Issue 77: February 2021 £5.99 www.companycartoday.co.uk

Your independent source of fleet news, reviews and interviews

INSIDE TEST DRIVES Revised Insignia, Toyota RAV4 PHEV, New Hyundai Tucson INTERVIEW The man behind the new MOKKA 36-car EV charging site ANALYSIS US EV brand Fisker PLEASE eyes UK fleet market Test Drive Review: Vauxhall’s boldly styled new crossover

PLUS INSIDE: GREEN COMPANY

CAR

BIG TEST: The first car from VW’s new ID EV brand

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 2514-1899 (print) @companycartoday Printing: Micropress Printers Ltd, Suffolk.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 3 The big stories from the world of fleet this month NEWS DS REVEALS NEW PREMIUM HATCHBACK

boot that engines and a 130hp diesel will pedestrians or animals up to is 50 litres make up the range, although 200 metres ahead and alerts bigger than DS is yet to confirm the UK the driver. The company’s new the Audi's, line-up of engines and trims. Extended Head-up Display and isn’t Technology will include the system is claimed to use an compromised DS Smart Touch system of optical illusion to project in the PHEV gesture control for essential information four metres ahead version. functions, while the vertical of the windscreen and into the The range daytime running lights contain driver’s eyeline. DS Automobiles has revealed will comprise the regular model a total of 98 LEDs. On the inside, the cabin the new DS 4 premium lower- plus DS 4 Cross and DS 4 The latest version of the features high-quality medium model that will arrive Performance Line derivatives, Drive Assist safety system materials, and the infotainment in the UK late this year with depending on whether the includes recommended speed can be controlled using a petrol, diesel and plug-in buyer is keener on a more SUV adaptation for corners and five-inch touchpad as well hybrid powertrains. or more sporting look. speed limits, and semi- as the gesture controls. The new model will join the The fleet highlight of the automated lane change The bulk of the range will be DS 3 Crossback and DS 7 powertrains will be the 225hp capacity, while grip sensors on fitted with 19-inch alloys, with Crossback and is 87mm longer plug-in hybrid, which will give steering wheel monitor that 20-inch wheels also available. than an Audi A3 Sportback, as the car an official range of 30 the driver remains in control of Deliveries are scheduled to well as 14mm taller and 45mm miles on electric alone. Then, the car. The DS 4 also has night begin in the UK this November. wider. It also offers a 430-litre 130hp, 180hp and 225hp petrol vision that detects heat from Paul Barker

Revisions inside and out for Minis BVRLA seeks certainty in March Budget Mini has announced a facelift The BVRLA has called for a trio investment tax allowance and additional technology for of measures to be included to enable businesses to its hatchback line-up, including in the chancellor’s Budget on offset the full cost of charge the Electric and Convertible. March 3 to support recovery point installation, including Visually, the main change in the vehicle rental, leasing groundworks and grid upgrade. is a larger grille, as well as and fleet sectors. “We need a long-term recontoured wheel arches. The rental and leasing perspective on tax to combat On the inside, all models now from their smartphone. association has called for a uncertainty, support for get the leather sports steering The Driver Assistance freeze on Vehicle Excise Duty the hard-hit rental sector, wheel and digital cockpit, as package also now includes until April 2022, a clarification and some creative thinking well as a new operating system lane-departure warning of company car Benefit-in- on tax allowances that can for the infotainment and a new and adaptive cruise control Kind tax rates until the end unlock investment in green Mini app allowing drivers to that will, for cars with an of the 2025-26 tax year, technology,” said BVRLA Chief check fuel or charge level and automatic gearbox, bring the and an expansion of green Executive Gerry Keaney. send navigation destinations car to a complete standstill.

4 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK NEWS BITES

HYUNDAI BEGINS BUILD-UP TO NEW ELECTRIC BRAND Hyundai has revealed the first teaser images of its new Ioniq 5, the first in its new line-up of Ioniq-branded electric vehicles. The 5 will, in time, gain a range of siblings under the Ioniq nameplate. Detail is currently scarce on the model, which will be unveiled this spring.

Renault 5 reborn as brand plots clean-energy move FORD ADDS BP PULSE TO ITS APP EV NETWORK Renault has set out its The 5 Prototype is a The tech, service and clean Ahead of the launch of its strategy for the next five demonstration of how the energy brand statement electric Mustang Mach-e, Ford years and beyond, with the brand will “democratise the included a focus on the has added BP Pulse to its French brand stating it will electric car in Europe”, it said, development of world-leading FordPass app, which gives evolve into a “tech, service although there is no detail artificial intelligence and drivers a free 12 months of and clean energy brand”. yet on when a production cyber-security systems as free access to the 6000 As part of the move, the version of the car could arrive, part of an ecosystem approach public chargers, as well as company has said it will launch or its range or cost. designed to develop “next- the 3000 of other networks 14 models by 2025, seven of “It’s strongly connected to generation mobility OEMs already included on the app. which will be fully electric and Renault's history, and yet it’s and suppliers”. The service seven of which will be in the the future, making electric element includes a new mid-sized C or D segments. All cars popular,” said chief Infotainment system coming NEW VOLVO FLEET BOSS will have either an electric or executive Luca de Meo. next year. Renault is claiming MOVES FROM MERCEDES hybrid version. It also claimed Renault has already its My Link system will be the Rob Morris has been named the it will offer the “greenest mix confirmed that an electric first with Google built in fitted head of fleet and remarketing of vehicles in Europe” by 2025. Megane will be launched to a mass-market car. at Volvo, succeeding Steve Renault has also nodded to in 2022, and should offer a In a separate move, Renault Beattie who was promoted its past with its plan, unveiling range of around 280 miles. sporting brand Alpine has to head of sales late last year. the Renault 5 Prototype, an As well as targeted announced plans to collaborate Morris moves to Volvo from all-electric city car with design leadership of the electric with UK sports car maker Mercedes-Benz, where he had cues from the 5 hatchback of market, Renault has also Lotus on the joint engineering, been for more than eight years, the 1970s, a car the company indicated that it will offer design and development of most recently as national fleet described as an “iconic cult “market-ready, end-to-end an electric performance car. operations manager. model from Renault’s past”. hydrogen solutions for LCVs”. Paul Barker

PERFORMANCE FORD RANGER MS-RT RELEASED Stellantis trio reveal EV light vans Go Ultra Low to Ford has revealed a motorsport- styled MS-RT Ranger. Based on Peugeot, Citroen and of up to 171 miles from the end EV campaign the 213hp diesel 10-speed auto Vauxhall will all have electric 50kWh battery connected Wildtrak, the MS-RT features a versions of their light van to a 100kW electric motor, The Go Ultra Low campaign honeycomb carbon-fibre effect models on the road this year. equating to 136hp. to push adoption of EVs is grille, 20-inch OZ Racing alloys The e-Partner, e-Berlingo The powertrain is claimed to close at the end of March and extended wheel arches. The and Combo-e will each be to not encroach the load area. after the Government didn't cabin gets leather trim, scuff available with a choice renew its funding. "This plates and heated front seats. of two lengths – 4.40 government is committed metres and 4.75 metres – to building back greener and two trim levels, plus and EVs are key to this, a Crew Van alternative. which is why we’re taking The key figures for on a refreshed and more all three models are streamlined approach to our the same, in terms of campaigns," said the DfT. the official range figure

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 5 NEW CAR NEWS

MERCEDES EQA BABY SUV UNVEILED

Mercedes-Benz has revealed The car features Mercedes’ Further models will be people-carrier, and the its EQA, the latest member of Navigation with Electric added, according to Mercedes, company has promised its EQ electric vehicle family. Intelligence system which plots with a 200kW (268hp) model another five EQs over the next The EQA is closely related routes to take into account launching in the future, as well couple of years; the EQB small to the GLA small crossover, charging times, as well as as a version with a range of off-roader, EQE and EQS larger and will arrive in the UK this adjusting for driving style, more than 300 miles which saloons and EQE SUV and EQS spring with an official rage of weather and traffic. Mercedes said will be achieved SUV are all in the pipeline. up to 263 miles. Safety kit includes Active by optimising efficiency, rather “The new EQA allows us to Power comes from a 140kW Lane-Keep Assist and Active than fitting larger batteries. show the way we envisage (190hp) motor and a 66.5kWh Brake Assist. LED headlamps The EQA is the third electric e-mobility as tailored to the battery; the EQA covers the with Highbeam Assist, electric Mercedes launched under the needs of our customers,” 0-62mph sprint in 8.9 seconds tailgate and 18-inch alloy EQ branding, following the said Mercedes-Benz Cars and has a 99mph top speed. wheels are also standard. larger EQC SUV and EQV COO Markus Schäfer.

VW ID.4 SUV ALL-NEW ISUZU STARTS WITH D-MAX PICK-UP £40K EDITION REVEALED The second electric Isuzu has released details and Volkswagen to launch and images of its new under its ID branding will D-Max pick-up, arriving in cost £40,800 before the showrooms in March. Government’s plug-in car Power comes from a 164hp grant when the 1st Edition diesel engine offered with double cab, and four trim model of the ID.4 arrives battery. The electric motor either manual or automatic levels, as well as two-wheel in the UK in March. produces 204hp, the same transmission, the latter drive or four-wheel drive. The SUV is around the as in the launch models of claimed to now offer 25% The company is also claiming same size as VW’s Tiguan, the ID.3 hatchback, which faster gearchanges. improved refinement and and has an official range of was VW’s first ID model. There will be three body reduced road noise, as well as 310 miles from its 77kWh ● VW ID.3 Big Test. p12 shapes of single, extended cab better off-road capability.

£70K ENTRY NEW GRAND PORSCHE CHEROKEE DUE TAYCA N NEXT YEAR Porsche has announced Jeep has revealed its new a new entry-level version Grand Cherokee, although of its all-electric Taycan. the long-wheelbase The rear-wheel-drive seven-seat unveiled for the model costs £70,690 and American market won’t be slots in below the four- coming to Europe. On the inside is a 10.1-inch wheel drive Taycan 4S, batteries, with a range of up The European five-seater touchscreen display and a which costs £83,580, thereby to 268 or 301 miles. will be shown later this year, 10.25-inch dashboard display offering a new access point The Taycan was Porsche’s and will get the same squared with more than 20 menus. to the four-door model. second best-seller in the UK styling, as well as three The 4xe plug-in hybrid The car is offered with last year, and deliveries of the separate off-road systems version will arrive towards either 225kW Performance new addition begin this spring. including five terrain modes. the end of 2022. or 270kW Performance Plus ● Taycan Fleet of Fancy, p46

6 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK

Plug into the all-new Vauxhall electric range

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

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

Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vivaro-e range 100kW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 205 miles (WLTP). Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vivaro-e Life range 100kW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 144 miles (WLTP). Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Mokka-e range 100kW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 201 miles (WLTP).* Fuel economy and CO2 results for the

Corsa-e range 100kW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 209 miles (WLTP). *Provisional data. The range and electric consumption figures mentioned comply with the WLTP test procedure, on the basis of which new vehicles are type approved from 1 September 2018. They may vary depending on actual conditions of use and on different factors such as: vehicle load, accessories fitted (post registration), speed, thermal comfort on board the vehicle, driving style and outside temperature. The charging time depends in particular on the power of the charger on board the vehicle, the charging cable and the type and power of the charging station used. Please contact your Vauxhall Retailer for further information. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (February 2021). NEWS

ELECTRIC VEHICLES CHARGING FLEET MANAGEMENT

PLAN TO END EV Hyundai/Kia, Mercedes, KEYFUELS EXPANDS MOTO spot was taken by cars being CHARGING ‘BLACKSPOTS’ Porsche and Volkswagen – FUEL CARD PARTNERSHIP hit while parked. Accident Five local authorities have with owners of these brands Light commercial vehicle aftercare company Ax also combined with UK Power offered preferential rates and HGV fuel card provider found that the highest Networks to end what it versus the 69p per kWh Keyfuels has announced accident rate has moved described as EV charging standard rate for one-off use. a renewed and expanded from 5-6pm to 3-4pm as blackspots in Cambridge, That compares to up to 42p partnership with Moto service the schools reopened in Norwich and Redbridge in per kWh for 150kW charging stations, adding 28 motorway the latter part of the year. London. It will then hold a on the BP Pulse network. sites to a network that covers competition to incentivise 70% of UK filling stations. The ZERO BIK TO BOOST investors to bid to install the 100 NEW CHARGE POINTS company covers 3250 sites ELECTRIC VAN ADOPTION priority charging points. FOR WARWICKSHIRE and has a target of 3500. The new zero rate for van BP Pulse has been awarded Benefit-in-Kind that kicks IONITY CHARGERS NOW a contract to install 118 new DROP IN REAR-END in for the 2021-22 tax year AT COBHAM SERVICES 7.4kW charging points across COLLISIONS IN 2020 will lead to “faster adoption” Six new 350kW electric Warwickshire. The points will There was a 27% fall in of the technology, according vehicle charging points have be installed in council-owned rear-end collisions last year, to the Association of Fleet been installed at the Cobham residential car parks and on- dropping it to the second Professionals. “We’ve seen Extra motorway service street locations in the next most common collision type how the 0% tax rate has been station on the M25. Ionity is few weeks. in 2020. The top decisive when it comes to owned by a group of car company car driver interest,” companies – Audi, BMW, Ford, said AFP chair Paul Hollick.

GOVERNMENT Bid Now/Buy Now sales over ROUND UP the festive period, BCA said sold volumes more than doubled GOVT’S £20M BOOST FOR during the period, with almost ON-STREET CHARGING 2300 customers purchasing. The Government has More than 5000 bidders logged extended its On-Street in across December. Residential Chargepoint Scheme into 2021/22 with NEW AI INSPECTION TOOL an additional £20m available subside, with 65% FOR VEHICLE APPRAISAL to local councils for on- of respondents saying they A new self-inspection tool street infrastructure. The were likely to avoid using USED VEHICLES has been launched that is money is aimed at helping crowded public transport. claimed to enable a smart authorities provide charging phone to conduct “professional facilities for people that £93M OF UPGRADES FOR ASTON BARCLAY WARNING inspections” and produce don’t have private parking ROADS CONFIRMED OVER AFV PRICES extensive inspection reports. where they can charge an The Government has Up to 40% of alternatively It has been developed by electric vehicle. announced £93m in fuelled vehicles are remaining consultancy and training road upgrades for North unsold at auction as prices company MJB Automotive PUBLIC TRANSPORT FEAR Yorkshire, Hampshire and surge and the vehicles become Solutions. The three-minute TO OUTLAST COVID the Midlands, which it says “out of kilter” with petrol or inspection takes place by the Department for Transport will “boost connections diesel models, according to user aiming the phone’s camera figures have shown that between key economic hubs Aston Barclay. The company’s where directed by PAVE and low confidence in public across the country while Insight Used Market Report taking images. The system then transport could remain making journeys safer and for the final quarter of 2020 creates a detailed report on the once travel restrictions and more reliable for motorists”. showed a 6.2% rise, and it urged vehicle condition as well as any social-distancing measures More than half of the money guides to re-evaluate prices. damage or required repairs. is going on an overhaul of the A59 in North Yorkshire. BCA RECORDS RECORD The West Midlands will get CHRISTMAS BUSINESS £24m to cut congestion at BCA has reported record levels Birchley Island. Hampshire’s of activity between Christmas £13m will upgrade the and New Year as part of a 4.1% Redbridge Causeway rise in average sale values for bridges over the River Test. December. With increased numbers of online auction and

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

don’t have to stop working. We can instantly provide service will also monitor the vehicles immediately, and that’s and we can maybe even deliver important for fleets because unique specifications if we they need efficiency,” he said. needed,” he said. Fisker pointed out another benefit of taking the leasing NO NEED FOR LEASING FIRMS companies out the equation. Also going out the window with He said the deal with Cox Fisker is a traditional leasing enables the firm to control period, with the firm instead residual values once a company offering a flexible arrangement. car driver hands back the UK prices are yet to be vehicle: “It won’t go to an IN-DEPTH confirmed, but in the US, the auction, which would impact lease is from $374 (£273) a its resale value. We own the month, with a 30,000-mile vehicle and we will keep it until yearly limit and all service, the end of its life, so it means maintenance and repair costs there will be a limited Fisker to target included, along with a one-time availability of Fisker vehicles in $2999 (£2194) “initiation and the marketplace which should activation fee”. help to create a really strong Fisker explains the rationale resale value,” he reckoned. fleets with behind this model: “We already The Ocean is so named have an extremely low price because it is made using and will offer an outstanding recycled materials that would direct approach service, making sure that if otherwise be littering seabeds. there are any problems with It is claimed to be the “world’s American electric vehicle a physical presence in the UK. the vehicle, we will exchange it. most sustainable car” and start-up Fisker is targeting In a departure from fleet With our flexible lease we are Fisker claimed eco-conscious fleet sales when it enters the convention, businesses won’t offering that we can take back companies will be drawn to it UK market late next year be able to lease the vehicle the vehicle at any time at, no over other EVs, and petrol and with its Ocean SUV. from a traditional broker and cost or penalty. Normally, if diesel vehicles. In an exclusive interview will have to go direct – and it is you have an employee that He said: “We go beyond with Company Car Today, for this reason that Fisker said gets a company car and leaves, electric; we’re using recycled founder, chairman and chief he won’t offer discounts for what do you do with it? If you materials and we look at our executive Henrik Fisker said: businesses looking to take on don’t have another employee suppliers and what they do and “When you look at the current multiple vehicles. However, the to give it to, you’re stuck with we’re going to keep increasing landscape of electric vehicles, Danish-born entrepreneur this lease. We will take back this effort. From a marketing you’re either looking at smaller conceded fleets would still the car, no questions asked.” stand-point, it is very good hatchbacks that are often too have preferential treatment Vehicle downtime is the bane point for any company to have small for fleet vehicles with over private motorists. of a fleet manager’s life and a fleet of sustainable vehicles too little range, or you’re He said: “We don’t need to Fisker said company cars can because it says something looking at pricier vehicles, do a bulk discount because be kept on the road, rather about you as a company and which are usually out of the we’ve already taken the little than having to be booked in for what you stand for. price range of what a company men out. We already have a repairs, as a result of the “I think you simply cannot car driver can afford. good price level, but what we agreement with Rivus. underestimate how customers “Our vehicle has a price of would do for fleets, we will give “Rivus already has more and employees look at you as $37,500, which will translate to them special service when it than 1000 service centres in a company and the choices you less than €40,000 (£35,632) if comes to taking care of the the UK. Can you imagine if we make and the impact that has bought outright, so we think vehicle. For example, we will had to build 1000 centres? Even on society and the we’ll have an attractive vehicle come and pick up the vehicles our closest competitor has environment,” he concludes. for fleets.” Specifications for for servicing, so employees only 500 service centres so we Daniel Puddicombe the Ocean are yet to be revealed in full, but Fisker told CCT it has a maximum range of 350 miles, calculated using the American testing cycle, so he expects the European test to record a higher figure.

SETTING UP IN THE UK To illustrate that the company is keen to break into the fleet market, Fisker has signed deals to outsource work to two large players in the sector – Rivus Fleet Solutions and Cox Automotive. The former will provide SMR support through its network of garages, while the latter will concentrate on logistics and remarketing; aside from a ‘consumer experience centre’ in London, Fisker won’t have

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

VOLKSWAGEN ID.3 The march to electrification takes another significant step with the launch of VW’s ID brand, which will spawn a full range of EVs in the coming years

leader in electric mobility” history, following on from Vizzion estate model as it IN CONTEXT and has committed to €33 the era-defining Beetle explores ways of expanding billion of investment across and Golf models. the ID line-up. The ID.3 is Volkswagen’s first its brands by 2024. The ID.3 was first The ID.3 is built at a purpose-built electric vehicle, The ID.3 is so named for two signposted in 2016 with the carbon-neutral plant powered developed from the ground up reasons, one to position it in unveiling of the I.D. Concept by renewable energy in on the group’s new Modular a range that will welcome (pictured) at the Paris motor Zwickau, Germany. Electric Drive platform that is various models including show, and Volkswagen has set to underpin 20 million the ID.4 crossover later this since shown concepts vehicles across the various year, and also because including the ID Buggy beach VW Group brands by 2029. Volkswagen is touting the buggy, ID Buzz MPV, ID Cross VW has set itself the goal of car as the beginning of the and Crozz II crossovers, ID becoming the “world market third major chapter in its Roomzz SUV and ID Space

12 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK ROAD TEST

VW claims that the packaging on the new platform allows for Passat levels of space

TEST NOTES

● The turning circle really is excellent. VW claims it’s the same as the Up city car’s and Its a very useful attribute in urban settings. ● The cabin has a minimalist charm to it, but the dash display is too small compared to the detail offered by almost all modern cars, and doesn’t give the information drivers are now used to. audience. The fact that it has a range figure of ● The light bar below the WHAT more than 200 miles will be key for adoption, windscreen scrolls to THEY with industry research finding that the double indicate direction of turn century is an important psycological milestone. SAY... when the nav is set. It’s That slightly confusing number of trim levels neat, simple and clever. – six all with the same Pro battery – seems to “The ID.3 has have been designed to give choices of tech to proved to be a almost eliminate optional extras. However, you ground-breaking car, don’t really ascend the range in a linear fashion, with nine awards to its where each would add a bit of extra kit over the name already. It meets last. It’s more a case of picking the combination all the needs of fleets The new ID.3 is a really big one for Volkswagen, that ticks the right boxes for you. While a nice and company car which has piled on the pressure by lumping its idea, it does lead to a bit of to-and-fro as you try drivers, too, through new EV in with the legendary Beetle and Golf as to work out which of the Life, Business, Style, its intelligent design. the three main pillars of its evolution as a brand. Family, Tech, Max and longer-range Tour models “Thanks to the It’s the first electric car to be based upon the new get which equipment for what money. electric-only platform, underpinnings developed by the Volkswagen Group The ID.3 certainly turns heads as a new car, it offers more space specifically for EVs, and one that the brand hopes although the styling is a bit opinion-splitting. The inside than its exterior will seat 20 million vehicles in the next eight years. very short bonnet and comparatively elongated dimensions suggest, It will be used by a range of Audi, Seat, Skoda and body is slightly different from existing shapes, while benefiting from VW models in the coming months and years. and takes a touch of mental adjustment. The its net-carbon neutral The ID.3 is, within a few millimetres here and front in particular doesn’t have enough design status and also low there, the same size as a Golf hatchback, hence cues to make it instantly recognisable as a running costs. the demise of the electric Golf, but VW claims Volkswagen, which may be why the VW badge is “We’ve just launched that the packaging on its new platform allows for so big on the nose. Indeed, it’s almost like a car the ID.4 SUV, too, and Passat levels of interior space. that’s been deliberately anonymised for an throughout the year At launch there is one electric motor, which puts advert in which the company doesn’t want to use more battery and out 204hp, but two battery choices, with six of the an identifiable model. Still, it’s the first in a line of electric motor choices seven rather baffling trim levels coming with the ID products, so that’s likely to be a short-term will become available, ‘Pro’ 58kWh battery that offers an official range issue. It’s not unpleasant in any way, although ensuring that there figure of 263 miles, while the top Tour model gets that could depend on thoughts about the aero really is an ID vehicle a ‘Pro S’ 77kWh battery that pushes the official hubcaps on the steel wheels that sit as standard for every budget.” range figure out to 336 miles. A 45kWh battery with on all bar the longer-range model. They’re Nick O’Neill, a 205-mile range will be added, offering a cheaper undeniably easy to clean and cheaper to repair/ head of fleet, entry price that will open up the ID.3 to a wider replace than alloys, but they’re not the prettiest. Volkswagen UK,

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 13 NIPPY ID.3 is genuinely rapid, and feels a great deal sharper and more engaging on a twisty road than its 1700kg kerbweight would lead you to believe

VW’s claims of Golf GTI-rivalling acceleration is instantly apparent

COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING How the Volkswagen ID.3 stacks up across the range, and against its key rivals

MODEL PRICE ALLOYS SCREEN KEYLESS SUNROOF AIR HEAD-UP METALLIC GAPS (INCH) SIZE (INCH) ENTRY CONDITIONING DISPLAY PAINT Life* n/a 18in steel 10.0 – – Climate control – £620 Business +£3730 18in steel 10.0 Climate control – £620 Style +£460 18in steel 10.0 Dual-zone – £620 Family +£470 18in steel 10.0 Climate control – £620 Tech +£1540 18in steel 10.0 Climate control £620 Max +£2030 18in steel 10.0 Dual-zone £620 Tour +£1070 19in 10.0 – Dual-zone £620

*Model tested RIVALS

Citroen e-C4 +£140 18 10.0 £800 Dual-zone £545 Shine

Hyundai Ioniq Premium +£960 16 10.25 £395 Climate control – £565

Kia e-Niro 2 -£145 16 8.0 – Dual zone – £595

CITROEN E-C4

HYUNDAI IONIQ KIA E-NIRO

14 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK ROAD TEST

SCREEN Latest Volkswagen infotainment set-up VISIBILITY is somewhat less than Huge windscreen perfect, and manages and large quarterlight to frustrate almost as windows give a often as it actually does fantastic view out. what’s asked Light steering makes ID.3 nimble in town

Volkswagen’s claim of Golf GTi-rivalling off-the- line acceleration is instantly apparent from the first pull-away, and it’s clear that this ID.3 has more power than price-matched rivals with a bigger footprint, such as the new Citroen e-C4, Hyundai Ioniq or the Kia e-Niro. All offer slightly different strengths in terms of packaging and range, but all have prices within just over £1000. Ride quality can While doing the sensible things well enough, become bouncy with a decent-sized 385-litre boot and perfectly at higher speeds acceptable rear space for passengers, the ID.3’s real strength is in the performance it offers. It’s more than two seconds faster from 0-62mph The cabin is unlike that in any other Volkswagen, than any of its £33,000-ish electric rivals, and and spectacularly bucks the trend for increasingly feels significantly perkier. large dashboard screens ahead of the driver to It also controls body roll very well, and feels like display more and more information. The one in the a lighter and smaller car than it actually is, given ID.3 has the absolute basics, and all the trip and it weighs more than 1700kg, which is more than efficiency information, for example, is moved to the the Kia, Hyundai or Citroen electric rivals. However, central information system. It doesn’t exactly give the quick steering isn’t completely conducive to the car a premium feel, and that’s not helped by faster driving, and the ride quality deteriorates at VW’s latest infotainment software, which, as higher speed. experienced elsewhere in the group’s portfolio of Still, the ID.3 is good over speed bumps and products, has the ability to cause frustration in lower-speed imperfections, but seems to develop a performing some basic functions. bounciness at higher speed that can almost have you But that’s not to say the ID.3 isn’t clever. For out of your seat over crests or big lumps in the road. a start there’s a light bar under the windscreen But in town the light steering and really very excellent that sweeps in the direction of a turn when the turning circle are boons, as is the big and airy navigation is set, and illuminates in red to highlight windscreen and what it does for forward visibility. dangerous situations. It will also indicate battery As mentioned, rear space is good considering the level during charging. compact dimensions, and Volkswagen has done The car will also communicate wirelessly with a great job of packaging the car to maximise other Volkswagen models fitted with the Car2X practicality. Boot space is five litres up on the technology that launched on the new Golf last year, Golf and beats the larger-footprinted e-C4 and to warn of hazards in the local area. Ioniq, although the e-Niro and Nissan’s Leaf both

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 15 In 2021/22, a 40% taxpayer will face a monthly BiK bill of £11. A Golf will be £285

HEAD-TO-HEAD - the key stats SMR COST NEED TO KNOW* 1 Hyundai Ioniq £1058 Volkswagen ID.3 Life 58kWh 2 Citroen e-C4 £1445 (£32,935) vs THE RANGE 3 Kia e-Niro £1784 Citroen e-C4 Shine 50kWh 4 Volkswagen ID.3 £1818 A broad range of seven models contains (£33,075) vs something to suit every taste, with the Hyundai Ioniq Premium 38kWh BIK PER MONTH – 20%/40% (BANDING) top-level ID.3 Tour getting a long-range (£33,895) vs 1= Citroen e-C4 £0/£0 (0%) battery compared to the rest of the line- Kia e-Niro 2 39kWh 1= Hyundai Ioniq £0/£0 (0%) up. Power output is the same for all. (£32,790) 1= Kia e-Niro £0/£0 (0%) 1= Volkswagen ID.3 £0/£0 (0%) FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS RANGE (EFFICIENCY) LENGTH 1 Volkswagen ID.3 263 miles (4.5 miles/kWh) Volkswagen has confirmed that smaller 2 Citroen e-C4 217 miles (4.8 miles/kWh) 1 Hyundai Ioniq 4470mm battery and lower-powered additions to 3 Hyundai Ioniq 193 miles (5.0 miles/kWh) 2 Kia e-Niro 4375mm the ID.3 range are on the way this year. 4 Kia e-Niro 180 miles (4.6 miles/kWh) 3 Citroen e-C4 4355mm 4 Volkswagen ID.3 4261mm WHAT’S NEW FROM THE RIVALS POWER/0-62MPH PERFORMANCE WIDTH (EXCL. MIRRORS) 1 Volkswagen ID.3 204hp/7.3sec The Citroen e-C4 is imminent, and 1 Citroen e-C4 1834mm 2 Citroen e-C4 138hp/9.7sec the likes of the Fiat 500, MG 5 and 2 Hyundai Ioniq 1829mm 3 Kia e-Niro 136hp/9.5sec Vauxhall Mokka will all be on the road 3 Volkswagen ID.3 1809mm 4 Hyundai Ioniq 136hp/9.7sec in the coming weeks, while VW’s own 4 Kia e-Niro 1805mm crossover ID.4 is also not far off. WHOLE-LIFE COST HEIGHT 1 Kia e-Niro 48.6p PRICE RANGE 1 Volkswagen ID.3 1568mm 2 Volkswagen ID.3 50.5p 2 Kia e-Niro 1560mm £32,935-£39,290 3 Citroen e-C4 54.1p 3 Citroen e-C4 1525mm 4 Hyundai Ioniq 54.3p ENGINE LINE-UP** 4 Hyundai Ioniq 1450mm RESIDUAL VALUE ELECTRIC BOOT (TO PARCEL SHELF) 58kWh 204hp - 263-mile range 1 Kia e-Niro 45.2% 1 Kia e-Niro 451 litres 77kWh 204hp - 336-mile range 2 Volkswagen ID.3 44.1% 2 Volkswagen ID.3 385 litres **Figures stated are best available in range 3 Citroen e-C4 37.3% 3 Citroen e-C4 380 litres 4 Hyundai Ioniq 34.6% 4 Hyundai Ioniq 350 litres *All prices are before £3,000 Government grant £3,000 Government before are *All prices

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

VERDICT

offer significantly larger luggage areas, if that’s DRIVE 8/10 a major consideration. The ID.3 is undeniably rapid in All cars get a decent amount of standard a straight line, and has good equipment, including wireless connection for Apple body control in corners. CarPlay and Android Auto, single-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, front and rear EFFICIENCY 8/10 parking sensors and heated front seats and A very useful range figure of more steering wheel. The step up from the entry Life trim than 250 miles, although the driven here (although the pictures show the special battery is larger than rivals’. 1st Edition model) is at least £3730 to the next model, but all others add keyless entry, a panoramic PRACTICALITY 8/10 sunroof, rear privacy glass and a host of other kit. The boot isn’t too bad, and beats The entry-level car isn’t exactly sparse, but its a Golf for volume, while rear-seat appeal is very much in the performance it can offer space is certainly acceptable. for the lower price, rather than its lavish kit. Running cost are any electric car’s forte, and the EQUIPMENT 8/10 ID.3 lives up to this. Next to a 150hp Golf R-Line This is the entry model so misses mild hybrid, the company will save almost £3500 in out on some niceties, but still company National Insurance over three years, as gets some premium features. well as the obvious fuel benefits, although the Golf is significantly cheaper to insure. And then there’s LOOKS 7/10 the driver Benefit-in-Kind, which goes from zero to There’s a sense that it looks 1% in April, giving 40% taxpayers a monthly bill of more attractive in brighter just under £11, while the Golf will be £285. colours, and the ID.3’s styling Obviously the same equation applies to the definitely works better from growing band of more affordable electric some angles than others. vehicles that are coming through. Still, the ID.3’s performance, decent practicality COMFORT AND and, in the entry trim level at least, cost-efficient REFINEMENT 7/10 status, all make it a car that will undoubtedly grab The ride quality is certainly on fleets’ attention. It’s right in the heart of the Venn the lumpy side, particularly when diagram of pricing, practicality and range, and with hitting bumps or crests at higher the very perky performance likely to enhance speeds. It takes the likes of speed ID.3 has pace to the appeal for some drivers moving across into bumps pretty well, but has too worry hot hatches electric for the first time, there’s plenty to be much bounce as pace increases. from the lights positive about with this first of a family of electric Volkswagen ID models. CABIN 7/10 There is a minimalist feel (bordering on spartan) to the THREE THINGS WE LIKE… clean cabin, with everything loaded into subtle slider bars or 3 the touchscreen system. 1 INFOTAINMENT 7/10 Not the ID.3’s strongest suit, with the latest VW infotainment system not being the most user-friendly, and the screen controlling most of the functions.

WHOLE-LIFE COSTS 9/10 A rear-mounted charging port helps for For an electric car, the entry people wishing to reverse into spaces ID.3 is well priced, has a decent The central stowage area is big residual value and the tech means and has various useful sections running costs and tax are low. CCT OPINION 8/10 2 A new arrival that brings focus and attention to the sector, and makes most sense in this spec.

VERDICT 77% The long-awaited ID.3 arrives as EVs are building momentum. It looks like an excellent all-rounder at a …AND ONE WE DON’T time fleets will relish such a cost-effective option. Gear selector takes a second to get used to, but is then intuitive The infotainment system isn’t intuitive and can easily cause frustration

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

GREEN MOTIVATION

Gridserve is driven by the principle of reducing the carbon entering the atmosphere, says its chief executive, Toddington Harper. “What the company is really all about is delivering sustainable energy on such a scale that we can help move the needle on climate change,” he tells Company Car Today. “There’s a direct correlation between how much carbon you put in the air and global temperature rising. Unfortunately, when we emit a further 300 billion tonnes of carbon emissions, temperatures will move beyond one and a half degrees of warming. And that is going to be disastrous. “It’s a very difficult way back from TODDINGTON that situation, and that is going to HARPER happen in less than seven years, which bothers me enormously,” he CHIEF continues. “What we’re trying to do EXECUTIVE, is to deliver such a scale that we can GRIDSERVE move this needle. What we’re delivering is something called a sun-to-wheel model, which is kind of building and replicating a new kind of energy ecosystem.”

Green energy firm Gridserve recently prevalent in the market today. You need to diesel cars will be banned in nine years, opened its first electric recharging know that you can go anywhere with no it’s pretty binary and will force action. But forecourt in Braintree, Essex, and hassle, no anxiety, no range stress. what motivates people is if something can says this will be the first of 100 to be save money, or even make money. developed in the next five years as part Explain more about Gridserve’s of a wider approach to climate change. Q approach to the market? Can you talk a little bit about the These electric forecourts are designed Q relationship with Hitachi? It expanded How have things gone with the A from a blank sheet of paper to serve with a recent investment in Gridserve? Q first 36-vehicle site in Braintree the needs of electric vehicle drivers Yes, they’re a shareholding business, now being operational? perfectly. It’s designed to really make that A which is fantastic. I think we’re very People absolutely love it. We’ve clearly experience not just as good as a petrol or fortunate to have such a fantastic investor A raised the bar in electric vehicle diesel experience, because I can’t imagine with a long-term view. They like the fact charging, but we’re in a pandemic so it many people will tell you that’s a brilliant that it’s not just about electric cars, it’s would be highly irresponsible to try and get experience, but to try and actually make it about net zero. people out of their houses to check it out. a brilliant experience. And then the final piece of the jigsaw is Gridserve is also seeking to develop a You’ve made some quite bold to say okay, how about a vehicle offer as Q leasing arm. What is the status of that Q statements about progressing to more well, integrating this whole kind of area of the business? than 100 sites. How will that progress? ecosystem. The ultimate objective is to We didn’t know very much about Uckfield hasn’t got planning make electric vehicles less expensive than A leasing until last year. We had a pretty A permission yet, but Norwich has. The petrol and diesel ones. And that is actually vertical learning curve, so we have made plan is to deliver over 100 sites over the possible today, which really surprises some really great hires; people who really next five years, we had that plan before people. If you finance an electric car in do know what they’re doing and have been the announcement about new petrol and comparison to a petrol or diesel one, then in it for many years. We’re in the process of diesel cars being banned in nine years, and you can get really good benefits because some very considerable overhauls and now you wonder if it is ambitious enough. you spread a slightly higher upfront cost reworking what we’re doing. It’s a constant It’s designed so that we can give people with much lower operating costs. evolution to make it more and more useful. the confidence to really be able to make And then if somebody lives near to an We call it Electric Vehicle Solutions. the transition knowing infrastructure like electric forecourt, for example, and they Because it’s not just about electric cars, this exists and that it’s going to be okay. can charge primarily an electric forecourt it’s about how you bring that together with Also, particularly helpful for company then we can include that energy in the energy, and charging, to make it really cars, is that if you run a business and want monthly fee. I can thereby say this is straightforward as solution. to transition to electric vehicles, you can’t categorically cheaper. The government’s We can work that out, including charging experience the charging complexity that is approach is a very helpful stick; petrol and solutions to people’s homes, public

18 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK INTERVIEW charging infrastructure, the vehicles can’t charge at home, the comparison is themselves, the whole lot together in a a local petrol station that serves the single package. And the objective would be community primarily, but on the edge of TOP PICKS that it would cost less than what they are a busy road to get pass-through traffic. spending today on petrol or diesel. TODDINGTON selects So you would align yourself with local his stand-out cars Do you think we’re yet at that Q public charging rather than more Q cost equivalence point? expensive on-route charging? I do. Certainly if the company pays for That definitely correlates, we are PAS T A diesel or petrol we’re definitely there. A definitely less expensive. We set our VW GOLF ECOMATIC Electric cars are just so much cheaper to prices as to be as competitive as possible. One of the quirkiest cars I ever had run. And they’re not much more expensive That’s why we’re quite a lot less expensive was a Golf Ecomatic [one of the first initially any more. I mean, they used to be than other people in this space that have cars to have a stop-start system]. I wildly more expensive, but they are so got anywhere near the sort of charging was fascinated by a car that turned off much less expensive these days. Now, if power that we have. We’re 20- 30% when you weren’t on the accelerator. you’re clever, and you’re not greedy and cheaper than some, and others are more The problem was that quite often it you really want to work it all out, you can than twice the price. We want people to didn’t start again! make it cheaper. And it has to be. turn up; that is quite important. I’ve been running sustainability And if you do what some of the other businesses for 19 or so years, and the guys are doing, namely charging whatever biggest lesson I’ve learned is that most they think they can without really doing people won’t pay more money to go down the maths and making it economically a more sustainable path. attractive to customers, it means that However, if it’s the same cost, and it’s you’ll be seen as a last resort, as opposed not difficult, lots of people will do it. If it’s to a regular option. And that doesn’t really cheaper, and more sustainable, open the help the people who can’t charge at home. doors, the flood is coming. Whereas if you’ve got a solution like we And that’s really what is important, have, which has a very fair cost, then the because it all comes back to moving the economics work. needle on climate change. What we’re trying to do as a whole is quite complex; Once you’ve got this network of 100 PRESENT building solar farms, batteries, charging for Q would you get to the point where BMW i3 electric vehicles. Now, having got all the fleets can have one account with you that Somebody stole my Tesla Model 3 pieces in place, it is actually fairly they can use any of the sites, in effect in lockdown. They hacked it within straightforward for us to replicate. And like an electric fuel card? two minutes. I just didn’t think you actually need all the pieces in place, That’s exactly what we’re doing. that somebody could steal it in that because then you can give customers that A There are lots of lessons learned from timescale. So that was very painful. CCT overall reduced cost. If you can’t control being an EV driver. Having to be part of a And it means at the moment I’m the cost of the vehicle, or the energy in membership scheme, particularly one trying out a BMW i3. the first place, then you’re not maximising that requires an RFID card to arrive in your opportunity to reduce that cost as the post is pretty painful. I learned that much as possible. We want people to say, the hard way. I want an electric car now because it’s Our first starting point is that it is open better, cheaper, easier. And not just access and really easy. It’s contactless because the government says payment, someone can turn up, plug the I have to do it in nine years. car in, and touch the contactless device. And the car starts charging, all in less What about the cost of charging. Are than 20-30 seconds. Q the forecourts like motorway service We’re also going to bring in an app. And stations where they’re a premium price the reason the app is useful is it will allow because of the convenience? us to give different pricing structures and We don’t really think electric different packages to people and also allow A forecourts are an alternative to us to do fleet solutions. FUTURE motorway services. There are around 150 Also, what we’ve been working on, TESLA MODEL S PLAID motorway services, which perform a very which is one of the most awesome It’s going be really exciting to see specific functions of serving the network. features that people haven’t seen yet, what Elon Musk does with the new There are around 8500 petrol stations. is something called plug in and charge. flagship Model S. I think that’s going Their particular function is primarily Basically, it remembers your car, so to be all of the next tech, all of the serving local communities as well as next time you turn up, you plug it in. And latest generation, all of the upgrades pass-through traffic. Electric forecourts that’s it. No more contactless payment, from a man who NASA used to are designed for the latter. They’re not nothing. You just plug in, walk away. And subcontract spaceflight. There’s a lot really a motorway services competitor, if it is a company vehicle the company I’m sure he hasn’t told us yet. they are a solution for petrol stations. If will get charged. No worries, no cards you are one of the 30-50% of people that no nothing.

Harper on… Electric adoption It’s like Nokia mobile phones and smartphones. No-one could see beyond Nokia, and then all of a sudden everyone forgot about Nokia and grabbed the better thing. The government didn’t have to ban Nokia phones for that to happen, people just made the transition because a smartphone was a better solution.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 19 Adding EVs to your fleet?

We’re here to help you charge them.

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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Don’t worry. We can help with all that too.

Explore fleet charging with us here: pod-point.com/fleet The GREEN PAGES GREEN

FOCUS ON... Your monthly special report on all things green in fleet CITROEN Range of OPTIONS Should fleets be looking beyond basic range when choosing their new EVs?

Guest opinion Kit Wisdom on EVs and salsac

CARBON OFFSETTING: Still part of a solution? THE REAL CASE FOR EVs

SHOULD FLEETS BE THINKING ABOUT EFFICIENCY RATHER THAN RANGE WHEN BUYING EVs? Why firms could be missing the point when looking at a switch to EVs

At the moment, the key figure for electric cars will struggle to break 30mpg while preconceptions vehicles is range. And sensibly so, because others will easily do more than 60mpg. on an EV and a longer range means less range anxiety According to Arval’s senior consultant often they and a lower reliance on the public charging and EV expert, David Watts, range is haven’t even system because you’ll be able to complete certainly the biggest area of interest for used one and trips and simply charge up at home. fleets taking on EVs for the first time. they’re worried Electricity may be cheap in comparison However, he also believes that range isn’t about with diesel or petrol (mainly due to the tax necessarily the best point of focus. reallocations. on liquid fuels), but that doesn’t stop some “Some fleets focus on range for their “However, the EVs using far more electricity than others. choice list and, for example, set a 250-mile reallocations According to EV-database.uk, the most range minimum. I don’t agree with that. issue, when efficient fully electric car you can buy This comes from a misunderstanding someone leaves David Watts today is the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, that unless there’s a really high range, a job, is a rare with an efficiency figure of 4.26 miles per reallocating a car will be difficult. one and it’s a bit kW,h while the least efficient is the “If the range is set at 250 miles, that like cutting your nose off to spite your Mercedes EQV at 2.3m/kWh. rules out a lot of cars. It even cuts off the face. The reallocations issue can be solved While these two vehicles aren’t rivals, it 60kwh Nissan Leaf, which has a range of by putting a car into a pool for all staff to gives an idea of the spread of efficiency in 246 miles. These fleets are obsessed with choose from, rather than insisting it goes the same way that some petrol, or diesel, range anxiety. They’re imposing their directly to the next person into that role.”

22 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK The GREEN PAGES

EV EFFICIENCY BY THE NUMBERS

LIKE-FOR-LIKE Hyundai offers two different battery sizes for its electric Kona model. But is it always smarter to go for the larger one?

Model P11D Price RV (2yrs/20k)* Depreciation Range miles/kW cost per mile @15p/kWh Hyundai Kona 39kWh £34,945 64% £11,034 155 4.0 3.75p Hyundai Kona 64kWh £39,095 69% £10,642 245 3.9 3.90p On home charging, over 20,000 miles, you’d save £30 by picking the lower range, more efficient Kona. *Source: Cazana *Source:

Watts also believes fleets are not public charging is about 30p a kWh. So, if to there being thinking enough about efficiency yet. you’ve got a small-battery, more efficient only a small “Are fleets looking at efficiency? No,” EV then you may have to fill up more at number of full he says. “Some manufacturers have gone public charge points, outweighing any EVs on the for smaller batteries for lower weight and efficiency savings,” says Watts. market – in greater efficiency. Is that the right He adds: “Efficiency will become a factor comparison to approach? We’ll have to wait and see. at some point, but until companies are petrols and “For fleets choosing an EV it should paying actual costs then arguably it’s diesels be done on whole-life costs.” irrelevant and just complicates things. – buyers are So, while fleets aren’t looking at “By 2030 people will be buying on currently efficiency now, Watts believes this could efficiency and paying for all fuel on an adjusting the James McKemey change. He said: “From an idealistic point actual cost basis.” way they buy of view, yes they should be looking at PodPoint’s head of insights, James and choosing efficiency. They should be looking at the McKemey, believes the change of focus to between cars that aren’t comparable. CCT energy consumption of the whole vehicle. efficiency will come much quicker. Watts believes buyers will sacrifice “At the moment, going for any EV is still “At the moment we’re still talking about brand and model sector to get into an better than any petrol or diesel. We should the switch from petrol and diesel to EV but that buyers will swap back to be looking for the most efficient, but that’s electric cars so they will always be more their preferred brand or type of car not part of the choice. efficient. But once we’re used to using when such EVs become available. “Comparisons have yet to catch up on EVs it becomes interesting. McKemey takes this one stage further, efficiency and fleets just take the four “For efficiency it’s important to adding: “People are currently comparing pence per mile HMRC advisory fuel rate understand your journeys because the non-comparable products. In future, most as a cost into any equation. cost of charging rises for plugging in won’t do that; they will compare like with “For the company paying only 4p per on-route. You also have to remember that like and they won’t pay extra for things mile for an EV, it doesn’t matter what the bigger batteries can take a higher peak they don’t use, such as higher charging driver’s cost is. We’re not at the stage of [faster] charge than smaller batteries. If speeds and range they don’t need.” paying actual cost. This is because you’re doing longer journeys a larger- Tristan Young capturing all electricity use from home battery car can charge more quickly and on route is very difficult. There’s no than a smaller-battery car.” all-encompassing charge card, so how do McKemey believes efficiency is good EITHER END OF you capture that detail to find out the because it means drivers can go farther exact consumption of the car? on the same electricity and therefore also THE SPECTRUM “Rightly or wrongly, it’s just not gain miles quicker when charging. relevant. As a country, we’re struggling He points out that at the same Most efficient EV, according to with just getting EVs on fleets, so people charging speed, a less efficient car may ev-database.uk don’t worry about efficiency. The message gain 18 miles in the same time it takes Tesla Model 3 for the moment is keep it as simple as a more efficient car to gain 30 miles. standard range 4.26 miles per kW possible to get EVs on a fleet.” He adds: “As soon as you’re in an EV Cost per mile Watts also points out that most people things suddenly concentrate on efficiency 3.52p @15p per kw (home charging) charge at home, and picking a bigger and you compare what you’re paying. If battery car means they’ll do less charging you look to the future, and fleets are Least efficient EV, according to at public charging points. used to comparing mpg, then they’re ev-database.uk “The cost difference is huge; home going to compare EV efficiency.” Mercedes EQV electricity is typically 15p a kWh, and Both McKemey and Watts think that due 2.30 miles per kW Cost per mile 6.52 @15p per kw (home charging) Fleets are obsessed by range-anxiety. On home charging, over 20,000 miles, you’d save £600 by picking the Tesla. They’re imposing their preconceptions On public charging (only), over on EVs before they’ve used one 20,000 miles, the saving is £1,200.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 23 All-New Renault MEGANE

Plug-in hybrid Fuel

Choose between Hatch, Sport Tourer and Sport Tourer Plug-in Hybrid Call the Renault BUSINESS Hub on 0800 731 7066 Fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New MEGANE Hatch and Sport Tourer petrol and diesel range:

44.8 (6.3) – 62.8 (4.5) and CO2 emissions are 142 – 117g/km. Fuel consumption in mpg (I/100km) for the All-New

MEGANE Sport Tourer 160 Auto Plug-in-Hybrid: 217.29 (1.3) and CO2 emissions are 30g/km. Figures based on Euro Standard 6-d TEMP testing.

WLTP fi gures for comparability purposes. Figures obtained a˜ er the ba™ ery was fully charged. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on various factors such as accessories fi ™ ed a˜ er registration. 5 year warranty – 5 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes fi rst). Exclusions apply visit renault.co.uk/warranty.

18162_REN_Megane_Fleet_And_Mobility_Press_Comp_Car_Today_297x210mm_1.0.indd 1 29/09/2020 10:01 MANUFACTURER PROFILE The GREEN PAGES GREEN FOCUS ON: ✪ STAR CAR Citroen e-C4

WHAT IS IT? Citroen’s return to the lower- medium sector with a petrol, diesel and, for the first time, electric hatchback.

CO2 EMISSIONS? As a full electric vehicle, the e-C4 has zero tailpipe emissions. HOW QUICK IS IT? Pace isn’t the e-C4’s calling card, with Citroen focusing with success a 40% taxpayer £123 a month in this on its vehicles’ comfort rather than 2020/21 tax year, compared to the speed. The 136hp e-C4 will still get 180hp diesel’s £392 a month. from 0-62mph in 9.0 seconds. Citroen The C5 Aircross combines a 180hp 1.6-litre petrol engine and 80kW electric WHAT’S THE RANGE? The French brand has motor powered by a 13.2kWh battery, The official figure is 217 miles, and it can operate in electric-only mode giving the car a very usable made big moves into at up to 83mph, where allowed. real-world figure. plug-in vehicles in IS IT TAX-EFFICIENT? EV ARRIVAL As with all zero-emission models, the past 12 months Towards the end of last year, the first of the e-C4 incurs no BiK or company Citroen’s new breed of electric vehicles NI this tax year, and is only in the Let’s discount the electric Berlingo van, arrived, in the form of both Dispatch van 1% band for 2021/22. the dabbles with prototype EVs and the and SpaceTourer passenger EV versions ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW? C-Zero of 2009, a rather unloved early of the large model. Citroen has increased its electric car based on the Mitsubishi The SpaceTourer gets a 50kWh battery predictions for the electric version i-Miev. Instead, 2020 marked the real that offers a range figure of 148 miles, of the new C4, now expecting it to beginning of Citroen’s concerted push while the e-Dispatch has a choice of take around 20% of C4 volume in into electric cars, which will culminate 50kWh or 75kWh batteries, with the wake of growing EV demand in every Citroen model having either an respective official range figures of over the past 12 months. electric or PHEV alternative by 2025. 143 miles and 205 miles respectively. The reduced noise and vibration of Next up in the coming weeks is the electric powertrains dovetails nicely new e-C4 (see panel, right). with Citroen’s stated move back to its Then there’s the oddball Citroen Ami. traditional strength of cars that put Technically not a car, the little electric sporting characteristics on the back two-seater is primed for car-share use in burner in favour of comfort. large cities, having already started to appear in Paris. It’s like a more waterproof PHEV KICK-OFF ‘Boris Bike’, in that the concept centres on The arrival of the plug-in hybrid version hire for short periods, with users returning of the C5 Aircross last year was the it to various points across a city. It has a beginning; it is the brand’s first PHEV and a range of 43 miles and top speed of 28mph. model with an official EV-only range of 34 As yet, it isn’t confirmed for the UK, but miles, putting it in the 12% Benefit-in-Kind the chances are improving, with Citroen band for company car tax. Indeed, the having recently brought a pair of cars over plug-in is predicted to take at least a fifth from France to test the demand. It would of the C5 Aircross volume this year. cost around £7,000 to buy outright, or can One look at the tax equation makes the be leased for a nominal amount. In France, situation clear – the 225hp PHEV will cost 16-year-olds are licensed to drive.

coming next… system already seen in various car The light commercial vehicle range is models, which means a 50kWh battery the next focus for Citroen’s moves to mated to a 100kW electric motor, and a greener line-up, with the e-Berlingo the van’s official range figure sits at arriving in the UK in the final quarter of 171 miles. It will come to the UK in three this year, and the e-Relay also due to be configurations of M, XL and Crew Van, unveiled in 2021, joining the e-Dispatch with a maximum payload of 800kg. An that hit the road late last year. app will allow remote control of charging The e-Berlingo gets the same EV and pre-heating or pre-cooling.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 25 CLEAN-AIR ZONES

IS OFFSETTING STILL A VIABLE GREEN OPTION? Carbon offsetting was a hive of activity early this century as a way of making a business’s activities greener. But is it still a practical solution in 2021?

The principle of carbon offsetting is a fleets. But zero tailpipe emissions doesn’t VERIFICATION simple one – your business produces mean zero environmental impact. According to Hammond, there are three carbon, so fund schemes that reduce “Moving to electric vehicles is much verification bodies ensuring schemes are emissions by the same amount and bingo, more effective than offsetting your valid: the California-based VERRA, Gold your business no longer adds pollution to carbon,” says Taco van der Leji, European Standard from Switzerland, in conjunction the environment. It sounds simple, but vice-president of Bridgestone-owned with the World Wildlife Fund, and the controversies around the validity of telematics giant Webfleet Solutions. United Nations’ carbon-neutral registry. schemes gnawed away at their “Nevertheless, an EV still consumes But it’s not just in the registration of a reputations, and the rise of electrified energy so you need to get your plan in scheme itself that a fleet has to beware. vehicles has reduced fleet operators’ place. Depending on the car, an EV is “You need to select a partner that offers impact on the environment. So is carbon maybe 25% of a normal vehicle for CO2 a transparent process, and crucially the offsetting still relevant, and, if so, how emissions, so you need to do something.” carbon credits have to be retired in your should businesses go about it? Then there’s the impact of those name,” he advises. “When the credits are Founder of iOffset Mark Hammond company vehicles that aren’t yet electric. purchased they have to be retired or admits that the boom in offsetting “If you can’t get into an electric vehicle cancelled on the public registry, so they tapered off around 10 years ago, but says yet, say for budgetary or infrastructure can never be traded again.” it has returned to prominence in the past reasons, then offsetting is an answer,” Hammond says having a transparent two years. “It didn’t progress, that’s down adds iOffset’s Hammond. audit trail and the ability to review projects to some lack of governance and auditing,” he says. “However, in the past two years, and certainly the past 12 months, interest seems to have picked up.” CASE STUDY: GREENKIT He highlights the UK’s 2050 net-zero goal as an important element in focusing Greenkit hires energy-efficient Tanzania. Much of the 2bn hectares attention on the issue. And he predicts lighting equipment and accessories of degraded land across the globe is that the UN’s 2021 Climate Change to film makers, and as well as in Africa, where Justdiggit says Summit COP26 due to be held in Glasgow running hybrid vehicles and economic constraints make this November will only increase attention. “Net zero is ubiquitous, and that is planning to run an electric light restoration challenging, and the driving companies and corporates to commercial vehicle, it has decided organisation uses traditional develop sustainability strategies. Carbon to offset its emissions as part of a methods such as digging eroded offsetting is a core part of that,” he says. journey to carbon-neutrality. land to restore fertility, re-green The principle of it being only part of a the site and improve productivity. solution is key to Hammond. He tells Using Webfleet’s Green Your Company Car Today: “The concept is to Fleet initiative, the company “When we saw the opportunity promote carbon reduction, offset what receives an estimated annual CO2 to contribute to this restoration we you can’t reduce and share the message. emissions figure from its vehicles, jumped at the chance” says Reduce, offset, share.” which is then converted into tree Greenkit marketing director Sally ELECTRIC VEHICLES planting by the Justdiggit McEnallay. “We believe that in the The relevance of offsetting has in part organisation working in Africa, long-term it will be beneficial in been brought into question by the rapid particularly regreening dry lands in tackling global climate change.” rise in deployment of electric vehicles by

26 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK The GREEN PAGES

CARBON-OFFSET CRITICS Not everyone is a fan of carbon offsetting. Some question the validity of the schemes in terms of funding renewable energy projects that would have found support from elsewhere anyway, or capturing carbon via tree planting that is then released back into the atmosphere at a later date if the trees are burned. A 2016 study for the European Commission found that three quarters of UN-sanctioned projects would likely have gone ahead without the carbon-offset funding, and only 2% had a high chance of being classified as “additional”. That’s mainly due to the type of clean energy projects being something Governments will need to encourage to hit their and have a conversation on which ones Today. “We have also moved to an own environmental goals. suit the business is important. Different energy partner who is engaged in a projects cost different amounts, and while carbon-offset programme.” “To be a viable offset, the some businesses will want to offset as Like Fleet Operations, Webfleet carbon must be locked away for cheaply as possible, others will be looking Solutions has been offsetting the carbon thousands of years and tree to support certain types of project. its own business creates. “We have been CCT “A renewable energy project is cheaper encouraging our customers to move to planting or peatland restoration than forestry, and a project in a developing electronic invoicing,” explains van der Leji. can’t guarantee this,” argues country is less expensive than a developed “If they would still like a paper invoice Friends of the Earth’s head of country,” continues Hammond. then we ask them to pay for it and science, policy and research, Mike “So on a matrix, renewable energy in the donate the money to offset the paper.” Childs. Friends of the Earth also Far East is the cheapest option on the spectrum, and at the opposite end is tree FUTURE-PROOFING expresses concerns that planting in the UK.” In between that are Being seen to be green is in some ways offsetting leaves businesses projects across the world, with iOffset as important as the action itself, and will believing they don’t have to involved in the likes of peatland restoration grow in significance in the coming years. reduce the environmental impact and conservation in Indonesia, “More companies are realising that if we of their operations. conservation and biodiversity projects in don’t have great sustainability then it is a the Tambopata National Reserve in Peru, risk for the company,” says van der Leji. “If a business or someone you anti-deforestation work in Brazil, “We will all work step-by-step for a know tells you they are going net afforestation work in Uruguay and better society and this is part of that.” zero, ask them just how far they involvement in the Great Bear Forest He predicts that some companies could are going in cutting their Carbon Project in Canada. be forced to prove their green credentials “There are some people who say I want to retain their place in the supply chain. emissions,” says Childs. “If to offset X many tonnes as cheaply as I “Most companies have clear guidelines on someone tries to sell you an can, tell me when you’ve done it; that’s kind how they want to do things and they want offset project, ask them if they of a simple route,” says Hammond. “The to create a supply chain that isn’t will guarantee the carbon will be opposite is where they want to understand compromised,” he continues. I think it’s locked up for thousands of years where the projects are and what they do.” important for all companies, because it’s important for your company and for and that it has zero chance of COMPANY THEN CUSTOMER society, and you are part of that. The being funded any other way. Fleet Operations is one business that took next step is that you need to stimulate “The reality is that we need to the decision to commit to a carbon-offset your partners to do the same, like we cut our emissions by as much as programme internally, and has progressed have done with asking to offset the to be able to offer it to customers. carbon output of our production.” we can, as fast as we can,” he “As a business, it includes some changes Fleet Operations’ Gallagher concludes: concludes. “We also need to to the office (when we go back) to reduce “Carbon offsetting should be considered invest in projects that will remove the carbon footprint, particularly moving as part of the make-up for a robust carbon emissions from the our clients to electronic invoicing, and environmental and sustainability policy. atmosphere. It’s not either/or, making sure we have the best and most Carbon offsetting is an important pillar in efficient printers and machinery,” Fleet the construction of a robust environment it’s both. We need to protect Operations business development and sustainability policy.” what nature we have left.” manager Mark Gallagher tells Company Car Paul Barker

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 27 The GUEST OPINION GREEN PAGES

OPINION Salary sacrifice is speeding up driver adoption Kit Wisdom, Operations Director, Tusker of EVs

Every year we carry out research into 10 where in 2020, there were eight EVs, (220 miles) and even the new Vauxhall the benefits sector and we receive the one PHEV and just a single petrol car. Corsa-e (200 miles) will cater for a results in November. Never before The three most ordered vehicles in week of driver journeys on one charge. have we seen such a year-on-year 2020 were pure electric vehicles, It was interesting that respondents change in employee sentiment and the whereas 2019 featured mostly petrol guessed on average an EV can cover main reason is electric vehicles. city cars and SUVs. 125.89 miles before it needs charging. Electric vehicles have gone from 3% The main reason for this radical When it came to charging times, of the Tusker fleet in 2019 to 20% in market shift is the change in the employees surveyed guessed that it 2020 and that share looks set to BIK rates, making electric vehicles takes an average of 77.42 minutes to continue growing because 63% of highly affordable, together with the charge the average EV to 80%. respondents said they’d consider huge amount of education that is Salary-sacrifice car schemes put electric for their next car. going on within the industry. EVs into the reach of the majority of That statistic fits with the trend we Importantly our survey shows the employees, more so than a traditional recorded in 2020, when electric education is working as employees contract hire scheme. Traditional vehicles accounted for 50% of our are better informed than ever, with schemes also rarely feature the deliveries, with hybrids making up 36% of those considering an electric “package” of insurance, maintenance a further 20%. Survey respondents vehicle confident in naming three or and servicing, road tax, tyres and said their main reason for going electric more local charging locations. breakdown cover. The message of was the environmental benefits closely Our ongoing policy of dispelling affordability of the schemes is getting followed by being able to charge at myths and education about EVs and through to drivers with 75% of survey home and being taxed less. hybrids has also helped drivers’ respondents aware that EVs fall into knowledge of salary sacrifice. Over a their budget. WHO’S MOVING TO EVs? half (51%) of survey respondents said In more ways than one, 2020 was a The excitement around EVs has come they knew what a salary-sacrifice car year to remember. Our fleet reached a from all levels. We’ve seen significantly scheme is and 45% of those associated tipping point as 70% of deliveries were more 40% taxpayers switching out of salary sacrifice as the cheapest way to zero-emission and hybrid cars. That their company car into a salary- drive a new electric vehicle without number will continue to rise as we sacrifice car as they combat growing spending a large amount upfront. predict more drivers moving away from Benefit-in-Kind tax bills, particularly traditional contract hire and cash-for- when driving a diesel. In fact, 95% of DRIVING RANGE car schemes into salary-sacrifice those higher-rate taxpayers chose a A mismatch between a driver’s because it gives them fixed-cost ULEV, as did 43% of basic-rate payers. perceived mileage and an EV’s range motoring at the same time as reducing The most popular cars chosen by has often been a barrier for potential Benefit-in-Kind tax bills. 20% taxpayers included the BMW i3, electric car users but with a host of But the real winner in all this is that Kia e-Niro, MG ZS, Nissan Leaf and longer-range cars being launched we average CO2 emissions continue to fall. Peugeot e2008. are seeing this change. Indeed, 79% In January 2019, the average car This contributed to the top 10 most of survey respondents admitted to chosen by a higher-rate taxpayer was ordered car list changing dramatically driving less than 150 miles a week, 120g/km, which fell by 66% to just from 2019 to 2020. In 2019, the Tesla which means models such as the Tesla 40g/km by November 2020. We are Model 3 was the only ULEV in the top Model 3 (263 miles), the Audi e-Tron in no doubt that this figure will fall again in 2021 supported by further driver education, a growth in salary-sacrifice Never before have we seen such a year- as fleets move towards more of a blended car policy and more state-of- on-year change in employee sentiment, the-art new cars being launched by and it’s because of electric vehicles automotive manufacturers.

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 Citroen C4 March 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 Lexus UX300e March 2021 hydrogen vehicles, although none across the three other bands. Audi Q4 E-tron Spring 2021 get under the current £50,000 Audi E-Tron GT Spring 2021 grant threshold. Plug-in hybrids 40-69 miles – 6% BIK Fiat 500 Spring 2021 are no longer included as of Audi A3 October 2018, and there is also an Mazda MX-30 Spring 2021 BMW X5e £8000 grant towards the cost of Mercedes A-Class, B-Class, CLA, GLE Skoda Enyaq Spring 2021 ultra-low emission LCVs. Peugeot 3008 Volvo XC40 Recharge Spring 2021 Polestar 1 VW ID4 Spring 2021 ELIGIBLE VEHICLES 30-39 miles – 10% BIK Ford Mustang Mach-e May 2021 Sub-50g/km costing under £50,000 BMW 225xe, 330e, 530e, 745e, X1e, X2e BMW iX3 Summer 2021 with at least 70 miles of EV range: Cupra Leon Mercedes-Benz EQA Summer 2021 35% grant to maximum of £3000 Citroen C5 Aircross BMW i3, i3s DS 7 Crossback Audi Q4 E-tron Sportback Mid 2021 BYD e6 Ford Kuga BMW i4 2021 Citroen e-C4, e-SPaceTourer BMW iX Late 2021 DS3 Crossback E-Tense Hyundai Ioniq Ford Mustang Mach-e Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace Mercedes-Benz EQA Late 2021 Honda e Kia Niro Seat El-Born Late 2021 Hyundai Ioniq electric, Kona electric Land Rover Discovery Sport Tesla Model Y Late 2021 Kia e-Niro, Soul EV Mercedes C-Class, GLA, E-Class Lexus UX300e CCT Renault Megane 2022 Mazda MX-30 MG HS Mercedes-Benz EQE 2022 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Peugeot 508 Drive, eVito Tourer Porsche Panamera MG 5, ZS Range Rover Evoque, Velar PLUG-IN HYBRID Mini Electric Renault Captur, Megane Sport Tourer Hyundai Tucson Spring 2021 Nissan e-NV200, Leaf Seat Leon Jaguar E-Pace Spring 2021 Peugeot e208, e2008, eTraveller Polestar 2 Skoda Octavia, Superb Jaguar F-Pace Spring 2021 Renault Zoe Suzuki Across Kia Sorento Spring 2021 Smart EQ Fortwo, EQ Forfour Toyota Prius PiH, RAV4 Land Rover Defender Spring 2021 Tesla Model 3 Vauxhall Corsa e, Vivaro e-Life Vauxhall Grandland X Range Rover Velar Spring 2021 Volkswagen Golf, Passat Volkswagen e-Up, e-Golf, ID.3 Renault Megane hatch Spring 2021 Volvo S60, S80, V60, V90 LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES Seat Ateca Spring 2021 Sub-30 miles – 12% BIK LCVs that have CO2 of under 75g/km BMW X3e Volkswagen Tiguan Spring 2021 and can travel for at least 10 miles on Mercedes GLC Volkswagen Arteon Spring 2021 electric are eligible for an £8000 grant off the purchase price, up to 20% Mini Countryman Audi Q3 Summer 2021 BD Auto eTraffic, eDucato (3.5t van) Mitsubishi Outlander Jeep Compass Summer 2021 Citroen e-Dispatch Volvo XC40 DS 4 November 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 Ioniq 45 Late 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

VAUXHALL MOKKA 1.2 AUTO LAUNCH EDITION

Sometimes an all-new version of an The Mokka is available with a choice of Trim levels run from SE, through existing car is so different you wonder petrol and diesel engines and as a full EV. best-selling SRi then SRi Premium, Elite, why the manufacturer didn’t also change There are two 1.2-litre petrols, with Elite Premium and on to Ultimate. There’s the name. This is exactly the case with either 100hp or 130hp, although only the also an initial run of well-appointed Launch Vauxhall’s new Mokka supermini-SUV. higher-powered version has the option of Edition cars. All versions from SRi Premium The all-new Mokka is based on the the eight-speed auto tested here. The up include sat-nav. Prices range from platform that parent company PSA diesel is a 110hp 1.5-litre engine coupled to £20,735 to £29,685 for the petrols and Peugeot Citroen – now diesel while the EV is £34,970 Stellantis – uses for all its after the Plug-in Car Grant. superminis and supermini SUVs, The 130hp petrol is Inside, you’ll find a twin-screen and is the second Vauxhall to dashboard, with one for the main carry the new front-end styling sprightly enough but can instruments and a second for which the brand calls Vizor. The be noisy when worked the infotainment system. first to carry the look was the Both are clear and bright, but facelifted Crossland (see page 37), which a six-speed manual. CO2 figures start from the software is slow to respond and the sits in the same sector as the Mokka, 114g/km for the diesel and 125g/km for menu system isn’t as intuitive as those in but is around £1700 cheaper despite the petrols. At this level the petrol would many rivals. Want to mute the sat-nav? being fractionally larger. sit in the 29% company car tax band and That’ll be a five-step procedure from the The new styling looks classy, sharp and the diesel in the 26% band for 2021/22. main nav screen, and six if you’re neat on the new Mokka, even if it does Powering the full-electric Mokka-e, is elsewhere. Fortunately, Apple CarPlay and tend to hide the Vauxhall Griffin badge at a 130hp motor linked to a 50kWh battery Android Auto are standard. the front – particularly if you opt for the which has a WLTP official range of 201 That sluggish approach to systems runs matt-black option. miles (see panel). to other areas of the car; the start button

30 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW

SPECS COMFORT Mokka’s suspension MODEL: Vauxhall Mokka has definitely been 1.2 auto Launch Edition set up to feel sporty, P11D: £29,685 but in reality all this COMBINED MPG: 51.4mpg means is that it’s : 137g/km too firm to deal with CO2 bumpy UK roads ON SALE: Summer 2021

ENGINE The 1.2-litre petrol is fairly nippy in 130hp guise, but is rather too keen to let you know it. There are rather too many vibrations as well INTERIOR Twin-screen dashboard set-up certainly makes the Mokka feel modern, but it’s a shame the software behind it needs a three-second hold before the car all is slow to wakes up, and the gearshift paddles in the respond auto don’t like being rushed. MOKKA-E The 130hp petrol Mokka is sprightly enough, but it’s noisy when worked a bit Vauxhall expects around 10% of Mokka harder, partly due to fake, piped-in sales to be of the fully electric version exhaust noise. There’s a fair amount of and those buyers will be getting the vibration that also makes its way through pick of the Mokka range. to the driver via the steering wheel, but For starters Vauxhall has made things drive gently and that’s less of an issue. simpler by just offering three trim The bigger issue is jiggly suspension levels on the Mokka-e – SE, SRi and that never allows the car to settle. If the Elite (although all also have the words car offered more fun, this poor comfort Nav Premium after their trim name) – would be forgiven, but it doesn’t. against the seven in the ICE version. before you use the heater or drive a bit Interestingly, the heavier EV version The 50kWh battery, with a usable quicker. In our test in cold conditions feels far more settled in this respect and capacity of 46kWh, can be charged with the heater on, the Mokka was would be the pick of the Mokka range for at a maximum rate of 100kW. returning 2.9 miles per kWh which company car drivers. Vauxhall goes to great lengths to would give a range of 133 miles. point out that in a lot of conditions the As well as being the quickest Mokka, VERDICT: A stylish and well-honed option, 201 mile range is unlikely to be achieved the EV version is also the most refined but it’s the EV that really appeals, offering and that cold weather will drop the and the most comfortable, plus something that isn’t available elsewhere. range closer to 150 miles. And that’s obviously the most tax efficient. Tristan Young

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 31 VW TIGUAN 1.5 TSI 150 DSG R-LINE

An exterior and interior update, as well as new plug-in and performance powertrains to follow, are the headlines for the mid-life refresh of the Volkswagen Tiguan SUV. VW’s number one seller worldwide gets a new nose with LED headlights and what the company describes as a “more defined” bonnet that extends over the radiator grille, while the model branding on the rear is moved to the centre underneath the VW badge. There CABIN is also a selection of new alloy SPECS Upgrades include the wheels on offer. digitised climate controls Much like the revised VW P11D: £32,135 system, complete with Arteon (see p36), the updated RANGE: Carplay and Android or four- finger ‘slider’. Apple Tiguan has new gloss black 38.7mpg Auto for the first time. wheel drive. CarPlay and Android Auto digitised climate control CO2: 154g/km It makes for a good- The 150hp both make using the switchgear, including a slider for ON SALE: quality look and feel, and petrol is £2500 infotainment set-up temperature control, while the Now functions well on the move cheaper than the easier on the move latest infotainment system also compared with the systems diesel with the adds wireless connect for Apple in other VW models, or even same power, and only from rival manufacturers. costs an extra £6 per month on BiK, so it’s The Tiguan is an SUV that probably the fleet choice as well as the doesn’t blow you away initially, retail favourite. That said, high-mileage but is really good at all the boring drivers should still lean towards the diesel. bits of life. It’s got bags of space The only complaint from behind the up front, in the rear and the boot, wheel is that, at least with the R-Line and the 150hp 1.5-litre petrol model, the ride is firm. Other specs might engine driven here is a sweet not have the R-Line trim’s extra styling thing. No wonder it’s the biggest features, but the improvement in ride seller of the four on offer; there quality may be worth the sacrifice. are 130hp and 150hp 1.5 petrols and 150hp and 200hp 2.0-litre VERDICT: Sleeker nose and mild diesels. The last of these is improvements to cabin and technology offered in 4Motion four- make for a sensible if not spectacular wheel-drive form only, while update to a successful SUV. However, it the lower-powered diesel could do with being a bit more efficient. comes with front- Paul Barker

DRIVING The 150hp 1.5-litre petrol engine revs sweetly and has decent punch, but the firmer suspension of R-Line trim makes for a jiggly ride quality. Still, the more aggressive bodykit looks good

32 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW

EFFICIENT The hybrid powertrain is a bit of a cracker. Not only does it give the RAV4 46 miles of electric-only range, but it also endows the car with a decent turn of pace. It adds up on paper, too, with a CO2 output of just 22g/km

SPECS there is some body roll. P11D: £50,895 front. The boot loses 60 Nevertheless, the all-round FUEL ECONOMY: litres to that of the hybrid, driving experience is neat. 282.5mpg but is still a very useful TOYOTA Another impressive part of 520 litres, and there are no CO2: 22g/km the driving experience is how ON SALE: other compromises in RAV4 PHEV far the hybrid systems have Now terms of space or flexibility. come; no longer do they provide The elephant in the room is DYNAMIC PREMIUM more noise than forward the price, with the entry car momentum. The RAV4 PHEV is easily the costing more than £47,000 and the Toyota has jumped straight to the top of most refined Toyota hybrid yet, helped by Dynamic Plus trim more than £50,000 . the class in terms of plug-in hybrid the lower engine speed possible thanks to Although the RAV will almost certainly be efficiency, with its new RAV4 outpointing the PHEV system. It makes a big difference. bought on monthly payment, that still has any SUV rival for electric-only range. But it’s the efficiency that is key, and an impact, and will take some a little Only the Peugeot 3008 can also get into that comes from the combination of petrol plotting of cost to driver and company the 6% BiK band by offering at least 40 engine and two electric motors – 134kWh to make the sums add up. miles of electric range, but its EV scope is in the front and 40kW in the rear, with an Toyota expects 700 registrations this still six miles less than that of the Toyota. 18.1kWh battery providing the energy. year, rising beyond 3,700 in 2022 as supply The RAV4 is also more efficient once the There are a couple of visual differences frees up, with the majority, unsurprisingly, battery is used up, because it then reverts that mark out the PHEV RAV4 from its going to corporate drivers. to a petrol-electric hybrid system rather hybrid sibling, such as the dark plating at than just a regular petrol engine. That the bottom of the car, and the dark mesh VERDICT: Far from cheap, but it’s quick, means a 22g/km efficiency figure. grille, but it’s very subtle. The plug-in also good to drive and the running costs are The combined system also offers gets a bespoke interior with a good, thanks to the impressive range and more than 300hp, which translates pair of comfortable red- efficiency of the hybrid powertrain. into a 0-62mph time of just six stitched leather seats up Paul Barker seconds, and on-road INTERIOR performance that surprises Everything feels decently for its driving enjoyment. put together from pretty It’s also a little nimbler high-quality materials. than expected, although Red stitching also marks still a tall SUV shape, so out the plug-in hybrid model. Infotainment now offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 33 GRUMBLY The 1.5-litre diesel engine will be the big seller as far as fleets are concerned, but while it has a light thirst it requires a bit of encouragement to respond with vigour, and it tends to be noisy in the process

SPECS P11D: £23,795 efficient diesels. That’s Inside, the seven-inch FUEL ECONOMY: despite the 2.0-litre being 61.4mpg infotainment touchscreen is VAUXHALL the first Insignia to get also a bit small compared to CO : 121g/km cylinder-deactivation tech 2 some rivals. Still, the seats ON SALE: INSIGNIA that improves efficiency Now are comfortable and there’s when cruising on light throttle. decent space in both the 1.5 TURBO D SE NAV Vauxhall also claims class- back-seat area and the boot leading shift quality from the which offers 490 litres of space. Vauxhall’s flagship model has reached new nine-speed automatic transmission. New tech includes a rear camera that middle age, with the Insignia hatchback The sleek Insignia has been given a mild improves visibility, while heated rear outer getting an all-new range of petrol and styling revamp, with new headlamps and seats and steering wheel are standard diesel engines as well as improved a wider grille, but it’s always been a from the penultimate of five trim levels, technology and revised looks. good-looking, low-slung five-door, called Ultimate Nav. Cars from the middle The biggest change is under the and nothing here changes that. SRi VX-Line spec get the clever IntelliLux bonnet where a pair of petrol and pair The 1.5-litre diesel isn’t exactly Pixel headlights. of diesel engines are headlined by the overpowered, and can sometimes labour, new 1.5-litre 122hp diesel, as seen requiring the driver to drop a gear for VERDICT: The efficiency figures for the already in the lower-medium Astra. acceleration more often than more revised Insignia are excellent, although Both this engine and its 2.0-litre 174hp powerful models will require. It’s also the 1.5 diesel takes a bit of stirring to get sibling have an emissions figure of just not the most refined, making its use going. But the flagship Vauxhall model still 121g/km across all trim levels, rising by of diesel obvious from start-up. looks good, and is well specced. 9-10g/km for the eight-speed automatic. There is also a pair of 2.0-litre petrol engines, which generate either 200hp or 230hp. The former is offered only in SRi VX-Line Nav trim, and the latter resides in the range-topping 4x4 performance model badged GSi. Both come with a new nine-speed automatic gearbox, with emissions of 171g/km and 181g/km respectively ruling hem out as a sensible company car choice versus the very

CABIN Central touchscreen is a little smaller than the ones that are offered in rivals, but there can be no quibbling about the space on offer in the Insignia, whether that be in the front or back

34 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW HYUNDAI TUCSON 1.6 T-GDI 230HP HYBRID SE CONN’T

Hyundai has certainly gone down a route of much more than simple evolution with its new Tucson. It correctly portrays its all-new compact SUV as a “revolution” in design terms, with a unique front-end getting what the brand calls a “parametric jewel” effect that is replicated throughout the car’s styling. INTERIOR The striking grille has 10 daytime Tucson cabin is a huge running lights embedded into the step on from those of old jewel-effect nose, which gives it Hyundais, because it feels an unmistakable look. It works SPECS luxurious. The materials well, certainly more so than the are classy, there’s not a overly sculpted sides of the P11D: £32,035 rattle in earshot and the RANGE: infotainment tech Tucson, where the crescendo mild-hybrid powertrain although some of is cutting-edge of crease lines has a little too 50.4mpg available with four- the cabin stowage much going on and it takes a CO2: 127g/km wheel drive, and even could be better, second glance to be sure it’s by ON SALE: then only in top-spec especially the narrow door design rather than just dented. Now Ultimate trim. bins. That said, there is a handy nook The most efficient model in the Like the exterior design, beneath the 10.25-inch screen that range is the most expensive and most the cabin is a fine example of controls the infotainment. A similarly sized powerful, with the 230hp petrol-electric how far Hyundai styling has come. display forms the instrument cluster. hybrid model emitting from 127g/km. By Better still, it scores well for quality of As well as the good emissions, the comparison, the 150hp mild-hybrid petrol switchgear and materials, even in this Tucson also enjoys excellent residual emits 144g/km. The bulk of the range is entry SE Connect of the three trim levels. values, helping to eat back into the price front-wheel drive, with only the 150hp The hybrid system is evident as soon as tag that, for the hybrid version, starts at you press the accelerator, kicking more than £32,000 for this entry trim. in instantly before being joined a There is also a plug-in hybrid model being fraction later by the petrol engine. added to the range during 2021. Although fairly vocal under acceleration, the Tucson certainly VERDICT: Another impressive move by feels rapid, but the ride is Hyundai, bringing head-turning styling, undeniably on the lumpy side. particularly at the front end, as well as Practicality is good, with a efficiency and quality. hefty 620 litres of boot space, Paul Barker

DRIVING Electric part of the hybrid powertrain gives the new Tucson a real spring in its step off the line, but when the 1.6-litre petrol engine joins the fray it becomes quite noisy

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 35 VW ARTEON SHOOTING BRAKE 2.0 TSI 190 DSG

Volkswagen has taken the Arteon executive fastback’s mid-life revision as the opportunity to expand the range, with a 320hp R flagship and a plug-in hybrid with a 39-mile EV range soon joining the range, alongside the classy Shooting Brake bodystyle driven here. It certainly looks the part – low, sleek and imposing – and is accentuated by darker colours. SPECS The German brand describes P11D: £37,495 BOOT the Shooting Brake as a RANGE: A capacity only two reinterpretation of the estate, 35.8mpg a load space figure of figure isn’t litres bigger than that and “the most expressive such CO2: 179g/km 565 litres is impressive, great, and can of the hatch may seem vehicle” it has produced to date. ON SALE: and is a full 70 litres more be beaten by disappointing, but the Both bodystyles are offered with Now than an Audi A4 Avant, the likes of the Shooting Brake is much 150hp and 190hp petrol engines without compromising the Audi A4 Avant, more practical with a large, and 150hp or 200hp diesels, as well as acres of rear passenger space. BMW 420i Gran square load area the forthcoming PHEV and R variants, and That tailgate has a narrow rear Coupe and and easier access the Shooting Brake costs only an additional window that does inhibit rear visibility, Mercedes CLA200 £800 over the fastback bodystyle. although the larger-than-expected rear Shooting Brake, a Slightly surprisingly, the Shooting Brake side windows make up for that a little. disparate group of rivals for has only two extra litres of boot space, but On the inside, VW has overhauled the what is something of a rival-less car, it does have extra practicality not cabin, with a redesigned dash panel, centre especially in Shooting Brake form. accounted for on the figures, thanks to its console and door trim, all of which are Worth noting though, the Passat Estate square load area. Nevertheless, designed to bring the Arteon closer is more practical, and more than £3,000 to the flagship Touareg large SUV. cheaper in the 150hp petrol auto R-Line The climate control system now form that only emits 151g/km. features touch-sensitive sliders to But the new addition is a classy, big, control temperature, and it’s a practical and high-quality model that is system that seems a little more well worth considering. user-friendly than that seen in the latest breed of new small VWs. VERDICT: Good looking and practical with The company predicts that the a high-quality cabin, the Shooting Brake is 190hp petrol R-Line driven here will a neat addition. Its minimal cost over the be the most popular model, and it fastback should allow it to grab attention offers decent performance, within the improved Arteon range. although the 179g/km emissions Paul Barker ENGINE In a reflection of the modern business world, the most popular engine will be this 190hp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit, which offers decent pace, but quite high emissions

36 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW

SPECS P11D: £23,390 COMBINED MPG: 48.7mpg CO2: 132g/km ON SALE: Now

VAUXHALL CROSSLAND 1.2 TURBO 130HP SRI NAV

With the arrival of Vauxhall’s other small black tailgate give the Crossland a wider Still, the SRi model driven here has some crossover Mokka looming, the brand has stance, but it still looks too narrow and tall. nice body-coloured inserts that really raise taken the chance to update its Crossland. There are new springs and dampers, but the cabin atmosphere. There’s been a hefty redesign of the that’s about it from an engineering point of The boot has a handy split-level floor front-end as well as tweaks to the rear and view, with the line-up of two petrol and and the rear seats slide to increase boot the trim levels. The Crossland X also two diesel engines carrying over from the space from 410 to 520 litres. With the becomes the Crossland in the update. outgoing model. They are the 83hp or seats slid back to maximise legroom, The front of the car is the most obvious 130hp petrol, and the 110hp and 120hp there’s enough space for adults. update, with the Crossland getting a diesel. The Crossland does ride pretty well, . cleaner, classier appearance. Overall, it’s though, and refinement is reasonable. VERDICT: Tidy update improves the a tidier car visually than before. On the inside, the top half of the cabin is Crossland’s looks but the car is still set to The company claims that the new decent, although it all becomes a bit be overshadowed by the new Mokka dark-tinted tail-lights and high-gloss tougher as you go down the interior. arriving shortly on UK roads.

SPECS P11D: £32,585 COMBINED MPG: 54.2mpg CO2: 137g/km ON SALE: Now

updates to the JLR range and the ability to sync Google or Microsoft calendars and addresses to the system. The new 204hp 2.0-litre diesel engine replaces the 180hp diesel, and despite the power increase it’s more efficient, kicking signature line of daytime running lights, off from 130g/km for emissions. It’s a while the rear bumper is also new. It’s refined and smooth unit that offers good JAGUAR XF certainly a bolder front end. performance, although it could do with A new infotainment system headlines kicking down a touch quicker when a D200 MHEV SE the interior updates, with the central surge of acceleration is required. switchgear all new around the Pivi Pro Ride and handling are also excellent, with Jaguar describes its “sports saloons” system. It all looks smart in matt black, but the Jaguar cementing its place as an XF and little brother XE as key parts of its it’s a shame the infotainment screen is underrated rival to the BMW 5-Series at range, and the two models have received now another that has joined the tablet- the more driver enjoyment-focused end of a significant 2021 makeover inside and stuck-to-the-dashboard brigade, rather the executive sector. out, with the XF first to market. than being integrated. The system works . The nose is an obvious revamp, with well and looks good on the large 11.4-inch VERDICT: Update brings efficient, refined revised, larger grille and lower air intakes screen, while it also introduces the and powerful new diesel, as well as better and new LED headlamps with a ‘double J’ potential for over-the-air software infotainment and a classier interior.

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 37 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 CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS SPECS P11D: £36,790 FLAIR PLUS PHEV OFFICIAL COMBINED MPG: 157.2mpg TESTER’S NOTES OUR MPG: 62.8mpg CO2: 32g/km ● For me Citroens are all about extravagant styling, and part of that is colour. Unfortunately, the dark grey of our car, with ‘contrasting’ black roof, really downplays that part of Citroen’s brand. If you buy one, please pick Volcano Red or Tijuca Blue, which look so much better. ● The C5 Aircross comes with a C5 Aircross looks really long charging cable. This is great, but not so a great thing to offer because it much in dark grey means you don’t need to park tight to your home charge point. FIRST REPORT With the PHEV version sitting in the 10% Showing that carrots work better than BIK band, a 20% taxpayer will save £1134 sticks, the incentives to pick a plug-in every year over the equivalent diesel. For a company car rather than a purely petrol 40% payer that saving jumps to £2267. At this early stage it’s worth pointing out or diesel one are having a massive So that’s why you’d pick the PHEV a few official stats for the C5 Aircross. The impact on the market. version of Citroen’s small family SUV, but battery capacity is 13.2kWh, the official So, car makers have realised the only how does the rest of the car stack up? electric range is 34 miles and the car is way to succeed in the company car arena is Over the next six months we’ll find out if capable of charging at 6.6kW which means to offer PHEVs, EVs, or both. Company Car there are any real-world compromises to it will go from empty to full off a home 7kW Today’s latest fleet arrival, the Citroen C5 taking the plug-in and finding out what the charger in less than two hours. Aircross, illustrates why perfectly. C5 Aircross is like to live with. Tristan Young

manager and company car driver happy. parking sensors. Safety features include SEAT Leon It's worth noting that higher-spec Leons the lane-keep assist and tiredness do incur a bigger BiK tax penalty, so be recognition systems. e-Hybrid FR DSG sure to choose carefully. Our FR trim, Now, let’s see what it’s like to live with should be the pick of the bunch for fleets. over the coming months. FIRST REPORT It's certainly well appointed, with 17-inch Dave Wallace I’m saying hello to another VW Group alloys, electrically folding door mirrors, LED PHEV, with my new Seat Leon e-Hybrid headlights, dynamic turn signals, high- replacing the Audi I've spent the past few beam assist, auto wipers, cruise control TESTER’S NOTES months with (see p41). and wireless phone charging. In the Leon, a 1.4 TSI engine is mated to a There's more, including a digital cockpit, 12.8 kWh Lithium-ion battery. It produces 8.25-inch media system with Apple ● The Leon’s Mystery Blue 204hp, which equates to a 0-62mph time CarPlay and Android paintwork looks quite smart and of 7.5 seconds, plus CO2 of 27g/km and Auto, climate has a purple-ish hue to it. BiK at 6% for 2020/21 – keeping both fleet control, and rear SPECS ● The PHEV’s charging port is located on the passenger side front P11D: £31,115 wing. Thankfully with the Leon’s OFFICIAL COMBINED MPG: 217.3-235.4 mpg charging cable is long enough to OUR MPG: TBC allow you to reverse onto your drive CO2: 27g/km

Mystery Blue paint looks almost purple – classy

38 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK REVIEW

SECOND REPORT Before the Berlingo arrived I assumed CITROEN Berlingo After a month on the driveway (with that the system would be similar, and that slightly more time spent looking at it my garage would be pressed into service if I Crew Van BlueHDI sitting there than actually driving it) needed to take the seats out at any point. the Citroen Berlingo is starting to So I tidied it up. settle into family life. Fairly rapidly, though, I discovered that I’ve also already had reason to curse the Citroen has a clever system. Instead of my preconceptions about it. With having to take the seats out, you can fold previous crew vans, there has been the them down using a simple lever, exactly as option to turn them from people- you would in a car. They go almost totally carrying machines into full-capacity flat, and then you have the choice of either vans. However, to do so you had to sliding the bulkhead forward or opening a employ patience and brute strength to little gate in it to slot longer items through. remove the seats, and This simple system seems set to make then had to deal the Citroen a much more flexible vehicle. with storing them. SPECS Tom Webster P11D: £28,322 OFFICIAL COMBINED TESTER’S NOTES MPG: 55.6 mpg OUR MPG: TBC ● The screen in the Berlingo doesn’t CO2: 151g/km come with satellite-navigation, but does have Apple CarPlay, which is great as I prefer Waze anyway. ● For all the fancy camera systems you can get in a vehicle these days, a good, old-fashioned set of rear parking sensors are often all you Berlingo has been need, and having them as standard frustratingly on the Berlingo has seriously stationary so far reduced my stress levels.

FORD Puma 1.0 125 EcoBoost ST-Line X

Perfect height Carrying large load for boot swap highlighted shelf rattle TESTER’S NOTES

● The Puma has various driving modes accessed through a button down by the gearlever. I’ve used it only once, because every other mode detracts from the sweetness with which it drives in Normal. ● I like how the headlights are set to Auto when you switch on, even if you’ve switched them to manual on your previous journey.

SPECS proved superb for taking muddy boots at P11D: £22,840 the end of a sodden trudge through the OFFICIAL COMBINED countryside. Even better, a quick hose out MPG: 49.6mpg has it looking like new in seconds. Perfect. OUR MPG: 45.6mpg However, all is not completely rosy in the CO2: 127g/km consider that most of Puma garden. That’s because it has FOURTH REPORT those miles have been developed a rattle. A loud one. The noise So, 2021 is off to a humdinger of covered during comparatively is emanating from the parcel shelf, with a start, isn’t it. short trips on A- and B-roads the two tailgate ‘hooks’ seeming like the Still, the stay-at-home message at least and in town, when the car is getting up most likely cause, because they move means I’m not spending a great deal on to temperature in winter, it doesn’t and make a noise while doing so. Still, fuel. Over the course of the past four seem quite so average. once things open up a bit more and it’s months, I’ve done around 3000 miles, and Those twisty roads also take me to safe to go outside, I’ll get a Ford dealer have averaged 42.8mpg. That might not my favourite local walking spot, and the to rectify the issue. look earth-shattering, but when you MegaBox storage area in the boot has Euan Doig

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 39 Vivaro-electrifyinglectrifying British businessbusiness

WinnerWinner ofof InternationalInternational VanVan ofof thethe YearYear 20212021 NewNew all-electricall-electric Vivaro-eVivaro-e

Carries British business

Fuel economy and CO2 results forfor thethe NewNew Vivaro-eVivaro-e EliteElite L1H1L1H1 31003100 75kW75kW (136PS).(136PS). MpgMpg (l/100km): (l/100km): N/A. N/A. CO CO2 2emissions: emissions: 0g/km. 0g/km. Electric range up to 206 miles (WLTP).* *Provisional*Provisional data. The New Vivaro-e is a battery electricelectric vehiclevehicle requiringrequiring mainsmains electricity electricity for for charging. charging. Range Range data data given given has has been been determined determined according according to to WLTP WLTP test test procedure procedure methodology. methodology. TheThe figures shown are intended for comparability purposes onlyonly andand shouldshould onlyonly be be compared compared other other cars cars tested tested to to the the same same technical technical standard. standard. The The range range you you achieve achieve under under real real world world driving driving conditionsconditions will depend upon a number of factors, including butbut notnot limitedlimited to:to: thethe accessoriesaccessories fitted fitted (pre (pre and and post post registration); registration); charging charging frequency; frequency; personal personal driving driving style; style; vehicle vehicle payload payload and and routeroute characteristics;characteristics; variations in weather; heating/airheating/air conditioning;conditioning; pre-conditioningpre-conditioning and and battery battery condition. condition. For For more more information, information, contact contact your your local local Vauxhall Vauxhall Retailer. Retailer.

GMB_11299745_Q4_20_Vivaro-e_FP_210x297.indd 1 07/01/202107/01/2021 13:54 13:54 REVIEW

FAREWELL REPORT have the choice over the car's AUDI A7 As the Audi A7 Sportback PHEV leaves driving mode, which is good. the Company Car Today fleet, the I was surprised to find that I’ve 55 TFSIe experience of living day-to-day with completed 53% of my 6500+ miles in a plug-in hybrid has been all-in-all electric mode; driveability, performance a convincingly positive one. and MPG have all surpassed expectations. The Audi’s PHEV system works With a £70k+ P11D, this car won’t be on seamlessly and is well mated to the every choice list, but if you’re lucky enough S Tronic automatic transmission. to have it as an option, it's unlikely to There’s also none of the messing disappoint. It's stylish outside, and full of around with brake regeneration Audi’s premium materials on the inside. levels some other cars The virtual cockpit is a peach of a offer – it’s a simple system, and there are two further screens get-in-and-go affair. SPECS for access to infotainment and climate However, you still control. It's also full of safety tech for P11D: £71,720 both occupant and pedestrian OFFICIAL COMBINED protection alike. MPG: 141.2 mpg So, the A7 has a lot in its favour, OUR MPG: 66.4mpg and that's before you add in a BiK of CO2: 46g/km 12% for 2020/21. What’s not to like? It’s an impressive car – and I’ve loved it. Dave Wallace

TESTER’S NOTES

● Sleek and stylish with an aggressive stance, the A7 is built to turn heads, and it’s no slouch. ● It’s a supremely comfortable car, A7 Sportback is no matter whether you're in the attractive both driving seat or being chauffeured. outside and in

KIA XCeed 1.6 GDI PHEV 3 TESTER’S NOTES

SPECS ● I’ve finally extinguished the low-tyre-pressure warning light P11D: £30,640 and, unsurprisingly, user error was OFFICIAL COMBINED MPG: 201.8MPG to blame. All four tyres had lost OUR MPG: 91.5mpg pressure, but only one sensor had alerted. Once they were all back up CO2: 32g/km to 36PSI, the problem was solved. ● I won’t miss the small 37-litre petrol tank of the XCeed. It's down from 50 litres in the standard XCeed, and when you start doing higher miles, you find yourself filling 33-mile real- world EV range up again sooner than you expect. has been good

TENTH REPORT But there’s also the thorny subject of The further good news about the XCeed Charging is a sensitive subject when it how you charge your car. The charging is that it comes with cables for both Type 2 comes to plug-in hybrids like our Kia. port is on the nearside front wing, which and three-pin domestic socket plugs. In discussion with Company Car Today’s is fine, but slightly awkward when my Again that’s not always the case with Tristan Young about his new Citroen C5 charging point is on the opposite side, every plug-in hybrid and has helped given Aircross, it seems that I’m relatively lucky meaning the lead always has to run under our present limited charging facilities. when it comes to the Kia’s 33-mile fully the front bumper. However, that’s I’ve actually only once charged the Kia charged range (36 in the summer). And preferable to those EVs and PHEVs that away from home during our six months luckier still that that’s, by and large, 33 have charging points on the rear wings. with the car, a situation I would imagine I real-world miles rather than some figment Now, for those who like to reverse into a share with most PHEV drivers. With EV of the ECU’s imagination. Even better, as parking space (also see T Young) that’s and PHEV shares of new car sales rising to previously mentioned in previous reports, fine, but reversing up to the socket in my 10.7% in 2020, that’s sure to change – our 68mpg return even when empty of garage is a challenge. My preferred ideal is a putting more pressure on the network. battery-power seems to be a rarity, too. front grille-mounted charging point. Nat Barnes

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.

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IN ASSOCIATION Tech-nically speaking WITH The evolution of technology and its seep into the used market means buyer expectations are constantly shifting

New car technology is developing Redman says the rise of at an unprecedented pace, across the smartphone has propelled GOING VIRAL comfort, safety and connectivity. connectivity apps to the forefront. It’s as exciting to the used buyer “Smartphones offer the ‘key’ BCA COO UK Remarketing as the new one, but the second functionalities of audio and satellite- Stuart Pearson on what the buyer isn’t necessarily willing to pay navigation, often more up-to-date used market will think of for the privilege of more toys. than those available with the car, the latest in-car tech “Technology and specification are plus easy linking to e-mail and other increasingly high on new car buyer connected services,” he continues. CONNECTIVITY = agendas as they look to personalise “Going forward, it is going to be 1 DESIRABILITY the vehicle,” Vehicle Remarketing expected on all brands.” Media systems and in-car Association chair Philip Nothard Nothard says that safety kit, connectivity are increasingly seen as tells Company Car Today, warning historically unloved in terms of businesses to tread carefully and desirability or willingness to pay desirable, which means professional not get carried away. “The return on extra, is in some cases garnering buyers place a premium on connected the original cost of the option is not more interest. “Buyers are cars. It is important for sellers to always as high as you might think.” increasingly keen to have features recognise this and ensure vehicles are Robert Redman of vehicle value such as adaptive cruise control, correctly described at remarketing time expert Glass’s agrees. “Generally, autonomous emergency braking, higher specification will make a car and lane-departure warning/ 2 HOME COMFORTS NEED more desirable, which will, in theory, lane-keep assist, even if they don’t TO EXTEND TO CARS make a car easier to sell,” he says. normally lead to price increases.” The expectation for more connectivity in vehicles continues to grow, with this increasing for premium and executive WHAT BUYERS WANT models. BCA recommends up-speccing The Vehicle Remarketing ● connectivity where possible to help Adaptive Cruise Control ensure that the best RVs are produced ● Association chair Philip Apple CarPlay & Android Auto at the end of the first ownership cycle. Nothard has picked out a ● Auto-dimming mirror ● EXPECTATIONS ARE RISING FAST few key bits of tech that Automated parking 3 Smartphone connectivity, ● used buyers are looking for Parking cameras touchscreen media systems and at the moment, although ● Blindspot warning controls, driving and parking aids are he emphasises that their ● HID/LED headlights expected on younger used cars, as well presence is likely to increase ● Auto-dip headlights as multi-functional dashboard saleability rather than value ● Ventilated seats computers, rain-sensitive wipers and light-sensitive headlights. IT’S SMART TO ENABLE CONTROL; DELETE 4 SMARTPHONE LINKS The issue of data being stored by a car is only heading in ApplePlay and Android Auto are increasingly desirable options because one direction, and the experts warn that fleets need to they mirror mobile devices onto the make sure they are controlling their information and in-car infotainment system. With its accessibility, post-defleet. mapping technology available in most “Data privacy has been a subject of discussion for some people’s mobile phones, there’s an time,” says Glass’s Robert Redman. “The latest crop of expectation that most cars should also have it. in-car systems collect a huge amount of personal data, often downloading the telephone, e-mail and other details TECH MOVES ON FAST 5 It is worth remembering that for the entire directory of a person’s phone. mobile technology can swiftly become But the VRA Philip Nothard describes implementation ubiquitous, and that means any real of removal policies as “often patchy, at best”. benefit in terms of price performance “As infotainment systems become more complex and we dissipates. For example, USB points and Bluetooth are now common on see an increasing amount of connected car technology in most modern vehicles and make little use, this is potentially going to become more of an issue and difference to desirability. will require increasingly structured solutions,” he concluded.

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? STELLANTIS CO EMISSIONS (G/KM) 2020/21* 2021/22* 22/23-24/25 DEFINITION: Stellantis is the name of the automotive 2 giant formed by the merger of PSA – parent Zero 0 1% 2% company to Citroen, DS, Peugeot and Vauxhall/ 1-50 (EV range 130+ miles) 0% (2%) 1% (2%) 2% Opel, and FCA, which owned Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and others. Formed in January 2021, the company 1-50 (EV 70-129 miles) 3% (5%) 4% (5%) 5% also owns the Free2Move and Leasys brands. At 1-50 (EV 40-69 miles) 6% (8%) 7% (8%) 8% formation, the joint organization had 400,000 employees and a presence in over 130 countries. 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) 1 MARCH 2021 8-10 JUNE 2021 166-175g/km £240 (£230) New '21' registration plate CV Show, NEC, Birmingham 176-185g/km £265 (£255) 186-200g/km £305 (£295) 3 MARCH 2021 19-22 AUGUST 2021 201-225g/km £330 (£320) 2021 Budget statement British Motor Show, Farnborough 226-255g/km £565 (£555) 6 APRIL 2021 1 AUGUST 2021 Over 255g/km £580 (£570) New tax year begins Oxford zero-emissions zone 1 JUNE 2021 26 OCTOBER 2021 (Alternatively fueled cars in brackets) Birmingham Clean Air Zone launches London ULEZ expansion

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 8p The pace of new model arrivals has never been hotter in the company car sector. 1401cc to 2000cc 11p (12p) 8p 1601cc to 2000cc 10p Here are some of the key new arrivals Over 2000cc 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 December 2020 (Figures for 1 September-31 November in brackets if changed) 2021 Citroen C4 – March 2021 APPROVED MILEAGE ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS The rates to reimburse workers using their own vehicles for company business Toyota Highlander - March 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross - March 2021 TYPE OF VEHICLE FIRST 10,000 MILES ABOVE 10,000 MILES BMW 4-Series Conv.- Spring 2021 CARS AND VANS 45p 25p Jaguar E-Pace facelift - Spring 2021 MOTORCYCLES 24p 24p Mercedes-Benz S-Class - Spring 2021 BIKES 20p 20p Nissan Qashqai - Mid 2021 BW X2 facelift - Summer 2021 2019/20 - FUEL BENEFIT CHARGE DS 9 - Summer 2021 The taxable worth attached to the FUEL PRICES VW Golf Estate - Summer 2021 benefit of ‘free’ fuel February 2021 Renault Arkana - September 2021 CAR FUEL BENEFIT CHARGE PETROL MULTIPLIER - £24,500 Peugeot 308 facelift - Autumn 2021 VAN FUEL BENEFIT CHARGE - £666 119.1p Hyundai Bayon - Autumn 2021 2019/20 - VAN BENEFIT CHARGE (+3.7p on January) Alfa Romeo Tonale - Late 2021 The taxable worth attached to the DIESEL Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Late 2021 benefit of regular private use of a company Range Rover - Late 2021 light commercial vehicle 123.7p VAN BENEFIT CHARGE - £3490 (+3.7p 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 £115,860 POWER 680hp PERFORMANCE 3.2seconds/161mph PORSCHE RANGE TAYCA N 272 miles TURBO CO2 0g/km

WHY SHOULD I WANT IT? Porsche has entered the electric vehicle fray with a model that it’s keen to ensure feels like a Porsche first, and an EV second. And it’s succeeded. Even in middle ‘Turbo’ spec it’s swear-out-loud fast, and it handles like a car that weighs half the Taycan Turbo’s 2.3 tonnes. Then there’s the Turbo S with another 81hp. WHY CAN’T I HAVE IT? It’s well over £100,000. The boot opening is narrow, which hinders practicality, and there’s minimal regeneration when you lift, because Porsche wanted to maintain its driving reputation rather than the Taycan ceding to being foremost an EV. The cabin, while nice, also doesn’t feel £115k plush. And as is typical for Porsche, it’s easy to add the value of a small car in options. ARGUMENTS TO USE ON THE FLEET MANAGER A monthly 2021/22 BiK bill of less than £39 for a 40% taxpayer is borderline hilarious, and is almost £1000 per MORE FLEETY ALTERNATIVE month cheaper than even an entry 911. Though be aware For a touch less than the same price as the £83,580 Taycan 4S, you can that it would double to a heady £77 a month for the get a proper four-door saloon Tesla Model S. It’s nothing like as sporty 2022/23 tax year. There’s also space for four, although as the Taycan, but is more practical with space for four adults and much rear space is at something of a premium. more boot space. It’s also very rapid in a straight line. Tristan Young

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