GreenFleet 118 by PSI Media

FUTURE FLEETS

GREENFLEET AWARDS 2018

www.greenfleet.net

RENAULT MASTER Z.E.

ISSUE 118

FLEET MANAGEMENT

BEST PRACTICE

Advice and guidance for fleet managers, covering EV chargepoint installations, leasing, vehicle safety, driver training and telematics

Commercial GreenFleet The latest news and features surrounding the commercial vehicle industry. See inside

PLUS: ARRIVE’N’DRIVE REVIEW | FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM ROAD TEST | CLEAN AIR ZONES

GREENFLEET AWARDS 2018

www.greenfleet.net

Comment

FUTURE FLEETS

RENAULT MASTER Z.E.

ISSUE 118

FLEET MANAGEMENT

BEST PRACTICE

Advice and guidance for fleet managers, covering EV chargepoint installations, leasing, vehicle safety, driver training and telematics

Commercial GreenFleet The latest news and features surrounding the commercial vehicle industry. See inside

PLUS: ARRIVE’N’DRIVE REVIEW | FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM ROAD TEST | CLEAN AIR ZONES

Current and future fleets A recent Shell report has said that that “by 2040, the fleet industry could transform almost beyond recognition.” It examines how alternative fuels, smart infrastructure and data can present opportunities for fleets. Crucially, it gives advice to fleets on how to adapt with the changes by preparing now. Read the full analysis of the report on page 15.

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

Follow and interact with us on Twitter: @GreenFleetNews

Getting up to speed with the future changes highlighted in the report will be challenging, but they will also make the profession more interesting. That said, we are already seeing the fleet manager role get more complicated, with changing regulations, a push for greener fuels, and new technology. This issue of GreenFleet has a Best Practice guide, giving advice to our readers on how best to run an efficient fleet. It covers best practice when it comes to EV charge point installations, guidance on finance options, a summary of telematics and information on how best to carry out vehicle checks. With only a week to go until the GreenFleet Awards, I look forward to seeing many of you in Leeds on 22 November. Good luck to all those shortlisted. Angela Pisanu, editor

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE-TO-FACE If you would like to receive 6 issues of GreenFleet magazine for £150 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 EDITOR Angela Pisanu PRODUCTION MANAGER Dan Kanolik PRODUCTION CONTROL Lucy Maynard PRODUCTION DESIGN Sophia Mew WEB PRODUCTION Victoria Casey PUBLISHER George Petrou ACCOUNT MANAGERS Kylie Glover ADMINISTRATION Isabelle Hayes REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

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© 2018 Public Sector Information Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 2399-4940

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Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

TRUST YOUR INSTINCT

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Contents

Contents GreenFleet 118 07 News

£5m for ideas to reduce non-exhaust emissions and particulates; A third of fleets find it hard to keep up with tech change

15 Future fleets

Shell has released a report identifying the future trends affecting the industry and how fleets can stay on top of them

22 Best practice: EV charge points

Robert Evans, chair of the UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association, shares some best practice advice on installing electric vehicle charge points

25 Best practice: EV charge points

Emily Stone from Energy Saving Trust suggests some considerations and funding sources for charge point installations for fleet operators in Scotland

27 Best practice: Leasing

All fleets have different operating models, with no one funding method fitting all. So what are the different options available?

31 Best practice: Telematics

Telematics is being widely adopted by fleets, providing businesses with information that enables better decision making

34 Best practice: Vehicle Safety

FTA’s Phil Lloyd pulls out some of the most salient points from the updated DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and shares his key advice

38 Best practice: Vehicle safety

Daily vehicle checks can often be overlooked when time is short. But as an operator, it’s key that you make sure there are regular safety inspections and that drivers are provided with clear written instructions of their responsibilities, advises LoCITY’s James Smith

GreenFleet magazine

41 Best practice: Driver training Organisations have a legal and moral duty to ensure that staff are fully trained for the tasks in hand. For driving, this clearly means some form of risk assessment and training

43 Panel of experts: Best Practice Our expert panel discusses how to determine if electric mobility is suitable and offers best practice advice to EV drivers

46 Awards preview A look at the shortlisted organisations up for a GreenFleet Award

51 Arrive‘n’Drive review GreenFleet Arrive‘n’Drive showcased the latest in zero and ultra-low emission vehicles and alternatively-fuelled trucks

57 Commercial GreenFleet: news Leeds City Council welcomes 51 additional electric vans to fleet; Guidance given to UK hauliers on new paperwork following EU Exit

61 Commercial GreenFleet: Vans & Clean Air Zones Research shows that more than a quarter of businesses which use vans are not aware of plans for Clean Air Zones. But with just over a year to go until they become operational, what can van and truck fleets do to prepare?

64 Road test: Ford Transit Custom More efficient engines, revised looks and an improved car-like cabin will maintain the popularity of the Ford Transit Custom

66 First drive: Renault Master Z.E Adding a welcome zero-emission powertrain to Renault’s largest LCV gives the company the biggest range of all-electric commercials on the market, says Richard Gooding

www.greenfleet.net Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

T H E N E X T G E N E R AT I O N O F E F F I C I E N C Y D i s c o v e r m o r e a t f o r d . c o . u k /m o n d e o - h y b r i d o r c o n t a c t t h e F o r d B u s i n e s s C e n t r e : 03 4 5 7 2 3 2 3 2 3 | f l i n f o r m @ f o r d . c o m

P 11D

B IK

C0 2

CO MB INED MP G

ÂŁ 26 ,6 9 5

22%

10 8 g / k m

5 8 .9

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Mondeo Titanium Edition Hybrid Electric Vehicle are: urban 57.7 (4.9), extra urban 74.3 (3.8), combined 58.9 (4.8). Official CO2 emissions 108g/km. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Regulation 715/2007 and 692/2008 as last amended), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. Information correct at time of going to print. Model shown is Mondeo Titanium Edition Hybrid Electric Vehicle with options at additional cost.

CHARGING

£5m for ideas to reduce non‑exhaust emissions and particulates

European Teslas will be able to use third party CCS chargers

A new competition from Innovate UK is to invest almost £5 million in ideas to reduce the emissions and particulates that come from vehicle and surface wear, as well as non-road vehicles and equipment. Organisations can win funding to work on ideas that go beyond exhaust and road vehicle fumes. This includes ways to reduce emissions, either from road vehicle brake and tyre wear or road surface abrasion. Innovate is also looking for ways to reduce emissions and particulates from industrial equipment and non-road vehicles used on construction sites, such as excavators, bulldozers, front loaders, cranes and compressors with combustion engines. Refrigeration units in vehicles including vans

or heavy goods vehicles is also included. Projects in this competition should develop and demonstrate products or services in these areas.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y8xxenwe

GREY FLEET

Enterprise gives businesses more options for staff travel Enterprise has launched a free, interactive online journey planning and booking system to help organisations better manage how their employees travel for work. Enterprise Travel Direct (ETD) is a journey assessment and booking system that enables customers to compare the cost of daily rental, hourly car club and grey fleet based on a planned journey and realtime vehicle availability. ETD enables employees to compare the actual cost of a specific journey at a determined time depending on whether they use a private vehicle and recharge mileage, a car club or a daily rental car, and choose the best option according to the company’s travel policy. Its launch comes following a 12-month pilot programme in partnership with several of the UK’s largest public sector fleets.

A key benefit is that ETD requires employees to log details of every planned journey before the trip is taken, including trips planned in a private vehicle, to assess whether daily rental from Enterprise Rent-A-Car or automated access and hourly hire from Enterprise Car Club could offer a more cost-effective option. This gives businesses control as all too often grey fleet travel is only recorded after it has happened, when the mileage is reclaimed through expenses. ETD also requires employees to confirm that their private vehicle is suitable for business use, so organisations that allow grey fleet as an option can be reassured that these journeys are risk assessed before employees travel. READ MORE tinyurl.com/hpysqht

News

AIR QUALITY

City of London plans to trial ULEV only street The City of London Corporation has announced plans to trial only letting ultra-lowemission vehicles access the south section of Moor Lane, near Moorgate. The trial, which is out for public consultation, will create the City of London’s first low emission street. The pilot is part of the City Corporation’s Low Emission Neighbourhood project, which it jointly funds with the Mayor of London. The City Corporation is encouraging all parties to have their say at www. cityoflondon.gov.uk/ulev. The pilot will close the road to all vehicles which are not UltraLow Emission Vehicle (ULEV) compliant. Access for drivers of non-compliant ULEV vehicles to

the rest of Moor Lane will still be available from the north side. The City Corporation will use the pilot to consider whether similar measures are suitable for other streets in the City of London. Following the consultation, the City Corporation aims to deliver the trial by April 2019. Two options for a ULEV pilot in the southern end of Moor Lane have been developed for consultation. Option 1 would introduce the measures 24 hrs a day and seven days a week. Option 2 would apply Monday to Friday from 7am-11pm. READ MORE tinyurl.com/y8yjrhjw

CHARGING

Driveways with EV charging can be booked through Zap-Map Electric vehicle drivers will now be able to make bookings for rented out driveways with EV charging, directly through Zap-Map.com. The partnership between YourParkingSpace.co.uk and ZapMap will allow drivers to pay for the parking as well as being able to use the charge point. The amount of time needed to charge an electric vehicle using a home charger can vary, although as a guideline one of the UK’s most popular electric cars takes about four hours, making rented driveway parking and charging an ideal solution for those on a day out so their vehicle is fully charged for the return journey. Dr Ben Lane, CTO and co‑founder at Zap-Map added: “We are delighted to be partnering with YourParkingSpace.co.uk on this ground-breaking EV

charging point and pre-book parking space collaboration. “The partnership will give registered Zap-Map users direct access to YourParkingSpace’s growing number of EV charging spaces across the UK. The jointventure will in the future provide a new opportunity for Zap-Map users to monetise their home or workplace EV charge points by advertising their points on the YourParkingSpace website.”

LowCVP’s Andy Eastlake

Finance, the best friend of ULEV fleets?

You might have noticed if you’ve been anywhere near a car showroom or sales website recently, that the prices are increasingly shown as monthly payments, rather than outright purchase. No doubt low interest rates, plus the fact that we are now used to monthly payments for our mortgages to mobile phones and everything in between, has encouraged us to think about our cars, and even our wider mobility demands, in similar terms. Today almost 90 per cent of new cars are acquired using financing, with Personal Contract Purchases (PCP) and increasingly Personal Contract hire (PCH) being popular, with only the small print indicating the fundamental ownership change (“you will not own the vehicle”). Organisations in the finance and leasing sector are therefore now, arguably, the most important players at the interface with car ‘buyers’ (lessees). This industry is becoming more aware about the transition that’s taking place to lower emission vehicles and have been looking to engage with the LowCVP as one way of finding out how the changes are going to affect and, hopefully, benefit their businesses. I’m honoured to have been invited to speak at the annual conference of the trade association representing the finance and leasing sector and am aware that this represents a good opportunity to understand their perspective and to outline our plans for future engagement with the industry. Organisations represented there will have a significant influence over the type of vehicles that are selected in future, both new and second hand. I’m acutely aware, though, that there are a bewildering number of new policies and initiatives coming through which are designed to speed the low carbon shift. The finance sector therefore, will be increasingly challenged to understand what these mean for them and how they’ll communicate to their customers. Residual values (RV) for EVs/ULEVs continue to exercise the financial sector and the OEMs, but this factor is invisible to the end consumer who just sees the monthly lease cost. A big opportunity to ‘sell’ ULEVs to consumers is, therefore, to highlight the lower running costs (fuel and maintenance). Up to now there has been a reluctance to get into much discussion on fuel costs, given suspicions over the NEDC mpg figures, but perhaps this can change as, from January, the new WLTP will provide a much more robust picture. Consider that a typical monthly payment of, say, £200 might (in a conventional vehicle) cost the driver another 50 per cent (£100) in fuel, then the real ‘budget’ becomes £300 or more. Getting the fuel (and other running) costs into the upfront discussion will increase the desirability of EVs and other ULEVs (and help second-hand values). Local factors - such as access rights, free parking or charging locations for EVs – would also be valuable prospective advice (and savings) for lessees (one possible downside of online or ‘remote’ quotations). Being able to better assist drivers into the best (and lowest carbon) car for their budget and use, has to be a win-win for the finance sector (and its regulators), the consumer and for ‘the planet’. So perhaps when looking for your next car and the financing thereof the question to ask is “Are Finance Friends Electric?” (with apologies to Gary Numan).

FURTHER INFORMATION READ MORE

www.lowcvp.org.uk

tinyurl.com/y8e5p2fm Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

News INFRASTRUCTURE

£2m for EV charge points on strategic road links in Wales Rapid electric charging points will be rolled out across strategic road links in Wales as part of £2 million from the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. The funding will be used to help create a

publicly accessible national network of rapid charging points by 2020, and will be focused on locations on or near strategic Welsh road networks, with a particular emphasis on North-South and East-West journeys.

Welsh Transport Secretary Ken Skates said he had also tasked officials to explore the feasibility of funding charging points at park and ride facilities and at taxi ranks. A national concession model to deliver and run the network is being looked for, whereby a contractor would have the exclusive right to operate, maintain and carry out investment in the network. Ken Skates said: “This funding could prove to be a catalyst for change in our efforts to support the use of electric vehicles. We have chosen to focus on the North/South and East/West routes as we realise their importance for travelling around Wales. “In these challenging times it is more important than ever that we work to improve sustainable transport links, to increase our low carbon transport options and to make Wales as accessible as we can. “This funding is a clear demonstration of our commitment towards mitigating the impacts of climate change alongside reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.” READ MORE tinyurl.com/ya9o8323

CAR CLUBS

Housing association tenants in Scotland to get access to EV car clubs Housing associations in Scotland can apply for funding for electric car clubs so that tenants and local residents can hire electric vehicles. The £700,000 Plugged-in Households fund from Transport Scotland will be administered by Energy Saving Trust and will help to improve access to ULEVs and allow more households to consider the scheme as an alternative option to owning an electric vehicle. It builds on the Scottish Government’s existing offering of interest free loans to give more drivers the opportunity to experience electric and plug-in hybrids. Head of transport at Energy Saving Trust J000322 - ODO March T0004 GreenFDleet Magazine 77mm Matthew Eastwood said: “Plugged-in

Households enables access to electric vehicles irrespective of income or location. Not-for‑profit housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland can apply for grant funding to procure the services x of 420mm_260318.pdf a zero emission car1 club26/03/2018 for use by 15:40

their tenants, their own use and that of the wider local community.” READ MORE tinyurl.com/yabaxrna

Fleet cost control made easy Sign up now www.ododrive.com

News

AIR QUALITY

Review of Clean Air for Scotland announced An independent review of Scotland’s air quality strategy has been announced and will be chaired by Professor Campbell Gemmell. The review of ‘Cleaner Air for Scotland – The Road to a Healthier Future’, will explore the progress and impact of Scotland’s previous air quality strategy; identify and assess any new evidence and developments; make recommendations for future air quality policy; and outline actions needed to meet targets. The review is anticipated to cover transport, industrial, domestic and agricultural emissions as well as health, planning, and relevant business issues. Professor Campbell Gemmell said: “I am very pleased to have been invited to chair this review. Air pollution in Scotland has already improved significantly. It is a complex multi-dimensional challenge; connecting health, environment, climate change, planning, transport and business

dimensions amongst others. As a result, it needs careful assessment in order to understand the issues, identify solutions and provide advice on the necessary next steps to continue to deliver long‑term improvements in air quality and quality of life for everyone in Scotland.

This review aims to provide government with the best advice available on the way ahead.” READ MORE tinyurl.com/yafwc8dy

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Fresh electric vehicle fleet for Cornwall’s Eden Project The Eden Project in Cornwall has taken delivery of three Renault ZOE hatchbacks and 14 Renault Kangoo Z.E. in Van and Maxi Crew Van Cab specifications, which replace the company’s previous Renault EV fleet. The latest vehicles complement Eden’s existing Renault Twizys. The quadricycles’ compact dimensions make them ideal for use across the entire Eden site – even in the narrow pathways through the tranquil, climate-controlled Biomes. The mix of ZOE and Kangoo Z.E. will fulfil a variety of roles across the Eden Project, being used by its maintenance, horticulture, security, live programming and catering teams. A number of the vehicles will also be assigned to help with the provision of onsite medical support and transporting less able-bodied visitors around the site. With zero tailpipe emissions and being near silent in use, the Renault EVs have

little impact on the tranquillity and landscape of the Eden Project. Notably, during the last two years the lack of noise has allowed the busy Eden Live Team to work round the clock without affecting the visitor experience, while the fleet has also chauffeured presenters and celebrities to

help facilitate the wide variety of filming that the renowned Cornish venue hosts every year. READ MORE tinyurl.com/plyfzf2

ELECTRIC & MORE

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The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is an electric vehicle & so much more. Delivering a remarkable 159mpg4, an electric range of up to 33 miles4 and a combined electric and petrol range of up to 532 miles5, the Outlander PHEV comes with a unique set of benefits that you wouldn’t expect. Featuring a petrol engine and twin electric motors and with ultra-low CO2 emissions of just 40g/km (NEDC)4 or 46g/km (WLTP) there are substantial reductions in Benefit in Kind taxation6, it’s the UK’s best selling plug-in hybrid and so much more. Test the best | Visit mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find your nearest dealer

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 CAPITAL ALLOWANCE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE (£)

TYPICAL VEHICLE

OUTLANDER PHEV

£100,000

19%

£39,445

100%

£3,156

£39,445

TAXABLE PROFIT (ON £100,000 PBT)

£96,844

£60,555

CORPORATION TAX (NO VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£19,000

CORPORATION TAX (WITH VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£18,400

£11,505

£600

£7,495

SAVING DUE TO CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

BUYING AN OUTLANDER PHEV WILL SAVE YOU A TOTAL OF £6,895 IN CORPORATION TAX (year 1)

Compare the tax savings of running a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as your company car against these market leaders. OUTLANDER PHEV 4h

HONDA CR-V SR AUTO

BMW X3 XDRIVE 30D SE AUTO

AUDI Q5 S LINE 40 TDI AUTO

MERCEDES E220D AMG LINE AUTO SALOON

£39,445

£33,745

£45,170

£41,300

£39,800

CO2 EMISSIONS G/KM

162

154

146

127

BENEFIT IN KIND RATE

13%

33%

35%

34%

30%

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITHOUT FUEL PROVIDED

£2,051

£4,454

£6,324

£5,617

£4,776

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

–

£2,403

£4,273

£3,566

£2,725

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITH FUEL PROVIDED

£3,268

£7,543

£9,600

£8,799

£7,584

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

–

£4,275

£6,332

£5,531

£4,316

COST OF THE CAR P11D VALUE3

Outlander PHEV range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Full Battery Charge: no fuel used, depleted Battery Charge: 50.4mpg (5.6), Weighted Average: 159.5mpg (1.8), CO2 emissions: 40.3 g/km. 1. On The Road prices shown include VAT (at 20%) and First Registration Fee. Model shown is a 19MY Outlander PHEV 4h with pearlescent paint at £40,050. On The Road prices for an Outlander PHEV range from £36,755 to £45,600 and include VAT (at 20%) and First Registration Fee. Metallic/pearlescent paint extra. Prices correct at time of going to print. 2. Outlander PHEV qualifies as low CO₂ emissions vehicle for the purpose of Capital Allowances. 8% write down allowance used for comparison. 3. The P11D value in this row comprises the list price, including VAT (at 20%), plus any delivery charges, but does not include the car’s first registration fee or its annual road tax. Metallic/pearlescent paint extra. 4. This figure is NEDC equivalent and based on the official EU test (WLTP). To be used as a guide for comparative purposes only with other WLTP tested vehicles. Based on the vehicle being charged from mains electricity. This may not reflect real driving results. 5. Up to 33 mile EV range achieved with full battery charge. 532 miles achieved with combined full battery and petrol tank. Actual range will vary depending on driving style and road conditions. 6. 13% BIK compared to the average rate of 30% for the other vehicles shown. 13% BIK rate for the 2018/19 tax year.

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Future Fleets

Keeping on top of an evolving fleet industry According to research, 38 per cent of fleet managers find it hard to stay informed about new developments in the fleet sector. Shell has released a report identifying the future trends affecting the industry and how fleets can stay on top of them While sixty-two percent of fleet managers in the UK are excited about the role new technologies will play in their sector, over a third (38 per cent) find it hard to stay informed about new developments, according to a Shell study. With forty-one per cent say that staying competitive in a changing industry is their biggest challenge, fuel giant Shell has released a report covering the main areas of change within fleet management and how fleets can adapt. The Future of Fleet report looks at alternative fuels, driverless vehicles, mobility, data and smart infrastructure. It highlights how alternative fuels, new technology and services are reshaping the sector and creating new opportunities for companies to enhance their operations, boost efficiency and stay competitive. “In the UK, the pace of change in commercial fleets is accelerating rapidly and we believe the industry will look radically different within the next 20 years” said Katya Atanasova, vice president of Shell Fleet Solutions. “Alternative fuels, data analytics, automation and greater connectivity will require new business models, skills and partnerships between fleet operators, manufacturers, energy and technology providers and start-ups. “For those responsible for managing fleets, there is also a need to engage drivers and the senior management in their organisations, to help test and capitalise on these new developments.”

transition to new fuels and vehicle types, A changing industry and you may find yourself burdened with In its foreword, the report likens changes to the cost and disruption of an unnecessarily the fleet sector to the radical evolution that rapid whole-fleet transition.” has taken place in retail, entertainment and It says that businesses that start travel, with new players like Amazon, future-proofing their fleets now Netflix and Expedia shaking up “will be able to do so from traditional ways of working. For a stronger position of It says: “A convergence of most fl eets, organisational competence new technologies, services a variet and readiness, rather and greater connectivity y o d f ifferent than finding themselves is set to reshape the will be fuel types forced to rush through sector, requiring new changes at the last skills as well as creating cater forequired to minute in response new industry players r d i f f types o e to the advantages and business models. f vehicl rent ea gained by their better “By 2040, the usage s cenario nd prepared competitors.” fleet industry could s The report also calls transform almost on fleets to recognise that beyond recognition.” one fuel will not necessarily To help UK fleet managers suit all operations. “A range of new understand these changes, and innovative fuel types exists or are in the report examines some of the most development, each of which is best suited to interesting new ideas in the industry. different types of vehicles and use cases.” The report adds that only with a range of Acceleration of alternative fuels fuels can fleet managers meet the needs of For most fleets, a variety of different fuel types all users, from short urban delivery drivers will be required to cater for different types to long-haul heavy-goods hauliers. of vehicle and usage scenarios. Electricity, hydrogen, liquid natural gas (LNG), gasVehicle-less fleets and mobility to-liquid (GTL) and biofuels can all play a Ride-hailing and sharing apps are booming role and so comparing, benchmarking and in the consumer market but there is huge partnering to provide the right infrastructure potential in the commercial sector. This could will be key for companies to deliver the see fleet professionals using technology to best value and vehicle performance. share loads, manage deliveries on demand The report says: “As the market shifts and remove the capital and operational costs away from traditional fuels, no one can of owning vehicles themselves. Aggregation E afford to stand still. Leave it too late to

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Future Fleets

 of services such as fuel cards, road toll payments, discounts on tyres and repairs and business services such as invoicing could all be combined into mobile platforms for drivers and fleet operators to use. The report says: “Adapting the concept of ride-hailing services like Uber could dramatically change the commercial sector. Companies could operate with ‘vehicleless’ fleets, using technology to call for deliveries on-demand and combine loads with other businesses for greater efficiency. This ‘asset-light’ model will remove many of the capital and operational costs of purchasing and maintaining vehicles.” To enjoy a competitive advantage, the report says fleets need to start preparing now. It says: “The potential for improving fuel efficiency and for reducing downtime is huge, given the greater visibility and control the development of intelligent vehicles will offer. For organisations and for fleet managers, they represent a Darwinian pressure that will drive the evolution of fleets. Ultimately, the sector will emerge stronger, more efficient and more agile. But as with any process of evolution, there will be winners and losers. The key to being among the winners, is to start preparing now.” Diagnostics and maintenance The way we look after vehicles is also likely to change, with routine maintenance and servicing delivered remotely by software download. New ‘self-healing’ materials, such as Harvard University’s self-healing material for use in vehicle tyres, will improve durability, fuel efficiency and replacement cycles for vehicles. Several automotive manufacturers and suppliers are also using 3D printing to produce replacement parts onsite to reduce maintenance and downtime.

Several manufacturers are using 3D printing to produce replacement parts onsite to reduce maintenance and downtime The report says: “Techniques such as 3D printing, could make vehicle maintenance cheaper, as parts can be produced on-demand, on-site, reducing the cost of shipping and storing spares. Stratasys has developed an additive manufacturing platform being used by Volvo, Daihatsu, Jaguar and McLaren to 3D print prototypes, components and test models. “Intelligent robotics will improve maintenance, with smarter, smaller robots able to conduct quicker, more regular inspections of vehicles to identify potential issues earlier. Academics are also researching the behaviour of insects such as ants and bees, to develop swarm robotics, which will enable small, individual robots to work collectively to make repairs to both vehicles, roads and traffic infrastructure.” The power of data Autonomous, connected vehicles are generating huge volumes of information, which can be combined with data about weather and road conditions, drivers’ personal health and wellbeing and details about passenger, customer or supply chain demand. Taken together, this can greatly help enhance fleet planning, boost efficiency and provide valuable commercial data to report to a wider business. Shell’s survey identifies the demand for more training, education and new skills to analyse and manage data effectively. Programmatic infrastructure Smarter infrastructure and vehicles may also enable cars and vans to automatically

calculate the optimum location for refuelling, repair and parking based on the time of day, traffic and the next job or journey they have booked. This will help drivers choose the best options but with the rise of automation and intelligent systems, vehicles could also drive themselves to the ideal place for their next job. Other future changes could include temperature-sensitive, photo-luminising paint, which could create changing road patterns to remind drivers of weather conditions and safety information. Bracing for change The report concludes that amid all this change, fleets need to start preparing now. This means assessing and understanding the current and future requirements of their organisation, therefore having time to build a business case for change. The report urges the fleet and transport sectors work together. It says: “The pace of change makes it hard for even the largest players to guarantee what will come next. As a result, we are seeing many new collaborations between organisations seeking to share advice and develop common standards. “Looking for partners outside your immediate sector – such as technology, energy infrastructure or consulting – can help test ideas and identify best practice.” L FURTHER INFORMATION Download the report at tinyurl.com/y74xfmhq

Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

Fleets on the

electrIc Journey GreenFleet research into fleet EV adoption, in partnership with E.ON.

To download the full report visit: www.greenfleet.net/E.ON

BEST PRACTICE GUIDE Helping fleets improve overall efficiencies in their operations

22 EV Charge Points Before installing electric vehicle charge points, there needs to be an understanding of what will be charged, when and where, as well as future plans. Robert Evans, chair of the UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association, shares some advice

31 Fleet Telematics Telematics is being widely adopted by fleets, providing businesses with journey and driving information that enables better decision-making to make the most efficient use of their costly transport resource. John Curtis explains how

34 Vehicle Safety Phil Lloyd, FTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head of engineering and vehicle standards policy, pulls out some of the most salient points from the updated DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and shares his key advice on vehicle checks

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Best Practice Guide Written by Robert Evans, chair fo the UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association

EV CHARGEPOINTS

Installing EV charge points Before installing electric vehicle charge points, there needs to be an understanding of what will be charged, when and where, as well as a consideration of any future plans. Robert Evans, chair of the UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association, shares some best practice advice As an industry commentator I am often asked what fleets should consider when installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points. I may be asked in my capacity as CEO of Cenex (www.cenex.co.uk), based on my team’s track record of EV and charging infrastructure projects for fleets. These include research projects on the newer, more novel approaches such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and inductive charging. However, my most common starting point is answering in my capacity as chair of the UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (UKEVSE) Association. The UKEVSE is the trade association that represents charge point providers and charge point network operators active in the UK market. Whether I am responding on behalf of Cenex or the UKEVSE, my priority is to provide helpful and informative input, delivered with independence and integrity.

lead by asking my own set of questions, beginning with, “What are you planning to charge and when; where; and to what present and future plan?” What are you planning to charge? The reason to ask the “what” question is that the type of EVs to be charged helps indicate the type of charger I should recommend. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all charge point. This is not a failing on the part of the charge point providers. Rather, it reflects the variety of approaches to EV charging that motor manufacturers apply to their products, which are influenced in part by the standards adopted in the national markets into which the manufacturers are selling their EVs. Some EVs can only be charged comparatively slowly, using 3, 7 or 22 kW chargers. Others can accept rapid charging from 50+kW power supplies, but may have either CHadeMO or CCS connectors. Most pure battery EVs being marketed today accept rapid charging, but many plug-in hybrid vehicles do not. The UKEVSE has a helpful EV-toCharge Point compatibility table on its website at ukevse.org.uk/charge-pointschargers/charge-point-compatibility-2.

The UKEVSE has designed guidance documents and website content to provide useful information and independent advice to those planning to deploy charging infrastructure. The UKEVSE procurement guide, currently being refreshed, is the main guidance document. It has been written in a style designed to make the reader to feel like they have an expert advisor by their side, helping prompt them to seek answers to important questions based on the specifics of their own operations. The guide can be accessed at ukevse.org.uk/ When and where? resources/procurement-guidance. The “when” and The key to this approach is that “where” questions worthwhile assistance and All EV help determine if good advice rely on first infrastru the fleet operator understanding the context for c t u r e plannin will rely primarily fleet manager planning and g should include on depot-based decision-making. I typically charging, or if it effectiv early and e consu will need publicly lt ation with th accessible e lo charging distribu cal tio infrastructure. networ n Narrowing k down to depotbased operations makes it necessary to consider both the type and location of the charger, as well as the supply of electrical power to the site. All procurement planning should include early and effective consultation with the local distribution network operator (DNO). Failure to effectively engage can result in project delays and expensive installs. The UKEVSE recently issued a guide developed jointly with Western Power Distribution to assist local authorities with DNO engagement. It also has wider applicability to fleets. (It is available by email enquiry at info@ukevse.org.uk.) The DNO is one of the four parties that need to be contacted when planning procurement of charge points. (See figure) As the DNO coordinates and facilitates the connection of charge points to the electricity supply network, it needs to understand how much electricity demand the charge points will require. This is to help ensure the local low and medium-voltage network has sufficient capacity and protection to prevent issues for other local electricity users.

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36 million EVs on the road by 2040, says National Grid

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As the DNO coordinates and facilitates the connection of charge points to the electricity supply network, it needs to understand how much electricity demand the charge points will require. This is to prevent issues for other electricity users Parties involved in chargepoint installations

Present and future plans This is where the details of present plans and future thinking is very important. Where capacity is limited, local grid reinforcement may be necessary, which would cost the fleet operator. Alternatively, the fleet operator could deploy smart charging. If capacity is not an issue, and depending on the size of the EV fleet, the operational choice for charging may, on the one hand, be one or two rapid chargers that facilitate a quick turnaround by rapid top-up of fleet vehicles between shifts in 10 to 30 minute intervals. On the other hand, the alternative could be to use slower charging based on plugging in EVs overnight and, if possible, in the middle of the day. The fleet’s choice will depend on the type of EVs being deployed, as well as the operational schedule and staffing arrangements on site. There is a trend toward EVs having larger batteries, and many observers argue that this means it is best to invest only in highpower, rapid charging. The advantage of slower charging is that it allows EVs to be charged off-peak, when electricity is cheaper and the charge points cost less to install. Where depots can accommodate EVs in multiples of 10, I encourage fleets to

consider slower charging with demand load balancing. This form of smart charging commonly involves a master controller that manages larger numbers of connected chargers that are slaves to the master, rather than stand-alone chargers. The master has a timer that allows it to schedule which EVs are charged, and when. It can also control the load (amount of power) supplied to each EV. The advantages of this approach are twofold. Firstly, it keeps electricity bills down, as it helps move some charging away from the higher-priced peak hours to offpeak hours, when lower electricity tariffs apply. Secondly, it limits the amount of power being supplied to within boundary conditions, which can be set to operate within the electricity supply constraints to the site. The latter point is important, as it can offer a degree of future proofing. Extra chargers can be added over time, as EV numbers increase, while the controller ensures that the maximum load drawn for charging doesn’t exceed site constraints. L FURTHER INFORMATION

Each year, National Grid publishes ‘Future Energy Scenarios’ (FES) – forecasts for the UK’s future energy supply and demand which helps it plan for a rapidly changing energy system. For National Grid, this is a critical planning tool; forecast too high and National Grid will overinvest in capacity; too low and the network won’t cope with demand. A dramatic change in 2018’s forecast is the more rapid adoption of EVs. Between 2013 and 2015, National Grid consistently said there would be around 5 million EVs on UK roads by 2035; in 2016 the forecast rose to 8 million and in 2017 to 17 million. This year, that forecast has increased to 25 million EVs by 2035 and 36 million by 2040. What is clear from the National Grid FES report, is that the number of EVs on UK roads will continue to grow and between 2020 and 2025 we will start to see exponential growth. Why is National Grid’s FES report relevant to Fleet Managers? National Grid faces the same challenges, just on a much larger scale. Underinvestment in a charging infrastructure is a disincentive to adopt full electric vehicles (EVs) or to charge plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and a failure to achieve the savings in running costs and emissions. Poor planning and the chargers may be the wrong type or in the wrong place. ElectrAssure’s EV Charging Lifecycle Services will help you to choose charging systems that are appropriate for your business. They will manage the availability of the charging system and enable you to recover the cost of energy where appropriate.

Alun Davies is the operations director and Loyd Davies is the service development director of ElectrAssure, an electric vehicle charging specialist. FURTHER INFORMATION www.electrassure.com

www.ukevse.org.uk

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Loyd and Alun Davies, directors at ElectrAssure, share the points to consider when selecting a charger and its location Electric vehicles can now offer a low cost, low emission alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles. However, without access to EV charging systems in the workplace, at home and on the road, drivers will experience unnecessary delays and frustration and that will materialise as a cost to your business. Many fleet drivers have already selected PHEVs for the tax advantages but, as reported by the BBC (www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46152853), many drivers may never have unwrapped the charging cable. The result is fuel economy of 40 mpg rather than 130 mpg. Currently, few fleet drivers are confident to select a pure electric vehicle with ‘range anxiety’ being a common cause. In reality, new generation EVs have a range of over 300 miles and can save over 70 per cent in fuel and maintenance costs but are only a practical alternative if adequate charging is available. Questions to ask The first questions that we ask our clients before recommending a charging system are: Which electric vehicles are you considering? What is the typical vehicle usage profile? Number of miles per day? Number of drivers? For how long are the vehicles parked and where? We can then calculate how often, where and how quickly you will need to recharge the vehicles. The table below shows the common vehicle types, range, charging options and approximate charge times. EV Type Typical Battery Size Typical Range on Electric Plug-in Hybrids 7 - 15 kWh 15 - 30 miles

Less Than 200 mile range 22 - 40 kWh 90 - 150 miles

Greater than 200 mile range 60-100kWh

Cost considerations There are several factors that will affect the cost of the charging system. Do you qualify for a Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) or any other grant? To qualify you must use both a charger and an installer approved by the government Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). Consideration needs to be given to what EV charger should be installed. AC ‘fast’ chargers are simpler and cheaper than DC rapid chargers. DC Rapid chargers require a larger electrical supply. Wall mounted units are cheaper than ground mounted units. The installation then needs to be given thought. Wall mounted units are also cheaper to install. Post mounted and rapid chargers usually require trenching and a concrete base and installation costs rise with the distance from the electrical supply. Another vital consideration is the electrical supply; is the building electrical supply adequate for the additional load of the EV chargers?

Example Vehicles

Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Ioniq PHEV1, Toyota Prius Plug-in1, Volkswagen Golf GTE1, BMW 225xe1, i81 Mercedes Benz c350e1, Kia, Optima PHEV1, Niro PHEV1 Cars Renault Zoe2 Nissan Leaf3 Volkswagen eGolf3 Hyundai Kona 39kW3 BMW i33 LCVs Renault Kangoo2 Nissan eNV2003 Tesla S Tesla X Hyundai Kona 64kW Jaguar iPace Porsche Taycan

* charging rate limited by in-vehicle charger 1

As you can see, the charging rates and times vary enormously, but so does the required charging times for specific vehicles. An employee’s vehicle parked in a company car park can fully charge during the day. Taxis, service vehicles or pool cars are likely to require one or more ‘rapid’ recharges during the day. Having selected the type of charger, there are other things to consider when selecting the charger and its location.

Charger Type

Business critical How critical is the charge point to your business or function? What would be the impact if it was off-line for several days? ‘Smart’ chargers can connect to an on‑line Chargepoint Management System (CPMS) with two main functions; user management and billing: on‑line fault diagnosis, fault rectification and updates. 80-90 per cent of charge point faults can be fixed on-line. A maintenance contract with an SLA should be in place to deliver the availability required. The charger quality needs to be considered. Selecting an EV charger with proven reliability is essential where availability is critical. Lastly, think about whether some drivers or vehicles require priority access? Installer The EV charging market is growing rapidly with frequent changes to technologies and regulations. We recommend that you use a specialist EV installer, WCS approved by OLEV and approved by the NICEIC and/or the ECA. They should have the qualifications and experience to specify, install and maintain the EV charging equipment you need to successfully introduce electric vehicles to your fleet. FURTHER INFORMATION

ElectrAssure has been nominated for a Greenfleet award. www.electrassure.com Typical Charging Time (to 80% charge

AC Fast Charger 3.7kW 7.4kW 22kW DC Rapid Charger 50kW2

2 - 3.5 hours 1 - 1.5 hours N/A NA – 12 minutes

AC Fast Charger 3.7kW 7.4kW 22kW

6 - 11 hours 2 – 6 hours 1 – 2 hours3

DC Rapid Charger 50kW2

25 – 50 minutes

AC Fast Charger 3.7kW 7.4kW 22kW

20 - 30 hours 10 - 15 hours 2.5 – 4.5 hours

DC Rapid Charger 50 - 100kW4

not all vehicles can use DC Rapid Chargers

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not all vehicles can charge at 22kW

1.2 – 2 hours 4

not all vehicles can charge at 100kW DC

Plugging into your workplace

Which type of charger? This will inevitably depend on the intended uses and battery range of the vehicles you use, or foresee using. Would you opt for larger, long-range battery electric vehicles, or are they designed for running around in the city for short periods? What is the daily mileage expected of them? You would also need to consider when the vehicles would need to charge and how Emily Stone from Energy Saving Trust suggests some much time they would have available for considerations and funding sources for charge point this. Would you implement “destination installations for fleet operators in Scotland charging”, whereby employees leave personal or company EVs to charge for most of the day? Or do you run a continuously active fleet with few pauses for recharging, for which destination charging would not be practical? Asking yourself these questions is the first step to making a thought-out decision, and Any Energy Saving Trust’s fleet busines advice service is happy s located to help you with this. in Scotlan For fleets with a lot With the uptake of electric vehicles on an points at a business d of downtime, fast exponential rise, it’s time to get ahead. premises. In addition for fund may apply in chargers should be Charge point installation companies are to this, any business g f r Energy o sufficient. However, evolving throughout the UK, making located in Scotland Saving T m rust as well these can come with a this an exciting and pivotal time. may apply for funding range of functionality One of the industry’s biggest challenges from Energy Saving chargin as OLEV’s with respect to the data is the matter of increasing charging Trust. Your eligibility, g schem e that they can provide, infrastructure availability in line with EV and the amount of grant and what level of remote uptake. We’re seeing pockets of the UK support you could receive, control you can have over where a council-backed push for more EV depends on a few criteria them. It’s therefore worth having infrastructure combined with a general buzz which are assessed at application. a discussion with your installer on the and enthusiasm around EVs has led to an even This includes whether your organisation capabilities of the units available to decide steeper uptake curve, for example in Dundee. currently operates EVs, or can demonstrate which is best suited for your business. Not everywhere benefits from the volume firm plans to; you employ EV owners; you For example, if you’re just charging employee of rapidly expanding infrastructure seen operate a car park of 50+ bays; you’re able to EVs during the day, you might consider a in this Scottish city, which will see its third make the charge point publically accessible; single-phase 7kw charge point similar to a charging hub installed before Christmas. and you’re located strategically in terms of domestic installation. On the other hand, Businesses across the UK need to do their the public charging infrastructure network. 50KW rapid smart chargers might even suit bit to maintain momentum, and there are two If you’re able to make your charge point some businesses – these will charge most key reasons as to why: the first is to encourage public, one condition of the grant from Energy currently available pure electric vehicles employee use of EVs. If you’re in an area where Saving Trust is that you keep it tariff-free for from 0 to 80 per cent in between 30 and 40 the only option is for people to drive to work, the public for the first year of operation. Whilst minutes, although this will vary depending on then it’s worth considering providing charge this will incur some charges, making the charge your vehicles. Please note, however, that not points for your employees. point public can help support your funding all vehicles are rapid-compatible, and due to Remember, 60 per cent of the UK’s application, and depending on your business their high cost relative to fast chargers, rapids population live in flats, so it may be type, could help bring in new customers. will likely only be suited to organisations with difficult for some employees to get a a large number of electric vehicles covering charge point installed at home. The second, A matter of power a significant number of miles each day. is to demonstrate your commitment to If you plan to install a number of chargers, If you will you’ll only need an occasional greener alternatives for employee travel you may need an electricity supply upgrade rapid charge, it’s best to use the extensive by procuring EVs for company use. to be able to accommodate the additional public network. Rapid chargers can be load this brings. Your installer should be found across the UK, and it’s not hard to Revolutionise your fleet able to advise on this when they carry out find one using ChargePlace Scotland if An EV charge point may help save your a site survey of your intended charging you are in Scotland. EV drivers in England company money, due to the tax benefits locations prior to installation. Funding from can use Zap-map or PlugShare for this. and lower running costs associated with EV Energy Saving Trust can potentially cover this It’s well worth giving some serious thought usage. You might even consider partnering additional cost on a case-by-case basis. to how EV charging could work for your with a car club such as Enterprise or Cobusiness. Energy Saving Trust Scotland has Wheels, providing them with a parking space The electricity bill plenty of resources to help you decide. for an EV which can then be pre-booked Depending on the size of your vehicles’ To download an application form for by your staff for occasional use. This way, it batteries, it will cost between £2.50 and £11 charge point funding in Scotland, please might become an opportunity to get rid of to charge to full. The higher figure assumes a visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ a fleet vehicle which is not used regularly, battery with 300+ mile range, for example a scotland/businesses-organisations/transport/ meaning a direct financial saving as you free 100KWh Tesla Model X. When you consider the electric-vehicles-chargeplace-scotland. L yourself from leasing and servicing costs. cost of 300 miles’ worth of diesel, though, it’s clear that your savings will eventually rack up. What funding is available? Encouraging staff to charge at work FURTHER INFORMATION Under the Office for Low Emission Vehicles will eliminate the need to pay 45p/mile, electricvehiclesscotland@est.org.uk (OLEV)’s Workplace Charging Scheme, £500 and you’ll be reducing your organisation’s www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Scotland is available per socket for one or more charge carbon footprint right from the get-go.

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EV CHARGEPOINTS

CREATING THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY

IN A CHANGING LANDSCAPE

TALKING FROM EXPERIENCE

WE’VE LEARNED A LOT SINCE 1958. AND WE’RE STILL EVOLVING. BUT OUR COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION HAS NEVER CHANGED. CREATING THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY. HERE’S TO THE ROAD AHEAD. WWW.ALDAUTOMOTIVE.CO.UK

Best Practice Guide

LEASING

Finance options for fleets explained All fleets have different operating models, so no one funding method will fit all. Here’s a look at the different options available At a GreenFleet roundtable last year, which had several fleets in attendance, the question came up over whether outright ownership or a lease model works best when it comes to financing vehicles. The answer was not definitive. Both ownership and leasing were practiced by the fleets around the table, and sometimes a mixture of owned and leased vehicles were included in one fleet. Norman Harding, corporate fleet manager at London Borough of Hackney said: “When we buy a vehicle, we don’t just look at what it does, we also look at the funding streams, we look at capital and leasing options and will make a judgement.” Healthcare provider Healthcare at Home meanwhile uses exclusively leased vehicles. The company’s fleet manager, Georgina Smith explained: “By leasing our vehicles, we know exactly what we spend on every year. We need all our money to invest, so leasing is perfect.” Michael Cook, senior fleet engineer at Babcock International Group highlighted that leasing is a good option when you don’t know where you are heading in terms of new technology and fuels, as you don’t get the residual risk.

Within Heathrow Airport’s fleet meanwhile, there is a mix of leased and bought vehicles, as explained by the airport’s procurement manager, Iqbal Gill. The conclusion was that all companies having different operating models so no one funding method will fit all. So what are the financing options open to fleets?

The monthly rental rate takes into account registration fees, road fund licence, its period of use, agreed mileage, funding costs, and forecast residual value, as well as the cost of the car. The number of miles a car does has major implications for both its service requirements and resale value and so will have an impact on the rental rate. The monthly fee may include a ‘service’ element covering additional services, such as maintenance, replacement vehicles, roadside assistance, motor insurance, accident management and fuel cards.

Finance lease The BVRLA / Grant Thornton guide explains a finance lease as allowing the lessee to hire a vehicle for a fixed monthly fee, with the vehicle remaining the property of the leasing company. This is similar to contract hire, however, the vehicle will appear on the lessee’s balance sheet, Contract hire with outstanding rentals Contra ct The BVRLA’s Vehicle represented as a liability h ire sees Funding guide, done because the risks and a user hir in partnership with rewards of ownership e a car for a set pe Grant Thornton, says rest with the lessee. contract hire is the The guide says: “A and pre riod of time d main type of vehicle finance lease generally e t e rmined maximu leasing. Explaining conforms to one of m the process, it says: two standard formats: a at fixed mileage monthl “Contract hire sees a lease with a final balloon y rentals user hire a car for a set payment (smaller monthly period of time and prepayments with a final big determined maximum mileage payment at the end), or the at fixed monthly rentals. There fully amortised lease, in which the is no option for the hirer to purchase finance is spread over a fixed period with the vehicle and at the end of the contract, the same amount being paid on a regular it is returned to the leasing company.” basis, usually monthly. E

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Autumn Budget 2018 hints at changes to come Matt Dale, ALD Automotive

The Autumn Budget 2018 was not as significant as other recent budgets, leaving us with the feeling that the main policy announcements are yet to come. While some measures were already known, it did contain some new announcements. Among them the extension of the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme for electric vehicle charge points – by which companies can claim 100 per cent first-year tax relief on any charge points they install – until 31 March 2023. Another is the decision to maintain a lower rate of Fuel Duty for alternative fuels until 2032, pending a review in 2024. There was also the allocation of £90 million for developing ‘Future Mobility Zones’. These are all positive policies that will encourage cleaner and more efficient motoring. However, what really stood out from this Budget was the number of policies that are yet to be confirmed. Earlier this year, ministers ran a consultation on introducing a new VED system to encourage the uptake of cleaner vans. However we still don’t know the finalised new rates for vans. They will, apparently, be revealed ahead of next year’s Finance Bill. The Chancellor is also leaving us waiting for his decision on the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), and how it interacts with the tax system. The transition to WLTP could push some vehicles into higher brackets for taxes such as CCT and VED. Unfortunately, the Budget only revealed that the government will ‘review the impact of WLTP’ – and then report back in the spring. It’s two years since Philip Hammond introduced a new system of CCT by revealing the rates for 2020-21, yet he still hasn’t confirmed the rates beyond this. This means that some businesses and company car drivers won’t know how much tax they will pay in the final years of their contracts, which leaves us with a level of uncertainty. FURTHER INFORMATION www.aldautomotive.co.uk

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 “In a lease with a final balloon payment, the overall depreciation of the vehicle is reflected in the monthly rental, with the final payment covering the original estimated residual value at the end of the contract. If the vehicle is subsequently sold at a price above that of the predetermined balloon payment, the leasing company will refund a percentage of the proceeds to the lessee. If the price is below the balloon payment, the lessee will be liable to pay the shortfall to the leasing company.” Contract purchase Contract purchase sees a customer agree to purchase a vehicle via a series of monthly instalments, the BVRLA guide says. Ownership passes to the purchaser at the outset or the end of the contract, depending on whether a conditional sale or credit sale agreement is used. Hire purchase meanwhile is a type of agreement where the purchaser in effect takes out a loan to buy vehicles from a third party. The agreement may require a three or six month deposit at the outset and usually terminates with a balloon payment – typically equivalent to the expected residual value of the car. Both the deposit and the balloon payment can be varied to reduce or increase the monthly repayment amount. “This type of funding appeals to companies that want to retain ownership of their vehicles, do not want to use their capital or overdraft to pay for them, and want to avoid mileage restrictions,” the guide says. However, it presents a residual value risk and requires inhouse expertise and management resources. Outright ownership Purchasing a vehicle outright is regarded as an acquisition of a fixed asset for accounting purposes. As such, the vehicles are recorded on the organisation’s balance sheet and depreciate over their useful life down to an estimated residual value. This gives the greatest level of control over how a vehicle is procured and also provides a potential influx of funds when vehicles are sold. But that does mean tying up capital in a rapidly depreciating asset, the guide says. Zero emission vehicles The government’s Road to Zero strategy made clear that it wants to pursue a zero-emission

transport future. But for many, there are still too many concerns that electric vehicles will not be fit for purpose in fleet operations. Leasing and rental, over outright purchase, can help lessen these concerns and allow fleet operators to try the vehicles without the risk. Explaining the benefits of leasing electric vehicles, the BVRLA’s Gerry Keaney said: “Many of the long-standing benefits associated with vehicle leasing are particularly attractive when it comes to fleets and people looking to adopt zero or ultra-low emission vehicles. “These vehicles are expensive and leasing companies can pass on the purchasing discounts they get from buying so many of them. Leasing enables you to fix the cost of your vehicle acquisition over a set period, meaning that you don’t have to stump up a lot of money up-front. “This can be particularly attractive for businesses that would like to use that working capital elsewhere. With the most popular form of leasing, contract hire, you never actually own the vehicle. This means that you are immune from any risk associated with that vehicle’s residual value. Should a vehicle’s residual value fall sharply, perhaps due to the introduction of a new range of much more efficient electric vehicles, the leasing company will have to absorb this cost.” Compliance with Clean Air Zones With the imminent arrival of Clean Air Zones around the UK, leasing may also provide an attractive way to use compliant vehicles. The leasing sector is already leading the way for compliant vehicles, according to the BVRLA’s recent ‘Fleet Sustainability Credentials’. It says that ninety-four per cent of the car rental fleet and 75 per cent of leased cars are CAZ compliant. These compliance figures are well ahead of the average for all UK cars, where only 57 per cent meet CAZ emission requirements. With regards to vans, only 13 per cent of the UK van fleet is currently CAZcompliant, compared to over a third (37 per cent) of all leased vans and over half (56 per cent) of the rental van fleet. See the BVRLA / Grant Thornton guide on Vehicle Funding at tinyurl.com/yd5bverm. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.bvrla.co.uk

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Taking health and safety on the road All companies running any size of fleet have a legal obligation and a duty of care to their drivers. When your place of work extends beyond the office or business premises, so too does your responsibility to provide a safe ‘mobile’ environment for your employees. DFM’s Simon Barr explains

Daimler Fleet Management know that their responsibility goes beyond simply funding and procuring your vehicles, taking an active role in shaping a policy that fulfils your duty of care requirements to your drivers. We’ve listed some of the areas to consider when drawing up your duty of care policies. Drivers: You wouldn’t allow an employee to use complicated machinery without being given sufficient training, yet many companies send their drivers on the road without specific safety training.

Driver Training Using a simple online driver assessment tool DFM will help you to identify which drivers are most in need of training. Delivered through eLearning and classroom training DFM will provide at risk drivers with tuition in hazard awareness and speeding, and with driving behaviours and concentration techniques. Additionally, drivers can also be taught to drive more economically and shown what to do in the event of a breakdown or collision, minimising downtime and keeping your people safe. Driver licence checks Research has shown that less than 15 per cent of motorists would inform their employer if they had a driving offence or penalty points on their licence. The burden of performing licence checks can be lessened with by automated checks carried out by DFM. You’ll receive up-todate information on your drivers, that DFM source directly from the DVLA. You choose the regularity of the checks and alongside the online assessments, you can monitor and retrain the drivers identified as being at risk. Vehicles: Automotive technology is improving all of the time. Investing in new vehicles means you are not only surrounding your drivers with the most innovative safety features, your business will also benefit from the latest in-car functionality aimed at greater driver efficiency. In-built technology comes as standard in many cars and vans these days. For example:

Optimised Assistance Predicts and manages maintenance and repairs. Fleet managers can also receive alerts of safety critical events. Driving Style Analytics Provides data on each user’s driving style to encourage safer and more cost-effective driving. Fatigue Alerts Audible prompts encourage the driver to take a break after prolonged periods on the road. In addition to lane tracking technology and hazard alerts some vehicles also monitor your position in the driving seat and look out for tell-tale signs of tiredness. Improved Navigation More efficient navigation information derived from a variety of sources can help avoid busy roads and traffic incidents. Almost all of these features and many more will interface straight into your own internal IT systems, providing valuable insight into the workings of your fleet and the training needs of your drivers. Fleet Management: Whether it’s an on or off balance-sheet solution that you are looking for DFM have a product to suit your needs. A periodic vehicle change cycle will minimise the chance of mechanical risks occurring. These risks can be further mitigated by a robust fleet management policy.

Fleet Consultancy Help choosing the most suitable and cost effective vehicles for your business is vital - ‘the right priced’ vehicle may not be the most appropriate one. It’s important to partner with a fleet management supplier who takes the time to understand your mobility objectives before recommending which vehicles you should take. By undertaking a whole life cost analysis you’ll see the true cost of running a fleet and the total cost of operating vehicles over their lifetime. Service and Maintenance Regular, manufacturer approved service and maintenance packages ensure

that your vehicles deliver optimum performance with downtime due to mechanical errors minimised.

Accident Management Supporting your drivers when they need it most. Your priority will always be to the welfare of your driver, an effective accident management product will ensure that they are safe and taken care of as quickly and suitably as possible. Attention can then be focused on the swift recovery and repair of your company vehicle. The administrative burden is taken care of on your behalf and if repairs are lengthy, an appropriate courtesy vehicle can be supplied, keeping your business moving. If a driver is involved in an accident that could have been prevented the company may find they are liable. A comprehensive duty of care strategy as outlined will illustrate that every care has been taken to protect your drivers, meaning if the worst does happen you will be able to focus on what’s important – your driver’s welfare and your business’ continuity. L FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01908 697442 dfm-uk@daimler.com daimlersixty.co.uk

Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

Manage fleet carbon emissions with vehicle tracking Vehicle tracking systems can be a powerful tool to reduce your fleet’s carbon emissions, save costs and improve productivity. However, many organisations start with vehicle tracking for a separate set of reasons, such as security of the vehicles and wanting to know where the drivers are at any point in time. Systems that specifically track and measure driver behaviour also allow an organisation to lower costs and carbon emissions, reducing fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent* and actively improving driving styles. Quartix offers an intuitive interface that provides actionable insight, to let you coach your drivers, lower your fuel costs and reduce the impact your fleet has on the environment. Through measuring idling times and mileage, the system also enables you to reduce unnecessary vehicle use, further supporting your green agenda. With Quartix, it is simple to see where driving styles can be improved. Driver scores based on speed, acceleration and braking provide a solid basis for feedback, combined with your drivers’ average speeds on certain stretches of road compared with other professional road users in the Quartix database. When you improve your fleet’s driving style and minimise

emissions, you also save fuel and reduce the of risk accidents on the road. Quartix displays your fleet’s total mileage, driving hours and idling time over a specified period in one simple report. Whether you need to report by driver or by vehicle, you can interrogate the data at the click of a button. Acting upon this insight can improve overall productivity and reduce employee overtime by up to 15 per cent*. Quartix shows you exactly what routes your drivers are taking every day, letting you see where they overlap or involve avoidable areas of congestion – armed with this knowledge, you can ensure jobs are completed efficiently, at lower costs and in less time. Knowing how your drivers are performing

out on the roads can help you to decrease idling times by up to 30 per cent*. Identifying where your drivers can decrease idling not only saves fuel, it also means greener results. The Quartix vehicle tracking system provides benefits to both your organisation and its workforce, easily feeding data into your existing systems to streamline processes. To learn how the system can benefit your teams, give Quartix a call and talk to one of their experts on 01686 806 663.

*Frost & Sullivan 2015 FURTHER INFORMATION www.quartix.net

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Gaining control of your fleet through telematics

Best Practice Guide

TELEMATICS

Telematics is being widely adopted by fleets, providing businesses with journey and driving information that enables better decision-making to make the most efficient use of the costly transport resource Written by John Curtis

Running a fleet can be an enormous performance, and more. However, all the challenge, never more so than when vehicles vehicle data in the world is utterly useless are doing what they should be – being driven. unless it is used to inform better decision However, this is when vehicles can be at their making. How the data is analysed, and most expensive, either through wear and tear, the subsequent decisions it informs are fuel use or even accidents, and this is the key to a successful implementation. point at which the fleet manager Telematics devices are unobtrusive, has the least control. passive observers that are located Telematics is being out of the way of the vehicle All widely adopted by controls and the drivers the veh fleets, of all sizes, sight line. These monitors i c providing the collect information and data in le business with transmit it back to a data world i the s journey and driving collection point, usually u t ter useless information that back at the office. unless ly it is used to enables decisions The devices themselves to be made to make come in a number of better d inform the most efficient forms, allowing fleet ecision use of the costly managers to use what is making transport resource. best for them. Much of it depends on how the data will be What is telematics? collected, and the available budget. Vehicle telematics is based Mobile only and Bluetooth Assist on the idea of gathering, storing, and telematics are cost-effective but are lacking in transmitting information about the capabilities. Along with 12V connectors, they vehicle for monitoring purposes. This can be easily transferred from one vehicle information can be used to analyse vehicle to another, so they can be kept with drivers performance, vehicle conditions, driver if users are regularly switching vehicles.

Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) devices plug into the OBD port on the underside of the steering column. They will have Bluetooth or even cellular capabilities and will be able to collect a richer set of data to be used. They can be moved from one vehicle to another, but it is a little more difficult than with mobile-only systems and 12V connectors. They are generally the best route for most fleets. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products are very capable, but are also the most expensive, and are permanently fixed to the vehicle. The benefits of telematics One key question to answer in the quest for telematics success is why the need for a telematics system? The answer will vary depending on whether the question comes from the finance department, HR, the fleet manager, drivers or even a union representative. However, in most cases, the issues covered fall into four broad themes, all of which are interlinked: mileage and time management, fuel and emissions, safety and security and financial benefits. E

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Best Practice Guide

 Mileage and time management Telematics shows where vehicles are being driven and how they are being used. This can benefit the business in a number of ways. Tracking systems are able to identify a vehicle’s location, so the right vehicle and employee can be sent to the closest job, by the most efficient route, guided by real time traffic information. Automatic mileage updates can be received by managers or suppliers, such as leasing companies, to enable proactive servicing and timely replacement of vehicles. Telematics can help automate manual and time-consuming processes, such as timesheets, to make them more accurate and reduce paperwork. The system will automatically log vehicle use and location along with the start and end of the working day. This information can then be imported into payroll systems. Business or private mileage can be separated to improve the accuracy of expenses claims. Fuel and emissions Telematics can assist in planning more fuel-efficient journeys, and encourage less aggressive driving, resulting in lower fuel bills. In addition, systems can report on the fuel economy of specific vehicles. In a recent study of company car drivers, a telematics system identified a 50 per cent difference in fuel economy being achieved in identical cars over similar journeys. Much of the excess fuel use was down to driving style, including excessive speed and harsh acceleration. This level of insight isn’t possible with other fuel management systems, such as fuel cards, mainly as the process involves the driver accurately recording mileage when filling up. By having more accurate, vehicle-specific data, a company can quickly identify where action needs to be taken, such as with fuel efficient driver training. By improving fuel economy and reducing time spent idling, a business can reduce its total carbon emissions, a key consideration as businesses are increasingly required to provide carbon reporting as part of their annual results. Safety & Security Telematics can provide the information needed to improve safety, reduce accidents and combat vehicle crime. Some systems can clearly identify speeding, harsh braking and acceleration, sudden steering changes, over-revving and hours of vehicle use. This information can be used to pinpoint safety issues so drivers and managers can be trained and educated.

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Some systems can clearly identify harsh braking and acceleration, sudden steering changes, over-revving and hours of use Studies have shown that for each 1mph reduction in average speed, accident frequency reduces by six per cent. Typical own damage costs rarely fall below £1,100 per claim, while average insurance claims including third-party damage and injury claims can be more than £4,000, a good reason to manage vehicles using actual and real time data. In addition, telematics can act as a security system, with unplanned vehicle movements raising an alarm and pinpointing the vehicle so police can be directed to its location. Personal safety can be enhanced for lone workers too, as telematics can track their location and vehicles can be fitted with panic alarms in case of emergency. Financial benefits Introducing telemetry is no different than investing in any other business system, it has to make business sense. Typical figures suggest that through better scheduling, higher productivity and increased vehicle utilisation, operating costs can fall by ten per cent. By covering fewer miles, reducing speeding and improving driving style, fuel use and CO2 emissions can be cut by 15 per cent. Finally, reduced speeding and greater levels of driver awareness could cut crash costs by up to 50 per cent. By using telematics to record drivers’ hours, unnecessary overtime claims can be reduced, often by thousands of pounds, while there are other fringe benefits too. Because telematics systems provide accurate location and time information, a number of companies claim they are successfully challenging fines for parking infringements. In addition, insurance companies may be willing to consider a reduction in premiums. The telematics system The data that a telematics system can provide comes from three key sources. The first is from GPS data, which calculates location and speed, the second is from a direct link to the vehicle that delivers information on any aspect of performance it is collecting, which can include oil temperature and even whether doors are open.

Thirdly, some systems have sensitive instruments that measure g-force to identify harsh braking, steering and acceleration. Telematics devices do suffer from some limitations though and knowing these limitations may help determine what is the best choice for your vehicles. Satellite-based and cellular-based services can lose coverage if driven far enough out of the way. That said, the data can be stored by the unit and transmitted when it is back in service range. This may limit real-time tracking but should not limit any other part of telematics usage. Even the most committed supporters of telematics technology will agree that you can have too much of a good thing. A vehicle tracking system isn’t just a one-box solution, as it can provide a myriad of reports and charts that can either go into minute detail or just provide a graphical overview of key issues related to fleet use. If fleet managers choose wisely, they will have absolute clarity on their fleet. Choose poorly and information will be irrelevant, too detailed to use or in such great volumes that any benefit is lost in a sea of figures. Introduction is key Careful introduction of this technology is key to ensure staff feel supported rather than feeling spied upon. As company vehicles are almost certain to have an element of private use, the challenges of persuading drivers to accept the technology and the changes it might bring are much more significant. That doesn’t suggest it can’t be achieved, as thousands of cars are tracked already, but there has to be a much clearer benefit for the driver. One solution can be to focus on a depersonalised service that offers the benefits of telematics at the most basic level, with automatic reporting of vehicle mileage and driver admin, giving them more time to do their jobs. If a business is leasing a vehicle, and depending on the supplier chosen, this basic level of telematics may be supplied as part of the package. In some cases, it can be extended to business and private mileage capture to help automate expense reports. Stolen vehicle tracking can also be added. Focusing on the personal benefits, such as improved safety and security have been shown to make a positive impact on staff attitudes. The most important factor is to take staff along on the journey by explaining the issues, seeking feedback and addressing genuine concerns with facts and case study support. A good supplier will have endless evidence of implementation and use strategies that have worked for other clients. Trust those that come with a proven track record and are happy for you to speak to some of their clients. L

Many organisations rely on traditional telematics technology to gain insights into their drivers’ performance

Industry Comment

Beyond telematics Del Lisk

Telematics provides vehicle operation data like GPS and fuel data, as well as information on erratic driving events such as hard braking, sudden swerving, or collisions. However, telematics data often doesn’t tell the whole story of what’s happening on the road and inside your driver’s vehicle – or, more importantly, why it’s happening. How video can reveal the root cause of collisions Compared to traditional vehicle telematics, video telematics technology provides a high level of data and insights that can give organisations a more complete picture of what is occurring in their fleets – including how safely their drivers are operating on the road. When an event occurs, telematics data tells us when and where something happened; the forward view of an externally-facing video lens can tell us what happened; the internal view provided by an in-cab video event recorder can tell us why it happened. Video enables fleet managers to identify and analyse patterns of risky driving behaviours, and to help coach drivers to change these behaviours before they lead to collisions. Data reveals a link between risky driving behaviours and collisions Lytx reviewed videos generated by hard‑braking and cornering manoeuvres to identify the root-cause behaviours of the manoeuvres. We also identified significant behaviour differences and calculated collision probabilities to correlate behaviours that show a higher likelihood of future collisions. Understanding the data and risky behaviours that video reveals can help you quickly identify the drivers who are most likely to be in a collision, so you can focus on helping them improve their skills and avoid a collision altogether. Focus on the good Video telematics helps pinpoint risky driving and it also highlights and documents good

driving. Most drivers understand (and appreciate) that video telematics doesn’t just record mistakes, but can help them become better drivers, exonerate them from false claims, and even save lives. How video helps predict collision risk Near-collision events involve driving behaviours that are correlated with near misses. Our analysis also showed that drivers with a near-collision event are nearly six times more likely to be involved in a collision within six months than a driver without a near-collision event. Combined with mobile phone use, these three behaviours shown are correlated with nearly 40 per cent of the near collisions studied. The game changer: video‑based telematics Many professional drivers are sports fans. They know the value of good coaching and how critical video is in the coaching process. So, like professional athletes, good drivers understand how video-based coaching can make them perform even better. A good coach also knows which of their players they need to focus on first. Video-based telematics can help predict which drivers are more likely to be involved in an incident, so coaches can focus on these drivers first. The bottom line Video telematics can help you understand the root causes of collisions and other road incidents; video-based data can help you identify and reward good driving behavior; video provides coaches with information to predict which drivers are more likely to be involved in a collision, so they can prioritise their coaching efforts. Only video telematics can reveal the truth of what’s happening on the road, delivering crucial insights to help you coach risky drivers to become safer drivers. L

Del Lisk serves as Lytx’s chief safety liaison for its more than 1400 fleet customers. Del is a Certified Transportation Professional and an active member in several motor vehicle safety groups such as the National Safety Council’s Transportation Safety Division and the American Society of Safety Engineer’s Transportation Practice Specialty. Del has presented at countless conferences and has appeared on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, Discovery Channel and other television shows. Prior to joining Lytx, Lisk served as company president of Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, a leader in professional driver training.

FURTHER INFORMATION About Lytx At Lytx® we harness the power of data to change human behaviour and help good companies become even better. We enable our clients to realise significant ROI by lowering operating and insurance costs, while achieving greater efficiency and compliance. Most of all, we strive to help save lives – on our roads and in our communities, every day. Lytx has offices in the UK and is privately held and headquartered in San Diego. For more information, visit www.lytx.co.uk, twitter.com/LytxUK @LytxUK on Twitter, or on our www.youtube.com/user/LytxInc channel.

Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

Best Practice Guide Written by Phil Lloyd, head of engineering and vehicle standards policy at the Freight Transport Association (FTA)

VEHICLE SAFETY

How to ensure your vehicles are road safe & green Phil Lloyd, FTA’s head of engineering and vehicle standards policy, pulls out some of the most salient points from the updated DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness and shares his key advice All vehicle operators and drivers wanting to check if a vehicle is road safe should refer to DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness. The guide, applicable to commercial goods vehicles and passenger carrying vehicles, was recently updated and provides bestpractice advice and legal requirements. For those wishing to reduce their fleets’ carbon emissions, there are many tools and techniques available, which can also help to extend the life of a vehicle and make its operation more cost effective. Phil Lloyd, FTA’s head of engineering and vehicle standards policy, pulls out some of most salient points from the Guide to Roadworthiness and shares his key advice. Check lists The most effective way to keep a vehicle road-safe between roadworthiness safety

Traffic Commissioners can take action against anyone who fails to complete an adequate walk-around check, so this procedure must not be overlooked. Drivers are legally responsible for the condition of a vehicle when in use on the road and report any defects swiftly, for example, unusual vehicle vibrations. In addition to these regular checks, firstuse inspections and regular roadworthiness safety inspections must be completed. Transport managers and operators should ensure these safety inspections are reflective of the conditions to which the vehicle is put. For example, a vehicle used regularly in hilly areas may require more frequent checks of its brakes.

Emissions considerations inspections is to undertake Operators and drivers should make T he mos daily pre-use vehicle every effort to reduce vehicle t effectiv checks and make emissions wherever possible. e way to keep sure any defects or There are several different defect symptoms methods available to do road-sa a vehicle f e are reported this, such as encouraging b e tw roadwo immediately, with fuel-efficient driving rthiness een safety remedial action through education, inspectio ns is to being taken as training, incentives and the u ndertak soon as possible, in installation of telematics. vehicle e daily some cases before Routing and scheduling checks the vehicle is used. processes can optimise fuel Key elements of efficiency, while aerodynamics, this routine should tyre management, and utilising include (where applicable) alternative fuels can also reduce checking electric warning indicators, emissions. Identifying a fuel or energy efficiency security of the load, number plates, champion will also help promote this agenda. lights and indicators, steering, security With the upcoming introduction of Clean of body/wings/mudflaps, wheel security, Air Zones (CAZ) across several cities and general tyre condition and mirrors. London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ),

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

companies should consider upgrading their vehicles to meet the new requirements. Only vehicles meeting the emission standards set by the European Union – Euro VI for diesel and Euro V for petrol vehicles – will be permitted to enter these zones without paying a fee. Keeping green In its Road to Zero strategy, the government set a voluntary emission reduction target of 15 per cent by 2025 for all HGVs, but this is a target which operators of all types of vehicles should aspire to achieve. The Logistics Emission Reduction Scheme (LERS), which FTA provides free of charge to the whole industry to help operators reduce emissions, has adopted the government’s emission reduction target, building on its existing achievement of a seven per cent reduction in its members’ emissions by 2015 compared to 2010. The scheme aggregates its member’s fuel usage and business activity data to establish a carbon footprint and has been successfully demonstrating industry’s ability to improve emissions on its own without further government regulation. LERS supports its members by providing guidance on carbon reducing measures, regular policy updates and valuable information on reducing fuel costs. Membership is free and open to all companies with at least one commercial vehicle. For more information, or to join the scheme, please visit www.lers.org.uk While DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness provides the standards required to keep a vehicle road safe from a legal perspective, operators and drivers – particularly those concerned with reducing their environmental impact – should explore all other tools and techniques available.

For vehicles showing signs of visible exhaust smoke, a diesel smoke meter should be used to ensure that the level of smoke emission is within the legal requirements. Information on the levels of permitted exhaust smoke is contained in DVSA‘s annual test inspection manuals.Vehicles fitted with emission control systems (ECS) need to be maintained in-line with manufacturers’ recommendations. Drivers and operators are required to monitor the ECS warning lamps, and ensure the diesel exhaust fluid level (AdBlue) is maintained correctly. Any emission control system faults need to be rectified as soon as possible and repaired in-line with manufacturer’s standards. It should be noted that a person who fails to maintain an emission control system, or modifies or removes it, could be found guilty of an offence. This would put your operators’ licence at risk, and the potential penalties are unlimited fines.

Best Practice Guide

Emissions and air quality

Transport managers should ensure safety inspections are reflective of the conditions to which the vehicle is put. For example, a vehicle used regularly in hilly areas may require more frequent checks of its brakes. Leaner logistics Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers. L

FURTHER INFORMATION DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness is available at tinyurl.com/y7jh93qa

Monitoring drivers’ daily checks The daily walkaround check is a vital part of any maintenance system, and so requires continuous monitoring to ensure the checks are being performed correctly. Electronic driver defect reporting systems can be effectively used to manage drivers’ walkaround inspections. Operators can also use tachograph analysis to monitor the time taken to carry out a walkaround check. A way of monitoring the quality of the daily check is to have a visiting agent or competent in-house member of staff, to re-examine the vehicle as it leaves or enters the operating centre. The inspection result can be checked against the driver’s defect reports to ensure the driver’s check is of sufficient quality. Another approach could be to use the safety inspection. The person carrying out the safety inspection could note which defects found should have been detected during the driver’s daily walkaround check. A review of the driver defect reports could be performed, and appropriate action should be taken to establish why the defects were not detected during the walkaround check.

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How can technology and data make fleets more efficient? Interpreting fleet management data alongside used oil analysis information will allow managers to identify trends for better overall fleet management, writes Karl Rudman, business development manager at Petro-Canada Europe Lubricants

Fleets around the world have been revolutionised by new technologies that have made the industry somewhat unrecognisable. Owners now have unprecedented opportunity to manage and safeguard their fleets thanks to applications such as vehicle tracking and collision mitigation systems that have meant that fleet management now largely relies on digital systems and devices. With the insight that can be gained from the data provided by these systems, fleet managers have additional opportunities to make the process of management even more efficient and profitable. A transformed industry Since devices have become embedded into our lives, we are now more connected than ever before. In both our personal and professional activities, data on everything we do and every decision we make is tracked, providing insights into our behaviour or work patterns. The fleet industry has undergone a similar transformation over the past twenty years, whereas it was once a primarily a manual endeavour, trucking is now heavily supported by the adoption and integration of technology meaning that there is also an abundance of data available on fleets. Most trucks are now fitted with hardware sensors, allowing fleet managers to track their vehicles in real-time by pin-pointing them on live maps. Fleets are now increasingly interconnected and managers no longer

have to wait for drivers to report on their vehicles, as real time, quantitative results can be sent straight to managers. This interconnectivity can also help managers to run their business more profitably by receiving notifications if a vehicle passes a mileage limit or when a driver has spent a considerable time idling or stopped, giving them an insight into how their fleets work. Real life applications Tracking vehicles allows managers to report on hours of service, or spot which members of their fleet are driving safest, allowing managers to promote greater risk mitigation among their drivers and ensure the well-being of their teams. Economically, promoting more efficient driving can also reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs on items such as tires and brakes. In addition to assisting drivers, these systems can provide data on many aspects of the truck, including acceleration, speed and idle time. By operating a data-led fleet, managers can find efficiencies using the information that they receive to help them maximise profits. Using this information, owner-operators could accurately forecast fuel usage, enabling them to make better purchasing decisions and help with planning. It goes without saying that skilled drivers and maintenance staff are still extremely important for the industry because a fully-automated world of trucking is not

something that we can expect anytime soon. We should, however be looking to make better use of data, which is often readily available to fleets. If it can be used in the right way, fleets will experience noticeable maintenance and financial benefits. Data alongside analysis It is the analysis of data and subsequent identification of trends that will allow the industry to see significant improvements in efficiency and profit. Interpreting fleet management data alongside used oil analysis information will allow managers to identify trends. This will help to detect the causes behind a recent change in oil analysis results or predict when oil may need to be changed earlier, based on the trucks acceleration, breaking and idle rates. Managers will then be able to better identify and prevent potential catastrophic failures or problems before they have an impact on the business’ bottom line. Analysing used oil analysis data can also show where managers could gain cost efficiencies by extending oil drain intervals. Used oil analysis data has shown that DURON™ heavy-duty engine oil has a proven track record of improving drain intervals* and tangible proof of the savings and efficiency gains that transitioning to DURON can deliver. If managers considered these findings alongside data from their fleets, the impact of other factors such as driver style, frequency of idling and stop/ starting can be optimised to allow the further extension of oil drain intervals. It’s important to note that operators considering making changes based on fleet management data should only make these changes to oil drain intervals if they have carefully considered the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommendations. Bringing together all data available and taking the time to analyse and interpret it, fleets can see where they can improve day-to-day efficiency, that could lead to significant financial benefits.

* Extending drain intervals should always be undertaken in conjunction with an oil analysis program. ™ Owned or used under license. L FURTHER INFORMATION To find out more about DURON, visit www.duronthetougherthebetter.com

Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

Best Practice Guide Written by James Smith, LoCITY programme manager

VEHICLE SAFETY

A check a day keeps the DVSA away Daily vehicle checks can often be overlooked when time is short. But as an operator, it’s key that you make sure there are regular safety inspections and that drivers are provided with clear written instructions of their responsibilities, advises LoCITY’s James Smith Keeping a commercial vehicle roadworthy is required by law, but is also plain common sense. You’ll reduce the risk of accidents and keep your fuel bills down which ultimately results in a more profitable vehicle. At LoCITY our focus is on ensuring drivers are aware of the environmental impact of commercial operations. Our short e-learning course available via FORS is a great starting point for anyone who is interested in vehicle checks and alternative fuels. Perhaps you are looking to pick up a vehicle that’s compliant with the new Ultra Low Emission Zone? Whether you’re leasing, hiring or borrowing the vehicle, there are safety inspections which must take place before you use a vehicle for the first time. But let’s focus on what checks we can make once they are in service. These can often be overlooked as time is short and we want to keep the fleet busy and on the road. As an operator it’s key that you make sure there are regular safety inspections and that drivers are provided with clear written instructions of their responsibilities so they understand what to check. Similarly if they find a problem you need a way for them to report an issue so non-roadworthy vehicles are taken out of service. What should we tell the drivers? Whilst the exact checks might vary by vehicle before it goes into service, the key principle should always be to check by walking around before, during and after journeys. Your load should be planned and positioned safely, and secured correctly. Lastly, drivers should record problems and take action. As a commercial vehicle driver, a quick, repeatable and simple visual check saves time and money especially as the easiest issues to find often hide the biggest cost. Externally we need to look at the condition of basic elements like fuel and oil leaks, wheel nuts, lights, bodywork and windows. The government has published daily walk around guidance for HGV and Van drivers [www.gov.uk/government/publications/ van-drivers-daily-walkaround-check] so introducing these elements into a daily routine should prevent problems. Tyre considerations It’s worth paying particular attention to tyre tread and pressure as that has a huge impact on fuel economy and stopping distances. A less than 1 bar reduction in tyre pressure can reduce the safe lifespan of a tyre by 20 to 30 per cent, but importantly can also increase fuel consumption by five per cent. An under pressure tyre generates more heat and rolling resistance but on wet roads braking distance can extend by up to 12 meters. That’s the width of around two pedestrian crossings.

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Keeping an eye on tread is also important as uneven wear reduces a tyres ability to prevent aquaplaning, but is also a legal requirement to ensure all tyre tread exceeds the minimum legal limits. For HGVs, the legal limit is 1mm, but best practice suggests maintaining a minimum of 3-4mm at all times.

reduction system could reduce engine power to make sure the vehicle restricts emissions. Not something you want to happen mid shift! Commercial drivers are responsible for reporting any defects in writing to whoever’s in charge of sorting out vehicle defects. It’s important to get critical details recorded on file like the vehicle registration, date of inspection, and details of the defect. Load management If you are on the road the DVSA or police If you are carrying a load or pulling a trailer can stop lorries, buses and coaches for spot then you need to inspect the coupling, checks. Issues are graduated depending on electrical, ABS and braking air line connections, circumstance and seriousness but generally load attachments and any landing legs. any prohibition will prevent you from Another pre check worth considering is driving until the problem is fixed. Overseaswhether your vehicle is carrying excess load registered vehicles are subject to the same – if you’ve got depot storage facilities rules as those registered in the UK. then removing additional weight Finally I think its worthwhile each day and anything stored highlighting the customer on the roof will reduce drag impact of a daily check The and improve fuel efficiency. before you leave home principle key An empty roof rack or your yard – if you are be to ch should alone has been shown confident the vehicle e c by walk k vehicles to decrease a car’s fuel is fit for purpose in g a r economy by about seven and will complete its o u n before, per cent so imagine journey then so will during d and aft the impact of carrying anyone paying for your er something on the roof services. Failure to check jo u r n e ys you won’t need that day. vehicles will be costly for Combine this with everyone so an effective driver training to reduce compliance and fault aggressive acceleration reporting system is essential and braking and you’ll definitely and mandated for HGV operators. reduce wear and operational costs. You’ll detect minor defects before they develop into more serious faults and can Diesel drivers be confident you are running vehicles For some diesel vehicles, it’s also important which are safe, clean and reliable. L to check AdBlue levels fairly regularly – this is excellent at supressing exhaust emission FURTHER INFORMATION but only if topped up regularly. If you run out of Adblue, then an active selective catalytic www.locity.org.uk

Steertrak share the benefits of wheel alignment and how it is more economical when it comes to fuel consumption

Wheel alignment is proven to save on fuel and tyres If the wheels on a commercial vehicle are misaligned by only a small amount, this can have a significant impact on the handling characteristics of a vehicle, reducing tyre life and impacting fuel economy. Quite simply it is just money down the drain. A half a degree misalignment on one axle could reduce tyre life by half and reduce fuel economy by 3-5 per cent. See figures 1 & 2. If done properly wheel alignment should be self financing For commercials vehicles, savings in the region of £500 to £3000 per annum have been reported. Not all wheel alignment is the same Doing the wheel alignment on a car is not the same as doing the wheel alignment on a commercial vehicle. The alignment equipment is different and the method used to set them up is different. For commercial vehicles be sure to go to a professional commercial vehicle alignment company. Tracking versus full wheel alignment Tracking refers to the angle of one wheel compared to the wheel on the opposite side. For a lot of cars resetting the tracking is all that is needed, and that often what you get quoted for when trying to find the cheapest price. However for commercial vehicles just re-setting the tracking is not enough. You also have to set the wheels straight to the chassis, straight to the steering box (or steering rack), and straight in relation to other axles. Not all wheel alignment systems can do this.

Check wheel alignment at least once a year Some operators wait until they see major tyre wear before getting the wheel alignment checked. However at this point the damage is already done and the money is down the drain. And it is not just the cost of replacing the tyres, as for every pound wasted on tyre wear around two to three pounds would have been wasted on fuel. Many fleet managers now insist on a wheel alignment check as part of the vehicles annual MOT, as well as every time a steering or suspension component is replaced. Fleets that have adopted a preventative wheel alignment program have claimed fuel savings of 3-5 per cent and improvement in tyre life of 5 – 20 per cent. Be wary of potholes Every time a vehicle mounts a kerb, hits a pothole or runs along the verge, there is a chance that the wheel alignment could be affected, and repeated knocks over time will undoubtedly mean the alignment will need to be reset.

Uneven tyre wear is not just down to poor wheel alignment When confronted with a tyre wear issue it is also necessary to investigate other contributory factors like tyre pressures, tyre selection, worn mechanical components (bearings, ball joints, suspension etc.). It can be a waste of time undertaking wheel alignment until these other issues are put right. A professional wheel alignment company should be able to advise on these other issues.

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Wheel alignment: top ten tips

Recheck wheel alignment after steering parts are changed Every time a ball joint, track rod end, steering or suspension component is changed again the wheel alignment will need to be reset. Not all workshops do the wheel alignment after parts have been changed.

Signs & symptoms of incorrect wheel alignment Often the driver will be the first person to highlight a potential wheel alignment problem. A misaligned vehicle may require the driver to make constant adjustments and “fight” to keep a vehicle straight down the road. Misaligned tyres often suffer an uneven wear pattern and an unnecessary build up of heat leading to premature tyre failure. The most obvious tell-tell signs are uneven tyre wear across the face of the tyre or excessive shouldering on the tyres. Sometimes the tyre wear will be on both sides, but sometime just on one side. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.steertrak.co.uk

Figure 1

Figure 2

Fixed solid beam axles can also be aligned Contrary to common belief you can align fixed beam axles such as those on a trailer or on a drive axle. It is not possible to adjust the tracking, but you can still align those straight ahead used shims or cam bolts.

Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

Adveretisement Feature

FORS training gives fleet operators the edge FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, is a voluntary accreditation scheme for transport operators to implement and promote increasing levels of best practice; encouraging and educating them to become safer, more efficient and to reduce their impact on the environment Training – giving operators an edge For today’s commercial vehicle operator, knowing the art of fleet management can be as important to the business as fuel economy is to the productivity of the vehicles themselves. Knowledge is power, as they say. FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, is a voluntary accreditation scheme for transport operators to implement and promote increasing levels of best practice; encouraging and educating them to become safer, more efficient and to reduce their impact on the environment. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, FORS now boasts over 5,000 members nationwide. FORS is about driving-up operational standards. Central to this endeavour is the FORS Standard – a detailed document which defines the requirements that members must have in place to achieve and maintain FORS Bronze, Silver and Gold accreditation. To help meet these requirements, the ‘FORS Professional’ training portfolio provides training pathways for small operators and large fleets alike, with dedicated courses, eLearning modules and toolkits for drivers and managers. Training for managers Training is delivered through FORS Practitioner workshops, courses, regional workshops, eLearning, practical toolkits, guides and advice; everything that is needed to develop a full managerial skill-set. And, with eLearning forming a large part of the FORS Professional offering, individuals can benefit from training whenever, and wherever, they wish. For managers at any level of an operation, FORS Practitioner workshops represent the hub of the FORS training resource. Delivered in ten half-day units, the workshops provide a complete package of fleet management learning, including managing work related road risk, safe and efficient fleet utilisation, reducing fuel use and minimising fines and charges. Completion of all ten workshops leaves delegates fully equipped to face the challenges of managing a busy van or truck operation, regardless of its size and make-up. And, with a huge bank of information amassed during the learning process, delegates will have developed a best practice mindset in pursuit of a safer, more efficient and a more environmentally protective operation.

FORS Standard – Bronze, Silver, Gold

To date, over 1,200 individuals boast the FORS Practitioner qualification. Training for drivers Arguably the most important individual within any transport operation, certainly with respect to efficiency, but also for the reputation of the business, is the driver. He or she really is at the sharp end of the operation, so, training can have a huge impact on both the bottom line, and also the potential for new business. Safe Urban Driving (SUD) and Van Smart training include a specific focus on how drivers engage with vulnerable road users; primarily, cyclists. Other courses available include TruckSmart for HGV drivers and the LoCITY Driving course which is available to both van and HGV drivers. Practical training as part of the SUD and Van Smart courses includes an on‑bike module where drivers experience life ‘in the saddle’ to garner awareness of where the dangers exist when coming into proximity with larger vehicles. Since it was established ten years ago, FORS has delivered over 321,000 eLearning modules for drivers and managers, while in excess of 144,000 classroom-based training courses have also been completed – many of which are either directly focused on, or contain reference to, the safety message. Knowledge is power, yes, and it can lead to safer roads, increased efficiency and a more environmentally secure future for everyone. The FORS Standard – developing, improving, informing At its recent FORS Members’ Conference in Solihull, FORS presented the latest iteration of the FORS Standard. The latest version 5 of the FORS Standard addresses both the need for air quality improvements and the move towards making FORS accessible to more vehicle types, especially the growing fleets of motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers which contribute to many last-mile deliveries on UK roads. L

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Bronze: A new requirement for PCV operators at FORS Bronze is introduced to ensure passengers are carried in a manner where no danger is likely to be caused. The requirement must be demonstrated via a passenger safety policy, vehicle signage and adequate access for all passengers. There is also a new counter terrorism requirement, meaning operators must have a policy and supporting procedures in place at FORS Bronze. Under new training requirements, FORS Bronze members must also have completed the current FORS Professional Security & Counter Terrorism eLearning module within the 24 months prior to audit. Since its launch in January 2018, the module has been completed by over 18,000 individuals. Silver: There is now added emphasis on improving environmental operating standards at FORS Silver. HGV and van drivers must complete the FORS Professional ‘LoCITY – Time to clean up’ eLearning module within the 24 months prior to accreditation. FORS Silver also includes a commitment to tackle noise pollution – a criteria formally only mandated at FORS Gold – to minimise noise pollution and its impact on local communities. Gold: FORS has also introduced a requirement at FORS Gold for drivers to complete either the FORS Professional LoCITY Driving training course, or a FORS-Approved environmental awareness course.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.fors-online.org.uk

Improving driver safety through education

Best Practice Guide

DRIVER TRAINING

For an organisation, there is a legal and moral duty to ensure that staff are fully trained for the tasks in hand. For driving, this clearly means some form of risk assessment and training Sat-Nav display screens are all making it easier to drive and taking away driving decisions, but at the same time taking attention from the road. Do organisations assume drivers understand all the technology and how it effects driving standards? Or do drivers need some readjustment to all the “new” stuff, even simple “toolbox” talks would help prevent drivers becoming overwhelmed. Technology Do all Ultimately if vehicles Telematics is becoming d rivers n and drivers aren’t on the more and more common, e e d to be train road or sharing it when even a simple in-cab e necessa d? Not others are on it then camera is useful. While rily, but collisions can’t happen. they can be used to a t h ll ey need to What steps can be defend the actions of be risk assesse taken? Can journeys the driver, they also d be eliminated, shared, highlight the actions interven and given tion changed timings or use of that driver in the are high if they of remote conferencing. moments before an risk It’s easy to get caught up incident. If they are driving in the day to day running of well that will show too. The the business, not to intentionally big problem with telematics is ignore the road risk but leave it on the use of the data that is provided. the back burner until something happens, If the organisation isn’t reviewing it or when it’s too late. RoSPA is well placed at least carrying out some form of trend to review the MORR status of a business, analysis with the data, it’s pointless. undertake driver profiling, risk assessments There are many variants of systems and “grade” the driver and advise on in the market place and what works appropriate interventions, carry out “train the for one company may not be right for trainer” courses, e-learning and workshop another, for that reason RoSPA cannot delivery to drivers, managers and directors. support one system over another. What is important is that when they are in situ, Keep learning they are used and reviewed and that It’s a truism that we “don’t know any training and development points are what we don’t know until we know communicated across the business. it”, and education helps fill the void. Drivers of large vehicles have come to It’s the “what” and “who” that needs rely on camera technology to help them education, then it’s just commitment. when reversing or driving in congested At the beginning of the article the term situations. When they were first introduced “incident” was used in favour of “accident”. there was resistance from many drivers A definition of an accident (of which there are about “big brother is watching”; nowadays many) is an event that “cannot be planned, the same resistance exists if someone predicted or prevented”, all of which a were to try to remove the technology. driver can do with training and support. Post collision investigation evidences The negatives of technology that 93-95 per cent of incidents are due Technology, the saviour to all the road to human error that perhaps could be safety problems, or is it? It’s all very well avoided. If we learn to drive, and usually having the technological advances towards need instruction to pass that test, why road safety in place, so long as road users do we then stop? How many individuals (not just drivers or those driving for work) take golf lessons, or music lessons or don’t become overly reliant on them to the undertake professional development, detriment of making their own decisions in but not for the one action that can kill or the first instance and understand how the seriously maim others. But then aren’t we technology works in the second. For many all good drivers, or is it the other guy? L older drivers, who learnt to drive in vehicles with a carburettor, now find themselves in a vehicle with an ECU and fuel injection FURTHER INFORMATION systems – a very different piece of kit that www.rospa.com no one has explained to them how it works. place to educate the young about the dangers on the road. You could approach a head teacher with an offer to sponsor some form of road safety training. Women’s Institutes or U3A groups often look for guest speakers or an approach to a local supermarket to run a road safety event for the shoppers.

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John Greenhough, RoSPA fleet safety consultant

Improving driver safety through education is a question of choice. Do the drivers need educating or is it the public they come into contact with that need the education? Driver training is hard to quantify; would a driver be as likely or less likely to be involved in an incident (note not accident) as a result of receiving driver training. Accepting that the riskiest activity most workers face is driving for work and that 30 per cent of the road fatalities were involved with a driving for work activity, maybe the better question is “would those numbers be higher if no training took place?” The National Driver Offenders Retraining Scheme (NDORS) offers educational training for drivers detected of a lesser driver offence in lieu of court proceedings, and evidence supports that following the training drivers are less likely to reoffend. If the information contained in this type of training were available to drivers before they are detected, wouldn’t that be better? For the majority of drivers, the investment in this training is costly and time consuming and until they have a problem (i.e. are detected with a traffic violation), what is the need? But for an organisation there is a legal and moral duty to ensure their staff are fully trained for the tasks in hand. What’s the risk? For driving this clearly means some form of risk assessment and appropriate training. A Managing Occupational Road Risk review or audit is a good starting point for the organisation, acting as a “gap analysis” on the actions and defensibility of the business in the event things go wrong. Do all drivers need to be trained? Not necessarily, but they all need to be risk assessed and those deemed medium to high risk given some form of intervention to support them. But why not offer classroom type training to all company drivers? It’s cost effective, shows due diligence, supports a culture of compliance and promotes road safety, not only to the work element but to the personal driving staff undertake. RoSPA has long championed “ROADCRAFT – The Police Drivers Handbook” as a reference source of good driving. The principles form the basis of in-vehicle driver training offered by RoSPA, with many organisations opting for their drivers to undertake the RoSPA driving test in an attempt to obtain a Gold award, one of the highest civilian driving awards that can be obtained. But what about educating other road users? Can an organisation have influence on how others drive? Schools are a great

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Expert Panel: Best Practice

EXPERT PANEL BEST PRACTICE GreenFleet’s new expert panel assess the current challenges standing in the way of electric vehicle adoption, explain how to determine whether electric mobility is suitable, and offer best practice advice on getting the most out of a plug-in vehicle The government’s Road to Zero Strategy says it wants ‘one of the best electric vehicle infrastructure networks in the world’. To achieve this, there are proposals to put chargepoints in newly built homes and integrated into lampposts, as well as a £400 million Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund to support companies that produce and install charge points. The statements are encouraging, but currently, challenges remain with the public charging network. One of the biggest complaints it gets, aside for the limited number of charge points, is that it can be difficult and inconvenient for drivers to use. This is because there are different costs, payment and access methods for different points, and the networks are not interoperable. Explaining some of the problems, Terry Mohammed, CEO of BMM Energy Solutions commented: “The current charging network certainly couldn’t be described as being user friendly. Drivers are often forced to join so many different schemes, they end up travelling around with a multitude of different access cards, and trying to understand how all this works is quite daunting, particularly to new EV drivers. Fortunately, steps are being taken to simplify this situation and hopefully, one day, accessing any public chargepoint will be as simple as offering a single payment card or via an App.” Picking up on the point of payment, ICFM director Peter Eldridge said: “There is the issue of how much it costs to charge and how payment actually functions, with tariff rates and modes of payment varying – including the possibility of needing to pay a signing-on fee with some providers. Consequently to ensure a driver-friendly, safe and reliable charging network, those issues need to be resolve.” Accessibility and ease of use is another issue the current national charging network has. Tony Greenidge, business development director at IAM Roadsmart says: “Drivers need to be confident that all chargers will work with their own vehicle’s charging plug type and the charging characteristics of their battery, and charging points should ideally cater for the variety of

Terry Mohammed, CEO, BMM Energy Solutions Terry has over six year’s experience in the EV infrastructure industry. Terry works closely with both public and private clients along with EV network providers such as Chargepoint Services, Engenie & Vattenfall. Terry & BMM Energy Solutions have delivered national contracts for the likes of DEFRA, NHS, TFL and various local authorities. Tony Greenidge, business development director, IAM RoadSmart Tony Greenidge has over 30 years’ experience in the corporate fleet sector working for a number of leading global and UK providers. He joined IAM RoadSmart in 2017, and now helps further the charity’s road safety objectives, by growing and developing their training and risk management solutions for business fleets.

Peter Eldridge, director, ICFM Peter has enjoyed a successful fleet industry career, which started at Fiat Auto UK in 1963. Encompassing almost every aspect of customer service and technical support, it includes spells as fleet manager of a large blue chip fleet operation and management positions within the franchised motor trade and with major contract hire, leasing and accident management companies. connectors currently used by different manufacturers, although it remains to be seen whether a universal standardised fitment emerges for the UK market.” Highlighting other challenges, Peter Eldridge adds: “There are also regular reports of chargepoints not working or not being easily accessible because of where other vehicles have parked.” Working on solutions To address these issues, the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill has recently become law and aims to ensure chargepoints can be easily accessed and used. It also states that charge points need to be available at motorway service areas and large fuel retailers.

For those in charge of installing charge points, having the right knowledge in terms of safety is vital. Terry Mohammed explains: “Probably the most important factor regarding safety whilst installing chargepoints, is having a comprehensive knowledge of current wiring regulations and understanding the risks associated with powering up a large piece of metal or carbon fibre whilst it is in contact with the general mass of earth. “Electrically speaking, this is a relatively unique situation and one that comes with a unique set of rules and regulations in the form of a Code of Practice from The I.E.T. Our technical director sits on the I.E.T Advisory Panel and is constantly striving to improve electrical safety and ensure chargepoint installations are carried out correctly.” E Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

Expert Panel: Best Practice

“Making drivers aware of these things helps  Range – a real issue? them to understand more of what to expect, GreenFleet’s own research into fleet EV and not to think there is a problem with adoption, done in partnership with E.ON, the car when they don’t achieve the same showed that fifty per cent of fleet managers range in the winter as they did in summer.” polled cited range as a reason for not Stressing the importance to consider adopting electric vehicles. However, the journey patterns when it comes to range, same survey revealed that the average Peter Eldridge says: “Battery range is one distance travelled was 106 miles. This fits of the most frequently repeated myths, quite comfortably into the capability of so it is critically important to analyse modern electric vehicles, with the the new own journey patterns. It should also be Renault Zoe said to be able to achieve 186noted that battery range on a vehicle-bymiles and the Nissan LEAF 168 miles. vehicle basis is increasing all the time as This suggests that perhaps fleet managers manufacturers’ introduce the very latest do not know how far modern EVs can travel, technology into their newest models. or are mistrustful that they will actually “Furthermore, Go Ultra Low research get the stated range in the real world. shows the average commute in the UK “The range that most EVs can cover is less than 10 miles, so the majority of on a single charge is much greater today plug-in cars are able to charge entirely than it would have been in the past, but at home or work, only occasionally using even so, drivers of EVs should take the public chargepoints as a back-up or manufacturer’s claimed range with a additional top-up for longer journeys.” pinch of salt and begin by familiarising The best thing to do to address any EV themselves with the real-world range that concerns, is to give them a go, believes Terry. their vehicle can actually cover on a single He says: “I would always advise charge,” advises Tony Greenidge. people to try an EV for a day or Echoing this thought, Terry so, as range anxiety gentles Mohammed from BMM The once people understand Energy Solutions says ed t a m their driving habits and that drivers need o t Au ic r t route in more detail. to understand that c le E and s a “On-line the quoted range h l il sB forums for EV drivers of EVs, like quoted Vehicle ecome law b are very good for mpg figures in ICE ly t e recen ensur o gaining an insight into vehicles, are created t s im e and a oints can b the pros and cons of in optimal conditions, going electric as they and are unlikely to chargepy accessed il give a real world view of be achieved in real s a e d what to expect from the world driving, especially and use people actually driving EVs when there are different on a daily basis,” Terry adds. factors that affect range. “An EV will be at its most efficient Getting the most out of an EV when it reaches full operating temperature, It is important that drivers know that so longer journeys will return a better overall there are things they can do to get the range,” Terry explains. “Other things drivers optimal range from an electric vehicle. need to consider are that using power sapping Peter Eldridge says: “The more aggressive the items such as the heater will drain the battery acceleration and braking are, the greater the more quickly, and of course, cold weather impact on range. Therefore, the best approach has an adverse effect on the battery as well.

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is to anticipate traffic flow and cruise without aggressive acceleration and braking - known as smart driving. Most electric vehicles also recapture energy lost when slowing down, so gentle, sustained deceleration helps improves range more than hard braking. “Electric vehicles operate best in urban areas and range is impacted most on motorways, driving up hills will also impact on range as will carrying a lot of weight in a vehicle.” Getting to know your vehicle and what system it has in place is also vital for getting the most out of range. Tony Greenidge says: “There are various kinds of regenerative braking systems fitted to EVs and hybrids, meaning that drivers will need to develop an understanding of the particular system fitted to their vehicle in order to use it to best effect. Eco-driving training can make a huge difference to drivers’ ability to do this, by giving them expert insight into the operation of their vehicle’s battery optimisation systems, combined with coaching in longestablished efficient driving techniques.” Tony Greenidge shares his experience from the latest MPG Marathon, which challenges competitors to find the most efficient route between set checkpoints over 300-miles. He said: ”In preparation for the recent MPG Marathon, IAM RoadSmart offered an eco-driving course to a first-time competitor who went on to take part in the event in the latest Hyundai Kona EV. This car has a claimed range of 300 miles. “By applying eco-driving techniques, the driver covered 337 miles on just 89 per cent of one full battery charge, representing a theoretical range improvement of 26 per cent over the manufacturer’s own estimate. “It is also important to point out that applying these techniques does not involve driving slowly, but involves using observation skills to allow for longer stopping distances and reducing harsh acceleration and braking.” Change in mindset Plug-in vehicles can be suitable for many fleets, but does require a slight

change in mind set for those used to driving petrol or diesel vehicles. Terry Mohammed comments: “Apart from enjoying the comfort and the silence when driving an EV, you are always more conscious of the range left in your battery. Planning your journey is key to allow most charging to be done at home or work and top up (opportunity) charging done on longer journeys on Rapid Chargepoints.” Tony Greenidge believes its about getting into the right habit. He says: “Drivers will need to establish a charging routine that works for them. This may involve fitting a wall box at home for faster charging. Encouraging their employer to allow charging at their place of work will also provide a huge amount of additional convenience. “Drivers will also need to locate convenient charging points elsewhere; there are some useful smartphone apps to help with this. In addition, there are small lifestyle changes that can help. “Instead of jumping in the car for every little trip to the shops, planning ahead and incorporating errands into longer journeys will help reduce overall mileage, and reduce the need to keep unplugging the vehicle when it should be on charge.” If however, after journey analysis, it is concluded that a plug-in vehicle is not suitable, it is not a problem, as “not everyone is in a position to be an early adopter”, believes Tony Greenidge. He explains: “The most practical thing that drivers and business fleets can do currently is to analyse the type of motoring that they do and, if they carry out a lot of high-mileage motorway journeys or visit remote locations for example, then they may be better off sticking with petrol or diesel for the time being, at least until the technology and infrastructure is in place to support their working lifestyle. There are many business drivers and employers who have been keen to adopt PHEVs in the hope of benefitting from tax incentives, only to find later on that the electric-only range is too small to offer any fuel-saving benefits when used for high-mileage motoring.” Mass-adoption of EVs There is clearly some way to go before there is mass adoption of electric vehicles. But what are the main things that have to change to enable it to happen? With regards to the vehicles, Terry Mohammed believes there are two obvious

areas where vehicles need to improve; battery technology and price. He says: “As battery technology improves, we will see smaller, lighter batteries being fitted to cars, thereby reducing weight and improving range. Currently, most EVs cost more than their ICE equivalents and can also suffer greater depreciation. As production accelerates and they become more mainstream, we should see these differences gradually reduce.” Clearly, the amount of charge points needs to increase rapidly. But for Tony Greenidge, “these need to be located at sites that are convenient and highly visible, if only to provide reassurance that they do exist. “Home charging is not practical for many of those who live in city centres, where having your own off-street parking is a rare luxury, but it’s in these kinds of areas where zero-emission vehicles are to be encouraged most. Workplaces need to be encouraged to install more charging points, and this could potentially be achieved through government subsidies.” Tax incentives can also help the EV cause. Peter Eldridge says: “From a ‘green’ perspective fleet decision-makers require encouragement to introduce plug-in vehicles with powerful financial arguments essential to drive environmental policy changes vehicles and the recharging infrastructure can be perfect, but if whole life costs and the tax burden do not make sense then other issues pale to insignificance. “That’s why the recent government decision to cut the Plug-In Car Grant for pure electric vehicles and axe it completely for plug-in hybrid models was, to be blunt, stupid. Similarly, despite widespread industry calls, the recent Budget Statement failure to cut company car benefit-in-kind tax on plug-in cars - and not to increase it in 2019/20 and 2020/21 - defies logic. “As the ICFM has repeatedly said tax drives behaviour, alongside whole life costs and vehicles being fit for purpose.” Drawing out the concern over residual values, Tony Greenidge adds: “Both fleets and private owners still have concerns over whole-life costs of EVs due to current uncertainty over residual values. Much of this is down to uncertainty about the service life of batteries and their cost of replacement. EV batteries will need to become less expensive, both in terms of the cost of the batteries themselves, and the ease with which they can be replaced or upgraded.” L

Tony Greenidge Ultimately the government, businesses and individuals need to think outside the box rather than just in terms of our existing infrastructure and driving habits. Car sharing services and single-journey car rental schemes, offering EVs on pay-per-use basis at convenient charging sites, are being trialled with some success in certain European cities. These could be the ideal solution for many UK city dwellers, who often need to drive, but for whom home charging is not feasible and car ownership in itself is something of a burden. We are undergoing a gradual change in culture, with outright vehicle ownership much less crucial to today’s motorists.

Expert Panel: Best Practice

Final thoughts

Terry Mohammed The two obvious areas where vehicles need to improve are in battery technology and price. As battery technology improves, we will see smaller, lighter batteries being fitted to cars, thereby reducing weight and improving range. Currently, most EVs cost more than their ICE equivalents and can also suffer greater depreciation. As production accelerates and they become more mainstream, we should see these differences gradually reduce. Charging infrastructure needs to grow to an extent where every single driver has easy access to charging facilities. BMM are firmly committed to improving charging infrastructure throughout the UK. Peter Eldridge The corporate sector is responsible for buying the majority of new cars in the UK – a 55.8 per cent market share last year according to the SMMT– but for fleet managers to drive along the plug-in vehicle road in significant volume they must feel confident about electric vehicle technology and vehicle recharging as well as plug-in vehicle residual values and operating costs. Lastly, they must not be drawn into poor fleet vehicle decision-making due to fuel type ‘demonisation’ of diesel.

Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

GreenFleet Awards

Who’s up for a 2018 GreenFleet Award?

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The shortlist has now been revealed for the 2018 GreenFleet Awards, which recognise excellence in fleet sustainability and the drive towards ultra-low emission transport The UK’s fight for clean air and a reduction in CO2 emissions has heightened, with a clear commitment from the government to aim towards zero-emission road transport. Applauding all those that are doing great things to reduce transport emissions, from fleets doing all they can to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment, to the manufacturers tirelessly improving their vehicles, the GreenFleet Awards will take place on 22 November at Leeds’ Elland Road Stadium. Hosted by Leeds City Council, shortlisted organisations and sponsors will enjoy a pre-dinner reception, sponsored by electric van manufacturer LDV, followed by a four-course dinner, with table wine courtesy of Toyota & Lexus Fleet. The awards ceremony will then follow, presented by celebrity guest, comedian Tom Allen. Clean fleets There are four fleet categories in the awards, recognising both public and private sector organisations. Swansea University is in the running for the Public Sector Fleet of the Year award in the small to medium category. The university’s Sustainable Mobility Plan reduces vehicle usage by promoting walking, cycling and mass transport. Car sharing, car park permits and salary sacrifice schemes are all incentivised towards ZE/ULEV Vehicles. 60 per cent of Swansea’s fleet is now electric, with eighteen EV chargers feeding the cars grid electricity which is 100 per cent renewable. Future goals include a plan to integrate EVs into Smart Building energy ecosystems with V2G/V2B and incorporating driver assist safety features into procurement specifications. South Gloucestershire Council has also been shortlisted for the award. The council plans to convert 20 per cent of its 196 light vehicle fleet to electric. To fund these ambitions, the Council worked with neighbouring authorities to submit the West of England Go Ultra Low Cities bid. To support the use of new electric vehicles, a dedicated charging point for each EV was installed. Fast chargers are able to be accessed remotely to provide usage data for evaluation purposes. To further improve monitoring all pool car vehicles now require a driver ID tag to be used, this is linked to the vehicle tracking system to improve driver safety and vehicle security. Also a contender for the award is Oxford Direct Services, who has achieved impressive emissions reductions through a combination a methods. Trialling up-to-date technology such as engine mapping, in-cab driver behaviour tools and crash cams, it has been able to

target CO2 reduction and cost savings by adapting behaviours and driving styles positively. A Tyre management policy reduces wear and tear and a workshop redesign has lowered overheads and improved productivity. Oxford is currently reviewing charging point upgrades to council depots for future proofing of the electrification of the fleet. Another finalist in the Public Sector Fleet category is Scottish Natural Heritage. The fleet of 100 vehicles (65 per cent cars) is managed by a Shared Fleet Management Team which set a target to make all fleet pool cars fully electric by 2026. This started in the Spring with charging infrastructure, followed by the delivery of five Renault Zoe EVs and a further nine to be introduced next year. The plan is to continue the procurement each year until all vehicles are replaced. By default, its staff booking system automatically allocates an EV unless there are range issues. EV familiarisation sessions are held at each office in order to change staff perceptions and reduce range anxiety. The University of Birmingham meanwhile, have been shortlisted for its reduction in fleet emissions. Since the introduction of the Renault Kangoo ZE and Nissan e-NV200 at the University of Birmingham, its ambitious target of 40 per cent electric or hydrogen fleet vehicles by 2020 has been achieved a year early. To take account of the Government changes to optional remuneration arrangements, the university lowered the emissions cap from 120g/km to 75g/km last year. A change in culture and procurement has led to Electric Vehicles being the first choice for most drivers. After years of negotiation with unions, the University fleet is now using telematics, which impacts positively on driver behaviour and has the potential to further improve efficiencies. Private sector fleets In the Private Sector Fleet of the Year (medium to large), delivery firm Hermes has made the shortlist for its commitment to alternative fuels. It has introduced a fleet of bio-methane fuel and pure electric vehicles, partnering with CNG Fuels to facilitate trials of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). These have led to an order for 30 Iveco Stralis CNG units, making up nearly 20% of the 166 units in the fleet. 32 pure electric vans have also been introduced to its central London fleet. These will serve more than 100 delivery rounds inside the low emission zone and is a step towards the company’s goal of a 50 per cent CO2 reduction by 2020. Amey’s Streets Ahead team have made the shortlist for its successful trial of hydrogen and electric vehicles. The infrastructure firm Amey

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is using its position as Sheffield’s city-wide highways contractor to slash emissions and encourage better driver behaviour among staff. Nissan ENV200 electric vehicles were tested by road inspectors over two years, which convinced Amey to order 20 new electric vans and install 21 charging points at its depots. Galliford Try is another finalist in this category. The firm operates a mixed fleet of 2,500 company cars, vans and specialist vehicles and using various procurement options, Galliford Try’s company car choice list reflects an increasing interest in low CO2 cars. Averages across the company car fleet have been reduced from 125g/km in 2012 to 98g/km in 2018, and with the adoption of Plug-In hybrids, which form almost 10% of the fleet, its carbon footprint is continuing to drop. These can now be charged at 10 office locations around the country, with drivers encouraged to take up available grants to install home charging stations. Also in the running for the Private Sector Fleet of the Year Award is M Group Services Plant & Fleet Solutions (MGSPFS). The company operates a fleet of 6,160 vehicles and has developed a methodical strategy to drive down its emissions. Telematics is used for route planning and focuses on safety as well as improving fuel efficiency. Emerging alternatively fuelled vehicles and technologies are purchased and implemented within the various divisions to assess their economic viability. Brakes Group has also been shortlisted for the award. Following a nine month trial of Shell GTL Fuel, Brakes commissioned an independent third party testing from analysts at the Millbrook vehicle testing facility with the support of DAF trucks, to measure the emissions benefits. The results revealed significant air quality improvements and a 47 per cent reduction in emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx). The use of Shell’s cleaner burning fuel has also led to quieter engine noise levels and odour-free refuelling at the pump. UK Power Networks also makes the shortlist for its electric fleet. The electricity distributor has introduced eight Renault Kangoo Van ZE 33 panel vans to its fleet which will use electricity generated at six of its locations, where 27 charge points have installed. The company has also added the electric Renault Zoe supermini to its company car scheme - the first EV to appear on its approved car list. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.greenfleetawards.co.uk

IT Innovation Award Sanctus Media (WattsUp) LEVL Telematics Limited / GEOTAB Reflex Vehicle Hire Masternaut Ltd Airmax Remote TrakM8

City Car Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Green Motion Smart Suzuki Mini Skoda Hyundai

Leasing Company of the Year Grosvenor Leasing LeasePlan UK Alphabet Lex Autolease DriveElectric Daimler Fleet Management

Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Rockingham Toyota Volvo Mercedes BMW Hyundai Kia

Mobility Provider of the Year Green Motion Car & Van Rental Co-wheels Car Club EVision Electric Car Hire Europcar Mobility Group Zip Car Enterprise Car Club Charging & Refuelling Infrastructure Provider SRG Electrical Ltd Franklin Energy The Phoenix Works Elmtronics SWARCO UK / eVolt ElectrAssure LGV Manufacturer of the Year Iveco DAF Scania Mercedes-Benz Trucks Electra Commercial Vehicles LCV Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Trakm8 LDV Renault Nissan Peugeot Iveco Ford

PHEV Manufacturer of the Year Toyota Volvo BMW MINI Mitsubishi Hyundai Kia Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Elmtronics Nissan Hyundai Renault LDV BMW Jaguar LEVC Smart Private Sector Fleet of the Year (Small to Medium), sponsored by Grovsenor Leasing Farmdrop Milk & More Eden Project Private Sector Fleet of the Year (Medium to Large) Galliford Try M Group Services Plant & Fleet Solutions Amey Streets Ahead

Brakes Group/Certas Energy UK Power Networks Hermes UK Private Sector Fleet Manager of the Year Alan Baker - Galliford Try Mark Squires - Northern Gas Networks Kevin King - Hermes UK David Brown - Farm Drop Gary Evans - Milk & More

Awards Preview

The Shortlist:

Public Sector Fleet of the Year (Small to Medium), sponsored by eVolt South Gloucestershire Council Oxford Direct Services (Oxford City Council) Swansea University Scottish Natural Heritage University of Birmingham Public Sector Fleet of the Year (Medium to Large) Falkirk Council Yorkshire Ambulance Service Leeds City Council City of Swansea Royal Borough of Greenwich Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year Terry Pycroft, Leeds City Council Pat Taggart, Falkirk Council Olivier Tang, Royal Borough of Greenwich Owain Pierce, Oxford Direct Services Nigel Morris, Swansea University Ron Dovey, South Gloucestershire Council Industry Innovation Award, presented by Leeds City Council ULEMCo - Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Van Vulcanaer - Retrofit bus/truck hybrid engine HV Systems - H2Van / HV Truck Crowd-Charge - V2G Charging Electra Commercial Vehicles – Electric Refuse Truck Arrival - Electric Van The Outstanding Achievement Award, presented by Leeds City Council, will be announced on the night, as will the winners of the 2018 EV Champions.

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Arrive‘n’Drive

Green inspiration at Arrive‘n’Drive

network, Arrive‘n’Drive hosted the EV Recharging & Infrastructure workshop. Jonathan Tudor from Centrica Innovations discussed its electric charging solutions for businesses and Chris Cox from Cenex discuss the current challenges and solutions of charging an electric vehicle.

Greening commercials Uncertainty over air quality plans is putting a question mark over the future of diesel. But for van and truck operators who rely heavily on the fuel, what alternative fuels are out there that are fit for purpose? Whilst electrification can work for some vans, the size, cargo and long distances that lorries travel make it currently unsuitable. Natural gas and biomethane however has been proven to be fit for purpose as well as lowering emissions. By using natural gas, NOx emissions can be reduced by 74 per cent and particulate matter by 96 per cent. Furthermore, if using biomethane, emissions can also be reduced by over 80 per cent. The Gas Powered Commercial Vehicle Workshop explained how gas can help decarbonise heavy goods vehicles. Chris Noyce from the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA) spoke about how biogas can be created from a natural process that breaks down organic wastes and purpose-grown crops, which can then be upgraded to biomethane. Arrive This can then be used ‘n’ Driv to power gas vehicles, e allowed with dramatically less d e to get b legates carbon emissions ehind t compared to diesel. wheels h e of som Martin Flach, eo latest z alternative fuels ero and f the director from IVECO emissio low then spoke about E n

GreenFleet Arrive‘n’Drive showcased the latest in zero and ultra-low emission vehicles and alternatively-fuelled trucks, giving fleets an insight into a cleaner transport future

On 27 September, Rockingham Motor Speedway hosted GreenFleet Arrive’n’Drive, showcasing the latest in ultra‑low emission vehicles and technology. The event, powered by Centrica, attracted fleet and transport managers looking for ways to save on fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and transition to a zero and ultra-low emission fleet. Delegates had the opportunity to test drive the latest electric, hybrid and alternatively fuelled vehicles around Rockingham’s iconic track, as well as hear from industry experts on the topics affecting the fleet industry.

can be easily accessed and used, available at motorway service areas and large fuel retailers, and will be smart ready. To examine the current electric vehicle charging

vehicles

Workshops The government’s Road to Zero strategy says it wants ‘one of the best electric vehicle infrastructure networks in the world’. To achieve this, there are proposals to put chargepoints in newly built homes and integrated into lampposts. The strategy talks of trialing wireless charging and also promises a £400 million Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund to support companies that produce and install charge points. One of the biggest complaints about the UK charging infrastructure, aside for the limited number of charge points, is that it can be difficult and inconvenient for drivers to use. This is because there are different costs, payment and access methods for different points, and the networks are not interoperable. To address this, the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill aims to ensure chargepoints

Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

DAF LF PURE EXCELLENCE

The number one distribution truck

 its range of gas powered commercial vehicles. This includes the Stralis, which achieved a remarkable 837 mile journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End on a single fill of liquified natural gas, demonstrating that gas vehicles are indeed fit for purpose. With a growing network of gas fuelling stations, this alternative fuel is one that can achieve the green ambitions of commercial vehicle operators. Forecourt EV Charging Following from the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill, which makes it mandatory for motorway services and large fuel forecourts to install EV charge points, this years’ Arrive’n’Drive saw publisher William Reed Business Media join GreenFleet with a conference for the UK’s largest independent fuel forecourt owners. Chaired by Quentin Willson, the conference explained the implications of the Bill for independent forecourt owners, as well as suggestions on what actions to take. Delegates then test drove the EVs, many for the first time.

The New LF incorporates a whole range of innovations, taking the leading distribution truck to a new level of excellence. It starts with driveline enhancements, big fuel savings and even higher payloads. Built on the superb reputation of our proven Euro 6 trucks, The New LF sets a new standard in distribution transport efficiency. Contact your DAF dealer for the full story or visit www.daf.com. A PACCAR COMPANY DRIVEN BY QUALITY

The vehicles Arrive‘n’Drive allowed delegates to get behind the wheels of some of the latest zero and low emission vehicles. The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid was a test-track sell out. Its three-litre V6 engine combines with an electric engine to generate power of 462 hp and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 5.0 seconds for a thrilling ride. It can travel up to 27 miles using electric power alone, and CO2 emissions are quoted as 72-78g/km. Showcasing its progress towards an electrified future, Volvo brought its XC90 T8 for visitors to drive. The plug-in hybrid can travel up to 27 miles on electric power alone and has CO2 emissions of 49g/km. Fuel economy meanwhile is quoted at 135mpg. Electric vehicle rental company EVison brought a Tesla Model S, which attracted the crowds. Its a mid-size luxury all-electric five-door vehicle with a remarkable range of 335 miles. Toyota meanwhile brought its Plug-in Prius, which can achieve 30 miles in electric EV mode, and has solar roof panels to help extend the range. There was also a selection of other Toyota and Lexus hybrids available to test drive, to demonstrate the benefits of ‘self charging’ hybrids. BMW’s new i8 Roadster, which was on static display, drew people in with its iconic sports car design and striking gullwings. It has CO2

Arrive ‘n’ Drive Exhibitors Centrica Bradshaw Electric Vehicles Elmtronics BMW/Mini ElectrAssure Toyota/Lexus Iveco Engenie Cumberland Platforms Ford Volvo Grosvenor Contract Leasing

DAF CF PURE EXCELLENCE

Award‑winning versatility

Addex Group Green-Mopeds Evision DAF Webasto Porsche LDV emissions of 46 g/km and can drive 33 miles on electric power alone. There was a range of other BMW plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles to test, as well as a selection from MINI, including the plug-in Cooper S E Countryman. Ford brought its Mondeo hybrid for delegates to drive, as well as the Focus and Fiesta Van. LDV showcased a selection of electric vans, including a caged tipper variant, which can achieve 120 miles on a full charge. Iveco brought its natural-gas powered Stralis truck and Daily electric van for delegates to test, while DAF brought its LF, CF and XF Series, to show commercial vehicle operators how its trucks can run on GTL (Gas to liquid) and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). Green-Mopeds meanwhile had its own track for visitors to test-drive electric scooters. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.arrivendrive.greenfleet.net

Everything about The New CF is trend setting. From the incredible fuel efficiency that delivers savings of up to 7%, to the outstanding redesign of the vehicle itself – both inside and out. You’ve never seen a better looking truck, nor driven a more comfortable one. We’ve evolved the all‑round and versatile CF from a proven concept to a new benchmark for the industry. No wonder experts awarded it International Truck of the Year 2018. A PACCAR COMPANY DRIVEN BY QUALITY

2019

MOST INFLUENTIAL GreenFleetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pick of the people that have shaped the low-carbon fleet industry over the years returns in January. Will YOU be included? Send your nominations to gfeditorial@psigroupltd.co.uk

VANS & CLEAN AIR ZONES What can van and truck fleets do now to prepare for future Clean Air Zones?

Volume 118 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

B U I LT T O K E E P Y O U R B USI N E S S M OV I N G F O RWA R D D i s c o v e r m o r e a t f o r d . c o . u k /n e w - t r a n s i t - c u s t o m o r c o n t a c t t h e F o r d B u s i n e s s C e n t r e : 03 4 5 7 2 3 2 3 2 3 | f l i n f o r m @ f o r d . c o m

C0 2

COMBINED MPG

187- 161g/k m

39.2 - 45.6

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the New Transit Custom range: urban 36.2 - 40.9 (7.8 - 6.9), extra urban 41.5 - 48.7 (6.8 - 5.8), combined 39.2 - 45.6 (7.2 - 6.2). Official CO2 emissions 187 - 161g/km. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 715/2007 and 692/2008 as last amended), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. Information correct at time of going to print.

Commercial Vehicle News

COMMENT: FTA

BREXIT

Guidance given to UK hauliers on new paperwork following EU Exit

The Department for Transport has released guidance outlining the steps that UK hauliers should be taking over the coming months, as they may require new paperwork following EU Exit. While it aims to reach an agreement with the EU which maintains the existing liberal access for commercial hauliers, the government has prepared itself for the “unlikely” scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached. The government says that one possible scenario is that UK hauliers are no longer able to rely on automatic recognition by the EU of UKissued Community Licences and that it is confident it will be able to put in place agreements with the EU as a whole or with individual member states to ensure continued market access. One possible option is to use the ECMT international haulage permit system.

The official guidance says: “We are putting in place a new automated system for the application and issue of those permits, which will open for applications in late November. “So we want to share the below information so hauliers will be ready for the ECMT application system, and are also aware of new requirements for the registration of commercial trailers with a gross weight over 750kg. “UK hauliers may no longer be able to rely on automatic recognition by the EU of UKissued Community Licences after we leave the EU “To ensure continued normal operations in the EU, UK hauliers can apply for an ECMT international haulage permit. “Hauliers wishing to apply for ECMT permits must be registered on the DVSA on-line Vehicle Operator Licencing (VOL) system. We expect that the vast majority of operators concerned will already be registered on VOL and do not need to register again.” Applications for an annual ECMT permit for 2019 will need to be made in a timelimited window between 26 November and 21 December. READ MORE tinyurl.com/ycnaer5x

HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE

Highways England takes delivery of new gritters A new fleet of gritters is being used by Highways England which have improved technology, ergonomics and enhanced visibility. The new vehicles contain technology which allows them to be pre-programmed with information specific to each gritting route. This enables salt to be spread onto the road automatically, taking into account any specific requirements for bridges, landscape and other road features, allowing drivers to give their full attention to driving at all times. Despite weighing 26 tonnes and measuring a maximum of

2.5 meters wide, there have been a number of incidents where gritters have been struck by other vehicles. Research carried out by TRL shows that vehicles stand out more if painted in one block colour and are solid in shape, which is where the new design has come from. Roll out of this £30m programme started this year with 34 new vehicles in East Anglia. The remainder of the 157 vehicles will be replaced over the next two years.

GreenFleet 118

Articles inside

Vans operating in Clean Air Zones

Improving driver safety through education

A check a day keeps the DVSA away

How to ensure your vehicles are road safe & green

Gaining control of your fleet through telematics

Finance options for fleets explained

Plugging into your workplace

Future Fleets

Installing EV charge points