30 Years independent, critical, pan-European 1992 – 2022

30 Years

Honouring progress in Light Commercial Vehicles for 30 Years

The International Van of the Year Jury is a non-profit-network of independent Editors and Journalists from leading publications and web platforms, representing 25 countries across Europe and Russia. Each year they honour the best new Light Commercial Vehicle with the unique and prestigious title of International Van of the Year (IVOTY). That means: 30 years of testing, measuring and objective criticism. Offering expertise to improve the product and the sector in general. Always looking for the challenge, always looking for the best choice in Light Commercial Vehicles. For you, for your daily work, for your company’s success! International Van of the Year: Electrifying boost for your Business! See more: van-of-the-year.com

Fleet Van & Utility holds the Chairmanship of the International Van of the Year Jury

Fleet Van & Utility Magazine,

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Disclaimer: Fleet Van&Utility Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Transport management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the

Editor: Jarlath Sweeney contributors: Rob Van dieten, Cathal d oyle photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Rob Van dieten, Cathal doyle administration: Orla Sweeney advertising: Mary Morrissey, Design: Crackerjack design House material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers. The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

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Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles

Ireland is preparing to add to its van line-up with the launch here of the second generation Citan. The 2022 International Van of the Year Award joint-winner (with the new Renault Kangoo, with which it shares development and technology), boasts a sharp new design and a stylish interior. It is now available to order by customers, with first deliveries expected in May. An electric variant will follow.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are renowned for their exacting safety credentials and premium specifications. The Citan is no exception, with standard specifications including Active Brake Assist with pedestrian recognition technology, Attention Assist, which detects drowsiness in the driver and encourages them to take breaks when tired, and Hill-Start Assist to prevent rolling back. There’s also a speed limiter, an emergency breakdown assistance call button, rear parking aid with a reversing camera and no fewer than six airbags. Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane keeping Assist and Speed Limit Assist can all be specified as options.

As with all Mercedes-Benz vans, the new Citans come with a two-year warranty and round-the-clock roadside assistance.

Multimedia functions, including a seven-inch touch screen and a multimedia system with ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant and smartphone

First national electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy launched

A pool of high-powered chargers every 60 km on our motorway network, part of the Government’s New Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022 – 2025, will see €100 million spent on public charging infrastructure over the next three years.

According to the statement, the 3-year strategy presents an ambitious pathway and practical steps for delivery of a national EV charging network which will also see home/apartment charging, residential neighbourhood charging (including new mobility hubs), destination charging and en-route

MercedesBenz Citan Van enters Irish marketplace

charging.

At the launch, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said that while this was a national plan, its success also hinges on the enhanced supports and collaboration planned with Local Authorities: “In all of this, our Local Authorities will play a vital role. The key anchor for this Strategy is the specialist ZEVI unit. within this unit, we have the expertise, the knowledge, the guidance, the resources that Local Authorities will need to be able to make the best decisions on the procurement, leasing and location of EV chargers. One of the initiatives I really integration via Android Auto or Apple Carplay, are standard features on all Citan trim lines. want Local Authorities to embrace are the mobility hubs where people can charge their own vehicles, charge their e-bikes or e-scooters, or use a shared EV, for example.”

The Citan panel vans are available to order in two sizes, L1 & L2, and will be powered by a 1.5-litre Euro 6 diesel engine generating 110/112hp, delivering wLTP combined fuel economy of 4.33 L/100km (54.3 mpg), which is helped by the ECO start/stop function. drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or optional seven-speed automatic transmission.

For example, the Citan in L1 format, has a load length of 1,806 mm and a payload capability of 667kg. It is rated to tow trailers up to a maximum gross train weight of 3,500 kg.

Currently, the majority of EV charging (c.80%) is done at home, and access to and installation of home charging infrastructure is relatively well established. The focus of this Strategy is the provision of publicly funded charging infrastructure for electric cars and light-duty commercial vehicles, the demand for which will grow as EV uptake increases.

A review of Irish Light Commercial Vehicle registrations in 2022 and those in the UK reveal that both marketplaces suffered a decrease in new sales and deliveries. In the case of Ireland, the 17.71% decline, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) is put into perspective by figures from 2021, which recorded an upturn that year (see chart). On the other hand, on the other side of the Irish Sea the British market has been reducing annually since 2019 – down 20% year-on-year and 22.9% in 2021 (from 2019). Due to similar issues, the lower figures were not down purely to demand but to supply and delivery delays.