Fleet News

January 21, 2021 January FleetNewsJanuary 21 2021 £6.00

■ INCORPORATING

REAL-WORLD TESTING OF FULLY-AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES CommercialFleet ■

PUBLIC CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE KEY TO EV SUCCESS ■

ALTRAD RECIPE FOR SERVICES’ A SAFER FLEET ■

CHEVIN CAPITALISES NEW NORMAL’ ON ‘THE Call for ■

ENTRIESE AVOID DECISION-MAKERS CAN IN DATA DROWNING HOW NTRIES See inside for full details of how to enter the Fleet News Awards 2021 adRocket

Plug into the all-new Vauxhall electric and hybrid range

ULEZ and congestion charge exempt Reduced or zero % BiK Reduced service maintenance and repair costs

03305 878 222 | [email protected]

Contact your local Fleet Sales Manager for more information on our exciting new electric range.

Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vivaro-e range 100kW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 205 miles (WLTP). Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Grandland X Hybrid range 165kW – 221kW (225 – 300PS). Combined mpg (l/100km): 192 (1.5) – 204 (1.4). CO2 emissions: 29 – 31g/km. Electric range: up to 35 miles (WLTP). Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Mokka-e range 100kW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 201 miles (WLTP).* Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Corsa-e range 100kW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 209 miles (WLTP). *Provisional data. The range and electric consumption figures mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicles are type approved from 1 September 2018. They may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: vehicle load, accessories fitted (post registration), speed, thermal comfort on board the vehicle, driving style and outside temperature. The charging time depends in particular on the power of the charger on board the vehicle, the charging cable and the type and power of the charging station used. Please contact your Vauxhall Retailer for further information. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (January 2021).

FP_FLEETNEW_VXF1151755id4473024.pdf 01.14.2021 10:10 CONTACT US

Fleet News, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. THE BIG PICTURE Email – fl[email protected]

Burning question: Name one thing you were unable to do last year which you are determined to do in 2021

EDITORIAL his may not seem like the perfect time to launch the Fleet News Awards Editor-in-chief Stephen Briers 01733 468024 2021: in the midst of lockdown 3, facing economic uncertainty and with social [email protected] distancing casting doubt on the return of live events. Take my Level 2 swimming coach qualification T News editor However, we have seen countless examples of outstanding work done by Gareth Roberts 01733 468314 [email protected] fleet decision-makers, suppliers and manufacturers over the past 12 months. In the face Avoid answering these questions… of, arguably, the most difficult trading conditions we have ever experienced, businesses Features editor Andrew Ryan 01733 468308 have shown astonishing resilience, dedication to their customers and a determination to [email protected] operate at the safest levels. They deserved to be recognised. Drive my parents across to Ireland to see my brother and his family The Fleet News Awards have always offered individuals an opportunity to test their Head of digital Jeremy Bennett 01733 468655 skills and abilities against their peers; for the company, it offers credibility to customers [email protected] who are increasingly looking for proof of a safe, environmentally-aware fleet during Go to live gigs that I have tickets for – The Who, C2C, Joe Satriani, Steve Hackett business tenders. Web producer As Steve Winter, head of fleet at British Gas, told us after collecting the fleet of the year Jess Maguire 01733 468655 [email protected] award in 2020: “It demonstrated that we were correct in our strategy and has given us Visit my extended family Staff writer the ability to forge ahead with our ambitious plans.” Matt de Prez 01733 468277 You have plenty to talk about from the past 12 months – we want to hear those stories [email protected] Drive the North Coast 500 of success to celebrate this exceptional industry at our awards. Photos istock, Chris Lowndes We have introduced a new category – Exceptional Contribution Award – to directly PRODUCTION honour a UK business fleet that has responded to the Covid crisis, while the entry forms Head of publishing for the supplier categories have been amended to enable companies to highlight their Luke Neal Go on holiday abroad… fingers crossed support for their customers during 2020. Production editor We have also merged our Commercial Fleet Awards into the Fleet News Awards David Buckley Take a holiday in Thailand. Though it’s not to create an unparalleled ceremony that celebrates excellence across the entire fleet looking too promising Senior designer sector encompassing cars, vans and trucks. Chris Stringer Our traditional awards date in March has moved to June 29 to give us the best Holiday abroad for my little brother’s postponed wedding in Cyprus possible chance of hosting a live event, but we will be led by Government guidelines Head of project management and if we are unable to host it then due to Covid restrictions, we will either postpone to a Leanne Patterson Project managers later date or celebrate our winners via a virtual ceremony. We will provide regular Hollie Ismail, Kerry Unwin, Chelsie Tate updates to guests and sponsors over the coming months. [email protected] Full details on the categories and entry criteria are on page 17. Good luck everyone! ADVERTISING Commercial director Sean Childerley Group advertising manager Sheryl Graham 01733 366467 Account managers Emma Rogers 01733 363219 Lucy Herbert 01733 363218 Telesales/recruitment 01733 468275/01733 468328

EVENTS Event director Chris Lester Event manager Sandra Evitt 01733 468123 Stephen Briers, Senior event planner Kate Howard 01733 468146 editor-in-chief, Head of exhibitions Fleet News Katie Gordon-Hill 01733 468289 Head of conferences Nicola Durrant 01733 395094

PUBLISHING Managing director Tim Lucas 01733 468340 Office manager LINKEDIN UK fleet managers group TWITTER twitter.com/_FleetNews Jane Hill 01733 468319 CRM & marketing manager EMAIL fl[email protected] COMMENT ONLINE fleetnews.co.uk Lauren Annis 01733 468295 Chief Financial Officer Bauer Magazine Media Lisa Hayden MD Automotive Group Fleet News is published 12 times a year. submission of material (manuscripts or images etc) to inform that person that you have granted us permission to Complaints: Bauer Consumer Media is a member use the relevant material and you will be responsible for Niall Clarkson Bauer Consumer Media Ltd is a company Bauer Consumer Media, whether unsolicited or of the Independent Press Standards Organisation requested, is taken as permission to publish that paying any amounts due to the copyright owner or featured CEO of Bauer Publishing UK registered in England and Wales with material in the magazine, on the associated website, person and/or for reimbursing Bauer Consumer Media for (www.ipso.co.uk) and endeavours to respond company number 01176085, registered any apps or social media pages affiliated to the any losses it has suffered as a result. Please note, we accept to and resolve your concerns quickly. Chris Duncan address Media House, Peterborough magazine, and any editions of the magazine no responsibility for unsolicited material which is lost or Our Editorial Complaints Policy (including full President, Bauer Media Publishing Business Park, Lynchwood, Peterborough, published by our licensees elsewhere in the world. damaged in the post and we do not promise that we will be able to return any material. Finally, whilst we try to ensure Rob Munro-Hall PE2 6EA. VAT no 918 5617 01. By submitting any material to us you are confirming details of how to contact us about editorial that the material is your own original work or that you accuracy of your material when we publish it, we cannot Bauer Consumer Media Ltd is authorised complaints and IPSO’s contact details) can be have permission from the copyright owner to use the promise to do so. We do not accept any responsibility for any Subscribe to Fleet News: and regulated by the FCA (Ref No. 710067). loss or damage, however caused, resulting from use of the found at www.bauermediacomplaints.co.uk. material and to authorise Bauer Consumer Media to Visit: fleetnews.co.uk/subscribe No part of the magazine may be reproduced in any use it as described in this paragraph. You also promise material. ISSN 0953-8526. Printing: PCP, Telford form in whole or in part, without the prior permission that you have permission from anyone featured or Email: fl[email protected] of Bauer Consumer Media. All material published referred to in the submitted material to it being used by Call: +44 (0)1635 588495 remains the copyright of Bauer Consumer Media and Bauer Consumer Media. If Bauer Consumer Media we reserve the right to copy or edit any material receives a claim from a copyright owner or a person UK: £65 per year; issue price £6 submitted to the magazine without further consent. The featured in any material you have sent us, we will Overseas: £89 per year; issue price £8

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 3 adRocket

WE’VE TESTED OUR VN5 ELECTRIC VAN TO THE LIMIT.

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FP_FLEETNEW_M29075VN5Qid4470845.pdf 01.11.2021 15:43 CONTENTS NEWS AND OPINION 6 EVs/Covid biggest 2021 challenges 10 Expect a dip in RVs for EVs 13 Curb on ICE sales ahead of 2030? 14 Two-in-three fleets adopt EVs 15 News highlights from past month 66 Last word: Sarina Vale TOMORROW’S FLEET: AVs 20 Self-driving tech on trial A look at some of the UK testing ELECTRIC FLEET 26 Power to the people Charging infrastructure is key

IN THE SAFETY FIRST AT SPOTLIGHT ALTRAD TODAY’S IGNITION P32 32 Altrad Services FLEET 50 BMW 4 series Right recipe for a safer fleet Don’t judge look by its grilles 42 Drowning in data? 36 Jaguar Land Rover 51 Citroën C3 Help to offset data deluge JLR realigns its fleet strategy It’s eye-catching and practical 46 Doing the basics 38 Chevin 52 Land Rover Discovery P300e Analysis shows driving flaws Covid doesn’t halt progress FOCUS It does exactly what you want IS ON AV 48 Leasing and funding 40 Ogilvie Fleet 52 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250E TRIALS What are the game-changers? Record figures follow lockdown P20 A solid choice for drivers 53 Seat Ateca Can mild facelift deliver sales? 53 Volkswagen Tiguan Still lacking in excitement 54 Our test fleet COMMERCIAL FLEET 59 Giants collaborate on hydrogen

60 How to fund your fleet Flexibility grows in importance 64 Volkswagen Caddy 5 Safety features add up to 19 65 Toyota Hilux Hilux stands out from crowd fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 5 NEWS: HOPES FOR NEW YEAR Electrification and coronavirus are seen as biggest challenges in 2021

Fleets forecast fewer cars, but more vans, while funding methods are set for seismic shift

Survey respondents believe Covid-19 threats are not going away any time soon, but rate the move to EVs as bigger challenge ISTOCK.COM/ASUROBSON ISTOCK.COM/GOODLIFESTUDIO

By Gareth Roberts Almost three-quarters (72.6%) of down, the latest survey of fleet One-in-six respondents say the wo-out-of-five fleets respondents to a Fleet News survey decision-makers from Fleet News, number of company cars on their expect the number of during the first lockdown, said fewer suggests Covid-19 will continue to fleet will increase during 2021, with T company cars they than 10% of their company cars dominate the fleet agenda for the 42% expecting them to stay the same. operate to decrease were being driven for work. next 12 months. The picture is even more positive over the next 12 months, new Any semblance of normality was Coronavirus is considered to be the regarding vans, with more than a research suggests. reserved for just one-in-20 fleets, biggest challenge the industry faces quarter (28%) of fleets saying the Almost one-in-five (17%) say the which said more than 75% of their by more than one-in-four respond- number of LCVs they operate will number of vans they operate will fall company car drivers were still on the ents (27%). Only electrification, increase. More than half (55%) said although a much larger proportion, road. which is highlighted by almost a third they would stay the same. 28%, expect their operations to grow. Vehicle deliveries and collections (29%) of fleets, is seen as a greater The majority (71%) of new company The downsizing of so many vehicle were halted as leasing companies challenge. cars joining the fleet will be funded fleets comes after a tumultuous year worked with fleet decision-makers via contract hire, with salary for the industry, which saw signifi- to extend contracts, where possible, FUNDING METHODS SET TO SHIFT sacrifice (14%) and flexible rental cant numbers of company cars and and mitigate potential charges being There was a degree of positivity from (14%) also being employed. vans stood idle, as many businesses incurred during the pandemic. a number of fleets who expect to However, very few cars will be were forced to shut operations Almost a year later, with the grow their vehicle operations over bought outright, accelerating a trend during the pandemic. country in its third national lock- the next year. away from purchasing. DO YOU EXPECT AN INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THE NUMBER DO YOU EXPECT AN INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPANY CARS YOU OPERATE IN THE NEXT YEAR? OF COMPANY VANS YOU OPERATE IN THE NEXT YEAR?

Increase Increase

Decrease Decrease

Stay the same Stay the same

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

6 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk IF YOU EXPECT THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES YOU WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING OPERATE TO FALL DURING THE NEXT YEAR, WHAT YOUR FLEET OPERATION IN 2021? WILL BE THE MAIN REASON FOR THAT REDUCTION?

Better fleet Covid-19 utilisation

Electrification Job losses/ redundancies

Benefit being Cost reduction withdrawn

Clean air Drivers opting zones for cash

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Vehicle availability

In the 2020 Fleet200, contract hire companies greater security in times (operating lease and finance lease of uncertainty. Driver safety combined) accounted for almost 78% of company car funding, with DECLINE BLAMED ON JOB LOSSES outright purchase taking almost Job losses were blamed by a signif- 17%. Salary sacrifice was below 1%, icant 43% of respondents for the Grey fleet but is now predicted to take a much expected decline in the number of greater share, as is flexible rental. cars and vans they operate over the Contract hire will also fund the next 12 months. majority (64%) of new vans joining Estimates for August to October 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% fleets this year, with one-in-four 2020 show an estimated 1.69 million (24%) new additions being bought people were unemployed, up 411,000 outright and flexible rental being on the same period the previous of a record 217,000 on the quarter, able to save every job and every used as the main way of acquiring year and up 241,000 on the quarter, although the number of redundan- business.” new vehicles by 12% of respondents. according to the latest data from the cies fell slightly in October 2020. The fiscal stimulus provided so far This also suggests a seismic shift Office of National Statistics (ONS). Early estimates for November by the Government has amounted in funding dynamics. The UK unemployment rate, in the 2020, indicate that the number of to more than £280 billion, while The Fleet200 report showed 55% three months to October 2020, was payrolled employees fell by 2.7% 1.2 million employers had furloughed of vans acquired via contract hire estimated at 4.9%, 1.2 percentage compared with November 2019, almost 10 million employees. with 37% bought outright and 7.3% points higher than a year earlier and which is a fall of 781,000 employees; on flexible rental. 0.7 percentage points higher than since February 2020, 819,000 fewer LIFE UNDER LOCKDOWN This latest Fleet News survey indi- the previous quarter. people were in payrolled employ- ONS director for economic statis- cates a clear move away from Meanwhile, redundancies reached ment. tics Darren Morgan said: “The purchase towards leasing and flexi- a record high of 370,000 in the three Furthermore, the UK economy economy took a hit from restric- rent, both of which arguably give months to October 2020, an increase shrank by 2.6% in November as the tions put in place to contain the second national lockdown in pandemic during November. England reduced economic activity. “However, many businesses DO YOU EXPECT TO SPEND MORE OR LESS November’s decline came after adjusted to the new working condi- TIME MANAGING YOUR FLEET IN 2021? six consecutive months of growth, tions. with a 0.6% improvement in October. “Car manufacturing, bolstered by The services sector was hit hard, demand from abroad, house- although some manufacturing and building and infrastructure grew More construction activity improved. It is and are now all above their pre- now 9.9% below the level of pandemic levels.” February 2020, the ONS said. Fleets are also better placed to Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the cope with life under lockdown 3, Less figures showed “it’s clear things will according to the Association of Fleet get harder before they get better”. Professionals (AFP). Speaking to MPs in the House of “The situation is completely Commons, last week, he said: different from last spring, when we About the same “Even with the significant economic were faced with a long list of support we’ve provided, more than unknowns and had to improvise our 800,000 people have lost their job way through an unprecedented since February. situation,” explained AFP chair, Paul 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% “Sadly, we have not and will not be Hollick.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 7 NEWS: HOPES FOR NEW YEAR OPINION: PANDEMIC IMPACTS

“We once again are finding cars (fleetnews.co.uk, December 23, ourselves in an emergency but it’s 2019). One-in-five fleets (21%) would Covid challenges now a familiar one, and fleets know have preferred the ban for cars to be what needs to be done.” introduced from 2035, with a similar It is perhaps no surprise that number (22%) suggesting a start present a great given the testing times that two-in- date of 2040 – the original date five fleets (41%) expect to spend chosen by the Government. opportunity to more time managing the fleet in Survey respondents also vented 2021, with a similar amount (42%) their frustration. One fleet decision- saying they will spend about the maker said: “The cost to purchase become greener same amount of time. electric-only vehicles to carry on our Just one-in-six respondents (16%) work will close us down.” The coronavirus pandemic has presented to the survey said they would be Another added: “We run a small many challenges to the motor industry. spending less time managing their business with fleet of six light The market will take some time to get fleet over the next 12 months. commercial vehicles, with two back on its feet and how long that will Hollick is urging fleet decision- being fully electric, but the lack of take remains to be seen. makers to make “positive use” of options for electric replacement for It was positive to see the market their time during the current lock- four of our trucks makes it difficult responding well to the Government’s down, by considering issues such to switch in time for the Ultra-Low fiscal commitment to electric vehicles as the future shape of their fleet. Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London, so (EVs), but, as we face 2021, accelerating Furthermore, he said: “If the we might have to downsize as a ASHLEY BARNETT, EV adoption needs to stay at the top of vaccination programme is effective result.” HEAD OF CONSULTANCY the industry’s new year’s resolution list if quickly, we could be looking at a The recent temporary closure of AT LEX AUTOLEASE fairly rapid remobilisation of Honda’s Swindon plant, because of the industry is serious about achieving relatively normal operations.” parts shortages, will also further the ambitious Road to Zero targets. That fact has not been lost on the worry those fleets concerned over While encouraging, the 66.7% year-on-year growth in EVs is vast majority of fleet decision- lead times for vehicles. from an extremely low base – so it must not distract from the makers, with almost three-quar- The Vehicle Remarketing Associ- fact that, right now, only 6.6% of new vehicles on the UK’s ters (73%) of respondents saying ation (VRA) is warning that the roads are EVs, while less than 1% of 33 million cars are the biggest challenge they faced Honda closure could be the “tip of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). was not Covid-19. the iceberg” for new car supply Many businesses will have had a turbulent 2020, resulting issues in 2021. in major changes to how they operate. This presents an BIGGEST FLEET CHALLENGES VRA chair Philip Nothard said that invaluable opportunity for firms and organisations to kick-start Electrification dominates the fleet the problem, believed to be caused agenda, considered the biggest chal- by poor availability of semiconduc- their transition to green. With increased home working comes lenge by almost one-in-three fleets. tors, was potentially a sign of things lower business mileage and less frequent commutes, making Cost reduction was cited by one in to come from all manufacturers. EVs a realistic option for a far bigger pool of employees on seven respondents (14%) and vehicle “Car manufacturing is based on company car policies. availability by one in six (16%). incredibly complex and geographi- There will no doubt be many things we all want to leave Sales of pure electric and plug-in cally diverse supply chains all behind in 2020. But ongoing Government funding and hybrid cars soared last year, with clicking perfectly into place at the resources to help drive adoption of green technology is one of more than 175,000 vehicles regis- right time,” he said. “Any disruption the positives to emerge from the year. Along with initiatives to those processes can bring the tered, representing a growth of 140% such as publication of future benefit-in-kind (BIK) tables, (see page 14). More than two-thirds production line grinding to a halt.” plug-in grants and the removal of the VED surcharge, will (68%) were registered to fleets. Several manufacturers world- However, concerns around wide, certainly not just Honda, are help drive EV uptake on a mass-market scale. charging infrastructure, vehicle reportedly having issues with semi- However, the budget deficit is at its highest level since 1945 pricing and lead times remain, conductor supply as a knock-on and the Chancellor will be under pressure to tackle the gap ahead of the Government’s ban on effect of the pandemic. But Nothard quickly. Hopefully, the Prime Minister’s commitment to a the sale of new diesel and petrol said: “Our concern is that this is just green recovery from Covid-19 will ensure that fiscal support cars and vans from 2030. the tip of the iceberg. will be retained to ensure EVs can fulfil their potential Fleet News reported in December “While there is new car stock in the throughout 2021 and beyond. how almost two-thirds of fleets pipeline, there is a strong argument And as if all this wasn’t enough, the Government and those believe implementing a ban on the that we are only now really starting in the fleet industry need to keep one eye on creating and sale of new petrol and diesel cars to see the impact of the coronavirus developing the right conditions for the burgeoning used EV from 2030 is too soon. crisis on supply and it could be that Fewer than a third (29%) agreed we will see a range of other market. In around three years, we’ll see the 108,000 EVs that with the implementation date for problems throughout the year.” were delivered in 2020 enter the secondary market. This presents a fantastic opportunity to make EVs more accessible across every price point, but the industry and Government need to work together to stimulate demand. At the moment, a SADLY, WE HAVE NOT second-hand EV doesn’t stack up favourably against an ICE alternative when the initial financial outlay is viewed in isolation. ANDAND WWILLILL NNOTOT BBEE AABLEBLE TTOO In the coming months, the motor industry, as a collective, SAVE EVERY JOB AND must continue to work closely with Government departments EVERY BUSINESS to ensure the sector is in the best possible position to fuel the green recovery. And, at the same time as boosting demand among individual and business drivers, we must encourage RISHI SUNAK, CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER and facilitate supply by making the UK an attractive market to manufacturers.”

8 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk adRocket

The all-new, Golf 8 Estate More Golf Than Ever

More space, more style, more connectivity, when you need nothing less than a mobile office in a car. What more could you ask for?

Official fuel consumption figures for the all-new Golf 8 Estate model range in mpg (litres/100km): Combined 45.6 (6.2)-61.4 (4.6). Combined CO₂ e m i s s i o n s 12 0 -1 5 4 g / k m . F i g u re s s h ow n a re f o r co m p a r a b i l i t y p u r p o s e s; o n l y co m p a re f u e l co n s u m p t i o n a n d CO ₂ f i g u re s w i t h o t h e r ve h i cl e s t e s t e d to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Data correct at 17/12/20. Figures quoted are for a range of configurations and are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes. Please consult your retailer for further information.

516942-66693-Estate Fleet A Fleet News print ad 210x297_GBE.indd 1 11/01/2021 13:42 FP_FLEETNEW_5169426669id4473576.pdf 01.14.2021 15:08 NEWS: EV RVs Electric vehicle RVs expected to dip, but ‘no cliff edge’ anticipated Cap HPI predicts mounting volumes will increase pressure on residual values for EVs

WE EXPECT TO SEE A STEADY DECLINE IN VALUES

Uncertainty over battery life DYLAN SETTERFIELD, makes it difficult to estimate CAP HPI future RVs for electric vehicles, says the boss of Enterprise

By Gareth Roberts only hybrids above them. Customers, Data from Renault shows that premium of used BEVs and PHEVs ears of a ‘price correction’ it says, are paying an average of 99.5% of the batteries are above the will gradually reduce over time,” he for used electric vehicles around £2,000 more for an EV 70% capacity warranty threshold continued. “This could be viewed as (EVs) have been played versus a comparable diesel and after 10 years. a market correction, but we expect F down by pricing experts. £6,000 more than for a petrol car. Dylan Setterfield, head of forecast to see a steady decline in values and It comes after the boss of the UK’s Khaled Shahbo, managing director strategy at pricing experts Cap HPI, there should be no cliff edge.” largest leasing, Lex Autolease, for Enterprise Rent-a-Car UK and says the higher RVs in absolute warned that plug-in residual values Ireland, who joined Jones in a recent terms enjoyed by EVs are not simply PRICE REALIGNMENTS (RVs) could dip dramatically, due to panel debate at the ‘Fleets in Charge’ because they have higher list prices. Philip Nothard, insight and strategy their high resale value when virtual conference organised by the Low volumes are also having an director at Cox Automotive, also compared with diesel or petrol alter- British Vehicle Rental and Leasing impact. expects the used market to undergo natives. Association (BVRLA), shares his RV “Their values are also supported a series of price realignments to take Richard Jones, managing director concerns. by carefully managed remarketing account of the changing range of Lex Autolease and Black Horse, He said: “People aren’t quite sure strategies by the manufacturers, capabilities of vehicles. said: “The big issue that still faces how to personally value the keeping used examples in the dealer “As a used vehicle, these offer EVs goes back to the list price.” diminished capability of an EV. We network or negotiating bulk deals for different propositions to the user He explained: “Because list prices don’t know how battery wear will niche second-hand use,” he said. and, in return, cause various levels are so much higher, the drive is to affect the value of that vehicle. However, he added that, with of demand and value,” he said. set the RVs quite strongly as a “We know in ICE vehicles because consumer confidence taking a hit, “Therefore, we would expect to percentage of those list prices. It we have decades and decades, if not the high price point of BEVs and see a more coherent residual value means the RV relative to an ICE a century, of history in our armoury. PHEVs mean they are struggling structure for the new phase of EVs, (internal combustion engine) vehicle But we don’t know what a three-year- compared with used ICE cars, and which offer the consumer the is still higher.” old or a five-year-old battery means their price premium is reducing. distance capabilities of the equiva- Jones believes that’s a problem for and, until we do, there’s going to be a He expects this trend to continue lent ICE models while also taking the used market. “If that pervades at certain amount of apprehension.” for at least the next year. Further into into consideration the total cost of scale then at some point it’s going to the future, the increasing volume of ownership due to the reduced lead to a correction and that then PERFORMANCE RETAINED used BEVs and PHEVs will generate running costs.” damages the adoption curve of EVs Shahbo acknowledged that people pressure on RVs. Stuart Pearson, chief operating in the market,” he said. were overcoming those concerns, Values of older used models may officer for UK remarketing at BCA, BuyaCar.co.uk says average prices while longer manufacturer warran- also come under pressure if newer concluded: “It is the balance of paid for a used battery electric ties are helping along with battery models come with better technology supply and demand that drives vehicle (BEV) are significantly higher data showing performance is being or a cheaper list price. values and, if this balance changes, than for petrol or diesel cars, with retained after several years of use. “We expect the current price this will affect values.”

10 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk adRocket

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Official fuel consumption figures for the all-new Golf 8 Estate model range in mpg (litres/100km): Combined 45.6 (6.2)-61.4 (4.6). Combined CO₂ e m i s s i o n s 12 0 -1 5 4 g / k m . F i g u re s s h ow n a re f o r co m p a r a b i l i t y p u r p o s e s; o n l y co m p a re f u e l co n s u m p t i o n a n d CO ₂ f i g u re s w i t h o t h e r ve h i cl e s t e s t e d to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Data correct at 17/12/20. Figures quoted are for a range of configurations and are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes. Please consult your retailer for further information.

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FP_FLEETNEW_URN4506491id4471841.pdf 01.12.2021 13:00 NEWS: LOW EMISSION VEHICLES Government considering limiting sale of ICE cars ahead of 2030 Aim is to avoid ‘maximum amount of petrol and diesel cars being sold right up to milestone’

By Matt de Prez ales of internal combus- tion engine (ICE) petrol S and diesel cars could be curtailed ahead of the Government’s planned 2030 ban, when it publishes the finer details of its strategy in the spring. Since announcing it would end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2030, with a five-year DIESEL PETROL grace period for some hybrids, the Government has yet to provide clarity on how it will be achieved. Speaking at the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum policy conference for low emission vehicles in December, Katie Black, joint head of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) at the Department for Transport (DfT), also in their interest to move battery while the vehicle is driven actually have a lower environmental indicated that the Government customers into EVs by removing the exclusively by its electric motor, or impact than plug-in hybrids. wants to avoid a situation where car competing fuel types. plug-in hybrids. With all new cars already makers are “selling the maximum “The weighty cost of research and Nick Molden, founder and CEO of exceeding the Government’s air amount of petrol and diesel cars development is likely to result in Emissions Analytics, believes quality targets, introduced as part right up to the 2030 milestone”. some hard choices now between regular hybrid vehicles, which have of the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) She said: “We do see it as a risk, investment in ICE or EV, with petrol a limited zero-emission range, test, Molden believes the issue now and we will be looking publicly at and diesel the likely losers in many lies in the poorer CO2 emissions ways to mitigate that. What you cases.” performance of most new cars probably want is a gradual phase Black confirmed the Government against the EU’s 95g/km target. out, a gradual shift across the fleet. is planning to publish a delivery He said electrification is the best And we’re looking at how a regula- plan, setting out the steps that need way to reduce CO2 emissions, but it tory regime could support that.” to be taken to meet the phase out has to be deployed “effectively” to No further details were given as dates. make the most of “scarce” battery to how sales might be restricted, But, she admitted there were still resources. but a key part of Government many factors that needed to be “In our strong opinion, full hybrids, strategy will be to promote and considered, including on-street FULL for a good period forward, is the encourage private buyers and fleets charging solutions and supporting sweet spot while the supply chain to opt for electric vehicles (EVs) as the used car market. HYBRIDS, issues around batteries are sorted soon as they can. FOR A GOOD out,” Molden stated. This includes an investment of GREEN PAPER PLANNED Following a recommendation by £1.3 billion to strengthen the UK’s To ensure the phases are met, and PERIOD the National Infrastructure charging infrastructure and to to support interim carbon budgets, FORWARD, IS Commission that the sale of new extend the plug-in car grant. the DfT will publish a Green Paper diesel HGV lorries should be banned Dylan Setterfield, head of forecast in the coming months on the THE SWEET by 2040, Black confirmed a consul- strategy at Cap HPI, said: “It is hard post-EU regulatory regime for CO2 SPOT WHILE tation will be launched this year on to see how volume restrictions in emissions from new vehicles. This, the phase-out of diesel HGVs. ICE cars could work from a according to Black, will cover both THE SUPPLY She said: “HGVs are at a much practical perspective, given the overall fleet efficiency and deliv- CHAIN ISSUES earlier much an earlier stage than range of customers, routes to ering the move to 100% zero emis- cars and vans. We can see what the market and complex factors sion vehicle sales for cars and vans. AROUND technological solutions are for impacting vehicle lead times. There will also be a consultation those, but, with HGVs, the picture is “In any case, the industry is to define the meaning of “significant BATTERIES ARE a lot less clear. already doing this independent of zero emission capabilities” in order SORTED OUT “As we look at the roll-out of government. Diesel availability has to outline what vehicles may be sold charging infrastructure, we really already declined as manufacturers between 2030 and 2035. need to make sure that we’re taking discontinue diesel in their smaller These are likely to be limited to NICK MOLDEN, into account HGV requirements cars and, given they will be under range-extender EVs, which feature EMISSIONS ANALYTICS there and not thinking about cars ever-stricter emissions targets, it is a small petrol engine to charge the and vans exclusively.”

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 13 NEWS: PURE ELECTRIC Pure electric registrations up 185%, with fleets adopting two-in-three EVs Salary sacrifice car schemes are at a ‘tipping point’ says boss of leasing company Tusker

By Gareth Roberts alary sacrifice and employee education is S helping to drive record- breaking battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations, according to Tusker. 50% The leasing company has a risk of Tusker’s orders in 2020 fleet of approximately 20,000 cars were for pure EVs and, while just one-in-33 (3%) of the vehicles it funded were pure electric in 2019, it has now increased to one- in-five (20%). “That’s going to grow and grow,” said Tusker CEO Paul Gilshan. Half of Tusker’s orders in 2020 were for pure electric cars. Hybrid vehicles, both plug-in and mild, accounted for 20% of its new vehicle orders, with petrol and diesel responsible for less 20% than a third (30%). of Tusker’s risk fleet The reason salary sacrifice is pure electric specialist Tusker is seeing such a high proportion of zero emission vehicles being ordered is two-fold, according to Gilshan. The savings offered via salary sacrifice are a big draw, he claimed. changes, and the Government’s Under the funding method, an decision to cut BIK on zero-emission employee sacrifices a proportion of MY GOAL IS FOR EVERYONE company cars from 16% in 2019/20 their salary before tax and national IN THE UK TO HAVE ACCESS to 0% in 2020/21, employers have insurance is applied in return for a been persuaded to revisit schemes car, with maintenance, insurance, TO AN AFFORDABLE EV or launch one for the first time. replacement tyres and breakdown Chris Black, commercial director cover also included. at LeasePlan UK, described salary “We also educate potential drivers, PAUL GILSHAN, TUSKER sacrifice as having a “renaissance” explaining why – with real-life following the tax changes (fleetnews. examples – an electric vehicle (EV) is co.uk, December 11, 2020). right for them,” he said. overcome,” explained Gilshan. “For only for those that drive a “few Gilshan also reports that the In addition, new more favourable example, our research showed that miles”, despite a Department for appetite from employers for salary benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rates are more than two-thirds (of respond- Transport (DfT) study showing that sacrifice car schemes, particularly having a big influence on adoption. ents) think it takes more than an the UK average mileage is 125 miles in the private sector, has grown Sales of pure electric cars soared hour to charge an EV to 80%.” per week, meaning an EV would suit significantly over the past year. last year, with 108,205 BEVs Almost one-in-three respondents most journey profiles. “We’ve seen huge growth in the registered, up 185% year-on-year. (30%) thought it took from 61-90 number of public and private sector Most of these registrations (68%) minutes; more than a third (37%) BUMPS IN THE ROAD companies launching our car benefit were for company cars. believed it took more than an hour- Salary sacrifice has suffered a few schemes for their employees, with and-a-half. bumps in the road over the years, corporate companies representing OVERCOMING BARRIERS “We know it’s less than 50 with tax changes introduced in 2017, 40% of all 2020 launches – up from New research from Tusker, however, minutes,” he said. “When you explain under Optional Remuneration 21% in 2019,” he said. shows that more than a third (37%) to people what the reality is, you start Arrangements (OpRA), reducing the “It’s starting to feel like a tipping of employees would not choose an changing perceptions.” potential savings available through point for salary saving car schemes.” EV today, with availability of charge Tusker’s survey also revealed that the staff benefit in many cases and Gilshan believes salary sacrifice is points (62%), range (51%), not being respondents thought an electric lessening its appeal. the way to achieve a mass market able to charge at home (50%) and vehicle on average, would travel At that time, salary sacrifice funded switch to EVs, backed by better price (47%) perceived as the biggest 125.89 miles before needing to be 4.7% of cars on the FN50 – today it education from the wider industry. barriers. charged. has fallen to 3.7% of the risk fleet. “My goal is for everyone in the UK “What we do is talk to them about However, more than a third (35%) However, with ultra-low emission to have access to an affordable these barriers and how they can be of employees perceived EVs as being vehicles (ULEVs) exempt from the electric vehicle,” he said.

14 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk IN DETAIL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS To view the full story go to fleetnews.co.uk/news

AT-WORK ROAD DEATH STUDY CONSIDERS ZAP-MAP RANKS UK’S EV CHARGING NETWORKS DEC NEW RULES FOR VAN DRIVERS Zap-Map has published its annual electric vehicle (EV) JAN Research, conducted on behalf of Roadsafe and charging network satisfaction ranking, which places Highways for England, found more deaths occur from Tesla’s Supercharger network as the UK’s favourite. 14 at-work road trips than in the workplace, despite the 5 dangers posed by industries such as construction, farming and mining. NEW FLEET BOSS AT PSA AMID SENIOR MANAGEMENT SHAKE-UP Groupe PSA has announced that fleet and used car 6 15 CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS director, Martin Gurney, is leaving the business, with ON THE RISE IN ENGLAND Scott Westerby stepping-up to run the fleet CompareTheMarket analysed police data department. MOST COMMENTED which revealed London has the highest instances of catalytic converter thefts over the three-year period, and each individual year, with a total ALPHABET LAUNCHES NEW PCH 7 of 15,237 from 2017 to 2020. PLATFORM FOR CASH-TAKERS MOST Alphabet GB has launched Alphabet Motion, a SHARED new Personal Contract Hire (PCH) platform 16 ŠKODA OFFERS PLUG-IN CHOICE TO BLUELIGHTS FLEETS developed to suit corporate customers who’ve Škoda has added its first opted to take cash instead of a company car. electrified vRS model – the Octavia vRS iV – alongside the Octavia iV and Superb TESLA INVESTS TO IMPROVE iV to its bluelight fleet. The AFTERSALES SUPPORT IN UK addition of the three iV Tesla expanded its UK dealer network to 25 sites 8 models, marks Škoda’s during 2020 and plans further network growth in 2021. first electrified offering for emergency services. VOLVO NAMES ROBERT MORRIS AS NEW FLEET BOSS TREASURY REPORT WARNS OF MOST Robert Morris has been appointed Volvo 11 18 TAX TAKE THREAT FROM EVs READ Car UK’s new head of fleet and remarketing, The Government has admitted in a new report that tax following Steve Beattie’s move to head of sales. revenues are at significant risk from the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Revenue is likely to be “eroded during the transition to a net zero economy”, with the tax take “wholly or partially at risk”, it says. FLEET NEWS POLL

SUPPORT FOR ROAD PRICING 21 GROWS AS MPs LAUNCH INQUIRY Don’t know: Three-in-five people (62%) say 1.4% Yes: 75.4% they would support charging 62% motorists a fee to drive around towns and cities. One in four No: 23.2% (25%) are strongly supportive, a poll from Ipsos Mori suggests. SHOULD VANS AND THEIR DRIVERS BE SUBJECT TO SIMILAR 29 FLEET AND LEASING INDUSTRY REACTS TO BREXIT DEAL REGULATIONS FACED The eleventh-hour post- BY HGVs? Brexit trade deal struck Source: fleetnews.co.uk between the UK and the EU was welcomed by the fleet and leasing industry. The British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) said that the trade deal came as a “big relief”. FLEET NEWS VIEW: FLEET BOSS GRAEME JENKINS Our poll shows that three-quarters (75.4%) of fleets want to see 30 DEPARTS AFTER SUZUKI RESTRUCTURE stricter regulations around the operation of vans, similar to those Suzuki’s head of fleet and faced by HGVs. Fewer than one-in-four (23.2%) said they were remarketing, Graeme opposed to the idea. Research has suggested that one-in-three (29%) Jenkins, has been made of all road fatalities and more than one-in-five (21%) of all casualties redundant following a occur in driving-for-work collisions. The figures highlight the restructure at the importance of stakeholders across all sectors working together business. Operations are to understand and manage risk better. being centralised, with the carmaker saying the objective is to provide a consistent THIS ISSUE’S POLL: Would you be willing to share vehicle data provided approach to all of its customers. anonymity is maintained?

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FP_FLEETNEW_4208719id4344173.pdf 05.08.2020 16:14 FLEET NEWS AWARDS: 2021 ENTRY

IMPROVE BUSINESS SUCCESS BY ENTERING THE FLEET NEWS AWARDS

Winning – or even being shortlisted – can have a real, tangible benefit

haun Atton described himself as He added: “It demonstrated we are correct in It also gave him “a weapon to use” to get addi- “proud” and “over the moon” after the our strategy and has given us the ability to forge tional funding for future initiatives within the S group fleet manager collected the ahead with our ambitious plans.” organisation, while the marketing team was able most improved fleet of the year Three-time winner Nigel Morris, electric vehicle to get positive publicity in the local media. trophy for Auto Windscreens at last year’s Fleet & V2X integration manager at Active Building Winning a Fleet News Award trophy doesn’t News Awards. British Gas head of fleet Steve Centre, Swansea University (fleet champion, come easy, but the effort is worth every moment Winter, who collected the fleet of the year gong, environmental fleet and travel/mobility initiative), when the envelope is opened, and your name is said it was “a great reward for our fleet team”. said the recognition was “really, really important”. read out. Studies show that winners enjoy a

6 BENEFITS OF ENTERING AWARDS

1. 2. 4. 5. 6. PERSONAL 3. IMPROVED GET AHEAD A RISE IN POSITIVE INCREASED FINANCIAL RECOGNITION; EMPLOYEE PRESS CUSTOMER CAREER OF YOUR PERFORMANCE COMPETITORS ENGAGEMENT COVERAGE AWARENESS ENHANCING & MOTIVATION

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 17 FLEET NEWS AWARDS: 2021 ENTRY

AWARDS 2021 TIMELINE

21 JANUARY 2021 26 MARCH 2021 11 MAY 2021 12 MAY 2021 19-20 MAY 2021 EARLY JUNE 2021 Entries open. Entry deadline for Judging day Judging day for Fleet manager Shortlist revealed Go to the awards website all categories for manufacturer supplier awards interviews/judging – fleetnewsawards.com (no extensions) awards take place

measurable improvement in business performance and credibility, while it can also raise staff motivation. It can even give a boost to individual careers, We are planning for with several former winners getting promoted or a live Fleet News Awards headhunted for more senior positions. Award on June 29, 2021 at Grosvenor House winners say it has helped them to acquire new Hotel in London. However, we will be talent and improve client relationships. led by Government guidelines and if we It’s not just the winners who bask in the glory of are unable to host the live event due to the Fleet News Awards. Being shortlisted for a Covid-19 restrictions, we will celebrate our fleet category, for example, is about more than a winners either via a virtual alternative or pat on the back for the fleet decision-maker; it postpone the event to a later date. We will raises the profile of the company brand with provide regular updates to guests and existing and potential customers. sponsors over the coming months. If you Organisations who can prove they take seriously are interested in attending the live their safety and environmental obligations to their event, please ‘Register your vehicle fleets are ideally placed to retain interest for tickets’ via customers and attract new business – these www.fleetnewsawards.com things really matter to consumers. To enter the awards, head to the website now to register your interest: awards.fleetnews.co.uk

FLEET AWARDS ■ Stephen Briers, Fleet News MEET THE JUDGES ■ Stewart Lightbody, AFP vice-chair ■ Paul Hollick, AFP joint-chair ■ Julie Madoui, Kier Group ■ Stewart Taylor, Police Scotland and current Fleet Manager of the Year winner SUPPLIER AWARDS ■ Stephen Briers, Fleet News Stephen Stewart Paul Julie Stuart Matt ■ Graham Short, Zip Water (UK) Briers Lightbody Hollick Madoui Taylor de Prez ■ Ryan Coles, Aviva ■ Peter Weston, Arcus CHAIRMAN ■ Lorna McAtear, National Grid ■ Jo Coffey, Anglian Water Christopher ■ Simon Gray, SSE Macgowan OBE ■ Cliff Lewis, Interserve ■ Willie Crawford, Network Rail Graham Ryan Lorna Peter Jo Debbie Short Coles McAtear Weston Coffey Floyde MANUFACTURER AWARDS ■ Stephen Briers, Fleet News (cars/van) ■ Matt dePrez, Fleet News (cars/van) ■ Martin Ward, consultant (cars) ■ Andy Cutler, Glass’s (cars) ■ Mark Jowsey, KeeResources (cars) ■ Matt Curtis, LeasePlan (cars) ■ Shaun Sadlier, Arval (cars) AUDITOR Martin Andy Simon Matt Shaun Chris ■ Ward Cutler Gray Curtis Sadlier Connors Debbie Floyde, Bauer Media (cars) Brian Cooper ■ Chris Connors, Countryside Properties (cars) Ernst & Young ■ Lorna McAtear, National Grid (vans) ■ Andy Picton, Glass’s (vans) ■ Ken Brown, Cap HPI (vans) ■ Steve Winter, Centrica (vans) ■ Jo Coffey, Anglian Water (vans)

Cliff Willie Steve Mark Andy Ken HEADLINE AWARDS Lewis Crawford Winter Jowsey Picton Brown Judges as above, relevant to the category

18 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk 29 JUNE 2021 THE CATEGORIES Winners revealed Rigid Truck of the Year (more than 16 tonnes) FLEET AWARDS New category

Excellence in Fleet Safety Best Small Car 2020 winner: Altrad Services 2020 winner: Peugeot 208 Environmental Innovation Sponsored by Ogilvie Fleet Best Lower Medium Car 2020 winner: Active Building Centre – Swansea 2020 winner: Ford Focus University Best Upper Medium Car Mobility Achievement of the Year 2020 winner: Škoda Superb 2020 winner: Active Building Centre – Swansea University Best Compact SUV 2020 winner: Peugeot 2008 Exceptional Contribution Award New category recognising the fleet response to Best Mid-size SUV the Covid crisis 2020 winner: Toyota Rav4 Fleet of the Year (up to 1,000 vehicles) 2020 winner: Eric Wright Group Best Compact Premium Car 2020 winner: BMW 1 Series Fleet of the Year (more than 1,000 vehicles) 2020 winner: British Gas Best Premium Car 2020 winner: BMW 3 Series

SUPPLIER AWARDS Best Executive Car 2020 winner: BMW 5 Series Leasing Company of the Year (up to 20,000 vehicles) Best Zero Emission Van 2020 winner: Ogilvie Fleet New category WINNING THE SAFE Leasing Company of the Year FLEET AWARD WAS AN (more than 20,000 vehicles) Best Plug-in Hybrid Car AMAZING HONOUR AND 2020 winner: Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions New category SURPRISE FOR THE Rental Company of the Year Best Zero Emission Car: Sponsored by Grosvenor Contracts 2020 winner: Kia e-Niro WHOLE OF THE ALTRAD 2020 winner: Enterprise FLEET TEAM. TO BE Outstanding Product or Service HEADLINE AWARDS ACKNOWLEDGED AT New category Fleet Supplier of the Year SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS Fleet Customer Partnership Award 2020 winner: Fleet Service GB Sponsored by Aston Barclay AND HIGH PROFILE 2020 winner: Reflex Vehicle Hire EVENT BY BOTH PEERS Fleet Dealer of the Year 2020 winner: Johnsons Fleet Services Fleet Manufacturer of the Year – Car AND INDUSTRY (Reader voted) PROFESSIONALS GAVE Innovation in Mobility Technology Award 2020 winner: BMW Group UK US THE CONFIRMATION 2020 winner: Fleetondemand Fleet Manufacturer of the Year – Van THAT ALL THE HARD (Reader voted) WORK WAS PAYING OFF, MANUFACTURER AWARDS New category AS WELL AS BEING Best Small Van Fleet Manufacturer of the Year – Truck New category SEEN TO BE SETTING (Reader voted) Best Medium Van New category A STANDARD WITHIN New category THE INDUSTRY Fleet Manager of the Year Best Large Van 2020 winner: Stewart Taylor, Police Scotland MATT HAMMOND, UK FLEET New category AND TRANSPORT MANAGER, Fleet News Hall of Fame ALTRAD SERVICES Rigid Truck of the Year (6-16 tonnes) Sponsored by the AA (SAFE FLEET OF THE YEAR) New category 2020 winner: Liz Hollands

For more information visit: 2021 sponsors fleetnewsawards.com or contact Sandra Evitt on 01733 468123 or [email protected]

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 19 TOMORROW’S FLEET: AUTONOMOUS TRIALS

Self-driving Ford Mondeos are being trialled in Oxford as part of Project Endeavour

n many ways 2020 seemed like a year Nevertheless, there were still advances made down on research and push on towards readying where time stood still, with the towards realising the promise of CAM in the UK, for deployment,” he says. I upheaval caused by the Covid-19 according to Mark Cracknell, head of technology Key developments included the launch of pandemic lockdowns either disrupting at Zenzic. multiple UK testbeds, such as London’s Smart many plans or putting them on hold entirely. “The UK is forging ahead with the development Mobility Living Lab and Midlands Future Mobility, One of the sectors affected was the UK’s of key enabling technologies of connected and which provide a range of self-driving vehicle connected and automated mobility (CAM) industry autonomous vehicles (CAVs) such as artificial intel- testing facilities, including controlled testing which saw its progress curtailed as organisations ligence (AI), cybersecurity and software, which environments to fully-connected public roads. were forced to adopt different working practices. leaves the country in a good position to double On-road trials such as HumanDrive and Project

20 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk Sponsored by

Self-driving tech on trial Real-world testing of fully-autonomous vehicles is key to their future deployment. Andrew Ryan looks at some of the UK trials taking place

Endeavour were also able to be carried out, either CCAV has funded around 80 projects in the past “We’ve gained so much from the public’s input because they were before lockdown or appropriate four years including feasibility studies, simulations into these trials, especially around the perception social distancing measures were used. an on-road CAV trials, with about 20 programmes of safety and how to ensure the services are acces- “These on-road trials have delivered key learn- left to run over the course of this year. sible, inclusive and wanted. ings for the UK,” says David Webb, head of innova- “We continue to test and deliver successful trials “We have trialled – and we continue to trial – tion at the Centre of Connected and Autonomous on some of Europe’s most complex roads, giving on-road, off-highway and off-road with a variety of Vehicles (CCAV), a Government organisation thousands of people experience and insight into vehicles showcasing the different services and responsible for allocating and managing autonomous technology and the services it could solutions that CAV can provide in the future of £200 million of funding into the UK CAM ecosystem. bring,” Webb adds. transport.”

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Key early autonomous vehicle (AV) projects Webb highlights two other trials which show how AUTONOMOUS BUSES TO PROVIDE included Project Venturer, which ran from July autonomous vehicles can operate on all road 2015 to July 2018 and involved operating fully types: the Nissan-led HumanDrive and Aurrigo’s REGULAR 30-MILE SERVICE autonomous vehicles on roads in Bristol and South six-month project on the Blind Veterans UK facility Gloucestershire, and Project Gateway (October near Brighton. 2015 to March 2018), which enabled the public to The charity helps veterans who return from take part in a driverless pod shuttle service trial combat with eyesight loss to rebuild their lives and around Greenwich. the project saw around 420 passengers trans- ported to destinations such as a church or to FIRST TASTE OF AVs access leisure services in an autonomous pod. “Venturer and Gateway gave the UK its first “The residents really did feel as if the technology experiences of autonomous vehicles, not only the could help improve their well-being and independ- Paying passengers will travel across the complexity of developing the self-driving vehicle, ence in the future,” says Miles Garner, sales and Forth Bridge this year in autonomous but highlighting at a very early stage the legal, marketing director for RDM Group, the parent buses under the CAVForth trial. regulatory and insurance hurdles we need to company of Aurrigo. The project is being led by Fusion overcome,” says Webb. “It was a really good trial and it makes you Processing and will see five 42-seat “Gateway also saw more than 2,000 miles understand the reason why we are in this type of buses operating on a 30-mile route covered around the Greenwich Peninsula, tackling technology isn’t because we can actually do this between Fife and the Edinburgh Park snow, pedestrians and pets without incident. technology, it’s because we can really help change train and tram interchange at speeds of “Our following two trials – Project Driven (July people’s lives.” up to 50mph. 2017 to December 2019) and Streetwise Aurrigo focuses on developing autonomous With services every 20 minutes between (September 2017 to March 2020) – saw consor- vehicles for sites such as campuses, airports and 6am and 9pm, the buses could transport tium partners showcase how their systems could shopping malls. 10,000 passengers each week. handle the complexities of London’s roads. It also deployed an AV to transport golfers and They are fitted with Fusion Processing’s “Both trials demonstrated AVs to more than 100 caddies from the clubhouse to the first tee at last CAVstar control and sensing system, passengers each and, even in torrential down- year’s Welsh Open tournament at Celtic Manor. integrated with the buses’ steering, pours, the journeys were satisfyingly normal.” “The question which is often asked is ‘where will throttle and braking system. They draw Project Driven culminated in trials in and around autonomous vehicles actually make the biggest information from radar, lidar, optical London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to show- impact’,” says Garner. cameras and ultrasonic sensors, along case co-operative communication between “Our prediction is that we’ll be seeing them on with sat-nav, to detect and avoid objects in multiple automated vehicles, while Streetwise longer-distance, high-speed environments similar all weathers and light conditions. allowed passengers to experience a 13-mile to the Otto truck trials on the highways in America, The buses will operate at level four return trip as an example of commuting in a self- and also for the shorter distance, low-speed autonomy, which means they will drive driving vehicle. environments like airports and campuses.” autonomously along the routes and, while there will be regular driver controls, the BLUEPRINT FOR AVs driver will not be expected to use them The HumanDrive project ran from July 2017 to other than in an emergency. VENTURER March 2020 and culminated in a 230-mile journey The project follows a live trial of the AND GATEWAY between Cranfield and Sunderland which saw a CAVstar system in a Stagecoach bus modified Nissan Leaf electric cover 99% of the trip in 2019 which navigated its way HIGHLIGHTED THE in fully autonomous mode. autonomously around the group’s LEGAL, REGULATORY The experience acquired through this project will Manchester depot, visiting a fuelling bebe leveragedleveraged b byy t thehe S ServCityervCity p programme’srogramme’s f fiveive station and the bus wash before finding AND INSURANCE partnerspartners – NNissan,issan, CConnectedonnected PPlaceslaces CCatapult,atapult, its parking spot. HURDLES WE NEED TTRL,RL, HitachiHitachi andand thethe UniversityUniversity ofof NottinghamNottingham – toto The project is part-funded by CCAV ferry passengers on public London roads in self- with the project consortium comprising TO OVERCOME driving Leaf cars. Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis, The 30-month project, which started this month, Stagecoach Group, Transport Scotland, DAVID WEBB, CCAV will use a combination of test simulation, end-user Napier University and Bristol Robotics research and real-world trials to develop a Laboratory.

Modified Nissan Leafs are being used as part of the ServCity programme

fleetnews.co.ukfleetnews.co.uk ■ JanuaryXxxxxxxxx 21 XX2021 2019 2323 Sponsored by TOMORROW’S FLEET: AUTONOMOUS TRIALS

blueprint to tackle the barriers to deploying AVs in cities. “This project, backed by Government funding, will not only help make AVs more user-friendly, but also gives users confidence that they can respond quickly and safely and to all types of challenges they face on the roads,” says business and industry minister Nadhim Zahawi. “If society is to enjoy the benefits of self-driving vehicles , we need to ensure the technology can safely master a complex and lively modern city, with all its obstacles.” Another trial taking place this year is also aiming to build on the success of a previous initiative. Oxbotica, which was a leading organisation in Project Driven, is one of five partners in Project Endeavour (see panel below) which is designed to help scale and accelerate the deployment of AVs by focusing on four themes: ■ Running four trials/demonstrations of AVs on public roads across multiple cities in the UK. ■ Working with local authorities to help them Golfer Ross Fisher with the autonomous understand the technology and what they need to vehicle used by Aurrigo at the Welsh Open do to deploy AVs on their streets.

■ Carrying out research with the public to “The trials happening in 2021 should encourage understand attitudes towards AV technology and all local authorities to think about CAV blueprints related services. and how they fit into plans around sustainability ■ Developing and refining safety assurance and mobility. methodology. “It is important that by the end of the year, they “Ongoing trials of connected and automated have started to map out how CAM will integrate vehicles in the UK pave the way for more efficient into their existing transport plans and work use of our roads, especially important given the together to find common approaches. This is an importance of home delivery for goods and industry with immense possibility and month-by- Q&A groceries,” says Cracknell. month the possibilities come closer to reality.” Who are the consortium partners? When will AVs become a common sight GRAEME SMITH, CONSORTIUM LEADER We (Oxbotica) are providing the autonomous in the UK? FOR PROJECT ENDEAVOUR AND SENIOR vehicle software and the vehicles for the trials. When most people think about autonomy they VICE-PRESIDENT, OXBOTICA Immense is providing citywide AV simulations think about passenger cars and, in reality, that’s and DG Cities is working together with many years away, maybe 10 or 15, maybe never. Oxfordshire County Council to help us develop We are a long, long way away from any vehicle and refine engagement models with local that’s able to be autonomous anywhere in the authorities. Finally, we have partners like TRL world at any time. and BSI who are working on a safety Just because a vehicle can drive on the public assurance work package. road doesn’t mean it can drive on a construction site or a mine or under the sea. How do you ensure safety during trials? Everything is restricted to a domain, so the When we do public trials we operate very answer to the question about when will we start conservatively and have a different philosophy to see this technology is not black and white to what we might have on the test track. All because you can see autonomous systems cars have safety drivers and they have very happening around us already. explicit instructions that if anything out of the For example, London’s Docklands Light ordinary is going on around them, they should Railway has a driverless train. That’s in a very What is Project Endeavour? intervene. limited domain: it’s on a track, it doesn’t need Project Endeavour is the UK’s first multi-city For example, if our car is passing a school at maps to operate. demonstration of AVs and is jointly funded by school leaving time and there’s lots of traffic Over the next few years we will start to see industry and Government. and kids, why wouldn’t you tell your drivers to AVs being used in areas such as mining and The consortium has built six self-driving intervene? construction. vehicles, based on Ford Mondeos, and we started If it is approaching a pedestrian crossing There are also industrial environments that our first public loop in Oxford in November. and the driver sees somebody with are simple and easy to operate in, and then We’ll be running trials there for the next five headphones on, or they’re looking at their there are areas not on public roads where you or six months. In the spring we’ll set up another phone and not paying attention, we are not could use multi-people shuttles and these will route, this time in Greenwich, and then a second going to take any risks and the drivers are start to happen in the next five or so years. route in Greenwich. instructed to step in. After that, maybe six or seven years, we’ll Then, finally, we’ll be looking to deploy in a We are not going to take any risks with probably start seeing robotaxi-type vehicles completely new city, possibly somewhere like members of the public. That is ever so operating in certain places, but it will be many Birmingham or Manchester. important to us. years before the technology is ubiquitous.

24 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk adRocket

FP_FLEETNEW_90946736Flid4473029.pdf 01.14.2021 10:14 ELECTRICELECTRIC FFLEET:LEET: CHARGINGCHARGING POPOW

26 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk Sponsored by

SPONSOR’S COMMENT

By David Savage, Regional Manager UK & Ireland The world is rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles in order to save OWER costs, and meet local pollution and net zero carbon goals. Organisations who leverage Geotab’s data-driven telematics solution to shift their fleets to electric have a competitive advantage that only increases with time. With the United Kingdom’s plan to TO THE achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the importance of electrifying your fleet continuously grows each day. To avoid falling behind your competition, PEOPLE research how electrifying may be the best option for your fleet. Some of the The public charging infrastructure is main benefits include: ■ Tax savings key to the success of electric vehicles, ■ Operational cost savings with the Government recently announcing ■ Customer, employee and investor support of EV fleets £1.3 billion of funding to grow it. ■ Avoiding penalties which certain Andrew Ryan reports jurisdictions introducing zero emissions have mandated ■ EV incentives from the government Geotab’s telematics solution combines the most robust suite of data-driven fleet management tools with support for more than 100 EV makes and models on the market today. These management ublic charge points are currently Natasha Robinson, head of Office for Zero tools have been developed by analyzing outnumbered three-to-one by Emission Vehicles (OZEV). home units, with 80% of all “We’ve looked to help move that market over five million EV driving trips, from P charging sessions taking place through our infrastructure schemes, but this over 6,000 unique EVs, which represents at residential addresses. is definitely an area we’re looking for a more 1.8 million days of data. This knowledge But it is the public charging network which accelerated timetable.” and experience informs qualified insights will, arguably, have a more important role in In recognition of the need to increase the to provide our customers with the the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). public charging network, the Government This is, primarily, for two reasons. Around announced £1.3 billion of funding to grow it in confidence to know how their electric 40% of households do not have off-street its November spending review: vehicles will perform. parking, while the availability and reliability of ■ £950 million to support the rollout of rapid Geotab can also help develop your EV public charge points is also critical to build EV charging hubs at every service station on adoption strategy with their Electric consumer confidence. England’s motorways and major A-roads. Vehicle Suitability Assessment, an EV This was highlighted in the latest Depart- ■ £275m to extend support for charge point ment for Transport (DfT) Transport and Tech- installation at homes, workplaces and procurement recommendation tool for nology Public Attitudes Tracker report, which on-street locations, while reforming these any fleet seeking to go electric, tailored cited worries around charging infrastructure schemes so they target difficult parts of the to your specific business goals. as the biggest disadvantage to EVs. market such as leaseholders and small and “People might only have to charge their EVs medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). once or twice a week, but they still want it to ■ £90m to fund local EV charging infra- be convenient and it is still a big barrier for structure to support the roll-out of larger people in terms of thinking ‘how am I going to on-street charging schemes and rapid hubs charge?’, ‘what am I going to do?,” says in England.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 27 adRocket

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FP_FLEETNEW_200930bGEOid4412387.pdf 11.06.2020 12:40 ELECTRIC FLEET: CHARGING Sponsored by

Gridserve’s first Electric Forecourt opened in Braintree

The DfT’s latest Electric Vehicle Charging Device Its first charge point went live at its restaurant in Statistic report found the number of public charge Port Talbot, Wales, last month (December) as the points had increased 18% in the past year to 19,487, OUR AMBITION first step in the business’s ambition to have more with 3,530 of those being rapid devices. WOULD MEAN YOU EV charging points than any other company in the The report says there is an uneven geographical UK and Ireland. distribution of charging devices within the UK, with WOULD NEVER “With more than 1,300 restaurants, our ambition fewer charge points in rural or remote areas. BE FAR FROM A would mean you would never be far from a London has the highest level of charging device charging point,” says Paul Pomroy, CEO of provision per 100,000 of population with 63, while CHARGING POINT McDonald’s UK and Ireland. Northern Ireland is lowest with 17. The UK average “Drivers will be able to pop in for a coffee or a is 29 per 100,000 people. meal and get an 80% charge in 20 minutes. We The locations of public charge points are split into PAUL POMROY, McDONALD’S are known for speed and convenience, and this three segments: destination, transit and on-street. partnership with InstaVolt will provide just that for Here we look at what these segments are and EV drivers.” some of the developments within them. Other supermarkets are following suit. In the InstaVolt’s deal with KFC will see rapid chargers summer, Aldi announced it was partnering with installed at up to 450 KFC drive-through restau- DESTINATION NewMotion to provide charge points at all new rants. It already has chargers at KFCs in Sheffield, ‘Destination’ charge points are found at locations store locations, adding 140 chargers to the UK Nottingham, Rotherham and Crewe. where people go to for a reason other than to public charging network over the next three years. charge their EV, such as supermarkets, shopping These will support charging speeds of up to TRANSIT centres, cinemas or restaurants. 22kW, with Fritz Walleczek, managing director of The ‘transit’ segment refers to charge points at The charge points are often installed by busi- corporate responsibility at Aldi UK, saying this will locations where the primary reason for the visit is nesses to provide an additional benefit or incentive ensure the retailer’s EV charging infrastructure is to charge an EV, similar to the current petrol and to customers, says John Murray, head of EVs at future-proofed to accommodate newer EV models diesel forecourt model. energy research and consultancy company Delta- that will have bigger battery sizes and support At the moment, these account for less than 1% EE, and the length of stay is typically 30-to-60 greater charging speeds. of the UK’s charge points and this proportion is minutes. Restaurant chains are another obvious location likely to be similar in 2030, says Murray. “We expect this segment to continue to be led by for charge points, allowing customers to top-up However, the proportion of the actual electricity standard-speed (22kW or less) chargers, with EVs while they eat (in a post-coronavirus world). they will charge EVs with will be around 20% of some rapids (22-100kW), and only a small number Marstons Inns and Taverns has, so far, had 400 the UK’s total in 2030 due to their higher power of high-power chargers (100kW or more),” Murray 50kW chargers installed at 200 of its sites by than other charge points and increased utilisation. adds. Engenie, and says these can provide customers “We expect a greater reliance on transit charging, This certainly seems to be the current trend, with with up to 75-100 miles of charge in 30 minutes similar to the forecourt model we see today for numerous retailers and restaurants announcing (assuming the EV is capable of pulling that charge refuelling ICE (internal combustion engine) vehi- partnerships to install charge points at their sites capacity). cles,” says Murray. for customer use. Further examples of how restaurants are The Government has been looking at this sector One of the earliest major announcements came embracing the technology came last summer in “quite a lot of detail over the past 12-to-18 from a partnership of Tesco, Volkswagen and when McDonald’s and KFC both announced part- months”, says OZEV’s Robinson. PodPoint and this will see more than 2,400 EV nerships with InstaVolt. “By 2035, we expect to see around 6,000 high- charging bays introduced across 600 Tesco stores McDonald’s will introduce 125kW charging powered charge points across the motorway and by the end of this year. points at both new and existing Drive Thru restau- A-road network,” she adds. “We’re working hard The bulk of these will be 7kW chargers, while rants within the McDonald’s estate where they can with others, such as Highways England, Ofgem, some sites will also offer 22kW and 50kW units. be accommodated. the DNOs (distribution network operators) and

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 29 Sponsored by ELECTRIC FLEET: CHARGING

Charging that makes use of existing infrastructure will help reduce pavement clutter

National Grid, to make sure we’re getting our to install lamppost charge points in London in 2018 motorway network ready for mass uptake. in a deal with Southwark Council, while last year “We want to ensure there is a good experience YOU WILL BE ABLE Siemens and Ubitricity began installing them in for the drivers and also, critically, for fleets, which TO GET AROUND 20 Richmond-upon-Thames. have slightly different needs and requirements of “The standard lamppost is connected to a the charging infrastructure network.” MILES OF DRIVING FOR 25-amp supply,” says Richard Stobart, CEO of As well as drivers who do long journeys, transit EVERY HOUR OF Chargy. “If it has gone across to LED lighting, that charging will appeal to those who either do not have leaves 24 amps for charging cars. access to a home charger or on-street charging, or LAMPPOST CHARGING “You will be able to get around 20 miles of driving just want the convenience of a fast top-up. for every hour of lamppost charging.” An example of a transit charging facility is BP’s In March last year, Westminster City Council Hammersmith Flyover site, which features four RICHARD STOBART, CHARGY teamed up with Siemens and Ubitricity to unveil 150kW chargers and one 50kW unit. the UK’s first converted lamppost charging street: “We believe Hammersmith Flyover is the most- Sutherland Avenue, Maida Vale, W9, which the visited public charging destination in the UK, ON-STREET local authority has dubbed ‘Electric Avenue, W9’. recently charging an average of 115 vehicles each As the term suggests, ‘on-street’ charge points Residents can charge their EVs at 24 lampposts day with more than 2,000kWh of energy,” says are found on roads or near homes, typically for the at various locations along the street. Matteo de Renzi, CEO of BP Pulse. estimated 40% to 50% of UK households that do “While we cannot solve the challenge of air “Ultra-fast is the new frontier of public charging, not have access to off-street car parking. quality overnight, Electric Avenue W9 is an impor- with even the latest generation of small electric cars “We’ve got to support this area with our on-street tant showcase of what’s possible using existing city offering 100kW charging speeds, and it is as impor- residential scheme,” says Robinson. “This provides infrastructure,” says Cedrik Neike, CEO of Siemens tant to private motorists without off-street parking funding for local authorities to put in 7kW to 22kW Smart Infrastructure. “It illustrates how residen- as it is to drivers with higher mileage needs.” charge points in locations that people can access tial streets will look in the near future and acceler- Like BP, Shell is one of the fuel suppliers also so it unlocks the option of having an EV.” ates the shift to zero emission vehicles.” installing charge points on existing forecourts. The deployment of on-street charge points faces Another potential on-street charging solution is It plans to have a combination of 200 50kW and a number of difficulties, including costs for the app-operated pop-up charger, which sits flush 150kW chargers on forecourts located on major providers to install as well as practical constraints to the pavement when not in use, extending only routes across the UK, in addition to a network of in space and capacity to meet likely demand. when it is needed. chargers available on local roads. “There are already concerns about the impact of Oxford became the first city in the world to trial A new entrant in this sector is Gridserve, which existing chargers to the streetscape: they’re large, this technology after its city council and charge plans to build 100 Electric Forecourts in the UK in can be loud and often unsightly,” says Chris point developer Urban Electric were awarded the next five years as part of a £1bn programme. Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb. £474,000 funding through Innovate UK. It opened its first one in Braintree last month and “Instead of constructing another mammoth- The trial ran from September 2019 to the end of this enables 36 vehicles to be charged at the same sized thing to plonk on the footpath and inconven- February 2020 and was a success, says the council. time at speeds up to 350kW. ience all parents with prams out for an evening “Resident satisfaction and utilisation was very Electricity is generated from both solar power stroll, how about utilising posts and bollards that high and all project partners learned a great deal canopies above the chargers and a network of have been inconveniencing people for years which about the possibilities of the technology,” it adds. hybrid solar farms, also operated by Gridserve. they have already learned to live with?” The technology is being deployed in Dundee as The Electric Forecourt blurs the line between Connected Kerb develops charge points which part of a £3.8m trial, jointly funded by OLEZ (Office transit and destination segments, as it includes a can be attached to signposts or other existing for Low Emission Vehicles) and Innovate UK. retail space hosting partners including WH Smith street furniture. “I think is a really exciting development and I Travel, Costa Coffee, Booths and the Post Office. It Some companies are developing solutions which think it will increase the resident charging across also has a waiting lounge, washrooms, dedicated will allow lampposts to be used to charge EVs. many cities in the UK,” says Fraser Crichton, fleet children’s area and business meeting rooms. Chargy, for example, became the first company manager for Dundee City Council.

30 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk adRocket

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FP_FLEETNEW_ZenithAdveid4441969.pdf 12.01.2020 16:43 SPOTLIGHT: ALTRAD SERVICES

Matt Hammond, Altrad Services UK head of fleet, plant and equipment (centre), and his team celebrate their win at the Fleet News Awards 2020

32 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk Getting personal is right recipe for a safer fleet

Altrad Services has combined telematics data and greater driver engagement to transform its fleet. Gareth Roberts reports

hinking about a fleet in terms of damage or the cost of repairing vehicles and its drivers rather than the don’t think about how the driver was T number of vehicles it operates is affected,” he says. helping Altrad Services run one Instead, Hammond argues it’s important to of the safest operations in the country. ask was there something that the fleet team The winner of the 2020 Fleet News Safe could have done to prevent an incident, Fleet Award has seen sustained improve- including training the employee to perform ment in driver behaviour resulting in a the driving role they are being asked to do. reduction in incident rates, after shifting its “None of our drivers are (employed as) approach to managing its fleet. drivers; they’re scaffolders, they’re painters, The five-strong fleet team, with Matt they’re laggers,” he says. “But, ultimately, Hammond at the helm, operates a mixed when they get in the vehicle, they are drivers fleet, consisting of 800 vans, 200 company and we have to treat them like drivers.” cars, 95 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and Hammond believes that many businesses 200 grey fleet cars. fail to recognise this, but by personalising the Safety, argues head of fleet, plant and fleet it becomes more tangible to the board equipment Hammond, should be at forefront and encourages buy-in when trying to effect of every fleet manager’s mind. “It’s the most change. important thing that we do,” he says. It also helps that there are cost benefits to “Yes, we’re there to help run a business; be gained from a focus on safety. “We are a yes, we’re there to help control costs, but commercial organisation at the end of the none of us wants one of our vehicles involved day,” he says. “We’re here to make a profit in an incident and, more importantly, none of and every incident we have is a cost to the us wants to see any of our drivers in an business.” incident either.” Altrad has stolen a leaf out of Nestlé’s book At times, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers on risk management, quantifying the cost to and forget about what really matters – the the business in terms of the services it sells. people. In 2004, Nestlé calculated that, in Europe “You can say you’ve got a fleet of 1,200 or alone, it needed to sell 235 million KitKats to 1,300 vehicles, but it doesn’t mean anything generate the revenue to finance its motor until you put it in the context of that’s 1,200 fleet collision risks. or 1,300 people, who you are providing trans- “We will use how many metres of pipe do port for to and from work, and during their we need to lag or how much scaffold do we working day,” Hammond says. need to install to cover that cost,” says “When you personalise a fleet, you want to Hammond. make sure that every single one of those “You always have to lead with the financial COMPANY: Altrad Services drivers is given the safest vehicle and the (argument), because that’s what the board UK HEAD OF FLEET, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Matt Hammond safest procedures and processes to make and PLCs want to see. FLEET TEAM: Five sure they go home every night.” “How you take it from a cost on a spread- FLEET: 200 cars, 800 vans, 95 HGVs and 200 grey fleet sheet to formulating a process to reduce OPERATING CYCLE: cars – 42 months/80,000 miles; PERSONALISING THE FLEET those incident numbers and delivering that, vans – 48 months/60,000 miles Equating the fleet to people rather than is where the personalisation point comes FUNDING METHOD: cars – lease; vans – lease, pieces of metal also aids buy-in from the into it. outright purchase and flexible hire wider business and the senior management “It’s not a case of beating people with a big team, according to Hammond. stick, it’s about education and continuous “You can get too sucked into the cost of training and development.”

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 33 SPOTLIGHT: ALTRAD SERVICES

Telematics has been fundamental to Hammond explains it was vital to under- and technologies, with in-cab cameras being enabling Altrad to improve fleet safety. stand what they were trying to accomplish considered, for example. Altrad uses Trakm8 to analyse driver before installing a telematics system. “We’ve also just ordered 250 new vehicles behaviour, the black box technology to He wanted to understand the “root causes” and they’ve all got parking sensors and record and communicate all instances of of the incidents Altrad vehicles were involved reversing cameras,” he says. high-risk driving, including over-revving, in and how they could prevent them However, alongside an unrelenting focus heavy acceleration, sharp cornering, harsh happening in the first place. on both driver and vehicle, Hammond uses braking and speeding. “We looked at what we wanted it to deliver data to understand what else the fleet team Used mainly within the van fleet, the soft- to fit in with our narrative and then we went can influence, to drive down incident rates. ware collates these into percentage scores, out to look at the companies we could work “We’ll look at some of the sites where with 100% representing zero infringements. with,” he says. we’re having repeat incidents to see if we can It also uses a traffic light system of green “Telematics is a wonderful tool, but people improve parking or lighting,” he explains. for good driving, amber indicating room for think it’s a magic wand sometimes. You have “Technology won’t necessarily help us improvement, and red for driving which to understand what you want to achieve from tackle these outside influences, but it allows increases road risk. that telematics system before you even enter us to see where they could be an issue.” Altrad says that data is analysed by journey, into negotiations.” including snail trail maps showing precisely Having used the technology to successfully DRIVER WELLBEING where incidents occurred, enabling the fleet target specific areas of its fleet over the past Hammond, speaking at last year’s Fleet team to spot patterns of behaviour. few years, Altrad is now investigating what it News Virtual Fleet & Mobility Live, also high- wants to focus on next. lighted how more emphasis on the mental INCIDENT RATES PLUMMET “We’re at a point now where we’re health and wellbeing of drivers can be key to It has reaped big rewards. Driver behaviour, reviewing our approach, but it doesn’t mean managing risk. measured from 0-100% using Trakm8’s we’re going to change the system,” says Although telematics data plays a big role in traffic light system, went from 62% in 2016 Hammond. “We’re just going to look at what driver safety, focusing on the driver before to 93% in 2019. It now stands at 97%. we want to do next and then use the they get in the vehicle is also vital, he says. Incident rates also plummeted, down from technology to deliver it.” “What are the demands fleet managers an annual rate of 32% in 2016 to 12.5% in Operating a much safer fleet, Altrad’s are putting on the driver; have they looked at 2019, while spending on fines and vehicle in-journey incidents are now at an all-time the driver’s wellbeing? Are there any external repairs fell by 40%. low, with the majority of claims down to influences that need to be considered? Have “The target now is to get that incident rate prangs while manoeuvring vehicles. they got a new baby at home or a sick relative down to single figures,” says Hammond. Hammond acknowledges that tackling that’s going to affect how they might sleep or “We’re at 11% at the moment.” these incidents may require different tools how home life is?,” he asks.

34 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk HAMMOND ON... “All of these things, which add to the overall Every driver has Hammond’s mobile risk of that driver and of that journey, need number in their vehicle, giving them the to be considered, rather than just looking at option to speak to him directly, rather than a who’s driving fast, harsh braking and accel- line manager, if they prefer. eration. It makes you look at the bigger “I get texts from drivers on a weekly basis Flexible rental cull could picture of fleet management.” and some of them may be raising an issue Data from Office for National Statistics about a van, for example, but it’s how it save £250,000 per year (ONS) recently revealed that the suicide rate should be,” he says. Better fleet utilisation, rather than turning to for van drivers is 25% higher than the “You want to be approachable, because at flexible rental to plug a gap in operations, could national average and 20% higher for truck the end of the day they’re not part of the save Altrad up to a quarter of million pounds a drivers. problem, they’re part of the solution.” year. Van and truck drivers of all ages are a key Altrad’s company cars are leased, while its demographic likely to suffer with poor LEARNING CURVE van fleet is financed via a mixture of outright mental health due to unpredictable journey Not every intervention has delivered success, purchase, contract hire and flexible hire. times, traffic congestion, tight deadlines, a however, admits Hammond. “When we “We are trying to move away from flexi-rent,” high workload and lack of social interaction. started, we approached it with too much of says Hammond. “We used to have quite a “You’ve got to be realistic about the a big stick,” he says. “We, effectively, became fluctuating fleet, which could go from 600 vans expectations you’re putting on a driver,” says the ‘fleet police’. to 900 and then back down to 700 in the space Hammond. “It didn’t work at all; we didn’t engage with of three or four months.” Altrad provides employees with a number drivers. We initially engaged with their line A provider of industrial services to the oil and to speak to somebody in confidence about managers, with the view we will come down gas, energy and petrochemical sectors, the any issues, while they are also encouraged heavy on you and you should come down demands on Altrad’s fleet are determined by to talk openly about any work-related heavy on the driver. the differing contracts it serves. concerns they may have. “All that did was get everybody’s back up However, Hammond says: “We’ve changed “Take our commercial drivers, for and made us very unpopular. That was prob- how we look at our fleet now; we try to keep example,” explains Hammond. “If they feel ably the biggest mistake we made, thinking the same vans on fleet and, if we need to move there is a reason they can’t do what is being that everybody had the same passion as we them around across contracts, we’ll move the asked of them, they have the right to say ‘no’. did. vehicles rather than off-hiring and re-hiring. “We’re trying to deliver the safest fleet we “We live and breathe this everyday and you “It’s meant we’ve been able to take that curve can, but I can only do so much from sitting forget that everybody else in the business out of the fleet and, because our numbers are a behind a desk, I’m not the person sat behind has got their own jobs to do. You don’t want lot steadier now, we’re looking to move a lot of the wheel.” to annoy them; you want to work with them.” the flexi-rent to more fixed-term lease rents. “If we do that, we can save a quarter of a million pounds a year on our rental costs. It’s big money and it’s well worth doing.” Pressure on fleets ahead of ICE ban Hammond believes too much pressure is being put on fleets to make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) ahead of a ban on the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and vans. The sale of new diesel and petrol cars and vans will be banned from 2030 and Hammond says the biggest challenge for fleets is some people think that switch can happen now. “I just think we need a bit of a reality check,” he explains. “We’ve got 10 years to make this happen. “It’s going to happen and where it can happen now that’s great, but it can’t happen across an entire fleet overnight.” He argues that the choice and range of IT’S NOT A CASE OF BEATING vehicles is simply not quite there yet for electric PEOPLE WITH A BIG STICK, IT’S powertrains to take the strain. “There also isn’t the (charging) infrastructure ABOUT EDUCATION AND in place yet to make it viable in all areas, but it CONTINUOUS TRAINING AND will be, and it will come,” he says. In terms of timing, Hammond expects the DEVELOPMENT market will be in a better position at the end of his next four-year cycle to start making the switch. MATT HAMMOND, ALTRAD SERVICES “We’ll be closer to a solution that will have the range and we’ll be able to move a lot more vehicles across to electric,” he says. “It will be a slow start, but it will gather pace as we get closer and closer to that date.”

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 35 SPOTLIGHT: JAGUAR LAND ROVER

JLR’s mission is to create a more sustainable future with zero emissions, zero accidents and Destination Zero points zero congestion. It calls this strategy Destination Zero. For the past two years, the carmaker’s UK facilities have been certified as carbon neutral by the way forward after the Carbon Trust and it has more than halved the CO2 emitted per vehicle across its product range over the past decade. The next-generation Jaguars and Land Rovers tough times at JLR will be manufactured at JLR’s newly electrified plant in Castle Bromwich, using batteries developed in its Battery Assembly Centre at Hams Fleets are key market as strategy focuses on zero emissions, Hall and Electronic Drive Units produced at its zero accidents and zero congestion. Matt de Prez reports Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton. COMMERCIAL GAINS Commercial vehicles present a greater fleet he past 12 months have been rather for the launch of mild hybrid assembly facilities opportunity this year too, with the Discovery rocky for Jaguar Land Rover. It and a new stamping line. Commercial, which accounts for one in four started 2020 having reported nine- Mild-hybrid technology has already been Discoverys sold, being joined by the all-new T figure losses in the last quarter of deployed across JLR’s combustion engines – Defender. 2019, its global sales were declining and its model helping to reduce CO2 emissions and boost fuel As for diesel, Jago says there is still a place for range was heavily reliant on unpopular diesel. economy – while fleet-crucial plug-in hybrid it, but he accepts that models like the XE and XF Added to that was the announcement of job cuts engines have since been added to Velar, E-Pace – that were once the core fleet sellers – will remain at its UK plants while chief executive Ralf Speth, and F-Pace, making them much more appealing on the back foot against rivals until plug-in or who led the business for the last decade and for user choosers. electric models are introduced. helped it maximise its position in the growing SUV Already, the brand is seeing an uplift in its fleet He says: “We were the first to offer RDE2 market, announced he would be stepping down. sales as a result of the new additions – having compliant engines on those products, so we were When Andrew Jago took over the reins of JLR’s confirmed more than 3,000 orders for the Evoque ahead of the curve on that but we don’t have UK fleet and business division in August 2019, the and Discovery Sport PHEV models alone from plug-in options in the sedan space right now, so brand’s opportunities for sales growth in the fleet customers before the end of 2020. we do lose a bit of the market. But, when you look corporate sector were heavily reliant on its “In terms of the channels, user chooser is one that at the broader trend, there is a strong move forthcoming electrification strategy. we’re really seeing significant growth opportunities towards SUV and crossover vehicles. Having Following an announcement that it would begin in but, obviously, salary sacrifice strongly favours plug-in hybrid on the E-Pace and F-Pace will production of fully electric models in the UK, JLR plug-in products as well,” Jago says. increase their appeal, with both offering BIK from expanded its electrified vehicle line-up with the 10%. So the net gain is arguably bigger.” launch in mid-2020 of a new plug-in hybrid variant DESTINATION ZERO However, petrol and diesel-powered models for its two best-selling vehicles – the Range Rover Fully electric models are also a significant part of continue to perform well in the personal contract Evoque and Discovery Sport. JLR’s fleet strategy. The I-Pace, which is built in hire space, where Jago says many of the brand’s Their introduction marks the second phase in the Austria, is a strong fleet performer with around customers are using car allowances in lieu of electrification of the company’s Halewood plant in 80% of registrations going to true fleet customers. taking a company car and choosing models such the UK. More than 1,500 employees have been Soon, it will be joined by the next-generation XJ, as the Evoque. retrained to build electrified variants of the SUVs. which will be the first car in its segment to be fully Across all channels, Jaguar Land Rover’s sales This follows the earlier enhancements at the plant electric, alongside two more fully electric models. from contract hire and leasing have increased

JLR has high hopes for the Jaguar I-Pace (left) and Range Rover Velar

36 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk WE WILL SEE LAND ROVER RAPIDLY INCREASE ITS TRUE FLEET SALES NOW WITH SIX PLUG-IN HYBRID OFFERINGS

ANDREW JAGO, JLR

COMPANY: Jaguar Land Rover HEADQUARTERS: Coventry, UK CEO: Thierry Bolloré GENERAL MANAGER, FLEET AND BUSINESS: Andrew Jago KEY FLEET MODELS: Discovery Sport, Evoque, E-Pace, XE, XF, I-Pace in size from 60% to 75% in the past 12 months. the first time we’ve been able to say that for a while central test drive fleet and the retailers is a key Now the BIK position is more attractive on on BIK.” part of that strategy.” versions with a plug-in hybrid engine, Jago believes During the first national lockdown, JLR loaned its more people will opt back into company car TEST DRIVE EVENTS ON HOLD demonstrator fleets to key workers. However, Jago schemes to get the model they want and push that Jago is keen to demonstrate the new models to says his team remained operational throughout that figure even higher. customers, but the coronavirus pandemic has time and were therefore able to win some key He says: “We will see Land Rover rapidly affected plans to host test drive events and get business as a result. increase its true fleet sales now with the six plug-in people into showrooms. Moving forward, he anticipates that the field hybrid offerings, particularly with Evoque and He explains: “Between us and our retail network, sales team will continue to operate in a more Discovery Sport, which are in the sweet spot in we strongly encourage test drive activity, more virtual manner to minimise the time lost travelling terms of that core user chooser in the £40,000 to now than ever before. A lot of this user-chooser between appointments. This also supports his £50,000 bandings. We can really start to access that market is conquest business for us and we desire to speak to more fleets and increase the market heavily because we’re now competing on want those drivers to experience our products and brand’s prominence on choice lists, by enabling more direct terms. We are getting more competitive put us higher on their consideration list than the sales team to spend more time talking to than a lot of our German counterparts, which is perhaps they have in the past. So, access to our customers.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 37 SPOTLIGHT: CHEVIN

Reinvention is the key as Chevin capitalises on ‘the new normal’ In a tough year, the company was able to press on with exciting plans. Stephen Briers reports

or many companies, 2020 was a year trip is essential because we have just of uncertainty and change, with new COMPANY: Chevin demonstrated for the best part of a year that it isn’t processes introduced and short- FOUNDED: 1990 essential,” Sowerby says. “That’s where I see the F term policies deployed as they came HEAD OFFICE: Belper, Derbyshire pressure coming from – asking, ‘Do you need the to terms with the socio-economic crisis caused by COUNTRIES SERVED: UK, USA, Australia, Belgium, vehicles?’” coronavirus. France and the Middle East Does he predict the size of the UK car fleet will For Chevin, the pandemic coincided with a year MANAGING DIRECTOR: Ashley Sowerby shrink? “Yes, I think it will need to, or perhaps of transformation – as well as its 30th anniversary. UK CUSTOMERS: almost 100 consolidate into car allowances, pool vehicles or The fleet software provider had already sown the FLEET PROFILE: 85% 200-plus vehicles; 15% fewer on-demand fleets, so there is transport when you seeds for a new approach to business back in than 200 need it,” Sowerby says. “This could be the tipping September 2019, at the start of its financial year, MAIN PRODUCT: FleetWave Core (fleet/business point for mobility as a service. There are platforms months before Covid, furloughing and lockdown management software) out there now that tell you how to get from A to B. became part of the everyday language. The next development is the purchase of transit Far from having its plans disrupted, Chevin was on demand.” able to quickly adapt to new conditions – it already Immediately, it resulted in a slowdown in project Thanks to either strategic nous or a stroke had a culture of working remotely in many of its outputs and billing, as clients weren’t available to of luck – perhaps a dollop of both – Chevin’s global operations, while its platforms and soft- sign off work. But that lasted just six to eight new product structure and payment plan sit ware development have been cloud-based for the weeks, before remote working became ‘the new comfortably within a business landscape where past five years – allowing it to continue executing normal’. simplicity and subscriptions outweigh complexity its short-term strategy. Essential services customers, including delivery/ and upfront purchases. Managing director Ashley Sowerby explains: logistics, utilities and local authority amenities, FleetWave Core had already been reinvented as “We felt we needed to reorganise the business. were largely unaffected; the main impact was an out-of-box, ready-to-run system (see Fleet That meant we would stop knocking on doors among car-based customers where mileage News August 2017) where a multitude of options trying to sell at full speed and take our foot off the evaporated. The big question remains as to were rationalised within an optimised ‘best of’ core gas a little bit so we could reinvest in the product. whether it will ever return. product, making it easier to deploy and improving So, there was no increase in sales targets year- “One of the biggest challenges will be to persuade the customer experience. on-year. Then, six months in, coronavirus hit.” a finance director that post pandemic, a business Now the focus has shifted to making it user- friendlyfriendly toto thethe pointpoint ofof beingbeing self-service,self-service, bench-bench markingmarking thethe samesame levellevel ofof intuitionintuition offeredoffered byby thethe likeslikes ofof Facebook.Facebook. “As“As a business,business, I don’tdon’t wantwant usus toto sellsell trainingtraining daysdays oror professionalprofessional services;services; wewe sellsell software,”software,” sayssays Sowerby.Sowerby. “So“So increasingly,increasingly, ourour trainingtraining willwill bebe on-demandon-demand videosvideos thatthat areare embeddedembedded withinwithin thethe application.”application.” TheThe wayway companiescompanies paypay forfor FleetWaveFleetWave isis alsoalso beingbeing transformed,transformed, movingmoving awayaway fromfrom perpetualperpetual licences,licences, upfrontupfront pricingpricing andand annualannual supportsupport feesfees towardstowards monthlymonthly feesfees onon a software-as-a-servicesoftware-as-a-service deal.deal. ChevinChevin hostshosts thethe software;software; thethe customercustomer rentsrents iit.t. “We“We getget lessless revenuerevenue initially,initially, butbut itit willwill bebe a moremore regularregular andand guaranteedguaranteed revenuerevenue stream,”stream,” SowerbySowerby ssays.ays. SwitchingSwitching FleetWaveFleetWave C Coreore f fromrom a “ “heavy-liftheavy-lift delivery”delivery” (Sowerby’s(Sowerby’s words)words) toto a monthlymonthly fee-fee- based,based, lessless complexcomplex productproduct alsoalso opensopens upup thethe SMESME market.market. ChevinChevin hashas c closelose t too 1 10000 c clientslients i inn t thehe U UK,K, w withith largelarge fleetsfleets (those(those withwith 200-plus200-plus vehicles)vehicles) accountingaccounting forfor 85%.85%. WithWith a targettarget ofof doublingdoubling revenuerevenue byby AugustAugust 20212021 againstagainst 20182018 figures,figures, thethe hugehuge v volumeolume o off s smallermaller f fleetsleets w willill b bee a majormajor factor.factor. “In“In thethe past,past, FleetWaveFleetWave d didn’tidn’t m makeake eeconomicconomic s senseense f foror a s smallmall f fleetleet – t theyhey

38 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk THIS COULD BE THE TIPPING POINT FOR MOBILITY AS A SERVICE. THE NEXT DEVELOPMENT IS TRANSIT ON Under Sowerby’s leadership DEMAND Chevin was able to respond quickly to the challenges posed by the pandemic ASHLEY SOWERBY, CHEVIN could buy cheaper, smaller products,” he says. companies do not need to operate separate mation Will Wycks as senior vice-president, “But with FleetWave Core, we can focus on any platforms. Therefore, the decision to extract marketing and product).” size of fleet – it’s cost-effective for the client as well oneself from a system which has tentacles in Ultimately, Chevin is banking on the benefits of as for Chevin. We see this market being a signifi- multiple parts of the business becomes much client control and simplification to boost its sales cant driver of growth going forward.” more momentous. story with potential and existing clients. Historically, new contracts were signed with One of Chevin’s most significant recent develop- Nowhere is this more striking than in the work companies moving from spreadsheets to their first ments is the creation of FleetWave Store, a self- being done to minimise project lead times. Enter- fleet management software system. While that is service ‘app store’ dashboard that enables fleets prise sales often take 14 months; Chevin has a goal expected to remain the case for the smaller to click on new services they like the look of for of reducing this to just two weeks. companies, larger clients are increasingly instant updates. It changes the data process from Switching to the monthly fee, rather than large conquest business, driven by tender or a change being a Chevin task to a client task, which is upfront cost, should help to speed up the decision, in fleet personnel. supported by Chevin. while standardised contracts and quicker product “Changing fleet management software is easier Apps include workshop, MOT, tax, fuel and delivery will shave weeks off the process. now it’s cloud-based,” explains Sowerby. “The electric vehicles – between 50-100 in total. “Now it’s almost ‘there’s your CD, go and install biggest issue is extracting the data from one Intriguingly, they aren’t restricted to those designed it and let us know if you have any questions!’,” database and putting it into ours, but we have by Chevin’s own programmers; they could be Sowerby says. processes to do that. developed by its fleet customers. “We have eliminated the delays that come from “What makes a system ‘stickier’ is what people “We host the store, but anyone can put when you ask the customer what they want the want to do with it beyond fleet, such as HR or something on the shelf and any customer can product to do – often they don’t know – by changing finance – that’s a growing part of our customer take it off. We ensure it is fit for purchase and it around so we now show them what we have.” base.” tweak it if necessary, but it means we have He adds: “We are also seeing changes in the FleetWave Core integrates emergency thousands of users contributing to this ecosystem,” customer base, away from fleet managers that programme management, payment cards, telem- Sowerby says. want to be hands-on with the data toward fleet atics, employment data, expenses, workshop, “We want to be a market-led product rather than directors, finance directors or CFOs who want to asset management, risk and compliance services a product-led market (one of the reasons why implement best practice and focus on the and back-office admin within its ecosystem – Sowerby brought in ex-BT Fleet head of transfor- strategy.”

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 39 FLEET NEWS AWARDS: LEASING COMPANY OF THE YEAR (UP TO 20,000 VEHICLES) WINNER: OGILVIE FLEET

COMPANY: Ogilvie Fleet MANAGING DIRECTOR: Gordon Stephen FN50 RANKING: 15th NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS: 2,100 NUMBER OF RISK VEHICLES: 17,172 (FN50) NUMBER OF RISK CARS: 13,387 (FN50) NUMBER OF RISK VANS: 3,785 (FN50)

d e

A right knees-up! The Ogilvie fleet team celebrates picking up the award last year

we will not take your April direct debit’. We gave anybody who wanted it a three-month Offering payment payment holiday. About half of our customers paid. Our funders agreed to a payment holiday as well, so it wasn’t impacting us financially. holidays was the No direct debit payments were taken from customers until July and, after that, we just agreed a payment plan with them, which worked ‘right thing to do’ exceptionally well. It was the right thing to do. FN: Did all of your customers take advantage of the payment holiday? Ogilvie Fleet reports record figures following first lockdown GS: Some said they were fine, because they were Gareth Roberts still working. But a lot of our customers, like us, lifting and is optimistic about 2021. reports had to, effectively, mothball their business. We’ve got 100 employees and on April 1 we put gilvie Fleet feared the worse when our customers are going to pay us.” 65 on furlough. Most of them remained on Covid-19 struck in March 2020 and But, a proactive approach from the company, furlough through April, May and part of June, and the country was put into lockdown. which was named Leasing Company of the Year then we started bringing people back as and O Customers were struggling to Award (up to 20,000 vehicles) at the Fleet News when required. make monthly payments, vehicles could not be Awards last year, helped it survive the storm and delivered and its ability to remarket used vehicles achieve record-breaking figures when the FN: When did business start to pick up? was curtailed. lockdown was lifted. GS: In June, the auctions started to open and Ogilvie Fleet managing director Gordon orders began to increase, but it wasn’t back to Stephen explains: “At the end of March, when the Fleet News: What measures did you take to try where it was (before the pandemic). Then July, first lockdown was introduced, I was very to manage the situation? August, September and October have been concerned. The amount of calls into our credit Gordon Stephen: We made a decision at the end unbelievable. control department and the number of cancelled of March, when we sent out invoices to all of our Our target is around 475 orders a month and direct debits was unbelievable – you just thought 2,100 customers, that we would turn it completely we’ve been averaging nearly 600 since July. the whole thing could implode and none of on its head and say ‘unless you tell us otherwise We have been quite lucky in that we’ve signed

40 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk Sponsored by

a couple of big customers which came with a lot than my band, I’d rather make a £100 contribution of orders to place, but, across our customer (to the rental) and pick up no benefit-in-kind. You bank, the vast majority are ordering again. can move the bands up with the driver making a contribution to help bridge the gap. FN: What about contract extensions, have they increased? FN: What has this growing interest in EVs done GS: We have a lot more vehicles on extension to the fuel split on your risk fleet? than we would normally have, mainly due to a lot GS: If I went back three years ago, we were 90% of factories shutting down in the summer, diesel on our cars and that has just plummeted meaning vehicles have quite long lead times, with – it’s unbelievable. Today, I think that probably some of them well into the year. But that works stands at around 40%, with some of diesel’s fine for us, especially with the used car market decline going to petrol, but a lot to electric. being unbelievably strong and vans just off the However, I am hoping that, once all the diesels scale. are RDE2-compliant, with not paying the 4% In terms of June, July, August, September, (diesel supplement), that might help them pick up October – we haven’t done November yet – they again, because if you’re a diesel driver and a 20% are at the top of the best month’s profit we’ve ever taxpayer, it’s not a huge amount of tax. had. That’s mainly driven by the used values. We’ve had vehicles that have been extended FN: What do you make of the Government’s that haven’t suffered any depreciation. decision to end the sale of new diesel and petrol JUDGES’ COMMENTS: cars and vans from 2030? Ogilvie Fleet is very responsive FN: What’s been the effect on your risk fleet and GS: I think it was very bold, but I do worry about to client feedback and have you seen any increase in demand for light people who live in a flat, for example, what are developments in the fleet commercial vehicles (LCVs)? they going to do, will we have enough charging industry, such as business GS: We’ve seen an increase in vans – that’s partly points for these people? It’s not that straight- mobility as a service. Excellent due to signing two big customers which have very forward and a lot of hard work is going to have use of a variety of apps makes big van fleets, but there has also been an increase to take place between now and then if it’s going the fleet manager and drivers’ in demand. to work. lives easier. Judges praised Our fleet (cars and vans) is increasing and is up its Investors in People gold probably by about 1,000 over the past 12 months, gilvie Fleet is tailoring products and accreditation and Best giving us a risk fleet today of around 17,500 services to help fleets meet the Companies to Work For, and vehicles. challenges they face, such as highlighted the green fleet We lost probably three months, but, since then, O recently including EVs for the first taskforce which ensures we’ve done exceptionally well and made up for time in its Ogilvie True Cost (OTC) matrix, which customers are kept up to lost ground. is used by hundreds of fleets to set their company speed on EVs. car policies. FN: Do you expect to see the bounce back Stephen says there has also been a resurgence continue in 2021? in salary sacrifice, driven by the low BIK on EVs. GS: Furlough is still ongoing and there has to be “We’ve one client going live early this year that’s company car, they don’t pay company car tax, are some concern that when they finally unwind going to do salary sacrifice and they’re only going also showing potential. furlough there will be some defaults (on to offer full EVs,” he adds. “We just want to make sure we can offer payments). “We’re also seeing some company cars drivers customers whatever they need,” he says. “We’re But we’ve got customers ordering vehicles and that took cash coming back into schemes, seeing people coming back into company cars, in terms of the type of vehicles, they’re definitely because of the (lack of) tax on electric.” whether it’s salary sacrifice, ECO or traditional moving down the ULEV (ultra-low emission Stephen explains that employee car ownership contract hire; I’m confident we’re in a good vehicle) and EV (electric vehicle) route. (ECO) schemes where, effectively, the driver position and, hopefully, we’ll get back to some owns the vehicle from day one and, as it’s not a sense of normality soon.” FN: How much are the new low benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rates for EVs driving that recovery? GS: Having that visibility on rates over the next five years means you can order an EV with confidence and it’s definitely driving behaviour. There are also more and more EVs coming out all the time and we’ve got quite a few of our bigger customers trying to go plug-in hybrid or EV for their entire fleet, if they can. The lower grades are a little bit tricky, because an entry level EV is reasonably expensive. I did an exercise for a big customer recently and if you look at plug-in hybrids, they were miles away from their bottom two bands, but the EVs weren’t too bad.

FN: How do you overcome that potential barrier to the adoption for employees in those lower bands? Jim Hannah (centre), operations GS: I’ve been saying to customers that, with a bit director, Ogilvie Group, picked up the of flexibility, it is possible to overcome. If you’re award from Martin Evans, managing driving a diesel and paying £200 per month in director of sponsors Jaama BIK, for example, if the EV is £100 a month more

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 41 TODAY’S FLEET: FLEET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

DROWNING IN DATA?

Help is at hand as advances in technology help fleet decision-makers manage an ever- increasing data pool across every element of business operations. Andrew Don reports

leet decision-makers have never really can become your friend to trigger improve- information you have,” says Hawkins. had access to more data than they ments and innovation when combined and The data available to fleets is set to increase F have now. analysed all together.” further in the coming years, says Peter Golding, From information about drivers, However, having access to this huge amount of managing director of FleetCheck, with most fleet driver behaviour, vehicles and maintenance, to information has a downside: it is easy to feel decision-makers already admitting they have not business mileage reimbursement, insurance and swamped by facts and figures. kept on top of everything their current information risk profiles, organisations can have greater “You’re not going to be alone with sometimes can already achieve. insight into their operations than ever before. feeling like you’re drowning in the amounts of Potential areas from where more data will be But this has both benefits and drawbacks. “Whether you are looking at making changes, improvements or finding innovations, it all boils down to data,” says Denise Hawkins, fleet and insurance manager at ABM. “We have data coming in from everywhere: from telematics, fuel usage, service history, mileage reports, tyre history and accident reports. “You can create individual reports on accident history, for example, to send to board members, or speeding reports used for reprimanding or following up on training needs. You may be looking at your mileage reporting to adjust your contracts. “There is just so much coming through and data ISTOCK.COM/SORBETTO

42 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk Sponsored by

coming include using tools for remote training REMOTE ACCESS SPONSOR’S and apps for vehicle checks and allowing The ability to access crucial business informa- drivers to ‘clock on’. tion from any location has also become more COMMENT “As we head into 2021 we are seeing that important this year as the Covid-19 pandemic the continuing economic uncertainty caused has significantly increased remote working. by the coronavirus crisis has prompted many Martin Evans, managing director of Jaama, By Martin Evans, Jaama MD fleets to look again at their fundamentals. says this is where web-based systems are and director of the AFP How they measure key aims using data has essential to provide accessibility to remote Jaama’s Key2 fleet become an increasingly important topic,” users. management software is says Golding. “The old adage of ‘necessity drives innova- still at the heart of keeping “However, we’re now at a moment when the tion’ comes to mind as many people working fleets on the road and pandemic means that a huge number of from home cannot rely on office-based filing businesses are re-examining their fleet cabinets,” Evans adds. compliant during the activities from the ground up – and data is an Covid-19 pandemic crisis. area where it is generally agreed that real This includes logistics and gains can be made. The aim of these fleets is bluelight fleets, which working around to use the information available to measure the clock to keep the country safe and key objectives but also to investigate areas moving along. where they are able to gain new levels of Companies have faced many driver and oversight over their operations. vehicle challenges during 2020 and into “They are very much open to new ideas and new thinking.” 2021. We have seen the pandemic speed Hawkins uses the software included in YOU CAN FEEL up the gestation period of adopting new Microsoft Office Enterprise to collate ABM’s fleet management systems and our data, which is analysed in-house, but many YOU ARE DROWING stringent internal processes have organisations use dedicated fleet manage- IN THE AMOUNT OF enabled us to implement systems and ment software packages from companies train users remotely to help customers such as Jaama and Chevin (see profile, pages INFORMATION meet their business objectives. 38-39). Being paper-free has been an objective These enable the data to be presented in easily digestible formats and allow the users DENISE HAWKINS, ABM for Jaama and many of its customers, to set parameters to manage by exception. to reduce the risk of spreading the virus between driver paperwork and office- based staff and to enable remote working and streamline processes. This objective has accelerated the adoption of Jaama’s smartphone app – MyVehicle App – that fully integrates with Key2 and enables drivers to carry out vehicle inspections and log defects via their smartphones. The grey fleet usage of the app has also seen a third more traffic as many drivers switch from public transport to their own vehicles for business travel. All Jaama customers continue to benefit from a raft of new features and improvements in functionality every six months as part of its continued multi- million annual system investment. Once you are a Jaama customer you are always using the latest version with no need to budget for costly upgrades. For further information: website – www.jaama.co.uk; email – enquiries@ jaama.co.uk; telephone – 0844 8484 333.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 43 Advertising feature Go Plant Fleet Services implements full Key2 contract hire business solution ReportingReporting tooltool enablesenables qquickuick aandnd eefficientfficient ggenerationeneration ooff bbespokeespoke rreportseports

ollowing the acquisition of Go F Plant Fleet Services by Endless LLP one of the new owners’ top priorities was to implement a fleet and asset management business solution platform that would facilitate the efficient management of its vehicles, plant, drivers, contracts, billing and provide its customers with much-needed management information. Go Plant also needed its new system to be future-proof and therefore wanted a forward-thinking supplier that had a Jaama’sJaama’s Key2Key2 fleetfleet softwaresoftware platformplatform hashas beenbeen keykey toto deliveringdelivering vehiclevehicle continual product investment waswas thethe obviousobvious choicechoice afterafter reviewingreviewing compliancecompliance duringduring thethe pandemic.pandemic. WeWe programme and whose system would manymany systems.systems. Key2’sKey2’s abilityability toto replacereplace cancan nownow alsoalso recordrecord warranty-relatedwarranty-related evolve with Go Plant’s business. disparate current systems and bring their claims via Key2 and then follow them up Go Plant had a combined fleet of 3,100 contract hire and rental business with dealers. LCVs and specialist vehicles and 600 operations onto one consolidated “The most powerful feature is the Key2 items of plant. Its operated sweeper platform was one of the main reasons reporting tool. When customers request drivers work in some of the most Jaama was chosen as its supplier partner. bespoke reports, these can be quickly demanding environments so a focus on Phase 1 of the software implementation and efficiently generated in minutes. It health, safety and compliance was went live in December 2019 with Go Plant means everybody has access to quick paramount. Fleet Services’ contract hire division and easy management information at Combine that with an aim to deliver which included Key2’s contract hire, their fingertips and we have also been greater fleet cost efficiency, better vehicle management, quotes, workshop able to understand more about key areas reliability and improved levels of and stores, SMR, rental, customer of our business such as vehicle lifetime management information for customers dashboard and all financial modules. operating costs. This will bring a positive meant the new platform was going to be “Key2 demonstrated that we could impact on our future procurement and pivotal for the Go Plant business plans adopt a system that enabled us to pricing,” said Greaves. and its drive to improve. manage our cars, commercial vehicles Go Plant Fleet Services currently has and plant with the same rigour on one 60 main users and up to 85 employees in Rhianna platform which we didn’t know was total who have been on-boarded to Greaves, going to be achievable,” said group IT operate Key2 via training seminars, group IT manager Rhianna Greaves. video tuition and a series of user guides m a n a g e r “It’s not just improving things from an written by the Jaama team. A train the with Go Plant operational perspective, Key2 provides trainer approach was adopted and us with a full end-to-end solution which regular workshops are held for end includes finance integration. Finance users. and operational users are using the Phase 2 of Key2 is due to go live this same platform for the first time. There is year with the vehicle rental and operated now full cost transparency at every step plant hire side of the business which will of our business processes,” she added. include the driver management, full stock “Some highlights in the first 10 months processing, accident management, driver includes the ability to store electronic management and plant modules, while records on our vehicles and track vehicle there are also plans to roll out workshop MOTs in real time across our fleet which touchscreens.

For further information visit www.jaama.co.uk; email [email protected] or call 0844 8484 333 Sponsored by TODAY’S FLEET: FLEET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

The continuous evolution of cloud storage, apps, Service Manager core operating system so it can driver personal digital assistants (PDAs) and artifi- be used for fleet management as well as across cial intelligence (AI) has continued to ensure fleets the rest of the business. can easily access the information they need to help “I was offered many different fleet management them run an efficient and effective operation. platforms from different providers and, although Use of the cloud, says Will Wycks, senior vice- IT’S A TOOL THAT they all look great and like they could do a job for president, product and marketing, at Chevin Fleet me, I wanted a one-stop solution to tie in with every- Solutions, helps to scale data, negating the need HAS REALLY HELPED thing the Auto Windscreens brand already used,” to replace a server. “You can easily upscale in line THE BUSINESS says Shaun Atton, group fleet manager at Auto with data demand,” he adds. Windscreens. Wycks says AI enables fleet professionals to “We’ve managed to build in data on MOTs, service automate decisions and predict trends. It can be SHAUN ATTON, AUTO WINDSCREENS records and intervals, and lease profiles and costs used to identify breakdown patterns for specific into one system. On the back of that, we’ve got a vehicles with specific mileage on the clock, for bespoke reporting suite that allows me to share example, which can save businesses a significant tion operating out of back office systems,” he says. information with my team, the directors and opera- amount of time and money. “This is changing. Businesses now see the value tional teams, and it’s a tool that’s really helped the Matt Goodstadt, divisional director at Civica, in integrating fleet operations into the wider busi- business that we’ve not had in the past. A lot of the adds: “We can also use AI embedded into our ness: streamlining of job allocation with workflow teams were spending time hunting for things on mobile app so if a driver takes a photo of a tyre integration and working hours data for payroll and different spreadsheets and systems. We’ve pulled or chipped windscreen, it can advise if it needs ePOD (electronic proof of delivery) for immediate that together now, which has saved labour and time, replacing because the edge of the tyre has invoicing are among the areas where businesses and gives us visibility of all our fleet.” feathering or the chip is too large to fix.” can benefit from fleet and back office integration.” Another trend has also stood out over the past This has been the case at Auto Windscreens, two to three years, says Keith Watson, country where the IT department has adapted its own Field manager UK and Ireland at Astrata Europe: inte- gration of fleet data with other business functions. “Historically, fleet was a separate business func- ISTOCK.COM/SORBETTO

BOOM IN INNOVATION TO FACE PANDEMIC CHALLENGES HEAD-ON Fleets have had to innovate this year to meet innovation internally and from its customers “It’s also been key to reducing paperwork challenges posed by the pandemic, and a number during the pandemic. handing – which increases the risk of passing on of fleet software management companies have “Some of this is around necessity because of the virus – by using mobile apps for daily vehicle developed new products to help them. social distancing and remote working and, for checks, or technicians using their own tablet Fleetcheck launched its Back to Work app for some customers in specific sectors that serve rather than paper records or shared hardware.” car and van operators in June and its managing the hospitality sector, a significant downturn in Jaama has launched compliance and director Peter Golding says this bridges an area revenues,” says Matt Goodstadt, of Civica. maintenance management platform of risk management for which there was no The company developed and launched a Maintenance Exchange. This is designed to obvious solution: what to do about vehicles and self-service check-in and collection facility for allow seamless booking, authorisation, invoicing drivers that have been outside of normal fleet those dropping vehicles at workshops for and auditing of vehicle maintenance work. operations for an extended time. maintenance. Jaama says maintenance can be authorised It covers issues such as driver health and Goodstadt says a “simple” touchscreen app through the platform and built-in rules mean fitness and special attention is paid to coronavirus removes the need for face-to-face contact, and that job invoices carried out can be paid in a symptoms and the condition of the vehicle. also means administration staff can work from timely manner once all required documentation Civica says that it has seen a huge rise in home rather than at the facility. is present.

For further information: www.jaama.co.uk ● [email protected] ● 0844 8484 333 ● Jaama Ltd ● @Jaamaltd

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 45 TODAY’S FLEET: BENCHMARKING

DRIVER ANALYSIS SHOWS BENCHMARKING NEED Many organisations are not doing the basics right when it comes to improving safety. David Williams reports on behalf of DfBB S T C E J B O D N E R T / M O C . K C O T S I

rivers can do the silliest things – allowing them to drive on business – a shocking especially when under pressure. 50% admitted they did not. Of 165 organisations D Sadly, their managers aren’t exempt questioned, nearly half – 47% – said they did not from serious lapses of judgment check that drivers met Highway Code eyesight either, as new analysis has revealed. requirements, either. A senior fleet safety specialist – who is helping OUTCOMES “These shouldn’t be difficult ones to get right,” to launch a fleet benchmarking tool – recalls with says Price. “An organisation should get some a shudder a time when, not so long ago, road DEPEND ON THE insight into a person’s attitude to safe driving right safety was still viewed by many firms and drivers ORGANISATION’S at the recruitment phase. There should then be as a luxury they could ill afford. an induction process for new drivers and if you There was the time a candidate for a sales role ATTITUDE TO RISK haven’t done a risk assessment, you shouldn’t in the chemicals industry arrived for a meeting, hand them the keys. It is a basic requirement that but only just in time. He explained there were you ensure there are no red flags before allowing hold-ups on the motorway – so he bypassed ANDY PRICE, someone to make a work-related journey, or use them by speeding along the coned-off section. FLEET SAFETY MANAGEMENT one of the organisation’s assets. It shouldn’t be a “He thought he was showing initiative. We took case of discovering – months down the line – that a different view and terminated the interview you have a problem.” there and then,” recalls Fleet Safety Manage- Gap Analysis tool (https://bit.ly/2ZfomeG) shows. Price says that eyesight screenings, during ment founder Andy Price. Then there was the The tool, consulted by more than 900 organisa- Road Safety Week, revealed that frequently, 3% occasion Price was involved with eyesight tions, comprises more than 60 detailed questions of the workforce had defective vision and up to screening tests for professional drivers during a probing road safety management procedures, 10% had to be referred for further eyesight tests. safety campaign. organisational leadership and culture, journey “Good eyesight is a basic, essential require- “One arrived in his car and was going to drive and mobility management, vehicles, distance ment,” says Price. his truck but admitted he’d forgotten his driving travelled, collisions, driver recruitment and other Other findings are equally disappointing. More spectacles. The company quite rightly stopped key metrics. On completion, users receive feed- than 37% of organisations questioned in the him driving,” says Price. back. It will soon be a key stepping stone leading Online Gap Analysis tool had not directly commu- Today, road safety has risen sharply up the to the new benchmarking tool funded by the DfT nicated or explained their safe driving policy to agenda for drivers and managers, encouraged by under the wing of RoadSafe in partnership with relevant employees. Meanwhile, 30% admitted the Department for Transport (DfT), which is on Fleet News, in support of DfBB. that negative trends or incidents were not acted record as saying: “Employers have a major Detailed analysis of the responses shows even on. This was compounded by nearly 36% of potential role to play in improving safety on the the most basic requirements are sometimes organisations, which stated that they did not roads through ensuring that their staff are prop- being overlooked by managers and the effects, undertake post-incident interviews or share erly prepared and motivated to drive and ride inevitably, affect organisations at driver level too. lessons learned. safely, and that they are using safe vehicles.” Of 166 organisations asked if they formally “As a basic minimum, safe driving policies Not everyone has fallen into line, as fresh evaluated driver competency and attitude to road should cover all the legal minimums that must analysis of Driving for Better Business’s Online risk – or evaluated training requirements before be met, and should certainly include the four

46 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk In association with S C I L E J D / M O C . K C O T S I

A shocking 10% of drivers had to be referred for further eyesight tests during Road Safety Week main reasons for serious collisions: inappropriate Organisations that take safety seriously make it speed, distracted driving, fatigue and impaired their business to assess common journey routes driving. If these are not being communicated, how THIS ANALYSIS for high-risk locations such as schools or are employees expected to comply?” asks Price, EMPHASISES THE incident blackspots. And yet, the research shows, who formerly headed up Zurich Insurance of 155 organisations questioned, more than 67% Group’s European fleet safety practice. OVERWHELMING admitted not performing this function. Communication alone isn’t the answer, however. The pressing case for benchmarking – believes “Outcomes also depend on the organisation’s NEED FOR the panel of expert practitioners who are estab- attitude to what their risk ‘appetite’ is; whether BENCHMARKING lishing it – is that organisations need to under- they’re taking it seriously or just box-ticking,” says stand the underlying cause of why things go Price. “If the best sales guy is still having lots of wrong when, inevitably, they do. crashes and nobody does anything about it, it’s ADRIAN WALSH, ROADSAFE “They should ask themselves: ‘What have we meaningless.” done that might have contributed to that person Unfortunately, it seems, many drivers cannot having the crash? Was that person tired because rely on their bosses to set a good example. Nearly interested?’. But companies with one or more of their work schedule? Were they on the phone 30% of organisations that answered said there people at senior level taking it seriously are the to the office? Were they under speed to meet a was no clear demonstration of ‘top level commit- ones where you do get traction. business objective?’,” says Price. ment to the management of work-related road “Unfortunately, for those firms that have nega- “Until you know the answers – as revealed by risk’, underlining Price’s belief that, if management tive trends but don’t do anything about it, it shows DfBB’s Online Gap Analysis – you aren’t isn’t taking risk seriously, ‘it’s not going to work”. they are probably engaged in a box-ticking exer- confronting the big question: What have we done But does the blame always lie with senior cise – or doing nothing,” says Price, who believes as an organisation that may have contributed to management? The analysis shows that more than that, unless organisations’ operational needs are this collision occurring?”. half of the time, data from the road safety made to dovetail with safety requirements, the Until more organisations engage with this programme is not reported to the board regularly. safety element “may never work”. process, it seems, and with the new bench- This might explain why – the analysis shows – By way of example, the analysis reveals that marking project to assess their performance nearly 44% of directors and managers do not 62.5% of organisations questioned do not insist against their peers – while gaining invaluable understand the true costs to business from poor on using only five-star EuroNCAP vehicles with ammunition with which to approach manage- management of drivers. It could also explain why the latest safety features. Additionally, more than ment – little can improve. 36.5% of organisations admitted there was no 71% said they do not insist that vans and light Adrian Walsh, executive director of RoadSafe, process to address poor driving, even if it was commercials are fitted with autonomous emer- says: “This new analysis emphasises the over- identified. gency braking (AEB). whelming need for benchmarking. If these So, are some organisations disinterested in “And yet we know that the higher the NCAP figures could appear on a balance sheet, organi- safety, are they too busy, or is it a fatal oversight? rating, the more survivability there is in a collision. sations would take them much more seriously, Price believes it’s all of the above. “If they haven’t We have seen evidence of reductions in collisions but they don’t and are never likely to. With bench- bought into the idea that actually this is a business with five-star vehicles,” says Price. “Surely that’s marking, however, these statistics gain a loud imperative, some might say ‘why would they be good for business?” new voice.”

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 47 TODAY’S FLEET: FUTURE OF LEASING AND FUNDING WILL SUBSCRIPTION OR PAY-PER-MILE TRANSFORM FLEET FUNDING?

point which is often higher than if you bought those That was one of the components individually. I’d be interested in questions posed to industry whether you can build subscription at scale and, Stephen Briers, therefore, get the economies. editor-in-chief, Fleet News experts at the FN50 future of It plays to people in the market who are able to recycle vehicles quickly, can access vehicles at a leasing and funding webinar. discount and then deal with ancillary services like Andrew Ryan reports tyres, servicing and maintenance at scale. If you think about it like that, it should fit quite well with the leasing model, but what I go back to is he fleet sector is undergoing a period how prevalent and strong the need is. of rapid change as tech nologies I think pay-per-mile is really interesting in a T such as electric vehicles (EVs) and mega city environment where people don’t want connected services promise to have a the hassle of looking after a car, but they want transformational effect. access to vehicles on a fairly regular basis and Traditional funding methods – for example, that’s where car-share fits today. operating lease and outright purchase – are also In that sort of environment, I need to give facing new competitors, with products such as solutions to customers and businesses where they subscriptions and car-sharing among the options can dip in and out of the use of an asset, and I think becoming available to fleets. pay-per-mile and car-share offers real value. In this article, six fleet industry experts on the But, again, I think they remain quite niche. Paul Hollick, panel of the FN50 future of leasing and funding Globally, Covid-19 has started to shake a lot of chair, Association of Fleet Professionals webinar, sponsored by Jaama, share their views these new methods out because it’s a lot harder on the potential impact of these funding methods. for any company to pursue models that don’t have Also taking part in the webinar was Martin an economic payback somewhere within the Evans, managing director of Jaama, and Colin horizon they’re looking at. Tourick while Fleet News editor-in-chief Stephen Briers asked the questions. Topics included EVs, MARK MAIN, DIRECTOR UK VALUATION MODELLING whether operating lease will continue to be the AND ECONOMICS TEAM, ERNST & YOUNG (EY) dominant funding method and the future of There is a bit of a blurring of the lines in the leasing needs of individual users or vehicles within a company car schemes. and rental space, and models are changing. company fleet will give fleet managers some The full FN50 webinar video can be watched by We are seeing some companies offer shorter- interesting challenges in terms of their car visiting fleetnews.co.uk/r/mrgkk8g0 term leases or even flexible rental services, while policies to provide solutions that meet the needs in the long term a more flexible usage-based of all of their users. RICHARD JONES, MANAGING DIRECTOR, product is definitely going to come into play. The challenges will be around how they adapt to MOTOR FINANCE AND LEASING, RETAIL, We’re starting to see car-sharing clubs emerge the demographic, location and the age of the users LLOYDS BANKING GROUP as well as some other product offerings through in terms of their vehicle requirements. Subscription and car-sharing are interesting the rental businesses. models. Car manufacturers are making a lot of They’re not yet a major revenue generator, but I IAN TILBROOK, CONSULTANT AND investment in the subscription sector, while car- think with the advent of autonomous vehicles and FORMER VWFS FLEET DIRECTOR sharing is more in the rental space. the whole notion of car-sharing and connected You do see blurring between rental and leasing, From what I see of subscription, there are two cars increasing in prevalence, it will become more and I think we are going to see more fragmentation main dynamics. The first is the user can change important in the overall service offering. of propositions. But I don’t think something like the vehicle more regularly and might get the option I think it will also be a generational change with subscription or pay-per-mile is going to become of a different kind of speciality vehicle every now people seeing that vehicles can be more of a dominant. I do think, however, they will have a role and then. service than something that sits on their drive. to play in a more diverse market. The other is that it is a convenient, hassle-free We’re starting to see clients look at flexible lease Leasing companies need to focus on segmen- model which replicates the old company car in that solutions and pay-per mile, but they’re quite tation of need and design different propositions the customer just pays once and gets everything difficult to execute. with different levels of service offerings and that’s such as servicing and insurance included. I remember looking at these about 10-to-15 really about trading off control versus risk. However, I think a lot of the models out there just years ago and trying to make them work then was There are a number of models that are starting don’t pay back, frankly. quite system heavy. to give fleets more flexibility and allowing them to If, as a company, you’re going to run a subscrip- The advent of blockchain means there are align propositions to different types of needs. tion model, how do you make the economics opportunities for them to work now, but how Because of this, I think ownership versus leasing work? desirable are they at the moment? or transport as a service is an old way of looking It typically gives a richer service, but at a price On the flexibility side, I think the different at the funding options.

48 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk WEBINAR

Sponsored by

Martin Evans, Ian Tilbrook, consultant and Fiona Howarth, managing director, Jaama former VWFS fleet director CEO, Octopus Electric

Colin Tourick, Richard Jones, managing director, motor finance Mark Main, director UK valuation modelling leasing consultant and expert & leasing, retail, Lloyds Banking Group and economics team, Ernst & Young (EY)

Hardly anybody in the market really buys on a various degrees of success and the feedback mobility infrastructure. list price now, they buy on the size of a monthly across the global markets tends to be that these If a company comes to the market and can truly payment and both finance and leasing products models really rely on price: they need to be offer fleets services so that every single journey have served that need for years. competitive against a traditional lease. from A to B is optimised – the best vehicle, the best You also need to know that if you book a different solution for that actual journey, lower CO2, lowest MARTIN EVANS vehicle, you’re going to get it at the right time and cost, least hassle – that will disrupt things MANAGING DIRECTOR, JAAMA in the right area, without any hassle. enormously. I have sympathy with the leasing companies People are always looking for flexible options I can see that being a technology company that because I can see it’s a huge step for them to and I can see leasing companies in the medium- just manages to link everything together. actually deliver a solution. However, there are term starting to think about how to adapt funding some factors that are going to drive the need for models. FIONA HOWARTH, CEO, OCTOPUS ELECTRIC it. People are opting out of their company cars and Instead of offering a fixed price per month on the Electric vehicles lend themselves to leasing more they can’t all be just perk users. So, once we get basis of length of term and expected mileage, why than ownership. You can apply a mobile phone out of this pandemic, there must be drivers that not split the monthly rental in two so part of it analogy to them: with phones there is a rapid will need vehicles for their job. covers the depreciation of the vehicle if it was just technology change in terms of, for example, the This gives them two options. stuck on a driveway for the next two or three years, quality of the camera. They’re either going to use their own vehicles as and then charge extra per mile at a particular rate? Having a contract which allows you to upgrade grey fleet or they’re going to need some sort of I can see these types of things starting to spin up after two or three years really suits that market flexible mobility-type solution to accommodate in the marketplace. and we are going to see the same with EVs now. their needs as and when required. If you like a new EV today, then maybe you would want to upgrade to the newer version in PAUL HOLLICK, CHAIR, COLIN TOURICK two-to-three years’ time with better range, better ASSOCIATION OF FLEET PROFESSIONALS LEASING CONSULTANT AND EXPERT tech etc. Fleet operators are always looking for innovation If we think about the leasing and contract hire I don’t think rental and subscription models are and this sector is subject to disruptive technology market as version 1.0, I think there’s a version 2.0 necessarily going to overtake leasing as I think and changing behaviour. that’s not too far away which is wrapped up in people will be willing to commit to contracts of a Subscription models work in the US with mobility services, mobility management and few years to get better certainty over pricing.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 49 IGNITION: FIRST DRIVE

BMW 4 SERIES First impressions may have underwhelmed, but don’t judge a book by its enlarged front grilles

By Matt de Prez ew cars faced as much controversy as the new BMW 4 Series in 2020. From the moment the first images F leaked of its enlarged front grilles, commentators have been less than complimentary of its new look. It’s certainly a bold step for BMW to take with a model that is designed to appeal to those who want something a bit more exclusive than the aesthetically pleasing 3 Series. Perhaps that exclusivity now comes at the cost of style? However, if we look back to the launch of the Bangle-era 5 Series, it was met with much the The finely-crafted interior same critique, yet years on it is known as one of is based on the 3 Series BMW’s most timeless designs. Could the 4 Series go the same way? We’re not sure, but time will tell. Let’s put that aside and concentrate on what the offer a plug-in hybrid, although a fully electric four- which contribute to efficiency, but also improve 4 Series can offer fleet customers. door i4 will arrive later this year. performance and handling. Based on a modified version of the new 3 Series’ The mild-hybrid 2.0-litre diesel makes the most Weight is balanced perfectly front-to-rear, while platform, it’s available with a selection of petrol sense for now then, achieving around 60mpg and increased stiffness in the car’s body helps to boost and diesel engines, with the 420i and 420d both a monthly BIK charge of less than £200. its driveability. having fleet appeal. As yet there are no plans to With 190PS on tap and BMW’s smooth-shifting These attributes are noticeable once you get eight-speed auto, it’s certainly an enjoyable driving behind the wheel. The 4 Series feels poised and FLEET PICK experience. confident, while its ride is on the verge of being ‘too 420D M SPORT The interior is lifted, largely, from the 3 Series firm’; those seeking greater comfort should avoid SPECIFICATIONS and is finely crafted. It features the infotainment the larger wheel options. P11D Price £42,870 system that we’ve come to know and love from Interior space is good for those up front. The rear Monthly BIK (20%) 27%/£193 other models in recent years, which is pretty much feels more cramped, but a four-door Gran Coupe the best in the business right now. version should launch later in the year for those Class 1A NIC £1,597 Comfort levels are good, too. The car is well that need more space but don’t want a 3 Series. Annual VED £165 then £465 insulated from outside noise, making it ideal for It’s a similar story with the boot, which lags RV (4yr/80k) £12,617/29.4% motorway trips, while the driving position lives up behind rivals such as the Mercedes C Class Coupe to BMW’s usual high standard. and Audi A5 for capacity. Fuel cost (ppm) 8.7 The addition of mild-hybrid technology means Priced at £42,870, the BMW 420d M Sport AFR (ppm) 10 the 420d’s engine emits less than 130g/km, even competes head on with the less-powerful Audi A5 Running cost (4yr/80k) 51.3 in desirable M Sport guise, and enables extended 35 TDI. Not only is the BMW faster and better to engine-off coasting and mild power boost. drive, it’s also more efficient and has lower CO2 (g/km) 121 New for the 4 Series is an array of new lightweight wholelife costs. The looks may not be for everyone, Mpg 61.4 chassis components and aluminium body panels, but the 4 Series is certainly not one to ignore.

50 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk IGNITION: FIRST DRIVE

CITROËN C3 Eye-catching and practical, but a long way from challenging the Fiesta

By Matt de Prez he small car segment has been fiercely led by the Ford Fiesta for as long as we can remember and its T influence on other models is apparent. Cars such as the Seat Ibiza, Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris and Renault Clio have all upped their game significantly and focused on sportier looks and sharper handling. Citroën, perhaps, didn’t get the memo when it was updating the C3. Essentially, the new car is a mild facelift of the existing C3 that launched in 2016, and it sports the same curvaceous styling and comfort-focused chassis. Some parts of the spacious Now, there’s nothing wrong with having a USP interior are plush and premium and Citroën has steadfastly focused on comfort as its top priority. This means soft suspension and pliable seats. It’s also making a feature of the that the entry-level 83PS PureTech petrol engine they offer almost no support during the plastic cladding to protect the lower doors, with will be the most popular, probably because it aforementioned cornering. added detailing. attracts the lowest prices. There’s plenty of space inside, front and rear, and The new car is actually slightly cheaper than its We’d say the 110PS turbocharged version is a some elements, such as the central trim panel and predecessor and comes in three new trim levels, better choice. The lower-powered car just feels too door pulls, feel plush and premium. Other parts feel kicking off with the £14,875 ‘Sense’. Citroën predicts slow, to the point of being frustrating. It also comes a bit low rent, such as the indented plastic section with a five-speed manual gearbox, which appears of the door cards – but this is an inexpensive car.

FLEET PICK to have some gears in the front bumper and a few C3 PureTech 110 Shine Personalisation is a big part of the C3’s appeal in the boot, so long is the throw of the lever. and Citroën says there are 97 colour combinations SPECIFICATIONS The 110PS version has a slicker six-speed ’box available, achieved by the addition of optional P11D Price £17,205 and healthier dose of acceleration when needed. coloured trim pieces and contrasting roof colours. Monthly BIK (20%) 28%/£80 Choosing the more powerful engine has no effect There is also a suite of driver aids, including on the claimed 52mpg average economy either and parking sensors, lane-keep assist and a built-in Class 1A NIC £665 CO2 emissions jump by just 1g/km to 125. dashcam, plus LED headlights across the range. Annual VED £175 then £150 There’s also a 100PS diesel. But prices for that Most functions, including the climate control, are RV (4yr/80k) £5,069/29.5% are quite a lot higher, starting at £18,745. controlled via the central seven-inch touchscreen. All C3s have light steering and soft suspension. We’d prefer separate temperature controls, but the Fuel cost (ppm) 10.3 This makes them easy to drive in cities and relaxing layout gives the interior a tidier design. AFR (ppm) 10 on the motorway, but not great anywhere else. On The C3 is practical, frugal and eye-catching – but Running cost (4yr/80k) 28 country lanes the car can bounce around and lean so are its rivals. In cheaper variants, running costs into corners, making for an uneasy experience. The are slightly more competitive, but with higher CO2 CO2 (g/km) 125g/km Advanced Comfort seats are similar: welcoming emissions, no electric version and underwhelming Mpg 52.2mpg when you’re just sitting in them, but with flat bases drive, the C3 doesn’t topple the class-topping Fiesta.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 51 IGNITION: FIRST DRIVE

The ideal powertrain for LAND ROVER normal family driving DISCOVERY SPORT P300e One of the key new models for JLR and it does exactly what you want it to

By Matt de Prez f you’ve read our spotlight piece on Jaguar Land Rover in this issue I (pages 36-37) then you’ll know the brand is banking on its new plug-in hybrids to boost sales among user choosers. Looking at stats alone, the new Discovery Sport power alone, even at motorway speeds with the deliver similar economy to a normal diesel is already on to a winner. The ‘P300e’ offers 309PS, motor adequately hauling the Discovery’s bulk. Discovery Sport. We were seeing 45-50mpg 141mpg and sits in the 10% BIK band thanks to its When the petrol engine does fire up the only time during our test. 44g/km CO2 emissions and 34-mile EV range. you’re really aware of its presence is when you’re Once the battery is flat, the power deficit is quite A 15kWh battery packs powers an electric motor working it hard at higher speeds. noticeable with acceleration on motorways being in the rear axle, while a 1.5-litre three-cylinder For normal family duties, the P300e is the ideal particularly sluggish, but seeing as BIK is a just a petrol engine looks after the front wheels – so it’s powertrain for the Discovery Sport and for those third of what you’d pay for the cheapest still a proper 4x4. that regularly cover longer distances the combined ICE-powered model it’s both a minor inconvenience The car is quite happy to drive around on electric effort of the petrol engine and battery should and a useful incentive to keep the thing charged.

Refinement is a MERCEDES- watchword for BENZ CLA the CLA 250E 250E A sleek body and supreme efficiency make this model a very solid choice for drivers

By Matt de Prez or £2,000 more than a diesel Mercedes CLA, this new plug-in hybrid version offers company car F drivers more power and significantly lower tax bills. It’s one of the most efficient plug-in hybrids on sale, emitting just 23g/km of CO2 and promising an electric range of more than 40 miles. That BMW’s 3 Series, it can’t fail to impress. Added to The car is eager to run on electric as much means it attracts just 6% BIK, while overall running the 250e’s strong performance, silent electric as possible and there is some clever tech at play costs are around 5p per mile lower than the running and sharp handling, this makes it a worthy to maximise charge, such as predictive equivalent diesel. contender. regenerative braking. The petrol engine The CLA 250 uses the same 1.3-litre petrol There is plenty of technology to keep drivers complements the motor well, but it makes a fair engine and electric motor as the A-Class we happy, including Merc’s new augmented reality sat bit of noise when you call for maximum currently have on long-term test, but wraps it up nav, which uses real-time images from the front performance. in a sleeker coupe-like body. You can also have it camera to display directions. Connectivity is also Fully charged, drivers should be able to squeeze in ‘Shooting Brake’ estate guise. key, with the Mercedes Me app providing a around 40 miles from the 15.6kWh battery and One of the CLA’s strengths is refinement and, for smartphone link that enables remote climate achieve a combined real-world economy in excess a car that is priced to compete with the likes of control and vehicle monitoring. of 55mpg.

52 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk IGNITION: FIRST DRIVE

The Ateca provides a more SEAT ATECA involving drive than its peers Can a mild facelift deliver the sales that this super crossover deserves?

By Matt de Prez he Seat Ateca is one of the best crossovers on sale, yet it’s never been able to top UK sales charts. In order T to freshen its appeal, Seat has given the car a mild facelift and simplified the model range. The line-up now offers three petrol and two diesel options spread across five trim levels. We’ve tested the new entry-level 1.0-litre TSI petrol, which now boasts 115PS, and the predicted best-selling 1.5-litre TSI. upwards of 40mpg. With 150PS, the 1.5 feels inside, although the layout remains much the Both emit around 150g/km of CO2 and promise stronger but the three-cylinder 1.0 Ateca is still same as before. With no options, drivers need to able to cover ground at a reasonable pace. pick their Ateca carefully. Prices start at £23,400 Diesel models are the most frugal and front- or but you have to opt for the £30,000 FR Sport to get all-wheel-drive versions of the 150PS 2.0 TDI unit heated seats and a reversing camera. DRIVEABILITY IS are available. There is also a 190PS petrol. Compared to the stronger-selling Nissan Driveability is one of the Ateca’s strongest Qashqai, the Ateca provides a larger boot, nicer ONE OF THE ATECA’S attributes. It provides a more involving drive than interior and more user-friendly infotainment ATTRIBUTES its peers, despite being relatively modest in terms system. The Qashqai does offer better efficiency, of outright performance and pricing. but overall running costs are cheaper for the Ateca There has been a boost in material quality on the owing to its stronger residuals.

No complaints VOLKSWAGEN about the TIGUAN Tiguan drive Easy to drive, practical, refined... but still lacking when it comes to excitement

By Matt de Prez he Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the most expensive cars in its segment, T placing it somewhere between the regular crop of crossovers and more premium models such as the BMW X3. As part of a recent facelift, the car has been given a fairly thorough overhaul with new front and rear styling, plus numerous changes on the inside. Much of the switchgear has been replaced with touch-sensitive panels, while the infotainment system has been enhanced with the addition of around 40mpg. The other new powertrain is a integrated connected services. 200PS diesel that comes with all-wheel-drive. More importantly for fleet customers, there’s a The new Tiguan offers more frills than its THE NEW TIGUAN new eHybrid plug-in hybrid variant on the way. predecessor, but little in the way of thrills. It’s easy Unfortunately it’s not available yet, which puts the to drive, practical and refined but does little to OFFERS MORE Tiguan on the back foot. A combination of high excite. FRILLS, BUT LITTLE pricing and CO2 emissions from 143g/km means R Line models are the most desirable with it offers a less attractive BIK position than many of 20-inch wheels and more aggressive styling. They IN THE WAY OF its rivals. come loaded with kit, but cost upwards of £32,000. THRILLS We tested the 1.5-litre TSI, which has a clever We look forward to the more fleet-friendly cylinder deactivation system that helps it achieve eHybrid version when it launches later in the year.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 53 IGNITION: OUR FLEET

Crosswind Assist is now standard, as is Driver FIRST TEST VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 SWB STARTLINE 2.0 TDI 110 Steering Recommendation. It makes gentle adjustments to maximise the vehicle’s stability and By Trevor Gehlcken 1950s and today the Transporter has the honour of counteract over-steer. Front Assist with City Our latest long-term test van is one that needs little commanding the top price of any commercial Emergency Braking is now standard and has been introduction. The Volkswagen Transporter is a vehicle on the used market – offer a few of these for upgraded so it detects the presence of pedestrians legend in its own lifetime and can trace its history sale and you’ll find a queue of people waiting outside. and cyclists as well as vehicles. back to the old T1 ‘splitty” of the 1950s. You still see The -1 nomenclature on our van signifies that, Our test vehicle is the standard spec Startline with many of these on the road. while not being a complete upgrade from the 6, a sensible 110PS on offer, which is probably what The T6-1 on test here is, of course, a far cry from there have been numerous tweaks and twiddles. most fleet buyers will opt for. the T1, for as technology has advanced over the The front end has been reworked, along with the Payload is a tad less than one tonne, about par for years, so VW has kept ahead of the game. dashboard, while there’s a new electro-mechanical the course, while load volume is 5.8cu m, again Today’s offering bristles with the latest equipment steering system and a major emphasis on about average for the sector. Official combined fuel that would have been unimaginable back in the standard and optional onboard safety devices. consumption, meanwhile, is 37.7mpg.

not be built for thrills and spills, but there is a degree of satisfaction when it comes to driving the car, particularly on those long-distance drives. Power for the Volkswagen Passat GTE comes from a 13kWh battery and electric motor paired with a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine. The petrol engine provides 156PS but, combined with electric power, that increases to 218PS, offering some punchy performance and just 7.6 seconds to get from 0-62mph in the estate and 7.4 seconds in the saloon. There is a claimed electric-only range of 33 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FAREWELL ESTATE GTE ADVANCE 1.4 TSI PHEV miles (WLTP). On test we achieved 25 pure electric miles on a full battery charge, while full driving By Gareth Roberts this financial year, meaning a 20% taxpayer would range on electric and petrol is 450-plus miles. After almost six months on long-term test, the pay £69 per month in company car tax, thanks to A 167-mile round trip to mid-Wales, for example, Volkswagen Passat estate plug-in hybrid electric a P11D price of £41,395. using the 1.4-litre petrol engine and a full battery vehicle (PHEV) makes a compelling case for There are also Class 1 National Insurance returned 54.5mpg. The return journey on zero company car drivers and fleets. Contributions (NICs) benefits for the employer – battery charge, saw that fall to 39.7mpg. Our test car – the 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance £571 for the PHEV compared with £1,417 for the One-in-four Volkswagen Passats sold in the UK model – combines refined, relaxed driving with diesel. But, while first year road tax is avoided are predicted to be GTE variants and, after being practicality and low CO2. altogether for the PHEV, there is a subsequent put through its paces on the Fleet News fleet, this Emissions of 33g/km (GTE is 31g/km) give the annual charge of £465 due to that high P11D price. PHEV will definitely appeal to those high mileage Passat PHEV a 10% benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rate It’s not just about tax, however. The Passat may drivers looking for a low-CO2 option.

54 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk VIEW OUR FLEET IN DETAIL AT fleetnews.co.uk/cars/long-term-car-reviews ŠKODA SUPERB FAREWELL 1.4 TSI IV 218PS DSG SE L HATCH

By Stephen Briers It’s farewell to the Škoda Superb iV as one plug-in hybrid departs to be replaced by another (the BMW 530e). PHEVs currently account for six of the seven cars on our fleet of long-termers, clear evidence of not just growing fleet interest in VOLVO S60 T8 R DESIGN electric, but of the slew of new models being brought to market by carmakers. By Matt de Prez from zero to 60mph is less than five seconds and The Superb, while not spending as much time Volvo has been producing PHEVs for quite some the mid-range power surge makes light work of running on electric as I’d hoped due to a lack time. In fact, the first plug-in car I tested for Fleet motorway slip roads and overtaking manoeuvres. of fast charging at home, impressed with its News – back in 2016 – was a Volvo XC90 T8. Now, Top speed is just 112mph. overall frugality, commonly returned petrol- there’s a plug-in hybrid option on every Volvo model. Since the T8 ‘twin engine’ was conceived, Volvo only consumption figures of 45-48mpg. The T8 powertrain is ‘well established’ then. It has made numerous updates to improve refinement Following the occasional trip to the office, a uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine that is both and fuel consumption. Earlier cars with the same freshly charged Superb showed itself equally turbocharged and supercharged, while the electric engine felt more raucous under acceleration and capable when running in electric mode. motor helps boost power to a combined 390PS with the transition from electric to petrol was noticeable. One 17-mile journey home on electric-only 640Nm of torque. Thankfully, none of these issues are present in our driving with a starting charge of 26 miles gave It is, therefore, a quick company car. Acceleration S60 T8. me a bonus gift of four miles (it used up only 13 miles). With a stated range of 34 miles, the Superb would comfortably accommodate a round trip commute on electric, potentially saving me £20 a week (more than £1,000 a year) under our pre-Covid working practices. Our seven-month test hasn’t gone entirely smoothly. We switched into a replacement model while our car returned to Škoda for a fix to the charging locking mechanism, while barely a journey goes by without the Superb demanding a software update (something which oddly can only happen when the car is stationary). We also had a pointless trip to pump up the tyres after a phantom alert by the pressure monitoring system. However, niggles aside, the Superb remains an excellent family car. Spacious for occupants and their luggage (thanks to the battery packed being tucked away in the chassis floor), smooth and controlled to drive, effortless on long journeys (when those finally return), and packed with useful technology and safety aids as standard, it ticks many boxes in a competitive market segment. MERCEDES-BENZ A250E AMG LINE PREMIUM PLUS Overall, then, the Škoda Superb iV is well worth considering as a first step into the world of electric driving. By Luke Neal and trip data. The app also includes a doors lock/ Nowadays there are mobile apps for everything and unlock function and the ability to remotely open and more and more manufacturers are providing close the roof which I have yet to find a use for. companion apps for their latest models. Mercedes- The car’s location is shown on a map within the Benz is no exception with the Mercedes Me app. app and includes the facility to flash the lights which The app requires registration and linking to your could come in useful in a large car park. vehicle using the vehicle’s VIN and registration plate One of the most useful features is the ability to set along with your personal details. the interior temperature including the heated seats The app provides useful information such as by departure time which is especially useful during electric range and charging status, remaining fuel the colder months.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 55 IGNITION: OUR FLEET VIEW OUR FLEET IN DETAIL AT fleetnews.co.uk/cars/long-term-car-reviews AUDI A6 50 TFSI E S LINE

By Andrew Ryan Early findings from the ongoing Optimus Prime electric vehicle trial note that the range of their battery electric vehicles falls by around 20% when the temperature drops in the winter, and my experience is similar. PEUGEOT 3008 GT HYBRID4 When it’s warm, the projected electric range of our Audi A6 50 TFSI plug-in hybrid is 34 miles when fully charged. So far this winter, it has By Jeremy Bennett positions the digital instrument cluster high on the typically dropped to 28 miles, although on one The underpinnings of our Peugeot 3008 are shared dash, above the steering wheel. To make it all particularly cold morning it fell to 22. with both the Citroën C5 Aircross and the Vauxhall work, the wheel itself is flat at the top and bottom, This is not a disaster because the A6 switches Grandland X. Each exhibits different personalities. an attribute that takes a while to get used to. to its petrol engine when the charge runs out, The Citroën is comfort-focused, with big squishy Combined with the Peugeot’s sportier suspension but I was surprised what a difference the cold seats, curvy body panels and soft suspension. In setup, it makes the 3008 feel more immersive to weather had made. the Vauxhall it’s more conventional, with a simple drive than any of its rivals. Driver appeal is boosted That day when it fell to 22 miles was also the dashboard layout and inoffensive styling. further by the Hybrid4’s combined 300PS power day when I was making a 90-mile round-trip Peugeot has gone sportier. The 3008 exhibits a output and all-wheel-drive. Our only criticism of – the longest journey I’ve made since getting more aggressive look and dynamic chassis. the setup is the eight-speed auto transmission, the keys to the car. The 3008’s interior is the most unique in the which sometimes takes a while to wake up and On the outward journey, the final 23 miles segment, thanks to Peugeot’s i-cockpit layout. It deliver the power when you need it. were on petrol only and I recorded fuel economy of 45.7mpg. The plan was to use the return trip to get an idea of the car’s fuel economy on petrol alone, but when I returned to the A6 after a couple of hours the battery had somehow – possibly because the day had warmed up – recovered six miles of range. This meant I couldn’t carry out this efficiency test and the subsequent Covid-19 lockdown has prevented me from doing any journeys long enough to do this since. Other than the reduced electric range, the A6 has been a great cold weather companion. As it’s a PHEV, the MyAudi app allows you to determine how the interior should be heated or cooled while the vehicle is being charged, ensuring it’s nice and toasty when you get in, as well as de-icing the windows. This function allows you to set the climate control as well as the heated seats, rear windscreen and mirrors. On top of that, the A6 also has Audi’s quattro MAZDA CX-30 2.0 180PS 2WD SPORT LUX four-wheel drive system to provide extra traction, ensuring my time with the car By Sarah Tooze Perspex screens at the desks and everything continues to be a really enjoyable one. Our Mazda CX-30 has had its first service at local spaced appropriately. The service advisor also wore franchised dealer Donalds Mazda. As mentioned a mask when he showed me to the courtesy car. previously, the online booking wasn’t as slick as it I was impressed that within an hour of dropping could have been (see Fleet News, December 10) but the CX-30 off I had received a video of the inspection it was all resolved with a phone call from the dealer and the service advisor ensured the car was representative who was polite and friendly. cleaned and ready for collection when I needed it. The professional customer service continued at So, overall, it was a good experience. Donalds the dealership itself, with measures in place to knew it was a demonstrator owned by Mazda so it ensure the showroom was Covid-secure, including wasn’t a proper mystery shop, but I noted that signs on the door advising customers to wear another customer at the dealership was treated masks, a hand sanitiser station, floor markings, with the same level of customer service.

56 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk CommercialFleet Official Media Partner OUTRIGHTOUTRIGHT PPURCHASEURCHASE RENTAL

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Which is right funding option for your fleet? Pandemic has increased questions about flexibility

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Fuel economy and CO2 results for the New Vivaro-e Elite L1H1 3100 75kW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 206 miles (WLTP).* *Provisional data. The New Vivaro-e is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Range data given has been determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology. The figures shown are intended for comparability purposes only and should only be compared other cars tested to the same technical standard. The range you achieve under real world driving conditions will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to: the accessories fitted (pre and post registration); charging frequency; personal driving style; vehicle payload and route characteristics; variations in weather; heating/air conditioning; pre-conditioning and battery condition. For more information, contact your local Vauxhall Retailer.

GMB_11299745_Q4_20_Vivaro-e_FP_210x297.indd 1 07/01/2021 13:54 FP_FLEETNEW_GMB1129974id4473026.pdf 01.14.2021 10:10 COMMERCIAL FLEET: NEWS HGV giants agree to collaborate on development of hydrogen trucks

Renault is also looking to work on hydrogen versions of Trafic and Master heavy vans

By Gareth Roberts ture and consumer incentives in a “Upgrading fleets and refuelling “The ground-breaking H2Accel- urope’s truck-makers coordinated way.” infrastructure to adopt hydrogen or erate collaboration will create the have agreed to work The UK Government announced battery electric technology will be conditions for this to happen and together to help create last year that it will end the sale of very expensive and the Government accelerate the transition to zero- E the right conditions for new petrol and diesel cars and vans will need to help operators absorb emission transport,” he said. the mass-market roll-out of by 2030 and is due to launch a that cost burden,” he said. The hydrogen pledge from truck- hydrogen trucks. consultation on the phase out of new “Many trucks travel huge makers comes as Renault agreed a Iveco, Daimler and Volvo have diesel heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). distances, cross many borders and partnership with fuel cell systems joined forces with energy companies Julian Critchlow, director general rely on public fuelling facilities, so UK and hydrogen firm Plug Power to Shell and OMV to form H2Accel- for Energy Transformation and policymakers will need to align their develop hydrogen vans. erate. They say hydrogen will be an Clean Growth at the Department for freight decarbonisation strategy with Plug Power has deployed more essential fuel for the complete Business Energy and Industrial other countries.” than 40,000 fuel cell systems, decarbonisation of the truck sector. Strategy (BEIS), told MPs on the Daimler Truck AG revealed its fuel- designed and built 110 refuelling The group will lobby policymakers Environmental Audit Committee last cell concept truck Mercedes-Benz stations that dispense in excess of 40 to encourage incentives that can year, that the Government sees GenH2 Truck, last September. It tons of hydrogen daily, and is experi- support increased adoption, as well hydrogen “having a big role” to play plans to begin customer trials in enced in green hydrogen solutions as public support to fund pre- in transport, especially for heavier 2023, with series production to start via electrolysis. commercial projects. vehicles. in the second half of the decade. Renault and Plug Power intend to Elisabeth Brinton, executive vice- He highlighted the £23 million In November, the Volvo Group and establish an Innovation Centre for president for New Energies at Shell, programme with the Office for Zero Daimler Truck AG signed a binding the development of fuel cell tech- explained: “Hydrogen-fuelled trucks Emission Vehicles, which is looking agreement for a joint venture to nology and hydrogen fuel cell light will need to become available at or at funding vehicles and refuelling develop, produce and commercialise commercial vehicles (LCVs) based below the cost of owning and oper- stations, and the ultra-low emission fuel-cell systems. on existing and future Renault plat- ating a diesel truck today. bus scheme for hydrogen buses, Meanwhile, Iveco is investing in forms. “This means truck customers will along with the Prime Minister’s electric and hydrogen technology The initial focus will be on the need to have access to a fully zero commitment for 4,000 new zero- with driveline specialist FPT Indus- heavy van segment utilising the emissions vehicle with a similar emission buses. trial, also part of CNH Industrial, and Trafic and Master vehicle platforms refuelling time, range and cost However, Gerry Keaney, chief through its partnership with Nikola and it hopes to pilot fleet deploy- range compared with the vehicles in executive of the trade group the Corporation. ments later this year. use today. British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Gerrit Marx, president commercial Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault, “To achieve this ambition a clear Association (BVRLA), says setting a and specialty vehicles at CNH Indus- explained that the joint venture aims regulatory framework is needed, date for the phasing out of diesel trial, says the industry needs to create an “end-to-end fuel cell including policies addressing the trucks and lorries will be a positive “concrete projects” to show hauliers, value chain” and offer turnkey supply of hydrogen, hydrogen- step, but HGV operators need a and the wider industry, that it is solutions for customers including fuelled trucks, refuelling infrastruc- “zero-emission roadmap”. “financially and operationally” viable. vehicles and refuelling stations.

The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck is due to undergo customer trials in 2023

A CLEAR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IS NEEDED

ELISABETH BRINTON, SHELL

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 59 COMMERCIAL FLEET: FUNDING F U N D TO T

HOW E E

YOUR L F

60 Making the right funding decision has taken on renewed importance during the pandemic, reports Matt de Prez

ith the events of 2020 yet to become three months with no upfront deposit or early a distant memory and disruption and termination fees beyond the initial period. It says W uncertainty likely to continue during this type of contract provides security during 2021, many businesses will be taking periods of economic uncertainty. a forensic look at their finances. Avis Budget Group believes rental is particularly Operators have faced many challenges in the beneficial to smaller businesses. Nina Bell, past 12 months, with some fleets forced to flex up managing director, UK & Scandinavia, Avis rapidly and others parked for months on end. Budget Group, says: “The flexibility of rental As we enter a new year, with looming economic complements the challenges SMEs face, allowing uncertainty, the need to replace vehicles in a cost- business owners to shift and shape their fleet in effective way becomes ever-more important. It line with business demand. also brings a increased requirement for flexibility “Rental, whether short-, mid- or long-term and, with a new mandate from the Government provides the ideal mobility solution for those to decarbonise, added pressure to operate more looking for commercial vehicles without the ties expensive alternative fuel vehicles. of lengthy contractual terms, large upfront There are numerous ways to fund a fleet, each payments or maintenance fees.” bringing a different range of benefits and consid- Parcel delivery firm Tuffnells has employed a erations to the table. mix of fleet funding methods, including owner- While the decision as to how a fleet is funded ship, leasing and rental. This ensures greater does not always fall under the remit of a fleet flexibility and has enabled the business to adjust manager, it’s important to understand the capacity to accommodate significant business requirements of each method so vehicles can be growth both during and post-lockdown. managed accordingly. The company has taken 21 new 7.5-tonne trucks on a six-year contract hire agreement, FLEXIBILITY IS KEY extending the existing 170 HGVs and 20 delivery Regardless of how a business chooses to fund its vans it has from Enterprise on a flexible rental vehicles, flexibility is becoming an ever-important programme. consideration. As a result, an increasing number Simon Parsons, services director at Tuffnells, of vehicle providers are offering new types of says: “Combining rental and ownership with contracts that give businesses more wiggle room contract hire means our fleet is ready to face any within their agreements and fleets are taking challenge. It means we can rapidly scale up or advantage of multiple funding methods rather down as demand changes. It’s easier to handle than just using one. maintenance and we get fast access to replace- Paul Wright, sales director at commercial ment vehicles at a moment’s notice. vehicle finance provider Asset Alliance Group, “The surge in demand caused by the lockdown says: “We have seen operators continuing to seek is just one example of how important flexibility is stability within their working fleet, fixing costs to a business where being responsive to customer where they can. needs is the number one priority. Providing our “Although contract hire remains a desirable drivers with new vehicles is very important to us. choice for core fleets, current erratic volume It demonstrates the commitment we have to changes mean businesses are also looking them and provides the right equipment to safely towards more flexible means to top-up and deliver for our customers.” support their fleets, especially those working Contract hire remains the most popular funding through several Covid-related lockdown restric- method among van operators that took part in the tions.” most recent Fleet200 survey, although its popu- Rental offers the greatest degree of flexibility larity has dropped to 48% from 60% in the past and during the pandemic many fleets have relied year. on hire companies to keep their businesses Steven Cairns, managing director of HGV moving. With a range of new longer-term flexible funding specialist MV Commercial, believes rental contracts now on offer, more fleets are shorter-term contract hire has become more adopting a rental model to fund their fleet. important for HGV operators, who would tend to In 2019, the biggest change in van funding trends favour outright purchase, as businesses aim to was the increase in the number of organisations become more agile and look for innovative ways using flexible rental. Nearly a quarter (24%) of to grasp opportunities, often from non-traditional Fleet200 operators said they procured LCVs this avenues. way, compared with 13% in 2018. In 2020, however, “For many of our customers, it all comes down the proportion fell slightly to 19%. to how they deal with cash retention in their Europcar recently launched new B2B Flex business and the money in the bank,” he says.

ISTOCK/DNY59 packages, which offer vehicles for a minimum of “With the current uncertainly, some operators

61 COMMERCIAL FLEET: FUNDING

have reduced their long-term planning and refocused on short- to medium-term as it is still too early to predict what is likely to happen in the coming months and even years. “We have also seen a spike in people looking to put down lower deposits in the first instance or one payment down. However, we are still seeing a strong growth in medium- and long-term contract hire deals across all of our sectors as companies look for stability and securing longer- term growth with fixed costs.” Finance leasing has grown in popularity, now accounting for 13% of funded vehicles among FN50 leasing companies. Colin Tourick, leasing consultant, says: “It does have lots of advantages, particularly at times like this as it’s easy to extend and doesn’t have excess mileage charges. The infrastructure company operates 2,500 “There were good solid accounting reasons in THE vehicles and has its own bodyshops, garages and the past why people tended to stay away from FLEXIBILITY mobile mechanics. By performing maintenance finance lease but now, with the International and repairs in-house, Coughlan says it keeps the Financial Reporting Standards, we have a situa- OF RENTAL fleet’s wholelife costs down. tion where the accounting treatment is harmo- ALLOWS “Outright purchase means we can keep them nised for finance leases and operating leases. as long as we want, but it also gives us another “While operating leases give certainty, the fact SMEs TO flexibility in that it’s quite easy to dispose of them of the matter is that, at the moment, lessors are SHIFT AND quickly if we needed to reduce our numbers,” he going to be setting residual values (RVs) prudently. adds. “If you are a fleet manager and you’re taking SHAPE your own RV risk, you don’t really have to worry THEIR INTRODUCING ALTERNATIVE FUELS about whether your leasing company is being The upfront cost of alternative fuel vehicles can particularly conservative or prudent on setting FLEET IN be high, meaning outright purchase requires residual values. LINE WITH significant capital investment. There are also long “You’ll just expose yourself to the market and lead times for new EVs, meaning fleets may need you’ll get the actual sale proceeds, but, also, you’ll DEMAND to access other vehicles in the interim. get the real flexibility of being able to decide when Centrica leases its vans on a mix of cycles you want to bring your vehicles to market. NINA BELL, AVIS dependent on their use, but in the past 12 months “Particularly with current uncertainty, I think BUDGET GROUP it has reduced the lease length for new small vans there could be something to be said for having a to three years as it begins to electrify its fleet. look at finance lease over the next several months.” Steve Winter, head of fleet at Centrica, says: “We Ian Tilbrook, consultant and former VWFS fleet put them on to a three-year lease with a view to director, adds: “I think finance lease will always drop them back into the replacement cycle when be a key funding option for some very large LCV we think there’ll be many more EVs available on fleets. There are key fleet operators who like “We’ve been trying to create flexible alternatives the market. If there isn’t, then we have the option finance lease, they like the adaptability to extend to contract hire and operating lease for some time in the lease to extend for one or two years. vehicles at low cost helping cashflow which is to give our customers options and I think the “Putting them on three-year leases has given particularly pertinent right now where supply of penny has dropped for many that contract hire is us more confidence to go to the business to say LCV is very tricky; they can escape some excess not as flexible and is more restrictive in terms of we can start our EV programme straight away.” mileage charges, typical contract hire charges or condition. The company expects to complete the introduc- damage or refurbishment charges. “People have been realising they were getting tion of 1,000 all-electric Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans by “With the growth we’re seeing in the home hit with end-of-contract charges or finding pooling mid-year and these have been leased with the delivery sector, LCV fleets are going to continue mileage wasn’t working for them.” ability to flex the terms if the need arises, such as to grow and I think finance lease will be a key part new technology becoming available, or lower of that.” OUTRIGHT PURCHASE PREFERRED than planned mileages. FN50 leasing company Total Motion says it has BY HEAVIER FLEETS Wright says: “The EV & low/zero-emission seen an increase in demand for its hybrid lease These days it may be considered a bit ‘old school’ proposition is becoming more attractive to product, which is, essentially, a flexible long-term to buy vehicles outright, considering the range of operators who want to include these in future finance lease. more flexible alternatives on the market. But, fleet replacement programmes. Funding models Customers who take up the hybrid lease owning your fleet gives the most control of your are becoming more confident in setting param- commit to a minimum period, and Total Motion vehicles and it remains the most popular funding eters in regards to contract length, RV and after- publishes the budgets of the lease to the client at route among Fleet200 HGV operators. sales market expectation.” the beginning. There are no early termination Dermot Coughlan, fleet director at Kelly Group, According to Mercedes-Benz Trucks, as far as charges. says outright purchase provides a mix of stability the vehicle itself is concerned, nothing really Simon Hill, managing director at Total Motion, and flexibility. changes when it comes to leasing. The main explains: “Over the past 12 months, people have “We are set up to run an in-house fleet. We do difference and challenge for EVs particularly, it started to think contract hire for three or four all our own racking, beacons, Chapter Eight, etc., says, is the wider issue of battery funding and the years doesn’t really work for vans. so we’re pretty much self-sufficient,” he says. charging infrastructure.

62 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk COMMERCIAL FLEET: COMPLIANCE

We wrap our vans with the For enforcement and vehicle Q company logo and pictures. A identity purposes, you will We then remove this prior to need to inform DVLA if the primary disposal. Do we need to change the colour of the vehicle has changed. colour on the V5 document? There Once you have removed your livery/ seems to be many answers wrapping, you will need to notify available, but very little on the DVLA of the changes again, prior to ADVICE LINE DVLA or wider gov.uk site. disposal of the vehicle.

By Ray Marshall, senior transport advisor, Logistics UK

Can you advise if we need to vehicle to carry a load to make its Q put an 18-tonne training weight up to a minimum of vehicle on our operator licence? 10,000kgs when presented for a This vehicle will not be used to driving test. However, such make deliveries or collections. additional weight is likely to be a Driver training is exempt from certified load, permanently fixed to A operator licensing, provided the vehicle, and it is considered that no load is carried. EU Regulations compliance with these regulations (2000/56 EC) relate to driver will not bring vehicles into scope of

training, which may necessitate a goods vehicle operator licensing. ISTOCK/GROUP4 STUDIO

Safety guidance for delivery drivers

Consider adding a device which will reduce the risk of van doors being forced open ISTOCK/LOVRO77

Courier companies are at risk of doors being forced open. ■ Make sure your phone is always engine running or keys in the being targeted by criminals who fully charged. ignition. seek to steal vehicles and their Plan your routes in advance: ■ Always keep your keys with you, contents. Here are ways in which ■ Agree a daily delivery plan with Remain alert to what is somewhere safe and out of sight. risks to you, your vehicles and your employers or, if independent, happening around you: ■ If you have a keyless van, your deliveries can be reduced. with a family member and check ■ If something does not look or consider using a key blocking in with them on a regular basis. feel right, do not make the pouch to prevent other people Make sure your vehicle is in good ■ Consider varying your route delivery. from accessing your vehicle while working order before beginning rather than making repetitive ■ If you think you are being you are delivering. your shift: journeys. followed, do not exit the vehicle ■ Consider darkening windows to ■ Conduct thorough daily checks ■ Where possible, avoid difficult – keep doors locked, keep prevent passers-by viewing the on your vehicle. manoeuvres. moving and call the police as van’s contents. ■ Be vigilant to any potential soon as you can do so safely, take tampering. Consider where you park: note of the vehicle and driver if Remember: ■ If your vehicle is fitted with a ■ Avoid poorly lit areas – park you can. ■ If you feel threatened, activate dashcam and/or a tracker, make under a streetlight or in view of ■ Let your employer know the the panic alarm on your vehicle or sure it is working properly before CCTV wherever possible. situation as soon as you can. sound your horn to draw attention beginning your shift. ■ Use a torch to light dark spaces. to the situation and potentially ■ Consider installing additional ■ Stay in safe and secure parking Secure your vehicle: deter the criminals. features such as a Stoplock or a areas when parking overnight or ■ Never leave your vehicle ■ If you see something suspicious, Slamlock to reduce the risk of van when taking rest breaks. unlocked or unattended with the report it.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 63 COMMERCIAL FLEET: FIRST DRIVE

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY 5 Accomplished performer adds half a dozen new safety features, bringing the total to 19

By Trevor Gehlcken Our test model was German spec and, therefore, ith Covid-19 putting a temporary end will probably differ slightly from what we will be to major European van launches, the offered in the UK. But we can be certain that the manufacturers have been scrambling new Caddy will be loaded with safety systems as W to find ways to get the UK’s motoring standard, a total of 19 with six new to this model. journalists behind the wheel of their latest offerings. Some will be paid-for extras, but the wonderful In the case of Volkswagen, whose new generation Emergency City Braking system that brings the van Caddy 5 is due to hit UK shores in spring, a handful to a halt if an accident is predicted at below 30mph of left-hand drive pre-launch models were shipped will be standard. over for appraisal and one of them found its way to All models will also feature a multi-function Commercial Fleet. steering wheel, electric windows, height-adjustable The Caddy is already a competent fleet contender, driving seat and electric parking brake with Auto The seat side supports may prove a little snug for but this new version features even sharper exterior Hold function. larger drivers looks and a whole load of fresh technology which Three trim levels will be available in the UK and promises to further accelerate the marque’s prices will start at a reasonable £17,800 ex-VAT, meteoric rise in fortunes in the commercial vehicle effectively putting paid to the myth that Volkswagen means a Euro pallet can now be fitted in sideways. market over the past few years. vans are expensive to buy. Our test van featured one of those tailgates that the Our test van features stylish new looks with Europeans seem to like. We Brits will be sticking to FLEET PICK elegant slashed headlights. Practicality hasn’t been the more usual barn door arrangement. Our van’s VW CADDY CARGO TDI 102 forgotten, either, as the Caddy has large swathes of load area measures 3.1cu m whereas Maxi versions SPECIFICATIONS black plastic back and front to absorb small knocks. will swallow 3.7cu m. A big touchscreen dominates the cab, being used Three diesel power outputs will be available – CV OTR price £19,390 to adjust many of the functions which have formerly 75PS, 102PS and 122PS – plus a petrol variant at Power (PS)/torque (Nm) 102/280 required knobs and switches. It will take a bit of 114PS. The 102PS in our test vehicle was enough to Payload (kg) 662 getting used to for new drivers. move this van along nicely and this is likely to be the The twin seats offer plenty of figure-hugging side biggest fleet seller. 2,220 Gross vehicle weight (kg) support. I did wonder, however, if those of a large The differences between cars and commercial Load volume (cu m) 3.1 stature might fit in comfortably. vehicles have become blurred to the extent that they Fuel cost (ppm) 9.4 Meanwhile, there are plenty of cubby holes, don’t really exist any more. Out of the road, our including overhead storage space, and two coffee Caddy drove with all the finesse and aplomb of an SMR (ppm) 3.5 cup holders in the centre console complete the up-market car, which was just what we expected. Running cost (ppm) 38.7 picture – a must for coffeeholics like me. Gears snick into place smoothly, handling is pin The new Caddy has grown in length by 93mm and sharp and there is a complete absence of squeaks 58 Mpg in width by 1,588mm, while load height is up, which and rattles.

64 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk COMMERCIAL FLEET: FIRST DRIVE

TOYOTA HILUX Off-road performance and capability in bends helps the Hilux to stand out from the crowd

By John Lewis The exterior has been restyled. Interior changes ith a reputation for indestructability, include – dependent on the model selected – a new Toyota’s Hilux 4x4 pick-up has just eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and undergone a major revamp. Key Android Auto, upgraded navigation and sound W changes include the arrival of a 204PS systems and front and rear parking sensors. 2.8-litre diesel which joins the existing 150PS Toyota is bidding to reach out to user/chooser fleet 2.4-litre, answering criticisms that Hilux was a tad drivers and leisure users who want a high level of underpowered. specification, while hoping to retain the loyalty of The suspension has been re-tuned with the aim customers such as construction companies who of delivering a smoother ride on ordinary road value Hilux as a working tool. surfaces while changes to the steering make Hilux Single Cab, extended Extra Cab and four-door easier to manoeuvre at walking pace, says Toyota. Double Cab models are all available. The specifica- Interior changes include a new eight-inch They also ensure the steering wheel feels suffi- tion rundown is Active, Icon, Invincible and Invincible touchscreen and an upgraded sound system ciently tight and responsive to allow bends to be X. Buyers can opt for either a six-speed manual or taken at speed with confidence, it adds. an uprated six-speed automatic transmission A new automatic limited-slip differential has been dependent on the spec chosen. might not go amiss – the engine can sound harsh introduced, too. Payload capacities extend from 1,010kg to 1,030kg at times – and upgrading some of the plastic used and all versions can tow a braked trailer grossing in the cab might also make sense. FLEET PICK at up to 3.5 tonnes. These minor criticisms are more than outweighed, TOYOTA HILUX INVINCIBLE X I took to the highway in a 2.8-litre Invincible X however, by Hilux’s big plus-point - its stupendous AUTOMATIC 2.8D Double Cab automatic, and there is no denying that off-road performance. SPECIFICATIONS the extra 54PS it delivers makes a major difference I spent an hour taking it around a demanding off- CV OTR price £33,463 to its on-the-road performance. road course which included deeply-rutted muddy Overtaking manoeuvres that might be marginal tracks, steep ascents and descents, and the occa- Power/torque 201/500 when sitting behind the 2.4-litre are a doddle when sional lake. It coped with the lot and barely broke Payload (kg) 1,040 you are perched behind its beefier companion; sweat, with enough suspension articulation to allow Gross vehicle weight (kg) 3,210 especially given the extra spurt in performance it to clamber over demanding obstacles without delivered by the auto box’s kick-down facility. getting stuck. Towing capacity (kg) 3,500 The changes to the steering have, undoubtedly, Hilux comes with a five-year/100,000-mile Fuel cost 18.9 benefited the handling and do, indeed, enable warranty with roadside assistance included for the SMR 4.6 corners to be taken with greater serenity. duration. Service intervals are set at 12 months/ Running cost 64.6 A bit more work needs to be done on the suspen- 10,000 miles – short, but regular workshop visits sion, however, if only to compensate for the UK’s make sound sense if a pick-up is used on arduous mpg 29 atrocious road surfaces. Extra sound-deadening all-terrain work.

fleetnews.co.uk ■ January 21 2021 65 THE LAST WORD

Why fleet? The industry never remains the SARINA VALE same for long. Being a fleet manager brings many challenges FLEET MANAGER AT AGGREKO UK and my role is hugely varied. The volume of people I encounter daily is remarkable, and another reason I Taking a gamble on a career change in her mid-20s paid off enjoy my role. Never a dull day! for Sarina Vale, a self-confessed Italophile who had a lucky How I got here I had become stagnant in my escape in her parents’ Ford Cortina at the age of three... mid-20s and applied for a fleet analyst role for a large national business, where I became fleet The advice I would give to my 18-year- If money was no object I’d set up manager in 2012. Never would I have old self is be confident and don’t be charities to help several different envisaged I’d be where I am today afraid to say what you do or don’t want. projects – women’s refuges and had I not accepted that opportunity. Relationships can wait. Focus on children’s centres. I am in love Of course, there have been difficult yourself, your education and take with Italy, so I’d also like to build times, projects and conversations but opportunities when they come along. my dream house in the southern they shape who we are. region – big enough for my daughter and family to visit, with Latest products, developments The song I would have on my a swimming pool, of course! and achievements driving playlist is: Difficult one. We are evolving product solutions to So many great songs to choose provide cost-effective reliable from but I’d probably choose My hobbies and energy, with an industry-leading Proud Mary by Tina Turner. interests are family, emissions profile to be net zero by socialising with 2050 or sooner. Personally, I am friends, travel and currently developing a global fleet A book that I would pottering around in strategy to streamline the function recommend others general. I have seven across the group to enhance safety read is Living Brave, by nieces and like to see and compliance, increase visibility, Guy Bloom at Living them when I can, and drive down costs. Brave Leadership. A albeit via FaceTime truly great mind and an during these My company in three words inspirational author. You challenging times. Expert, dedicated, family. feel the author is sitting alongside you reading Career influence the book to you, which, My pet hate? I’m I’ve been lucky to have been in my experience, is quite easy-going mentored by several strong leaders very rare. and don’t have any who have developed and supported pet hates as such, me as they have progressed but rudeness and through their own careers. They My favourite movie a sense of have inspired me to develop myself quote is ‘It’s what you entitlement are and those I work with. do right now that makes awful traits. a difference’ from Black What makes a good MD? Hawk Down. To be a visionary leader, able to If I were made transport motivate teams and have a clear minister for the day I’d reduce understanding of their business. My first memory associated the cost of electric vehicles to with a car is at the age of three ensure they’re accessible to Advice to fleet newcomers I was travelling in the back of everyone, especially those with Have the courage of your conviction. my parents Ford Cortina when budget constraints. I’d provide Don’t fear change, develop yourself we were struck from behind. all households with free and plan, plan, plan. Also, in any Thankfully, I was in the electric charging points and fleet function data is the devil unless footwell reaching for a toy, or give support to cyclist safety. you’re prepared and organised. I’d have been through the windscreen! This was also at a If I wasn’t in fleet time when wearing rear I’d probably be a midwife or nurse. seatbelts was not a legal I’m an empath; my instinct is to care requirement! for others.

Next issue: Peter Mansfield, group sales and marketing director at Trakm8

66 January 21 2021 ■ fleetnews.co.uk CompanyCar IN ACTION NEW FOR 2021... ELECTRICFLEET CONFERENCE 2021 brought to you by FleetNews

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