This is the first of a series of operator trials that will continue for the rest of the year with other blue-chip UK-based fleets. Mileage accumulation is enabling First Hydrogen to gather performance data, including information on fuel consumption, to validate different vehicle operating parameters.
While operators of EVs are reporting different experiences, the central fact is that electric cars and vans are significantly heavier than petrol and diesel vehicles and, whatever technology is used in their tyres, simple physics means they are likely to wear faster. It is expected that other SMR costs associated with EVs will be lower than internal combustion engine cars and vans, so tyres are likely to become a higher proportion of overall spending.
Project will establish if hydrogen fuel cell technology can deliver more zero-emission range to heavy-use E-Transit customers travelling high mileages, with maximum loads, ancillary equipment such as chillers and with limited charging opportunities in the working shift.
SsangYong pushes the value aspect of its range and you'll struggle to find a more comprehensively equipped model. When it comes to rival pick-ups, we're not entirely convinced that the badge counts for too much as long as the vehicle can do the job at the right price.
The largest volume growth was recorded for vans weighing greater than 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes, which more than doubled to reach 4,318 registrations. The 4×4 segment also grew, by 370.5%, to leapfrog ahead of vans weighing up to and including 2.0 tonnes, which became the smallest sector as registrations fell 48.2% to 428 units. Deliveries of pickups also declined, by -7.6%, while vans weighing greater than 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes fell by 6.2% – although at 15,205 units this remained the largest market segment with a 67.1% market share, reflecting the general trend towards larger vehicles.
Development will bring a previously unavailable level of transparency to how short term hire cars and vans are being used in real world conditions. There is real potential for products that deliver connected vehicle data to short term rental operators. With the number of connected vehicles rapidly increasing, daily rental companies can clearly see the possibilities presented by this kind of information.
For the next month the LCV will be driven on selected routes and over varied terrain around the Birmingham and South Yorkshire areas. It will carry payloads of various sizes to measure vehicle performance on real-life duty cycles.
Miele’s wishlist of special features included a custom shelving system designed to meet the requirements of service employees for stowing materials, replacement parts and tools. A centre console has also been installed with an integrated folding table to serve as the driver’s workstation. The vehicle customisation was realised as part of a joint development process between Miele, conversion partner Würth, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
In real world terms, these are probably just part of a whole host of electrification teething issues affecting fleets that will eventually be resolved but they do add an unwelcome layer of complication to day-to-day fleet management at present, especially when it comes to reimbursing drivers for their power use.
Study, conducted among 210 fleet decision-makers, discovered that more than three-quarters (76%) are postponing their fleet electrification plans. A further 78% said cost pressures were delaying plans for fleet technology adoption.
Average LCV values rose by £126 in March compared to February, to reach £9,977 and sold volumes improved significantly as BCA offered circa 700 LCV’s daily across its online sales programme. Performance against price guides averaged 102.6% during March. BCA’s weekly valuation reports for March show that average values climbed steadily above £10,000 for the first time since January despite sold volumes being significantly higher in March.
Calculator has been created by AFP member David Watts of Volkswagen Financial Services Fleet and plans are underway to make the data it produces widely available across the membership body. It shows potential pence per mile costs for more than 70 models, comparing a variety of home and public charging tariffs in a variety of weather conditions against the current nine pence per mile Advisory Electricity Rate (AER) rate from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The Derby-based business, part of the Compliance Division of the Ebbon Group, recorded a total of 1,030,552 licence checks through its award-winning DAVIS (Driver and Vehicle Information Solution) platform between April 2022 and March this year, the highest of any licence checking business in the UK and a 21% increase over the previous year.
The fleet industry has been discussing the theoretical implications of hands-free driving for some time but the real-world availability of BlueCruise has brought everything into immediate and sharp relief.
As part of its commitment to electrify Britain, Vauxhall calculated how much CO2 could be saved every year if the country’s van fleet converted into electric Light Commercial Vehicles (e-LCVs) that produce zero tailpipe emissions. Using official UK Government and Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures, Vauxhall calculated vans account for 18.2% of the UK’s annual transport related CO2 emissions and 4.6% of the country’s total annual carbon emissions.
