VanUser March 2021

vanuser MARCH 2021

THE MAGAZINE FOR LCV FLEET OPERATORS

LAST-MILE LEGEND? eSprinter at home in the city

Homecharge extended Scheme opened up to businesses

Launch Renault unveils its Express

Road to Zero Mercedes lays out its plans

Fleet management Easing the transition to EVs

London has new vehicle safety standards To improve the safety of all road users, Heavy Goods Vehicles over 12 tonnes must now meet the new safety standards and have a safety permit.

The permit is free to apply for.

If you do not have a safety permit you may receive a penalty charge of up to £550.

Ensure you also meet the Euro VI emissions standard.

Search TfL check heavy vehicle

MARCH 2021

5

Changes afoot In this issue we introduce two major sections which will feature in all future editions of VanUser.

They reflect a direction of travel – the first for transport as a whole and the second for VanUser in particular.

The first is Road to Zero, where we will cover every aspect of the transition for vans towards the ban on the sale of diesel and petrol powered vehicles in 2030. In this issue we hear from Mercedes-Benz how its UK business is planning for a steep rise in the sales of EVs, drive the new eSprinter – expected to account for a significant proportion of that growth – and visit the future of ‘filling stations’ – Gridserve’s pioneering Electric Forecourt in Essex.

The second section is nothing new – Fleet Management has always been covered extensively in VanUser. Our decision to dedicate a section to it reflects its growing importance in the sector – and our intention to extend still further our coverage for mid-sized fleets.

Our website is temporarily unavailable while it is being redesigned but it too will reflect the changes.

Simon Tooth, editor

Contents

NEWS 5 Homecharge grant to continue and extended to small businesses

Larger vans lift new sales out of the doldrums

6 Renault reveals its Express

New Duster from Dacia

Nissan unveils plans for new generation small vans

FLEET MANAGEMENT 15 Easing the transition to EVs

Trial aims to streamline courier service

16 Successful trial for eSprinter Pharma

Lucion runs with Lightfoot across van fleet

19 High vis panels help roadside workers stay safe 20 Mobile savvy

19 6 ROAD TO ZERO 9 British Gas ramps up EV roll-out 9 Mercedes-Benz looks for steep rise in EV sales 12 Last-mile delivery: we test drive the eSprinter

TEST DRIVE

14 Future fill-up: we visit the UK’s first electric forecourt

22 Delivery dynamo: Ford Fiesta Sport Van mHEV

CONTACTS Editor Simon Tooth 01502 725838 / 07771 926643 simontooth@micropress.co.uk

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

Technical editor Dan Gilkes 01842 898473 / 07802 751473 dangilkes1@mac.com

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

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

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

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News Homecharge grant to continue – and extended to small busineses The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) has been extended to include small businesses and those in leasehold and rented accommodation.

The Department for Transport has also confirmed the scheme – which provides up to £350 towards a chargepoint – will continue next year.

Small to medium enterprises will get access to the benefit via the Workplace Charging Scheme and the DfT hopes it will provide a boost as staff return to work. The changes will also mean that small accommodation businesssse can benefit from the funding, “boosting rural areas, and tackling the ‘range anxiety’ associated with long journeys”.

This investment comes as the department launches a consultation on improving the charging experience – simplifying payments and increasing reliability – taking a step closer to delivering on the commitment to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.

The consultation suggests simplifying payment at chargepoints, meaning electric vehicle drivers can use contactless payment but do not have to download an app. It also seeks to make

chargepoints more reliable and to force operators to provide a call helpline for drivers.

Drivers should also be able to find and access chargepoints easily, and the consultation calls on operators to make location data, power rating and price information more accessible for drivers.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manfacturers and Traders (SMMT), said, “We urgently need more charging points to accelerate our transition to electric motoring, so this announcement is welcome

and a step in the right direction. As we race towards the phase out of sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, we need to accelerate the expansion of the electric vehicle charging network.

“An electric vehicle revolution will need the home and workplace installations this announcement will encourage, but also a massive increase in onstreet public charging and rapid charge points on our strategic road network.

This will give drivers the confidence that recharging will become as easy as refuelling.”

What it’s worth The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme grant provides a 75% contribution to the cost of one chargepoint and its installation.

A grant cap is set at £350 per installation. The main requirement is that a person owns, leases, or has ordered a qualifying vehicle and has dedicated off-street parking at their property. A person may apply for two chargepoints at the same property if they have two qualifying vehicles.

Larger vans lift new sales out of doldrums The UK new van market grew in the first month of the year against January 2020, according to the latest figures released from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Registrations rose 2% in January with 24,029 vehicles hitting UK roads as new models and deals drove fleet renewal, according to the SMMT. Although the fluctuating nature of fleet renewal often impacts the first month of the year in particular, 2021 opened with the highest volume January since 1990, 10.5% ahead of fiveyear average.

Growth is expected for the LCV sector in 2021, but SMMT’s latest market outlook has been downgraded to reflect ongoing challenges. The forecast predicts LCV registrations to rise 17.5% to 343,850 by year end, down from ear-

lier predictions of 375,000 vehicles.

In January, despite nearly all van segments experiencing a decline, larger vans weighing more than 2.53.5 tonnes saw 25.4% growth, driving overall monthly figures out of the red. Conversely, registrations of small vans weighing less than or equal to 2.0 tonnes halved (-50.1%), the market for medium vans weighing more than 2.02.5 tonnes declined by -16.2% and demand for new pickups and 4x4s fell by -25.8% and -30.6% respectively.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “January’s figures are welcome news, particularly after the difficult past year. Although one month’s performance does not full recovery make, the future must involve measures that can deliver long-term changes for the sector if we are to meet ambi-

“

The future must involve measures that can deliver long-term changes for the sector

tious targets and address both climate change and air quality goals. The fastest way to do this is by encouraging uptake of the latest low emission vehicles, regardless of fuel type, and business confidence remains vital for this transition.”

Emissions down Latest SMMT analysis reveals that 2020 recorded the lowest figure for average CO2 emissions derived from LCVs, down -1.8% on 2019 to 162.8g/ km. January 2021 saw a rise of low emission LCVs, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) market share rising to 2.22% with 533 battery plug-in vans joining UK roads.

Meanwhile, 96.4% of all new vehicles registered are still powered by diesel.

MARCH 2021 • VANUSER 5

NEWS

Renault reveals its Express Renault is introducing a new small van in Europe. The Express van has 1.91m floor loading length (with solid partition), 716mm width for the sliding side door with cargo volume from 3.3 to 3.7m³. Payload is up to 780kg in the petrol version and 650kg in the diesel version.

In Europe, the Express Van will be available with the 1.3 TCe 100 FAP petrol and 1.5 Blue dCi 75 and 95 diesel engines, with a six-speed manual gearbox. The Ecoleader diesel 1.5 Blue dCi 75 engine helps to reduce fuel consumption by limiting speed to 100 km/h. An electric option is not available.

Renault says the new van “significantly increases the driver’s visual control over his environment” with, among other things, Rear View Assist which shows rearward visibility on a screen located in place of the rear-view mirror. The Blind Spot Warning alerts the driver of potential dangers on both sides of the vehicle, while the Wide View Mirror helps the driver to see the right hand side blind spot. The Reversing Camera simplifies parking manoeuvres with image feedback integrated into the multimedia system or the interior rear-view mirror.

Renault will unveil details of its new van family at the end of March.

Nissan unveils plans for new generation small vans

New Duster from Dacia Dacia has released details of its Duster Commercial, the second time the off-roader has been converted to a practical LCV. Based on the passenger version of the Duster SUV, the LCV version brings van customers a rugged vehicle with a practical cargo area offering 1.5m3 of load space and payload up to 492kg.

The Duster Commercial also benefits from the same specification as the passenger model. Available in a choice of Essential and Comfort trim levels, engine options include TCe petrols and Blue dCi diesels. The diesel version is available with two- or four-wheel drive.

The Renault Tech factory conversion sees the removal of the rear seats to open up as much cargo space as possible. The floor is fitted on site and is completely flat with a carpet cover. The Duster Commercial also features a bulkhead with load stop and a removable load cover. Maximum load bay length is 1,557mm.

6 VANUSER • MARCH 2021

Duster Commercial is available to order now and priced from £15,309 OTR.

Nissan’s next generation of small vans will be built in Maubeuge, France, alongside its Alliance partner Renault’s new Kangoo.

Although naming and detailed product information will be released closer to the launch date, Nissan has confirmed the range will include all-electric and internal combustion engine options, as well as commercial and passenger vehicle variants, with various size combinations.

Like the current Nissan NV250 van, which has been manufactured at the Renault Maubeuge plant since 2019, the next-generation model will be built on an Alliance platform alongside the next-generation Renault Kangoo.

Nissan’s chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said: “Manufacturing our future products together with our Alliance partner brings competitive advantages for both companies and is another example of our winwin strategy.”

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Road to Zero British Gas ramps up EV adoption In a move that is believed to be the largest order of its kind in the UK, British Gas is to add another 2,000 new all-electric Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans to its fleet. The company has also introduced plans to never purchase another combustion engine vehicle.

As part of its commitment to become a net zero organisation, Centrica, owner of British Gas, has said it will electrify its 12,000-strong operational fleet by 2025, five years earlier than originally planned and will be making further orders with Vauxhall for electric vehicles as soon as they are available.

In addition to the 1,000 Vivaro-es bought last summer, the deal represents the largest commercial battery electric vehicle (BEV) order in the UK to date.

All 3,000 electric vehicles will be on the road by 2022.

While engineers can volunteer to have the new vans during the rollout, the company is prioritising high pollution areas to help lower emissions.

Mercedes-Benz looks for steep rise in EV sales Mercedes-Benz Vans is set to rapidly increase sales of its electric LCV models this year.

Andrew Lawson and James Riddington talk through the plan with Dan Gilkes.

“O

ur aspiration is for 10% of our sales this year to be EVs,” said Andrew Lawson (below), sales director at MercedesBenz Vans. “Overall, we aim to sell

36,000 vehicles in 2021, including more than 3,500 EVs. Three-quarters of that number will be eSprinter and one quarter e-Vito.”

Lawson certainly jumped into the deep end when he arrived back in the UK in the middle of 2020, after four years with the manufacturer in the USA. Yet, amid lockdowns and a market that was being turned on its head, Mercedes and its dealers remained on call for customers, ensuring that the UK’s delivery and logistics businesses kept moving.

Indeed, though the overall van market fell by more than 20% last year, Sprinter was the best-selling vehicle of any kind in April, even outselling the passenger car sector.

“2020 was a successful year for us as a van division, we over-achieved across the board, in sales and aftersales,” said Lawson.

“We remained open to serve

our customers, particularly in home delivery and the emergency services. It brought us closer together as a team.”

Despite the traditional dominance of Sprinter in the fleet market, Mercedes also saw a broadening of its appeal among buyers, with growth in retail and SME sectors, alongside fleet. That said, while Sprinter sales remained strong, the firm’s other models were less popular, while the X-Class pick-up was dropped from the UK lineup completely.

“We did see a decline in Vito, but that was driven by a fall in the passenger carrying versions,” said Lawson.

“

As a van division, [in 2020] we over-achieved across the board, in sales and aftersales

Model news There will be a new Citan unveiled later this year, for a launch in 2022 and this time around Mercedes will get an EV version of the compact model, which of course owes much to Renault’s Kangoo. An eCitan will make a strong contribution to the company’s EV plans.

Indeed, the firm is expecting growth across all of its electric vans. The eVito started series production in 2020 and has already been upgraded, along with the regular Vito, with improved >>

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ROAD TO ZERO

>> technology and specifications on offer.

Mercedes will launch a longer range eVito later this year, though it won’t use the current battery pack from the eVito Tourer people-carrier.

Range has been a talking point for potential eSprinter customers as well, though the company has had little trouble filling early build slots to satisfy last-mile delivery buyers. However, Lawson recognises that there is demand for longer range and also for alternative body types, in particular chassis cabs.

The current eSprinter is limited to a 3.5-tonne gross weight by its frontwheel drive layout, which results in a payload of below a tonne. By 2023, there will be a rear-wheel drive option coming, offering increased carrying capacity and a driving range of well over 200 miles.

“E-grocery is the biggest chassis cab market. We are aiming at 2023 with a higher mileage range and by 2023 we will also see a selection of electric-powered fridges,” said James Riddington, connectivity and electric vehicle manager.

“We had a lot of success in construction and utilities as well last year,” said Lawson “We have identified specific customer industry sectors, such as construction and utilities, e-grocery and parcel delivery and focussed on those sectors. We will further enhance our Ready To Work programme to meet the needs of these customers.”

This expansion of the pre-built model range could include pharma vans and temperature-controlled vehicles.

EV adoption But the real growth, not just for Mercedes-Benz, has to come from electric vans, as the Government pushes towards the end of petrol and diesel sales by 2030. Mercedes believes that this target can be met, but that manufacturers will have to invest further.

Customer demand will also change rapidly going forwards.

The company has looked at a variety of models for supplying electric vans, ranging from traditional longterm purchase and leasing to more innovative deals. This has included what the firm calls 2+2+2, where an early adopting customer leases the van for the first two years, but then wants to move to the latest technology. The van is then leased by a second customer, also keen to adopt EVs, but perhaps without the budget of the early adopter. After another two years a third customer, who needs a lower cost EV to

To help customers navigate their way to an EV future, all of the firm’s dealers have an EV specialist on site who can assist the business when assessing its requirements. MercedesBenz Vans is also working with charging station provider New Motion, to deliver charging hardware, installing both AC and rapid-charging DC infrastructure. This can include vehicle-to-grid technology and can also be incorporated within various financial products, backed by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.

access inner-city areas, takes the vehicle on another contract. As the vans have an eight-year battery warranty, this could be extended further.

However, with the backing of inhouse finance, the company is now even offering one-year deals, for those customers keen to try an EV but not yet sure if the vans will work in their operation.

“We believe the life cycle will shorten, to allow the customer to keep up with technology,” said Lawson.

“The rate of change is definitely getting faster,” agreed Riddington. “But it is going to be limited by infrastructure.”

E-grocery is the biggest chassis cab market, says James Riddington

Fleet management The company has also developed a number of products, under the Mercedes PRO Connect banner, that come as standard for the first two years with an electric van. This includes the ability to precondition vehicles while still connected to a charging point, setting internal temperatures in preparation for the drive ahead through a website or phone app.

Managers can see their fleet at a glance, including battery charge levels, available range and whether a van is plugged in. However, Mercedes has dropped its in-house telematics offering, opting instead to partner with leading providers Geotab and WebFleet, for comprehensive fleet management and telematic solutions. The company has also developed a portal that allows developers to access vehicle data for their own telematic systems.

Veit moves from US to head up M-B Vans’ UK operation Robert Veit is to take over the reins as managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK from 1 May. He is currently vice-president and managing director sales and marketing of Mercedes-Benz Vans USA. Veit started his career in 1995 as a member of the management trainee group at Mercedes-Benz AG. In the following years, he worked in different positions within the R&D department of the passenger cars division. In 2000, Robert moved to Dubai to take over the role as regional sales manager for commercial vehicles. He then held positions with the company in Russia, South Korea and China before moving to his current position in the USA, where he built up a new sales and marketing organisation in Atlanta.

He succeeds Steve Bridge who is now managing director at eStar Truck and Van, a Mercedes-Benz dealership group.

MARCH 2021 • VANUSER 11

ROAD TO ZERO | ROAD TEST

Mercedes-Benz has launched its second full electric LCV, the eSprinter, says Dan Gilkes.

H

aving entered the mid-weight EV sector with the eVito, Mercedes-Benz is back to tackle the heavier end of the market, with the eSprinter. Available initially in a single L2H2 panel van model, the eSprinter is aimed at urban users and last-mile delivery companies, with a maximum range of up to 96 miles.

Powertrain The van is powered by a 55kWh battery, that drives the front wheels through an 85kW (114hp) electric motor. That motor delivers 295Nm of torque, which is enough for reasonably rapid acceleration, given the size of the van.

However, unlike the big Merc’s namesake, the eSprinter is not about high-speed motorway cruising. Indeed, there are in fact three speed limiter settings on offer to customers, to control the right-foot urges of drivers. The standard van calls time at a theoreti12 VANUSER • MARCH 2021

LAST-MILE D

cal 75mph, but it is also possible to limit the van to 62mph, or even 50mph.

It is perhaps worth mentioning that the promised range of up to 96 miles is only offered with the 50mph limiter. Let the van run at those higher speeds and the predicted range drops to around 83 miles.

There are three driving modes to maximise range. C, or Comfort, offers full power and torque, with access to the heating and air conditioning system’s maximum output. Switch to E, for Economy and the power and torque delivery take a bit of a cut, while the air con output is also reduced. E+ takes that further, cutting the air-con almost totally. However, on a wet and windy January day it was almost impossible to use E+, as the windows soon become misted up without the ventilation working fully.

Drivers can influence the range in other ways though. Paddles behind the steering wheel can be used to alter

the amount of brake energy recuperation. D- provides the most regenerative braking, enough in fact for the van to activate its brake lights as you lift off the throttle pedal. Click the righthand paddle once into D and you get less regen, providing similar levels of braking to a diesel Sprinter under engine overrun.

Another click takes the level to D+, reducing the brake energy even more, while the last setting, D++ will allow the van to coast with no deceleration at all. This boosts range when cruising at higher speeds.

Charging Though only offered with a single battery size, the eSprinter can be had with a choice of charging options. Both get standard AC inputs, with a 7.2kW wallbox taking up to 8 hours to reach 100% charge from empty.

The lower priced van also boasts a 20kW DC rapid charger, that will take around two hours to go from 10-80% charge. Alternatively, for an additional £525, you can have an 80kW DC rapid charger. This will allow the battery to go from 10-80% in just 30 mins on a suitable charging station.

During our time with the van, we plugged in to Gridserve’s new all-electric facility in Braintree (left), taking on just over 32kW of power in 27 minutes, potentially a lunch-break recharge.

For those who have tried Merc’s eVito, which uses the former diesel filler flap to conceal the electric charging

In the cab The eSprinter is offered in a single Progressive trim, which includes a comfortable heated driver’s seat, semi-automatic Tempmatic air conditioning, keyless start, a Thatcham-approved alarm, plus a DAB radio with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

It should be noted, however, that like fellow German manufacturer Volkswagen, Mercedes has opted for the new USB-C slots, rather than the more popular USB-A, which means you’ll need an adaptor for an iPhone.

You get Active Brake Assist, Adaptive ESP, Attention Assist and Crosswind Assist as part of the standard trim. Auto headlights are also included, though not auto wipers. Also missing from the standard trim list, are heated door mirrors, which should really be standard on all larger vans.

As mentioned, there is no need to insert a key in the eSprinter, just push the start button to bring the dash to life. The forward, reverse and park settings are selected with a steering column-mounted lever and the van has an electric parking brake, with a small button to the right and below

E DELIVERY point on the side of the van, that is not the case with the eSprinter. The larger model has its charging input point behind the three-pointed star on the front grille.

Load carrying capacity As mentioned, the eSprinter is currently only available in L2H2 format, providing a load volume of 11m3. The batteries are stored within the chassis, so there is no loss of load capacity in the back or cabin space in the front.

However, with a maximum gross weight set at 3.5-tonnes, the van has a potential payload of just 774kg plus the driver, so this is very much a local light parcel delivery van, rather than a heavyweight hauler. Given that the e-Sprinter is currently built on a frontwheel drive chassis, it is unlikely to be offered at a higher gross weight in the future. That said, a rear-driven model, with increased range and load capacity, is expected in 2023.

the steering wheel.

Everything is typically well screwed together and though fairly dark, the cab interior is a comfortable place to spend the day. There are plenty of blank switches on show, a testament to Mercedes’ extensive options list. Reach and rake adjustment for the steering should see all shapes and sizes of driver find a comfortable position though.

Not strictly in the cab, but the eSprinter also comes with Mercedes PRO connect, free for the first two years. This provides real-time battery management, route mapping and allows drivers to pre-set cooling and cab heating while the van is still connected to a charging point. Through the Always Connected Package, also standard with eSprinter, customers can also make use of a host of connected services, for efficient fleet management, driving style analysis and fleet communications.

On the road Perhaps unsurprisingly, the eSprinter is very similar to the diesel model on which it is based. It is quiet and admirably smooth, if not the fastest electric van on the road. It does make good progress on rural inter-urban routes, though its intended home is without doubt inner-city streets.

The driving modes don’t seem to make that much difference in an unladen van, though E+ should probably be reserved for those last few miles before reaching a charging point. The various regeneration settings are far more effective and the paddles make it easy to swap between settings, as you move from cruising to stop/start traffic. The highest regeneration setting also provides enough braking effort in urban driving to almost drive without using the brake pedal at all.

Conclusion Mercedes-Benz research shows that average daily mileage for a van across Europe is less than 60 miles, making the eSprinter’s 83-95 mile range more than acceptable. For the last-mile users for whom this van is designed, that should indeed prove more than enough in normal use, as can be seen by early orders from parcel delivery businesses.

However, there are still plenty of companies that would like to go electric but need the reassurance of a longer range, even if only for occasional use.

This is particularly true of second and potentially third users.

There are also many operators, including local authorities and utilities, for whom a chassis cab would be far more useful than a panel van layout.

That said, this is the first eSprinter model. There will be additional variants in time, with larger batteries, rear-wheel drive and a higher gross weight. It will be interesting to see how Mercedes takes the concept forwards.

“

There are still plenty of companies that would like to go electric but need the reassurance of a longer range

Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Progressive Basic price £52,475 (before PiVG) Drive motor Electric, FWD Power 85kW Torque 295Nm Weights (kg) GVW 3,500 Kerb weight 2,726 Payload 774 Dimensions (mm) Load space length 3,397 Load space width 1,787 Load space height 2,079 Width between w/arches 1,412 Load volume (m3) 11 Cost considerations Battery capacity 55kWh EV range 96 miles (WLTP) CO2 emissions 0g/km Service interval 1 year/24,000 miles Warranty Three years/unlimited miles Battery warranty Eight years/100,000 miles MARCH 2021 • VANUSER 13

ROAD TO ZERO The UK’s first electric forecourt promises fast-charging for all and a glimpse of the future. Dan Gilkes plugs in.

G

ridserve has opened the first of 100 Electric Forecourts planned for the next five years, on a site near Braintree, Essex. Capable of providing rapid charging for up to 36 vehicles at the same time, the company is investing £1bn in a UK-wide programme, with additional funding from Hitachi Capital (UK), Innovate UK and OZEV, to make EV driving more convenient and less stressful for drivers.

In preparation for the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, the Gridserve site is much like a conventional service station, but without any petrol or diesel pumps. In their place are four rows of high-speed charging points. Two of the lanes offer a maximum charging power up to 90kW, while the other two can deliver up to 350kW, to those vehicles capable of taking that level of input.

The site also has a lane pre-wired to cope with heavier vehicles including trucks, though there are no actual charging points yet, due to the lack of suitable customer vehicles. However, the existing canopies are 5m high, so even the tallest van and some smaller electric trucks should be able to use the current charging points.

The forecourt is part of Gridserve’s wider sun-to-wheel infrastructure, that aims to provide net zero carbon energy. The electricity is generated from solar panels on the forecourt canopies and from a network of local solar farms. There is also a 6MWh battery on site to help balance the local energy grid. The battery is capable of storing enough energy to power up to 24,000 miles of travel in EVs. The opening rate has been set at 24p/kW, meaning a typical 20-80% rapid charge should cost less than £10. We used the site to top up a Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, from almost empty to 100% full, consuming just over 32kWh in less than 28 minutes. With a Costa coffee shop and a WH Smith on site, alongside a mini market and toilet facilities, drivers can take a break as well.

Though not currently in use due to Covid restrictions, the site also has a wellbeing area with exercise bikes 14 VANUSER • MARCH 2021

FUTURE FILL-UP and business meeting pods, making it more of a destination that the usual service station.

“Charging has to be simple and free of anxiety, which is why we’ve designed our Electric Forecourt entirely around the needs of the driver, updating the traditional petrol station model for a net-zero carbon world and delivering the confidence people need to make

The forecourt is part of Gridserve’s ‘sun-to-wheel’ infrastructure

the switch to electric transport today,” said Toddington Harper, founder and CEO of Gridserve.

Van User has visited the site twice now, in the eSprinter and also in an LEVC VN5. In both cases we had no trouble connecting to the charging units, which take payment from a credit or debit card. As part of a paperless operation, you can get an invoice e-mailed after use.

The Electric Forecourt is a very impressive site, though the vagaries of vehicle design mean that manufacturers are currently putting charging points all over their vehicles. The site has been primarily laid out for those vehicles with charging points along the side, but unfortunately both of the vans that we arrived in had their charging inputs in the front grille. This meant parking slightly out of our marked space, though that is no problem at present as attendance is understandably low.

The charging instructions are easy to understand and the transaction is seamless. Even under the current Covid restrictions it is possible to use the facilities and top up on coffee and a newspaper, though you have to enjoy them in the cab at present. As a glimpse of the future it is an impressive site and once they start to appear around the country the Electric Forecourts will no doubt go some way to make life easier for those that have to use an EV on longer journeys.

Fleet management Easing the transition to electric vehicles Radius Payment Solutions has launched a new range of products aimed at businesses and fleet operators looking to make the transition to electric or hybrid vehicles.

Radius EV is a new division that will focus on providing products and services including workplace and home charge points and a new dual-fuel card, that enables drivers to charge their vehicles and buy diesel or petrol, all on one card.

The newly launched charge points will provide businesses and employees with a turnkey charge point solution for their office, depot and home. Business charge points provide charging at 22kW. Home charge points deliver speeds of up to 7.4kW on a typical single-phase domestic supply.

Radius EV will also offer an all-inone fuel card that gives a convenient way to buy diesel and petrol at over 3,350 fuel stations across the UK. Bill Holmes, CEO of Radius Payment Solutions, said: “Following the significant investment made in Chargepoint Europe in 2020, this is another exciting step into the world of electric vehicles, after more than 30 years in the traditional UK fuel market.

“As the sales of electric vehicles continue to accelerate over the dec-

ade ahead, there is going to be a huge demand for charge points and network access. The development of workplace and home charge points, coupled with our own brand all-in-one fuel card, provides an end-to-end solution for diesel, petrol and electric vehicle fleets that will help them manage their transition to electric.”

Bill Holmes: ‘exciting step’

TPMS connects to telematics Wheely-Safe is making its tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) available for connection to van and car telematics and CAN bus for the first time, with a new range of connected open platform devices offered alongside its standalone products.

The launch forms part of the biggest series of upgrades by WheelySafe to-date, enhancing its offer to fleets, telematics providers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

It includes the introduction of the world’s first auto-calibrating internal TPMS sensor with auto-positioning capability on four-wheel vehicles, eliminating the need for external valve sensors if preferred.

The new sensors can distinguish between intentional pressure adjustments and genuine under-inflation or leakage.

Steve Jackson, managing director of Wheely-Safe, said: “Fleets increasingly want everything running through their telematics and that brings huge advantages for the Wheely-Safe product. It means we can provide access to real-time pressure data remotely, which can help to prevent breakdowns and takes the guesswork out of organising tyre maintenance.”

Trial aims to streamline courier service Ford has teamed up with Hermes to trial a courier service aimed at reducing the footprint of parcel deliveries in cities.

The partnership uses Ford’s smart ‘MoDe:Link’ multi-modal routing and logistics software to coordinate traditional delivery vans with pedestrian couriers, identifying safe locations for drivers to park within walking distance of multiple delivery addresses.

From there, the final leg of the journey is completed on foot as couriers make deliveries to a mix of high-rise, business and residential buildings.

Couriers use a smartphone app that

advises the location of the van and shows the most economical routes and itinerary to deliver the parcels. The app integrates with Hermes’ tracking systems to ensure customers have real-time visibility of the status of their deliveries.

The overall system orchestrates the end-to-end journey for each parcel, ensuring that deliveries – whether on the first mile from the depot by road, or the last mile to the doorstep on foot – are as efficient and as sustainable as they can be. Initially focussed on London, Ford and Hermes will now explore extending the pilot to further areas of the UK. MARCH 2021 • VANUSER 15

FLEET MANAGEMENT

Successful trial for eSprinter Pharma Thermo King is working with Mercedes-Benz AG to create a fully electric, refrigerated Mercedes-Benz eSprinter van prototype for local zero-emission last mile urban delivery of pharmaceuticals and medicines.

The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Pharma prototype features an all-electric E-200 refrigeration unit and new lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery from Thermo King. Combined, the E-200 and the Li-ion battery deliver independent and constant capacity ensuring an unbroken cold chain even while the driver stops for delivery or break. This is important for maintaining controlled and uncompromised temperature in the load compartment – a critical element to ensure the quality, integrity and efficacy of transported pharmaceuticals and medicines.

“The collaboration between Thermo King and Mercedes-Benz AG to develop an all-electric pharma delivery

Lucion runs with Lightfoot across van fleet Lucion Services, environmental risk management specialists based in Gateshead, is to roll out Lightfoot’s in-vehicle driver efficiency technology and rewards platform to its fleet of 197 vans.

The decision follows successful trials which led to uplifts in mpg by more than 10%, reductions in CO2 emissions by 5.6%, falls in idling time by 29% and the eradication of instances of dangerous driving. Lightfoot claims that nearly 1000 tonnes of CO2 will be prevented from entering the earth’s atmosphere over a five year period.

Lucion Services, which has 12 bases throughout the UK, was keen to find a fleet management solution that would not only improve the safety of its drivers but which would also reduce its carbon footprint and fuel costs, its second highest overhead.

Lightfoot says it delivered on all fronts while also reducing instances of harsh acceleration, harsh braking and harsh cornering thanks to its pocket-sized dashboard display device, which uses live engine data to provide 16 VANUSER • MARCH 2021

drivers with real-time visual and audible feedback.

This guides drivers to the ‘sweet spot of the engine’, improving both fuel economy and safety on the roads. The audible end of journey score from the device also enables drivers to strive towards achieving Lightfoot’s Elite Driver status score of 85 or more, which unlocks access to weekly prize draws.

Lightfoot’s dashboard display gives drivers feedback

vehicle will enable our customers to benefit from the best combination of distribution and refrigeration technologies,” said Eneko Fernandez, product management leader at Thermo King.

“Electrification of transport industry is a trend that addresses the noise and emission pollution in cities and urban areas. At Thermo King, we want to challenge what is possible in our industry. Working together with MercedesBenz Vans on the eSprinter Pharma, we are developing a local zero-emission refrigerated transportation that will help improve the quality of life, in a sustainable way.”

The prototype van has undergone first rounds of successful testing. Over a period of four weeks, the vehicle drove more than 2000km maintaining the temperature of the load compartment between 15 and 25 degrees C, and successfully delivering pharmaceuticals in and around the city.

Safety strategy for a post-Covid world Fleet managers should create a cost-effective fleet road safety strategy that adds value in a post-Covid world. That’s the advice from Venson Automotive Solutions following the recent publication of a whitepaper – “Road Safety Pays Dividends” – from the Fleet Industry Advisory Group (FIAG).

It is estimated that up to one third of all road traffic accidents involve someone who was at work at the time and may account for as many as 20 deaths and 250 serious injuries every week in the UK. For organisations of any size, managing risk to ensure that employees are as safe as possible when travelling on work-related business needs to be a priority, says Venson.

As the country slowly moves out of lockdown and more business traffic takes to the roads, “fleets may need to not only reassess their risk levels but also re-engage with staff on the part they play in keeping work-related road accidents to a minimum”.

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

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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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Trading for over 30 years, we are one of the UK’s pioneers for commercial vehicle security. We offer a mobile fitting service from single man-in-avan to fleet operators.

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Deadlocks | Slamlocks | Slamhandle Ford Rep Locks | Reversing Cameras Witness Cameras | Roof Beacons Internal Lights | Ply Lining Wiring Loom Guards

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Your one stop shop for safety We don’t just do racking: Fleet & Stolen Vehicle Tracking • Van Security Witness Cameras • Light Bars • Auxillary Lighting Mobile handwash • Tow Bars • Parking Sensors Reversing Camera • Modular Van Storage Van Racking Systems • Under Floor Drawer Units Pull Out Floor Extensions • Tool Case Storage Ply Lining & Internal Panels • Storage Cabinets & Bins Unit 4, Acorn Business Centre, Oaks Drive, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7SY

t: 01638 660555 e: sales@vansystem.co.uk www.vansystem.co.uk 18 VANUSER • MARCH 2021

FLEET MANAGEMENT

High vis panels help workers stay safe Ford has developed electronic high-visibility rear panels on its Transit and Transit Custom models, which do not rely on other light sources to be clearly visible in the dark.

The red stripes are illuminated by electricity passing through a thin lay- a bend – especially on long, dark winer of phosphorus gas – technology al- ter nights. ready used in aeroplane cockpits and on Ford trialled its panels in collaborascreens for medical and military equip- tion with Northumbrian Water Group, ment. When installed, these are activat- enabling engineers to monitor their ed by a switch behind the driver’s seat. effectiveness in real-world scenarios Ford says that many roadside work- and to gauge the benefits of panels that ers operate in high-risk environments. light up – even when other drivers neStandard reflective panels rely on the glect to activate their headlights. Now headlights of other vehicles for illumi- Northumbrian Water Group, which innation and as a result, can be less ef- cludes Essex & Suffolk Water, are the Paths_186x132mm_WIRELESS_RING_AD copy.pdf 1 24/08/2020 10:34 fective when approached from around first commercial users.

Advertiser supplied

Check your weight

“

Technology used in aeroplane cockpits

Every year, the DVSA releases figures that indicate more and more vans are being operated overweight.

In 2018-2019, that figure topped 85% and we believe it is still rising.

With plans to pull over more LCVs on the roadside and potentially to enforce HGV-like legislation on the LCV market, it could be about time to check your van’s laden weight, especially the individual axle weights. SvTech has discovered many more vans have overloaded rear axles (and subsequently the overall GVW) than previously thought.

An overload could invalidate your insurance, and affect your braking and handling. Check your weights and talk to us. www.svtech.co.uk

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MARCH 2021 • VANUSER 19

FLEET MANAGEMENT Advertiser supplied

Mobile savvy Are you thinking of going mobile, or want to upgrade your existing mobile workshop? If so, make sure you invest wisely. Nick West, Allswage managing director shares some advice.

Allswage, a market leader in professional van racking and storage systems, has been in the industry from the very start. In fact, we built the first mobile workshop, at our Midlands HQ, to support construction work on the M5 in 1986. If only our Facebook page went back that far!

Now 35 years on, we still operate with the same care and consideration, whatever the van conversion. Only now we have a lot more experience. We know that getting your mobile workshop functioning exactly as you need it is vital for your performance, whatever sector you are in. You’re looking for as much ‘on the road’ capability as possible, without compromising safety. Plus, you need the assurance that all your valuable equipment is safely stowed.

So, don’t skip on planning and experience.

If you plan well, the conversion will be easier, quicker, and more effective. We have a proven approach for both standard and bespoke conversions. It assures customers

that all the details are included. Plus, we offer everything else needed, from van racking to refits.

For conversions we work from the initial concept stage, all the way through to completion. And, with servicing and maintenance support, you can be confident of a mobile workshop solution designed to grow with your business.

So, whether you need racking or a partial refit or a full conversion, choose to get it right with Allswage. www.allswageuk.co.uk

The DVSA recently revealed that 88.5% of LCVs stopped at the roadside were overloaded.

With plans to pull over more LCV’s on the roadside and to potentially enforce HGVlike legislation on the LCV market, isn’t about time you checked your minibus or van’s laden weights, especially the individual axle weights? SvTech has discovered many more vans have overloaded rear axles than previously thought. Any overload could invalidate your insurance.

SvTech can help with uprating your LCV to give you more payload, keeping you safe and legal. Most makes and models catered for. Call us to discuss your needs and try using our free Load Distribution program – www.svtech.co.uk/lda

SPEEDTEX™ is a 2K polymer spray on bed liner designed for the rear load bed of pickup trucks, land rovers, panel vans, trailers, small boats and many other small to medium size applications.

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If you need to Downplate your LCV for LEZ purposes, we can help with that too.

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20 VANUSER • MARCH 2021

CALL 01584 877 513 EMAIL INFO@SPEEDTEXEURO.COM VISIT WWW.SPEEDTEXEURO.COM

TEST DRIVE FORD FIESTA SPORT VAN MHEV

DELIVERY DYNAMO Ford has extended its mild hybrid technology to the smallest van in the range, says Dan Gilkes.

F

or some customers, the Fiesta Van remains the ideal compact delivery vehicle, tackling urban back streets with the same ease as longer inter-city journeys. Now offered solely with petrol power, the Fiesta is the latest model to benefit from Ford’s mild hybrid (mHEV) technology.

Powertrain Where Fiesta Van used to be available with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, buyers are now limited to the three-cylinder, 1.0-litre, EcoBoost petrol engine. This is no bad thing however, as the award-winning motor churns out a powerful 125hp, backed up by a healthy 170Nm of torque.

As with the larger Transit mHEV models, the Fiesta Van is also offered in mHEV trim, with a belt-driven starter/ generator and a 48V lithium-ion battery pack, located under the passenger seat. It also comes with an enhanced Auto Start-Stop system.

The battery is charged by the engine while driving and through brake regeneration. The electrical power is then returned to assist the engine during acceleration, boosting torque while the turbocharger is spooling up, to enhance performance and reduce fuel consumption.

The improvement is relatively small, around 1mpg and 3g/km of CO2, when compared to the non-mHEV version of the van, though the list price rises by a fairly hefty £1,277. However, the system certainly contributes to impressive performance, with the stop/ start system cutting in before you even roll to a halt.

The engine drives through a slick six-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels and 125hp is more than enough for spirited performance in such a compact van.

Load carrying capacity Few buyers will opt for a Fiesta Van as a major load hauler. That said, the 22 VANUSER • MARCH 2021

van offers almost 1m3 of load volume, seeming much bigger than that when you open up the rear hatch. There is a half solid, half mesh bulkhead behind the seats, to protect the driver and passenger if you fail to secure the load and the rear side windows are of course blanked off as part of the transformation to LCV. Adding a 48V battery and the starter/generator system does add a bit of mass, but Ford has increased the Fiesta’s gross weight, to ensure that the mHEV version can carry the same 515kg as the non-hybrid van. Likewise, should you ever wish to tow with the compact Ford, maximum trailer weight is set at 1,100kg.

In the cab If you pick up a brochure at your local Ford dealer, it would appear that the Fiesta Van is only available in top of the range Sport trim. Indeed, to retail buyers that is now the case. However, fleet and business buyers can also order the baby Ford in more workmanlike Trend trim.

While our Sport van comes with 17” alloys, LED headlights and tail lamps, a Sport styling body kit, sport suspension and seats, the Trend model makes do with more practical 16” steel wheels, LED reflector headlights and a body-coloured rear spoiler.

Both models get Ford SYNC DAB radio with an 8” touchscreen, Bluetooth and the FordPass on-board mo-

dem. You also get manual air conditioning, EcoCoach and tyre pressure monitoring. The Sport van adds keyless starting, a rather chunky sports steering wheel, the essential Quickclear heated windscreen and a Thatcham Cat 1 alarm.

Our test van had some tasty options fitted too, including heated seats (£60) and a heated steering wheel (£96), both of which were very welcome as it snowed almost continually during our week with the van. Perhaps more useful was the comprehensive Exclusive pack 9 (£708), that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Assist, Distance Indication, Distance Alert, Intelligent Speed Assistance, Driver Impairment Monitor, Speed Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Aid.

On the road Small Fords have been known for their handling for many years and sporty Fiestas in particular are surefooted and agile. In that respect this Sport Van is no exception. That said, the steering did have a strangely artificial feel to it at times, perhaps due to the lane keeping systems.

However, while this might be the smallest van in the Ford line-up, it feels like a much more grown-up proposition than some of its predecessors. Comfortable and capable at all speeds, you could happily live with this van as dayto-day transport, whether working in the country or in the busiest town centre. Or indeed both, as the Fiesta is equally capable in both settings.

Conclusion It is almost folklore now that Ford dropped the Fiesta Van from its line-up some years ago, only for a couple of larger customers to howl in anguish and insist on its relaunch.

As a load-hauling commercial vehicle, the Transit Courier obviously makes a better van. But for those who don’t need ultimate carrying capacity or load volume, this car-derived LCV still offers all the van that they need and more.

Ford Fiesta Sport Van mHEV Basic price £17,877 Engine 1.0 petrol mild hybrid Power 125bhp Torque 170Nm Weights (kg) GVW 1,635 Kerb weight 1,104 Payload 515 Dimensions (mm) Load space length 1,283 Load space width 1,281 Load space height 923 Width between w/arches 984 Load volume (m3) 0.96 Cost considerations Fuel tank (litres) 42 MPG (WLTP) 55.4 CO2 emissions 116g/km Service interval 2 year/18,000 miles Warranty Three years/60,000 miles

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