vanuser NOVEMBER 2021
THE MAGAZINE FOR LCV FLEET OPERATORS
BADGE ENGINEERING News Fiat Professional joins Stellantis line-up
Interview Isuzu strengthens D-Max brand
Fleet management A tyre for all seasons
Road to zero Vauxhall confirms production for Vivaro hydrogen
An innovative new way of communicating safety to professional drivers A series of 90-second videos Champions and reinforces on-road safety Remind drivers of their moral and legal obligations
Encourages better behaviour behind the wheel Driver behaviour and cost savings portrayed via short stories
Get started today, search ‘Driver’s Mate DriveTech’ to find out more. 01256 610907 tellmemore@drivetech.co.uk
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NOVEMBER 2021
Contents 10
DELIVERING CHRISTMAS A Scaletrix Batman vs Superman, a Lego Golf Clubhouse and a John Lewis My First Train Set look set to be the most popular children’s Christmas presents this year. Good luck if you are in the market for any of them. Global shipping problems, a Dan Gilkes, lack of truck drivers and numerous editor other factors are already conspiring to make the annual trip to the toy store look even more like the movie Jingle All The Way than normal. Except of course, even fewer people than usual will actually make a journey to the toy store, or indeed any other Christmas shop this year. They will be letting their fingers do the walking, as they flick across keyboards in a desperate search for the last box on the shelf. Traditionally the big courier companies have had to find literally thousands of additional drivers to cover the seasonal demands of the Christmas period, plus of course a massive fleet of additional vans in which to make those deliveries. Is it any wonder that auction companies report huge interest in almost anything that could be used to cover those last miles this year? Spare a thought though for the home delivery driver, who will be working even harder than usual, to ensure that there are smiles on Christmas morning; and to the fleet coordinator, who will be attempting to juggle the workload and keep their vans working all hours to make those deliveries. Indeed, home delivery specialists such as Yodel are reporting that festive shopping has already started. You have been warned! With confirmation that Fiat Professional is dropping the Renault-built Talento, in favour of parent company Stellantis’ range of diesel and electric mid-weight vans, the choice available to van buyers just got even narrower. As George Barrow mentions during the launch feature in this magazine, that means that you will now be able to buy virtually the same van with no less than five different badges on the front. While this makes perfect sense from an R&D and an investment point of view for the manufacturers, it means that dealer service and back-up could become an even more important buying criteria for some van owners.
NEWS
Next generation vans under discussion
FORS aims to cut idling
8 Clean Air Zones will hit 76% of van users
VW launches #DownTools campaign
Phantom sold to Moving Intelligence
4
INTERVIEW
Sales Manager Laura Munnings 01502 725866 laura.munnings@micropress.co.uk
22 Van operators concentrate on resources 24 Bedeo continues electrification of Ocado fleet
Volkswagen adds to fridge conversions
Robertson moves to temperature- controlled contract hire
27 Training to combat excessive drinking 28 Call for road pricing plan
MODEL NEWS
ROAD TO ZERO
12 Sharing goes electric
30 Vauxhall confirms Vivaro-e Hydrogen for production
17 Citroën to bring Ami Cargo Electric to UK Relay updated for 2022
CONTACTS
Editorial assistant Jade Soanes 01502 725840 jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk
20 A tyre for all seasons
19 Work life balance in updated Tourneo Connect Design and production Mark Shreeve 01502 725839 mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk
FLEET MANAGEMENT
10 Isuzu strengthens D-Max brand
Editor Dan Gilkes 07802 751473 dangilkes1@mac.com
19
4 Fiat Professional joins Stellantis line-up
17
LaundryHeap hits 200 with EAV
31 Hyvia delivers Hydrogen Master prototype 32 Tool aims to help with EV decision
Coventry Council supports e-van adoption
LONG TERM TEST 34 Automatic for the people
Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6DH 01502 725800 www.vanuser.co.uk Printed by Micropress Printers Ltd
NOVEMBER 2021 • VANUSER 3
News FORS aims to cut idling
Fiat Professional joins Stellantis line-up Fiat Professional has dropped the Renault-built Talento van and people-carrier from its LCV range, in favour of its parent company’s midweight van, already seen as the Vauxhall Vivaro, Citroën Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and one step removed, as a Toyota Proace. The company is resurrecting the Scudo name for the van, along with Ulysse for the passenger model. Both models will be offered with a choice of internal combustion engines, or with battery electric power. The van will be available in three body lengths, as a panel van, Combi and a plat-
form cab for conversion. People carrying versions will be offered in six to nine seat configurations. Orders for the Fiat Professional Scudo will open by the end of the year and the electric versions of the van are expected to be in demand. Over the next three years Stellantis aims to roll out a full range of electric LCVs to all regions, including offering hydrogen electric vans in some countries. By 2030, low-emission vehicles are expected to make up more than 70% of sales in Europe, and at least 40% of sales in the US market.
FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) has produced a free to download FORS Professional Anti-Idling and Congestion-Cutting toolkit for member companies. The toolkit includes a driver guide, posters and a toolbox talk to help operators minimise idling and cut congestion. Idling engines can create more emissions than a van running at 30mph, so the use of new technologies like stop/start and good driver behaviour are key to reducing levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in congested city driving. “We are always looking to give FORS members the guidance and support they need to get the most from their fleet,” said John Hix, FORS director.
Gold standard Ford’s Transit Custom has received a Gold award from Euro NCAP in recognition of its advanced driver assistance technologies. This results from an enhanced safety specification, including standardising the Seat Belt Reminder earlier this year. Further enhancements coming in 2022, include a Digital Rear-View Mirror, to offer twice the field of view of a conventional rear-view mirror. For more on Custom driver assistance, see our Long Term Test on pg 34.
Next generation vans under discussion Logistics UK will hold a new, free to attend conference called Next Generation Van in Coventry on November 9, 2021. Sponsored by the organisation’s Van Excellence Gold partners, the conference aims to bring together industry leaders, innovative thinkers, manufacturers and operators, to discuss the future of vans as the UK transitions to a zero-emission economy. “The UK is hurtling towards its new zero emission future,” said Denise Beedell, policy manager at Logistics UK. 4 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
“Van operators must be provided with the insight they need to decarbonise their operations effectively and understand the steps they must take to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”
Conference sessions Sessions will include advice on effective maintenance of alternatively fuelled fleets, measures operators can put in place now to future-proof their operations and guidance on how to grow and attract talent in a time of critical labour shortages.
AP Engineers and Plant, a maintenance and emergency breakdown service for the construction, demolition and recycling industries, has added a distinctive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to its fleet. The L2H2 van, powered by a 163hp engine, joins a growing fleet that already includes two Sprinters and a Citan van.
Ford Fleet Management
Flexible solutions built on wealth of knowledge
F
ord Fleet Management is a partnership born out of proven strengths. Ford has been the UK commercial vehicle market leader for the past 55 years. It has unrivalled insight as to how its fleet customers choose and use their vehicles. ALD Automotive has a long history of providing innovative funding and fleet management products to fleets across the globe. Ford Fleet Management brings together these two companies to leverage these strengths, to support fleet operators with an integrated fleet management system,
tailored to specific customer needs. Ford Fleet Management will offer both commercial vehicles and passenger cars, no matter the brand, delivering a one-stop-shop for leasing and fleet management services. FFM has established relationships with other manufacturers, to offer an impartial vehicle solution based on the customer’s bespoke requirement. Aimed at fleet decision makers, not the end user of the vehicles, FFM is an invaluable tool for procurement, HR and finance managers as well as dedicated fleet managers.
Boosting uptime for improved FFM’s approach to uptime utilises connected vehicle data and real time vehicle health alerts, to maximise uptime across the fleet and minimise unexpected costs. FFM will manage the fleet’s uptime on your behalf, using a suite of digital and real time tools.
Connected vehicle data As connected vehicle data becomes more available, many of our customers have shared feedback that too much data is becoming an issue with fleets. By having too much data, they are finding it more difficult to make key fleet decisions. FFM will provide customers with not only connected vehicle data, but will manage all of this data on behalf of customers, to ensure all actions are followed up where necessary. FFM’s bespoke offering allows customers to dictate how the data and subsequent actions are followed up, with bespoke SLA and communication processes. We ensure customers, drivers, depot, fleet and regional managers, are all updated in line with the customer’s preferred communication method and channel.
FFM dedicated uptime team The dedicated FFM Uptime team is located at the Ford Technical Centre in Dunton (Ford UK Headquarters) where they enjoy a unique working relationship with the Ford Liive cen-
tre, with a mutual objective of keeping fleet vehicles on the road. For more information on Ford Liive, please see video: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DwW13Xf7oik&t=11s
Flexible leasing Flexible Leasing is Ford Fleet Management’s solution designed for all fleet sizes and complexities. It’s a simple to use, cost-effective and fully adaptable rental solution. It provides access to a wide range of high-quality vehicles most available within 72 hours - with the ability to return them whenever you want, with no early termination fees*. It sits neatly in the gap between daily hire and contract hire. You have the flexibility to end the contract at just 48 hours’ notice without any termination charges. The deal is more cost effective than a daily rental, yet you have no long-term commitments. This is a great alternative to the ‘pool vehicle’ which spends its time languishing in the car park. Instead, you have the choice from over 1,500 vehicles. All of them are younger than 12 months old – indeed, most are under three months old. They are delivered in ‘as new’, fully inspected showroom condition. Fully inclusive rates mean you only have to pay for fuel, insurance and any lubricant top-
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Around 80% of FFM's flexible leasing fleet are LCVs
performance ups needed. And, if you like the vehicle, you can move it to a full contract hire. Our goal is to make your life easier. *Delivery and collection costs apply for vehicles returned within three months.
Choose a vehicle category with a full-service package and benefit from: Contract from 1-24 months No delivery costs or collection fees on agreements over 90 days Includes road fund license, maintenance and roadside assistance Over 1,500 as-new vehicles to choose from Access our most popular vehicle groups at industry-leading competitive rates Contract termination with just 48 hours’ notice No mileage surcharges within the equivalent maximum of 30,000 miles per year and not exceeding stipulated defleet mileage.
Out of hours and mobile servicing and repairs The option to choose Mobile Servicing means we can take the technical expertise directly to customers. We can do our job, while they get on with theirs. Out-of-hours Servicing means we can work around the customer's schedule. The customer can choose to plan for servicing to be carried out at a strategic location, at their convenience. We can include ancillary equipment servicing and inspections as part of our approach to maintenance, to reduce the number of overall servicing visits an LCV requires to remain compliant, as part of our overall objective to reduce the fleet's downtime.
In reviewing the flexible leasing proposition, FFM has identified and taken a conscious decision to move away from traditional cars and standard vans, to a more specialist and varied approach. This consists of a range of vehicles from the Ford Ranger to Transits including: dropsides, welfare vehicles, chassis cabs, traffic management vehicles, tippers, cherry pickers (Rangers & Transits), refrigerated units, caged tipper conversions and arboretum tipper conversions. E-transits are also on order for those customers wanting to try before they commit to EV. FFM believes this specialised fleet of LCVs is more aligned to the vehicles customers would need and are also known to be difficult to source over recent years. As these assets are all owned by FFM, these vehicles can be utilised by customers to ensure like-for-like replacement vehicles are an option. Example of customer scenarios that might need flexible leasing: • Short term contracts • Growth / business expansion • Supporting lengthy lead times • Temporary staff • Seasonal Peaks in business • Project work • Try before you commit.
For more information on Ford Fleet Management please visit our website: www.fordfleetmanagement.co.uk To learn more about our expert team: www.ford.co.uk/commercial-vehicles/ fleet/ford-fleet-management/meet-theteam#sales We have also produced a short video overview of who we are and what we do that you can view here: www.youtube. com/watch?v=u8quPFa9aDg For general queries contact us directly Visit: www.fordfleetmanagement.co.uk or contact us via Email: information@ fordfleetmanagement.co.uk or phone: 0370 325 0023.
DISCLAIMER: Business customers only. Funding/finance solutions provided by Ford Fleet Management UK Ltd, Oakwood Drive. Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7LB. Ford Fleet Management UK Ltd registered in England no.12782519.Finance subject to status Guarantees and indemnities may be required.
NEWS
Clean Air Zones will hit 76% of van users
VW launches #DownTools campaign
Research from vehicle rental company Enterprise has revealed that 76% of van owners in the UK believe their journeys will be affected by low emission and Clean Air Zones (CAZ), though 18% still don’t know what they will do about it. The study of 2,000 UK drivers found that 10% of van owners have a vehicle that is more than 15 years old, so unlikely to be compliant with Euro 6 emissions standards. That means that they are likely to face charges and potential fines for driving into CAZ areas such as those in London, Bath and Birmingham. Enterprise said that daily charges in these three zones vary depending on vehicle type, from £8 to £50 per day. The average fine for not paying the charge is around £120, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. A fifth of van owners say that they plan to avoid travelling in these areas, while 11% accept that they will have no choice, but will have to pass the cost on to customers. “Van owners make business-critical journeys,” said Ben Lawson, vice president mobility at Enterprise. “While the costs associated with entering a clean air or low emission zone can be charged to the business, it will increase operational expenses at a time when businesses, especially SMEs, are already feeling stretched.”
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has partnered with Mental Health UK to launch the #DownTools campaign, which aims to establish a better work/ life balance for UK workers. Research for the campaign showed that 75% of people work beyond their contracted hours and almost half have to work at least one weekend a month. A third of respondents admitted that working extra hours had increased due to the pandemic. Overworking and a poor work/life balance is causing a quarter of UK employees to feel overwhelmed on a weekly basis, with one in 10 admitting it was a daily problem. The manufacturer has therefore partnered with Mental Health UK to curate a well-being toolbox, providing free support and guidance on how to look after your mental health. More information is available at https://mentalhealth-uk.org/volkswagen-commercial-vehicles/.
The findings of this report have been confirmed by similar research into the recent London ULEZ introduction, carried out by Europecar Mobility Group. The company said that data suggests that while 87% of fleet professionals were aware that the ULEZ and CAZ charges would have an impact on their businesses, 23% said that they had no plan or strategy in place to deal with the incoming rules.
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Lack of knowledge ... could have a big impact on dayto-day business operations
“While the extended ULEZ and new Clean Air Zones are, of course, crucial to improve health and the city environment in general, they present new challenges for fleet managers, who need to ensure business mobility and continuity without unexpected costs”, said Clive Forsythe, commercial director, Europcar Mobility Group UK. “But the lack of knowledge about the rules surrounding the extended ULEZ could have a big impact on day-to-day business operations and finances, with unexpected fines quickly mounting up.”
Phantom sold to Moving Intelligence Vehicle security and tracking specialist Phantom has been acquired by Dutch company Moving Intelligence, as the company plans to expand its offering in the UK market. Phantom’s existing management team will remain in place and customer service and support will continue as before. Moving Intelligence will introduce a range of Dutch and German fleet management products to the UK market through the Phantom purchase.
Expanding boundaries “We are very pleased to be able to take over Phantom. The acquisition means that we are making a big step forward in expanding the boundaries of our market,” said Moving Intelligence CEO, Patrick Horst. “The product range of Phantom is a welcome addition to our Dutch product range. On the other hand, our automotive solutions are particularly suitable for integration into the UK market.” 8 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
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INTERVIEW
ISUZU STRENGTHENS With a new D-Max launched earlier this year, Isuzu UK is rapidly expanding its dealer network to cope with growing demand. Managing Director William Brown talks to VanUser.
10 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
VanUser: The latest D-Max launch seems to have gone very well. How are sales performing in 2021 and are you where you wanted to be? William Brown: Sales for the new Isuzu D-Max have exceeded our expectations. Since the vehicle went on sale in March, we have received over 8,000 orders. However, unfortunately, due to Covid-19 and semi-conductor issues, we will be limited to approximately 3,500 registrations in 2021. The good news is that the factory remains open, but due to the high demand, we are working on longer than usual lead times. Customers are encouraged to contact dealers to
reserve their vehicles and get on the waiting list as soon as possible. VU: Has fleet remained a strong percentage of your sales this year and is it growing? WB: Fleet customers have been quick to adopt the updated version of the D-Max, due to its proven track record in the field and improved comfort and safety. Like the retail channels, we currently have more orders than we have vehicles. The Isuzu UK fleet team is working tirelessly to manage customer expectations and we already have received fleet orders for 2022 that have surpassed our 2021 sales.
VU: You talked about a possible change of mix, from 50% allpurpose, 30% national fleet and 20% adventure, to 45% all-purpose, 25% fleet and 30% adventure. Is this happening and what is pushing that change? WB: As we anticipated, the biggest change has been in the adventure range, with the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross currently tracking around 35% of all sales. With its attractive bold design, highest levels of equipment, comfort and technology we have attracted many new customers to the brand. VU: How has Isuzu been effected by the current removal from the pickup market of Mitsubishi, Nissan, VW and Mercedes? WB: Not only have we have seen more of these customers enquiring about the brand, but perhaps the biggest difference is the number of Mitsubishi and Nissan dealers that have been in contact with us to become an Isuzu dealer. We know there is a strong affiliation with the Japanese brands, Nissan and Mitsubishi, it’s a natural choice to consider the Isuzu D-Max as an alternative. VU: You spoke in the summer about taking on 11 dealers this year, which now appears to be 16 joining the network. At 105 outlets in total, is the network now complete, or are there still openings in some areas for additional dealers?
vans now stretching well into the summer of next year. How has Isuzu reacted to the global supercapacitor shortage, shipping problems and various other external factors and how are Isuzu UK lead times for the various D-Max models? WB: Yes, as mentioned earlier, Isuzu has been affected by semiconductors and also component suppliers. Shipping has also been a big factor with lack of availability and increased shipment costs. All in all, a difficult period – but Isuzu has never stopped production and continues to supply vehicles, albeit in smaller numbers. Our approximate lead time currently is about nine months.
Former Mitsubishi and Nissan dealers are turning to Isuzu
VU: Lastly, 2020 and 2021 have been very strange years for many of us. As, hopefully, things continue to settle down and the economy builds back, what are your hopes for 2022 for Isuzu UK? WB: At this time of uncertainty, we are in contact with the factory almost weekly, and the early indications look promising that 2022 will be a good year. There is a strong demand for the new Isuzu D-Max and we are planning for sales growth that gets us firmly back on track for our longer-term target to achieve 10,000 sales.
VU: Are you still seeing an increased appetite for conversion work at your fleet centre and is that helping to pull vehicles through to customers faster? WB: Yes, we have a lot of new customers that are taking advantage of our in-house conversions. Due to the additional demand, we have recently recruited additional staff to support this area of growth. VU: With V-Cross established and the AT35 a very specialised piece of kit, are there plans for other adventure models in the near future? WB: Certainly, at some point in the future, there will be new adventure models. However, with the current
D-MAX BRAND WB: 2021 has been a crazy year for dealer development, with the demand to become an Isuzu dealer at an all-time high. Due to restricted stock availability, we now have a waiting list of potential partners, and many have been postponed until 2022. We still have a handful of open points left, as some of the new dealers appointed this year have been a replacement for those dealers that have struggled to keep up with the growth of the brand and our future aspirations. VU: Many van and LCV manufacturers are struggling with supply issues, with orders for
stock shortage, our priority is on the current range of vehicles. VU: Looking slightly further ahead, there appears to be a rapidly growing demand for electric and hybrid vans in the UK and obviously, 2030 is not that far away. With Ford having launched the electric F150 Lightning in the US and several other manufacturers looking at electric pick-ups, are any of your customers calling for alternative propulsion in a D-Max and could we see something in the future? WB: Many of our existing fleet customers have a requirement for an electrified D-Max to meet
their sustainably and CO2 targets. Isuzu has been working on EV technology for a while, timelines for when the technology will be available are still to be confirmed.
Many fleet customers have a requirement for an electrified D-Max, says William Brown
MODEL NEWS | STELLANTIS
SHARING GOES Stellantis launches wide range of compact e-vans, with many badges, says George Barrow.
A
great deal has been made of badge-sharing in the past, with many lazy attempts at marketing the same vans with different badges on the front, but new automotive superpower Stellantis has become quite adept at the formula of late. Its Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall vans not only share amongst themselves but also with Toyota, as is the case with the latest small electric city vans, the Citroën e-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Partner, Toyota Proace City Electric and Vauxhall Combo-e. The quartet are electrified versions of the small vans launched in 2018 which tried to differentiate themselves as best as they could from one another with more vocational focused trim packages for the Vauxhall Combo, overall value from the Citroën Berlingo and a smarter interior on the Peugeot Partner. They were joined by a more business focused Toyota Proace City in 2020. For their latest release though, there’s less differentiation between the brands, with the Partner’s I-Cockpit still the only notable variance. Nevertheless, the switch to electric has enlivened the small vans further still. With the EMP2 platform, the basis for many a capable Citroën or Peu12 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
ELECTRIC
geot car, used for the front half of the van and the running gear from the group’s medium-sized vans (Citroën e-Dispatch, Peugeot e-Expert, Toyota Proace Electric and Vauxhall Vivaro-e) driveline, the small model has immediately addressed what was probably the largest criticism of the mid-sized van – power.
Driver appeal The 100kW motor (136hp) was sufficient, but underwhelming in the bigger vans, but here it makes the smaller vans really fly off the line and if you need hard proof of that, 0-62mph is said to take just 11.7 seconds. The low-slung weight of the batteries aids the handling further and there’s even more grip and feedback as you turn into a corner. Electrifying these small vans has certainly upped their driver appeal, which is impressive as the diesel vans were solid all-rounders to begin with. Of course, adding batteries and motors has altered the usability of the van, but rather than take the largest 75kWh battery from the medium-sized models, they use the smaller 50kWh pack, which is also found in the passenger versions of the van-derived Citroën e-SpaceTourer, Peugeot Traveller and Vauxhall Vivaro Life. That means a claimed range of 171 miles and a respectable maximum payload of 800kg. Load volume remains
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unchanged from the diesel variants, with 3.3m3 for standard wheelbase models and 3.9m3 for long-wheelbase options. With a fold-flat passenger seat and load-through bulkhead the The smaller usable space increases to 3.8m3 and vans really 4.4m3 for the standard and long vans, fly off respectively. Aside from the weight, an additionthe line al benefit of the smaller battery is its faster charge times with the small electric vans capable of taking a 100kW charge from a rapid charging station, giving you up to 80% of battery capacity in just 30 minutes. For more conventional charging a 7.4kW wallbox charger will see the entire battery charged up in 7.5 hours, while an 11kW three- >>
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MODEL NEWS | STELLANTIS >> phase supply will take around 5 hours. Like the medium vans, these small models get two levels of regenerative braking, with the standard level of braking allowing a reasonable amount of coasting, while the enhanced braking mode button on the dash gives a strong amount of retardation that allows you to really maximise the amount of energy you’re putting back in the battery.
Driving modes Three different driving modes also feature and, like the larger van, they limit the amount of power and torque from the motor. Power mode provides the full 136hp with 260Nm of torque, while Eco gives just 60% of power (80hp) and 190Nm of torque. Normal mode is the middle ground with 107hp (80% power) and 210Nm of torque. With so much power, Normal really is plenty, with Power mode best reserved for heavy loads and towing, while Eco suits drivers looking to eke out extra mileage and extend the range, with the help of all the important consumption information available through the new digital instrument panel. The cluster ahead of the driver has a power meter with consumption indicator, along with a battery charge level gauge, but even more information can be gathered through the 8” touchscreen display, where flow diagrams of charging and regeneration can be seen along with statistics and charging schedules. The latter can also be controlled through new mobile apps designed for delayed charging and pre-conditioning of the cabin with air conditioning. Specifications Specification between the four brands varies depending on which model you opt for, but it's best to think of the Toyota as the more premium model in terms of the equipment they get, while the Peugeot and Citroën can cater for the middle ground, and the entry-level Vauxhall Combo-e Dynamic is the most austere model (although not on price) that becomes better equipped when specified in the Sportive trim level. All vans get air conditioning and rear parking sensors, as well as DAB radio with Bluetooth as standard. The 8” touchscreen is an option for the Vauxhall, along with Apple Car-Play and Android Auto, but the cabin of even the basic vans feels well-appointed and built to a high quality. It’s a comfortable cabin to be in, with good quality plastics that have been well-styled to
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It’s a comfortable cabin to be in
give some variety and interest. But it’s the driver focused nature of the interior that appeals the most, with a comfortable driving position and good forward visibility. Criticisms familiar to the diesel engine models remain, with a degree of wind noise around the A-pillars made even more noticeable now that there’s no combustion engine to mask the sound. While we’re looking in that direction the wing mirrors really do need to be bigger, however rearward visibility can be improved with the surround view package, that gives a live rearview mirror-like camera view, as well as a side view in the area of your side blindspot, to a screen in the cab.
Costs With prices starting at around £25,000 after government grants and before VAT, the electric models are close to £10,000 more expensive than their diesel equivalents and even more so when wearing a Toyota badge at just over £30,000. But if the success of the Vauxhall Vivaro-e is a benchmark for electric van adoption rates, they will likely be a popular choice in the years to come and are vans that despite the fast-pace of change seem to have future-proofed themselves well by sticking to the basics of driver appeal and solid functionality. NOVEMBER 2021 • VANUSER 15
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MODEL NEWS | CITROEN
CITROËN TO BRING AMI CARGO ELECTRIC TO UK
C
itroën is adding to its light van line-up next year with the UK launch of the Ami Cargo Electric. Already on sale in some European countries, the company has been assessing potential demand before committing to sales here. Citroën has already registered more than 1,400 customers for the passenger version which, like the LCV, will still be lefthand drive. The Ami Cargo comes with a seven-part cargo module in place of the car version’s passenger set. This allows the driver to stack a range of goods, materials or tools for use in an urban operation. The maximum load capacity is up to 400 litres, with a potential payload of 140kg. The compact Ami Cargo, which is just 2.41m long, 1.39m wide and 1.52m tall, has a turning circle of just 7.2m, making it ideal for congested urban access. The van is powered by a 5.5kWh battery pack, driving a 6kW electric motor. Capable of up to 46 miles of driving range, the battery can be fully charged in just three hours. The Ami Cargo has a vertical partition between the driver and cargo area, to provide maximum space behind the wheel, while protecting the driver if the
load moves. There is also a secondary modular shelf available, holding up to 40kg, that can be converted into a desk when the vehicle is parked. “I am incredibly excited to see the Ami Cargo arrive in the UK next year,” said Eurig Druce, managing director of Citroën UK. “With more cities across the UK introducing restrictions for conventional
vehicles, Ami Cargo Electric will provide businesses and fleet customers with the opportunity to continue their urban and last-mile operations in a practical, sustainable and cost-efficient way.” Businesses can secure an Ami Cargo Electric with a £250 refundable reservation fee, though Citroën has yet to confirm actual pricing or launch timings.
RELAY UPDATED FOR 2022
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itroën has announced revised Euro 6.3 diesel engines for its Relay van line-up for the 2022 model year. There are two new 2.2-litre diesels on offer, both featuring Stop & Start technology. The BlueHDi produces 120hp, while the BlueHDi 140 offers 140hp. Both engines deliver a 9g/ km reduction in CO2 emissions, compared to the outgoing Euro 6.2 engines that they replace. All Relay models get an upgrade with the new engines, with cruise control and a speed limiter now standard on the X version. X, Enterprise and Driver models now come with a 12V
outlet in the load area, while the cab now comes with a USB charing socket in Enterprise and Driver vans. There is an alarm and deadlocks on X models now, in line with the rest of the range, while window van versions get a lower central glovebox and an electrical connections interface box. The recently launched e-Relay Electric is offered with two battery packs, 37kWh and 70kWh, offering up to 139 miles of range. Maximum load volume for the electric van is 15m3, with a payload of up to 1,150kg. The 2022 models can be ordered now. NOVEMBER 2021 • VANUSER 17
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MODEL NEWS | FORD TOURNEO CONNECT
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ord has revised its Tourneo Connect line-up to appeal to dual-use work and leisure users, with the option of all-wheel drive, automatic transmissions and a range of petrol and diesel engines. Offering up to seven seats in short L1 and longer L2 models, the second and third rows of seating can be folded or removed completely, to create a flat load space. The front passenger seat can also be folded flat, to allow up to 3m of load length. With the seating removed, the L1 models offer 2.6m3 of load volume, while the longer L2 is capable of holding up to 3.1m3 of goods or materials. The vans are the first sign of collaboration between Ford and Volkswagen, with the Tourneo owing much to VW’s latest Caddy. Under the bonnet you’ll find the choice of a 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, with 114hp, or two versions of the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel, with 102hp or 122hp. All are available with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the petrol engine and the 122hp diesel can both be ordered with a seven-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic (DSG in VW-speak). As with Caddy, you can also have the 122hp diesel with four-wheel drive running gear, though this is only offered with the manual gearbox. The Tourneo Connect is offered in Trend, Titanium and Sport trims. It can also be ordered in the SUV-inspired Active specification, which includes 17” alloys, a honeycomb grille, metallic-effect skid plate and additional body mouldings around wheels arches, sills and
bumpers. Sport models also get 17” alloys, a more dynamic front bumper and of course the stripes over the bonnet, while Titanium vans have 16” alloys and satin gloss detailing, along with privacy glass for rear side windows.
In the cab The new dash and controls will again be slightly familiar to anyone that has experienced the latest VW compact van. There’s an 8.25” screen as standard, though Titanium, Sport and Active models get a 10” screen for navigation, audio and climate control. The larger screen is an option on Trend vans. Vans with the 10” touchscreen also feature a FordPass Connect modem. Sport models also get a 10.25” digital cluster display in place of traditional dials. This is an option on Active and Titanium. Customers can remotely access vehicle information through the FordPass and FordPass Pro apps on a smartphone. As with all new vans, the Tourneo Connect boasts a wide array of ADAS availability. The standard specification
includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning, a Lane-Keeping System, Cruise Control, Hill Start Assist and front and rear parking sensors. Optional systems include Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign recognition, Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert. A Parking Pack includes Active Park Assist with Park Out Assist, which can automatically steer into and out of both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces. Customers can also specify a Towing Assist Pack, which includes Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Already seen on a number of VW vans, this system allows the driver to steer the vehicle while reversing using the wing mirror adjuster, instead of the steering wheel. The new Tourneo Connect will be available to order early in 2022, with customer deliveries to start in the Spring.
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The vans are the first sign of collaboration between Ford and Volkswagen
NOVEMBER 2021 • VANUSER 19
FLEET MANAGEMENT | TYRES
A TYRE FOR ALL SEASONS W ith the nights closing in and the clocks turning back, fleet managers may well be thinking of changing summer tyres to winter rubber across their van fleets. Being able to get to customers in all weathers, safely and on time, can more than make up for the additional cost of a second set of wheels and tyres. However, while a full winter tyre may be an essential for a company working in more remote locations, it could be considered slightly over the top for a service provider in a city in the south-east. Increasingly, an all-season tyre may be a better proposition. That’s certainly the message from Michelin, with the French tyre giant recently launching an Agilis CrossClimate tyre, specifically for the van market. The Agilis CrossClimate is available in 32 sizes, across 15, 16 and 17” diameters, to cover most common van models. The tyres will be suitable for any van with the correct load index, including the latest electric models. “As long as the tyre meets the re20 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
quirements of load and speed for the vehicle, and the choice does not contravene any instructions from the van manufacturer, then it’s absolutely fine to fit them to an electric van,” said Brian Porteous, technical manager at Michelin. “Electric vans tend to prioritise driving range over performance, so the torque output is well within the operating range of the Agilis CrossClimate, which still offers relatively low rolling resistance, in addition to its high levels of all-weather traction and long-life performance.”
All eventualities An all-weather tyre is not just the preserve of larger fleets or off-road contractors. Having a single tyre that covers all eventualities is equally important for a smaller business. “A plumber needs all sorts of tools – a spanner, blow torch, hammer, pipe bender – but not every tool is needed every single day. However, when that tool is required, it must be there and it must be reliable,” said Porteous.
“The van and the tyres are the same. If the weather is poor and the van is not mobile, the job doesn’t get done, so it doesn’t matter if all the other tools are in the van or not. When the weather is poor, it is even more important that the tradesman can get to the Continued on p22
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FLEET MANAGEMENT | TYRES Van operators concentrate on resources
TYRE SAFETY
Continued from p20 job, because it is cold and wet for their customer. Reputations are made on the ability to respond to difficult calls.” While changing a full set of tyres might be a daunting prospect, particularly across a number of vans, there are longer term savings to be made. “The main advantage is value for money,” said Porteous. “Agilis CrossClimate tyres are robust, damage resistant, last a long time and provide consistent performance, right down to the wear-limit indicator. That translates into considerably less downtime over the lifetime of the vehicle, as well as lower running costs, something which is enhanced by their relatively low rolling resistance too.
Innovative “On top of that, when the weather turns wintry or a van needs to drive across muddy, grassy or slippery surfaces, Agilis CrossClimate’s innovative tread pattern and unique rubber compound, which stays compliant even in very cold conditions, greatly reduces the risk of the van losing traction and getting stuck or damaged, which 22 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
N Tyre check list Set tyre pressures to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations Visually check for bulges, cuts, excessive cracking or other damage or unusual signs Move the vehicle to expose the part of the tyre that has been in contact with the ground and carry out the same visual checks. Flat patches can create internal weakness, which can lead to failure in use Check tread depth. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm around the entire circumference of the tyre in a band making up 75% of the tyre’s breadth side of the tyre. Drivers should find the code which begins with the letters DOT. A DOT code ending in “2210” indicates a tyre made in the 22nd week of 2010.
can result in expensive and time-consuming recovery and repairs.” Traditionally, anyone using a winter, or more off-road tyre, will have found that the vehicle can use slightly more fuel, or make more road noise. But Michelin insists that the same is not necessarily the case for an all-weather tyre. “In theory, that is true because the tread blocks are more open and more mobile, in order to grip the road. However, the Agilis CrossClimate is designed with innovative sipes and groove patterns, which allow the tyre to grip the road surface in poor weather but lock the blocks together when used harder in dry conditions – reducing wear and rolling resistance. Most tyres in the range are rolling resistance Grade C, which is very impressive for a snow-rated tyre,” said Porteous. “Agilis CrossClimate also delivers very similar mileage to the Michelin summer van tyres, in some cases even more, thanks to the tread design. Michelin invests heavily in research and development every year and the Agilis CrossClimate has been specifically designed to provide proven winter performance, without the tradeoff of damaging its wear life.”
ew vehicle lead times, driver shortages and fuel availability have changed the focus for many fleet managers, from cost management to resource availability, according to fleet software company FleetCheck. “Without realising it, fleets have been operating through an extended period of plenty,” said managing director Peter Golding. “If you needed drivers or vehicles or fuel, you could get them and they were in sufficient supply that you could afford to aim for the best cost. “We’ve now very clearly moved beyond that. Virtually every cost that fleets face is rising, while at the same time, supply has become noticeably limited in several essential areas. This really does represent something of a paradigm shift. Beyond safety, which should be the first consideration of every fleet, we are now moving into a situation where resource management, rather than cost, is frequently becoming the key consideration.”
Fuel shortages The recent fuel shortages were a case in point, with fleets paying whatever was asked at the pumps to keep vans moving. There is potentially a similar situation on the horizon with drivers, with many last-mile delivery companies looking to rapidly expand fleets for the Christmas rush, having to turn to costly agency drivers to keep vans moving. Finding additional vehicles to bolster fleet numbers could also be a costly exercise. “In a very real sense, if costs are going up, it is ever more important to continue to follow fleet management best practice when it comes to purchasing and operations,” said Golding.
Andrew Harker / Shutterstock.com
October was Tyre Safety Month, the industry’s annual reminder to make sure your vans’ tyres are roadworthy. Using illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres can lead to serious outcomes and in 2019 contributed to five fatal collisions and 136 serious collisions, according to figures from the Department for Transport (DfT). Motorists can be fined up to £2,500 for each faulty tyre and receive three points on their driving licence. If the police see another tyre falling short of the law, it doubles to £5,000 and 6 points. Four faulty tyres could even see the maximum 12 points, resulting in the loss of a driving licence. Commercial vehicle drivers, where the car or van is owned by their employer, could land firms with penalties of up to £20,000. The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm. These grooves help to remove water from the contact patch between your tyres and the road surface meaning the car can brake, steer and accelerate properly. It is worth remembering that tyres which have been in use for five years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. Any tyres in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tyres, should be replaced as a precaution, even if they still appear serviceable and have not reached the legal wear limit. The date of manufacture is shown on the
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FLEET MANAGEMENT | REFRIGERATION
Bedeo continues electrification of Ocado fleet Electric van specialist Bedeo, formerly BD Auto, has supplied a further 17 EV delivery chassis to Ocado Retail this year, bringing the number of Bedeo vans on the fleet to 32. The home delivery vehicles will operate across west and south-west London from Ocado’s Park Royal depot. Based on the Stellantis chassis, the Bedeo e-LCV’s are rated at 4,250kg gross weight, providing up to 1,850kg for the payload and body. That body, which has chilled and ambient sections, is provided by Paneltex and the company has also supplied the fridge unit, which is powered by the van’s traction battery. The Ocado vans have a driving range of up to 139 miles and AC recharging takes 7 hours from 0-60%, or 2 hours from 60-100%. Rapid DC charging is also possible, giving a 0-80% top-up in just 1 hour. “We expect to see an acceleration in the adoption of commercial electric vehicles in the coming years,” said Osman Boyner, CEO of Bedeo. “Ocado is a clear leader in its field and we are partnering alongside them as they tackle the crucial target of carbon footprint reduction. Not only does our technology offer an immediate and direct solution to improving air quality in our cities, it also allows our customers to make reductions in their last-mile delivery costs.”
Volkswagen adds to fridge conversions Volkswagen has added a chilled Crafter Luton body to its conversion lineup. Based on the Engineered-To-Go Luton body from Ingimex, the Crafter’s fridge conversion is carried out by recognised partner The Cold Consortium. The loadspace can be chilled to 0°C with a temperature-controlled multi-strip curtain fitted to the rear shutter. The conversion includes pressure-bonded insulation panels, for maximum strength with minimal weight, while the bulkhead panel has been strengthened to carry the refrigeration evaporator. Motion-activated infrared sensor lighting replaces the standard Luton load bay illumination. As with all of VW’s partner conversions, the fridge van has a warranty that matches VW’s own, while customers can deal with a single source at the VW Van Centre for sales information and back-up.
“The temperature-controlled market is growing and we’re delighted to be able to announced a new conversion in partnership with The Cold Consortium,” said Nick Axtell, specialist sales manager at VWCV.
Robertson moves to temperature-controlled contract hire Scottish butcher Robertson’s Fine Foods has taken five temperaturecontrolled vehicles on a contract hire deal from national specialist Fraikin, the firm’s first major move away from vehicle ownership and shortterm rental. The deal includes two Iveco Daily 7.2-tonne vans, a 3.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and two DAF trucks. “Fraikin has actually been supplying us with short-term rental vehicles for more than 20 years,” said Gareth Robertson, operations director. “Historically, for vehicles we’ve in24 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
tended to keep in service for seven or eight years, we’ve opted to buy them outright. However, when it came to making a decision about replacing these older assets, Fraikin’s contract hire solution offered a more sustainable and reliable option.” All of the vehicles have been supplied with Carrier Transicold refrigeration units. Both the vans and the trucks are equipped with a full telematics package, that helps the company to monitor driver performance, fleet efficiency and improve safety on the road.
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FLEET MANAGEMENT
Training to combat excessive drinking
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s many as 36% of people increased their alcohol consumption during lockdown, according to a recent report. In a safety-critical industry such as fleet management, a drug and alcohol-free workplace remains an important factor in safe vehicle operation. Drinking alcohol impairs judgement, damages physical coordination and increases the likelihood of an accident. While fleet managers are not required by law to screen employees for drugs and alcohol, employers are legally required to ensure the safety of their workers. Random drug or alcohol testing is a reliable way to ensure a business is compliant with the law, sending a powerful stay safe message to employees. According to AlcoDigital, breatha-
lysers and other testing devices have become increasingly cost effective and user friendly over the years. The company says that in the long term, screening policies present an investment well worth making. “Setting up a testing programme is an important measure in supporting your workforce. But with so many screening methods available, it can be hard to know where to start, especially when Covid safety remains a primary concern,” said Suzannah Robin, alcohol and drug safety expert at AlcoDigital. “A good first step is to book an accredited training course that will offer all the knowledge and practical skills necessary to implement screening to suit the specific requirements of individual businesses and workplaces.” While face to face training has now
resumed at AlcoDigital, the company also offers online ‘live’ training, providing comprehensive guidance, while remaining Covid-safe. Its Zoom webinars also allow remote staff to join the session from any location.
Low Temperature High Efficiency Using the Webasto Frigo range of integrated transport refrigeration systems means your goods will always be fresh. The Frigo range is; n
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www.webasto.co.uk NOVEMBER 2021 • VANUSER 27
FLEET MANAGEMENT
Call for road pricing plan Rental and leasing association the BVRLA has called on the government to start planning for a national road pricing scheme, to ensure that the transition from an emissions-based motoring tax regime can be as smooth as possible. “There is a clear need for a new national road pricing scheme to be developed as more and more zero emission vehicles are seen on UK roads,” said director of corporate affairs Toby Poston. “We are removing fossil fuels from the equation, so the current emissions-based tax system will see revenues plummet. Any new road pricing scheme must be easy to pay and have the simple objective of providing a revenue-neutral replacement for fuel duty and Vehicle Excise Duty. “It is essential that road pricing is considered and trialled now, to ensure a smooth transition into a new system.”
LaundryHeap hits 200 with EAV Door-to-door laundry and dry cleaning service LaundryHeap has ordered 200 EAV2Cubed zeroemission delivery vehicles, to support its city-based business. “We’ve trialled the EAV2Cubed for the last year and it’s been a tremendous success for us,” said Deyan Dimitrov, founder of LaundryHeap. “The operational efficiency of an eCargo bike in comparison to a van has become really easy to see and work with. Our EAV’s can moved around the city almost twice as fast as vans and the fact that they make almost no environmental impact gives us a much more carbon neutral status as a business.”
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ROAD TO ZERO | HYDROGEN
VAUXHALL CONFIRMS VIVARO-E HYDROGEN FOR PRODUCTION
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auxhall will add a hydrogen powered van to its UK range by early 2023, though customers in Europe are already taking delivery of the all-electric van. Power for the van comes from a 45kW fuel cell, which is routed through a 10.5Wh lithium-ion battery that provides peak power needs at start-up and under heavy acceleration. Dr Lars Peter Thiesen, manager Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Deployment Strategy at Stellantis, describes the approach as a mid-power concept, between a full-power hydrogen-only system and a range-extender fuel cell battery electric vehicle (BEV). The Vivaro-e Hydrogen will allow refuelling of its 4.4kg hydrogen tanks in just three minutes, providing a range of up to 350km, while the battery adds an additional 50km of driving range. Thiesen says the system has several advantages over the 30 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
full-power or range-extender solutions, with smarter packaging of the hydrogen fuel system within the chassis and fuel cell in the engine bay, as well as no compromise on power compared to a full-power hydrogen system. With the fuel cell constantly running at its optimum to charge the battery, the system is also more durable, and with a smaller fuel cell needed, the
Vivaro-e Hydrogen will also have a cost advantage over a full-power system. Of course, the technology is new and will come at a premium and while Vauxhall won’t commit to an outright purchase price for the vehicle, it does say it will be available to customers with a monthly lease cost of €600 in Germany, which includes a service contract and government funding grants. In reality the technology is approximately 2.5 to 3 times more expensive than an equivalent BEV.
Hydrogen pricing The current price too of hydrogen is also not a fair reflection of where the market will end up as it reaches maturity, according to Thiesen: “Today, the price [of hydrogen] is an artificial price because there’s no developed market for it. Today we are a cost of around €8 per kg net of local tax, but with green hydrogen [produced using renewable
HYVIA DELIVERS HYDROGEN MASTER PROTOTYPE
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Over the last 20 years we have overcome all the technological difficulties
energy] that price could be €5 or even €3 or €4 per kg. “At the moment, a lot of people at government, infrastructure and production level are engaged in the question of hydrogen strategy. Over the last 20 years we have overcome all the technological difficulties, but three challenges remain – cost, availability of refuelling stations and the large-scale production of green hydrogen. We need to deploy a fuel cell vehicle today with a public funding framework in place at a high level and have an existing refuelling station network. “This is why we are launching in France and Germany because in those markets we have those two things. The funding and a basic infrastructure,” he added. Interest in the Vivaro-e Hydrogen has been strong, according to Thiesen, with fleet customers wanting a zero-emission solution but the flexibility of longer distance driving and the ability to fuel quickly. Its suitability is also helped by it having the exact same load carrying capacity of 5.3m3 or 6.1m3 as medium- or long-wheelbase BEV and ICE vehicles as well as a payload capacity of up to 1,100kg.
rench company Hyvia has taken the wraps off a Master H2-TECH heavy van, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, that should be commercially available next year. Based on the 12m3 Master panel van, the H2TECH is equipped with a 30kW fuel cell with four tanks containing 6kg of hydrogen and a 33kWh battery. The company promises a driving range of up to 310 miles, with fast refuelling times of just five minutes. To meet that need, Hyvia will also offer hydrogen refuelling stations, to purchase, lease or rent. Hydrogen is either generated on site, from water electrolysis, or supplied in bulk using gaseous tube trailers. The station then compresses the hydrogen into a stored format, to be dispensed to vehicles when required.
The company is also working on chassis cab models of Master, with cargo capacities up to 19m3 and a range of around 155 miles. There will also be an urban minibus, called Citybus H2-TECH, that can carry up to 15 passengers with a range of 186 miles. Hyvia is a joint venture between Renault Group and Plug Power, a leader in turnkey hydrogen solutions. Plug Power has already deployed more than 50,000 fuel cells and designed and built 110 refuelling stations that currently dispense more than 40 tonnes of hydrogen daily. The Hyvia vans will be built at Renault’s Batilly plant, with electric and hydrogen installation carried out by PVI, a Renault Group subsidiary.
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A driving range of up to 310 miles, with fast refuelling times of just five minutes
NOVEMBER 2021 • VANUSER 31
ROAD TO ZERO
Tool aims to help with EV decision
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easePlan UK has created an online tool that aims to make it easier for van users to work out if an electric van will work for their operation. With eLCV launches offering increased driving range, a variety of load capacities and van chassis options growing, more and more companies are considering a switch to electric power, for at least part of their van fleet. “Many commercial vehicle drivers we speak to want to make the switch to electric, but still think that eLCVs aren’t for them yet, whether that’s down to compatibility or cost,” said Matthew Dillon, head of commercial vehicles at LeasePlan UK. “There are so many great benefits to eLCVs, like cheaper running costs, both in fuel and maintenance and exemption from the London Congestion Charge and Low Emission Zone charges. Some areas even offer free parking to electric vehicles. “It’s therefore essential that we continue to raise awareness of the growing range of plug-in vans and the support that’s available to help van drivers
with the switch.” The LeasePlan tool asks several simple questions, such as the type of LCV that you are looking for, the average daily mileage that you will need to complete, the types of journey that are undertaken and the payload and load volume that your operation requires. It also looks at where the vehicle is parked when not in use and at where you expect to recharge the batteries.
Cost calculator From those results, the tool will show which eLCVs currently meet your requirements, or indeed whether an electric van is perhaps not yet suitable for your operation. It then works out how much an eLCV would cost to run, given your criteria, in terms of energy pricing and maintenance, on a cost per mile basis. LeasePlan’s website also provides plenty of background material, such as explaining government financial support, through Plug-in Grants and support for electric charging infrastructure installation.
“With the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans around the corner, and new Clean Air Zones in the pipeline along with expansion of London’s ULEZ to the South and North Circular, there’s never been a better time to go electric,” said Dillon. “Now, with the help of our easy to use tool, drivers can make a measured decision based on their own circumstances.”
The online tool asks a series of simple questions.
Coventry Council supports e-van adoption
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oventry Council is supporting local businesses that want to make the switch to electric drive, with four Mercedes-Benz eSprinters supplied by local dealer Midlands Truck & Van. With funding from the Highways Agency, the council is building a fleet of electric vans and cars, that are then offered for free extended trials to local businesses. The Electric Fleet First scheme provides the van for up to two months, along with grants towards the installation of charging points from partner EO Charging. The first eSprinter proved so popular with local traders that the council has ordered a further three vans. The Paneer Wrap Streetfood Company was among the first to trial the van. “The eSprinter is fantastic, a really impressive vehicle, “said company owner Dev Bhamra. “It certainly created a buzz among our customers. The people who buy our food are generally very aware of environmental issues and were delighted to see us using a van that produces zero exhaust emissions.” Five other English local authorities are running similar schemes with backing from the Highways Agency, in Bristol, Kent, Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield. 32 VANUSER • NOVEMBER 2021
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Automatic for the people
I
n the automotive world, there are said to be five levels of autonomy, or six if you include no automation at all. Level 1 is already with us, including things like adaptive cruise control, and parking assistance features. Level 2 is when the vehicle can take care of all aspects of driving, such as steering, braking and accelerating. This is referred to as ‘hands off’ driving, though by law the driver must keep their hands on the wheel and be ready to take control. This is currently offered on some cars, like Teslas, but also on heavy trucks like the MercedesBenz Actros. Level 3 is considered to be truly autonomous, allowing the driver to sit back and relax while the vehicle does the driving. The driver should still be able to take control, so sleeping is not an option. The technology for Level 3 exists in some high-end cars, though legislation has yet to catch up. Level 4 won’t require any driver intervention at all within certain geofenced areas. Again, it is not yet legally possible to drive at Level 4 on the public road network. Level 5 vehicles will in effect be driverless, but we are still some way off this. What does this have to do with our long-term Transit Custom? Well it’s no Tesla, but there are plenty of automated features on offer. Firstly of course, the van has a six-speed automatic transmission, that works perfectly with the 185hp EcoBlue diesel engine. It really is a smooth-changing box, that always seems to be in the perfect gear for any given situation. The van also has Auto Start-Stop, cutting the engine as soon as you come to a halt and instantly re-starting as you
lift off the foot brake, to reduce fuel use and emissions. The van has automatic wipers and lights, which function so well they rarely get touched. It also has automatic main beam. I’m not normally a fan of this, as you tend to get angry flashes from approaching vehicles before the lights dip. However, the Ford is almost spookily prescient, dropping the lights as soon as you spot an approaching vehicle, or when the forward-facing camera picks up the rear lights of a car in
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Thankfully we have yet to test the precollision system
front of you. In common with most auto lights however, the system can’t distinguish fog from regular daylight, as it isn’t ‘dark’, so you still need to physically turn on headlights in misty conditions. The auto main beam comes as part of a safety pack (£600) that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Keeping Alert, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and a Driver Impairment Monitor. The lane change systems are blessedly unobtrusive and thankfully we have yet to test the pre-collision system. All in all, a pretty comprehensive package though and one that certainly makes driving less stressful, and hopefully safer.
With a six-speed automatic transmission, steering wheel-mounted controls for the adaptive cruise control and a host of active safety systems, the Custom Sport offers a stress-free driving experience
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