Issue 78: March 2021 £5.99 www.companycartoday.co.uk

Your independent source of fleet news, reviews and interviews

INSIDE TEST DRIVES Renault Megane PHEV VOLVO Revised Audi Q5 Eight-seat Citroen EV INTERVIEW Toyota fleet boss GOES EV talks hybrid success Test drive review: Electric XC40 kicks off ANALYSIS Volvo’s route to becoming an EV-only brand Budget 2021 – the key fleet details

PLUS FIRST PICS:

NEW QASHQAI

BIG TEST New Citroen C4: six-page Big Test review Looking to make a good impression? The new ID.3 goes a long way

The all-electric ID.3, with a range of up to 336 miles*

To arrange a demonstration or to find out more, contact the Volkswagen Business Centre on 08000 093 397.

*Range of up to 336 miles (WLTP combined) for the ID.3 Pro S (with 77 kWh net battery energy; Electricity consumption, kWh/100 km: combined 16.1-15.5; CO 2 emission combined, g/km: 0; Efficiency class: A+). Range values of the series car according to WLTP may differ depending on final equipment. Figures shown are for comparability purposes and were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. Mains electricity required for charging. Only compare electric range figures with vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. Figures may not reflect real life driving results. FOREWORD CONTENTS 04 NEWS New DS 4 revealed; Renault 5 EV 11 FISKER AND FLEETS US EV brand targets businesses 12 BIG TEST What’s the VW iD.3 really like? WELCOME It’s on the standing at a petrol pump and watching 18 COFFEE WITH… the number spin around and seeing the Gridserve’s Toddington Harper periphery of the cost of your next 400 miles before your electric vehicle eyes, but anyone charging at home will 21 GREEN COMPANY CAR stop and think if X car can achieve a few Focus on EV efficiency, not range; debate, but the extra miles per charge that Y, it will mean carbon-offsetting; guest opinion issue of vehicle that they get home with more miles in efficiency will hand, and less charge required to take 30 REVIEWS the car back up to full, therefore lowering New Vauxhall Mokka, Volkswagen become more their household electricity bill. That will Tiguan, Toyota RAV4 PHEV, Vauxhall Insignia, Hyundai Tucson, relevant as familiarity with be amplified as tech gets smarter and it’s VW Arteon Shooting Brake, easier to track the cost of charging a car. EV technology increases. But it’ll also require manufacturers, as Vauxhall Crossland, Jaguar XF I’d imagine that with early petrol and an entire industry, to become more diesel cars, people weren’t that worried transparent. At the moment, there’s not 38 LONG-TERM TESTS about the vehicle’s MPG figures, only that an easy at-a-glance way of checking an Citroen C5 Aircross, Seat Leon, they didn’t have to feed their new horseless Citroen Berlingo, Ford Puma, individual EV’s efficiency – no electric carriage and it didn’t get tired, but with time Audi A7 Sportback and Kia Xceed version of miles per gallon that the awareness that some cars give you manufacturers are obliged to put out. more distance for the same amount of fuel, KNOWLEDGE But we’re going to need a miles per kWh 43 it became increasingly important. Used buyers want more tech or similar measurement sooner rather And so it will be with electric vehicles, than later to highlight the most efficient as we’ve looked into on page 22. 46 FLEET OF FANCY models for consumer comparison Understandably and logically, at the Porsche Taycan: terminal velocity purposes, and to give manufacturers moment it’s all about vehicle range. That’s a little further nudge to make their EVs the key measurement as people learn about as efficient as possible. 04 the new technology and its capabilities, especially while trust in the reliability and geographical spread of the public charging network isn’t yet where it needs to be. But in time, possibly at the end of a driver’s first ownership cycle of an electric car, the point will begin to drill home that some offer more distance for each kW of electricity going in. It’s not as visible as Paul Barker Editor 12

EDITORIAL: DISCLAIMER: Company Car Today is EDITOR: Paul Barker published by Automotive Media & Events E: [email protected] Limited, registered address 1 Second Avenue, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Tristan Young Halstead, Essex, CO9 2SU. Registered CONTRIBUTORS: Nat Barnes, Euan Doig, number 10034249. All rights reserved. No Tom Webster part of the magazine may be reproduced in NEWS: [email protected] any form in whole or in part without prior PRODUCTION: written permission of the publisher. All 21 ART DIRECTOR: Caroline Creighton-Metcalf material published remains the copyright of T: 07786 063838 Automotive Media & Events Limited. While E: [email protected] every reasonable care is taken to ensure PUBLISHING: accuracy, information is obtained from a PUBLISHER: Dave Wallace T: 07739 554329 variety of sources and the publisher is not E: [email protected] responsible for any errors or omissions, nor ADVERTISING: T: 07739 554329 do we accept liability for any loss or damage, howsoever caused, resulting from the use CIRCULATION MANAGER: Andy Kirk T: 01825 701520 of the magazine. We reserve the right to E: [email protected] edit letters, copy or images submitted to SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscribe to Company the magazine without further consent. The Car Today: UK £120.00 (two years £205, three submission of material to Automotive Media years £270). Europe and Eire £165 (two years £280, three years £370). & Events Limited unsolicited or requested, is taken as permission to publish. 46 Company Car Today ISSN 2514-1902 (online) @companycartoday Printing: Micropress Printers Ltd, Suffolk.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 3 The big stories from the NEWS world of fleet this month HYBRID POWER FOR NEW QASHQAI

petrol engine launch with a 1.3-litre petrol while on the inside the that acts like a engine, producing 138hp or infotainment screen has grown generator to 156hp. Both get 12V mild- to nine inches and supports charge the battery hybrid assistance that Nissan wireless Apple CarPlay and rather than power said takes 4g/km off the Android Auto. the wheels. Nissan emissions figure. The system Nissan claimed that its said this leads to allows the car to shut off the 10.8-inch cockpit display is the superior fuel engine when coasting at largest offered in the class, and economy and speeds below 11mph, as well as connectivity includes the lower CO2 output, adding a small performance ability to set a navigation Nissan has revealed its new although it is yet to reveal boost via energy that has been destination via home devices Qashqai, which will arrive this emissions, economy or recouped by regeneration. such as Google Assistant or summer, and gets a new performance figures. It has, The 156hp petrol model is Amazon Alexa. The hybrid next year to replace the however, said that the the only one offered with the infotainment system facilitates old car's diesel option. It also E-Power gets the E-Pedal option of four-wheel drive, over the air updates, and has has a design described by the function seen in the Leaf, with the rest of the range Google Streetview and fuel company as “more muscular, where the brake energy front-drive only. prices, as well as door-to-door sharp and modern”. regeneration is strong enough This latest model is 35mm navigation via the Nissan app. The Qashqai is the first car that you'll barely need to touch longer, 25mm taller and 32mm Nissan has sold more than to get Nissan’s new hybrid the pedal in normal driving. wider than its predecessor. It three million Qashqais since E-Power powertrain, which Ahead of the hybrid also gets the option of 20-inch it invented the crossover offers 187hp through a 1.5-litre powertrain, the Qashqai will alloy wheels for the first time, segment in 2007.

New Audi PHEV battery brings BiK cut Kia and Hyundai launch EV chargecards Audi has uprated the battery Kia and Hyundai have launched services. The company also on its Q5, A6 and A7 plug- public charge point solutions said it covers more than in models, extending the for their drivers, with their two-thirds of the UK’s public maximum range over the 40- new schemes branded charging infrastructure. mile barrier for the A6 and A7, KiaCharge and Charge Meanwhile, Hyundai claimed depending on trim level. myHyundai respectively. more than 15,000 points are The improved range Kia’s allows drivers of its accessible through its system. coincides with the arrival of Q5 plug-in cars to access 13,900 Both offer a single Sportback (pictured) and A6 Q5 SUV will do up to 39 UK charging points from one payment system to ease fleet Avant PHEVs, and covers 299hp miles. This means they sit account, including those of administration, and Kia said 50-badged TFSIe and 376 in the 11% tax band for the BP Pulse, Pod Point, Ionity, its system also includes an 55-badged TFSIe powertrains. 2021/22 tax year, rather Source London, Chargepoint, additional 178,000 charging The new Q5 Sportback has a than 7% for the A6 and NewMotion, Charg-gy and points across 28 European maximum official range figure A7 models with a range ESB, as well as other regional countries via eRoaming. of 37 miles, and the updated of at least 40 miles.

4 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK NEWS BITES

DOUBLE WIN FOR YARIS The Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch has won the UK Car of the Year Award, ahead of the Land Rover Defender and Ford Puma, voted for by a panel of UK journalists including Company Car Today Editor Paul Barker. Meanwhile, Volvo reveals new the regular Yaris supermini has won the European Car C40 amid big EV of the Year prize. and online plans Ford and Jaguar make future EV pledges Volvo has unveiled its new incredibly important and C40 at an event in which it set will continue to be,” said the Ford has announced that out its plans for the coming Volvo spokesman. “We will by the middle of 2026, years. The C40 is the brand’s offer a multi-car fleet facility its entire passenger car second electric vehicle after from this summer as an initial range will be available the XC40 Recharge, and its solution and a full offer from with either pure electric FORD GALAXY AND S-MAX first that will be only an EV. Q4 2021.” or plug-in hybrid MODELS GO HYBRID The C40 is due in the UK In the meantime, fleets or powertrains, and all will Ford has launched hybrid early next year, and will have leasing companies looking to be pure electric by 2030. versions of its Galaxy and an official range of 261 miles. order the new electric XC40 All the brand’s LCV S-Max, bringing emissions 10% It will go on sale this summer, Recharge would need to order models will be available below those of the diesel. The with Volvo stating that it will on an individual vehicle basis with an electric or PHEV hybrid combines a 2.5-litre only sell any of its electric online, where Volvo is pledging powertrain by 2024. petrol engine and 1.1kWh models online. pricing “transparency”. It will Meanwhile, Jaguar Land battery. In the Galaxy, emissions What that means for the also offer pre-configured Rover has declared that are from 148g/km, while in the fleet market – both in terms models to speed the buying Jaguar will become an S-Max they start at 147g/km. of outright purchase fleets process, as well as moving to all-electric brand by 2025 and the leasing industry – is “radically reduced complexity under its new Reimagine still to be defined by Volvo. in its offer”. strategy. There will also BVRLA CALLS FOR CLEAN- A spokesman told Company Volvo has pledged to be six new pure electric AIR PAYMENT SCHEME Car Today that there will be a become a “fully electric car Land Rovers launched in The BVRLA has met transport specific Care by Volvo offering company” by 2030, phasing the next five years. minister Rachel Maclean and for the business market this out fossil-fuel engines. The Jaguar brand will DEFRA minister Rebecca Pow year, using a model already “Instead of investing in a undergo “a renaissance to raise concerns about a lack operational with Volvo in the shrinking business, we to emerge as a pure- of central payment portal for German market. There will also choose to invest in the future electric luxury brand with clean air zones. The association be an initial B2B offering for – electric and online,” said a beautiful new portfolio said it has collaborated on the customers looking to bulk- Hakan Samuelsson, chief and pioneering next- development of a payment order this summer, although executive of Volvo Cars. generation technologies,” portal, and is concerned about details are still scarce. Paul Barker said a statement. the lack of an autopay function. “Our fleet customers are ● XC40 EV driven, p30

FORD REVEALS ELECTRONIC HIGH-VISIBILITY PANELS Ioniq 5 EV to have range of 300 miles Questions over Ford has developed new electronic high-visibility panels Hyundai has unveiled the choice of either two- or Nissan Navara for its vehicles. The panels don’t first model in its new Ioniq- four-wheel drive. require other light sources to be branded range of electric Hyundai confirmed that the Nissan could kill off its visible in the dark, with the red vehicles, with the Ioniq 5 two-wheel drive Ioniq 5 with Navara pick-up in Europe strips illuminated by electricity hatchback due in the UK this the bigger battery will have around the end of this year. passing through a thin layer of summer, and to be followed a range figure fractionally The brand is yet to clarify phosphorus gas, activated by a by the Ioniq 6 saloon and under 300 miles. plans for its pick-up beyond switch behind the driver’s seat. Ioniq 7 large SUV over the the potential late-2021 next 18 months. closure of the Barcelona The Ioniq 5 will come plant that builds the model with a choice of two for European markets. batteries, either the Nissan revised the Navara standard 58kWh or the last year, but will not bring long-range 73kWh, that vehicle to Europe. and both will have the

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 5 NEW CAR NEWS

NEW MERC C-CLASS PHEV TO FEATURE 60-MILE RANGE

The new Mercedes-Benz larger than that in the previous while the petrol engines start is up by 22mm in the front and C-Class saloon and estate will PHEV, up by 45 litres to 360 at 149g/km for the 170hp 15mm in the rear. There is also a offer a plug-in hybrid model litres on the estate. C180. The 265hp C300d and nominal headroom increase. with a 60-mile EV range, as The rear seats will also now the 150hp C200 and 258hp The dashboard and central well as conventional petrol- fold on the PHEV saloon where C300 complete the range, and display are angled slightly and diesel-powered models. they couldn’t before. The all except the entry petrol and toward the driver, and the Mercedes says its latest powertrain combines a 95kW diesel are also offered with dashboard instrument display compact executive model takes electric motor and 2.0-litre 4Matic four-wheel drive. screen is a standard 10.25 a “major step forward” in terms petrol engine, and a diesel PHEV The new model is slightly inches, or 12.3 with the larger of its digitisation and quality. will also follow in due course. larger than its predecessor, option. The central touchscreen The plug-in hybrid gets a Among the regular engines, which has allowed for an extra is 9.5 inches as standard, with 25kWh battery, and Mercedes the most efficient is the 200hp 35mm of knee room for rear an 11.9-inch enhancement claimed that the luggage area is C220d at a best of 138g/km, passengers, while elbow room available as an option.

AUDI REVEALS NEW BABY ELECTRIC CROSSOVER GRAN TOURER FROM HYUNDAI Audi has revealed a rival Hyundai has revealed its new for the Tesla Model S, with baby crossover model, with the all-electric e-tron GT the Bayon slotting in as the quattro and RS e-tron GT smallest Hyundai SUV. hitting the UK this spring. Named after the Bayonne It has an official range region of France, the new Apple CarPlay and Android of more than 295 miles seconds, but the RS slashes model will arrive in the summer Auto. It will also have a 10.25- in 476hp e-tron GT quattro this time to just 3.3 seconds. with a choice of 100hp and inch touchscreen, wireless form, and 280 miles for the The range starts from just 120hp 1.0-litre petrol engines. charging pad and three USB 598hp performance version. under £80,000, with the RS The Korean brand is claiming ports, as well as the Bluelink The GT can cover the e-tron GT’s three trim levels class-leading connectivity and system that links the car to 0-62mph sprint in 4.1 beginning at £111,185. technology, including wireless a smartphone via an app.

HYBRID ONLY MPV TRIO TO FOR NEW GET ELECTRIC HONDA HR-V VERSIONS Honda has unveiled its The Citroen Berlingo, new HR-V, which is due to Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall arrive in the UK late this Combo Life (pictured) year with Honda’s e:HEV people-carrier triplets will hybrid powertrain. get electric versions in 2021. The new model is There will be two body seen in various electric claimed by the brand to The HR-V becomes the lengths and five- or seven- models already offered by benefit from “significantly” third Honda to get the seat configurations, and the the brands, including the improved levels of comfort, e:HEV hybrid badging, models will use a 50kWh Citroen e-C4, Peugeot e-208 while also offering following on from the battery mated to a 100kW and e-2008, and Vauxhall “exceptional hybrid efficiency refreshed CR-V and the motor, equating to 136hp. Corsa-e, and the MPV’s range and advanced safety and new Jazz, both of which This powertrain has been is between 171 and 174 miles. technology features”. were launched last year.

6 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK Unbox yourself and your business

New all-electric Mokka-e † 1% BiK | CO2 0g/km 0–60mph in just 8.7 seconds Range up to 201 miles Up to 80% rapid charge in 30 minutes*

Call 0330 587 8222 to pre-book a free 3 day test drive** or search Vauxhall Fleet Range.

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). 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. *You can obtain 15-80% of the vehicle charge in 30 minutes from a 100kW rapid charging station. The vehicle will rapid charge at a rate of up to 100kW, depending on the power of the rapid charging station used and will take longer to charge at a lower power. Rapid charging stations are available across the UK at various locations and their power rating varies, typically from 50kW and sometimes up to 350kW. For further information on public charging stations across the UK, please visit www.zap-map.com.† 2021/2022 Tax Year. **3 Day Test Drive terms and condition apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please contact your Vauxhall Retailer for further information. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (March 2021).

NEWS

PUBLIC CHARGING FLEET MANAGEMENT

£50M WORKPLACE with a 50kW charger going NEW ADVISORY FUEL according to ATS Euromaster. CHARGEPOINT INJECTION online at the Hillingdon store. RATES ANNOUNCED The company has warned The Government’s workplace The latest Advisory Fuel Rate that as the country gets charging fund, which provides BP PULSE HITS RECORD figures have been announced back on the road, there will up to £350 towards the cost DESPITE LOCKDOWN by HM Revenue & Customs. be increased pressure on of a charging point in work The BP Pulse public charging Petrol models with an engine workshops and supplies. car parks, will continue for network delivered almost size of 1401-2000cc go up by another year. The scheme 20% more energy in the a penny to 12p per mile and RANGE ROVERS TOP gives a grant for businesses first 40 days of 2021 than it over 2000cc to 18p per mile, TRACKER’S STOLEN LIST to install up to 40 charging did for 2020. BP Pulse said while diesels up to 1600cc and Land Rover models accounted points on work premises. that the figures suggest 1601-2000cc both get a one for 37% of the stolen cars electric vehicles are now penny increase to 9p and 11p recovered by Tracker in 2020, LIDL HITS CHARGE essential vehicles for more respectively. The other rates with the Range Rover and POINT MILESTONE households. Charging stay the same. Range Rover Sport topping Budget supermarket Lidl sessions at the company’s the list ahead of BMW’s X5. has installed its 100th rapid 50kW chargers were up 36%, FLEETS URGED TO PLAN The Range Rover Evoque and charger on route to its target with energy supplied up 49%, FOR END OF LOCKDOWN Land Rover Discovery also of 350 by 2022, with the while the 150kW chargers Forward planning of vehicle made the top 10, along with Pod Point partnership now were up 34% and 41% maintenance is “essential” as the BMW 3-Series and M3, covering around 13% of the respectively. lockdown rules relax, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Lidl footprint. The century of and C-Class AMG, and the charge points was achieved Mercedes S-Class.

FLEET DEALS electric vehicles. Available for ROUND UP members to download from the AFP website, the document PEUGEOT SET TO DELIVER tackles all the basic questions 750 CARS TO BSM IN 2021 associated to moving to electric The British School of vehicles for the first time. “As Motoring is set to order with any emerging technology, more than 750 Peugeot there are many misconceptions 208 and 308 models for around EVs and part of the its driving instructors this fleet. The new process of electrifying any year, adding to the 4,000 vehicles are in addition ELECTRIC fleet will be helping drivers to it has received since the to the 1000 ordered last VEHICLES understand how these vehicles two companies formed a summer by the Centrica- work,” said chair Paul Hollick. relationship in 2015. “We are owned company, as part of delighted to continue our its intention to never again EVs UP TO 15% OF NEW VW ADDS NEW ENTRY work with BSM,” said Julie buy a combustion-engined LEASE VEHICLES ID.3 ELECTRIC VEHICLE David, managing director of vehicle and to electrify its Battery electric vehicles Volkswagen has added an entry Peugeot UK. entire 12,000-vehicle fleet accounted for 15% of new lease 145hp ‘Pro’ powertrain to its by 2025. The company will car registrations in the third electric ID.3 hatchback, joining RECORD VAN EV ORDER also install charge points at quarter of 2020, according to the 204hp Pro Performance FOR VAUXHALL its employees’ homes. the BVRLA. The association’s version. The new Pro model is British Gas has ordered Quarterly Leasing Survey offered in Life, Business and 2000 Vivaro-e electric MORE OUTLANDER found plug-in hybrid and hybrid Family specifications and has vans from Vauxhall in what PHEVS FOR DEFRA vehicles overtook diesel to take the same 263-mile range as the manufacturer claimed The Department for a combined 36% share of new the more powerful model. It is the largest order of its Environment, Food and Rural cars registered through leasing costs from £31,670 before the kind for a UK commercial Affairs has increased its companies in Q3 of 2020. £3000 Government grant. fleet of Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrids, ordering 60 EV MYTH-BUSTER FILE vehicles to add to the 36 it RELEASED BY AFP already has. Personnel using The Association of Fleet the vehicles are required Professionals has released to ensure the cars are fully a myth-busting document charged every evening to designed to tackle common maximise the EV running. company car driver misconceptions about

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 9 Advertising feature

Law firm seeks fleets with Mercedes cars over diesel fraud claims

A LEADING LONDON CITY LAW FIRM The legal experts are now turning their leased any of the following vehicles to join IS PREPARING A GROUP CLAIM attention to the UK, and looking for owners the fleet managers that are already signed AGAINST MERCEDES-BENZ ON THE of Mercedes models sold in the 10-year up: A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, Citan, CLA, BASIS OF EMISSIONS FRAUD. period from 2008 to 2018. The affected CLS, E-Class, GL-Class, GLA-Class, The claim relates to potential ‘defeat vehicles cover a range of different models, GLC-Class, GLE-Class, GLK, GLS, M-Class, devices’ that could have been fitted to including both passenger and commercial S-Class, SLK, Sprinter, V-Class, and Vito. vehicles produced by the manufacturer vehicles, and Fox Williams is investigating A recent decision in the EU Court of between 2008 and 2018, and the firm is claims on behalf of fleets and company car Justice (CJEU) strongly supports the asking for fleets with relevant vehicles to drivers who ran those models in England potential case, with the court ruling that: “A come forward. and Wales. Fleet managers and corporate manufacturer cannot install a defeat device Fox Williams is collaborating with US drivers that had, or have, vehicles that are which systematically improves, during law firm Hagens Berman, which powered by diesel engines are encouraged approval procedures, the performance of successfully brought about a similar to register at mercedes-dieselclaims.co.uk. the vehicle emission control system and lawsuit that lead to $700m in payments for Those who owned their vehicle outright or thus obtain approval of the vehicle.” Mercedes owners in the United States. financed through a hire agreement or a Despite Brexit, Fox Williams says that the Andrew Hill, the Fox Williams partner lease may all be eligible for damages due to ruling strengthens the case that consumers leading the UK litigation against the potential decrease in value of their were defrauded by Mercedes for a period of Mercedes, says that the case will argue that vehicles and the increased environmental 10 years. Both Fox Williams and Hagens the German brand intentionally installed harm that will have occurred compared to Berman will be funded and the case is emissions defeat devices programmed to the official figures fleets rely on. therefore being conducted on a no-win, reduce the levels of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Fox Williams and Hagens Berman no-fee basis. Compensation could be in the that were produced while a vehicle was believe that Mercedes-Benz is developing a range of £5,000-£10,000 per vehicle. undergoing an emissions test. If a defeat software update for almost the entirety of Those who are unsure about whether device is used then the emissions would be its Euro 5 and Euro 6b diesel fleet in their car qualifies can find more details lower during a test than they would be in Europe. Early estimates put the number of on the dedicated website – www.mercedes- the real world. potentially impacted vehicles in the UK at dieselclaims.co.uk – where they can also As well as the successful claim against 600,000, with over 1.25m owners of those find our frequently asked questions. Mercedes in the US, Hagens Berman also vehicles who could claim, but this software Freetext ‘DIESEL’ to 62277 and we will took a lead in litigation against update suggests it may be higher. The team send you a link to a quick form, or scan the Volkswagen US, where it was discovered estimates that 30% of the affected vehicles QR code above using your mobile phone that a similar defeat device was fitted to were in fact fleet vehicles. As a result, the camera and it will open a new text message cars. This suit was also successful. firms are calling for those who owned or to send to Mercedes Diesel Claims. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.mercedes-dieselclaims.co.uk NEWS ANALYSIS

IN-DEPTH Budget 2021: Fleet and lease industry left wanting more The Budget 2021, delivered last the UK’s commitment to longer-term motoring tax An increase in corporation tax, week by chancellor Rishi reach net-zero emissions by roadmap it will use to drive from 19% to 25% from April Sunak, was a low-key one from 2050,” said the Government decarbonisation, but there is 2023, is considered to be a fleet industry perspective, Budget documentation. lots of consultation going on the most attractive option to with the Government focused Fuel benefit charges and van and we expect more news on begin repaying the deficit,” more on the larger-scale benefit charges will rise in line this in the coming months.” said Zubin Patel, international issues around the economy with Consumer Price Inflation tax partner at Deloitte. and Covid-19, and less on the from 6 April, and Vehicle Excise FUEL DUTY “Corporation tax made up factors that impact upon the Duty will go up in line with the Reacting to the postponement 6% of total tax receipts in operation of business vehicles. Retail Price Index from 1 April. of the rise in fuel duty, Fleet 2019/20, and this increase will The biggest announcement “This was a Budget that, from Operations predicted that the bring in an extra £12bn in that has the potential for a fleet industry point of view, respite is only temporary. revenue in its first year to impact on the fleet sector was much more important for “At a time when the fleet which the rate applies.” is the so-called ‘super- its broad macroeconomic industry is feeling the financial Other wider points of note in deduction’ of 130% off the tax sweep than for any detail squeeze, a freeze to fuel duty the Budget included the bill for companies investing in issues,” said Paul Hollick, chair will be welcomed,” said furlough scheme extension to plant and machinery assets, of the Association of Fleet managing director Richard September, although with which appeared to include Professionals. “Yes, we’d like to Hipkiss. “Though we are set on companies contributing 10% in electric vehicle charging points. see indications of more work the road to a fossil-fuel free July and 20% in August. The Light commercial vehicles happening at the Treasury in future, the pandemic has put tax-free personal allowances bought outright could also be areas such as the future of some road blocks in place. will be frozen from April for the covered, although the detail Benefit-in-Kind taxation for “Sustainability objectives, next five years at the basic rate was still to be unveiled as company cars and vans, as well though critical, may have had of £12,570 and the higher rate Company Car Today went to as wider transport issues such to take a back seat temporarily of £50,270, potentially pushing press. The super-deduction will as road charging, but the crucial as companies set their sights more employees into the higher run on expenditure from 1 April thing for the moment is that on surviving rather than rates in the coming years. In the to 31 March, 2023. businesses continue to be thriving in the current climate,” case of people moving into the “This super-deduction will financially supported through he continued. “With alternative higher rate band, this would encourage firms to invest in the historically tough economic fuels becoming ever-more also impact their company car productivity-enhancing plant conditions we are all facing.” mainstream, aided by much- BiK payments. and machinery assets that will The BVRLA was also improved EV accessibility and The Government has also help them grow, and to make disappointed about the lack of affordability, fleet operators confirmed incentives for firms those investments now”, said future detail for the fleet sector, should expect to see a hike to take on apprentices will the HM Treasury statement. although it welcomed moves to in fuel duty in the coming rise to £3000, and a new Otherwise, the biggest news help business recovery. years, as the government infrastructure bank will be set was the freezing of fuel duty “The chancellor has provided reinvigorates its green pursuit up in Leeds with the aim of for the 11th year in a row, support and incentives where – but for now, efforts can be funding £40bn of public and although that came with the they are needed most,” said concentrated on recovery.” private projects. hint that next time, petrol and BVRLA chief executive Gerry Eight freeports have been diesel might not be so lucky. Keaney. “We are disappointed WIDER ECONOMY announced: East Midlands “Future fuel duty rates will be that the Government has given Much of the chancellor’s action Airport, Felixstowe and considered in the context of no further indication of the was to try to balance the need Harwich, Humber, Liverpool to support businesses and find City Region, Plymouth Solent, ways to address the state of Thames and Teeside, areas that The crucial thing for the moment the nation’s finances. the AFP suggested could in the “Given the fiscal backdrop, future see increased fleet and is that businesses continue to there is significant pressure on logistics activity. be financially supported the Chancellor to raise revenue. Paul Barker

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 11 The most comprehensive The Big Test product review in fleet

CITROEN C4 Returning to its strengths, Citroen is back in the lower-medium sector with a quirky higher-riding hatch touting comfort as its key selling point

door (pictured). It was an The car was also an early The C4 Cactus, which lives IN CONTEXT innovator of a car, deploying exponent of lane departure- on for now, premiered much the ‘fixed hub’ steering wheel warning technology of the latest Citroen design The new C4 is a different where the central section The second-generation C4 language now seen on more beast from the previous cars stayed in position and the was launched in 2010, this models, including the stylish to have worn the nameplate, outer wheel rotated around it. time only in five-door form, slender daytime running the first of which was The benefits were supposed but the car’s popularity was lights above the headlights. launched in 2004 as a to be improved safety as the slightly on the wane and it replacement for the Xsara. airbag could be optimised in was dropped towards the end That first car was available one position, and improved of the last decade, with the in two very distinct forms, the visibility of the dash because more basic C4 Cactus filling rounder five-door and the it was never blocked by the the gap until this all-new car sharper coupe-like three- steering wheel spokes. came along.

12 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK ROAD TEST

The focus on ride quality and comfort runs through every aspect of the car

TEST NOTES

● Unlike some recent Citroen models, the C4 has separate controls for the climate system, rather than running them through the touchscreen. ● There are plenty of stowage spots up front, and the bottle holders in the door pockets are a very decent size. Rear passengers aren’t quite so well catered for, because there’s no central armrest. The side of the car also gets a small boxy WHAT styling detail the same colour as the foglight ● THEY The cabin has some neat housing down the cladding that’s designed to design touches, such as emphasise the car’s SUV-style raised height. SAY... the protruding vents at Petrol is, in the short term at least, likely to be either end of the dash. the dominant fuel choice over electric or diesel. “New Citroen The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine is available C4 and e-C4 with 100hp (from the summer), 130hp and 155hp make compelling output, and we’ve driven the middle of the trio. choices for fleet Transmission-wise, it’s manual, manual or managers and drivers. automatic, and auto-only respectively. “Their smooth ride, Citroen certainly cannot be accused of following Diesel options will rise to two when the 110hp refinement, and the crowds with its new lower-medium competitor, manual arrives in the summer, joining the 130hp comfortable, spacious either above or below the surface. auto, although experience of the latter says the interior make even the That’s because the new C4 is not just a visually petrol is much better than the diesel for longest journeys a interesting hatchback-cum-crossover mix, sitting refinement, while the cheaper P11D of the petrol pleasure, while the slightly higher than a regular hatch such as the will negate the diesel’s two-band BiK advantage low CO2 emissions, Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf. It’s also the first for anyone that isn’t doing a big enough mileage impressive efficiency Citroen to be offered with a choice of petrol, diesel to capatilise on the diesel’s 9.1mpg advantage. and fair pricing give or electric powertrains. Then there’s the electric version, part of them a real edge. Below the surface, the “ploughing our own furrow” Citroen’s new plug-in assault alongside the “Citroen offers an continues, with a focus on ride quality and comfort e-Spacetourer large MPV and its Dispatch van unrivalled choice of running through the car as a priority. sibling, and the plug-in hybrid C5 Aircross. powertrains in the The C4, which comes only in five-door hatchback The EV powertrain will be available in all bar C-segment – either form, has what Citroen describes as an “elevated the entry of the four trim levels, and has already efficient petrol and and assertive stance”, combining, it says, the been seen across a variety of EVs from sister diesel engines, or the elegance and dynamism of a hatchback and SUV brands Peugeot and Vauxhall. It’s a 100kW new e-C4 with zero traits for “added strength and character”. electric motor mated to a 50kWh battery, which tailpipe CO2 emissions, There’s certainly plenty to take in with the styling, offers an official range figure of 217 miles. But standard support for from the double headlight design, foglights with with that car initially predicted to take around rapid charging up to choice of four colours for the housing and the way 20% of C4 sales, we’ll focus on the petrol that will 100kW, and a WLTP the angled LED daytime running lights lead into the still be the dominant factor in the model’s volume. range up to 217 miles.” chrome grille, to the swooping almost coupe-like Inside, the cabin isn’t quite as outgoing from a Scott Westerby, roofline and the curves of the rear end, with its design perspective as the exterior, but it’s a neat fleet director, V-shaped light combination. layout punctuated with little flourishes of flair Peugeot, Citroen, DS

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 13 SPACE There’s plenty of space for the two front-seat occupants (apart from the narrow space by the footrest), but the sloping roof compromises those in the rear a touch

The engine is punchy as long as you’re willing to keep it on song

COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING

How the Citroen C4 stacks up across the range, and against its key rivals MODEL PRICE ALLOYS SCREEN KEYLESS HEATED REAR CAMERA/ PRIVACY METALLIC GAPS (INCH) SIZE (INCH) ENTRY SEATS HEAD-UP DISPLAY GLASS PAINT

Sense n/a 18 10.0 £450 (P) – – – £545 Sense Plus +£1100 18 10.0 £300 – – £545 Shine* +£1000 18 10.0 £800 (P) £300 £545 Shine Plus +£1200 18 10.0 £300 £545

*Model tested RIVALS (P) = Pack

Ford Focus -£195 16 8.0 £500 (P) / £400 £250 £500 Titanium Edition

Toyota Corolla Design +£2560 17 8.0 – / – £600

Volkswagen Golf Style +£1490 17 10.0 £400 £270 (P) £300 / £625 £245 £625

FORD FOCUS

TOYOTA COROLLA VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

14 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK ROAD TEST

CLIMATE The controls for HEADS UP the car’s internal C4 scores a temperature have technology victory been kept separate over rivals by having from the infotainment a head-up display touchscreen, which is fitted as standard a huge relief on all trims bar the entry level

heated front seats (only available as an £800 option on the Shine trim as part of the leather seat upgrade) and wireless phone charging, which is a £300 option on Shine spec and not available below that. The useful ConnectedCam Citroen – the factory-fit dashcam C4 silhouette is system, is a £300 option on the top two trim levels, a neat blend of while all bar the entry Sense trim get the clever fitting curves and lines for attaching a tablet to the dashboard in front of the passenger. But it does need the £100 optional extra mount that supports either an Apple iPad Air 2 or Samsung Galaxy A 10.5-inch. such as the protruding vents at each end of the More impressively, a head-up display system dashboard. There’s plenty of stowage space around is standard on all bar the entry car. the cabin, including a clever little two-layered spot in The 380-litre boot is a decent size, and is certainly the centre and a decent-sized bottle holder in the comparable with regular hatchbacks, such as the Seat door bins. Also worthy of note is the welcome Leon and Volkswagen Golf. It’s also 39 litres larger feature of actual temperature-control switchgear, than the load area in a Ford Focus and 67 bigger than rather than the less convenient set-up of climate Toyota’s hybrid Corolla hatch can muster. The control running through the touchscreen, which has split-level boot floor is handy, although it’s a shame been the approach on some recent Citroen products. that there’s no catch to keep the higher piece in place The biggest problem with the cabin layout, and while you fish about beneath it. one that will obviously only affect the manual, is the To drive, the first thing of note is that the 130hp small gap between the clutch pedal and the footrest. petrol engine is really rather punchy for the output, When dipping the clutch, drivers of a clumpier with an impressive power delivery, although you do disposition (and this is coming from someone with have to be willing to shift gears frequently to keep it size nine feet) will easily catch the edge of the foot on song. The good news is that doing so is just fine, because there’s not enough of a gap between them. because the gearchange is a pleasant one. It’s not an uncommon problem with Peugeot and The ride is interesting. Citroen calls it a ‘magic Citroen products, and worth noting. carpet’ ride quality, and the obsession with comfort Moving backwards, there is a slight compromise in has created an experience unlike that of any other car, rear headroom thanks to the coupe-aping roofline, where it almost feels like there’s no connection but legroom is reasonable. For those regularly between what the four corners are doing at any one having the rear seats occupied, only the top-spec time. It’s not unpleasant, and the bump absorption is Shine Plus model gets a folding armrest with impressive, but it feels like it’s moving around on the cupholders and a through-load hatch. Other useful chassis the entire time – like a hard thing has been put kit only offered with the top-spec model includes on top of a soft thing.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 15 The C4 is a refreshing continuation of Citroen going its own way

HEAD-TO-HEAD - the key stats SMR COST NEED TO KNOW 1 Ford Focus £1779 Citroen C4 1.2 PureTech 130 Shine 2 Toyota Corolla £1783 (£23,775) vs THE RANGE 3 Volkswagen Golf £1953 Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost MHEV 125 Titanium 4 Citroen C4 £1981 The full range will cover are three petrol Edition (£23,580) vs and two diesel power outputs, as well Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-h 122 Design hatch BIK PER MONTH – 20%/40% (BANDING) as an electric powertrain. (£26,335) vs 1 Ford Focus £102/£204 (26%) Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TFSI 130 Style 2 Citroen C4 £107/£214 (27%) FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS (£25,265) 3 Toyota Corolla £110/£219 (25%) 4 Volkswagen Golf £118/£236 (28%) The entry petrol and diesel engines EFFICIENCY – 100hp and 110hp respectively – LENGTH 1 Toyota Corolla 110g/km (57.7mpg) commence production in May. 2 Ford Focus 115g/km (55.4mpg) 1 Ford Focus 4378mm 2 Toyota Corolla 4370mm WHAT’S NEW FROM THE RIVALS 3 Citroen C4 120g/km (52.3 mpg) 4 Volkswagen Golf 125g/km (51.4mpg) 3 Citroen C4 4355mm The Peugeot 308 gets a facelift this year, 4 Volkswagen Golf 4284mm POWER/0-62MPH PERFORMANCE while new EVs coming in the next few WIDTH (EXCL. MIRRORS) 1 Citroen C4 130hp/8.9sec months include Mazda’s MX-30. 1 Citroen C4 1834mm 2 Volkswagen Golf 130hp/9.2sec 2 Ford Focus 1825mm PRICE RANGE 3 Ford Focus 125hp/10.0sec 3= Toyota Corolla 1790mm 4 Toyota Corolla 122hp/10.9sec £21,005-£35,490 3= Volkswagen Golf 1790mm ENGINE LINE-UP* WHOLE-LIFE COST HEIGHT 1 Toyota Corolla 53.9p 1 Citroen C4 1525mm PETROL 2= Citroen C4 54.2p 130hp 1.2 - 122g/km, 52.3mpg 2 Volkswagen Golf 1491mm 2= Ford Focus 54.2p 3 Ford Focus 1471mm 155hp 1.2 - 133g/km, 48.8mpg 4 Volkswagen Golf 55.7p DIESEL 4 Toyota Corolla 1435mm 130hp 1.5 - 120g/km, 61.4mpg RESIDUAL VALUE BOOT (TO PARCEL SHELF) ELECTRIC 1 Toyota Corolla 41.6% 1 Volkswagen Golf 381 litres 100kW - 217-mile range, 4.8miles/kWh 2 Volkswagen Golf 40.1% 2 Citroen C4 380 litres *Emissions figures stated are lowest available in range 3 Citroen C4 35.0% 3 Ford Focus 341 litres 4 Ford Focus 31.9% 4 Toyota Corolla 313 litres

Whole-life cost data courtesy of 16 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK ROAD TEST

VERDICT

DRIVE 7/10 The C4 isn’t the car for anyone looking for behind-the-wheel The electric version is better, presumably because excitement, with comfort very the extra weight settles things down. However, it’s much the overriding quality. not a behavioural trait that will necessarily annoy, it’s just one that takes some getting used to. EFFICIENCY 7/10 The C4 is not a car built for pressing on either, The petrol is the pick of the range thanks to that total focus on comfort, and it feels like at just 2g/km behind the diesel it really doesn’t want to be pushed hard through in most efficient form, and it roundabouts or bends. There’s more grip than there compares adequately with rivals. feels like there might be as the car shifts its weight around, but steady pace is where it’s most at home. PRACTICALITY 9/10 There’s definitely a place for that in a marketplace Citroen claims best-in-class where bigger wheels and desire for top-notch rear passenger space, although handling precision has pushed several vehicles in the headroom is a little bit of an issue. opposite direction. And the comfort level is despite Boot space is good. the C4 running on larger (18-inch) alloys than most rivals as standard across the range. EQUIPMENT 8/10 The seats have also been very much designed for Some equipment is standard-fit comfort, being broader and softer than those in lower down the range than might other cars, and the C4 is also available with up to be expected, such as head-up 20 safety systems, depending on trim level, while display in all bar the entry car; the brand says it has also considered driver comfort that’s an option at best on rivals. and wellbeing in the light and airy cabin. The C4 is a refreshing continuation of Citroen LOOKS 8/10 going its own way, in terms of styling and how the There’s certainly a lot going on, car drives. The diesel’s refinement doesn’t do it any but it’s a characterful car that favours, while the petrol is a better bet once you get stands out for its styling as much over the unique sensation of the car’s ride quality, as its high-riding stance against something the electric version does better than more bland hatchback rivals. either internal-combustion engine siblings. Overall, the C4 isn’t a car for everyone – those COMFORT AND REFINEMENT 9/10 Super-soft that prioritise fine-handling hatches should look Comfort is generally excellent, suspension is not elsewhere for starters, but it’s doing something that although there is an odd wobble for everyone isn’t being done elsewhere in an interesting-looking, practical and clever package. to the ride quality that takes some getting used to. Diesel refinement is less good. THREE THINGS WE LIKE… CABIN 8/10 3 Plenty of stowage space and the quality is pretty good, while there 1 are some nice design touches. INFOTAINMENT 8/10 Generally simple and clear, although it can take a moment to boot up on entry to the car.

WHOLE-LIFE COSTS 8/10 The tablet holder for the passenger is Residuals are good for Citroen, clever, but the fitting is a £100 option although some competitors have The daytime running lights are lower SMR and insurance costs. a distinctive styling feature CCT OPINION 8/10 It’s refreshing to see Citroen back 2 carving its own path, and pushing the comfort element that fleet drivers will appreciate.

VERDICT 80% A striking and distinctive new take on the regular lower medium hatchback, the C4 is comfortable and …AND ONE WE DON’T practical, as well as offering a good range of powertrains. There’s some neat cabin stowage, including a split-level compartment Rear visibility is very compromised by the spoiler and the lack of a rear wiper

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 17 Paul Barker grabs a cuppa and a chat with one of fleet's Coffee with... most influential figures

TOYOTA IS SET FOR A BUSY YEAR OF NEW PRODUCTS ACROSS A VARIETY OF SEGMENTS

MARCH - HIGHLANDER A large SUV sitting above the RAV4, the Highlander is being sold in the UK for the first time, although it is the fourth generation of a car offered in other parts of the world. The seven-seat hybrid costs from £50,595.

APRIL - PROACE EV The electric version of Toyota’s mid-sized van will arrive this spring, with an official range figure of around 186 miles. It will be joined later in the year by an electric STUART Proace City small van. FERMA APRIL – MIRAI GENERAL The second generation of Toyota’s hydrogen fuel-cell car, which the MANAGER, FLEET, Japanese brand is hoping will TOYOTA AND achieve a ten-fold increase in sales LEXUS GB compared with the first model. As well as increased infrastructure and interest in fuel cell cars, that goal will be helped by a 30% improvement in range thanks to a larger tank, taking it to around 400 miles between fills, plus enhanced Toyota and its premium brand, Lexus, well, while Proace, and particularly driving experience and practicality. have found themselves in a promising Proace City, is starting to gain a foothold position, being renowned as the leader in the marketplace. LATE 2021 – YARIS CROSS in hybrid powertrains at a time where Toyota makes an entrance into the fleets are moving away from diesel and How come Hilux has grown so baby crossover segment with a towards greater use of electrification. Q strongly, with it being quite well sibling to the Yaris hatchback, and established and you only very recently a car that shares the 1.5-litre hybrid How are you approaching 2021 from having launched the revision? powertrain. It will sit below the Q a Toyota point of view? New Hilux with the new 2.8-litre Company Car Today Award-winning We see it as a year of opportunity, A engine is really helping, but it’s fair C-HR in the Toyota line-up. A we’ve got some amazing product to say a great many of our core customers coming through. Last year ended on a real are in the construction and utility sectors, high for us, we increased our market share and obviously those segments are doing and ended up in a very strong position. By quite well at the moment. Customers practical for either the staff or for the the back end of year, we started to see a have been waiting for the new Hilux and needs of a business. With plug-ins, there lot more fleets coming over to us, and have taken those. are more and more options out there, but these were both user-chooser and also there’s also obviously a price premium on essential-needs fleets. Is some of your growth down to that. Hybrid, however, is a well-established As such fleets gradually come out of Q gaining new customers because alternative to diesel. using diesel-powered vehicles, we are people coming out of diesel see switching almost the natural choice for them. to hybrid as a sensible mid-term option How important are things like the That’s why Corolla is doing particularly while they establish how to go electric Q new plug-in RAV4 from a company well in that space for us at the moment, in the longer term? car point of view, especially with the because of its hybrid credentials. When We’ve been selling hybrid for many range being good compared with those fleets are looking at alternatives, we A years; we were selling hybrid when of your major rivals? seem to absolutely be on the consideration the market was diesel, and we persevered The reviews have been fantastic so far, list, so we’re picking up a lot of new with a message around our hybrid A particularly the performance side. customers, which is really positive on credentials. Combine that with the range, and the fact the car side. A lot of customers are seeing it as an that obviously it becomes just a normal And the LCV side of the business is absolutely viable alternative when they self-charging hybrid once the extra piece performing really well; the figures show want to make their fleet more ‘green’. of the battery needs to be recharged. we’re up 31% in commercial vehicles, Many businesses are using diesels at the That’s one of the key differences for us while the market’s up 10%. And that’s minute and can’t really move to full-on versus some of the other products we driven by Hilux performing extremely electric vehicles because they’re not really face in the marketplace.

18 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK INTERVIEW

It’s a very welcome addition to our range but we’re working very closely with our and enables us to pursue even further in customers and indeed the leasing particularly the user-chooser market industry around localisation, which TOP PICKS where people are looking at having the really helped us last year. benefits around Benefit-in-Kind taxation, We have very close relationships with FERMA selects his but also without any of the issues around a lot of the major leasing companies, and stand-out cars range anxiety that you’d get with a full EV. what localisation means is that we take the order from the leasing company and And what’s the reaction been so far? we give it to the local dealer. PAS T Q What has demand been like in the That really helped us during lockdown, LANCIA DELTA INTEGRALE early stages? because in essence when we want one of I think back to the rallying from that The initial demand has been fantastic our dealers to deliver a car, they only have era. I remember driving in Italy and A and we are actually going to be putting to deliver it around the corner to the there must have been a Delta rally a request in for more supply; we’re still customer. And what we found was that if going on. About 20 of them flew past, pushing for that because demand is you had to distant-supply, then there bumper to bumper, and just looked super-high on that at the minute. were all sorts of factors that cause the fantastic. It took my breath away; the problems, such as can you get hold of car just looks amazing and it kind of What else is going to be of interest drivers, can they travel. Sometimes sums up that era, I guess. Q to fleets in terms of new product those drivers were of an older age from Toyota this year? group so therefore were shielding, I think for me it’s the breadth of which caused a lot of delays about A products that’s coming out. We have getting vehicles out there. Highlander, new Mirai, Proace EV and Yaris That’s why localisation massively Cross (see panel, left). In all of those are helped us during these lockdown and different technologies. Highlander and restricted-trading periods, because we Yaris Cross are hybrid, Mirai hydrogen and were able to successfully deliver the Proace EV. And then we’ve got the electric vehicles to our customers in a Covid-safe Lexus UXe as well. It’s exciting to have way, in a timely manner by the local such different technologies coming out dealer who’s going to look after that car. into the marketplace to service, and to That really helped us in 2020 and is still look after, all the different channels in the helping us now. fleet market at the moment. This really demonstrates that we’re Is that a benefit that will continue technology-neutral. All the powertrains Q as we move out of lockdown or was PRESENT have got their own purpose, and it it quite a specific thing around Covid-19? TOYOTA GR YARIS recognises different customer needs and The whole purpose of it was to give a It’s got to be GR Yaris hasn’t it? It’s requirements. And then obviously we’ve A great handover to our fleet customers, a breathtaking car. It looks amazing, CCT added in the new RAV4 plug-in hybrid, to the drivers, and to provide a great level the drive is superb, the reviews which has got that performance factor to of service and aftercare service by the are fantastic and it’s a future classic. it as well. In all, we’re really excited about local dealer to the local fleet, or to the the different technologies that we’re local driver. So that’s a clear part of our bringing out this year, and the expansion strategy. And it just really came into of our range into new segments and to even more benefit during lockdown help us get new customers. because of the easier way they could hand over these cars and deliver the So what would be your signal of vehicles. Some of our dealers do distant- Q success this year? supply for other manufacturers, and they We want to increase our market share were struggling in a lot of instances to get A even further in core fleet channels; those cars out. that’s what we’ll be focusing our major efforts on. Because you can look at market Is Toyota on a growth target for the share in different ways, but we very much Q continuation to the point where you look at how we’re progressing in core fleet get up to where Ford and Volkswagen sales, and historically we’ve done very, volumes are, or is there a natural point very well in that regard. Last year we had a where you’re at a good level without FUTURE very good year in the true fleet channels having to push into other channels? TOYOTA MIRAI and we’d like to see further growth in Toyota is always looking to grow in It’s our direction in terms of hydrogen those channels with our new products. A the market, but to grow the right and new Mirai; the technology around way. We don’t have any one particular that and the long-term role of What else did you do last year to help brand, or manufacturer in our sights; we hydrogen is super-exciting. Q drive market share growth in fleet? want to make sure we grow in a sustained I think there are a couple of things way, into the right markets and we have a A that have really helped. Undoubtedly, blended portfolio of markets and our product range has helped massively, customers that we deal with.

Ferma on… toyota/lexus’s biggest challenge in 2021 It will be the amount of products that we’re bringing out, and getting people to experience them this year. Also, getting people to be aware of all our different products. That’s our biggest challenge, as both Toyota and Lexus brands.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 19

The GREEN PAGES GREEN

FOCUS ON... Your monthly special report on all things green in fleet VOLVO No-one left BEHIND How to ensure all your drivers come along on the EV journey

Guest opinion Aston Barclay MD Potter talks used EVs

EV CHARGING: How important is charge cost? THE BENEFITS OF EVs

EV SCEPTICS: TAKING THE BRAKES OFF How to stop drivers being left behind in the rush to switch to EVs

On the face of it, electric vehicles are an more nuanced, believes Tim Dickson, AGE VERSUS ENTHUSIASM easy sell. Remind an employee of the 1% founder of the Ecomore training and So if it’s too simplistic to think of older BiK banding for 2021/22, and you would consultancy company. drivers as EV sceptics, which groups do think that if an EV is available, they’d jump “There’s a happy band of older early need convincing? at the chance. However, there’s evidence adopters,” he says. “I don’t think you can “You’re just as likely to find that die-hard that some drivers are still reluctant to say as a rule that age is a barrier.” motoring enthusiasts of any age are choose an EV. In some respects, an EV can be an easier anti-electric vehicle,” says Dickson, A survey of more than 2000 adults choice for older drivers, believes James who worked in motoring journalism carried out for professional services firm McKemey, head of insights at Pod Point. before starting Ecomore. KPMG found that range-anxiety was the He says: “We have certainly installed How do you convince a petrolhead that top concern for 75% of over 55s, dropping plenty of home chargers for more mature electric vehicles aren’t the death knell for to 40% for those aged 18-34. Research customers, including plenty of retirees, so enjoyable driving? Dickson says: “Getting by Deloitte found a similar pattern, with there is no doubt BEVs work just great for people into the cars is key. The eye- drivers aged 51 and over proving the drivers of all ages. Indeed, drivers are more opening acceleration really grabs you. least likely to consider an EV. likely to live in homes with off-street It’s important for non-enthusiast drivers, So, younger drivers are pro EV and older parking as they get older, making a move too, who will discover that an EV is really drivers are anti? In reality, the picture is to electric vehicles more manageable.” easy to drive – even easier than a

22 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK The GREEN PAGES

and colleagues back-up for the occasional longer drive, who already is a really efficient stepping stone that drive an EV prepares the driver to go fully electric,” can be a great argues McKemey. way of finding out useful MAKE IT EASY information. To help drivers choose appropriate It can also help company cars – and to use them dispel myths appropriately – businesses need to or concerns, educate their employees, says Down. and share “A good starting point is simply providing Simon Down unfiltered information to potential drivers to bridge feedback on the knowledge gap between perception their experiences.” and reality.” The rapidly expanding number of Advice and guidance from employers manufacturers offering EVs will also be a should acknowledge that not all usage factor in winning over sceptics. “The patterns and journey types are equally growing choice of brands offering EV well suited to an EV, Dickson believes. products can only aid take-up,” says Jamie “Companies need to be honest. There’s a Hamilton, Deloitte’s head of electric lot of evangelical hard-selling of EVs, and vehicles. He adds: “Broadening the choice being dismissive of ‘normal’ cars when an of brands available, alongside a wider EV might not be right for someone.” choice of body style, price range, and The reliability of the charging network is performance, moves the buying decision one aspect of running an electric car about away from EV-specific issues like battery which EV-sceptics may have a point, range, to a more traditional buying process, believes Dickson. “The functionality of the such as brand loyalty and image.” network needs to be addressed; there’s too much complexity and rivalry at the HOME ADVANTAGE moment,” he believes. A test drive and some EV evangelism will While the shortcomings and only go so far if complexities of the UK charging someone has network may be outside of a fleet well founded manager’s remit, confusion around how reasons to think and where to charge when driving on an EV or business is something businesses can CCT a plug-in hybrid address. “Fleet managers need to make isn’t for them, it clear and simple which charging such as nowhere networks should be used on business, to charge while also letting drivers understand overnight. they can use other chargers at their However, own convenience,” says Dickson. while it might seem counter- Tim Dickson POST-PANDEMIC TRAVEL intuitive, Dickson The Covid-19 pandemic has changed believes having a the way we live in so many ways, not home charger is more important to getting least how we work. With more of us the most from plug-in hybrid (PHEV) clocking on at home, and travelling long rather than a battery electric vehicle distances less often, an EV will make a (BEV). “Given the increasing range of BEVs, better fit with a greater number of drivers, if you have workplace charging or live near believes Jamie Hamilton, Deloitte’s head to a reliable public charging point, then you of electric vehicles. “Lockdown measures can get along without a home charger. and the mass But a plug-in hybrid won’t be an shift to remote efficient mode of transport if you can’t working have start every journey with a full battery resulted in conventional charge. If you can’t charge many people automatic.” at home, then you simply shouldn’t driving less If drivers have one. Otherwise you’re carting and making don’t have a around heavy electric technology shorter, more chance to drive that will go to waste.” local journeys. an EV, the Pod Point’s McKemey agrees. “Too “This is experiences often PHEVs have been purchased for reducing range of colleagues tax advantages, but scarcely charged, anxieties. James McKemey can be the next making them effectively quite inefficient With those Jamie Hamilton best thing. internal combustion-engine vehicles.” not expecting “Often those who However, allowing drivers to choose a to return to have made the switch are passionate PHEV can help them make the transition to pre-Covid work or travel patterns, their about it, and happy to share their EV driving a BEV, so long as the plug-in reduced travel profile should stay.” experience,” says Simon Down, tax technology is used as intended. If tax incentives and low costs aren’t associate director at Deloitte. “Peer “A PHEV that is regularly charged and enough to convince drivers about EVs, experiences can be very powerful in covers much of its miles within electric perhaps this shift in the way we work will. the move to EVs. Speaking to friends range, using the petrol drivetrain as a David Motton

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 23 Adding EVs to your fleet?

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Whether you're adding your first plug-in hybrid or taking an entire fleet electric, we’ll make sure you’ve got charging that’s right for a single vehicle and scales to hundreds when you need it to.

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Explore fleet charging with us here: pod-point.com/fleet MANUFACTURER PROFILE The GREEN PAGES GREEN FOCUS ON: ✪ STAR CAR Volvo XC40 Recharge

WHAT IS IT? Volvo’s first all-electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge, which slightly confusingly is the same branding used for the XC40 plug-in hybrid.

CO2 EMISSIONS? Nothing. HOW QUICK IS IT? A sub-five second 0-62mph time is pretty darned rapid, with the whopping 300kW motor producing the equivalent of 408hp in a small crossover model. A new smaller electric car is also set to follow, based on parent company Geely’s WHAT’S THE RANGE? new EV platform, along with at least one The official range figure sits at 257 Volvo more electric vehicle by 2025. miles, with an 80% charge possible from empty in 40 minutes, if you The Swedish company PLUG-IN HYBRIDS can find a lesser-spotted 150kW Volvo has now gone beyond simply having charging point. has long been at the a plug-in hybrid for each model in its range, IS IT TAX-EFFICIENT? with a total of 11 PHEVs across its seven Yep. From April, it will be in the 1% forefront of the move models; the XC60 tops that list with three BiK band, which will mean £20 per towards electrification different power outputs of plug-in hybrid, month for a higher-rate taxpayer including the high-performance Polestar on the First Edition model, the only Volvo jumped on to the electrification Engineered model that produces 405hp one currently on the price list. It is bandwagon early, being the first from a combination of petrol engine and £59,950 though. manufacturer to offer a plug-in hybrid electric motor. The S80 saloon is available ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW? version of each of its models, and its only with a PHEV powertrain, and both More affordable versions with model line-up features extensive mild the XC40 and V60 have two different lower power, lower spec and hybrid use, as well as a rapidly reducing PHEV alternatives. two-wheel drive will follow. availability of diesel. Indeed, Volvo pledged that from the S60 saloon, which THE WIDER PICTURE launched in 2019, no new Volvo would have The brand aims to have sold more than a a diesel engine. million electrified cars by 2025, at which In fact, only the entry XC40 T2 and point 50% of Volvo’s sales will be fully T3 models don’t feature mild hybrid electric models and the other half hybrid. It assistance, while only the larger V60 and then plans to be 100% electric by 2030. V90 estates and XC60 and XC90 SUVs The company is also looking at its have a diesel option. The saloon S60 is footprint, with the aim of achieving petrol mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid-only. climate-neutral manufacturing operations The company has its first pure electric by 2025, reducing its overall carbon vehicle launching imminently in the form footprint by 40% per car in that time of the XC40 Recharge (see Star Car, right versus 2018 figures, and cutting total and CCT Review on page 30), which is the operating carbon emissions by 25% on first of at least five new EVs that will arrive 2018, including business travel and its at the rate of one per year. The next one retailer network. The long-term goal is to is the C40 (see Coming Next, below), and be entirely carbon neutral by 2040, with beyond that, the new XC90 is likely to be Volvo claiming that 80% of its global plants the third one. are powered by renewable energy.

coming next… Volvo says its new car has “all the Volvo’s second electric car, and the first benefits of an SUV but with a lower and one it will launch only as an EV, is due in sleeker design”, featuring the higher the UK at the beginning of 2022. SUV seating position but a more coupe- The C40 will be on sale from this like roofline than its XC40 sibling. summer, and comes with a range of Radically, Volvo has said its C40 will up to 261 miles, with an 80% charge only be available to order online, although possible within 40 minutes from a how that will work for fleets and leasing fast-charge point. companies is still to be determined.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 25 THE FUTURE FOR PHEVS

COST: EFFECTIVE? The everyday cost of electric vehicle charging isn’t at the forefront of many people’s minds while infrastructure concerns remain, but how important is it, and how important will it become in the future? The Government recently announced a “The most important aspects are that consumer wide-ranging new consultation into the chargers are available and that they work,” experience at public charging experience for electric EVA England director Gill Nowell tells public charge vehicle drivers, covering four main areas: Company Car Today. “It’s a really strong points claims ease of payment, opening up data on theme that convenience over price is really that drivers charge point location, ensuring important to drivers, although people tend would like to see chargepoint reliability and using a single to avoid the really expensive ones.” She better pricing payment metric – allowing drivers to says the figure of up to around 30p per information. understand and compare pricing across kWh is seen as a fair price by EV drivers, “We want UK networks as they currently do with and that the majority of users are aware of consumers to be petrol and diesel prices on a pence per litre the cost of charging at different networks. able to easily basis at different fulling stations. “The trend from drivers is that they are compare the Gill Nowell But how important is that to drivers well acquainted with the most expensive cost of charging now, and how is that likely to change going networks and most unreliable networks, between forward? And how aware are drivers although it’s tricky because in some cases different networks, helping drive currently of the cost to charge their they are the only option,” she continues. competition and bring down prices,” said electric vehicle? “But hopefully reliability is improving the official consultation document. According to the Electric Vehicle because of the ease of reporting points “Evidence suggests that consumers Association England, an organisation that don’t work, and as more and more are confused by a lack of comparability formed last summer to represent and give options emerge every day, people know of pricing information at either public a voice to current and future EV drivers, which ones they can trust.” chargepoints or through other means, for quantity and quality of charging points are example, smartphone apps.” still the key things to EV drivers relying on COST TRANSPARENCY Although there is no totem pole-style the public network. The Government consultation into the pricing display for charge points, as there

26 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK The GREEN PAGES

PER KWH COST TO CHARGE residential and workplace charging, as well Connection Cost to – charge Cost to charge Cost to charge as a fast, hassle-free and reliable high- fee subscription membership contactless power network for longer EV journeys.” Ionity is owned by a group of car Ionity 350kW 0 tbc n/a 69p manufacturers – Audi, BMW, Ford, BP Pulse 0 12p* 18p 27p Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche (AC charger) – which offer their own drivers cheaper BP Pulse 50kW 0 15p* 25p 42p access to the Ionity charging points. BP Pulse 150kW 0 27p* 42p 42p At the other end of the scale is Gridserve, the company that recently Instavolt 0 n/a n/a 35p opened the first of what it says will be at GeniePoint Rapid £1.00** n/a n/a 30p least 100 sprawling charging sites across GeniePoint 50p n/a n/a 30p the country. Its goal is to provide a solution Ecotricity 0 n/a 15p 30p to the local EV drivers who can’t charge Osprey 0 n/a n/a 36p at home, so is priced accordingly. “The comparison would be with a local *£7.85 per month **£1.80 inside the M25 petrol station that serves the community primarily but it’s also on the edge of a busy road to get faster traffic, rather is for petrol stations, charge point have got to do is to than a motorway whose entire companies generally do a good job of make sure that function really is serving passing making their costs obvious from a quick charging is no traffic,” Gridserve chief executive google search, and on apps such as more hassle Toddington Harper tells Company Zap-map. The geographical spread of than refuelling.” Car Today. charging points means it just takes more That’s especially “The pricing element is obviously planning than driving on from one petrol true for fleets, not the comparison with the station to the next one down the road. where a single fuel motorway service stations that are card covers a large normally more expensive than a local IN DEFENCE OF number of refuelling petrol station. We set our prices as to SUBSCRIPTIONS transactions. Pia Bretschneider be as competitive as possible, which BP Pulse, formerly BP Chargemaster, “I doubt as a fleet is why we’re quite a lot less has a more complex set-up than other manager you’re expensive than other people in this charge point providers, with a subscription going to want your employees coming in space.” Indeed, the company charges service, a free membership and a turn- every month with dozens of contactless 24p per kWh across its 36 charging points up-and-pay contactless offering, all at payment receipts,” continues Callow. of speeds from 22kW to 350kW. CCT different prices. The company also then “That’s why we’ve had a single invoice and “If you do what some of the other has different pricing for the different levels account for fleets; they want all their guys are doing, which is kind of charging of charging – regular AC points that are public charging from us on a single bill.” whatever they think they can charge generally up to 7kW, 50kW and high- without really doing the maths and making powered 150kW chargers. BUILDING A NETWORK it economically attractive to customers, it “For people that are regularly charging, One of the most expensive networks means that you’ll be seen as a last resort, subscription tends to provide them with at present is run by Ionity, although as opposed to a regular option,” Harper better value and we’re seeing the majority the reason for the expense is at least continues. “And also, it doesn’t really help of usage on our network is via a partially down to the company providing the 40 or 50% of people who can’t charge subscription product,” said BP Pulse’s ultra-powerful 350kW charging stations their vehicle at home.” head of insight and external affairs, Tom in motorway locations to enable high- Callow. He also claims that the company mileage EV travel. THE EVOLUTION OF has the UK’s largest network of “We remain committed to building CHARGING COSTS contactless chargers that require no a network of high-power chargers for Looking at how charging costs could subscription, membership card or app. consumers that enables long-distance evolve, EVA England’s director, Gill Nowell, “The thought that everyone wants travel in an EV,” says Pia Bretschneider, can see some competition coming into the contactless, and that subscriptions and Ionity country manager UK and Ireland. marketplace as the geographical spread of memberships are terrible, doesn’t seem “That means we are making a significant charging points increases. to be reflected in real-life behaviour. It’s investment into building up and operating “I’m looking at some great companies something people tend to suggest when high-power charging stations in that will be wanting to recoup their they don’t drive an electric vehicle, but 24 countries across Europe.” investment. However, they will also want when they get behind the wheel they She continues: “Most EV drivers will use to build their brands, so it’s likely you’ll see realise it makes sense.” the Ionity chargers on a longer journey; special offers start to come through to Callow likened the subscription offering this means also that the majority of boost the competitive angle,” she says. to a mobile phone contract. charging transactions take place “They may even offer different bundles “You don’t spend ages thinking about elsewhere, typically at home or work of services; maybe not just charging but the contract that you have, you work out where the car remains parked for several also your domestic energy as well. which one is right for you and you use hours and where the driver pays a lower “But I do think cost of charging will that,” he says. “For example, I know that rate for the charged energy. move up people’s agenda, although it a pay-as-you-go phone doesn’t work for “Decisive for a successful transition depends on the type of journey. If people me, but it might for other people. What we to EVs will be availability and cost of are just doing the odd road trip and have to stop and charge it will depend on choice The thought the everyone wants and range, but if there’s only one option you’re not going to drive out of your way contactless doesn’t seem to be to find another site. Rapid-charge location and reliability trumps price.” reflected in real-life behaviour Paul Barker

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 27 The GUEST OPINION GREEN PAGES

OPINION Dealer belief boosts used market for EVs Martin Potter, managing director, Aston Barclay and hybrids We now know that the electric vehicle established very quickly. these have had resistance from the revolution is completely upon us. Contract hire monthly rentals consumer. The pricing starts to conflict Every day we see a new electric car have dramatically reduced as residual with the new car prices boosted by being launched or read a new story values have increased, and generally manufacturer incentives and about greater investment in the the overall supply chain is maturing government grants bringing them charging infrastructure. extremely rapidly. too close to the used market. The speed at which this the EV Aston Barclay has kept a close eye revolution is changing the face of the on used trends since it added DIFFERENT BUYERS company car market is truly amazing. alternatively fuelled vehicles to its WANT DIFFERENT THINGS More drivers are choosing to get into a quarterly insights report back in We are also seeing many different new EV, but we must not lose sight January 2017. In Q1 2017, the average buyers for different types of AFV to than in two, three or four years’ time price of AFVs was £10,602, which meet the needs of different drivers. they will be sold and become a used was a quite considerable £2345 more This in turn means demand and prices car for the first time. than a diesel of similar vintage, and can be very different for EVs, plug-in £6922 more than a petrol. hybrids (both petrol and diesel) and USED MARKET STARTING During Q3 2019 the gap between self-charging hybrids, which is why TO ACCEPT ELECTRIC used AFVs and diesel and petrol the industry can no longer lump in As recently as 2019, the used market reached its peak. Average AFV prices all the low- or zero-emission vehicles was still unsure about who was going reached £14,012 - respectively £6622 under one label. to buy EVs and hybrids as used cars, and £9799 more than the average price The devil is in the detail and a and so struggled to work out how of a comparable diesel and petrol car. 30-mile plug-in hybrid might not be much they were worth. In the Restricted supply of used AFVs in every green motorists’ cup of tea but beginning the residual values were 2019 kept prices high, but during 2020 for a driver who doesn’t want the very difficult to predict without any consumers and dealers started to worries of charging on long journeys it historic knowledge of appetite or consider that the price gap between might be perfect. depreciation intelligence. running a low- or zero-emission car Consequently, EV monthly rentals compared with an equivalent petrol BUY THE POWERTRAIN THAT were high, but fast-forward to 2021 and or diesel was too large. BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS the hybrid and EV used market is now The result has been a mixed Taxi drivers have found the self- much more established with dealers situation whereby certain AFVs have charging hybrid to be extremely confident in buying used cars to put on been popular and wholesaling quickly, practical while an earlier EV may be their forecourts. and these appear to have been perfect as a second car. driven by price range on the retail We must not forget that the EVs KNOW YOUR MARKETPLACE forecourt in and around the sub- coming into the used market currently – AND YOUR CUSTOMERS £15,000 retail price. offer a range of 100 miles or so. Dealers better understand the profile However, where the differential The models with ranges of 200-300 of buyer that are likely to purchase an of higher-valued stock becomes miles are just being launched into the EV or hybrid and dealers have played a significantly above the internal market and will take a little while before huge part in the used market becoming combustion-engined counterpart, they enter the used arena. So, we can guarantee the appeal, usability, and market size of hybrids and EVs will Dealers better understand the profile continue to change as and when these new models become used cars. I guess of buyers that are likely to purchase that is all part of the fun of being part and electric vehicle or hybrid of the EV revolution.

28 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK KNOWLEDGE The GREEN PAGES Figuratively Speaking All the key green company car information at your fingertips

PHEVs and NEW CARS ULEV GRANT BENEFIT-IN-KIND TAX The Government has a scheme to COMING SOON give money off the list price – but Plug-in hybrid vehicle company car Benefit- not the P11D value – of zero- in-Kind tax is, from April 2020, defined by the official electric range, across five bands FULL ELECTRIC emission vehicles. This is to the value of 35% of the car, up to a for cars under 51g/km. While none yet on Audi E-Tron GT Spring 2021 sale can break the 130-mile or 70-129-mile maximum of £3000. It also covers levels, it defines the tax paid on PHEVs Fiat 500 Spring 2021 hydrogen vehicles, although none across the three other bands. Mazda MX-30 Spring 2021 get under the current £50,000 Skoda Enyaq Spring 2021 grant threshold. Plug-in hybrids 40-69 miles – 6% BIK Volvo XC40 Recharge Spring 2021 are no longer included as of Audi A3 October 2018, and there is also an VW ID4 Spring 2021 BMW X5e £8000 grant towards the cost of Mercedes A-Class, B-Class, CLA, GLE Ford Mustang Mach-e May 2021 ultra-low emission LCVs. Peugeot 3008 Audi Q4 E-tron June 2021 Polestar 1 BMW iX3 Summer 2021 ELIGIBLE VEHICLES 30-39 miles – 10% BIK Ioniq 5 Summer 2021 Sub-50g/km costing under £50,000 BMW 225xe, 330e, 530e, 745e, X1e, X2e Mercedes-Benz EQA Summer 2021 with at least 70 miles of EV range: Cupra Leon Audi Q4 E-tron Sportback Mid 2021 35% grant to maximum of £3000 Citroen C5 Aircross BMW i3, i3s DS 7 Crossback Vauxhall Combo Life-e Autumn 2021 BYD e6 Ford Kuga Peugeot e-Rifter Autumn 2021 Citroen e-C4, e-SPaceTourer BMW i4 Late 2021 DS3 Crossback E-Tense Hyundai Ioniq Ford Mustang Mach-e Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace BMW iX Late 2021 Honda e Kia Niro Citroen e-Berlingo Late 2021 Hyundai Ioniq electric, Kona electric Land Rover Discovery Sport Seat El-Born Late 2021 Kia e-Niro, Soul EV Mercedes C-Class, GLA, E-Class Lexus UX300e CCT Tesla Model Y Late 2021 Mazda MX-30 MG HS Renault Megane 2022 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Peugeot 508 Mercedes-Benz EQE 2022 Drive, eVito Tourer Porsche Panamera MG 5, ZS Range Rover Evoque, Velar Mini Electric Renault Captur, Megane Sport Tourer PLUG-IN HYBRID Nissan e-NV200, Leaf Seat Leon Hyundai Tucson Spring 2021 Peugeot e208, e2008, eTraveller Polestar 2 Skoda Octavia, Superb Jaguar E-Pace Spring 2021 Renault Zoe Suzuki Across Jaguar F-Pace Spring 2021 Smart EQ Fortwo, EQ Forfour Toyota Prius PiH, RAV4 Kia Sorento Spring 2021 Tesla Model 3 Vauxhall Corsa e, Vivaro e-Life Vauxhall Grandland X Land Rover Defender Spring 2021 Volkswagen Golf, Passat Volkswagen e-Up, e-Golf, ID.3 Range Rover Velar Spring 2021 Volvo S60, S80, V60, V90 LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES Renault Megane hatch Spring 2021 Sub-30 miles – 12% BIK LCVs that have CO2 of under 75g/km BMW X3e Seat Ateca Spring 2021 and can travel for at least 10 miles on Mercedes GLC Volkswagen Tiguan Spring 2021 electric are eligible for an £8000 grant off the purchase price, up to 20% Mini Countryman Volkswagen Arteon Spring 2021 BD Auto eTraffic, eDucato (3.5t van) Mitsubishi Outlander Audi Q3 Summer 2021 Citroen e-Dispatch Volvo XC40 Jeep Compass Summer 2021 Ford Transit Custom PHEV NOTE A Range figures are the best in the line-up and LDV E80 may drop with higher-spec models. Figures taken from DS 4 November 2021 manufacturers’ websites and are for cars registered LEVC VN5 from April 2020. See p44 for full BiK tables. Jeep Grand Cherokee Late 2022 MAN eTGE Maxus eDeliver 3, eDeliver 9 Mercedes-Benz eVito, eSprinter Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial BY DEFINITION: THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POWERTRAIN Nissan e-NV200 ELECTRIC Powered own for between 20-50 hybrid systems provide DIESEL Still a logical Peugeot e-Expert by battery alone, with miles. Sub-50g/km an additional source of choice for higher- Renault Kangoo ZE, Master ZE a range varying from cars get a big company power to give a small mileage drivers, Vauxhall Vivaro-e just over 100 miles to car tax advantage. efficiency boost. especially now with VW ABT e-Transporter around 300 between RDE2-compliant diesels Zero-emission motorcycles and charges. These cars sit SELF-CHARGING PETROL The most that can avoid the four- scooters that can travel 31 miles in a 0% BiK tax band for HYBRID Doesn’t need popular fuel for more band BIK tax penalty. or 19 miles respectively between 2020/21. to be plugged in, but can than a century, petrol charges are also eligible for a £1500 generally only propel is enjoying a resurgence FUEL CELL Hydrogen grant, up to 20% of the price. There PLUG-IN HYBRID the car under battery in the wake of diesel’s fuel cell vehicles emit are currently 27 motorcycles and 35 Combines a petrol or power for around a mile. environmental nothing but water and mopeds listed on the DfT website. diesel engine with a criticism. Downsizing can be refuelled in the For information on all the eligible battery capable of MILD HYBRID Either and turbocharging has same time as a petrol or vehicles and ULEV grants, see www. powering the car on its 12-volt or 48-volt, mild increased efficiency. diesel. Still rare though. gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 29 Behind the wheel of CCT Review the latest fleet metal

VOLVO XC40 RECHARGE P8 AWD

Volvo has become the latest brand to join should be, probably more than an XC40 will the same hefty 452-litre boot space the rush to electric power, with its first full ever need to be, especially with the supplemented by a 31-litre storage area EV arriving as the brand pledges to move searing immediacy of electric vehicle under the bonnet, thanks to the absence to become an EV-only company by 2030. acceleration. The four-wheel-drive of an engine. This is a handy space best The XC40 Recharge pure electric follows sure-footedness in greasy conditions used to store the charging cables as it’s Volvo’s recent pattern of launching initially and good body control mean there’s no plastic lined so damp leads can be kept as a single high-spec, high-power and problem handling the power, but there is away from luggage. high-price trim level, although The cabin is a lovely place, other versions are set to follow, It has a range of 257 miles, with the XC40’s combination of potentially towards the end of good-quality materials laid out this year. These could be a and is much faster than an in a distinctive and visually combination of lower power pleasing way. The Volvo has output, lower trim levels and XC40 will ever need to be always surprised for quite how two-wheel drive, rather than much interior space its fairly the launch car’s four-wheel drive. a question mark about whether this much compact dimensions house, and this is To start with, the XC40 arrives as a performance is necessarily required in maintained in the electric model, which £60,000 First Edition 408hp all-wheel such a crossover model. Nevertheless, it’s joins petrol and plug-in-hybrid variants. drive model with a very usable official there, and it’s certainly rapid. The electric XC40 is also the first Volvo range of 257 miles and a frankly crazy The installation of the batteries hasn’t to get the company’s new Android-based sub-five second 0-62mph time. taken anything away from the car’s infotainment system, which deploys And it’s as quick as it sounds like it practicality, in fact it has enhanced it, with Google Assistant, Google Maps and the

30 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW

SPECS PRACTICAL XC40 has decent MODEL: Volvo XC40 space for four adults, Recharge P8 AWD and the boot is a P11D: £59,950 hefty 452 litres. RANGE: 257 miles Better still, charging : 0g/km cables can be kept CO2 under the bonnet ON SALE: Now

POWER XC40 offers a huge 408hp, which gives it the sort of acceleration that will have kids in the back seat demanding a repeat performance

Google Play Store that will be familiar to and rear seats and steering wheel, users of that phone operating system in hands-free powered tailgate, powered particular. It’s certainly a cleaner layout front seats, wireless phone charging, than the previous Volvo system, which had panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, a more cluttered but everything-within-a- 20-inch alloy wheels and premium click approach. metallic paint all as standard. The only The new system, which will gradually thing left on the options list is a towbar. make its way across all Volvos in time, will The high price puts the XC40 up into be helped by a free-of-charge over-the- the reaches of larger premium electric air update due in the summer that will add SUVs such as the Audi e-tron, BMW Apple CarPlay to the software, enhancing iX3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC, all of the connectivity. which are within around £5000 of Until then, streaming from a phone is this extremely highly specced but more only over the more old-school feel of compact Volvo, which can admittedly Bluetooth, but apart from that short-term out-perform any of them. frustration, there’s a cleaner modernity to The other rival is Lexus’ recently VERDICT: Very rapid yet very sensible in the new system. launched UX300e, which is comparable in every other way, it’s just a shame that we As could be expected from an expensive size terms, and even in fully loaded top have to wait for the more affordable launch model, the XC40 is very well Takumi specification costs £6500 less versions of Volvo’s pricey but otherwise equipped, getting everything Volvo could than the Volvo. More affordable XC40 EVs very impressive first electric vehicle. find to fit to a car, including heated front will, in time, be welcomed by businesses. Paul Barker

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 31 The Renault Megane Sport Tourer’s There are new bumpers, a new grille and given up by rival plug-in hybrid estates mid-life facelift consist of much more than LED lighting front and rear on all trims. such as the Kia Ceed, Seat Leon or Skoda the usual improvements to tech and the Door handle lighting also appears. Octavia, although the Megane had a looks, because the brand has added a On the inside, the Megane now has a pair smaller boot to start; it offers 389 litres, plug-in hybrid powertrain. of new and clearer displays, with the compared with 437 for the Kia, 470 for the A hatch version will follow this summer, 10.0-inch dash screen joined by a 9.3-inch Seat and 490 for the Skoda. but for now the Megane PHEV comes touchscreen on top RS Line models, and A longer EV range also means the Skoda only in estate form. two seven-inch screens on Iconic trim. sits four BiK bands better than the Renault, It makes it into the 13% although the Megane and Leon company car Benefit-in-Kind are two bands better than the band for 2021/22 thanks to an The powertrain sometimes Ceed, which can’t hit an official electric-only range of 30 miles. flips-flops between petrol 30 miles for its battery range. The electric motor works in The PHEV has three driving conjunction with a 1.6-litre and EV on long uphill drags modes; Pure offers EV-only petrol engine for a combined running, MySense optimises 160hp that makes the plug-in the most The plug-in hybrid loses over 130 litres hybrid running and can also save the powerful Megane this side of the hot hatch of boot space compared to the petrol or battery for later in the journey, and the RenaultSport version. It joins the 140hp diesel Megane Sport Tourer, because of Sport mode combines both petrol and petrol and 115hp diesel engines carried the positioning of the batteries beneath battery for maximum performance. over from the pre-facelift Megane. the floor. Still, this is in the region of that Running in the middle one allows the car

RENAULT MEGANE PHEV SPORT TOURER ICONIC E-TECH 160 SPORT

32 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW to switch between systems depending on SPACE the speed and how hard the accelerator is pushed. However, the Megane powertrain Practicality has been does occasionally get in a flap and affected in the move flip-flops between petrol and electric, to PHEV power, especially on drags up hills. because the fitment of the batteries This is also a situation that doesn’t show under the floor has the car’s refinement in the best light, with reduced boot the petrol engine a bit louder that is ideal space when under duress. Otherwise, the PHEV is a useful addition, particularly for job-need fleets that require a decent boot space to go with the controlled running costs of a PHEV.

VERDICT: Well priced against rivals and a sensible PHEV addition to the Megane range that comes with a mild revision of Renault’s lower-medium model. Paul Barker

SPECS MODEL: Renault Megane Iconic E-Tech 160 Sport Tourer P11D: £30,940 RANGE: 217.3mpg

CO2: 30g/km ON SALE: Now

INTERIOR The plastics all feel like they’ll last, and higher- spec models come with a large, clear touchscreen. Climate controls are separate, thankfully

RENAULT GETS ELECTRIFIED

The Megane Sport Tourer plug-in hybrid and its Captur PHEV sibling continue Renault’s move into the electrification of its car range, along with the regular HYBRID Clio hybrid which landed at the Plug-in powertrain beginning of this year. The Megane allows Renault to do hatch PHEV will follow this summer. 30 miles of electric- The French brand has pledged to only motoring, then launch seven new full electric vehicles evoking the look of the 1980s Renault 5 the engine kicks in to by 2025, one of which is confirmed to hatchback (pictured). make this a decently be the replacement for the Megane As well as the EVs, a further seven powerful Megane next year. This new Megane will come cars will be launched by 2025 with with a range of around 280 miles. hybrid powertrains, as part of Renault’s Renault also recently revealed a goal of having the greenest range in concept car called the 5 Prototype, Europe by the middle of this decade.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 33 CITROEN E-SPACETOURER FEEL

Electrification has hit the big and practical MPV sector in a major fashion, with the Citroen e-SpaceTourer, and its Peugeot e-Traveller and Vauxhall Vivaro e-Life pure electric siblings hitting the market as the only eight-seat-plus rivals to the Mercedes-Benz EQV. If you ignore the fact that the Merc is around £20,000 more expensive. An official maximum range figure of 143 miles isn’t great in the face SPECS RANGE of superminis that can do more than 200 miles, but this is the P11D: £49,210 It’s true that the big same powertrain as the other RANGE: Citroen has a range of 143 miles just 143 miles, which is smaller electrified models in considerably less than CO2: 0g/km the Stellantis line-up across aimed more at the larger Despite the supermini EVs can offer, but Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall, ON SALE: family market, while big Citroen Now there aren’t any superminis so the extra weight and less Business, which comes in having a price out there that can carry efficient aerodynamics of a larger five-to-nine-seat form, is the approaching nine people vehicle count against it. Those factors one targeted at the corporate £50,000, it isn’t are also a clue as to the performance of the market in terms of shuttles or other what you might call e-SpaceTourer, which by electric vehicle organisations that need to move larger sumptuous, with the standards is lacklustre. It contains the numbers of people in a green fashion. equipment levels on the functional side. equivalent of a 136hp powertrain in a large The Feel has the more versatile cabin, Still, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are eight- or nine-seater, depending on spec, with sliding seats on rails for optimising fitted, and there is a smart new gear so we shouldn’t be too hard on it. boot or leg space for the rear passengers, selection switch for the electric version. There are two trims – Feel and Business. while the Business layout is described by There are Eco, Normal and Power The five-, seven- or eight-seat former is Citroen as “a al carte” in terms of settings for the powertrain, while the configuration and equipment, touchscreen system allows delayed and that it can be tailored to charging and thermal pre-conditioning individual requirements. to optimise the vehicle cost of charging The electric SpaceTourer and range respectively. comes only in the M body length, rather than the XL version VERDICT: It’s not cheap but the running that’s available with the diesel costs and taxation benefits are significant, versions, and the battery pack and alongside Peugeot and Vauxhall sibling is positioned under the floor products, there’s little with electric power to avoid any impact on cabin that has anything like the versatility. space or practicality. Paul Barker

TRIMS There are only two trims – Feel is aimed at the domestic family market, while Business has been designed to cater for the commercial market, where it will serve well as a shuttle

34 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW

ENGINE The 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine has been given more power with this facelift, but despite that emissions drop significantly. It’s quiet, too, but the power delivery isn’t quite as instant as might be ideal

SPECS crisper and smarter to look P11D: £42,355 What none of the others at, and the larger width is FUEL ECONOMY: can match is the Audi’s obvious when you use Apple 44.8mpg residual value, which is the CarPlay, with more icons CO2: 165g/km deciding factor in giving it AUDI Q5 displayed at once. Audi also an overall running cost that ON SALE: 40 TDI QUATTRO 204HP SPORT claims the processor is 10 Now its rivals cannot match. times faster than its On the road, the Q5 doesn’t Audi has given its Q5 SUV a mid-life predecessor, which cures a feel as nimble or keen as BMW’s refresh, with a number of fairly mild small-scale quibble of the last car taking X3 in particular, and there is a slight changes inside and out denoting the too long to boot up navigation functions. hesitancy with the throttle response that updated model. The range launches with the 204hp the user will have to learn to drive around. A revised and shallower grille with larger diesel engine, badged 40 TDI under Audi’s But it’s quiet, the revised 2.0-litre diesel is bumpers is the most distinctive new naming system and 265hp 45 TFSI petrol, punchy when it gets going, and space is element of the front end, along with LED with two plug-in hybrid powertrains to good, although ride quality isn’t the headlamps replacing the previous Xenons follow. The diesel is 14hp more powerful Audi’s strongest suit. on the entry Sport model driven here; the than the pre-facelift Q5, yet CO2 emissions three higher trim levels of S Line, the fall significantly, from 189g/km to 165, VERDICT: A minor update gives the Q5 Edition 1 trim new to the Q5 and top-spec which is in line with the Q5’s main rivals – a slightly neater interior and better Vorsprung all now get Matrix LEDS. the BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes- touchscreen as well as a slight power On the inside, the main difference is a Benz GLC and Volvo XC60. All five are increase, but it’s basically more of the significantly larger touchscreen, with a covered by a 13g/km range, from the BMW same for a classy and popular SUV. 10.1-inch monitor replacing the previous at 156g/km through to the Jag’s 169g/km. Paul Barker 7.0-inch or 8.3-inch system, depending on spec. The touchpad control that was positioned ahead of the gearlever has also been replaced by a new stowage spot, which is no great loss because, on the move in particular, it wasn’t the most user-friendly method when the touchscreen works perfectly well. The touchscreen display is notably

INTERIOR Audi has long been famed for the quality and style of its cabins, and the new Q5 will do nothing to dent that. It’s neat and classy, while the touchscreen system boots up quickly and is simple to use

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 35 EFFICIENT Suzuki Swace offers emissions of just 99g/km, which will make it attractive to company car drivers. The downside is that it has a higher list price than the Toyota Corolla on which it’s based, which might dent its appeal

SPECS P11D: £29,119 FUEL ECONOMY: 64.2mpg the Swace gets a slightly different nose, refinement CO2: 99g/km with the area between the headlights levels under ON SALE: SUZUKI being the main point of difference from acceleration, Now its Toyota sibling; the Suzuki being sleeker, although it can still sharper and possibly a touch better looking be a little loud when than its donor car. full power is requested. SWACE The Swace comes in SZ-T and SZ5 spec, At low speeds, the battery-only power 1.8 HYBRID SZ5 with both getting the same powertrain and offers silent running for up to around a mile performance and efficiency figures, but the at a time on lighter throttle, while offering a The slightly bizarrely named Swace is the higher-spec model adding kit including boost to the petrol engine where required. second of a pair of Suzukis based very front and rear parking sensors, blind spot The brand predicts it will sell 2000 closely on Toyota models under an monitor and wireless phone charger. Swaces this year, making a decent agreement between the two Japanese All cars get Apple CarPlay and Android contribution to Suzuki’s volumes, companies that has also spawned the Auto, dual-zone climate control, heated especially in the fleet sector. RAV4-based Across. front seats and steering wheel, rearview Available only in estate form, the Swace camera and eight-inch touchscreen. VERDICT: The most fleet-friendly Suzuki is a rebadged Corolla, which is the Company The hybrid powertrain developed by ever, with emissions below 100g/km, Car Today CCT100 Lower Medium Car of Toyota has come on leaps and bounds over plus good practicality and kit. the Year. It uses Toyota’s excellent hybrid earlier systems, particularly around Paul Barker system, which combines a 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor for a joint 122hp and CO2 emissions of 99g/km, which isn’t too bad at all for a lower medium estate with almost 600 litres of boot space. By comparison, the Corolla has a best of 101g/km, so sits one BiK band higher, although the Toyota has an entry P11D price of £25,255 compared with the Suzuki’s higher £27,499 entry point, although the Swace is better equipped than the entry Corolla. Manufactured at Toyota’s plant in the UK,

CABIN You’ll be hard-pressed to tell Suzuki Swace cabin apart from that of the Corolla sister car. It’s well kitted though, with dual- zone climate control plus heated front seats and a heated steering wheel 36 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW AUDI E-TRON S QUATTRO 503HP 370KW

The e-tron S is the performance flagship of Audi’s electric SUV range, and a car designed to show that electric cars can be as fun as they are sensible. More than 500hp is a good place to start on that route, with Audi claiming that the first electric car to wear its S moniker for performance models is also the first CLASSY volume production car to use three Small interior upgrades electric motors. include a flat-bottomed Two of those power the e-tron SPECS S sports steering wheel, S in regular driving, giving it P11D: £87,620 and body-hugging S sports seats, which grip 435hp and a 5.1-second RANGE: 0-62mph time. The third one you strongly as you make 221 miles use of the considerable kicks in to give an eight-second CO2: 0g/km 223 for the more side sills and performance burst of additional power, ON SALE: aerodynamic Sportback. appealing 21-inch chopping more than half a second Now It’s capable of taking a alloy wheels. The off an already really rather rapid charge at up to 150kW, overall effect is a meaner acceleration time. which, if you can find one, will and more rapid-looking SUV. The e-tron comes in regular SUV form take the car from 5%-80% charged Audi expects half of the e-tron S (as driven here), which is likely to account in around half an hour. demand to come from senior executives for more than three-quarters of sales into As well as being ferociously fast and taking advantage of the huge BiK savings the fleet sector, or the more coupe-like responsive, the e-tron S is also more agile that come with an electric vehicle, which Sportback shape for an additional £1700 than might be expected of a large SUV, and means around 300 going into the corporate over the £87,000 starting price. while the ride is solid and sporting, it’s sector this year. It will be a huge year for This S version has a 221-mile range, or certainly not harsh. Audi’s electric models with first the e-tron The cabin, already lovely in a GT grand tourer and then the volume Q4 regular e-tron, also benefits from small SUV coming during 2021. a few extra touches, including the S sports front seats. VERDICT: Incredibly rapid and more The S is actually 46mm wider engaging and driveable than might be than the standard e-tron, due to expected from a high-powered electric the flared wheelarches that form SUV. Audi can consider the point proven part of the performance version’s about electric and entertainment not visual enhancements, including being mutually exclusive. the chrome door mirrors, bespoke Paul Barker

RAPID The S has no fewer that three electric motors, which combine to produce 503hp. In short, it has an accelerative intensity that will give drivers of Porsche 911s plenty to think about

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 37 CITROEN C3 FLAIR+ 110 EAT8

Citroen has facelifted its biggest-selling model, with the C3 supermini getting a new nose with distinctive turned-down lines to the grille and new LED lights that give the revised car a family look alongside the larger new C4 (see p12). The company describes the styling as more assertive, and it combines with a huge increase in personalisation on the revised car, which has leapt from 36 exterior colour SPECS combinations to 97. Citroen’s quest to be P11D: £20,010 renowned as the comfort RANGE: 42.2mpg specialist is present and COMFORT correct, with the revised CO2: 131g/km supermini’s front seats gaining ON SALE: Citroen has greatly Now a significant amount of extra increased the amount of foam to increase comfort, and cushion material in the C3’s seats, to enhance the although the interior doesn’t always level of comfort. The rest feel the plushest, it has plenty of character the majority of these going to the reasonable at of the cabin looks pretty and different shapes and textures to it. lower-powered version. 300 litres, and stylish, although some Citroen is still offering a 100hp diesel The comfort theme continues with the rear passengers trims feel cheap alongside the 83hp and 110hp petrol driving experience, with the C3 excellent will find more head engines, although it expects 95% of sales at mopping up bumps, but it comes at the and legroom than to be one of the unleaded drinkers, with deliberate expense of dynamism. many cars in the segment. It’s not a car for those that enjoy The C3 offers something a little different driving, but serves well those in the way it prioritises comfort over that prefer a comfortable ride. handling. It’s well priced against its key Refinement isn’t great, with the rivals and the improved looks give more engine proving vocal even under character and lift the appeal of an already- mild acceleration. decent, well packaged little car. Other spec changes include a new driver’s armrest, and front VERDICT: Nothing dramatic, but the C3 parking sensors offered for the maintains its place among buyers that first time on the C3, among the prioritise comfort over driving pleasure. 11 driver aids. Boot space is Paul Barker

ENGINE There are two petrol engines and one diesel, although the lower- powered petrol is expected to be by far and away the biggest seller. However, the 110hp petrol can be a bit loud

38 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW

SPECS P11D: £45,599 COMBINED MPG: 282.0mpg CO2: 22g/km ON SALE: Now

SUZUKI ACROSS 2.5 PHEV E-FOUR CVT

Suzuki’s first plug-in hybrid is a rebadged match (apart from the RAV4) with the powered tailgate are all standard, while version of the Toyota RAV4 PHEV. Peugeot 3008 PHEV the only other small metallic or mica paint are no-cost options. There are styling differences between SUV or crossover in the same BiK band. There’s plenty of space for passengers the two, with the Across getting a larger It’s as fast as it is efficient too, with the and luggage, with the 490-litre boot hefty one-piece grille and narrower headlamps 0-62mph sprint taking just 6.0 seconds. enough, although it’s the tax savings that than the Toyota. The Across handles better than a relatively will draw users to this PHEV. Despite the The new SUV offers emissions of just heavy SUV has any right to, and is more high P11D price, a 40% taxpayer will be 22g/km and an electric-only range of 46 entertaining than might be expected on paying just over £90 a month. miles, which puts it in the 6% BiK band for twistier roads. . 2020/21, rising to 7% for the next tax year, Suzuki is offering just the one trim on a VERDICT: Not a cheap option, but the thanks to its powertrain that combines car that is well equipped. Leather heated running costs certainly stack up thanks 2.5-litre petrol engine and 18kWh battery. front and rear seats, dual-zone climate largely to the excellent powertrain that It’s an EV range that none in class can control, a heated steering wheel and auto offers an EV range figure of 46 miles.

SPECS P11D: £40,905 COMBINED MPG: 44.1mpg CO2: 154g/km ON SALE: Now

All 5008s are still seven-seaters, with good passenger space in the second row in particular. Load space is useful, too, with a 3.2-metre load able to be accommodated inside with the front passenger seat tipped forward. a Black Pack, which brings a variety of The engine range carries over from the styling additions. pre-facelift 5008, which means 130hp and PEUGEOT These top models also get clever new 180hp power outputs for both petrol and full LED headlights as standard, fitted with diesel engines. The 180hp diesel in our test a fog mode that replaces conventional fog car offered pleasing levels of performance 5008 lights. Night vision is also offered for the and decent refinement, and while it’s a nice first time on the 5008, which highlights engine to live with, the 130hp version is GT PREMIUM the presence of pedestrians or other notably more efficient. hazards in reduced visibility. The update makes an enhancement Peugeot has revised its 5008, our Upgraded full LED tail lights are also to the 5008’s already-sharp looks, Company Car Today CCT100 SUV of the present, featuring Peugeot’s ‘lion claw’ improving what is already an impressive Year, with a new nose and improved signature and sequential indicators. SUV inside and out. technology on the inside. In the cabin, a new 10.0-inch . The range-topping GT and GT Premium touchscreen is fitted, alongside a 12.3-inch VERDICT: Smart upgrade enhances looks models are particularly notable, as they virtual cockpit dash display visible over and tech on an already award-winning get a unique grille, as well as the option of Peugeot’s small steering wheel. seven-seat SUV

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 39 The latest news from READ MORE about what it’s like Our fleet our long-term fleet to live with these cars at companycartoday. co.uk/long-term- tests KIA XCeed 1.6 GDI SPECS P11D: £30,640 PHEV 3 OFFICIAL COMBINED MPG: 201.8MPG TESTER’S NOTES OUR MPG: 91.5mpg CO2: 32g/km ● I welcomed the fact that the XCeed was on 16in alloy wheels for the resulting ride comfort. It hasn’t quite proved as Rolls-Royce-like as I’d hoped, but I’d always prefer it to the liquorice-thin profiles that have been the fashion of recent years. ● Electric car enthusiasts are usually keen to talk down plug-in hybrids, but I had long journeys The cold had a small planned in two different full EVs and impact on range had to factor in charging. So, I still welcome PHEVs with open arms. FINAL REPORT under-selling the XCeed’s potential. Yes, 2020 will go down in the history books for its 36-mile electric range (33 in the colder many things, but in automotive terms, months) is perfect for shorter journeys, perhaps it will be noted as the turning but at 68mpg it’s hardly been a slouch charge the XCeed at an official charging point for electrified vehicles of all kinds. when the batteries have been run down. point – and only because they were free. After all, more people will be working They’ve combined to a 91.2mpg average. Talking of charging, I’d prefer the ability from home and doing less commuting. When the Kia arrived, I was concerned to adapt the regenerative braking too. Still, That makes for the ideal environment for about the small 291-litre boot. In reality, it’s hard to argue with the running costs of a plug-in hybrid like the XCeed, and so it there were only two occasions when we a car that has also been a superbly has largely proved with us over the past could have done with more space. comfortable family car. six months. But perhaps that’s actually More interesting is that only twice did we Nat Barnes

For company car drivers, the app also into the car, despite my phone being set CITROEN C5 records your journeys and allows you to to ‘allow Bluetooth every time’. tag and filter them by work or pleasure, or I’ll see if the issue can be ironed out, Aircross PHEV anything you like really. Which would be because currently it means I can’t trust great, but for some reason it only records what the app says and makes the trip SECOND REPORT some of my journeys. This is doubly odd function useless. Connectivity is all with the latest cars and because it knows my total distance, it’s Tristan Young this goes double for cars you plug in and just missing some of my trip data. The charge up. Our Citroen C5 Aircross is no result is that if you look at my journeys, exception, with its MyCitroen app. the car seems to jump locations like it’s TESTER’S NOTES After an easy set-up procedure, the app been put on a transporter and moved. will show information such as the state of I currently suspect the problems may ● Anyone with kids will know you charge, electric and total range, when be linked to Bluetooth, put them in the back before opening a service is due and you can also send a which the app asks a front door. However, the keyless sat-nav destination from the app, or set permission to use SPECS entry only works on the front doors. the car to pre-heat on a frosty morning. every time I get P11D: £36,790 ● Love the illuminated charge port, OFFICIAL COMBINED which is really useful when plugging MPG: 157.2mpg in at night. Some premium rivals OUR MPG: 50.4mpg don’t do this. CO2: 32g/km

App can defrost the C5 Aircross from afar

40 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW

SECOND REPORT However, on the way up to Harrogate the SEAT Leon Although we’re in lockdown, I managed infotainment system froze – it couldn’t be to get a decent run up to Yorkshire and turned off, and audio volume and air-con e-Hybrid FR DSG back to collect my daughter, who’s on couldn’t be adjusted because they're from leave from the British Army. controlled through the screen. The sat-nav The Seat is a reasonably comfortable was down, too. After stopping at a place to be. The ride isn’t too harsh, but motorway services on the A1 and turning there is more road noise than I was the engine off, the infotainment screen expecting on the motorway. That said, and radio remained switched-on but the Leon does a good job at keeping unresponsive until the system decided to wind noise down. switch itself off after 10 mins or so. On Once out of EV charge, the 1.4TSI turning the engine on once again, all was engine performed well and was happy at back to normal – a technical ‘glitch’ which 70mph on cruise thankfully hasn’t yet been repeated. control – a function The rest of the 460-mile journey was that’s easy to use. SPECS unremarkable (as it should be), with the Seat performing as expected. Infotainment P11D: £31,115 wobble aside, it was a decent performance. OFFICIAL COMBINED Dave Wallace MPG: 217.3-235.4 mpg OUR MPG: 72mpg CO2: 27g/km TESTER’S NOTES

● The absence of buttons for volume and AC proved problematic when the Leon suffered a ‘glitch’. It is possible to go too minimalist! ● The taller sidewalls on the tyres, courtesy of the 17-inch alloys, make the Seat’s ride less harsh Leon's oily bits than it otherwise could be. performed well

FORD Puma 1.0 125 EcoBoost ST-Line X FIFTH REPORT TESTER’S NOTES Blimey. Been a bit chilly, hasn’t it. Cue Hovis theme tune, but it reminds me of my ● I love the fact that the Puma young days in Scotland, when I’d be sent out on freezing mornings to scrape the has a ‘proper’ handbrake. It means windows of my dad’s MK1 Volkswagen I can judge hill starts precisely, Passat (three-door original – wish I’d without having to wait for an bought it from him!). I was usually clad in algorithm to decide it’s time to shorts, because according to my mum release the brake. Much better. I was swaddled in a warm glow from a ● The presence of a wireless thick bowl of porridge (think of it as a charging pad is a real bonus, beer coat for kids), and I'd be fine if I just got the job done quickly. Yeah, right. I'm because it means that my better sure it was just because they'd invested half can charge her phone at the in shares in Lockets. same time as mine is plugged in Anyway, I have a suspicion that the for the Apple CarPlay system. staffer from Ford who came up with Nice one. the Quickclear windscreen was subjected to a similar “a wee bit of cold air’ll do you good” ice-removal task as a child, because it literally takes the sting out of the job. this, because sitting there while the car No more stingy fingers, no more leaning defrosts gives me more time to enjoy over the front wing getting the sumptuous tones from the standard- your clothes wet. fit Bang and Olufsen audio system Brilliant. Just switch (although I'm not sure you can call The SPECS on, press the button Dead Daisies and AC/DC sumptuous). P11D: £22,840 and sit there for Anyway, the sound is powerful, the OFFICIAL COMBINED two minutes while bass deep and the high notes are sharp MPG: 49.6mpg the screen sorts without being glassy. itself out. All in all, winter mornings just aren’t B&O audio OUR MPG: 45.6mpg In fact, there’s what they used to be. Thankfully system is great CO2: 127g/km a double benefit to Euan Doig

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 41 FLEET TAX GUIDE The Company Car Today Fleet Tax Guide provides fleet managers and company car drivers with a single, accurate source of information needed to navigate the world of car taxation in the UK.

CUSTOMISE Developed with Detailed and UPDATED customisable BIK FULLY UPDATED vehicle tax and calculator TO REFLECT finance expert for every car ENACTMENT OF on sale THE FINANCE BCF Wessex, ACT 2019 the web app offers ● Live BIK calculator for every new car on sale ● Up-to-date tax tables for everything from AFRs to VED, writing down allowances and BIK ● Detail about OPTIMISED Government There are no app store downloads to plug-in car grants manage; the guide will update itself ● Contains the latest with any changes to the rules and Treasury budget regulations summary ● Full glossary of fleet-relevant terms ● Download it to your smartphone or tablet

ACCESS IT NOW: www.companycartoday.co.uk/fleet-tax-guide KNOWLEDGE

IN ASSOCIATION Strong conditions WITH How important are age, condition and correctly classifying your defleeted vehicles?

Getting best value for a defleeted and demand generated through vehicle is a delicate balancing trick online auctions,” he tells Company TOP SECRETS between getting a top price as well Car Today. “It is evident that poor- as a quick sale. condition or mis-described vehicles BCA COO UK Automotive Cap HPI senior valuations editor are harder to sell.” Stuart Pearson shares his Jeremy Yea says: “There is no secret Cap HPI’s Yea says that both key thoughts on pricing to setting an auction reserve. It’s buyers and sellers understand the a car correctly at auction just a case of correctly assessing different grading levels, although the vehicle’s condition and NAMA vendors still price to Cap Clean levels LINE UP WITH THE MARKET grade applied (refurbished or non- when condition grading is low, and 1 It is critical to value your defleeted refurbished), exterior and interior will “tend to use Cap Average”. stock in line with market expectations. colour combination, optional extra Nothard also says sellers are Real-time intelligence can give a content, service history and relevant having to pay close attention to provenance, including the V5, while how they price low-mileage models. granular view of supply, demand and pricing to market conditions.” “In some instances, a lower pricing factors and can inform the Fluctuating market conditions mileage for the vehicle’s age can be best time and route to market. should be taken well into account, tough to sell as trade values give a MILEAGE STAYING STABLE says Cox Automotive insight premium for the mileage,” he says. 2 and strategy director Philip On the flip-side, higher-mileage Looking back over 2020 vs 2019, Nothard. “Sellers shouldn’t be too vehicles, which Nothard put at average mileage for corporate stock enthusiastic about the current trade 80,000 miles-plus, in top-level Grade was more stable than could have been values and maximise the activity 1 condition, can attract good money. expected. Some of this is likely to reflect the rise in homeworking following the onset of the pandemic. MILES FEWER MILES PRE-SALE FOR A SALE Predictably, given the past 12 The effect is less severe 3 There continues to be an months, vehicles coming to for the traditional defleeted important role for pre-sale preparation market now are showing drops company car at three to four and appropriate refurbishment to in average mileage. years old, as only one of those generate additional value as buyers According to Cap HPI, one- years was pandemic-affected. continue to focus on stock that can be year-old cars were showing However, Cap HPI’s Jeremy Yea turned around quickly. While additional a 12% fall in mileage for 2020 says mileages were falling before preparation may seem alien to the compared to 2019, and early data Covid-19, with working from concept of reducing time, BCA’s for 2021 suggests they will be home or public transport taking data-driven approach to refurbishment almost 30% down on 2020. the place of some journeys. has proven that speed of sale can be increased and additional value added, when an investment is made. PREPARED TO REPAIR? 4 SENSIBLE REFURBS MAKE SENSE Whether to repair damage or not is always a tricky question. Clearly, there is a balance to be struck to optimise the investment in “This can depend on current market conditions and what refurbishment against the sale price levels of supply are like at the time,” explains Cap HPI’s and speed to market. Simple scuffs senior valuations editor, Jeremy Yea. and damage to wheels and cosmetic “You also need to gauge the benefit of cost versus return, damage to paint and trim are relatively quick and economical to repair, yet can the wider credentials of the car and the total preparation provide a substantial uplift in any time. If the car has a chequered service record then it may vehicle’s desirability. not be worth it, but if it has a good, solid service history and READY-TO-GO MEANS BUSINESS you can lift the condition to grade four to grade three with 5 The best returns are seen from the relative ease, and by not adding too many days in stock, this shortest time from defleet to sale. This would be beneficial and should see a quicker speed of sale.” means ensuring vehicles are offered for But he says with heavier damage and vehicles on the lower sale with the V5, a valid MoT certificate, service history, spare keys, locking end of the condition scale, pricing lower for a quick sale in wheel nuts, sat-nav discs and any other line with Cap Average or Cap Below Average levels is the items that make the car complete. more sensible approach.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 43 Figuratively Speaking All the key company car numbers at your fingertips

COMPANY CAR BENEFIT-IN-KIND BANDS What does it all mean? INTELLIGENT PARK ASSIST CO EMISSIONS (G/KM) 2020/21* 2021/22* 22/23-24/25 DEFINITION: Intelligent Park Assist is a system 2 developed to help drivers when parking, be that Zero 0 1% 2% reversing into a parking space or parallel parking, 1-50 (EV range 130+ miles) 0% (2%) 1% (2%) 2% or even when departing from a parallel parking space. Systems uses sensors to work out where 1-50 (EV 70-129 miles) 3% (5%) 4% (5%) 5% obstructions and parking space boundaries lie, then 1-50 (EV 40-69 miles) 6% (8%) 7% (8%) 8% give the driver both audio and visual guidance while automatically operating the steering wheel. 1-50 (EV 30-39 miles) 10% (12%) 11% (12%) 12% 1-50 (EV sub-30 miles) 12% (14%) 13% (14%) 14% 51-54 13% (15%) 14% (15%) 15% VEHICLE EXCISE DUTY 55-59 14% (16%) 15% (16%) 16% FIRST-YEAR AND ANNUAL CHARGE (RIGHT COLUMN) FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED FROM 1 APRIL 2017 60-64 15% (17%) 16% (17%) 17% M G/K £ £ 65-69 16% (18%) 17% (18%) 18% 0g/km £0 £0 70-75 17% (19%) 18% (19%) 19% 1-50g/km £10 £150 76-79 18% (20%) 19% (20%) 20% 51-75g/km £25 £150 80-84 19% (21%) 20% (21%) 21% 76-90g/km £110 £150 85-89 20% (22%) 21% (22%) 22% 91-100g/km £135 £150 101-110g/km £155 £150 90-94 21% (23%) 22% (23%) 23% 111-130g/km £175 £150 95-99 22% (24%) 23% (24%) 24% 131-150g/km £215 £150 100-104 23% (25%) 24% (25%) 25% 151-170g/km £540 £150 105-109 24% (26%) 25% (26%) 26% 171-190g/km £870 £150 191-225g/km £1,305 £150 110-114 25% (27%) 26% (27%) 27% 226-255g/km £1,850 £150 115-119 26% (28%) 27% (28%) 28% Over 255g/km £2,175 £150 120-124 27% (29%) 28% (29%) 29% Diesel cars not meeting RDE2 emissions 125-129 28% (30%) 29% (30%) 30% regulations are moved up one band to the 130-134 29% (31%) 30% (31%) 31% maximum £2,175 first registration fee. Alternatively fueled cars charged at £10 less. 135-139 30% (32%) 31% (32%) 32% Then the flat rate of £150 per year (0g/km cars £0, 140-144 31% (33%) 32% (33%) 33% alternative fuels £140) applies, unless the car’s cost 145-149 32% (34%) 33% (34%) 34% new was over £40,000, in which case add £325 per year for years two to five. VED is £150 per year after that. 150-154 33% (35%) 34% (35%) 35% 155-159 34% (36%) 35% (36%) 36% 160-164 35% (37%) 36% (37%) 37% VEHICLES REGISTERED 165-169 36% (37%) 37% 37% BEFORE 1 APRIL 2017

170 and above 37% 37% 37% CO2 EMISSIONS ANNUAL COST 0-100g/km £0 (£0) Add a 4% penalty for diesels up to 37% max, if not meeting RDE2 emissions standard. 101-110g/km £20 (£10) *(xx%) = Rates for cars registered before 6 April 2020. 111-120g/km £30 (£20) 121-130g/km £125 (£115) 131-140g/km £150 (£140) 141-150g/km £165 (£155) CALENDAR KEY INDUSTRY EVENTS AND DATES 151-165g/km £205 (£195) 6 APRIL 2021 31 AUGUST-2 SEPTEMBER 2021 166-175g/km £240 (£230) New tax year begins CV Show, NEC, Birmingham 176-185g/km £265 (£255) 186-200g/km £305 (£295) 1 JUNE 2021 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 201-225g/km £330 (£320) Birmingham Clean Air Zone launches New '71' number plates launched 226-255g/km £565 (£555) 19-22 AUGUST 2021 26 OCTOBER 2021 Over 255g/km £580 (£570) British Motor Show, Farnborough London ULEZ expansion 1 AUGUST 2021 1 MARCH 2022 (Alternatively fueled cars in brackets) Oxford zero-emissions zone New '22' number plates launched

44 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK KNOWLEDGE

ADVISORY FUEL RATES, PER MILE The rates set to reimburse employees for fuel used in company vehicles NEW CARS ENGINE SIZE PETROL LPG ENGINE SIZE DIESEL COMING SOON 1400cc or less 10p 7p 1600cc or less 9p (8p) The pace of new model arrivals has never been hotter in the company car sector. 1401cc to 2000cc 12p (11p) 8p 1601cc to 2000cc 11p (10p) Here are some of the key new arrivals Over 2000cc 18p (17p) 12p Over 2000cc 12p that could be finding their way on to your Advisory electric vehicle reimbursement rate: 4p per mile fleet in the coming months. Rates valid from 1 March 2021 (Figures for 1 December-28 February in brackets if changed) 2021 BMW 4-Series Conv.- Spring 2021 APPROVED MILEAGE ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS The rates to reimburse workers using their own vehicles for company business Jaguar E-Pace facelift - Spring 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class - Spring 2021 TYPE OF VEHICLE FIRST 10,000 MILES ABOVE 10,000 MILES BW X2 facelift - Summer 2021 CARS AND VANS 45p 25p DS 4 - Summer 2021 MOTORCYCLES 24p 24p Hyundai Bayon - Summer 2021 BIKES 20p 20p Nissan Qashqai - Summer 2021 Renault Arkana - September 2021 2019/20 - FUEL BENEFIT CHARGE Peugeot 308 facelift - Autumn 2021 The taxable worth attached to the FUEL PRICES Alfa Romeo Tonale - Late 2021 benefit of ‘free’ fuel February 2021 BMW i4 - Late 2021 CAR FUEL BENEFIT CHARGE PETROL MULTIPLIER - £24,500 Honda HR-V- Late 2021 VAN FUEL BENEFIT CHARGE - £666 122.2p Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Late 2021 2019/20 - VAN BENEFIT CHARGE (+3.1p on January) Nissan Ariya - Late 2021 The taxable worth attached to the DIESEL Toyota Yaris Cross - Late 2021 benefit of regular private use of a company Range Rover - Late 2021 light commercial vehicle 126.6p VAN BENEFIT CHARGE - £3490 (+2.9p on January) 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee - 2022 SOURCE: WWW.GOV.UK CCT WHAT'S IN YOUR TOOLBOX?

CAR TAX FOOTPRINT HMRC P11D LICENCE VED & MOT COMPARATOR CHECK CALCULATOR UPDATE CHECK CHECK

EV CHARGE PARKING AFR AMAP BIK VED POINTS LOCATOR RATES RATES RATES TABLES To find out more go to: www.companycartoday.co.uk/toolbox FINAL WORD

Get the unfleety Fleet of fancy on to your fleet... THE FACTS

PRICE £37,540 POWER 310hp PERFORMANCE AUDI 4.8seconds/155mph COMBINED MPG S3 36.2mpg SALOON CO2 178 g/km

WHY SHOULD I WANT IT? The baby of Audi’s performance ‘S’ range was renewed late last year alongside the new A3 saloon and Sportback’s arrival, and it’s a great combination of comfort, practicality and performance. It’s small and nimble, fast and looks great thanks to the fairly subtle visual upgrades, such as the chrome mirrors that distinguish the S from the regular models to anyone that knows what they’re looking for. Plus the quad pipes! WHY CAN’T I HAVE IT? Emissions from 178g/km are pretty high for a lower- medium car, even if it’s as rapid as this one, while anyone regularly needing to carry adults in the back could do with something a touch larger. ARGUMENTS TO USE ON THE FLEET MANAGER Residual values are good, mid-30s fuel economy on MORE FLEETY ALTERNATIVE longer runs isn’t horrendous and the A3 has a decent The A3 TFSIe plug-in hybrid is only available as a Sportback five-door, boot and four doors, as well as the mini-exec looks of and isn’t actually any cheaper than the S3 on up-front P11D price but the saloon in particular. And it’s a whole lot of will, for the 2021/22 tax year, have a monthly £67 BiK tax bill for a 40% performance and equipment for a sub-£40,000 Audi. taxpayer, compared with £483 on the S3. And the PHEV still has 245hp. Paul Barker

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VOLVO TEST DRIVES latest from the ENTERS THE EV WORLD Renault Megane PHEV Revised Audi Q5 Test Drive Review: Eight-seat Citroen EV UK fleet sector Electric importance GOES EV INTERVIEW for new mainstream Test drive review: Electric XC40 kicks off Toyota fleet boss Citroen hatch Volvo’s route to becoming an EV-only brand talks hybrid success ● Reviews - the ANALYSIS Budget 2021 – the most in-depth key fleet details fleet reviews available from first drives, 6 page road tests PLUS and long term INSIDE: tests gives GREEN you the insight COMPANY CAR you need into the very latest models

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