German car manufacturer stated that any increase in taxes resulting from incorrectly reported CO2 emissions should be charged to the company itself rather than the owners of affected vehicles. This is of particular importance to the UK as well as other selected European markets as car tax is linked directly to CO2 emissions.

Investigation opened up The industry felt further shockwaves when it was announced that vehicle regulators in Germany opened the diesel NOx emission cheating investigation to include another 20 manufacturers and 30 car models outside the Volkswagen Group. Meanwhile, Volkswagen itself appointed automated driving systems expert Johann Jungworth as head of Digitalisation Strategy. Jungworth was rumoured to have been working on Apple’s new much-anticipated electric car.

Supporting Jungworth’s appointment, Volkswagen also announced it was increasing expenditure on alternative technology drivetrains, including electric and hydrogen vehicles, to the tune of €100m (£70m). A modular platform ‘toolkit’, similar to Volkswagen’s ‘MQB’ modular chassis, called ‘MEB’ is expected to be rolled out across the Group’s companies.

Volkswagen also announced it would reduce investments in projects by £750m per year.

The company said it plans to overhaul its approach to diesel engines, using only modern units with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) as well as AdBlue urea injection in both Europe and the United States. Which, ironically, is what it should have done in the first place. L FURTHER INFORMATION Keep up-to-date with the latest news on the emissions scandal at greenfleet.net

Diesel Emissions Scandal

Is your car affected?

Commercial Vehicles

Safety, the environment and HGVs: conflicting agendas?

Written by Christopher Snelling, Freight Transport Association

Safety issues regarding HGVs is a topic that continues to rise in profile. Freight Transport Association’s Christopher Snelling discusses solutions that could improve road safety and possibly benefit the environment as well

Over the last few years the issue of the safety of other road users around Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) has risen in profile. In fact, the reality is that in the past 10 years alone we have halved the number of HGVs involved in fatal incidents – and that is on the back of already impressive reductions up to then.

This progress is still continuing. In the most recent set of figures (for 2014) we saw a year-on-year drop in HGV fatality rate of 3.5 per cent. Across the board, HGVs are involved in only three per cent of accidents – lower than the share of road traffic they make up.

The HGV safety landscape Why then is lorry safety now seen as such an urgent issue? The answer, partly, is that however much things improve, one death or serious injury is one too many.

As we make progress, expectations also rise, and until our roads are completely safe this issue will not go away.

However, the more urgent issue that has driven safety up the political agenda is cycling. Whilst there are still broadly positive trends for all other road users groups, for cyclists the number of fatalities and serious injuries is not improving. This is, to a certain extent, due to the increased amount of cycling that is being done in the UK, but that does not completely explain the rise.

But why focus on HGVs? While the Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) figures are lower or proportionate to our levels of traffic, it is when you separate out just fatalities amongst cyclists that the picture changes. Across Britain, HGVs are consistently involved in around 20 per cent of cyclist deaths. A further element is London. In London HGVs are consistently involved in the majority of cyclist deaths (on

20

average 55 per cent), and so far in 2015 the proportion is even higher with lorries involved in seven out of nine cycling fatalities. As so often in the UK, the London perspective – for good or ill – dominates the national agenda.

Actions underway So given this agenda, what is being done?

One form of action, of which the Freight Transport Association (FTA) is very supportive, is increased targeted enforcement of HGV vehicle and driver regulations. Feedback from Transport for London (TfL) tells us that rogue operators who do not make sufficient attempts to follow core safety requirements (or even deliberately work outside them, for example, fake HGV licences) are over‑represented in the fatalities.

London’s Freight Enforcement Partnership draws from the skills and competencies of many agencies and focuses extra efforts on high risk operators. Its targeted nature means that it has a high success rate in stopping those operators with problems.

Also on the agenda is continued improvements to general vehicle features – incremental improvements to things such as mirrors and sideguards by the EU and Department for Transport that will continue to deliver progress on the roads.

A more aggressive regulatory approach has been pursued in London: the Safer

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

Lorry Scheme (SLS) came into existence in September this year. It requires all HGVs to have sideguards and class V and VI mirrors fitted. In January TfL will consult on the future direction of the SLS – with requirements for physically reducing the size of vehicles’ blind spots on the cards (for example through requiring the fitting of a transparent passenger door lower panel).

An area of specific focus is construction logistics – essentially the tipper vehicle. As a sector these operations are over represented in the fatalities. Of those seven HGV-related cyclist fatalities in London this year, five have involved tippers, despite them making up only around ten per cent of HGVs. This is typical of the picture over a number of years. Therefore, another project the FTA supports is the Construction Logistics and Cycling Safety programme (CLOCS). Part of this work sets out an enhanced safety standards designed for tippers (which have larger blind spots than typical HGVs of that size) for use by the procurers of construction logistics services in their contacts.

For the longer term there are efforts to redesign HGV cabs so that more direct vision is possible and blind spots are reduced at source. Technological solutions will also come into play. As of now, new HGVs have to have a first generation of autonomous emergency braking fitted. Whilst this first iteration won’t prevent interaction with cyclists, future upgrades should provide the best technological fix we can get.

Aside from all this, the logistics industry is improving driver training and the focus on vulnerable road user issues is growing. Operators in all logistics sectors are increasingly fitting cameras and sensors to vehicles to minimise the chance of a collision.

But despite all this, a clamour for a simple, easy‑to‑understand, satisfying, radical action remains – lorry bans.

While s ea some id hour h like rus ld create u bans co t emissions an signific ems, others probl result in could mental environefits ben

Rush hour HGV bans This concept has been floated in London by MPs, local councils and campaigners. The latest proposal is from the London Cycling Campaign (LCC), which is calling for ‘a HGV ban’ on London’s roads from 8.00 to 9.30 five days a week. They argue that this would avoid 40 per cent of HGV-related cyclist fatalities. In November the London Assembly unanimously

benefits. Reform of vehicle design regulations in the EU has focused on both safety and the environment – with additional features that could reduce blind spots but also improve aerodynamics. This approach is a highly beneficial way forward as it works with the market by enabling operators to make financial gains to offset the costs involved.

There is also the possibility of out-of-hours deliveries. Not all deliveries can be moved out of the peak, but some can. If we can reform the regulations that prevent night-time deliveries in London, and integrate them into the operating practices of suitable operators and customers, it could move notable volumes out of the time of maximum clash with cyclists – and also into a time when the roads are more free-flowing, thus reducing emissions.

Above all, the technological approach can offer synergies. Technology which can monitor driver performance can spot high-risk driving just as much as high fuel use. Longer term, driver aides can both smooth vehicle use further and prevent many collisions with other roads users – not just cyclists but pedestrians, motorcyclists and car users as well.

It is these more intelligent approaches that FTA is pursuing with its members and is advocating to government in all its forms. We remain hopeful that when the shouting is over, calm consideration of the best approaches for safety and emissions will win out. L

Commercial Vehicles

called on the current Mayor to implement such Bakers, cafes, retailers, workshops, offices and a policy subject to an impact assessment. The construction sites depend on having goods Mayor has previously considered the policy supplied by the start of the work day. While – when even his own Cycling Commissioner some deliveries could be done in the night, found it lacking. The fact that the detail does many – especially small businesses – cannot. not make as much sense as its advocates One of the main potential downsides would hope does not stop it coming forward. of the concept of a lorry ban is the impact So, why does the FTA believe rush hours on the environment – both in terms of bans are not the way? On safety grounds local air quality and greenhouse gases. alone the idea does not stack up. Firstly, they As noted above, one of the main ways to are not a magic bullet – the LCC’s own figures continue working would be to down-size show that they would effect on average three vehicles. The consequences of any general of 14 cycling fatalities each year in London. reduction in the size of vehicles typically used Secondly, such a narrow focus on cyclists would be highly negative. What matters is forgets the needs of other vulnerable road not emissions per vehicle but emissions per users. It is an unfortunate fact that twice payload or delivery. Given the environmental as many pedestrians are killed in incidents economies of scale that larger vehicles bring, with HGVs than cyclists. TfL tells us that replacing larger HGVs with smaller ones, or the majority of pedestrians are killed at night worse with vans, would multiply the emissions (between 7pm and 7am). Equally, the 9.30 of local air pollutants and greenhouse gases. end of the proposed ban would coincide with There is also the consequence of increased the time the most vulnerable pedestrians movements or idling, as banned HGVs have such as pensioners are taking to the streets. to patrol the perimeter or just wait as the Thirdly, such a plan neglects to consider how end of the restriction comes into sight. operators would have to react to cope with Above all there would be a negative impact a ban. Many would down-size their vehicles though increased congestion as multiple to avoid the restriction. The reality is that smaller vehicles replace HGVs at rush vans have twice the fatality rate with cyclists hour. As stop-start traffic increases, the per tonne carried compared to HGVs, not to emissions from all vehicles types increases. mention their interaction with other road users such as motorcyclists and pedestrians, The hopeful picture: meaning the bunching of HGVs before possible synergies and after the restriction could potentially However, the picture is not all bad. While create new safety issues on the road. some ideas like rush hour bans could create All this is to leave aside the massive impact significant emissions problems, others could Proalign FINAL_Layout 1 28/08/2015 17:06 Page 1 such a banAdvert would Greenfleet have on all 190x135 business in London. result in complementary environmental

FURTHER INFORMATION www.fta.co.uk

Go Green with Alignment Save Fuel Reduce Co2 emissions Save Tyres Save Money ...the

WISE way!

Take control and reduce the rolling resistance of your truck, bus or car fleet, with your own Hunter alignment servicing. The fleet savings will give a return on investment and just leave other operators green with envy!

CALL FOR YOUR FREE DEMO TODAY!

Tel: 01327 323007 www.pro-align.co.uk/gogreen

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

21

GO WITH YOUR GUT. THE NEW MINI CLUBMAN. With a stylish exterior design, unique interior features and high levels of standard equipment, including satellite navigation, the new MINI Clubman is set to cause a stir in a new market segment for MINI. A range of advanced TwinPower Turbo petrol and diesel engines offer competitive fuel economy of up to 68.9 mpg (combined), CO2 emissions from 109 g/km, and a BIK rate starting at just 19%.

Go with your gut and find out more. Visit www.mini.co.uk/clubman or call 01252 920800 to book a fleet demonstrator†.

Official Fuel Economy Figures for the new MINI Clubman Range: Urban 35.3-60.1 mpg (8-4.7 l/100km). Extra Urban 52.3-76.3 mpg (5.4-3.7 l/100km). Combined 44.8-68.9 mpg (6.3-4.1 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 147-109 g/km.

MINI Fleet & Business Sales Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. †Test drive is subject to status and availability.

Alternative Fuels

A hydrogen snapshot Hyundai’s ix35 was the first production hydrogen fuel‑cell car to hit the UK. Richard Gooding tried the technology as part of the Korean company’s ‘A Streetcar Named Hyundai’ project in an environment to which it should be well suited: the road-based arteries of central London

Along with a constantly-improving refuelling infrastructure both in the UK and Europe, more hydrogen-powered vehicles are appearing on our roads. While the numbers are still relatively small when compared to other alternatively-fuelled vehicles, both Hyundai and Toyota now include hydrogen‑powered cars on their price lists. As with most burgeoning developments, the technology doesn’t come cheap. The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell is priced at £53,105 (even after a £15,000 European HyFive subsidy), while Toyota’s Mirai costs £66,000, but does qualify for the UK government’s £5,000 Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV)‑backed grant (see panel), which reduces the price to £61,000.

It is the first hydrogen fuel cell car to do so.

A £6.6m government‑backed investment scheme aims to upgrade, improve, as well as build a new 12-strong hydrogen refuelling station network. With major UK cities such as London set to play a major part in the latest developments – the Mayor of London’s office wants to kick-start the development of the hydrogen infrastructure in the city and has just bought one of the first UK-bound Toyota Mirai fuel cell cars – it seemed apt that we were invited to sample Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle (FCV) in the UK’s capital.

24

First mass-produced fuel cell vehicle Hyundai claims that the ix35 Fuel Cell was the first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle in the world. The Korean company has recently imported 50 more into Europe, taking the total number so far shipped in to 250 units.

With the recent addition of Spain and Switzerland, its network of global fuel cell distribution countries now numbers 15, and means that Hyundai leads the market in fuel cell vehicle roll-out. Its customers are both private individuals and corporate firms, and the company says that between them, the ix35 Fuel Cell cars which are already on the roads have covered more than 1.2 million kilometres.

We covered nowhere near that distance on our silent drive (like conventional electric vehicles, fuel cell cars emit no noise) on the streets around Vauxhall and south west London. We drove the car as part of Hyundai’s innovative ‘A Streetcar Named

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

Hyundai’ project which marked 10 years of Hyundai Motor UK. A world-first initiative, it involved driving 2,000 miles of central London’s streets as defined by the infamous cab drivers’ ‘Knowledge’. The ix35 Fuel Cell was chosen for ’Streetcar’ as it emits nothing but water, therefore making it perfect for London’s inner urban sprawl.

650,000 images, i’s 8m MB of data Hyunda el u The 50-day project was f l a b glo mapped out with n o i ribut the help of Ordnance cell dist k now Survey and driven by r netwo countries, journalists, well-known names from the world rs 15 numbe both private of sport as well as with employees of Hyundai porate Motor UK. Over 650,000 and cor mers pictures were taken to custo create both a single mosaic

image as well as a 200.5-second time lapse film. Specially-developed software controlled the roof top box-mounted camera’s shutter which was attached to the left-hand rear wheel and used the ix35 Fuel Cell’s speed, distance travelled and angle of travel to capture the required images. One

A roof top box‑mounted camera used the ix35 Fuel Cell’s speed, distance travelled and angle of travel to capture images

Hyundai’s ‘A Streetcar Named Hyundai’ photographic project captured 650,000 images and 8m MB of data over 50 days to create one single mosiac image and a 200.5-secnd time laspe film

picture was taken every six to seven metres, and resulted in an estimated 650,000 images and 8m MB of data.

The ix35 Fuel Cell was first available to selected partners in 2013 and features a 100kW (134bhp equivalent) electric motor as well as a lithium-ion polymer battery.

A quoted official range of 372 miles (600km) puts it on a par with most petrol-powered vehicles. Top speed is 100mph (160km/h).

Hydrogen generates electricity in the car’s proton membrane exchange fuel cell via a chemical reaction and the resulting electricity is then used to power the ix35 Fuel Cell’s electric motor mounted at the front of the car. The only emission is water vapour, which exits via the car’s tailpipe in the same way as a conventionally‑fuelled vehicle’s fuel emissions.

Glides silently To drive, the ix35 Fuel Cell is very similar to an electric car. The car which carried out the ‘Streetcar’ project was left-hand drive, but that was but a minor inconvenience.

Just as in an electric car, it glides along the city streets silently and is just about OK for London’s width-shy roads, recapturing braking energy as it goes when the pedal is pressed.

Again, as with an electric vehicle, there are no gears to muddy the waters and being based on an existing SUV, the ix35 Fuel Cell rides well and affords excellent visibility.

Four driving modes A selection of four driving modes control the ix35 Fuel Cell driving experience.

‘Drive’ allows the fuel cell to generate electricity to power the car, while regenerative braking refills the battery’s charge as well as providing a little more get up and go. ‘Eco’ mode, as you’d expect from the name, reduces the power, air conditioning and deactivates the regenerative braking.

That’s increased again in ‘Low’ mode, along with the motor’s torque. Finally, ‘Power Charge Mode’ channels some of the fuel cell’s charge to replenish the battery.

The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell stores 5.64kg of hydrogen in two specially-made tanks in the rear of the car which have an internal volume of 144 litres. A fill-up with hydrogen costs approximately £4 per kg at current prices. while that 372-miles range puts it on a par with a petrol‑powered car, with ultimately less cost. While boot space is reduced compared to the conventionally-fuelled ix35, the fuel cell version is still eminently practical.

Alternative Fuels

ix35 Fuel Cell travels 2,383km in 24 hours

In August, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell became a real-world zero‑emission record-breaker, as it travelled 2,383km (1,480 miles) in 24 hours. Averaging almost 100km/h, Norwegian eco drivers Arnt-Gøran Hartvig and Marius Bornstein drove the fuel cell car non-stop on public roads in Germany.

The pair covered a 300+-kilometre route between Vatenfall’s hydrogen station in HafenCity, Hamburg and a Shell hydrogen station in Sachsendamm, Berlin as many times as possible in 24 hours. The ix35 Fuel Cell only needs three minutes to fill up, which helped the duo maximise the total distance covered.

The real-world driving conditions included city driving as well as high‑speed routes, reaffirming hydrogen’s use as a fuel suited for everyday driving conditions.

To view the video of the record‑breaking ix35 Fuel Cell drive, visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AYUbIdHr7aE. Among the Hyundai ix35’s first customers were Anglo-American and chemical company Air Products and the Korean manufacturer claims that although it has sold only 359 ix35 Fuel Cells worldwide, that is currently in line with the rate of infrastructure development.

It’s that infrastructure that’s still the main stumbling block when it comes to all hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, not just the ix35. Range isn’t quite such an issue (the fossil fuel production of the gas could be), but with limited fuelling stations around the country, long distances have to be taken with care.

However, new technological developments – which include a new electric compressor designed by UK company Aristech – could double the output of a hydrogen fuel cell. L E Honda unveils its new FCX Clarity fuel cell car at the Tokyo Motor Show, page 33 FURTHER INFORMATION www.astreetcarnamedhyundai.com tinyurl.com/mhkfkas www.fuelcell.eu www.ukhfca.co.uk www.ukh2mobility.co.uk

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

25

Drive down your running costs Why not convert your petrol vehicles to LPG? Enabling you to: save up to 40% on fuel. help reduce air pollution levels.

Extensive national LPG refuelling network.

Visit our website for more information

www.autogaslimited.co.uk

Alternative Fuels: LPG Written by Calum Chamberlain, Autogas

The forgotten alternative fuel?

Whilst electric vehicles seem to dominate the government’s plans to cut transport pollution, another alternative fuel, LPG, has been in quiet existence for years. Calum Chamberlain from Autogas gives an update on the LPG industry and explains how it can play a significant role in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts Air pollution or poor air quality is estimated to be responsible for killing more than 29,000 people every year in the UK and is the cause of 20 per cent of premature deaths.

It’s argued that the majority of this pollution stems from the use of diesel vehicles, and the problems associated with the fuel have taken on new renewed vigour in recent weeks with the revelations that vehicle manufacturers have manipulated emissions tests.

seen as the future of automotive fuelling in the early 2000s when significant government grants were available to those fleets and drivers converting their cars to run on the fuel.

“Such was the interest and demand for LPG, that several manufacturers including Vauxhall and Volvo offered LPG-ready models directly from their showrooms.

Fuel suppliers such as Autogas supported this demand with the investment in an extensive refuelling network.

“Sadly, when the government pulled the plug on grants and it failed to offer a longterm commitment to the fuel duty reduction on LPG, vehicle manufacturers and many fleets decided to move on to more certain fuel sources.”

The LPGre is uctu infrastr developed ll very weth more wi 400 LPG than 1, g stations n refuellind the UK arou

High-profile support With high profile support and investment in electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years, it’s no surprise that EVs continue to dominate the headlines, and are seen as a solution to the problems of climate change and air quality. However liquified petroleum gas (LPG) also has its role to play and Autogas is encouraging the government, Transport for London, local authorities, fleets and OEMs to support the growth of LPG vehicles in the UK. Linda Gomersall, general manager of Autogas Limited, explains: “In a story similar to the treatment of electric cars today, LPG was

A cleaner fuel Two key pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulates (PM2.5), which contribute to air pollution, are both significantly lower in vehicles powered by LPG compared with both petrol and diesel. Indeed, NO2 emissions from LPG-fuelled vehicles are up to 80 per cent lower than diesel. Particulates are up to

98 per cent lower than diesel. Not only that, but CO2 emissions from vehicles powered by LPG are up to 15 per cent lower than petrol.

In April this year, the Supreme Court ordered the government to take swift action to improve air quality across the UK as it continued to breach EU levels. Gomersall argues that increased use of LPG could help to cut the number of deaths.

She said: “Increased use of the fuel could help the UK achieve its air pollution targets. We look forward to working with the government as it prepares its revised plans to discuss how it could help stimulate demand and encourage greater take up of LPG to improve air quality in our towns and cities across the UK.” Government commitment to LPG In December 2013, the Chancellor answered the LPG industry’s calls to set out a clear 10-year road map for LPG as a road fuel, maintaining the fuel duty differential between LPG and more conventional petrol and diesel, giving certainty and stability to the fuel source for the foreseeable future.

However, Autogas is still calling on the government to rectify its investment removal mistakes of the past. A recent House of Commons Transport Select Committee report criticised the way the government withdrew grants supporting the purchase of LPG

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

27

GOULTRALOW.COM

Go Ultra Low’s new ‘Fleet Guide to Plug-in Vehicles’ is available at gulsummit.com

Businesses ‘must lead on ULEVs’

Fleets must spearhead drive to put more EVs on Britain’s roads, says Minister More fleets must “be bold” and see the benefits that plug-in vehicles deliver, according to Transport Minister Andrew Jones.

The “agents of motoring change” in the UK corporate sector are spearheading growth in the ultra low emissions vehicles (ULEV) market, he said, accounting for almost two thirds of sales in a sector that is the fastestgrowing in Europe. In the first nine months of 2015, ULEV registrations were up almost 140% year-on-year to take a new car market share of just more than 1%.

The challenge, the Minister told a summit on ‘The Future of Business Mobility’ hosted by Go Ultra Low, is to accelerate those sales so that ULEVs make up 5% of new car registrations by 2020 (about 100,000 units).

By 2040, the aim is that all new cars sold in the UK will have zero tailpipe emissions.

Although the Minister acknowledged the targets were ambitious, he affirmed his confidence in the ability to achieve them. He said Go Ultra Low’s new ‘Fleet Guide to Plug-in Vehicles’, which was launched at the summit, showed company car drivers “love” ULEVs. However, he added: “More must be done by UK businesses to spearhead growth of the UK plug-in

vehicle market. We need more electric vehicles on the road and, as agents of change, UK businesses must lead the way.

“Company fleet decision makers are discovering that running electric vehicles no longer requires compromise – they project a positive corporate image, so important in today’s society, and are good for the bottom line.”

The Government has confirmed that the plug-in car grant, which gives businesses up to £5,000 off the price of an electric car, will continue until at least February 2016. The plug-in van grant, which offers up to £8,000 off the price of an electric van, remains in place.

Go Ultra Low data suggests the potentially higher list price of electric vehicles is more than offset by other benefits when compared with conventionally powered cars.

These include fuel savings of about 8-10p per mile, an estimated 20-30% saving in service, maintenance and repair costs, and benefits in Vehicle Excise Duty and Class 1A National Insurance.

Company car drivers can also save more than £1,000 a year in benefit-in-kind tax by going electric.

Lex Autolease, the UK’s largest vehicle leasing and fleet management

company, provided data at the summit that showed running a BMW i3 over four years/60,000 miles would deliver a potential saving of £58 a month over rival, non-electric models, amounting to £2,784 over a four-year operating cycle.

Across a fleet of just 10 cars, the savings totalled almost £28,000 over four years.

Lex provided even more compelling data on the Nissan LEAF, showing potential monthly savings of £105. That equates to more than £5,000 over a four-year operating cycle and £50,400 on a fleet of 10 cars.

Rupert Pontin, head of valuations at used vehicle experts Glass’s, told the summit that as ULEV demand strengthened, model depreciation curves would be comparable to petrol and diesel values

in the next three years.

“In five years’ time there is a good chance that ULEVs will be leading the field in certain market sectors,” he said.

There are 27 pure electric or plug-in hybrid cars and nine vans now available to buy in the UK, with vehicles ranging from city run-arounds and family hatchbacks, to 4x4s and sports cars.

Vehicle choice is likely to expand further, with motor manufacturers queuing up to introduce new ULEVs to the UK market, while exciting new fuel sources, such as hydrogen, and technological breakthroughs designed to extend vehicle range and revolutionise charging are also being delivered.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones: ‘Running electric vehicles no longer requires compromise’

vehicles too early. The report stated that as a number of fuel sources and technologies E  are appropriate for a low carbon future, the government cannot pick a winner, but should provide certainty for market participants designed to incentivise investment.

Gomersall said: “The Treasury’s introduction of a robust, decade-long trajectory for environmentally-friendly LPG gives the UK’s businesses and private motorists the confidence to embrace LPG in the knowledge that the government will continue to support the fuel.

“But, as LPG is identified as one of a basket of fuels that can help the UK achieve its low carbon future, we’re urging the government to review its historic mistakes as well as potential distortion of the future market, by offering similar incentives, investment and support for LPG as it currently does with electric vehicles.

“Similarly, it’s essential that the motor industry itself also offers support and backing for LPG as it’s currently doing in favour of newer Euro 6 diesel technology.”

Without any long-term government commitment to LPG, car manufacturers have been reluctant to offer LPG-powered models for sale in the UK, unlike other European territories where gas-fuelled models from 14 different manufacturers are available directly from the showroom. Indeed, Vauxhall admitted that their LPG-ready models had ‘sold fairly well – until the government pulled the plug on the fuel incentive’.

Now that the long term-commitment is back, is it time car maker’s reintroduced LPG models to UK buyers?

Ultra Low Emission Zone Autogas is also working with Transport for London (TfL) to consider LPG options in new licensing proposals for taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) with regards to the Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London.

A new conversion network Launched at the start of 2015 to provide easier access to quality LPG vehicle conversions, the first phase of appointments to Autogas’ new nationwide network of garages is now complete.

Sharing Autogas’ vision of providing cheaper and cleaner motoring for drivers, five expert garages have been hand-picked to launch the network. Located in key strategic locations around the UK, including Edinburgh, the north-east, Birmingham, the north-west and Gloucester, the workshops were selected after rigorous assessments to ensure they are technically competent and deliver service to the very highest standards.

Thrilled with the progress, Gomersall said: “The new Autogas conversion network is ideally placed to assist drivers and fleets in making the switch to a cleaner alternative. This pioneering scheme is part of our long-term vision to place LPG as a leading solution to the growing problem of air pollution.

“In making LPG conversions more readily available and ensuring converters deliver the best service for fleet operators and private individuals, we expect that many more drivers will be making the switch to the cleaner fuel which also helps to significantly lower their fuel bills too.”

Alternative Fuels: LPG

meet the needs of some drivers due to driving range and access to infrastructure.”

By g workin EM O with an G-ready LP to offerin the UK as models pe, this will in Euro market an e give th ormous en boost

In order to tackle air pollution and emissions problems in central London, TfL is recommending a revised voluntary decommissioning scheme for taxis over 10 years old and the requirement that all taxis and new PHVs, new to licensing from January 2018, be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC).

Autogas believes that TfL’s proposal to increase the charging infrastructure of electric vehicle charge points in order to support the uptake of ZEC-ready electric vehicles by the commercial sector (including taxis and PHVs), neglects already-established alternative fuels which could otherwise assist in achieving air quality goals. Whilst the zero‑emission vehicles market will continue to grow, taxis converted to run on LPG could help improve air quality in the short term as well as provide an extra choice to meet consumer’ driving needs and preferences.

Gomersall commented: “It’s not just London that could benefit from more LPG‑powered taxis and PHVs. Councils across the country that are dealing with polluted city centres need to look at a range of fuel options and LPG could provide an ideal solution.”

Refuelling infrastructure Around 150,000 drivers use LPG in the UK, but this number lags behind those in Europe.

However, the availability of refuelling points per LPG car in the UK is the highest in Europe.

The LPG infrastructure is very well developed with more than 1,400 LPG refuelling stations around the UK. As such, according to Autogas, most drivers are, on average, never more than five miles from a station.

Gomersall said: “Other clean fuel technologies that are not yet as mature simply have higher upfront costs and cannot

Time for growth?

Gomersall makes one final point on the importance of LPG to the future of UK’s fuel policy. She says: “Significant demand and interest in LPG still exists as demonstrated by our own and independent surveys and research. The cleaner, greener technology is proven. A conversion network for aftermarket modifications is in place along with an established fuel supply infrastructure.

“For the first time ever, we now even have a long-term, 10-year commitment from the government about the fuel duty differential with petrol and diesel. It’s actually the strongest position that our industry has been in for a very long time.

“However, there are perhaps two key challenges that remain that need to overcome and focus on to transform the fortunes and take up of LPG. Firstly, we need to work with government so that it gives LPG similar levels of treatment and support as other ‘alternative fuels’. We need to ensure that there are no favourites.

“Secondly, by working with an OEM to offer LPG ready models in the UK, as they already do in Europe, this will give the market an enormous boost and validate the latent demand.” L FURTHER INFORMATION www.autogaslimited.co.uk

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

29

Natural Gas Vehicles

A promise of cleaner air The Natural Gas Vehicle Network is calling for local authorities and heavy duty vehicle operators to follow in the footsteps of companies such as John Lewis and Argos and opt for natural gas to reduce both nitrous oxides (NOx) and particulate matter

The UK is in the midst of seeking out new ways to meet UK and EU commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve air quality. The 2008 Climate Change Act set targets to reduce GHG emissions by 34 per cent by 2020 (based on 1990 levels) and by 80 per cent by 2050. In addition, by the end of 2015, the government must submit a revised Air Quality Plan to the European Commission. Any improvements that can be made in transport need taking very seriously, as an estimated 25 per cent of UK carbon dioxide emissions are from transport.

Switching heavy duty vehicles to run on gas has big benefits and the natural gas vehicle industry is poised to expand rapidly as barriers to growth have been removed.

Positive progress Businesses within the NGV Network have made excellent progress and can boast some highly significant achievements over the past year. CNG Fuels has gained planning permission for the UK’s first high-pressure CNG filling station on the M6 motorway in Leyland, due for completion by the end of 2015. The launch of the UK’s first dedicated Euro 6 gas powered Scania tractor unit is now in service with Argos, achieving up to 70 per cent carbon dioxide reduction when operated on biomethane.

Other big name brands have also come on board with John Lewis Partnership now running the Prins Autogas Dieselblend 2.0 dual‑fuel conversion on 38 new DAF CF distribution trucks as part of its programme to reduce CO2 emissions using bio‑methane.

This is a major milestone reached in an Innovate UK project to assess the benefits of gas to the UK haulage industry.

Asda is also opening a LNG refuelling station near Bristol open to third party use. Many operators using gas are now offering access to their filling stations, which is adding to the UK network of natural gas stations. Development of new LNG facilities at the Isle of Grain has supported the improved importation and distribution of LNG as a Transport Fuel.

Challenging targets Government, local authorities and corporations are under increasing pressure to meet challenging climate change targets.

By the end of 2015, the government must submit a revised Air Quality Plan to the European Commission. The Climate Change Act / Fuel Quality Directive 2050 has set a target of an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by the turn of the century.

Only by embracing new and existing technology will we be able to maintain our

ment, Govern horities t local aurporations and co r increasing e are undure to meet press lenging chal hange c climategets tar

Enter the NGV network The Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Network is an industry backed body that is focused on raising awareness, and promoting the benefits of gas as a vehicle fuel for trucks and buses. The Network’s members span all aspects of the industry including network operators, infrastructure providers, fuel providers and logistics companies.

Richard Court, head of stakeholder delivery at National Grid, one of the founder organisations in the NGV Network, said: “The main hurdles to large-scale NGV uptake, which have historically been the small number of manufacturers producing and selling NGVs, and the limited number of gas refuelling stations across the UK and Europe are being overcome. Manufacturers are now delivering dedicated gas powered vehicles and new filling stations going up across the UK, so the sector is poised for big success.”

30

quality of life and care for our environment.

Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has stated: “Gas from the national gas grid will remain important for many decades to come – I’m excited by the possibility of innovation in the gas networks and by the projects that are already ongoing. There are uses other than for heating and electricity, such as fuel for HGVs.” Green credentials Natural gas, in the form of CNG or LNG, as a transport fuel, has significant environmental advantages over competing fuels and can really help the UK to meet ambitious air quality and greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Whilst natural gas (with the exception of biomethane) is not a renewable energy source, it offers significant benefits as an alternative to diesel. Increasing use of biomethane will lead to even bigger benefits as it is renewable and often made from waste.

One real life example is the gas-powered Scania tractor units which are now in service with leading UK digital retailer, Argos.

These vehicles are running completely off biomethane gas, and release up to 70 per cent less carbon dioxide compared to their fuel counterparts (Scania).

Natural Gas Vehicles produce lower level of GHGs, NOx and particulates compared to all but the most modern Euro 6 diesel engines.

In addition noise is a form of pollution that many people find hard to cope with in our busy towns and cities. Gas powered vehicles are very quiet and the reduction in noise levels over diesel vehicles will improve the quality of life for many people, especially at night and in the early mornings.

Tried and tested Turning to natural gas to power trucks and buses means we can clean up our act now.

NGV technology is tried and tested and the new generation of vehicles are meeting increasingly exacting environmental standards.

In the UK we have one of the most sophisticated gas infrastructures which is being utilised, to create an

Natural Gas Vehicles

Celine Cluzel of Element Energy was just one of the key speakers at NGV Day 2015

effective fuel distribution network.

Using the existing natural gas network, LNG infrastructure and forecourt infrastructure a network of gas refuelling points has been created and is growing.

The UK now has publicly accessible filling stations plus dedicated fuelling depots, which are being shared between operators.

Significant recent investment in the Isle of Grain and downstream LNG distribution facilities has increased the capacity and flexibility of LNG operators to provide transport fuel across the UK. Manufacturers are now offering dedicated gas HGVs and buses in the UK, vehicles designed to operate solely on gas (compressed or liquefied) on the road in the UK. Digging deeper Drivers are reacting positively to gas vehicles as they are experiencing reduced noise levels, less fumes and the easy refuelling process.

To ensure the arguments stand up and the right decisions are being made, further research has been funded to ensure that the economic and environmental benefits of using gas are clear to users. A ‘Wheel to Wheel’ study by Element Energy is researching the overall economic and environmental impact of using gas as a fuel looking at the whole process from gas production, gas supply and distribution pathways through to engine fuel.

This will ensure, that going forward, operators can make the right decisions about the best vehicles to use, right refuelling choices and choice of fuel to get the maximum environmental and economic benefits of gas.

CNG Fuels has gained planning permission for the UK’s first high-pressure CNG filling station on the M6 motorway in Leyland, due for completion by the end of 2015 NGVs and the associated technology will play a significant part in the UK’s evolving energy and transport strategies and will help it to achieve demanding short, medium and long term environmental targets.

NGV Day 2015 Organisations from across the natural gas industry met at NGV Day, held at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull on 22 October 2015, to debate how best to engage with government to achieve the low emission targets and help commercial fleet managers and local authorities make the switch to Natural Gas Vehicles.

At the industry conference, Paul Ocholla, commercial development officer, National Grid Grain LNG, commented: “It is essential for those in the industry to invest and get the infrastructure in place to support a wide scale switch to gas vehicles across commercial fleets and public service vehicles.

National Grid Grain LNG is ready to support the current and future markets with its state of the art Truck Loading Facility which goes live in November 2015.

“As a Network, we also need to take steps to educate key influencers on the benefits of gas vehicles to ensure they are

considered as a viable alternative to diesel.

It is essential that we market the right messages, collaborate where the industry would benefit and embrace competition to increase choices and security of supply in order to push opportunities for NGVs.” James Goodson from Flogas, a natural gas supplier, commented: “It’s great to see so many people at NGV Day in support of the NGV Network, a real credit to how much has been achieved in such a short space of time. I hope it serves to spark off more interest in NGVs across the commercial and public sectors so we can really start making a difference.”

With a consultation into air quality currently underway and in view of the government’s commitment to publish a plan to improve air quality by the end of this year, it is essential that it considers NGVs as a viable alternative to diesel for heavy duty vehicles, support growth in the NGV sector and reduce the impact poor air quality is having on the health of those living in our cities. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.ngvnetwork.co.uk

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

31

Advertisement Feature

Ask yourself – can your business afford to stay mobile without SmartWitness?

Britain’s most popular vehicle journey recorders, SmartWitness lets your company monitor all around its vehicles with just a single camera. As well as recording high quality images covering the front, rear and interior, the system can record vehicle location, vehicle speed, driving style and impact force, providing vital, court admissible evidence in the event of an accident.

SmartWitness’s range of products provide fleet managers, hire firms, hauliers and private individuals with driving aids to facilitate safer driving and offer complete protection against the ever-increasing threat from fraudulent insurance claims on our roads.

SmartWitness partner with more telematics and insurance partners than any other camera provider, offering a fully integrated solution.

Luxury chauffeur company Tristar Worldwide, based in Middlesex, made savings of £60,000 a year after installing SmartWitness cameras to its fleet of 460 vehicles, cutting its accident rate by half.

Insurers have found that just two per cent of incidents recorded on SmartWitness cameras result in disputed claims – against an industry norm of 40 per cent for all motor claims. SmartWitness products

are recommended by major insurers and officially approved by Transport for London.

They provide complete integration with Telematics Systems – so all fleet management and driver information is accessed through the telematics provider’s system. SmartWitness won the Fleet News award for ‘Best New Product’ for the KP1, hailed as ‘the most advanced vehicle journey recorder in the world’.

The KP1 is the most powerful 3G/4G instant video transmission vehicle camera with built-in tracking and telematics data.

SmartWitness’ SVC1080-LCA features a full HD, 170-degree lens to provide a comprehensive view of any incident.

SmartWitness’s board includes non-executive chairman, Keith Hellawell, the former Chief Constable of Cleveland and West Yorkshire.

Dr Hellawell said: “SmartWitness is at the forefront of developing exciting new in-cab cameras. These have been shown to markedly improve driving standards and road safety.”

Daily Telegraph motoring columnist James Foxall said: “SmartWitness has achieved remarkable savings in hauliers’ insurance premiums.”

Visit the website below to learn more about its range of products, or call its helpline on the number provided. A video demonstration can also be seen by searching for ‘SmartWitness’ on YouTube.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0844 947 1000 sales@smartwitness.com www.smartwitness.co.uk

Please call us on

0844 947 1000 HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS TO SUIT ALL VEHICLES AND APPLICATIONS SmartWitness is linked to Google Earth and Google Maps, so not only does the system provide positional data, it also shows exact locations and road conditions, signage and even road markings. Combined with the camera’s recording, fleet managers can analyse an incident involving one of a company’s vehicles to assess the road conditions, layout, signs and other traffic.

We have the camera systems to suit van, truck and car fleets as well as private motorists - providing a vital enhancement to their overall risk management strategies.

Visit smartwitness.co.uk to learn more about its range of products, or call its helpline on 0844 947 1000.

A video demonstration can also be seen by searching for ‘SmartWitness’ on YouTube.

32

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

Tokyo Motor Show

Toyota FCV Plus

Japan sets hearts racing as Tokyo drives the future The 44th Tokyo Motor Show closed the side door on the motoring year at the Tokyo Big Sight on the 29 October to 8 November 2015. With 160 exhibitors present and 75 world premieres, the Tokyo Motor Show was an event to behold Aiming to become the top technology motor show in the world, Tokyo hosted a comprehensive show as expressive in Japanese style as expected, exhibiting 417 vehicles, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles, amongst others.

Held every two years in the heart of Japan’s capital, the show contains a mixture of wonderful concept cars and new production cars, primarily from Japanese manufacturers.

Smart Mobility Smart Mobility was a popular aspect of the Tokyo Motor Show. Shining a light on the next generation of cars, Smart Mobility City 2015 offered an experience and glimpse into the city of the future. The centerpiece of this exhibition, ‘Station Core’, showcases various new technologies and systems that relate to cities and transportation.

In the space in front of the train station lies various micro mobility vehicles readied for test-rides. The course that takes drivers from inside to the freeing outdoors offers a realistic and exhilarating driving experience

received much attention from press overseas.

The ‘Personal Mobility Lab’ displayed the latest in personal mobility solutions, a genre of vehicles that aim for a symbiotic relationship between cars and people. The vehicles have unique designs, and were also available for test rides. Autonomous cars and technologies that received considerable attention at the Tokyo Motor Show were explained in detail at the ‘cars and ICT&E Lab. Connected cars were explained using projection mapping and visuals projected on the table.

but it was the FCV Plus Concept that stole the attention of the watching audience.

Having become the first manufacturer to launch a production-powered fuel cell car in the Mirai, the FCV Plus contains a more compact rearrangement of the Mirai’s fuel-cell stack and hydrogen tanks. The FCV Plus concept explores how the hydrogen fuel cell used to power a car can also be deployed to as an energy source for general use. As well as having its own hydrogen fuel tank, the FCV Plus can generate electricity from hydrogen stored outside the vehicle, so the car can be used to produce power in different locations – at home, at work, or further afield.

When the car is not being used for transport, it can share its power generation capabilities with communities as part of the E

en Hydrog ey was a kf the o theme o Motor y k 2015 Towith Honda Show, ing the FCV confirmy will come Clarit e UK in to th 7 201

The hum of hydrogen Hydrogen was a key theme of this year’s show, with Toyota offering an insight into its fuel cell-operated models.

The highly anticipated, and much discussed S-FR sports car headed up the Toyota line-up,

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

33

Don’t channel hop.

Channel stop.

Informative video content on environmental fleet management from the UK and around the world.

Visit greenfleet.tv

Lexus LF-FC

Daihatsu cept on D-Base C

i Mitusbish eX

The Nissan IDS Concept will tackle both the issues of autonomous driving and zero‑emission EVs  local infrastructure. The fuel cell stack can be reused as a device to generate electricity, going beyond the traditional functions of a car.

Toyota’s luxury vehicle division, Lexus, also joined in the hydrogen hype at the show. With the revealing of the LF-FC concept, Lexus is acting as a forward-thinking manufacturer, with the hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain operating as a four-wheel drive system.

This innovative drive system allows precise torque distribution control between the front and wheels, giving the vehicle exceptional handling and stability. The strategic location of the fuel cell stack at the rear and the power control unit at the front and the arrangement of the hydrogen fuel tanks in a T-formation result in optimum front-rear weight distribution for a sporty saloon.

Taxi for Toyota Toyota also revealed its plans to launch a new taxi for the Japanese market before April 2018, and is currently working on developing an updated version of its JPN Taxi Concept, which made its global debut at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. The updated model was shown via a promotional video at the show.

Toyota hopes that the vehicle, created to embody the spirit of Japanese hospitality, will become a common sight on city streets―much the way the Toyota Crown Comfort is considered the archetypal taxi throughout the country today.

Just like its previous concept, the next‑generation taxi features a hatchback-type package. With its low floor and wide-opening sliding door, the vehicle will provide outstanding ease of ingress and egress, and its spacious interior will even allow passengers to board in a wheelchair. The vehicle aims to conform to the Japanese government’s goal of providing buses and taxis that are barrier‑free and tailored specifically to local needs.

The taxi will feature a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) hybrid system―currently under development―which is highly economical and offers excellent environmental performance optimised for taxi driving conditions. In addition, Toyota is focusing on making this vehicle durable enough to withstand long-distance usage.

Future production Another Japanese manufacturer keen to showcase its latest innovation was Mitsubishi, who displayed its eX, the bold electric SUV concept car that will hit the market within five years. Taking design inspiration from the XR‑PHEV, the eX differs from

its predecessor due to its purely electric, all-wheel drive system. While it may take a few years to take to the roads, the eX marks Mitsubishi’s aim to tackle the small SUV market. The car is expected to be capable of 248 miles on a single charge and contains a next-generation battery pack.

Nissan also unveiled a glimpse into its vision for the future. The Nissan IDS Concept will tackle the issues of autonomous driving and zero-emission EVs, with Carlos Ghosn, Nissan president and CEO, stating that the IDS Concept will ‘revolutionise the relationship between car and driver, and future mobility’.

Ghosn is adamant that by 2020, Nissan Intelligent Driving technology will be deployed on cars in cities around the world, with innovative autonomous drive technology driving the company forward.

With both Manual and Piloted Drive submitting to the driver’s own style and preferences, the IDS Concept assists the driver in taking evasive action in the event of imminent danger and possesses sensors which continuously monitor conditions and external information, such as the weather and the driver’s schedule.

The IDS Concept is fitted with a high-capacity 60kWh battery, and thanks to its aerodynamics, low stance, flowing form and reduced weight due to its full-carbon-fibre body, the vehicle is designed to also meet the need to drive long distances. Other technologies on the Nissan IDS Concept include Piloted Park that can be operated by smartphone or tablet, and wireless charging technologies, allowing the driver to leave parking and charging to the car.

Bringing clarity into the market Honda has revealed that its new hydrogen‑powered car will be called FCV Clarity, and will be coming to the UK in 2017. The car, present at the Tokyo Motor Show whet the appetite of the locals as it is scheduled to go on sale in Japan next March.

It is the successor to the previous hydrogen model, the FCX Clarity.

Powering the FCV Clarity is an electric motor which provides over 134bhp – it’s supplied by a fuel cell stack which is both smaller and denser than that used on the FCX. Honda also says the new FCV is the first car of its type to feature the entire fuel cell powertrain packaged within the engine bay–- something which should enable the FCV Clarity to match the storage space and packaging offered by conventional cars. The FCV

Tokyo Motor Show

Nissan IDS Con cept

has a claimed driving range of 435 miles, and can be filled from a hydrogen filling station in as little as three minutes.

Daihatsu revealed its 94.1mpg concept car at the show, with the D-Base expected to reach production next year. It is one of several vehicles unveiled that conform to Japan’s small kei car regulations. Kei cars are restricted in size, engine displacement and power output, and are given tax and parking breaks in Japan as a result.

The market for such cars is hugely important to car makers in Japan, where they account for almost 40 per cent of all sales. The D-Base concept shows the styling of the next-generation Daihatsu Mira kei car, which is known in Japan as one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the class.

In a statement, Daihatsu said the D-Base is a ‘proposal for a new basic small car’ and is being shown ‘to express the spirit of innovation in the next generation of environmental vehicles’.

To meet kei car regulations, it is 3.4 metres long, 1.48 metres wide and 1.49 metres high and powered by a 660cc three-cylinder engine. Fuel economy, which is boosted by regenerative braking, is claimed to be 94.1mpg on the Japanese test cycle.

Mercedes unveiled its Tokyo Vision concept at the show. The German manufacturer claims the vehicle is a showcase of the company’s vision of the future for driverless luxury travel. It follows in a long line of Mercedes Vision concept cars that have revealed technological advances that went on to feature in future Mercedes production models.

The F 015 concept, a previous Mercedes Vision Concept, was powered by a hydrogen fuel cell drive system, and the Tokyo concept is expected to preview an updated version of that same powertrain.

Celebrating the crazy Despite being the oldest Japanese car manufacturer, Daihatsu is far from traditional. The Daihatsu Noriori resembles a mini-minibus, with accessibility a clear intention. With virtually no incline, a low floor to allow for easy wheelchair access and caster like wheels, the model is built specifically with the disabled in mind.

Access is taken further into account with sliding side doors, and rear access.

Every now and then a designer is given free range over an idea, and that is what Toyota has claimed with the unveiling of the Kikai. With questionable safety visible through the exposed mechanicals, the three‑seater arrangement, and with the driver located centrally, the concept would also have very high production costs. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.tokyo-motorshow.com/eu

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

35

GreenFleet Awards

wards enFleet A 2015 Gre lfield au C Jo st ho

Green M o Richard tion’s Lo the wel wden delivered come sp eech

Driving success at the GreenFleet Awards 2015 On 22 October, the green-minded fleet community gathered at Edgbaston cricket stadium in Birmingham to find out who would scoop a GreenFleet Award, the industry’s most coveted awards for environmental fleet management and low-carbon motoring This year’s GreenFleet Awards once again shone a spotlight on the fleet operators, suppliers and manufacturers that are making great progress in minimising the environmental impacts of their fleets and vehicles.

Richard Lowden, founder of Green Motion, the 2015 Awards sponsor, said: “I was delighted that Green Motion car rental had the opportunity to be the Headline Sponsor for the 2015 GreenFleet Awards.

This was a very special year for Green Motion with us celebrating our eigth year and opening in our 20th country, and as such we are very proud to be associated with the GreenFleet Awards, due to their tremendous efforts being ambassadors for green motoring both here in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe.”

All new cars and small vans produced from September are required to be Euro 6 compliant, and from September 2016, this will apply to larger vans as well.

Failing to adhere to these new regulations and reach air pollution targets could see fleets receiving potential fines.

This being said, the need to curb vehicle emissions is becoming ever more pressing.

Year-on-year, organisations who operate fleets, as well as the motoring industry and fleet suppliers, are putting increasing effort into reducing the impact of their transport operations and vehicle production.

The 2015 GreenFleet Awards championed these efforts, celebrating environmental fleet management and green motoring, awarding dedicated companies and individuals who are passionate about promoting a cleaner environment.

The leet GreenF nce o Awards one a again shon those t spotlighreat progress g making imising fleet in min nmental enviro cts impa

About our host This year’s Awards was hosted by British actress, writer and comedian Jo Caulfield.

In 2010, Caulfield was nominated as

‘Funniest Woman 2010’ at the LAFTA Awards, having previously been nominated as ‘Best Female Comedian 2002’ and ‘Best Compere 2004’, both at the Chortle Awards. She was also named as one of ‘The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups’ by Channel 4.

She has appeared at major comedy clubs, both in the UK and overseas, and has completed two solo nationwide tours, and a further three as support act of Graham Norton and Rory Bremner. For the last nine years, Caulfield has taken a new solo comedy show to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Caulfield was comedy writer and programme consultant for all five series of the BAFTA Award-winning So Graham Norton.

Caulfield’s own TV appearances include: Never Mind The Buzzcocks; Mock the Week; The Stand-up Show; The Comedy Store; The World Stands Up; Have I Got News For You; Argumental; and The Politics Show.

Most recently, she appeared on ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow’. All of her comic history allowed Jo to quickly whip the room into a frenzy of laughs, which allowed for a smooth transition into the climax of the evening – presenting the all important awards. E Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

37

LOWER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

DAF knows your business and understands the importance of minimising operating costs. Caring for the environment is equally important. That is why the LF, CF and XF are equipped with the cleanest PACCAR Euro 6 engines. Featuring smart and efficient aftertreatment of exhaust gases, numerous innovations that further reduce fuel consumption and service intervals of up to 150,000 kilometres. Good for the environment. Good for your returns. That is why caring for the environment and efficiency go hand in hand.

LOWER

FUEL CONSUMPTION

HIGHER

VEHICLE AVAILABILITY

LOWER

OPERATIONAL COSTS

HIGHER

YOUR PROFITABILITY OUR AIM

RETURN PER KILOMETRE

Ask your DAF dealer or visit www.daf.co.uk

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

LOWER

DRIVEN BY QUALITY TRUCKS | PARTS | FINANCE

WWW.DAF.CO.UK

The king of small cars Citroën celebrated success in the City Car Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Green Motion. Citroën has a range of 61 cars that are sub-100g/km, and today there are now more Citroën/DS ultra-low emissions city cars available than ever before. The company’s range includes the newly repositioned C-Zero full-electric city car, which is now available on-the-road, with the government plug-in grant, for just £11,995. In addition, it now includes a continually expanding range of efficient three-cylinder petrol engines, with the award-winning PureTech range now available in power ratings of up to 130bhp.

There is a huge choice of sub 120g/km CO2 emissions, Citroën/DS city cars powered by the

BMW scooped Fleet Manufacturer of the Year

GreenFleet Awards

 Fleet Manufacturer of the Year This year, BMW has regained the title of Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year, a category sponsored by Rockingham. The BMW Group is redefining personal mobility with revolutionary, purpose-built vehicles that embody sustainability, which is allowing for a substantial reduction in environmental impacts across the entire value chain.

Through ConnectedDrive and EfficientDynamics technologies, the BMW Group is successfully reducing emissions while increasing driving pleasure across its whole product range, with new models including the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 7 Series, Mini Clubman and the decision to enter the PHEV market with the X5 PHEV, 225xe Active Tourer PHEV, 330e PHEV and 7 Series PHEV models announced for 2016.

Earlier this year the arrival of the new BMW 1 Series brought with it the BMW 116d ED Plus Hatch which produces CO2 emissions of just 89g/km and has a BIK of 16 per cent. The BMW Group also launched the new BMW 3 Series in September which included the BMW 320d ED Plus Saloon model suited towards the corporate audience.

The new ED Plus model can achieve an impressive 74.3mpg (combined) with CO2 emissions at just 99g/km meaning a low BIK rate of just 17 per cent. November 2015 sees the launch of the new BMW X5 xDrive40e.

Equipped with eDrive hybrid technology, CO2 output is just 77g/km, resulting in a BIK of 13 per cent. The Group also announced that Business Navigation will be standard across all models by September 2015. Combined with some of the other standard features such as BMW Emergency Call, DAB radio and Bluetooth with audio streaming, every BMW offers an extensive suite of advanced communication and entertainment features.

The BMW Group Five Star Rating programme, introduced in the past year, has also contributed to improving the BMW Group’s offering to fleet and business customers. The programme allows customers to rate their retailer experience out of five and leave feedback, which is then published on the individual retailer’s websites. BMW and Mini retailers play a significant part in the relationship with fleet and business customers.

The five star rating system is invaluable to customers as it gives a clear and accurate indication of the service they will receive.

Through ConnectedDrive and EfficientDynamics technologies, the BMW Group is successfully reducing emissions while increasing driving pleasure across its whole product range

Mitsubishi won PHEV Manufacturer of the Year for its Outlander PHEV

expanding range of BlueHDi diesel, and diesel micro-hybrid driveline, as well as the unique diesel and diesel/electric hybrid DS5 Hybrid4.

All BlueHDi engines can run on up to 30 per cent biodiesel for further emissions reduction benefits, without modification or effect on warranty. As part of Citroën/DS’s growing ultra-low emissions range is the C1, which now includes no less than 22 sub‑100g/km models. The C1 offers a choice of 68hp and PureTech 82hp three-cylinder petrol engines, three/five-door versions, Airscape three/five door folding roof models, five-speed manual or ETG automated manual gearboxes and three trim levels.

Petrol-engined C1 CO2 emissions range from 88g/km, with combined cycle economy of up to 74.3mpg, low insurance groupings from just 6E and 13/14 per cent BIK. The ultra-low-emission C4 Cactus reflects the company’s philosophy of reducing weight to improve efficiency. This mid-size five door hatchback uses the latest platform technology – and is up to 200kg lighter than other C‑Sector competitors. Its engine choice includes three-cylinder PureTech petrol engines, as well as Blue HDi diesel engines for emissions as low as 82g/km and exceptional combined cycle fuel economy of up to 91.1mpg. The spacious C4 Cactus range includes 10 models – all under 110g/km – with five at 100g/km or less.

In addition to the C-Zero, C1 and C4 Cactus, Citroën/DS now offers an extensive range of sub-100g/km superminis, coupes/cabrios, lower medium hatchbacks, full-size five and seven-seat people carriers and DS5 diesel/ electric hybrid premium hatchback. The complete sub‑120g/km Citroën/DS range now includes no less than 151 cars, with the choice of all the available styles offered in sub‑100g/km format plus upper medium

The Outlander PHEV was the world’s first plug-in hybrid 4x4

saloon/estate, lower medium people carriers, as well as mid-size crossover coupes.

Plug-in hybrid EVs Last year, GreenFleet added a new category to its awards, to cater for the changes in low‑emission technology. This new category is for the manufacturer of the best plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). This year Mitsubishi won the award for its Outlander PHEV, which is the world’s first plug-in hybrid 4x4 SUV. Historically, 4x4 vehicles have had the reputation of being gas-guzzlers. But Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid electric version of its Outlander is a remarkably clean car. It can do 32.5 miles in pure electric mode and it also has a 2.0 litre petrol engine, giving the car a claimed 512 miles. The theory is that, for most people’s daily commutes, which average 25 miles (according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), the electric power will be sufficient and you won’t need to fill up at the pumps.

But for long distance trips, the petrol engine will get you there. The quoted fuel economy figure is a staggering 148mpg. What is interesting is that you can also charge the car up using the petrol engine, which powers a generator, if you needed electric power and couldn’t get to an external source.

Another clever feature is that you can save the power on the battery if, for example, you had a stretch of motorway to do before reaching a town. Generally for hybrid technology, you have to pay a premium over the diesel/petrol option. But the Outlander PHEV is the same price as the diesel version – £28,249 after the government grant. What’s more, there are no compromises due to the size of the battery, in that you still get five seats and have the same boot space, something that other hybrids can’t always claim. E Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

39

Automotive Leasing Leading the way

Green Economics Finding new ways to reduce costs without putting longer term goals at risk is a real challenge. Many organisations find that whilst there may be a desire to create a sustainable low carbon fleet, delivering savings in the short and medium term becomes a higher priority.

So, do you have to choose between environmental goals and budgetary demands? Not when you talk to the right people. As environmental fleet management award winners, we can help you create and implement a green fleet policy that does far more than care for the environment. It protects your drivers, minimises risk and reduces the overall cost of running your fleet.

To find out more, just call: 0344 493 5840 Email: hello@automotive-leasing.co.uk

easiertoleaseplan.co.uk

GreenFleet Awards

Nissan picked up the LCV and EV Manufacturer of the Year awards

DAF Trucks was awarded LGV Manufacturer of the Year

Nissan celebrated double success in 2015, taking home LCV Manufacturer of the Year and Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year  Double success in electric & LCVs Nissan celebrated double success this year, taking home the LCV Manufacturer of the Year Award and Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year Award, sponsored by EDF Energy.

Nissan is the true pioneer of the booming electric vehicle market having launched the first generation Nissan Leaf – the first mass market pure EV – back in 2011. More recently, while most other manufacturers were taking their first tentative steps into EV, Nissan launched a second generation Leaf, the multi award-winning e-NV200 panel van and the e-NV200 Combi (available with five or seven seats) and the luxurious e-NV200 Evalia. Nissan has continued to change perceptions, debunk myths and eliminate the obstacles with EV technology.

After 35,000 European Leaf sales, Nissan was able to release figures that showed 99.99 per cent of its battery units remained entirely fit for purpose and the failure rate of its battery power unit is less than 0.01 per cent. After hearing about the performance of Nissan’s battery units, used car valuation experts, Glass’s, said they would likely be revising their Leaf residual value estimates upwards. All this, of course, was of particular interest to fleet operators, keen to understand every aspect of a vehicle’s performance before taking the plunge. All-in-all then, Nissan is continuing to do more than any other manufacturer to increase the take-up of EV technology.

Nissan also came out on top in the LCV Manufacturer of the Year. Nissan is already on its second generation of light commercial vehicle and the brand has taken the proven technology that’s powered its record breaking British-built Leaf to phenomenal sales success across the globe and used it to revolutionise the LCV market. Based on the NV200, the e-NV200 does everything you’d expect from a modern van, but with zero emissions and low running and whole life costs that will make it a sure-fire winner with fleet operators.

However, it’s the impact this vehicle could have on fleets up and down the country that makes Nissan deserving of the GreenFleet LCV Manufacturer of the Year title. For the first time, LCV operators have a credible option that can stand-up to the day-to-day demands placed upon a working van while delivering on an unemotional financial footing as well as on an environmental level.

The e-NV200 has a practical 106-mile range, more than enough to accommodate the daily distance clocked up by most of the UK’s vans – 35 per cent of which never cover more than 80 miles a day. What’s more, a rapid charger can charge the batteries to 80 per cent full in as little as 30 minutes. Maintaining a cost of 40 per cent less than a conventional van as it has no engine oil, fewer filters and no belts or clutch to replace or inspect.

But none of this comes at the cost of the e-NV200’s performance as a hardworking van. It offers an impressive 703kg payload capacity and can comfortably accommodate two Euro pallets. The e-NV200 has very low running costs, from as little as two pence per mile, exemption from VED and a starting price of just £13,568 (including the government’s PiVG). Nissan estimates that e-NV200 drivers can expect to benefit from up to £2,500 of fuel savings, while maintenance costs will be reduced by £575 based on servicing, parts and wear and tear.

Those figures are enough to make LCV fleet operators consider electric for the first time.

LGV Manufacturer of the Year DAF Trucks scooped this year’s LGV Manufacturer of the Year Award. DAF Trucks has improved on an array of areas including, extended Driver Performance Assistant Eco Mode, which is the new standard feature on all Euro-6 PACCAR MX-powered CF and XF models. This reduces engine torque in all but top gear, and Eco Mode saves fuel by reducing unnecessarily heavy acceleration.

Tom Tom Telematics took home the IT Innovation of the Year prize

A touch of a button re-engages the engine’s full-torque when required. Another important product enhancement is the new Silent Mode available on CF and XF models powered by the Euro-6 PACCAR MX-11 engine.

Introduced principally for urban night‑time deliveries, Silent Mode is engaged by activation of a dash-mounted ‘Silent’ button.

Beneath the cab, engine software alters performance characteristics to reduce noise levels to less than 72 dB(A). Predictive Cruise Control and Predictive Shifting, now available on Euro-6 CF and XF models, uses GPS technology to accurately pinpoint the truck’s location looking ahead to anticipate inclines and descents. With three pre‑programmed settings, the driver can choose the ideal balance of hill climbing speed and fuel economy; Predictive Cruise Control then adjusts the speed for the road ahead while Predictive Shifting selects the best gear.

Both systems work in tandem to keep the truck in its highest gear for as long as possible while maintaining the ideal rpm range.

Thanks to its ability to ‘see’ the approaching crest of a hill, the system anticipates the descent and allows the road speed to fall. DAF’s Driver Performance Assistant (DPA) is standard across the DAF range.

As a new feature on 2015 models, tachograph details can be viewed on the central information display, giving the driver a clear overview of driving and resting times to avoid infringements.

Innovation TomTom Telematics won the Award for IT Innovation for the development of OptiDrive 360 which uses vehicle and map data to provide fleet drivers with predictive real-time E Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

41

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

OUTLANDER PHEV GX4H AUTO

HONDA CR-V EX AUTO

BMW X3 XDRIVE 30D SE AUTO

AUDI Q5 S-LINE PLUS AUTO

MERCEDES E-CLASS E250 CDI AUTO

COST OF THE CAR - P11D VALUE

£38,89910

£33,035

£40,060

£38,945

£37,675

GOVERNMENT GRANT REDUCTION

£5,000

£0

£0

£0

£0

ADJUSTED FINAL PRICE

£33,899

£33,035

£40,060

£38,945

£37,675

CO2 EMISSIONS G/KM

42

179

156

157

147

BENEFIT IN KIND RATE

5%

30%

29%

29%

24%

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITHOUT FUEL PROVIDED

£778

£3,964

£4,647

£4,518

£3,617

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

–

£3,186

£3,869

£3,740

£2,839

£1,220

£6,616

£7,211

£7,081

£5,738

–

£5,396

£5,991

£5,861

£4,518

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

Find out just how good the numbers look. Search PHEV.

PHEV Manufacturer of the Year

PHEV Manufacturer of the Year Outstanding Achievement Award

SAVE £1,000s ON YOUR COMPANY CAR FLEET NUMBERS NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD

1

The intelligent Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV decides when it’s more efficient to use petrol or electricity, giving it the ability to deliver a staggering 156mpg2. And with ultra-low CO2 emissions there are significant savings that your business can make. You’ll be able to write down 100% of the cost of an Outlander in year one3, saving £1,000s in Corporation Tax4 – and you’ll save money on your associated Class 1a National Insurance Contributions5. Business users will only pay 5% Benefit in Kind taxation6 and the Outlander PHEV is exempt from Road Tax and the London Congestion Charge7. The battery can be charged in just a few hours via a domestic plug socket8, a low-cost home Charge Point9 or one of over 7,500 Charge Points found across the UK. There’s even £5,000 off the list price through the Government Plug-in Car Grant, which means an Outlander PHEV will cost you from just £29,24910, the same price as the Outlander Diesel – and it comes with a 5 year warranty11.

Numbers never looked this good. We call this Intelligent Motion.

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

PROFIT BEFORE TAX (PBT) TAX RATE LIST PRICE OF VEHICLE

TYPICAL VEHICLE

OUTLANDER PHEV

£100,000

£100,000

20%

20%

£34,000

£33,899

8%

100%

CAPITAL ALLOWANCE (£)

£2,720

£33,899

TAXABLE PROFIT (ON £100,000 PBT)

£97,280

£66,101

CORPORATION TAX (NO VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£20,000

£20,000

CORPORATION TAX (WITH VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£19,456

£13,220

£544

£6,780

CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

SAVING DUE TO CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

THE NEW MITSUBISHI

OUTLANDER PHEV THE UK’s #1 SELLING PLUG-IN HYBRID

FROM £29,249 - £35,999 Including £5,000 Government Plug-in Car Grant10

BUYING A PHEV WILL SAVE YOU A TOTAL OF £6,052 IN CORPORATION TAX (YEAR 1)

1. Outlander PHEV GX4h compared with Honda CR-V, BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes E-Class – average saving £5,681 for a 40% taxpayer. The savings for business drivers with a company fuel card are higher. 2. Official EU MPG test figure shown as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. 3. Outlander PHEV qualifies as low CO2 emissions vehicle for the purpose of Capital Allowances. 8% write down allowance used for comparison. Vehicles with CO2 emissions less than 130g/km will qualify for 18%. 4. Savings achieved due to lower Profits Chargeable to Corporation Tax (PCTCT). 5. Class 1a NI only payable on 5% of list price compared to 25%+ average. 6. 5% Benefit in Kind rate given for the 2015/16 tax year. 7. Congestion Charge application required, subject to administrative fee. 8. Domestic plug charge: 5 hours, 16 Amp home charge point: 3.5 hours, 80% rapid charge: 30mins. 9. Government subsidised charge points are available from a number of suppliers for a small fee - ask your dealer for more information. 10. Prices shown include the Government Plug-in Car Grant and VAT (at 20%), but exclude First Registration Fee. Model shown is an Outlander PHEV GX4hs at £36,499 including the Government Plug-in Car Grant and metallic paint.

On The Road prices range from £29,304 to £36,054 and include VED, First Registration Fee and the Government Plug-in Car Grant. Metallic/pearlescent paint extra. Prices correct at time of going to print. For more information about the Government Plug-in Car Grant please visit www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants. The Government Plug-in Car Grant is subject to change at any time, without prior notice. 11. All new Outlander PHEV variants come with a 5 year/62,500 mile warranty (whichever occurs first) and an 8 year/100,000 mile traction battery warranty. For more information please visit www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/warranty.

Outlander PHEV range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Full Battery Charge: no fuel used, Depleted Battery Charge: 51.4mpg (5.5), Weighted Average: 156.9mpg (1.8), CO2 emissions: 42 g/km.

Fiat Professional with

THIS IS OUR WINNING HAND.

Fiat Professional comes out on top at the Commercial Fleet Awards 2015, winning awards in four different categories. A total triumph.

www.fiatprofessional.co.uk

Investing in drivers Energy Saving Trust (EST), Scotland was crowned champions in the Driver Training Initiative Award category. After EST Scotland implemented its FuelGood Driver Training it immediately delivered average fuel savings of 15 per cent and, based on the average annual mileage in Scotland (8,700 miles), annual savings of up to £235 are possible for each car driver. Other benefits of the training included reduced wear and tear on tyres, brakes and clutches, less accidents – anticipating the road ahead reduces the likelihood of accidents and reduced emissions, helping contribute to a cleaner, greener Scotland. In the financial year 2014-15, EST Scotland trained 3,295 drivers.

If each of these customers continued to use the tips they learned during training, it is estimated that they will collectively save 3,561 tonnes of CO2 in their lifetime. Over 300 companies in Scotland have organised FuelGood training for their employees, including FTSE 100 companies Carillion and Mitie as well as 28 Scottish local authorities, eight NHS Trusts, 16 universities and colleges – and STV Glasgow, which has trained over 10,000 individuals to date, since 2011.

Private Hire and Taxi Company of the Year The award for Private Hire/Taxi Company of the Year, sponsored by Patons Group, went to London’s largest green private hire company, Addison Lee. With over 400 Toyota Prius hybrid and 400 Mercedes E Class hybrid (exec fleet) vehicles in circulation across the capital, Addison Lee uses cutting-edge technology to dispatch 4,500 drivers to more than 10 million passenger journeys per year.

Operating in London for more than 40 years, Addison Lee is a major employer in London

and the biggest private sector employer in the London Borough of Camden. Addison Lee is committed to working with the city authorities to effectively tackle emissions in the capital and contribute to a greener London.

Addison Lee has the largest fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles in London – and its cars are replaced every three years. The company’s trip allocation technology, designed and built in Britain, has reduced emissions by 33 per cent since 2000 by minimising the time vehicles spend not carrying passengers – so‑called ‘dead miles’. Moreover, in a further boost to its green credentials, the company has now set out a commitment to become the first PHEV provider to ‘geo ring-fence’ high pollution areas within the city. This means its smart allocation system requests that all hybrid drivers turn their vehicles to EV mode whilst driving through the four designated areas. This will reduce the amount of pollution generated in these areas by its vehicles.

Renting the green way The award for Rental Company of the Year was presented to GreenMotion. Green Motion is an international car rental company which operates by offering customers low CO2 vehicles. Green Motion also abides by its all-embracing environmental policy, ensuring that its effect on the planet is minimal.

Green Motion has gained success as a rental company that is genuinely committed to its environmental ethos as the lowering of CO2

The Private Hire/Taxi Company of the Year award went to Addison Lee

GreenFleet Awards

 driving advice, enabling them to anticipate the road ahead to reduce fuel consumption and improve road safety. The groundbreaking development advises drivers when to take their foot off the accelerator on the approach to junctions and roundabout, when to shift gear and what their optimum speed should be. OptiDrive 360 was launched in March 2015 following extensive research by the EU’s ecoDriver project of which TomTom Telematics is an active partner. The project targets a 20 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in road transport.

OptiDrive 360 scores drivers based on a total of eight performance indicators – speeding, driving events (such as harsh steering or braking), idling, fuel consumption, green speed, coasting (taking your foot off the accelerator while in gear), gear shifting and constant speed – which can be used as the basis for performance reviews, training and driver benchmarking. Although the product is new to market, gas distribution company SGN is already predicting savings in the region of £1million after introducing OptiDrive 360 across its 2,000-strong fleet.

Having calculated that it was wasting 13,000 litres of fuel a month through vehicle idling alone, incidents of idling were cut by almost 68 per cent. Average fuel consumption meanwhile has improved by 11 per cent.

EST Scotland won the Driver Training Initiative prize

emissions is not simply a project for Green Motion; rather, it is an intrinsic part of the company’s brand – it is in the company’s DNA. Green Motion is a true ambassador for the green vehicle movement promoting, best practice and convincing its customers, companies and private individuals to make major behavioural changes when considering their vehicle rental purchases.

The Green Motion model is unique as it does not charge a premium to go green, educating customers that they do not have to compromise on cost or comfort.

Green Motion has continued to ensure that it has the latest technology in low or zero emission cars and vans. The company’s fleet consists of electric, hybrid, particulate filtered diesel and low emission models. This year, Green Motion has increased the number of electric and hybrid vehicles in its fleet, with the Nissan Leaf being a particular favourite with its customers. The collective vehicle emissions remain market beating with the average sitting just over 100g/km (103g/km currently) which is over 30g/km lower than any of their competitors throughout the world.

Today, Green Motion is considered to be a top 10 global rental brand and has taken the green vehicle hire message overseas with the brand now operating in 22 countries/USA states (eight of which have been added in the last 12 months). Green Motion’s reach is continuing to grow throughout the world from the Middle East over to North America E

GreenMotion has continued to ensure that they have the latest technology in low or zero‑emission cars and vans. Their fleet consists of electric, hybrid, particulate filtered diesel and low emission models

Green Motion was presented with the Rental Company of the Year award

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

45

GreenFleet Awards

Private Sector Fleet Manager of the Year: Small to Medium went to Gnewt Cargo

The Private Sector Fleet of the Year – Medium to Large award was won by Heathrow Airport

Automotive Leasing walked away with the Leasing Company of the Year award

 with the company being consider the true world ambassador for green car rental and of course now the largest green rental force.

Award-winning leasing company Leasing Company of the Year, sponsored by Fiat Professional, was awarded to Automotive Leasing. Ten years on from their GreenPlan launch, having developed the project exponentially and expanding its reach to incorporate other public sector/not-for profit organisations, Automotive Leasing are proud to have seen an increase in alternative fuel volumes by 5750 per cent in a decade.

The GreenPlan project is a program that provides cost efficient ULEV solutions to the public sector and not for profit fleets – from replacing fleets with newer, cleaner substitutes such as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles – to implementing technologies to reduce emissions by decreasing vehicle idling, monitor and manage driver behaviour and provide educational programmes on the benefits of ULEVs. Since their GreenPlan launch in 2005, Automotive Leasing’s average CO2 on its car fleet has tumbled to an average of 120g/km – a reduction of 28 per cent CO2 since the programme began – with 9.9 per cent of their total fleet less than 95g/ km CO2. Furthermore, new car deliveries this year are on average 113g/km CO2.

A significant part of the project has centred on its proactive work to introduce ultra‑low emission vehicles (ULEV) in Scotland, which set itself the world’s most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target: to cut CO2 emissions by 42 per cent by 2020. As well as extending the project scope to include 20 types of alternatively fuelled vehicles – from cars to electric sweepers across 98 public sector and /not-for-profit clients. Automotive Leasing has also partnered with the Energy Savings Trust for EV leasing and to promote its Environmental Driver Training Programme.

Automotive Leasing now serves 98 clients UK-wide who, together, have 585 alternatively‑fuelled vehicles on the UK road network. Additionally, five per cent of all Automotive Leasing vehicles on order are made up of electric vehicles and part hybrid electric vehicles. Further benefit is derived from the absence of particulate

Heathrow Airport is reducing emissions from its vehicles, encouraging newer and lower emission vehicles and progressing against its 2020 goal for every car or small van owned or on lease to be electric or a plug-in hybrid matter and other local emissions. Automotive Leasing has committed to carbon off-set emissions by planting forest, covering 22 acres and containing 10,800 trees in the Highlands of Scotland, balancing 900,000 tonnes of emissions from the fleet.

Private Sector Fleets and Fleet Manager of the Year Gnewt Cargo scooped the award for Private Sector Fleet of the Year: Small to Medium.

Gnewt Cargo is a FORS accredited, last mile logistics company operating in the Central London congestion charge zone using a fully electric fleet of over a 100 vehicles. Running an all EV fleet in a highly competitive logistic market with a focus on reducing pollution, particulate emissions and congestion.

In 2014 Gnewt Cargo took receipt of a further 55 electric Renault Kangoos ZEs to support its growing relationship with its anchor client, Hermes, as well as increasing volume through TNT and the DX. Renault believes that Gnewt Cargo has the largest commercial fully electric fleet in any city in the world and the largest commercial EV purchase they have ever had in the UK. In addition, Gnewt Cargo has also recently procured a further six Nissan e-NV200s.

Gnewt Cargo’s environmental impact is measured through independent assessment of its emissions (independently verified by the University of Westminster to cut CO2 emitted per parcel by 62 per cent on like for like deliveries). The company now delivers, on average, between 5,000 to 20,000 parcels daily into the Central London congestion charge, emission free, across all clients. Business is also expanding into other

cities this year and next which will mean significant growth in fleet whilst maintaining a fully‑electric status. What’s more is Sam Clarke of Gnewt Cargo also picked up the Fleet Manager of the Year award. Sam has been instrumental in the implementation of the great work Gnewt has completed within the last 12 months and has led the way with electric and low-carbon motoring.

The Private Sector Fleet of the Year: Medium to Large, sponsored by Route Monkey, was awarded to Heathrow Airport who has been working with partners to reduce emissions from aircraft, vehicles and buildings to play its part in meeting EU and UK government air quality limits in the local area around Heathrow, while also reducing carbon emissions contributing to global climate change. Heathrow’s sustainability strategy, Responsible Heathrow, sets the airport’s ambitions to reduce environmental impacts, including reducing ground-based nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions (aircraft, airside vehicles and airport related traffic) by five per cent by 2020 and reduce CO2 from Heathrow Airport Limited vehicles.

Heathrow Airport is reducing emissions from vehicles, and encouraging newer and lower emission vehicles in addition to progressing against its 2020 goal for every car or small van owned or on lease to be electric or a plug-in hybrid. Heathrow is leading the way for the airport community by cutting emissions from its own fleet of 450 vehicles and integrating electric vehicles into its operations.

The airside ramp team now exclusively only drives zero-emission battery electric vehicles and it is projected that through leading the drive towards zero and E Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

47

BMW i3.

THE ELECTRIC CAR THAT DRIVES LIKE A BMW. What else would you expect from BMW’s first electric city car?

A car so different we had to build a new factory to develop it.

The BMW i3, made with lightweight carbon fibre.

Crafted together with an aluminium chassis and 19" alloy wheels.

A car conceived, designed and engineered to be an electric car from the ground up.

For more information or to arrange a demonstrator*, visit www.bmw.co.uk/i or call 0800 777 113.

Official fuel economy figures for the BMW i3: mpg N/A, CO2 emissions 0g/km, nominal power output (electric motor) 75/102kW/hp at 4,800rpm; peak power output (electric motor) 125/170kW/hp, total average energy consumption per 62 miles/100km (combined cycle) 12.9kWh. Total range: 118 miles (combined cycle). Customer orientated range: up to 100 miles. Official fuel economy figures for the BMW i3 with Range Extender: 470.8mpg (0.06 l/100km),

BMW i

The Ultimate Driving Machine

CO2 emissions 13g/km, total average energy consumption per 62 miles/100km (weighted combined cycle) 11.5kWh. Range without use of Range Extender: 106 miles (weighted combined cycle). Customer orientated total range: up to 186 miles. Customer orientated range without use of Range Extender: up to 93 miles.

Figures may vary depending on different factors, including but not limited to individual driving style, climatic conditions, route characteristics and preconditioning. *Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

Join the Future of Green Vehicle Rental with a Franchise from Green Motion

Aberdeen Airport

Glasgow City Glasgow Airport

Newcastle Airport Leeds City Leeds Bradford Airport Milton Keynes

London Region Cardiff City Cardiff Airport

Northampton Southampton Airport

London City Airport

Green Motion UK are now commencing with their next program of expansion and have released some key airport and metropolitan franchise territories for sale.

Green Motion’s entire network is 100% owned by entrepreneurial business professionals and companies who benefit from the unique selling opportunity of providing environmentally friendly vehicle rental which sets them apart from the main players within the industry, carving out a genuine niche.

For more information on how you can be part of our dynamic brand, please fill in the enquiry form at greenmotion.com and we will be delighted to send you further information and take you through the business exploration process.

greenmotion.com 03338884000

Public sector fleets The Public Sector Fleet Award in the small to medium category, which was sponsored by Automotive Leasing, was awarded to Oxford City Council. Following a major restructure at the Council, the overall direction of the transport team changed, which required

significant changes to infrastructure and working practices with the aim to increase business and environmental efficiencies in the service and to become as self-sufficient as possible to counter local government cuts whilst improving their carbon footprint.

Oxford City Council achieved this through telematics and improved driver behaviour, specifically using technology and innovative driving aids, such as vehicle tracking, telematics and in cab electronic driver behaviour tools. The Council has been able to comprehensively target fuel, CO2 reduction and cost savings by identifying driver training needs and adapting driver behaviour and driving styles positively.

Oxford City Council is continually striving to reduce its carbon footprint and improve on emissions reduction through replacing vehicles with electric or other fuel-efficient technologies. It has also implemented a tyre management policy in partnership with the tyre distributor, Bandvulc, which ensures the efficient use of tyres. Oxford City Council has made considerable improvements within its fleet, including achieving a 70 per cent drop in environmental driving violations through the use of telematics, and a CO2/fuel saving of more than 10 per cent in its first year of use.

The Council’s CO2 reduction for the RCV fleet of 50 tonnes per year and its training has reduced the number of accidents in the last six months by 24 per cent and created better drivers, as well as saving in excess of 25 per cent wear and tyre replacement per year. With an overall saving of 3,500 miles per year for its fleet which translates

The 2015 GreenFleet Awards championed these efforts, celebrating environmental fleet management and green motoring, awarding dedicated companies and individuals who are passionate about promoting a cleaner environment

Oxford City Council won the Public Sector Fleet of the Year award

GreenFleet Awards

 ultra-low emission vehicles, annual emissions will be reduced from the airside fleet by approximately 100 tonnes of NOx by 2020.

A commitment of £5 million to investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the 400 companies at Heathrow to turn their vehicles and ground support equipment electric has been made and hundreds of electric charging points have been installed, including a specialised rapid charger for heavy airport ground support equipment and nearly all of its 830 baggage tugs are electric, making it one of the largest airside electric fleets in Europe.

Hydrogen vehicle technology development is also supported through hosting the UK’s first publicly accessible hydrogen fuelling station free of charge and participate in partnerships spreading the technology across the UK and European aviation industry.

Through collaborative efforts, including the Heathrow Clean Vehicles Partnership which was established ten years ago, Heathrow has worked with airlines, manufacturers, and ground handling companies to reduce annual emissions of the airside vehicle fleet by approximately 3,000 tonnes of CO2 (nine per cent decrease) and 74 tonnes of NOx (28 per cent decrease) between 2008/9 and 2013.

Robert Murphy is the 2015 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year

to 6.7 tonnes CO2 reduction per year.

Elsewhere, the Public Sector Fleet of the Year: Medium to Large was awarded to Dundee City Council. A massive investment in electric vehicles is clearly paying dividends in terms of emissions and with an expected 600 users of EVs, a huge amount has been done to encourage both staff and the public to use EVs. Rev limiting, stop/start, vehicle downsizing and driver training are all helping to support fuel and CO2 reductions.

Public Sector Fleet Manager This year Bob Murphy became the Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year, which was sponsored by Alphabet. Bob is always looking to embrace the latest innovative technology as they strive to reduce carbon emissions.

Within Edinburgh College, Bob operates a fleet of electric pool cars to provide staff with a sustainable, low-carbon transport options for intra-campus and other corporate travel. Thanks to this innovative and exciting project significant impacts have been made in reducing the number of trips once normally carried out in staff members’ own cars – the so called ‘Grey Fleet’ – with quantifiable and corresponding reductions E

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

51

Advertising

A leading waste management service committed to providing excellent services and sustainability O’Donovan Waste Disposal, one of London’s leading waste management companies, aims to prove that it’s not just the preserve of high profile, large organisations to invest in and implement initiatives to cut carbon footprint, improve operating efficiencies and reduce occupational road risk.

Jacqueline O’Donovan, managing director, commented: “As a waste company, we recognise that we are at the ‘dirty end’ of logistics, which is why we work harder to achieve our successes and continue to improve our safe, green and efficient credentials and reduce our environmental impact.”

As a family-run business with a fleet of 85 lorries, running a green and efficient operation is of utmost importance to O’Donovan. The company is dedicated to ensuring it operates above and beyond the industry standard, so as to lead by example.

Over the last five years, O’Donovan has successfully implemented a wide‑ranging programme of initiatives which demonstrate a top-down commitment to working as sustainably as possible.

The company was highly commended for the GreenFleet 2015 awards in the driver training and private fleet categories.

O’Donovan’s combined approach of monitoring, measuring and managing its team of drivers has led to significant reductions in mileage and fuel. The company’s Fuel & Emissions Champion uses a bespoke vehicle management system to review key driver behaviours in real time, enabling issues to be tackled immediately.

This approach, alongside O’Donovan’s ongoing programme of continuous improvement which focuses on training, equipment and culture, ensures that the company’s drivers can do their jobs efficiently. O’Donovan’s head office is a JAUPT registered training centre, enabling on-site training delivery. O’Donovan

C iPad

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

52

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

delivers Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) training; this has been further developed with the creation of the company’s own Driver CPC course, designed specifically for the waste industry.

Since implementation of these initiatives O’Donovan has demonstrated clear improvements across the business: CO2/ Km travelled has reduced by 21.5 per cent, Km/litre has increased by 27.5 per cent, while the company has also seen a 50 per cent reduction in idling over a five year period and a two thirds reduction in recorded events. A combination of monitoring, measuring and education has led it to achieving: Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Gold accreditation for the fourth consecutive year in 2015, Construction Logistics and Cycle Safety (CLOCS) Champion status – ‘a fleet operator committed to adhering to the requirements within the standard across their operations’ and multiple industry awards.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 020 8801 9561 www.odonovan.co.uk

Driver Training Initiative: EST Scotland Rental Company of the Year: GreenMotion Private Hire/ Taxi Company of the Year: Addison Lee

GreenFleet Awards

The 2015 GreenFleet Award winners

Leasing Company of the Year: Automotive Leasing IT Innovation: TomTom Telematics LGV Manufacturer of the Year Winner: DAF Trucks LCV Manufacturer of the Year: Nissan Five campaigning individuals were named 2015 GreenFleet EV Champions

With so much good work going on by individuals championing the electric vehicle (EV) cause, this year’s GreenFleet Awards continued from last year’s inaugural category of EV Champion, and this year five winners were recognised

 in CO2 emissions and fuel expenses.

The cars have covered a distance of 100,000 miles to date and saved around 32 t/CO2e of GHG emissions which would have come from equivalent medium-sized petrol vehicles. Savings to the business so far are around £49,000, based on a fuel expenses claim rate of £0.45 per mile for the same mileage. A recent 1,000-mile round trip from Edinburgh to Somerset plus another from Edinburgh to Orkney have demonstrated that gaps in the charging infrastructure are closing, and that long distances can be travelled with confidence.

EV Champions With so much good work going on by individuals championing the electric vehicle (EV) cause, this year’s GreenFleet Awards continued from last year’s inaugural category of EV Champion, and this year five winners were recognised.

These were Mark Bonnor‑Morris from Siemens, Bianca Alsop from Rolec Services, Mike Potter from Fleetdrive Electric, Clare Collings from Nissan and TV presenter and

motoring journalist Quentin Willson.

Mark was recognised for helping position Siemens as the leading supplier of rapid chargers in the UK, Bianca for driving her team to becoming a leading supplier of recharging technology in the UK, Mike for incorporating over 300 EVs within their fleet, Clare for being such a prominent force when it comes to selling EVs within the UK, and last but not least, Quentin Willson was awarded for his ongoing contribution to creating better motoring experiences specifically with EVs and encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles.

Industry Innovation The GreenFleet Award for Industry Innovation this year went to Toyota for the Mirai. In Japanese, ‘mirai’ means ‘future’, and the Mirai is the future of motoring, as it runs solely on hydrogen. The Mirai is at the forefront of a new age of hydrogen fuel cell cars that allows you to enjoy long distance zero-emissions driving. As well as only producing water from its tailpipe – which means no impact on our planet when you’re driving - Mirai brings the unique Toyota Hybrid driving experience to a new level.

Hydrogen is pumped into the vehicle and the gas travels to a carbon-fibre reinforced fuel tank, where it is stored. Oxygen from the outside enters through the Mirai’s front air vent. Hydrogen and air travel separately to the fuel cell stack where electricity is generated through a chemical reaction. When you put your foot on the accelerator, the electricity powers the motor which is activated to move the Mirai. In the end, the only by-product of this process is water, which leaves through E

City Car Manufacturer of the Year: Citroën PHEV Manufacturer of the Year: Mitsubishi EV Champions Mark Bonnor-Moris, Siemens Bianca Alsop, Rolec Services Mike Potter, Fleetdrive Electric Clare Collings, Nissan Quentin Willson, motoring journalist Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year: BMW Public Sector Fleet of the Year – Small to Medium: Oxford City Council Public Sector Fleet of the Year – Medium to Large: Dundee Council Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year: Robert Murphy, Edinburgh College Private Sector Fleet of the Year – Small to Medium: Gnewt Cargo Private Sector Fleet of the Year – Medium to Large: Heathrow Airport Private Sector Fleet Manager of the Year: Sam Clarke, Gnewt Cargo Industry Innovation: Toyota Outstanding Achievement: Mitsubishi

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

53

Advertorial

800 WORDAirport EDIT Heathrow HEADLINE wins publicHERE sector AS POSS fleetTIGHT of theAS year award Heathrow Airport’s sustainability strategy has seen huge reductions in CO2 and NOx

Heathrow xoxoxoxo is Europe’s busiest airport with more than 400 companies employing 76,500 colleagues up to 250,000 passengers FURTHERand INFORMATION travelling to and from the airport each day.

One xxx of Heathrow’s priorities, as set out in its sustainability strategy, Responsible Heathrow, is to reduce ground-based nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions (coming from aircraft, airside vehicles and airport related traffic) by five per cent by 2020.

This is part of Heathrow’s goal to be one of the most responsible airports in the world.

Heathrow is honoured to have been awarded Private Sector Fleet of the Year by GreenFleet and Derek Provan, Heathrow’s Expansion Operations Director, summarised Heathrow’s achievements in this field by saying: “Heathrow already has one of the largest fleets of electric airside vehicles in Europe and our 2020 ambition is for every car and small van we own or lease to be electric or plug-in hybrid. We’ve installed hundreds of electric vehicle charging points around the airport, car parks and operational areas and we’re leading the way for the airport community by cutting emissions from our own vehicles and integrating electric vehicles into our operation.”

Collaborative approach Over 8,500 vehicles operate airside at Heathrow, a large proportion of which are operated by third parties. Because these vehicles are not in Heathrow’s direct control, Heathrow seeks to influence them to make more sustainable choices. This collaborative approach is showcased in Heathrow’s Clean Vehicles Partnership, established ten years ago.

Through this partnership, Heathrow targets the biggest fleets and works its partners on

54

airport to reduce their vehicle emissions.

Heathrow has committed a £5million investment to increase electric vehicle charging infrastructure to meet the heavy operational demands of Britain’s busiest airport. Over 800 of Heathrow’s baggage tugs are electric and Heathrow’s airside ramp team only drive electric vehicles. As part of the Source London network, Heathrow has provided charging points in passenger car parks since 2012.

So far, Heathrow has successfully reduced annual emissions of the airside vehicle fleet by approximately 3,000 tonnes of CO2 (nine per cent decrease) and 74 tonnes of NOx (28 per cent decrease) over five years. By leading the drive toward zero and ultra-low emission vehicles, and by working with airside partners, Heathrow is aiming to continue to reduce annual emissions from the airside fleet.

Heathrow’s Fleet Strategy and Standards Manager Darren Smith, who was also shortlisted as Fleet Manager of the Year commented on Heathrow’s winning approach: “At Heathrow we’re working hard to meet our emissions and electric vehicle ambitions within a busy 24 hour operation.

We’re currently trialling several models of electric cars and vans as well as electric specialist belt and cargo loaders and we work collaboratively with our partners to encourage electric vehicles across the airport” Heathrow’s work is not only restricted to its airside operations. They set strict vehicles standards in all new contracts – particularly those that run on local roads.

Heathrow know road traffic is the biggest contributor to local air pollution around the airport. Though the majority of traffic around the airport is not airport related,

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

Heathrow is committed to playing its part.

Heathrow has spent £25million on public transport projects in the last 10 years and increased public transport use to over 40 per cent. This includes investments in match‑funding hybrid electric buses with our local community partners. There are now 15 in the fleet between Heathrow and areas in the West of London which are 94 per cent cleaner in NOx emissions and 37 per cent cleaner in CO2 emissions per kilometer when compared to Euro 5. But Heathrow are doing more – by 2030, Heathrow expect 50 per cent of passengers will come into the airport via public transport as new rail lines to the north, south, east and West connect to Heathrow and the airport becomes the heart of an integrated regional transport system.

Leading the way Heathrow is leading the way in investing in new technology to reduce emissions.

Working in partnership with Air Products, Heathrow opened the UK’s first publically accessible hydrogen fuelling station in 2012, which is helping to introduce hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into London as part of the Hydrogen London Initiative.

The Heathrow Pod system, is also a first of its kind, provides zero emission transport between POD parking and Terminal 5. These Pods are estimated to eliminate 70,000 bus journeys and saving 100 tonnes of CO2 a year, along with local air pollution.

As for Heathrow’s own colleagues, it already operates the largest single-site car share scheme in the world, with nearly 8,000 participants across 250 companies, saving 580 tonnes of CO2 in 2014 and subsidises The Heathrow Free Travel Zone. To support the 6,200 colleagues traveling around the airport campus, Heathrow switched its car pool scheme to a fleet of zero emission electric vehicles. In 2014, airport colleagues were offered a 75 per cent discount on the Heathrow Connect train service and Heathrow estimate this switch to rail has saved 977 tonnes of CO2 – that’s a total weight of three Boeing 747 jumbo jets. L FURTHER INFORMATION To find out more about Heathrow’s sustainability strategy visit www.heathrow.com/company/communityand-environment/responsible-heathrow

GreenFleet Awards

 the tailpipe. The vehicles have already been snapped up, principally by business and corporate customers tempted by the model’s zero harmful tailpipe emissions. Karl Schlicht, executive vice president Toyota Motor Europe, said: “This marks the debut of a new age for clean mobility, a turning point in the history of the automobile. With Mirai and its fuel cell technology, Toyota is working on delivering clean, safe and enjoyable mobility. We are looking forward to the start of deliveries of the first Mirai to customers from September and to see the future taking shape on European roads.”

Outstanding Achievement The final award of the evening was the Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored

by Green Motion, which this year recognises Mitsubishi who has furthered the progress of innovative green transport, through forward thinking and a long-term and successful commitment to the cause. Mitsubishi has contributed to what can only be described as a ‘revolution in the plug-in vehicle market’, particularly in the fleet sector. After recently passing its first birthday here in the UK market, it has overseen a meteoric rise to the top of the ‘Plug-In Food-chain’, surpassing all of its competitors. The Outlander PHEV has helped shape the future of Plug-In Vehicle adoption in the UK and fully deserved this year’s accolade. L

The hydrogen fuel cell Mirai claimed the Industry Innovation of the Year award for Toyota

Mitsubishi was recognised for its Outlander PHEV with the Outstanding Achievement award

FURTHER INFORMATION events.greenfleet.net/awards

Caring for patients across the South East coast

Largest electric taxi fleet in NW continues to grow

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is part of the National Health Service (NHS). It responds to 999 calls from the public, urgent calls from healthcare professionals, provides NHS 111 services across the region and in Surrey and Sussex, it also provides non-emergency patient transport services.

SECAmb works across a diverse geographical area of 3,600 square miles which includes densely populated urban areas, sparsely populated rural areas and some of the busiest stretches of motorway in the country.

The Trust has over 3,661 staff working across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 87 per cent of its workforce is comprised of operational staff – those caring for patients either face to face or over the phone at one of the Trust’s three emergency call centres.

SECAmb’s patients range from

Premier is the greenest taxi company in the North West, with a fleet of 100 per cent electric vehicles plus hybrid vehicles that are now helping to reduce carbon emissions across the Blackpool and Fylde Coast.

Premier recognises the impact its business may have on the environment and continues to take steps to minimise that impact. Just this year, 22 Nissan Leafs and 10 eNV200 mini‑buses have replaced 32 petrol and diesel vehicles of the 160 car fleet. A further 20 vehicles have been replaced with hybrids.

Add to this the fact that the company runs ‘closest cab technology’ rather than ‘next in queue’ to reduce ‘dead mileage’ which means that Premier is the

the critically ill and injured who need specialist treatment, to those with minor healthcare needs who can be treated at home or in the community.

During 2014/15, the Trust received 862,466 emergency calls from members of the public or other healthcare professionals – 5,863 of the calls were categorised as immediately life-threatening.

SECAmb reached 76.8 per cent of these patients within eight minutes. In 2014/15, SECAmb’s Patient Transport Service undertook 501,590 patient journeys.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0300 1230999 www.secamb.nhs.uk

most environmentally friendly taxi operation in the region.

The company has uniformed drivers, chip and pin payment terminals in every car as well as the newest vehicles in the area.

The majority of vehicles are under three years old whilst providing vehicles of all types including four, five, six, seven or eight seats along with wheelchair accessibility.

Account customers conscious of their environmental impact can also be provided with CO2 emissions statements further aiding those businesses to be more carbon aware.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01253 401000 Tel: 01253 711111 www.premier401000.com

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

55

Road Test

Light fantastic The Vauxhall Corsavan has been realigned with the revisions enjoyed by the latest passenger car version.

GreenFleet examines the changes We’ve tested both diesel (GreenFleet 82) and petrol (GreenFleet 86) versions of the recently revised Vauxhall Corsa, and though they may be the stars of the Griffin’s perennial best-selling range, the light commercial vehicle (LCV) variant has long played a supporting role. So, enter stage right the new Corsavan, suitably refreshed in line with the passenger car models.

Emissions of 90-128g/km Just as the Corsa fights the Fiesta at the top of the UK sales charts, the Corsavan does battle with the van version of Ford’s supermini in the LCV arena. Available with one petrol and three diesel engines with CO2 outputs from 90 to 128g/km, the new Corsavan has an increased payload of 571kg (up by 21kg over the old model) and a load volume of 0.92cm3.

For comparison, the Fiestavan (original names here!) has, on average, a payload of 500kg, a load volume of 1m3 and emissions ranging from 82 to 122g/km. Not much in it then.

Just like its passenger car brother, the new Corsavan benefits from an improved specification for 2015, with lots of standard equipment. Body-coloured bumpers and

the new Corsa’s Adam city car-like face make it look a whole lot smarter, while Sportive models gain metallic paint, 16-inch alloy wheels and front fog lights. Inside, a CD30 audio system with MP3 player/ aux-in/Bluetooth/USB and DAB connectivity guarantees non-stop entertainment for those on urban as well as longer journeys, while Vauxhall claims that improved ‘driver ergonomics’ ensure that all drivers should feel comfortable.

Vauxhall’s easy‑to-use and impressive IntelliLink colour seven-inch touchscreen system which features on selected versions of the new Corsa is available as an option on the Corsavan, too.

The d refresheis an n Corsavay sensible tl eminence in the choi e rc i a l m m o c light le sector vehic

Measurably improved Just as the Corsavan shares many exterior and interior features with its passenger car sister (it is just a Corsa with no back seats and panelled in rear windows after all), it’s the same story with the driving experience.

Measurably improved from the model it replaces, the Corsavan has the same sharper responses as the road car, light speed‑sensitive power steering (with a switchable ‘City’ mode for even lighter responses) and

car‑like comfort levels. On the move, there’s very little noise considering there’s lots of empty space behind the front seats.

Any overly noisy road surfaces are filtered out by the five-stage removable parcel shelf.

A handy piece of kit, it is very practical for split loads which still need some sort of cover away from prying eyes, while a mesh upper and steel lower bulkhead protects the load area from the cabin. There are lashing eyes and a net to additionally secure cargo.

The Corsavan’s 1.3‑litre CDTi four-cylinder diesel engine is shared with the new Corsa road car and is punchy through the gears, ideal for nipping through the cut and thrust of city traffic. The five-speed manual gearbox is positive and helps make urban driving easy, as do the Corsavan’s small dimensions. As you’d expect from a light commercial designed for minimum CO2 emissions, an auto-stop function turns off the engine when the van is idle to maximise emission-saving and fuel economy.

Vauxhall quotes an official 85.6 miles per gallon on the combined cycle; our average over 381 miles was 70.0. Still impressive.

Eminently sensible choice Impressive is one word which sums up the new Corsavan. Building a light commercial vehicle version of its rejuvenated supermini and adding in more practicality at the same time was a wise move by Vauxhall. With a more appealing interior and a larger overall payload than the Fiestavan, the new Corsavan is an eminently sensible choice in the LCV sector.

The old model sold over 34,000 examples in the UK, with the 1.3 CDTi the most popular version. Going on this outing, there are very few reasons why that shouldn’t increase. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.vauxhall.co.uk

Vauxhall Corsavan 1.3 CDTi S/S ecoFlex GROSS PAYLOAD: New Corsavan has an improved load space of 571kg, up by 21kg. Load volume is 0.92cm3

LOAD VOLUME: ENGINE:

0.92m3

1,248cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

87g/km

NOx:

0.064g/km

MPG (combined):

85.6

GF MPG (combined):

70.0

VED:

£225

PRICE:

£13,738.33 (exc VAT, £14,78.33 as tested)

Down load th Green e F app.g leet app at reenfl eet.n for mo et re ima ge conten s and t

56

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

571kg

Road Test

Watch the road test of the Tesla Model S 85 on greenfleet.tv

Tesla’s network of rapid ‘Superchargers’ can recharge the empty battery of a Model S in just 75 minutes

Written by Richard Gooding

Super model The current darling of the electric vehicle world, the Tesla Model S will soon be joined by crossover and sports saloon siblings. But just what is it that makes Tesla’s first volume seller both so popular and so highly thought of?

Richard Gooding spends seven days with the Model S 85 The Tesla Model S rocked the motoring world when it was launched in June 2012. Up until that point the Californian automotive and energy storage company was probably best known for selling the Roadster, a battery electric-powered two‑seater sports car capable of scintillating performance and over 200 miles on a single charge.

Based on the Lotus Elise, the £86,950 car was built from 2008-2012 and sprinted to 60mph from rest in just 3.7 seconds.

Full-sized five-door luxury Tesla’s intent to produce a more luxurious and practical offering was announced in June 2008. While it took four years for the first production cars to emerge from the company’s factory in Fremont, California, it turns out that intent was deadly serious. The Model S promised full-sized five-door luxury and two or four-wheel drive with minimal running costs thanks to its plug-in all-electric powertrain.

Success very quickly followed. The Model S became the first all-electric car to top the monthly sales charts in 2013, and secured the leading position in Norway twice. The following year the luxury liftback was ranked as the second best‑selling plug-in electric vehicle after the ubiquitous and more affordable Nissan Leaf. By October 2015, the Model S had

found over 90,000 homes and was the top-selling plug-in electric car in the US. Striking appearance The Model S is certainly striking in appearance. Although styled by ex-Mazda North American Operations designer Franz von Holzhausen, the Model S is far removed from any current or past car from the Japanese manufacturer. It blends elements from Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati to create a swoopy five-door silhouette, with a large footprint. Be in no doubt, although the Tesla Model S is sold in Europe and around the world, at 196 inches (almost 5m) long and 86.2 inches (2.18m) wide it is primarily a car designed for the US highways.

That super-sized footprint does reap dividends when it comes to accommodation. The cabin is commodious and can fit six-footers with ease. There’s also the option of having two further occasional pop-up seats in the 895‑litre rear load space, making the Model S a full seven-seater. With no transmission tunnel or batteries to interrupt things (the 85kWh battery pack is stored under the

floor), access is easy and two-wheel drive models have space for a further 10 litres of luggage under the front bonnet (or ‘frunk’ in Tesla-speak). Two armchair-style rear seats can also be optioned for an additional £2,500 – ideal for chauffeuring duties.

Staying inside, most onlookers are wowed by the car’s advanced central 17-inch colour touchscreen which controls all of the Model S’ functions including the heating and ventilation system. Looking for all the world like a large iPad (which is essentially what it is), there’s WiFi and 3G connectivity as well as the impressive Google Maps navigation, complete with live traffic feed updates. An energy meter measures Wh/mile consumption, while real‑time energy consumption and range estimation can also be viewed easily.

The odel Tesla M ises S prom ve-door d, fi full‑sizeury with lux ptions o e v i r two d minimal and costs g n i n n u r

Haven for technology geeks The Tesla Model S is a haven for technology geeks: the satellite navigation works via the 3G SIM card, while the matching system in the instrument binnacle is powered by an in‑car hard drive. Even the car’s panoramic E Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

57

Road Test

Tesla Model S 85 POWERTRAIN:

80kWh Lithium-ion battery pack, single AC electric motor, single-speed direct drive gearbox

CO2:

0g/km

POWER CONSUMPTION (kWh/100 miles): RANGE (miles): VED: BIK: PRICE (OTR):

Range is typically 250 miles

17-inch touchscreen dominates the Model S interior

58

Down load th Green e F app.g leet app at reenfl eet.n for mo et re ima ges an d conten t

38

310 (NEDC cycle) Band A, £0 5%

£59,000 (after £5,000 government PiCG, £77,630 as tested)

What Tesla has achieved with the Model S really moves the EV game on. It almost banishes any thoughts of range anxiety and lets the driver truly enjoy the electric vehicle experience. That counts for a lot, especially in terms of practicality  electric sunroof can be operated by a swipe of the finger, while the suspension can also be raised or lowered by a press of the capacitive screen. GPS-memory suspension also remembers lowering/raising locations after the first time the system is used and then tells the car to raise or lower automatically the next time that same location is reached.

Clever stuff, and once you’ve lived with details such as the live traffic updates, it becomes very hard to get used to not having them.

Downsides? The lack of door storage bins and general cubbies mean interior storage space is severely limited. A central tray in‑between the two front seats provides a place to place smaller items, but no dividers sees them slide around when you take a corner a little too enthusiastically (and you will). There’s also the fleeting feeling that certain elements of the interior struggle to justify the car’s price, although who’s not going to feel special

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

when surrounded by alcantara headlining and sitting on leather seats? Our particular test car also had issues with Apple iOS connectivity, too and with all the controls on the touchscreen, some tactility is lost. However, all things considered, the Tesla Model S’ cabin is a comfortable and impressive place to be.

Two battery pack and drive options Five versions of the Model S are available.

A pair of batteries rated at 70kWh and 85kWh can be chosen, in both two (single motor) and four-wheel drive (dual motor, ‘D’‑designated) variants. A four-wheel drive, dual motor range-topping 85kWh ‘Performance’ (‘P’‑designated) version is also available, with Tesla’s much-publicised ‘Ludicrous’ mode available which reduces the 0-60mph time to just 2.8 seconds, dispatching the drag strip quarter-mile benchmark in 10.9 seconds.

With 259bhp put through the front wheels

Tesla’s Model S marries supercar performance with executive car luxury

and 503bhp channelled through the rear tyres, that’s proper supercar performance.

The S 85 sits somewhere in the middle of the Model S range, and features a single rear motor driving the rear wheels. The 85kWh battery pack runs the whole length of the car. With 373bhp (283kW) produced at 6,000rpm and over 441Nm (325lb ft), the S 85 doesn’t want for speed: rest to 62mph takes 5.4 seconds, with the car topping out at 139mph. Those kind of figures really give the Model S 85 quite prodigious performance. Although most electric vehicle drivers are used to the off-the-line ease an electric powertrain gives, the Tesla’s pace really is quite astonishing, and not something necessarily expected from a 2,100kg luxury car.

Advanced technology The Model S is very easy to drive. Further evidence of its advanced technology is shown by the fact there is no on/off button as in traditional EVs/hybrids – the car senses when you approach with the key and the usually‑hidden wind-cheating door handles come out to meet you. Just get in, select ‘D’ on the Mercedes-Benz sourced column stalk gear control, press the accelerator, and you’re away.

It really is that simple. On the move, the Model S shrinks around you and, as most EVs, piloting the Tesla is a relaxing experience. Refinement, as you’d expect from the price, is first class, with barely any wind noise at all and minimal road roar from the 21-inch tyres (part of a

Typical range of 250 miles A big draw of the Model S is its range, hitherto unheard of in electric vehicle circles.

A typical range of 250 miles – or twice that of ‘ordinary’ EVs – in the real-world (around 330 miles on the official NEDC test cycle) is more than enough to handle most commutes and a good deal of longer journeys. Tesla also has a global network of around 500 ‘Superchargers’ that line the major motorway networks which can recharge the Model S’ battery to 80 per cent capacity in around 30 minutes. That’s 170 miles of range in the time its takes to grab a cup of coffee. A full charge takes just 75 minutes, a half charge just 20. Tesla states that Superchargers are free for owners to use and always will be.

A 90kWh battery upgrade increases range still further by 6 per cent or 10/20 miles.

Other charging options range from Tesla’s 22Kw Wall Connector which delivers 68 miles of range in an hour. ‘Type 2’ connector public chargers serve up anything between 11 miles (32A/400V, 3.7kW) and 68 miles (32A/400V, 22kW) to the battery pack, depending on power rating. Tesla doesn’t recommend recharging the Model S on a domestic power supply, as only around 6 miles of range are put back into the car for every hour the car is plugged in. Superchargers are the best way to charge the car and are the fastest rapid chargers currently in use. Convenient and easy to use, we visited two Supercharger locations and were impressed with each one, although our particular car took an hour to refill 120 miles of range. A smartphone Tesla App allows you to check your state of charge remotely, check on the car’s location or pre-set the interior temperature to save all-important battery power and energy.

‘Zero emissions, zero compromise’ Tesla states that the Model S is a ‘zero emissions, zero compromise’ car. Certainly in terms of range, it’s the most practical electric vehicle on the market and fewer charging stops makes the world of difference to that practicality. Of course, some would also question the ‘zero emissions’ part of Tesla’s statement. Most of the domestic electricity in the UK is made by power stations which burn fossil fuels, so every mile driven results in some effect on CO2 levels. But that’s true of every electric car, not just the Model S. Price aside, what separates the Model S from other battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is that it can be driven like a regular conventionally‑fuelled car with similar performance. Not many other BEVs can offer that. The Model S range

A new all-electric crossover SUV will join the Model S from next year, when Tesla launches the Model X.

Road Test

£3,800 alloy wheel upgrade on our test car).

Those over-sized tyres offer plenty of grip and three adjustable steering modes offer varying levels of power assistance. The ‘Sport’ setting adds weight if little feedback, but does make the car feel like a proper sports saloon. The whole car feels tied down thanks to 48/52 per cent front/rear weight distribution and the super-low centre of gravity given by the floor-mounted battery pack, which aids handling and balance superbly and makes the Tesla an enjoyable car to drive. Regenerative braking can be set to standard or low and is particularly effective, shedding speed quickly and making the brake pedal feel almost redundant.

Crossing over: the Tesla Model X

The Californian company claims that the Model X is “the safest, fastest and most capable sport utility vehicle in history”. Bold claims, but then when has Tesla not been bullish?

The Model X will have four-wheel drive and be powered by a 90kWh battery pack, providing at least 250 miles of range. A full seven-seater, 0-60mph comes up in 3.2 seconds.

As with the Model S, the battery pack runs the whole length of the car to aid handling and safety.

Secial features include a medical‑grade HEPA filter which removes pollen, bacteria, viruses and pollution from cabin air, and special ‘Falcon Wing’ doors which articulate smoothly up and out of the way, even with just one feet of clearance. Model X deliveries begin in the second half of 2016.

starts at £50,800 (cash price) for the 70kWh version, while the S 85 variant we tested is £59,000 once the government’s Plug-in Car Grant has been deducted. The four‑wheel drive dual-motor P85D is £79,900.

The Model S should have low running costs: BIK is 5 per cent and free charging is available if you utilise the network of Superchargers.

Servicing shouldn’t be expensive, due to fewer moving mechanical parts, and the fact it is only needed every 12,500 miles or 12 months. A four‑year, 50,000-mile warranty is standard, with a 125,000-mile guarantee on the battery pack.

What Tesla has achieved with the Model S really moves the EV game on. It almost banishes any thoughts of range anxiety and lets the driver enjoy the electric vehicle experience.

That counts for a lot in terms of practicality, while the no-cost Supercharger network is groundbreaking in its promise. With a new Model X-branded crossover due to arrive in the next few months, and the promise of a smaller ‘sports saloon’-type car aimed at BMW and Mercedes-Benz compact executive models, Tesla is arming itself with all the weaponry it can to increase the awareness in electric vehicle technology and move the industry forward.

And with the technology being this impressive, we wouldn’t bet against that happening. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

59

Road Test

Audi A1 S line 1.6 TDI ENGINE:

1,598cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

93g/km

NOx: MPG (combined):

65.7

GF MPG (combined):

54.4

VED: BIK: PRICE (OTR): Written by Richard Gooding

0.036g/km

Band A, £0 16% £18,715 (inc VAT, £23,930 as tested)

Superiorly small Bringing premium quality to the small car market, the Audi A1 now promises lower EU6-compliant emissions and greater fuel economy but with all the luxurious trappings it is known for.

Richard Gooding investigates the revisions The Audi A1 has been the springboard for the German company’s premium car range since 2010. Made in Belgium it is based on the Volkswagen Group’s ‘PQ25’ small car platform shared with the contemporary Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza. Positioned as an upmarket small car, the A1 takes the traditional Audi qualities of a high quality interior and the latest technology innovations and downsizes them to a small car package.

Subtle tweaks Available in three and five-door ‘Sportback’ versions, a 99g/km, 74.3mpg 1.6-litre TDI version has been available since late 2011, but revisions to the diesel unit in November 2014 ushered in a drop of 7g/km and an improved claimed combine cycle fuel economy

60

figure of 80.7mpg as well as subtle tweaks to the exterior and interior of the car.

The latest A1 looks little different to its predecessor: our Nano Grey test car looked handsome for one so small. The S line trim option, as featured on KS15 OWK, adds £1,995 to the basic price SE 1.6 TDI model making our test car a not inconsiderable £18,715.

Ten‑spoke 17-inch high-gloss alloy wheels and LED lights front and rear lift the looks still further. This particular car also featured over £5,000 worth of optional equipment,

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

taking the total as tested to £23,930. While options such as the £695 panoramic sunroof and £1,495 ‘Technology Pack’ are very nice things to have, they do bump up the price.

The three-door A1’s curved roof styling and black headlining gives the luxuriously‑trimmed cabin a coupé-like feel.

A low driving position and high window line adds to that impression and Audi’s reputation for sumptuous interiors is well-deserved here: the A1 feels beautifully well-built. There are lots of tactile interior controls and the optional Audi ‘Concert’ sound system with CD/DAB/ SD/SIM and iPod capability fitted to our test car sounded more costly than its £255 list price would suggest. A colour 6.5‑inch screen set into the dashboard is accessed by the multimedia interface control wheel in the centre console.

The is 1.6 TDI st A1, ne the cleaudi also but A 7g/km, 9 offers a cylinder three- petrol 1.0‑litredel mo

Start-stop system and energy recuperation Every A1 is fitted with an automatic start‑stop system with energy recuperation as standard and Audi claims efficiency

In S line trim, Audi’s reputation for high-quality interiors is shown off to good effect

The latest 1.6-litre TDI in the Audi A1 is EU6-compliant

Down load th Green e F app.g leet app at reenfl eet.n for mo et re ima ge conten s and t

improvements of around eight per cent, even with power increases of 10 per cent across the range. All petrol and diesel versions of the A1 are Euro 6-compliant.

Fitted on Sport versions and above, further energy-saving tips can be gleaned from the Driver Information System. In 115bhp 1.6 TDI S line guise, the A1 emits 93g/km of CO2, but with perky performance and a slick five-speed manual gearbox, the A1 feels more sporty than eco.

Maximum power is reached between 3,500‑4,500rpm, while 250Nm (184lb ft) of torque makes itself known from 1,500‑3,000rpm. The 0-62mph dash is dispensed with in 9.4 seconds, while top speed is a respectable 124mph. That low‑down torque makes overtaking easy and the A1 S line 1.6 TDI pulls well in top gear. Audi claims 65.7mpg on the combined cycle, but over a 355-mile test, we achieved a more realistic value of 54.4.

On those larger wheels, the A1 rides in a firm fashion, but not uncomfortably so on smooth surfaces. A fair amount of road noise filters through into the cabin, though, so smaller wheels and tyres may benefit both acoustic levels and CO2 emissions here.

The A1 feels very surefooted and solid on the move, handling sharply in S line

Road Test

Audi A1 e-trons used in ‘real-world’ e-mobility test In November 2011, Audi announced that 20 range‑extender electrically‑powered A1s would take part in a trial on the streets of Munich in Germany. The Technische Universität Munchen‑monitored A1 e-tron pilot scheme provided data for a ‘real-world’ mobility test.

Twenty examples of the 148mpg compact car were used to help organisations such as E.ON and public utility provider Stadtwerke München (SWM) consolidate their thinking on electric mobility integration into day-to-day motoring. Identifying how the existing transport and communications infrastructure would need to adapt were also aims of the project, while E.ON and SWM installed a demand-orientated charging structure in the Munich area.

The 100bhp A1 e-tron is a range-extender version of the A1 hatchback with a theoretical range of 155 miles and a proposed CO2 emission-equivalent of 45g/km.

A 31-mile zero-emission range is achieved by 380-volt lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the floor ahead of the rear axle. Once the batteries’ energy is depleted, a small 254cc Wankel rotary engine recharges it to boost the car’s range. Torque of 150Nm (110lb ft) is continuously available, while peak torque is 240Nm (177lb ft).

trim. The electromechanical steering system has a nice weight but is short on ultimate feedback, and while the TDI engine is unrefined on start-up and idle, it dies down to a muted level once on the move.

Whichever situation it finds itself in, the A1 is a small car which is equally happy cruising on a motorway, tackling a narrow B-road or nipping through urban streets.

Petrol or diesel?

Although the 1.6 TDI is the lowest‑emitting A1, Audi also offers a 97g/km three‑cylinder 1.0-litre TFSI petrol model for those who don’t wish to drive diesel. The A1 1.0 shares its engine with the latest petrol‑powered Polo BlueMotion TSI and has a claimed fuel consumption figure of 67.3mpg on the combined cycle. With a lower BIK rate of 14 per cent as opposed to the 16 per cent of the TDI model, it loses out to the TDI on claimed fuel economy.

Whichever model is chosen, though, the Audi A1 offers class and premium features very few rivals can match. Just be careful with those option boxes… L FURTHER INFORMATION www.audi.co.uk

As well as TDI versions, Audi also offers a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engined A1 TFSI

Volume 89 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

61

Product Finder

AXIS200 WHEEL ALIGNERS

Haweka

RecoAuto

Unit No 5 Beta, Orchard Trading Estate, Toddington, Gloucestershire GL54 5EB Tel: 01242 621001 www.haweka.co.uk

Tel: 0844 561 0576 hello@recoauto.com www.recoauto.com

As a specialist in fuel and tyre savings, Haweka provide workshops with wheel alignment equipment to help commercial operators reduce their fuel and tyre costs.

The Haweka Axis systems are user friendly, quick to use and very accurate.

Contact us today to find out how Haweka can reduce your carbon footprint.

FLEET MANAGEMENT REPORTING

Alphabet Form One, Bartley Wood Business Park Hook, Hampshire RG27 9XA Tel: 0870 50 50 100 alphabet@alphabet.co.uk www.alphabet.co.uk GreenCARE is Alphabet’s comprehensive online reporting, analysis and modelling tool designed to help customers reduce their CO2 emissions, fuel and fleet costs, while benchmarking performance against ‘average’ and ‘best in class’ fleet performers. Speak to us today to find out more about how GreenCARE can help to reshape your fleet.

DRIVER LICENCE CHECKING

Jaama 15 Amber Business Village, Amber Close Amington, Tamworth B77 4RP Tel: 0844 8484 333 enquiries@jaama.co.uk www.jaama.com Licence2Check from Jaama is a comprehensive, cost effective and completely secure instant web-based licence checking service with the DVLA. Licence2Check is a simple effective tool providing a complete audit trail of driver information helping towards your duty of care compliance.

62

CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

RecoAuto delivers a unique claims management solution that reduces fleets vehicle repair costs whilst also reducing their Carbon Footprint.

RecoAuto manage all aspects of vehicle repairs and also specialise in reducing vehicle parts spend via our innovative software RecoParts.

FLEET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Jaama 15 Amber Business Village, Amber Close Amington, Tamworth B77 4RP Tel: 0844 8484 333 enquiries@jaama.co.uk www.jaama.com Jaama’s multi award-winning Key2 Vehicle Management system is a totally integrated vehicle, asset and driver management solution visibly years ahead. Designed for all fleet sizes and budgets, Key2 is web based, with usability and intelligent ‘active’ data management; linking users live to data providers, customers, suppliers, vehicle telematics and the DVLA.

Advertisers index

CAR AND VAN RENTAL

Green Motion 2 Redman Court, Bell Street, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 0AA Tel: 01844 222333 reservations@greenmotion.co.uk www.greenmotion.co.uk Green Motion is the UK’s leading provider of low CO2 vehicle hire. Through our national network, we offer both leisure and business customers the opportunity to enjoy great value vehicle rental, while helping to reduce the impact of global CO2 emissions associated with road travel. Providing reporting and advice to management and staff, Green Motion can highlight savings in cost and impact on the environment.

HYDROGEN VEHICLES

ULEMCo Ulemco Ltd The Quay, 12 Princes Pararde, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1BG Tel: 1928 787179 info@ulemco.com / www.ulemco.com ULEMCo Ltd offer services to convert light commercial vehicles to run on hydrogen.

Services include the supply & installation of a safely engineered retrofit, warranty and VSO certificate. H2ICED™ vans, have verified emissions at 59g/km CO2. Advice, consultancy and the supply of hydrogen refuelling capability can also be provided.

The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service

AutoGas 26 BMW 48, 49 Chevin Fleet Solutions 52 DAF Trucks 38 DS 4, 5 EU Skills 30 Fiat 6 Fiat Professional 44 Ford IFC Green Motion Vehicle Rental 62 Heathrow Airport 54 Jaama 62 Jeep 14, 15 John Paton & Son 46 LeasePlan UK 40 Lex Autolease IBC Mini 22, 23 Mitsubishi 42 Nissan 36 O’Donovan Waste Disposal 52 Peugeot 18, 19 Premier Cabs 55 Pro-Align 21 Smart Witness 32 SMMT 28 South East Ambulance Service 55 The AA 8 Toyota OBC Ullemco 62

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

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH Has there ever been a better time to switch to electric vehicles?

58%

20%

300% growth in UK plug-in hybrid cars in 2014

growth in alternatively fuelled vehicles in 2014

73%

of fleet managers rate environmental impact as a big issue

fall in CO2 emissions in 4 years on the Lex Autolease fleet

45%

of fleet managers have introduced a more environmentally-focussed fleet policy

0344 824 0115 enquiries@lexautolease.co.uk lexautolease.co.uk

QUITTING LETS NICK BREATHE EASY

Aiming to halve corporate emissions and save £140,000* on contract hire and fuel.

By quitting a conventional fleet for petrol full hybrids, Nick is helping to cut Itec’s CO2, NOx and particulate emissions by 50%. Thanks to lower BIK, drivers will also pocket average tax savings worth £1,200 each over the next three years. And, as contract hire and fuel costs will also fall by £140,000, Nick can breathe easy too.

Read Nick’s story at quitclub.org.uk

Nick Orme, CEO, Itec

brilliant for business

*Saving based on switching original VW diesel fl eet to Toyota and Lexus hybrids.

NEW ASTRA

WELL CO2NNECTED

• Striking new exterior and interior design • Inspired in-car connectivity with OnStar • Stunningly low P11D prices

CO2NNECTED to your budget With outstandingly low CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, New Astra’s sophisticated engines help deliver class-leading Whole Life Costs.

CO2NNECTED

CO2NNECTED to the road Weighing in at up to 200kg less than its top-selling predecessor, New Astra brings even better handling, performance and economy. Its inspired lightweight body design is aerodynamic and fuel efficient, allowing it to be more compact on the outside but with more space and comfort on the inside.

CO2NNECTED with OnStar Vauxhall OnStar, the people-friendly personal connectivity and service assistant is available across the New Astra range. Putting you in touch with a qualified advisor, not a machine, the one-of-a-kind system has three distinct offerings. Vehicle diagnostics are sent via email or online portal, in-car 4G Wi-Fi is high speed and Vauxhall Onstar Services keep you fully connected while on the road. Vauxhall OnStar, there is nothing artificial about our intelligence.

Connect to www.vauxhall.co.uk/onstar to find out more.

CO2NNECTED with IntelliLink Drivers of all New Astra models will be fully connected through the high-end IntelliLink infotainment system providing 7-inch colour touchscreen and Bluetooth速 connectivity.

NEW ASTRA

CO2NNECTED ON A BUSINESS LEVEL

New Astra. Intelligent Technology. Available to order NOW Pre-book your FREE* 3 Day Test Drive at www.vauxhallfleet.co.uk/newastratestdrive or call 0870 240 4848

VAUXHALL FLEET Call 0870 010 0651 | visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/fleet

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). New Astra range: Urban 35.3 (8.0)-74.3 (3.8), Extra-urban 56.5 (5.0)-91.1 (3.1), Combined 46.3 (6.1)-85.6 (3.3).

CO2 emissions 141-88g/km.

Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. †= 2015-16 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their particular tax position. * = Terms and conditions apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please call 0870 240 4848 for full details. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (November 2015). The vehicles illustrated may not necessarily represent the correct final UK specification and not all the features or options described are available on every model.