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.
