VanUser June 2021 by Countrywide Publications

vanuser JUNE 2021

THE MAGAZINE FOR LCV FLEET OPERATORS

ON PATROL

In pursuit of the law breakers

News Supply chain shortages will cause delays

Interview Flexibility built in to van leasing launch

Road to Zero Proace leads electric charge for Toyota

ITT Hub A showcase for innovation in transport

Proud to be a trusted supply-chain partner for one of the UK’s leading vehicle converters

Vehicle graphics by Hex, part of the Bri-Stor Group.

HOOK LOCKS • SLAMLOCKS • SHUTTER LOCKS INTERNAL & EXTERNAL SHIELDING

For all enquiries call 01474 560 077 or email sales@locks4vans.co.uk www.locks4vans.co.uk

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JUNE 2021

Motorway safety We have all, I am sure, been guilty of an occasional breach of the law when driving. But there is a big difference between a moment’s lapse in concentration and knowingly overloading a van before setting off, or driving a vehicle with bald tyres or an unsecured load. Spending a day with Warwickshire Police this month, both on-board the Operation Tramline DAF truck and in the car park of Corley Services on the M6, was a sobering experience. There are plenty of comments in online forums about how the police are ‘always picking on truck and van drivers’ or how we are an ‘easy target’. But, if we as van users didn’t continue to break the law in large numbers, perhaps the attention of the authorities would turn elsewhere. While a van driver may not know the exact weight of every parcel or box that is loaded into the back, anyone can see when a long wheelbase Sprinter is almost dragging its exhaust along the ground. One of the 3.5-tonne vans that Warwickshire Police put over the weigh scales was running at 4.8-tonnes! That’s not slightly overweight, it is lethally overloaded. Imagine trying to brake suddenly from the inevitable 60 or 70mph, or to swerve to avoid an obstruction, with that in the back. There are, thankfully, many van fleets and LCV owner drivers who do follow the rules. They regularly check their vehicles, they keep them maintained and road legal and they know what they are putting in the back. Here at VanUser, we celebrate those owners and operators, who promote best practise and who put van drivers in the best possible light. As one of the officers in the Operation Tramline truck said: “The best possible day for us, would be if we didn’t catch anyone.” I think we can all echo that sentiment. Dan Gilkes, editor

Contents

NEWS 4 Supply chain shortages will cause delays DPD rolls out Project Breathe in major cities FORS udates van training 6 VW and Argo AI trial autonomous driving Birmingham Clean Air Zone launches Pricing announced for e-Boxer and e-Relay Volta expands EV range 8 Vauxhall expands EV line with Movano-e

Design and production Mark Shreeve 01502 725839 mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk

Editorial assistant Jade Soanes 01502 725840 jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk

Advertising executive Laura Munnings 01502 725866 laura.munnings@micropress.co.uk

Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6DH 01502 725800 www.vanuser.co.uk Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd

16 Coordinated approach to improve safety on major roads network

ROAD TO ZER0 19 Proace leads electric charge for Toyota 20 Vivaro-e Hydrogen to join Vauxhall's electric line Mahle Poertrain moves into hydrogen Long term test: Training to transition

INTERVIEW

PREVIEW: ITT HUB

Editor Dan Gilkes 07802 751473 dangilkes1@mac.com

FLEET MANAGEMENT: SAFETY

Toyota extends warranty offer

10 Flexibility built in to van leasing launch

CONTACTS

13 A showcase for innovation in transport

ROAD TEST 22 Isuzu Grafter tipper

CONVERSIONS 24 Ford pilots COVID-19 vaccination Transit Scammell Commercial adds to municipal leasing fleet MGroup first with Transporter conversion

ROAD TEST 29 Citroën Berlingo Crew

ROAD TEST 30 Ford Transit Connect Active JUNE 2021 • VANUSER 3

News Supply chain shortages will cause delays Companies thinking of investing in new or replacement vans this year will need to get their orders in quickly, as supply chain problems threaten to delay production and lead to extended delivery times. It has been well documented that there is a global shortage of computer microchips, which are used in many systems within cars and vans. There are also said to be global problems with rubber delivery, used in all manner of insulation, mounting components, suspension and of course tyres. These delays to production lines, many of which have themselves been partially closed due to pandemic shutdowns, are already leading to growing waiting lists for new vehicles. This in turn, is pushing up the price of used vans, as last-mile delivery companies in particular seek to boost their fleet numbers. “We foresee disruption in the wholesale market well into 2022,” said James Davis, customer insight director at Cox Automotive, parent company of auctioneer Manheim.

Profound effect “We’ve all seen the challenges the new vehicle sector is experiencing with raw material and component shortages. This is having a profound effect on the used market, delaying de-fleet programmes and affecting the flow of used stock to wholesale. Supply and demand of new and

therefore used vans will remain in flux until new lead times and supply levels return to pre-pandemic times.” Cox Automotive reports that there are warnings from within the industry of acute lead time extensions, with some volume OEMs now stating up to 12 months for delivery of their most popular models. Raw material and microchip shortages, coupled with production and logistical challenges due to COVID-compliant working practices, are seeing some factory production severely restricted or even halted. Manufacturers are working with suppliers to allocate available resources to ultimately determine which models should be prioritised for production. “We are in uncharted waters and clearly this places more pressure on the remaining months of 2021 to ramp up new registrations to hit the SMMT’s upward revised forecast,” said Davis. “With lead times for new Euro 6 vans impacted, used Euro 6 van prices will continue to rise. Clearly this distinct two-tier wholesale market of Euro 6 and pre-Euro 6 stock is seeing ever increasing divergence in the average sale prices, but used van inflation is baked into the market now and we do not foresee any price realignment or crash. Until the flow of new vans recovers, the supply constriction of de-fleeted and part exchanged used vans will cause a supply crisis for the wholesale market.”

FORS updates van training FORS (the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) has updated its Van Smart eLearning module, to help upskill the growing number of LCV drivers across the UK. There are new learning scenarios and an updated format, designed to make the information easier for drivers to digest. The eLearning is part of the FORS Professional Van Smart training package, that aims to help van drivers to reduce their impact on the environment, maximise fuel use, correctly load vehicles and know how to avoid incidents with vulnerable road users.

Comprehensive The package covers everything from judging fitness to drive, daily walkaround checks, defect reporting, safe vehicle loading, route planning and safe and efficient driving techniques. “The light commercial vehicle sector continues to grow, buoyed by an increase in online retail,” said Livia Gergely. “It is therefore imperative that, as with HGV drivers, van drivers are given the training they need to get their job done safely.”

DPD rolls out Project Breathe in major cities Delivery company DPD has announced an air quality monitoring programme across London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. The scheme – dubbed Project Breathe – is already live in London, where the company has 100 mobile air quality sensors mounted on the roof of its vans, along with 20 fixed sensors at its DPD PickUp shops close to schools and play areas. The sensors take readings every 12 seconds and are focused on the most critical health impactor, fine particles PM2.5 at breathing level. This testing will provide data to help visualise air quality issues and identify hotspots. The UK roll-out is part of a Europe-wide programme in partnership with air quality tracking provider Pollutrack. The company plans to have 2,400 sensors by the end of the year. 4 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

Vivaro-electrifying British business

Winner of International Van of the Year 2021 New all-electric Vivaro-e

Carries British business

Fuel economy and CO2 results for the New Vivaro-e Elite L1 3100 100kW (136PS) – 75kWh battery. Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 205 miles (WLTP). The New Vivaro-e is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Range data given has been determined according to WLTP test procedure methodology. The figures shown are intended for comparability purposes only and should only be compared to other cars tested to the same technical standard. The range you achieve under real world driving conditions will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to: the accessories fitted (pre and post registration); charging frequency; personal driving style; vehicle payload and route characteristics; variations in weather; heating/air conditioning; pre-conditioning and battery condition. Please note, EV range assumes that vehicle has been pre-conditioned prior to journey. WLTP figure includes 50% payload. Please note, EV range is achieved in ‘normal’ mode. ‘Power’ mode will decrease range and ‘Eco’ mode will extend range although power, torque and climate control are limited. For more information, contact your local Vauxhall Retailer.

NEWS

VW and Argo AI trial autonomous driving Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) is working with Argo AI on the development of Level-4 capable self-driving vehicles, using its soon to be launched ID.Buzz electric van. The company says that light commercial vehicles are the first logical place to utilise autonomous transportation, for people and goods. “Our aim with the self-driving version of the ID.Buzz is to facilitate commercial de-

ployment of transport and delivery services starting in 2025,” said divisional director Christian Senger. VWCV has created a dedicated business section to integrate the technology into the ID.Buzz platform. Argo AI already has vehicles testing the technology in six cities in the United States and now, with Volkswagen, is setting up a test site next to Munich Airport. “We are excited to begin testing our

self-driving system on European roads later this year,” said Bryan Salesky, CEO of Argo AI. “This technology will be integrated in the self-driving system of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ autonomous driving vehicles.”

All-in aftercare for older vans Volkswagen has also launched an aftercare plan targeted at customers with vans of three to six years old.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone launches Businesses in and around Birmingham are being warned that the city’s Clean Air Zone comes into effect on June 1, 2021. The Class D zone means that all vans must meet Euro 6 for diesel engines or Euro 4 for petrol to avoid a charge. Heavy goods vehicles and coaches must meet the Euro 6 standard. Tyre supplier ATS Euromaster said that van users should consider replacing older vehicles to save money. “Birmingham’s clean air zones mean companies with high polluting

vehicles will be charged to enter these areas, but fleets can both avoid these payments and improve our surroundings,” said Mark Holland, operations director at ATS Euromaster. “We’re one of the many businesses based in Birmingham, so we’re fully aware of the potential financial impact the CAZ may have. But we also know the positive effect it will have on our staff’s wellbeing, as well as ensuring the quality of the air Birmingham residents breathe is greatly improved.”

Volta expands EV range Volta Trucks is to launch three all-electric trucks, to run alongside its existing 16-tonne model, the Volta Zero. The new models, available by 2025, will have gross weights of 7.5, 12 and 19 tonnes. Pilot vehicles are expected to start operating in 2023, with production due to start in 2024. All of the trucks feature a low-seat, central driving position and greenhouse-style cab, that offers 220° visibility. 6 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

Pricing announced for e-Boxer and e-Relay Peugeot’s e-Boxer and Citroën’s e-Relay vans and chassis cabs are finally available to order, two years after first being seen at the CV Show. Prices start at £49,335 after the PiVG has been applied. Offered exclusively in Professional and Enterprise trims, the panel van is available in L2, L3 and L4 body lengths, while a window van can be had in L4 only. The chassis cabs are offered in L3 length. There are two battery packs on offer, a 37kWh is available in the smallest L2 panel van, while a 70kWh battery is offered in all other models. Both battery packs drive through a 90kW (120hp) electric motor to the front wheels. The 37kWh battery offers up to 73 miles of range (WLTP), while the 70kWh battery promises up to 139 miles. There are three buttons on the central dash, instead of a conventional gear lever. The vans also come with a 5” touchscreen, DAB radio and sat-nav, air conditioning and rear parking sensors. Type 2 charging is standard, supporting inputs up to 22kW. Using a 7kW wallbox will take six or 12 hours depending on battery size. Both packs also support up to 50kW rapid charging, for a faster turnaround. The L2H2 van has a maximum weight of 3.5-tonnes, with a payload of up to 1,070kg. The L3H2 at the same gross weight delivers a 740kg carrying capability. There is also an L3H2 offered with a 4.0-tonne gross weight, lifting the payload to 1,150kg. The larger L4H2 panel and window vans also have the higher gross weight. They can however still be driven by someone with a car licence, thanks to changes in legislation allowing up to 4.25-tonnes to be driven with a truck licence.

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NEWS

Vauxhall expands EV line with Movano-e Vauxhall is moving away from its heavy van partnership with Renault and taking on the Stellantis van for its next Movano model. The move will also provide Vauxhall with an electric option in the large van sector, with the launch of Movano-e. The diesel vans will be offered in four wheelbases and three height options, with panel vans from 8-17m3. There will also be a wide range of chassis cabs, in single and double cab configurations, along with crew cab vans and a platform cab for conversion. In common with the Peugeot and Citroën e-Boxer and e-Relay, the Movano-e will be offered with a choice of 37kWh and 70kWh battery packs. The smaller unit delivers up to 72 miles of range and the larger battery offers 139 miles. Both batteries drive the vans through a 90kW (122hp) electric motor.

Both the diesel Movano and the electric Movano-e are expected to be launched later in the summer, with the EV van allowing Vauxhall to offer customers a full line-up of electric vans from Combo-e through to Movano-e.

Toyota turns up heat on warranties Toyota is changing its warranty offer to enable owners of all its commercial vehicles and cars up to 10 years old to benefit from a full manufacturer's warranty. The company is rolling out its Relax scheme from June 1. New vehicles will now carry a three year/60,000 miles warranty which can be extended annually by 12 months until the vehicle is 10 years old. Any Toyota vehicles up to 10 years old can take advantage of the same deal on completion of an interim or full Toyota service. Existing five-year warranties are not affected. In the case of Proace vans, which have 24-month service intervals, Relax will still apply but the extension periods will be 24 months.

VanWeigh® Overload Protection Load Optimisation

Accuracy better than ±2.5% (90% - 100% of GVW) Suitable for twin axle LCVs Gross/axle overload monitoring Maximise payload capacity Telematics output Additional features available.

8 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

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THE ALL-NEW ISUZU D-MAX

WORKS LOADS FOR LESS

BUSINESS CONTRACT HIRE FROM ONLY

£228.96

MONTHLY † RENTAL PLUS VAT INITIAL RENTAL £2,747.52 PLUS VAT Followed by 47 Monthly Rentals. Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply.

DRIVEN TO DO Model pictured is a DL20 including optional special paint finish from £237.99 +VAT a month plus Initial Rental of £2,855.88 +VAT

VISIT ISUZU.CO.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION

SMARTER. STRONGER. SAFER.

All fuel consumption and emission values are based on the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) test cycle which uses real-world driving data. Official fuel economy for the standard Isuzu D-Max range in MPG (l/100km): Low 25.1 – 27.6 (10.2 – 11.2). Mid 31.4 – 36.4 (7.8 – 9.0). High 36.0 – 39.4 (7.2 – 7.8). Extra-High 29.0 – 30.8 (9.2 – 9.7). Combined 30.7 – 33.6 (8.4 – 9.2). CO2 emissions 220 – 241g/km. †Example based on 8,000 miles per annum, non-maintained. Subject to status. UK residents 18+. Rental amounts shown are on the specific model stated plus VAT @ 20%. This offer excludes fleet and Members Affinity scheme sales, is only available through participating Isuzu dealers and is not available in conjunction with any other offers or with BASC, NGO or NFU member discounts. This offer is only available through Lex Autolease Ltd trading as Isuzu Contract Hire, Heathside Park, Heathside Park Road, Stockport SK3 0RB. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Offer ends 30.09.2021. Vehicle must be returned in a good condition to avoid further charges. You will not own the vehicle. If the vehicle has exceeded the maximum permitted mileage then a charge of 9.3p plus VAT @20% per excess mile will apply. The All-New Isuzu D-Max is Smarter Stronger Safer compared to previous model. Terms and conditions apply.

INTERVIEW

Starting any business in the last year has not been for the faint-hearted. Duncan Chumley talks Dan Gilkes through the launch of MyVanDirect

Flexibility built in to van leasing launch

uncan Chumley is no stranger to the vehicle rental and leasing business. Previously managing director of PSA’s Free2Move Lease business, he left to set up his own company in March 2020. That company was MyCarDirect, an online car subscription service aimed directly at the small to medium enterprise (SME) market. Of course, global events conspired to throw that plan slightly, but the company finally launched in September of last year. With the car business now up and running, he is moving to the second stage, with the introduction of MyVanDirect. “Light commercials were always in the business plan, but its only now that we’ve got stock,” said Chumley. The business concept revolves around one word, flexibility. Companies pay a one-off joining fee and then a monthly subscription fee, for anything from one month to two years. You can even have a rolling one-month contract, though the majority of early users have opted for a 12-month term. “A lot of companies at the moment don’t know what the future holds,” said Chumley. “People are learning what the new economy is going to look like. That’s why we can be as flexible as you like.” Rather than simply leasing a van of a given size or weight 10 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

class, customers log onto the website and choose an actual vehicle, reserving that specific van for their use. They can choose manufacturer, trim level, colour and even some popular options. If the van is available online, the contract can start the next day, though specific vans can also be ordered to suit if they can wait.

Wider range At launch, the vehicles on offer cover most of the popular sizes up to 3.5-tonnes. This includes panel vans, minibuses and some conversions such as dropsides. The company also has a small number of pick-ups available. “We’d like to have a wider range of vehicles as we grow,” said Chumley. “I’d like to get some refrigerated vehicles on the fleet too.” Once the customer has chosen the van, it is delivered to their home or business premises, by MyVanDirect’s own staff, to ensure the customer experience is retained throughout. The company is also building a network of six outlets across the UK, where subscribers can call in if they prefer. To date this includes the head office location in Hemel Hempstead and a site in Birmingham. The monthly subscription includes all costs, such as repair and maintenance

and tyres, there is even an insurance option through a partner company. Service work will be carried out by main dealers and by Kwikfit depots around the country. Customers can cover up to 2,000 miles a month in the vans, plus they can pay for additional mileage. When vehicles are returned, they are inspected in line with BVRLA standards.

Telematics All of the vehicles are equipped with telematics, so the company can forewarn customers of future service requirements. The telematic data can also be supplied to customers, if they would like to integrate it within their own fleet management software. In the longer term, the company will offer a full fleet management or telematic system through another partner business.

At present, the business has just under 500 vehicles on its books, of which 150 are vans. “The plan is to have 2,000 vehicles by the end of 2022 and based on the current levels of demand that’s achievable, subject to supply,” said Chumley. “The split between cars and vans will be decided by customers, but the demand is just huge. We had 28 Transits in last week and they have all gone out already.” Both the car and van businesses will offer electric vehicles too, allowing companies to try before they buy and to see if an EV will work within their operation. At present 20% of the car fleet is electric or hybrid, though this is expected to grow rapidly. Again, demand is currently outstripping supply. “My aim is to have a good proportion of the fleet EV,” said Chumley.

“

People are learning what the new economy is going to look like. That’s why we can be as flexible as you like.

“Everything is digital, the customer can do the whole thing online. We want to build relationships with businesses.”

Short-term gap This flexible approach relates to upscaling or downscaling the number of vehicles being used. One existing client currently has four vehicles in use, but most are operating one or two, to fill a short-term gap in their fleets. Customers can also mix cars and vans, to meet changing demand. Chumley is even looking at the possibility of registered subscription customers being able to occasionally use each other’s vehicles when needed, over a weekend for instance, reducing monthly costs for the subscriber. “Businesses are having to be very dynamic, so we are trying to do the same thing,” he said. JUNE 2021 • VANUSER 11

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01702 507 229 | support@viasatconnect.co.uk

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PREVIEW ITT HUB

A showcase for innovation in transport

A new exhibition and conference, called Innovation and Technology in Transport (ITT Hub) will take place on June 30 and July 1 this year. The event, postponed from last year, will provide logistics and transport professionals with a first opportunity to meet this year and a chance to experience the latest technology in the commercial vehicle business.

THE EXHIBITION

ore than 130 exhibitors have signed up for ITT Hub, grabbing the opportunity to meet with fleet managers, buyers and operators in the commercial vehicle and passenger carrying industries. With 20,000m2 of indoor and 25,000m2 of outdoor exhibition space, the event will be located at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre (above). Much of the exhibition and conference will focus on the government’s Decarbonisation of Transport plan, as logistics operators look to achieve net zero carbon emissions. Leading electric vehicle manufacturers will be present, along with infrastructure solution providers, energy suppliers and technology companies, keen to demonstrate the ways in which van, truck and bus operators can move towards a net zero scenario. Van users will have plenty to see, with manufacturers including Ford,

Fiat Professional, Harris Maxus, Iveco and Arrival displaying their latest models. This will include a first opportunity for many to see the electric Maxus eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9, plus the all-new E-Ducato from Fiat Professional. Visitors will also be able to discuss light trucks with the likes of DAF, Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Renault Trucks and Volta Trucks. Again, this will include a chance to see the first electric trucks on the market, including DAF’s LF and CF Electric and the range of electric LCVs and HGVs on offer from Renault Trucks.

Service and conversions There will be plenty of service and conversion providers at the show too, including Bott, Brigade Electronics, Locks 4 Vans, Mobile Onboard, Quartix, Road Angel and Spillard Safety Systems. If you are looking for advice and

help with a move towards a zero emissions future, you will also be able to discuss your plans with the Department for Transport, FORS, Highways England and Innovate UK.

DAF Trucks will show electric vehicles JUNE 2021 • VANUSER 13

PREVIEW ITT HUB

THE CONFERENCE

EV CAFE

Farnborough is just 30 minutes by train from London Waterloo and there will be free electric shuttle buses running from the station to the Exhibition & Conference Centre, which is just 7 minutes away. If you are driving, the site is easy to access from Junction 4 of the M3 and there are 3,500 free car parking spaces available. Sat-nav should be set to Etps Road, GU14 6FW. The exhibition will be open from 09.30 to 17.00 on both days and both the exhibition and the conference are free to attend. To speed up your entry, it is worth pre-registering though, at www.itthub.co.uk.

To J Gate

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If you are interested in a move to electric vehicle use, the EV Café is an online community that shares its experience of zero emission mobility. The group will put on a ‘Top Gear’ style EV show at the heart of the exhibition, three times a day, tackling a range of EV-related topics. Regular hosts and invited guests will discuss key areas, including access to vehicle charging, electric and hydrogen powered trucks, infrastructure developments and manufacturer news.

To J Gate

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The Future Logistics Conference will run throughout both days of the exhibition, in a stand-alone theatre space within the exhibition centre. With a keynote speech from astronaut Tim Peake, the conference will focus on future vehicles and future fuels, along with the ways in which operators will be able to adopt them. In a packed programme, the speakers will discuss the power of data in transport and logistics, while also tackling the skills shortage within the industry. But the main focus will be on the future of logistics and transportation, including the path that van users can take on the road to electrification.

TIMING & LOCATION

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OUTDOORS

Ride & Drive Programme The exhibition will include the opportunity to test drive June 30 some of the vehicles on show, over a two-mile Ride & • 10.00: Keynote - Tim Peake CMG Drive route on closed roads within the facility. DAF • 11.15: HGV - Future Vehicles and Trucks, Iveco, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Trucks, Fiat Future Fuels Professional, Voltia and Arrival will take part, offering • 12.30: The Power of Data in Parking for a first chance for many potential buyers to try out new outside Exhibitors Transport and Logistics Parking for technologies in a safe environment. outside Exhibitors • 1.45: Attracting, developing and If you would like to test drive any of the retaining talent in the transport vehicles on offer, it will be necessary to preand logistics sector arrange a drive with the manufacturer at • 3.00: Vans – Future Vehicles and the event, while providing necessary Future Fuels 31 licences and driver qualification Harris MAXUS July 1 Switch Mobility cards. These will be checked by Harris MAXUS OUTDOOR • 10.00: Public sector support, the Licence Bureau and all CATERING what help does industry need 12 participants will be drug 30 VILLAGE OUTDOOR from government to achieve net Goodyear and alcohol tested by Tyres CATERING zero? AlcoDigital. VILLAGE 11 • 11.15: Which business models will succeed in the future for logistics National Pelican Bus & Coach Mercedes-Benz Grid and transport? BYD Bus & Renault Truck 18Coach UK DAF Trucks 17 • 12.30: How to fund the future, 10 strategies for finance, investment, Marshall Truck & 8 FIAT Professional Van 2 Electric Vehicle FTBCI risks and opportunities National 7 Charging and IVECO Wright Wright Accessible Car Park Group Group Mercedes-Benz • 1.45: Passenger Transport –Grid 9 BYD Bus & Coach Indoor Renault Truck Bus, Coach and Van Exhibition Area Future Vehicles and Future Fuels UK Ride & Drive DAF Trucks • 3.00: What’s the reality of 3 Visitor 4 Entrance/Exit 16 15 autonomous vehicles and what’s 5 Caetano 6 Bus Electric Vehicle 6b FTBCI the business model? 25

500m²

Switch Mobility

12.5

500m²

250m²

12.5

250m²

Schmitz CargoBull

12.5

250m²

Pelican Bus & Coach

Schmitz CargoBull

12.5

510m²

12.5

500m²

12.5

Goodyear Tyres

510m²

400m²

5 Westfield Technology Group 5

8.93

11.11

20m²

The Electric Motorbike Co

Dawsongroup plc

28.35

20.29

500m²

Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL)

West Terrace Dawsongroup plc

8m²

B68

5 A66 Hultsteins

C64 18m²

250m²

9m²

E45

B56

Road Angel

5 55m²

B55

A56

10m²

A53 12m²

12m²

6 3

500m²

Asset Go

9m²

B42

Mobile Onboard

A46 15m²

B40

6m²

A20

Mandata

5m²

TruTac 2

2 FleetCheck

B39

A42

Blue Marble

8m² Associates 8m²

Timespace Technology Ltd

18m²

6 4

12m²

9m²

Technologies

6m²

C29

D32

Portland Fuel

D34

28m²

E36

2.69m

2 Jaama 3

B34

2 3m

9m²

30m²

Advanced Propulsion Centre

E32

E34

AES UK Ltd Argent Energy

9m²

E32d

E32e

Zemo Partnership

OZEV 9m²

9m²

E32f

9m²

E32m

Innovate UK

B22

8m²

Locks 4 Vans

12m²

9m²

Pathway

B11

Transport Scotland

9m²

Highways England

9m²

E30C

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation

12m²

9m²

E30

4 4

TRL

4m²

9m²

4m²

E30J

4m²

53m²

C11

7m²

D17

UK Coach Operators 14 Association

12m²

The Driver Handbook/Peak Ryzex

E22a

SmartDrive

144m²

E14

E15

E13

12m²

60m²

Wrightsure 15m²

15m²

1.06m

Volta Trucks

114m²

150m²

Info Point

Toilets

Licence Bureau (Licence Check)

Disabled Toilet

Toilets Disabled Toilet

Disabled Toilet

A62

MOVE & Highways UK Expos 10m²

A60

DAFO UK & Ireland

10m²

Future Logistics Conference

Shell Scheme - Available

Shell Scheme - Reserved Shell Scheme - Sold

Space Only - Available

Space Only - Reserved

T10

(Upstairs)

Space Only - Sold T11

50m²

Disabled Toilet

Outdoor - Reserved Outdoor - Sold

T12 First Aid Room

12m²

Outdoor - Available

Organisers Office

A64

Feature

Loading Access

Lloyd Boardroom

Speaker Registration

West Terrace

Catering

15m²

32m²

Forman Vehicle Services

supported by Bus & Coach Buyer

Disc-Lock Backhouse Mistral Group 3 Europe Jones 9m²

Lobby

306.25m²

17.5

Bus & Coach Lounge

3.5m

T4 Security Office

Indoor Exhibition Area 4.09m

EVM Direct Ltd

70m²

Arrival

3.5m

E2 5

21m²

staff toilets / change staff acc/shower

50m²

9m²

staff toilets / change

60m²

Varta Batteries

Disabled Toilet

Logistics UK

B3 5

36m²

Toilets

Brigade Electronics

36m²

Move

90m²

C10

TachoSys

Disabled Toilet

60m²

12 6

C12 6 3 2m

12m²

DAVIS 4

7m²

E18a 3m

Truckfile

4m²

20m²

McCarron Coates

E26

E30K 2m 2

SKILLS HUB

4m²

r2c Online

Williams Advanced Engineering

5 3m

12m²

21m²

C19

12m²

Licence Bureau

12m²

Westcotec

E18 D19

40m²

2 E30L

FORS

4m²

E30D

E30E

E30F 3 Milebay E30G E30H E30I

168m² 9m²

DWF Law

5 Keytracker 5

E30A

3 ANET360

9m²

E32p

E32o

9m²

C14

15m²

Loading Access

REGISTRATION

B15 12m²

40m²

Parksafe Group

150m²

2.5m

B16

Lloyds Bank / Lex Autolease

20m²

B17

cloakroom/storage/office

B12

FORS

5 3

12m²

TotalKare

To Indoor Exhibition Area

E32n

DTI

9m²

Interel Consulting

B18

Optibus

12m²

3 E30B

E32h

E32g 9m²

Places Catapult

C15

49m²

The Algorithm Group 10m²

12m²

Pivot Power

E25

Government Hub

9m²

B26 9m²

B14

544.01m²

30.04

Charging and Exhibition Hall Entrance/Exit Accessible Car Park 6

C16 10

Bradshaw Electric Vehicles

Disabled Toilet

A11

3 PTV Group

Trailar

E32k E32l Connected

Zenzic

B20

36m²

DfT

9m²

E32j

E32i 3

Trakm8

Ram Mount UK

3 2m

8m²

4 5

A15

Green Room

Solutions

8m²

B28

5 70m²

A4Red Lake

Fleet Planner

A19

150m²

Plan your Day

E32c

CCAV

12m²

B24

8m²

E35

E32b

9m²

52m²

80m²

E32a

REA

6m²

National Grid

5 3

60m²

3.5m

405m²

9m²

6m²

Supported By Zenobe

Grid Smarter Cities

Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport

Sub-national Transport Bodies Hub

C20

HIRECO

E40

Mobility brought to you by Webfleet Bridgestone

234m²

Disabled Toilet

A10 Aquarius A8

A23

6m²

3 Centrad

8m²

B30

15m²

4m²

nger Omnibus & EPM Bus Solutions

4m² 6m² Passe

Hexagon Agility 12m²

C25 5

36m²

4m²

Wheely-SafeTyreWatch

6m²

A37 A33

Truckepedia

6m²

4 2m

20m²

A12 A17

A14 Close Brothers

A39

500m² B32

Vehocheck

28m²

10m²

18m²

B29

5 CheckedSafe 7

Local Council Roads Innovation Group / Transportandenergy.com

A41

Sunamp 7

2.5m

E41

Disabled Toilet

First Aid Room

A16

8m²

B37

Spillard 25Safety Systems

B31

ACCELERATOR FLEET & WORKSHOP SOFTWARE

A43

8m²

B38

12m²

A18

2.5

Grayson Thermal Systems

C28

5m²

2.5

A44

Ashtree Vision & Safety 8m²

10m²

A22

6m²

405m²

Technology

4m²

Basemap

4.5m

TVL

C52 C58 Navaho HJS Emission 8m²

C30

A51 A50

Bus, Coach and Van Ride & Drive

B53

2.5m 2.5m

RESERVED

A47

A49

Disabled Toilet

Organisers Office

A54 8m²

Alliance Transport Technologies

20m²

2.5m

64m²

Vattenfall Network Solutions

8 Recharge Cafe Bar 8

RESERVED

64m²

E43

E44

A57

30m²

162m²

88m²

ITT Hub Sales Suite

30m²

BOTT

300m²

10m²

D41

FIL Sales Suite

32m²

DAFO UK & Ireland

B50

11 6

D40 5

60m²

B57

A60

FIAT Professional

40m²

Visitor Entrance/Exit

Webasto

ILESBUS

Ford

Ford - Ride & Drive

MOVE & Highways UK Expos 10m²

3 40m²

5 D42

3 30m²

10 3m

D45

6.75m

The AA

42.5

444m²

RESERVED

397.25m²

2m 6.75m E50

C65

loading access

12.5

A62 12m²

C60

10m²

645m²

A64

C62

(Upstairs)

A57

Vattenfall Network Solutions

10m²

A56

A54 4

8m²

A53 6

12m²

A51 A50

Basemap

4m²

A22

A20

Mandata

5m²

6m²

TruTac 2

5m²

2.5

A18

ACCELERATOR FLEET & WORKSHOP SOFTWARE

2.5

8m²

A14 A16 Close Local Council Roads Innovation Group / Transportandenergy.com Brothers 10m²

A12 A17 4m²

4m²

Wheely-SafeTyreWatch

6m²

A10 Aquarius A8 IT

Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport

6m²

A4Red Lake

Fleet Planner

Solutions

8m²

Green Room

DWF Law 6

A1 12m²

r2c Online 6

12m²

Exhibition Hall Entrance/Exit

cloakroom/storage/office

Ramp

INDOORS

C63

Smith Bowyer Clarke

28 560m² Vehicle Valeting Service

50m²

2.5

B72

3.5

The Bus Hub brought to you by Quartix

500m²

20.29

3.29m

3.5

Wright Wright GroupEV Cafe Group

3.5

6.17

Zenobe

IVECO

3.5

28.35

250m²

Toilets

Future Logistics Conference

102m²

Toilets

Licence Bureau (Licence Check)

12.5

Lloyd Boardroom

Speaker Registration

p Kee ar Cle

Info Point

Hultsteins

32m²

REGISTRATION

12.5

20 20

553.28m²

49m²

To Indoor Exhibition Area

50m²

Ramp

info

Pathway

500m²

953.65m²

17.21 4

Loading Access

1000.24m²

24 Supported By Zenobe

17.5

700m²

Arc Group

35.8

Bradshaw Electric Vehicles

400m²

32m²

12.5

Catering

p Kee ar Cle

500m²

The AA

500m²

Mile Electric

397.25m²

21.8

300m²

2.5

250m²

12.5

19.16

50m²

Hultsteins

560m²

Zenobe

400m²

Keep r Clea

Autonomous

500m²

Arc Group

245

20m²

9.5

Keep r Clea

400m²

5 RESERVED

953.65m²

& Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) Last 25

2m5

20m²

102m²

12.5

36.1 2

20m²

17.21

6.17

20 20

250m²

12.5

38.83

Caetano Bus

553.28m²

1000.24m²

35.8

info

500m²

.0 9

700m²

Catering

21.

500m²

12.5

5 RESERVED

500m²

19.16

17.55

300m²

20m²

8.93

36.12

The Electric Motorbike Co

Autonomous & Last Mile Electric

38.83

.09

FIAT Professional

The Bus Hub brought to you by Quartix

20m²

Marshall Truck & Van

21.0

21.83

5 Westfield Technology Group 5

500m²

250m²

17.55

11.11

12.5

Disabled Toilet

T13

T14

Toilets

loading access

2m 6.75m E50

5 D42

40m²

Ford

B57

60m²

E45

E44

2.5m

E43

Asset Go

9m²

B42

Mobile Onboard

B56

5 55m²

4 26

Road Angel

B55

TVL

2.5m 2.5m

E41

9m²

Technologies

8m²

6m²

300m²

64m²

2 FleetCheck

B39

A43

B31

A42

Timespace Technology Ltd

18m²

E36

2.69m

B34

Vehocheck

HIRECO

9m²

5 13

E34

8m²

E35

Argent Energy 4

12m²

A23

National Grid

5 3

9m²

A15

Trakm8

B26

Ram Mount UK

12m²

The Algorithm Group 10m²

Pivot Power

9m²

B22

Optibus

12m²

A11

Interel Consulting

8m²

B18

Locks 4 Vans

12m²

B14

B17

TotalKare

Advanced Propulsion Centre

E32b

9m²

E32e

9m²

E32f

9m²

E32g 9m²

E32h

Transport Scotland

9m²

2 6

2 2

Zenzic

9m²

E32k E32l Connected Places Catapult

9m²

E32m

Innovate UK

9m²

E32n

E32o

DTI

9m²

E32p

Highways England 168m² 9m²

3 E30B

E30A

3 ANET360

9m²

Government Hub E32j

E32i

2.5m

E25 3

Zemo Partnership

OZEV

DfT

9m²

36m²

E32d

E32c

CCAV

9m²

E30C

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation

12m²

9m²

E30

B15 12m²

B11

4m²

E30K

4m²

E30J

9m²

4m²

53m²

4m²

E26

40m²

McCarron Coates

Move

7m²

E22a

D17

3 6

12m²

70m²

E14

E15

3m 3 Disc-Lock Backhouse

Europe

9m²

Jones

E13

Mistral Group 3

SmartDrive

12m²

Loading Access

15m²

Lobby

4.09m

Wrightsure 15m²

306.25m²

17.5

3m 60m²

Forman Vehicle Services

15m²

1.06m

E1 3m

Bus & Coach Lounge

3.5m

21m²

144m²

544.01m²

Loading Access

E2 5

Security Office

3.5m

9m²

Arrival

T16

50m²

EVM Direct Ltd

staff toilets / change

T15

staff toilets / change

staff acc/shower

Varta Batteries

UK Coach Operators 14 Association

Disabled Toilet

60m²

B3 5

36m²

C11

The Driver Handbook/Peak Ryzex

90m²

Brigade Electronics

36m²

6 3m

DAVIS 4

7m²

E18a 3m

Truckfile

C10

TachoSys

B1 5

Logistics UK

20m²

C12 6 3

21m²

B8 5

5 60m²

12m²

C19

E18 D19

2 2

Licence Bureau

12m²

Westcotec

Williams Advanced Engineering

5 3m

5 Keytracker 5

C14

15m²

10 2 E30L

9m²

SKILLS HUB

4m²

FORS

4m²

E30D E30E

E30F 3 Milebay E30G E30H E30I

TRL

150m²

40m²

Parksafe Group

3m 3

C15

C16

Trailar

B16

Lloyds Bank / Lex Autolease

3 PTV Group

150m²

Plan your Day

B12

20m²

B20

FORS

5 3

12m²

60m²

2 3

3 2m

B24

A19 B28

5 70m²

52m²

AES UK Ltd

80m²

Grid Smarter Cities

E32a E32

REA

8m²

B30

Sub-national Transport Bodies Hub

3.5m 2m

Omnibus & EPM Bus Solutions

15m²

C25

30m²

seng

6m²

A37 er A33

6m² Pas 4m²

B32

Hexagon Agility 12m²

36m²

Truckepedia

6m²

C20

405m²

20m²

2 Jaama

B29

5 CheckedSafe

28m²

A39

A41

18m²

D32

3 Centrad

Mobility brought to you by Webfleet Bridgestone

Blue Marble

8m² Associates 8m²

B37

Spillard Safety Systems 6

8m²

B38

12m²

28m²

Portland Fuel

D34

2 3m

234m²

A44

Grayson Thermal Systems

4 3

C29

10 15

Ashtree Vision & Safety 8m²

C28

Sunamp 7

2.5m

E40

Recharge Cafe Bar

A46 15m²

10m²

405m²

4.5m

B53

12m²

Technology

4 3m

Alliance Transport Technologies

C52 C58 Navaho HJS Emission

20m²

C30

B40

6m²

30m²

RESERVED

ITT Hub Sales Suite

30m²

D41

FIL Sales Suite

A47

A49

BOTT

162m²

88m²

11 6

D40

ILESBUS

B50

FIAT Professional

30m²

10 3m

Ford - Ride & Drive

D45

6.75m

C60

42.5

Webasto

RESERVED

444m²

C62

3 3

9m²

supported by Bus & Coach Buyer 12

Volta Trucks

114m²

150m²

Loading Access

C63

10m²

Smith Bowyer Clarke

17.5

C64 18m²

2.5

5 A66 Hultsteins

9.5

C65 3

30.04

8m²

645m²

B68

2.5

B72

3.5

Vehicle Valeting Service

EV Cafe

3.29m

3.5

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FLEET MANAGEMENT SAFETY

Coordinated approach to improve safety on major roads network As a week-long, multi-agency operation to improve safety on the M6 commences, Dan Gilkes takes a ride in one of Highways England’s Operation Tramline trucks.

t’s a sinking feeling in the stomach that nobody wants to feel. You glance in the mirror and there are the flashing blue lights coming up fast behind you. You indicate left and pull over, hoping that the speeding bike or plain clothes BMW is rushing after someone else. But no, it draws alongside and the officer indicates that it’s you they are after and the ‘Follow Me’ sign comes on across the rear windscreen. How did they know to come after you? Where were they when they saw you? You probably didn’t even notice the plain white DAF truck that filmed your every move a few minutes before. Welcome to Operation Tramline, Highways England’s countrywide initiative to improve safety on the major road network. Highways England has three of these white DAF tractor units, in the North, the Midlands and the South, that it provides to police forces across the country for various safety and training operations. Equipped with 360° cameras, and with a hand-held camera in the passenger seat, the trucks do have some discreet blue lights in the front grille, though it is rare that they would ever physically stop anyone. They are also de-restricted, so that they can easily pull alongside other trucks and pass them, while peering into the cab and seeing exactly what the driver is up to. Operation Tramline is not just about catching truck drivers however, as the cameras can see all around, they are also looking at all other road users, in particular vans. Trailers are also of particular interest, with poorly secured loads as well as running overweight among the problems. 16 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

For a week in May, one truck was loaned to Warwickshire Police, to be used as part of Operation Vertebrae, working a section of the M6 to either side of the Corley Services, near Junction 3. Running up and down a short section of the motorway, with a team of plain BMW interceptor cars and motorbikes following a few miles behind, the officers on board were pulling in anything that looked dangerous or suspicious. As the vehicles arrived at Corley, they were greeted by a multi-agency

“

One long wheelbase 3.5-tonne VW Crafter tipped the scales at 4.8-tonnes

operation. This included DVSA, the HSE, HMRC, Immigration and Border Control officers. Warwickshire Police had brought a set of mobile weighpads to the event and the majority of the vans were sent straight to be weighed. Within hours, a growing park of vehicles stood waiting for colleagues to come and take some of the load off their vans, before they could continue their journey, as the drivers took receipt of a variety of paperwork from the various agencies. How overloaded were they? One long wheelbase 3.5-tonne VW Crafter that was obviously dragging on the ground, tipped the scales at 4.8-tonnes. It was not the only one. There are around 66,000 incidents on the M6 each year, of which 4,000 involve collisions. Since its launch in 2015, Operation Tramline has stopped almost 21,000 vehicles. VanUser took a ride in the truck with driver PC Mark Russell and camera spotter PC Jamie Blood, to see first-hand what is happening on the motorway. “Our intention is to use a covert LGV on the network to observe normal use,” said PC Russell. “We are not there just to catch truck drivers. I would much rather catch nobody. We

That sinking feeling as the Follow Me lights come on (bottom left); PC Russell and PC Blood with the Operation Tramline DAF (below centre); flatpack furniture is pretty heavy, as this Sprinter shows (bottom right)

easily tell when a driver is using a phone, as cars weave across lanes. We also spot some incredibly late lane changes, as cars shoot off onto slip roads at the last possible moment. PC Blood is able to recite their registration numbers straight away. Of the vehicles that are being pulled in, around 50% will be under 3.5-tonnes and the other half heavier vans and trucks. International hauliers will be searched by the Border Patrol officers and all paperwork checked. One major problem is drivers importing huge numbers of cigarettes to sell privately, as a sideline to their main driving job.

“

The ladders on the back are unsecured and there are cones and other equipment rolling around in the back

just want everyone to act responsibly and get home safely. “We are passionate about Operation Tramline. The worst day we had 54 offences in 6-8 hours. Load security in particular is a huge issue.” We cruise up alongside a truck and PC Blood lifts his hand-held camera. We can see in the other truck’s mirror that the driver is not wearing a seatbelt. As we draw level he waves to the driver and indicates his own seatbelt.

The other driver quickly grabs his belt and gives a thumbs up. He could have been stopped and fined £100, but the feeling is very much that encouragement is better than punishment. “We would rather educate than write tickets. If that driver earns £200 a day, he just lost a morning’s work,” said PC Blood. “If he had an accident, he could lose a lot more than that,” adds PC Russell. The two experienced officers can

Above: Another van is guided onto the scales and is, unsurprisingly, overweight

As we watch the morning progress, a scaffolding truck makes its way into the services behind a police bike. Most of the ladders on the back are unsecured and there are cones and other equipment rolling around in the back. A pick-up comes in with a two-axle trailer, carrying steel beams. The load is secure, but the trailer tyres are practically bald. The DVSA is particularly interested in towing at the moment, but is also focussed on tyres. A new ban on tyres over 10-years old came into force last year for the front axles of trucks, coaches and buses. It also relates to any axle with single wheels on a minibus. Another 3.5-tonne Sprinter rolls in, the rear end of its extra-long body almost scraping the ground. It is carrying flat-pack furniture and is obviously way over its weight limit. The driver seems genuinely surprised to have been stopped, but he’ll be there for some time before he can get a friend to come and take some of the load away in another vehicle. Operation Vertebrae will progress up the M6, involving police forces in Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Warwickshire and the Central Motorway Police Group. Wherever your drivers are working, take the time to ensure that loads are within weight and secure, and that your vans are operating legally and safely. JUNE 2021 • VANUSER 17

Distributed by Nemesis Ltd

ROAD TO ZERO LAUNCH Toyota Professional joins EV van market, with the launch of its Proace Electric.

an operators looking for a midweight electric model just got another option, as Toyota Professional joined the EV van club. Through its deal with Stellantis, that has already seen the launch of the diesel Proace and Proace City, Toyota has launched the Proace Electric to the UK market. Though available in a range of body sizes and trim levels across Europe, Toyota GB has decided to launch the van in a single size and specification, at least initially. Unsurprisingly, that is the size and trim that it would have expected to be the big-seller, which is a mid-length van in the mid-grade Icon trim. There are still decisions to be made, with two battery packs on offer. The 75kWh battery offers up to 205 miles of driving range, with a payload of 1,000kg. Opt for the smaller 50kWh battery and the range drops to 142 miles, but the payload goes up to 1.2-tonnes. In either case the vans can tow a 1-tonne trailer. The Medium van offers the same load volume as the diesel models, at 5.3m3, rising to 5.8m3 if you use the Smart Cargo load-through bulkhead. Toyota’s Icon trim includes practical black bumpers and steel wheels, while in the cab the driver gets a DAB radio with Bluetooth and a ProTouch 7” display screen with smartphone connectivity. There is also WiFi connectivity and a USB port for charging, plus manual air conditioning, auto wipers and

Proace leads electric charge for Toyota lights. You also get powered and heated door mirrors, cornering lights and daytime running lights, along with rear parking sensors and auto high beam. Another choice that customers will need to make concerns the on-board charger. A 7kW unit is standard, while a faster 11kW on-board charger is an option. The vans will come with both home charging and wallbox cables as standard and Toyota Professional dealers should be able to help with charger installation, with Toyota offering

Toyota grows its market share Toyota Professional saw its share of the market grow in every segment in which it competes last year, though actual sales numbers were down along with the overall market. The latest Hilux pickup was certainly well received, increasing its share of the market by 4.3%. The diesel Proace also saw a small increase in share of 0.2%. The company launched Proace City into the market in 2020 and this will be joined later this year by the EV Proace City Electric. That leaves just a large van missing

from the company portfolio, a gap that will surely be filled over the coming years. Toyota is hoping to sell up to 6,000 Proace vans a year by 2025, including diesel and electric models. That said, how that mix is split will be down to customer choice. However, simply having electric vans in the offer will allow dealers to tender for a broader spread of fleet deals, particularly with local authority and utility buyers keen to make the move to electric vehicles.

“

Dealers should be able to help with charger installation with Toyota branded wallboxes

branded wallboxes. The battery gets an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty. Equipped with the 11kW on-board charger, the smaller 50kWh battery takes 4 hours 45 mins to charge, while the larger 75kWh battery will require 7 hours to fully top-up. Plug into a rapid DC charging station, with speeds up to 100kW and it should be possible to achieve an 80% charge on the smaller battery in just 32 mins, or on the larger battery in 48 mins. Prices for the Proace Electric start at £34,630 for the 50kWh van with a 7kW on-board charger, rising to £39,463 for the 75kWh model with the faster 11kW charger. All of the vans are eligible for the £6,000 Plugin-Van Grant.

JUNE 2021 • VANUSER 19

ROAD TO ZERO

Vivaro-e Hydrogen to join Vauxhall's electric line Vauxhall has announced the Vivaro-e Hydrogen, an electric van with a range of 249 miles and a refuelling time of around three minutes. Based on the Vivaro-e electric van, the hydrogen model will have a fuel cell in the engine bay, with three 700-bar gas tanks replacing the battery packs of the standard electric van beneath the load floor. The 45kW fuel cell will work with a smaller 10.5kWh battery, located under the front seats, providing peak power when required. This battery will be powered by regenerative braking and can be plugged in, to provide up to 31 miles of pure EV travel. The fuel cell and battery will not have any impact on the load area of the vans.

Available in both the standard and long wheelbase bodies, the vans will retain their 5.3m3 and 6.1m3 load volumes respectively. The vans will be available in left-hand drive by the end of this year. Right-hand drive models are expected early in 2023. “Vauxhall is already leading the way with an all-electric van range and now we are set to add hydrogen to the line-up as an efficient energy system of the future,” said managing director Paul Willcox. “We are already in contact with UK fleet operators that want to go the extra mile on sustainability and we look forward to bringing the Vivaro-e Hydrogen to the UK soon.”

Mahle Powertrain moves into hydrogen Mahle Powertrain has assisted Bramble Energy with the creation of a delivery vehicle demonstrator, to show off its Printed Circuit Board Fuel Cell (PCBFC) technology. The Renault Kangoo Z.E. electric van, to be unveiled later this year, will use a high power density liquid-cooled fuel cell. “We’re excited to be working with Mahle Powertrain on this integration project and to be so close to showcasing the benefits of our PCBFC technology in a liquid-cooled application,” said Dr Tom Mason, Bramble’s CEO. “Delivery of this project will be a milestone moment for both Bramble Energy and net-zero CV powertrains and we cannot wait to demonstrate the tangible performance and cost benefits to the CV industry.”

Training to transition

LONG TERM TEST Citroën e-Dispatch

20 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

o much of the discussion around our Citroën e-Dispatch is about range. Can it really do 205 miles on a single charge? I’ve never actually needed to. I do know that a heavy right foot on a dual carriageway will see the available range dropping far faster than it will in a diesel van. Yet, I have also seen that potential range figure rise, following stop/start travel through the centre of town. In a recent bit of research for an article, I also discovered just how vital driver training will be, as fleets transition from diesel to electric. But are there any EV-specific van or truck training outlets available yet? Do let me know if you offer such a service. This concentration on the EV bits of the van often overshadows just how good the actual Dispatch is, regardless of drivetrain. A recent bit of fence replacement meant purchasing some 3m long posts. Much to the amazement of the

builders’ merchant, opening the Moduwork hatch in the bulkhead and lifting the left-hand passenger seat allowed the posts to fit easily through into the footwell. Brilliant!

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ROAD TEST ISUZU GRAFTER Isuzu Truck is offering a full automatic transmission in its popular Grafter 3.5-tonne truck, says Dan Gilkes.

utomatic transmissions have become an increasingly popular option in both the van and light truck markets. Isuzu Truck has offered an automated manual in its 3.5-tonne Grafter range before, but has now adopted a full auto transmission for the first time.

Powertrain Though tackling a very different market sector, the engine and transmission in the latest Grafter will be familiar to anyone that has driven the Isuzu D-Max pick-up. The heavier truck uses the same 1.9-litre Isuzu diesel engine, though tuned for the Grafter application. That means a reduction in power output, to 118hp, but a boost in torque to 320Nm, to better suit the typical use of the truck. The Aisin six-speed auto transmission has likewise been tailored to the typical duties of the Grafter truck. The driveline combination is available in both short and long wheelbases and with single or twin rear wheels. It is expected to become a popular choice with customers. Load carrying capacity Payload is one of the big reasons that customers opt for a Grafter. The forward-control truck layout isn’t for everyone, but those companies that do go with an Isuzu tend to be looking for maximum load-carrying ability and ease of manoeuvrability. This caged tipper is no exception to that rule. The tipper body is available as a Driveaway product as part of Isuzu’s pre-bodied range, though the cage sides are an option that has been added to that. The standard tipper with the auto box offers a payload of 1,355kg, which certainly compares well with a conventional 3.5-tonne tipper such as a Transit or a Sprinter. The only

Isuzu Grafter N35.125(SA) tipper Basic price £28,325 Engine 1,898cc Power 118hp @ 3,200 Torque 320Nm @ 1,600rpm Weights (kg) GVW 3,500 Kerb weight 2,145 Payload 1,355 Towing 2,500 (3,500kg with manual gearbox) Dimensions (mm) Load space length 3,125 Load space width 1,740 Cost considerations Fuel tank capacity 68 litres AdBlue tank 10 litres Service interval 1 year/12,500 miles Warranty 3 years/unlimited miles

22 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

AUTOMATIC CHOICE slight downside of the automatic transmission is a drop in towing capability, from 3.5-tonnes to 2.5-tonnes, which may be a deal-breaker for some of Isuzu’s customers that haul around mini excavators and arboricultural equipment.

On the road Unsurprisingly, for a compact truck with a 2.5m wheelbase and a 1,395mm track, things can get a little bouncy on rough roads. Having a bit of weight on the back helps though and the suspension seat soaks up most of the rough stuff. The turning circle of this short wheelbase model would shame a London taxi though. Manoeuvrability really is second to none at this weight, which again will prove popular with the type of customers that the trucks attract. Not that the Grafter is limited to country roads or the urban crawl. If you need to tackle dual carriageways and the odd motorway, the little truck is equally happy cruising at higher speeds.

In the cab While the engine and transmission are bang up to date, the Grafter’s interior is perhaps a little less so. Utilitarian would be the best description for the hard grey plastics that make up much of the cab trim. That said, many Grafter users will appreciate that. If you are working in construction, tree surgery or grounds maintenance, then an easy to clean interior will be welcomed. The cab has electric windows and visibility all around is excellent, helped by the compact dimensions and clear, large mirrors. The after-market ‘Max Power’ Kenwood DAB stereo could be easier to use though. Though not strictly ‘in the cab’, the fact that the cab tilts like a larger truck, provides complete access to the engine and transmission for service work.

Conclusion Very few Sprinter or Transit buyers are going to suddenly move across to the Isuzu Grafter, just because it now comes with an automatic transmission. Those vans are simply too different in philosophy and in design. However, for the dedicated group of customers that appreciate the compact dimensions, manoeuvrability and carrying capability offered by Grafter, the addition of an automatic transmission is likely to tick another box on the purchasing list. The only thing likely to hold back some companies will be the reduction in towing capacity. If you don’t need that, the auto model is without doubt a big step forward for the compact Isuzu. VanUser rating: 4.0

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CONVERSIONS M Group first with Transporter conversion Infrastructure specialist M Group Plant & Fleet Services has taken delivery of 40 Volkswagen Transporters with a UK-first conversion from Bott. The 4Motion vans have been equipped with a bespoke Bott design that includes underfloor drawers and three Euro boxes for storing tools and equipment. The vans also come with a high-power inverter kit, a non-slip plywood deck and a ladder storage pocket.

Ford pilots COVID-19 vaccination Transit The NHS and local community health leaders have teamed up with Ford to roll out a mobile vaccine initiative across Mid and South Essex. Based on a Ford Transit, the van has been converted by Yorkshire firm Venari Group. It includes medical grade refrigeration with WiFi monitoring capability, vaccine transport coolers, a collapsible chair for administering vaccines and an integrated tablet for accessing and updating health records.

“Our goal of giving everyone an equal opportunity to receive this essential vaccine is now in closer reach, owing to the additional support from our valued network of community leaders, Ford and Venari Group,” said Dr Smitesh Patel, clinical director at Benfleet Primary Care Network, Essex. “This added mobility has meant the gap will be bridged for so many facing a struggle to visit their local vaccination centre.”

VCS to build Dual Crewed Ambulance West Yorkshire emergency services bodybuilder VCS has developed its first Dual Crewed Ambulance (DCA), based on a Volkswagen Crafter panel van. Designed to meet the specification of the Lord Carter review, the DCA uses VCS’s ultra-lightweight Core Capture technology, delivering an operational weight of less than 4.0 tonnes.

Scammell Commercial adds to municipal leasing fleet Specialist municipal leasing firm Scammell Commercial has added six Isuzu trucks to its fleet with specialist bodywork to suit its customer needs. There are two Grafter 3.5-tonne models with caged tipper conversions, a 7.5-tonne caged tipper and a 13.5-tonne truck equipped with a Hiab Multi-Lift hook loader. The company has also ordered two 7.5-tonne models with NTM refuse bodies. “Most of our leasing trucks operate in and around the London area and a significant benefit of the Isuzu range is its compact footprint, not just at 3.5-tonnes, but all the way up to 13.5-tonnes,” said Neil Livermore, operations manager at Scammell Commercial. “We did our research across various manufacturers and by far the Isu24 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

zu came out on top with regard to its payload, which is one of the most important features in running a municipal fleet.”

The trucks will operate on the Scammell fleet for a minimum of five years, with the refuse trucks having a much longer working life.

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Expanded range of mobile device mounting systems Swedish company Brodit is expanding its range of secure mobile device mounting systems, increasing safety and ease of use within cars, vans and trucks for drivers. The company, founded in 1983, designs and manufactures a wide variety of in-vehicle device cradles and mounts, exporting to 30 countries around the world. Bespoke mounts are available for Apple, Samsung, Honeywell, Panasonic and Zebra devices. The cradles are manufactured in high-quality ABS/Acetal material, for maximum durability and reliability. Used by many fleets across the UK, including taxis, emergency services and couriers, the mounts can be supplied for cars, vans, trucks, forklifts and other machinery types. Using a cradle mount correctly ensures that companies are not obscuring visibility from the front windscreen, which must be kept clear of obstructions. Brodit offers ProClip mounts that don’t risk obscuring the line of sight for the driver. Using a two-part solution, the Pro-

Clip mount and Brodit Holder are specific to your vehicle and phone type, respectively. There are charging options and some models also provide locking if required. Each cradle is equipped with a tilt-swivel mount, allowing the operator to set the device for the best view and without glare from sunshine or other road user lighting. Brodit cradles and mounts minimise risk, whilst increasing safety, productivity and allow the integration of mobile technology into the driver’s daily workflow, safely and securely.

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SPEEDLINER EURO HC® KILLS CORONA VIRUSES Speedliner Euro HC® has been tested and proven to kill enveloped corona viruses. This puts Speedliner Euro HC® as the first and only spray liner system to the forefront of advanced hygiene control for vehicle internal load areas carrying food, medical products and hospital laundry as well as ambulances, transport services and welfare vehicles to list just a few. Not only does Speedliner Euro HC® offer its previously proven anti-bacterial protection properties but Speedliner Euro HC® now has a virtually unapproachable, definitive advantage over all other spray liner products.

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ROAD TEST CITROËN BERLINGO CREW

PEOPLE AND GOODS Citroën’s Berlingo Crew van offers a carry-all capability with a sliding bulkhead, says Dan Gilkes.

n most cases, having a second row of seats behind the driver, with a bulkhead to protect rear passengers, results in a greatly reduced load volume. That needn’t be the case with the Berlingo Crew van, as it attempts to offer the best of both worlds.

Load carrying capacity Based on the long wheelbase Berlingo, the Crew van has a second row of seats behind the driver and comes with twin sliding side doors for easy access. There is comfortable seating for three in the back, with a sturdy steel mesh bulkhead behind the seats to protect occupants and to provide a mounting for the middle rear seatbelt. With the seats in place, you get 1.8m3 of load volume. You can fold the left-hand seat to reveal a load-through door in the bulkhead, or fold all three rear seats flat. With the seats down, it is then possible to release the bulkhead and slide it forwards, on runners built into the roof of the van, to sit behind the driver’s seat. This lifts the load volume to 3.5m3. Open the load-through hatch and fold the front passenger seat and that grows even further, to a full 4.0m3. Maximum payload is a healthy 854kg. Powertrain The Crew cab is available with a 110hp version of Citroën’s PureTech petrol engine, with a six-speed manual gearbox. There are two diesel options on offer, a 100hp version with

a five-speed manual gearbox and a 130hp with an eight-speed automatic. While the higher-powered engine and the auto box will no doubt appeal to owner drivers, the 100hp diesel with the manual is likely to be the most popular option. Despite only having five forward gears, the van copes well, happily keeping pace with motorway traffic, or tackling urban stop/start journeys.

In the cab The Crew van is based on the Enterprise trim level, which includes air conditioning, rear parking sensors, cruise control, electronic parking brake, electric folding mirrors and an 8” touchscreen with smartphone connectivity. While you want for very little in everyday use, the interior is unremittingly black, with hard plastics everywhere. To allow customers to reclaim VAT, the Crew van doesn’t have windows behind the driver, so things are even darker in the second row, though there is plenty of leg room for taller passengers.

On the road As mentioned, unless you are running fully laden or with five people aboard all the time, the 100hp engine and five-speed manual offer plenty of power for most situations. The van is comfortable and commendably quiet, even though the bulkhead has a mesh upper. This is in part due to the extended headlining that runs above the rear passengers. Conclusion Some crew van conversions can feel like a bit of a compromise, offering little in the way of load carrying volume, with less than comfortable seating for those in the back. The Berlingo Crew manages to avoid both problems, with the innovative sliding bulkhead helping to meet both buying criteria. VanUser rating: 4.0

Citroën Berlingo Crew BlueHDi 100 Basic price £21,335 Engine 1,499cc Power 102hp @ 3,500 Torque 250Nm @ 1,750rpm Weights (kg) GVW 2,325 Kerb weight 1,471 Payload 854 Towing 1,050 Dimensions (mm) Load space length 1,450 Load space width 1,550 Width between wheel arches 1,229 Load space height 1,243 Load space volume (min-max) 18-40 Cost considerations Fuel tank capacity 50 litres Fuel consumption 46-55 mpg CO2 154-148g/100km Service interval 2 year/25,000 miles Warranty 3 years/60,000 miles JUNE 2021 • VANUSER 29

ROAD TEST FORD TRANSIT CONNECT ACTIVE

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE Ford has added a trim level for those customers that use their vans for work and play, says Dan Gilkes.

hile the recent launch of the Trail trim line on Ford’s Transit and Transit Custom models grabbed most of the headlines, the company also launched an Active specification, available on Transit Connect and Transit Custom.

Powertrain For the Transit Connect, the Active trim is available with the 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, with its range-topping 120hp output. That delivers a healthy 270Nm of torque and drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic. Go with the manual gearbox and you can also specify the mechanical limited slip differential (mLSD) that comes as part of the Trail specification. This improves grip in slippery conditions, both on and off the road, without effecting fuel consumption in normal use. The van is also raised by 24mm at the front and 9mm at the rear, to deliver improved clearance for occasional trips on the rough, which sits well with the additional body cladding and adventure styling.

Ford Transit Connect Active SWB Basic price £22,370 Engine 1,498cc Power 120hp @ 3,750 Torque 270Nm @ 1,7502,000rpm Weights (kg) GVW 2,130 Kerb weight 1,510 Payload 718 Towing 1,500 Dimensions (mm) Load space length 1,786 Load space width 1,543 Width between wheel arches 1,249 Load space height 1,269 Load volume 2.9 Cost considerations Fuel tank capacity 60 litres Fuel consumption 62.4 mpg CO2 122g/100km Service interval 2 years/25,000 miles Warranty 3 years/100,00 miles 30 VANUSER • JUNE 2021

It offers a comfortable cab, with impressively low noise levels, even at motorway speeds. The additional ride height makes the view out of the Connect’s huge windscreen even more panoramic, yet does nothing to harm the handling of Ford’s compact high-cube van, which remains among the best in class. Whether you would want to risk those alloy wheels and styling add-ons by regularly heading off road is perhaps debatable, but with the optional mLSD fitted at least you should be able to find your way back afterwards.

Load carrying capacity You can have the Active trim in both short and long wheelbase models, offering 2.9m3 or 3.6m3 of load volume respectively. There is no load-through option or folding passenger seat on this model though. With over 700kg of load carrying ability, the short wheelbase Connect can also tow a trailer up to 1.5-tonnes in weight. In the cab The Active trim builds on the already generous Limited specification, adding body mouldings externally, along with roof rails and those 17” alloys. Inside the cab, the driver benefits from a rear-view camera, exclusive Active trim, dual zone climate control and Ford’s ICE Pack 10, which includes SYNC3 infotainment with a 6” screen. On the road Transit Connect is a mature van now and any wrinkles that it may have had when first launched have been well and truly ironed out.

Conclusion If the Trail models were meant to attract van users with a need to access building sites and forestry tracks, then Active is intended to appeal to those that need a van in the week and a hauler for their sporty lifestyles at the weekend. In that respect the long wheelbase model might make more sense, where mountain bikes and other adventure kit are concerned. For regular van use, the Connect Active is a good-looking addition to the range, offering yet another string to Ford’s powerful LCV bow. VanUser rating: 4.0

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VanUser June 2021

Articles inside

Ford Transit Connect Active

Citroën Berlingo Crew

Ford pilots COVID-19 vaccination Transit

Coordinated approach to improve safety on major roads network

Vauxhall expands EV line with Movano-e

Vivaro-e Hydrogen to join Vauxhall's electric line

VW and Argo AI trial autonomous driving Birmingham Clean Air Zone launches

Proace leads electric charge for Toyota

Supply chain shortages will cause delays DPD rolls out Project Breathe in major cities FORS udates van training

Isuzu Grafter tipper