Commercial GreenFleet July 2019 by PSI Media

JULY 2019

FIRST DRIVE: VOLKSWAGEN E-CRAFTER The e-Crafter spearheads Volkswagenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-electric light commercial revolution

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THE AWARD WINNING ISUZU D-MAX. THE NO.1 PICK-UP FOR FLEET.

suzu only make commercial vehicles. A range of pick-ups that are tough, strong and built to go the distance. It’s a single-minded specialism that means we make outstanding vehicles truly fit for every purpose. That’s why we are known as the pick-up professionals.

OUR VEHICLE The Isuzu pick-ups are designed with the customers in mind - to ensure they have the best possible experience for the best value. Offering a high specification, the Isuzu D-Max puts your mind at rest when choosing the perfect pick-up….it’s powerful – 164PS and 360Nm of torque, it’s convenient – meeting Euro 6 emission standard without the need for AdBlue, and delivers over 40MPG# combined (all manual models).

warranty ** and 5 year roadside assistance across UK and Europe for total peace of mind. Plus, when you need a pick-up that tackles more than city roads, the Isuzu D-Max showcases incredible offroad capabilities with a switchable 4x4 system, Electronic Stability Control and a Traction Control System with ABS. It is a range of affordable vehicles that ticks every box whilst delivering great fuel efficiency and low emissions without having to compromise on value and driving experience.

SPEC TO SUIT YOU

Coupled with the superior capacity to tow 3.5 tonnes* and over 1.1 tonne payload on all Business Range models, it is the whole package.

From the Isuzu D-Max Utility – the ultimate working vehicle, to the newest addition to the range - the Isuzu D-Max XTR, there’s a model for every purpose, with varying levels of interior and exterior features so you can choose something to suit your needs and your budget, without compromising capability.

Since Isuzu understand what an important role their vehicles play in working life, they offer a 5 year/125,000 mile

But if your fleet demands a particular requirement, we can offer diverse potential with customised fleet vehicles too.

Isuzu are proud to have collaborated with SSE, the RAC, BT, The Environmental Agency and Amey to develop a range of vehicles perfectly suited to the needs of their team, from cherry pickers to customised utility bodies, Isuzu have it all.

OUR SERVICES Our Fleet Service Charter is our commitment to you. A series of promises that give you total peace of mind, from capped labour rates and courtesy vehicles to technical support.

PRAISED FOR STYLE & SUBSTANCE As the fleet vehicle of choice for some of the UK’s leading businesses already, plus the winner of numerous accolades from What Van?, Professional Pickup & 4x4 and Trade Van Driver, it’s no wonder the Isuzu D-Max is the no.1 pick-up for fleet.

THE AWARD WINNING ISUZU D-MAX. QUITE CLEARLY, IT JUST WORKS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ISUZU FLEET, VISIT ISUZU.CO.UK OR YOUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. #Over 40 MPG figure applies to manual transmission models. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel figures for the Isuzu D-Max range in MPG (l/100km): Urban 30.4 - 38.7 (9.3 - 7.3). Extra Urban 40.9 - 50.4 (6.9 - 5.6). Combined 36.2 - 45.6 (7.8 - 6.2). CO2 emissions 163 - 205g/km. For full details please contact your local Isuzu dealer or visit isuzu.co.uk *3.5 tonne towing applies to all 4x4 models. **125,000 miles/5 year (whichever comes first) warranty applies to all new Isuzu D-Max models. Terms and conditions apply. Visit isuzu.co.uk

Sponsor’s Message

The Award Winning Isuzu D-Max Isuzu scooped two new awards presented at the Commercial Vehicle Show – ‘Best Workhorse Pick-up’ for the seventh consecutive year by Trade Van Driver and ‘Best Working Pickup’ in the Professional Pickup & 4x4 Awards

Isuzu only make commercial vehicles. A range of pick-ups that are tough, strong and built to go the distance. It’s a single minded specialism that means they make outstanding vehicles that are truly fit for purpose, that’s why they’re known as the Pick-up Professionals. The winner of numerous accolades awarded by What Van? Commercial Fleet Awards, Pickup & 4x4 Pro and many more, Isuzu continues a successful 2019 with two new awards presented at the CV Show – ‘Best Workhorse Pick-up’ for the 7th consecutive year by Trade Van Driver and ‘The Best Working Pickup’ in the Professional Pickup & 4x4 Awards. Designed to tackle the working day, the Isuzu D-Max’s turbo diesel 1.9 litre engine pushes through the stigma of the ‘smaller engine pick-up’ and stands out from the crowd, proving to be the most economical yet powerful engine for Isuzu ever. The entire Isuzu D-Max range is powered by a Euro 6 Compliant engine that delivers an impressive 164PS and 360Nm, without the need for AdBlue. Capable of over 40.4MPG combined and CO2 emissions of 163g/km (on all manual models) plus all models are London Emission Zone (LEZ) compliant. Outshining the competitors with larger engines such as the 3.2 litre Ford Ranger Wildtrak and the 3.0 litre Volkswagen Amarok, the Isuzu D-Max Double Cab is not restricted by the 2,040kg unladen weight classification for dual purpose vehicles.

The Isuzu D-Max Double Cab, which has an unladen weight of up to 1,953kg, offers all the powers and capabilities of a dual-purpose vehicle, without the unladen weight classification restrictions of 60mph on a dual carriageway. This legal restriction applies to vehicles that exceed 2,040kg such as the 3.2 litre Ford Ranger Wildtrak and the 3.0 litre Volkswagen Amarok. For complete peace of mind, all new Isuzu D-Max models comes with a five year/125,000 mile warranty and five year roadside assistance across UK and Europe. Off-road, the Isuzu D-Max performs better than ever with a switchable 4x4 system, Electronic Stability Control and a Traction Control System with ABS. Coupled with the superior capacity to tow 3.5 tonnes and a 1.1 tonne payload on all Double Cabs, the award winning Isuzu D-Max is made to work. The Isuzu D-Max range The Isuzu D-Max range features a variety of trim levels, each carefully crafted to offer incredible capability, reliability and choice – a collection of no-compromise pick-ups for work and for life. The entry-level Isuzu D-Max Utility, priced from £16,909 (CVOTR) comes equipped with LED daytime running lights, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Bluetooth® connectivity, power windows and air conditioning. Eiger Double Cab from £22,009 (CVOTR) adds a reversing camera, 16” alloy

wheels, body coloured bumpers, audio system with CD player and 6 speakers. Yukon from £22,009 (CVOTR) adds 18” alloy wheels, silver side steps, new 7” multi-function touchscreen, LED rear lights, Cruise Control, rear load liner and a leather steering wheel. Utah from £25,709 (CVOTR) takes comfort up a notch with keyless entry and push button start, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, satellite navigation, DAB digital radio, roof bars, leather upholstery with heated front seats, rear parking sensors and automatic air conditioning. The range topping Blade from £28,809 (CVOTR) adds tinted windows, 9” multi‑function touchscreen, remote locking lower tailgate, Blade puddle lamps, front and rear parking sensors and a colour-coded Aeroklas canopy or sports bar with roller cover. In addition to the core Isuzu D-Max range, Isuzu also revealed a diverse range of fleet vehicles recently at the CV Show. Including collaborations with the SSE – one of the UK’s largest and fastest growing energy companies, the RAC with a custom built Isuzu D-Max patrol van and BT fleet. The perfect vehicle for your business Being in business is time consuming, so at Isuzu we make running your company pick-up or vehicle fleet as hassle free as possible. Whether you are a fleet decision maker or trying to choose your next company vehicle, our fleet services team is here to provide you with outstanding services. This includes pre-sale advice including access to demonstrators; guiding you through the sale process, including funding options, tax implications and whole life costs; and aftersale care, including scheduled maintenance and prompt availability of parts and accessories. Our Isuzu Fleet Services Charter provides fleet drivers assurance of excellent service throughout the ownership experience on what can be expected during a service or in the unlikely event of a vehicle breakdown. We understand that fleet customers procure and manage their fleet differently and usually cover a large geographical area, therefore we are committed to delivering a consistent and measurable aftersales service throughout the UK with a wide range of UK Isuzu dealers. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.Isuzu.co.uk

July 2019 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Commercial Vehicle News

COMMENT: FTA

New tool represents a leap forward in sustainable transport As the organisation representing the logistics sector, FTA is a supporter of the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, a collaboration between Cambridge and Heriot-Watt Universities and organisations within the freight and logistics sectors. The purpose of the centre is to engineer solutions to make road freight more Becki Kite, environment policy economically, manager, FTA socially and environmentally sustainable, a mission which is fully supported by FTA and its members.

The centre has developed a unique, web-based decision support tool – named the SRF Optimiser – to enable businesses to reduce the environmental impact of their fleets. The tool calculates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy, consumption and costs associated with a company’s road freight transport operation. It then models the effects of 29 carbon-reducing measures upon the fleet, assessing the GHG emissions, energy and cost implications of a range of available technologies and management practices, before making its recommendation. The tool forms part of the centre’s mission to help the transport sector meet government-mandated emission reduction targets, most notably, an 80 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. Along with membership of its own emission-reduction scheme, LERS, FTA strongly advises any business involved in road freight transport operations to consider using this completely free tool. For companies to generate reports, the user will need to input fleet information into the SRF Optimiser, such as vehicle type, number of vehicles, number of tyres, transmission type, fuel type, fuel consumption (litres) and total distance (kms). To create a free account and begin your SRF Optimiser journey, please visit: https://srf-optimiser. valuechainlab.com A how-to guide is available here: http://www.csrf.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ SRF-Optimiser-User-Guide-2015.pdf The LERS is a free-to-join scheme which helps members record, reduce and report emissions. The average emissions from LERS members are close to 13 per cent lower per vehicle km than the industry average, showcasing what can be achieved with determination and the right support. For more information or to join the scheme please visit http://lers.org.uk FURTHER INFORMATION www.fta.co.uk

DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER FLEETS | www.greenfleet.net/commercial

ELECTRIC VANS

Mitie pledges to electrify its 5,300 strong fleet by 2030 Facilities management and professional services company Mitie has signed up to the EV100 initiative, committing to transition its fleet of 5,300 vehicles to electric by 2030. This is in addition to its commitment to ensure 20 per cent of its small van and car fleet is electric prior to the end of 2020. EV100 is a global initiative by non-profit organisation The Climate Group, which brings together companies committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, to make electric transport the ‘new normal’ by 2030. The pledge aims to increase demand, drive mass roll-out and make electric cars more rapidly affordable for everyone. Electric vehicles represent a tangible solution to climate change, as well as curbing air and noise pollution. Joining EV100 is the latest commitment from Mitie in its drive to electrify its large fleet, having already achieved Go Ultra Low status and signed the Clean Van Commitment in January 2019. By the end of 2020, Mitie will also have installed 800 new charging points at both its offices and client locations, as well as employee’s homes.

Mitie is also in discussions with suppliers to negotiate a deal for renewable energy, which it plans to make available to its electric vehicle drivers. This builds on the deal already in place for REGO backed power to the charging points at Mitie offices. Mitie’s 2020 pledge is already under way with 400 cars and small vans ordered. Recognising that there is a void in the market for large light commercial vehicles, the company has also called on van manufacturers to open discussions around developing viable models for highly mobile fleets. Simon King, Fleet and Procurement Director, said: “We are incredibly proud to be leading the way in transitioning our fleet to electric vehicles. We want to encourage more companies to follow suit, which is why supporting initiatives such as EV100 are increasingly important. We are keen to support likeminded companies who also want to reap the same rewards and limit their impact on climate change.” READ MORE tinyurl.com/yy7zd8td

AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS

Scania unveils self driving EV concept Scania has manufactured a concept self-driving electric vehicle which can work in different operating scenarios, such as delivering goods during the day and collecting refuse at night. “NXT is a vision of the future for transport in cities. Several of its technologies have yet to fully mature but for us it’s been important to actually build a concept vehicle to visibly and technically demonstrate ideas of what is within reach,” says Scania’s President and CEO Henrik Henriksson. “NXT is designed for 2030 and beyond while incorporating several cutting-edge features that are already available.” In NXT, the front and rear drive modules can be fitted to a bus body, a distribution truck body or a refuse collector. The eight-metre-long bus module is built as one composite

unit, substantially reducing weight. The cylindrical cell batteries are placed under the floor, thereby utilising otherwise dead space as well as contributing to better weight distribution. With the low vehicle weight of less than eight tonnes, the range with present-day batteries is estimated at 152 miles.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y3ehmdd7

ELECTRIC VANS

Guernsey Post delivery fleet becomes fully electric

Guernsey Post has completed the migration from a diesel to an all-electric home delivery fleet following the purchase of its eighty-second electric vehicle. Boley Smillie, Chief Executive of Guernsey Post said “We started the transition to electric vehicles back in 2016 and we are really pleased to have reached this important milestone. The project has been a real success and the vehicle fleet has exceeded our expectation in terms of efficiency”. Boley added “The transition from diesel to electric vans is not just about the elimination of tail pipe emissions, although

that has been a notable benefit. There have also been significant cost savings. As an example, our servicing and maintenance costs have fallen by 35 per cent.” Each vehicle is also connected to a centralised vehicle management system which helped the Company combine its previously separate letter and parcel delivery networks and reduce overall mileage by 15 per cent. Guernsey Post has also invested in the necessary charging infrastructure at its Postal Headquarters where there are currently over 40 electric chargers. Postal Headquarters will also soon be the location of a 200 kW solar array which will produce around 200,000 kWh, made possible in a deal with Guernsey Electricity. The installation of the solar array will start in July. READ MORE tinyurl.com/yyq7srma

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Trailblazing the truck industry with bespoke finance solutions Scania Financial Services is pioneering financial solutions within the truck industry, providing a tailored customer-centred service to help with a range of needs.

Trailblazers of excellence If Scania GB are known as the trailblazers of excellence in the truck industry, we at Scania FS are equal pioneers when it comes to the financial solutions we can provide. That is because we work closely with new and existing customers to say ‘yes’ to their ambitions. It is in that sense that we are the one true pioneering partner for the trucking industry; more than just a faceless financier, we provide customer-centric solutions that go beyond the transaction. Each of our customers receive a personalised service, ranging from simple contract hire agreements, right through to completely bespoke solutions encompassing property purchase. Future challenges Not only that, we believe that to succeed truly, one must be fully prepared for what lies ahead. We are constantly looking to the future to help our customers navigate upcoming challenges. As technology improves rapidly, and as governmental standards tighten, the things that were certain 10 years ago have suddenly changed. The industry is looking forward to an exciting, but challenging future, where change is both inevitable and unrelenting. We understand that our customers need flexible, adaptable solutions in order to succeed. But crucially, they also need a partner they can trust to support them through thick and thin, and to help them prepare for the changes ahead.

We’re proud of our future-facing and customer-first approach. We empower our customers to become the experts in their fields by going above and beyond the duty of a financial institution at every turn. And we’re a vocal mouthpiece for the industry, advocating for the people on the front lines and in turn, helping our customers champion and retain their staff. At Scania FS, we have our customers’ backs, always. Scania helps Ashville become one stop shop for groundworks Ashville Aggregates Ltd continues to expand its Scania fleet with a range of multi-purpose Scania trucks becoming a one stop shop for groundworks. With no previous experience or family legacy behind him, Daniel Louisy, managing director of Ashville Aggregates Ltd, started out with a single used grabber. Ashville Aggregates

Ltd now has 20 multi-purpose lorries with Scanias making up 50 per cent of the fleet. Having purchased non-Scania used trucks in his early years, Daniel encountered a problem: “I was trying to purchase additional used trucks, but I found that I was not getting a response. The sales rep wouldn’t return my calls, in the end I received a call from Maks Stabrawa from Scania Great Britain and the rest is history.” Maks’ knowledge of the trucks encouraged Daniel to purchase new Scania trucks, the euro 6 Scania supported an improved total operating economy compared to older trucks, whilst enabling diversity meaning they can operate multi-functional requirements. Karl Wicks from Scania Financial Services was then introduced to provide a tailored financial solution to purchase the new trucks. Ashville finance their vehicles on hire purchase with Flexi-Buy and R&M. Karl was able to spread the deposit over several months, deferring some payments to create a lower manageable monthly payment whilst supporting the customers cash flow needs. Daniel says: “Karl took the time to understand my business and its needs before structuring the deal. Being able to spread my deposit enables me to have better cash flow and to grow my business.” The key difference to other truck and finance providers, Daniel explains, is that “Karl and Scania Financial Services understand running lorries and that’s important to me. I will only buy Scanias going forward and the service from Maks and Karl makes doing a deal simple and I trust that they will put the interest of my business first.” On the working relationship Karl Wicks says: “It’s a pleasure to work with Daniel, he knows what he wants to do and being able to work in partnership with Daniel and Maks to support his ambition and help his business grow is rewarding.” Due to the successful partnerships in place in the South East region Scania Financial Services now have an additional Relationship Executive, Katie O’Sullivan, who is in place with immediate effect to support the services on offer to our customers. L FURTHER INFORMATION 01908 487 561 scania.finance@scania.com www.scania-finance.co.uk

May 2019 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Dont let your tyres go to waste AES Wheel alignment solutions for commercial fleet operators - helping your fuel and tyres go further.

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As an employer using vehicles to do your killed every day on our roads and more business, no matter the size of your business, than 60 suffer serious injuries. Around a or the type of vehicle you use, or who owns third of reported crashes involve an atthose vehicles, you have a responsibility work driver, and it’s likely this figure is to manage the associated risks, for any being under reported because of the way related legal reasons but also moral reasons the data is collected. Research shows to protect people from death and injury. that at-work drivers are up to 40 per cent Having effective fleet safety policies and more likely to crash than other drivers procedures in place that are supported and and that work-related road crashes incur promoted from the top of the organisation a greater average time lost in worker will help you to develop a strong safety absence than any other workplace claim. culture among your workforce. The legal obligations in relation By making improvements to to health and safety at work are work-related road safety clear. These include the Health procedures, organisations & Safety at Work Act 1974, It is can improve safety for which places a legal duty importa drivers, other workers, of care on all employers n t t o note th road users and to ensure the health, a legal v at, from members of the public. safety and welfare at Investing in fleet work of all of their a vehicle iewpoint, safety can also employees, and the is consid ered to be a deliver significant Corporate Manslaughter pla business benefits and Corporate of work ce such as improving Homicide Act 2007. . productivity, increasing Under this act, companies legislative compliance, and organisations can, for reducing workplace deaths the first time, be found guilty of and injuries, reducing workplace corporate manslaughter as a result absences, and reducing crash-related costs, of a gross breach of duty of care regulations. therefore positively affecting the bottom line and helping to protect the brand image. Duty of care The consequences of one of your drivers The main responsibilities imposed by this legal being involved in a fatal or serious crash are framework fall on the shoulders of the vehicle potentially horrendous for your organisation’s owners. It is important to note that, from a workforce, finances and reputation. legal viewpoint, a vehicle is considered to be a place of work. And companies have a duty of The problem care responsibility to their drivers to make sure In 2017 alone, 1,793 people were killed on that vehicles are fit for purpose and that they Britain’s roads and 24,831 were seriously are as safe as possible while out on the road, injured. That means that five people are with adequate and appropriate insurance.

Fleet safety policies Organisations can minimise this impact through sound fleet safety policies and procedures, such as routing journeys to avoid residential areas and town centres as much as possible, and stipulating that if staff drive in built-up areas, they should drive at no more than 20mph to help protect people and reduce noise and pollution. Beyond any legal responsibilities, managing road risk can also provide benefits to organisations, helping to reduce insurance premiums and claims, improve reputation and morale, and avoid the potentially catastrophic effects of a serious crash. To help reduce costs of collisions, organisations should aim to create a ‘collision-free culture’ that includes management championing of safety issues, a proactive risk management strategy, detailed collision and cost investigation and analysis, assessment of risks, a robust fleet safety policy and tailored procedures. Having a road safety culture is not only about preventing the negative consequences of a crash. It can also have a positive effect on the reputation of the business. It also provides opportunities to engage further with staff, their families, other businesses and the wider community. Brake is a road safety charity working to prevent road deaths and injuries and make communities safer and providing free support to families affected by crashes. Brake administers Global Fleet Champions, a global campaign to prevent crashes and reduce pollution caused by vehicles used for work, by sharing best practice in road risk management. Visit www.globalfleetchampions.org for more details. L

Written by Ross Moorlock, chief operating officer, Brake

Having effective fleet safety policies and procedures in place that are supported and promoted from the top of the organisation will help you to develop a strong safety culture among your workforce, writes Ross Moorlock, chief operating officer of road safety charity Brake

Duty of Care

Managing road risk is your duty of care

Employers also have a duty of care towards the employee and members of the public who may be affected by his or her work activities. Organisations also have moral and social responsibilities, particularly to staff, customers and the communities in which they operate. If a driver is involved in a crash, it may harm their physical and emotional wellbeing, lead to lost working time, cause distress to colleagues, and damage your reputation locally. If someone is killed or injured in a crash, this has a devastating effect on families and the community. Motor-vehicle traffic itself also has a huge impact on communities, public health and the environment. Organisations should ensure drivers drive as little as possible, and in a safe and fuel-efficient manner. They should also consider the impact of driving on the social environments in which drivers operate, such as the impact on schools and communities of heavy, fast and polluting traffic on their lifestyles and health. For example, if you have a lot of goods vehicles driving past a school or through a town centre, it can cause danger, noise and pollution, put people off walking and cycling, and affect your reputation with local families.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.brake.org.uk Supported by

Join the Evolution of Transport TRAILAR dedicates itself to creating innovative transport solutions, to reduce the environmental impact of commercial vehicles across the globe.

Flexible solar mats are applied to the vehicle’s roof and connected to the vehicle battery or additional onboard batteries. Our TRAILAR “Smart Charge Controller” system is then installed, containing an array of specifically designed transport technologies. This controller creates an interface with the vehicles alternator, communicating when the solar system is generating enough energy to power vehicle equipment, without the need of the alternator to turn over. This is how the reduction in its use is achieved. Once fully installed, the system will manage and recharge the vehicle’s battery thereby reducing fuel consumption. By doing so we also reduce the environmental impact of each vehicle journey.

For more information, go to TRAILAR on Facebook and LinkedIn or visit the website

Expanding Solution Range Having a solution architecture as incredibly versatile as ours, is enabling us to look to a wider range of vehicle types in different sectors, which in turn allows us to reduce the total transport industry’s environmental impact. With the original solution offered for a rigid truck, our TRAILAR team utilised the 2019 Commercial Vehicle Show as the perfect stage to unveil its newest exciting solutions and system features alongside our partners, Ryder and Truckcraft Bodies. The first of these exciting solutions was the 3.5t refrigerated van, which has been created in partnership with Truckcraft Bodies. Given that the refrigeration unit is directly driven from the vehicle’s engine, the TRAILAR solution steps in to create a new green power source from which the unit can draw from. This leads to a reduction in fuel use to maintain fridge temperature, which in turn reduces a customer’s emissions and fuel spend. The second new product was the solution for both single and double deck trailers. This solution allows for a customer trailer to become electrically self-sufficient, removing the need to connect an Anderson lead to the tractor unit, with the tail lift and internal decks now using the free harvested energy to operate. The success of TRAILAR has been reflected by the 8 international awards won, and we are committed to driving our industry towards a more sustainable future around the globe.

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Fully Charged, London’s largest eBike retailer, demonstrates how eCargo bikes are commercial vehicles

“eCargo bikes are commercial vehicles, they need to measure up,” says Doug Hutchinson, head of sameday at Absolutely Couriers. This was the challenge facing the staff and mechanics at Fully Charged, London’s largest eBike retailer. They needed to show that eCargo bikes were a powerful resource, on paper and on the road. Absolutely Couriers were struggling to maintain a service level in London using four wheeled vehicles to deliver items. Recruiting van drivers was becoming more difficult and once they got them out on the road they were getting delayed in traffic, receiving parking tickets and trying to avoid road closures; something had to give. Fully Charged were able to make a compelling case for their eCargo bikes. The initial outlay would be smaller, and the

ongoing servicing and maintenance costs were more modest. There was no Congestion Charge or the ULEZ. Charging the batteries would be an insignificant expense and there wouldn’t be any parking tickets. But could an eCargo bike really replace a van? In short, yes. A small van can make approximately 12 deliveries in a single day – an eCargo bike can do 30. The carrying capacity of an XL eCargo bike is equal to a small van. Parking is rarely a problem so no time is wasted from point of collection to point of delivery. The arguments for eCargo were already stacking up so, when The Energy Saving Trust announced its new eCargo Bike Grant Scheme, the team at Fully Charged saw it as a game changer. It would allow companies to increase or introduce fleets of eCargo bikes, improving their green

credentials without having to shoulder the whole cost of the new bikes. Absolutely Couriers started their eCargo fleet. Doug Hutchinson said: “Fully Charged have a great range of stock and a wide range of manufacturers to choose from. The expertise of the guys who worked there was really important to us. We felt they were excited to be talking about a new product. It seemed a natural fit to be honest. We ran a number of tests, the test rides they provided were very helpful. By working with Fully Charged we have a good service backup.” FURTHER INFORMATION Call Fully Charged on 0207 111 0977, or email info@fullycharged.com

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CHOOSE FROM THE LEADING ECARGO MANUFACTURERS

As approved eCargo Grant Scheme suppliers, our Specialists will guide you through the process of buying the right eCargo bikes for your fleet. Visit www.fullycharged.com/eCargo or call 0207 111 0977

DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER FLEETS | www.greenfleet.net/commercial

BENEFIT FROM FULLY CHARGED’S 5* AFTERCARE

Written by Richard Armitage FCILT, executive director, European Cycle Logistics Federation

rants to e wards t d h purcha se of e 65 e-ca rgo bikes

Cargo Bikes

Cycle logistics: moving to the mainstream

participants signed up from all over the world and bore witness to three ‘launch’ events. First up was UPS, the US-based global courier that already uses cargo bikes extensively in its networks, especially in cities like Hamburg, Germany. UPS launched the Breathe, a four-wheel pedelec (fully compliant with the UK Electric Assist Pedal Cycle regulations) that in style but not scale mimics many of the functions of UPS’ classic urban delivery fleet. Peter Harris, UPS’ International sustainability director, revealed that of its 119,000 fleet, almost eight per cent are alternative fuel or There has been a string of developments which has led advanced technology vehicles (including cargo to significant growth in cycle logistics and cargo bikes. bikes). Collection and delivery is all about electrification and cycle logistics, with long Richard Armitage asks whether 2019 will be when cargo haul concentrating on renewable natural gas. bikes reach tipping point and move into the mainstream? Since 2017, UPS has been trialling an onstreet micro-hub in partnership with Dublin City Council. The demountable truck body This time last year, I reported in GreenFleet On 23 May 2019, the man who took the occupies what were car parking spaces. This that government interest had kickstarted the decision to recycle OLEV Electric Vehcile funds is served by two e-trikes, one conventional cargo bike market. Today, the £2m eCargo Bike for e-cargo bikes, Jesse Norman MP, moved trike and walkers, which have substituted Grant Fund has been up and running since on to the Treasury. He has been replaced for four ICE vehicles. With 500 packages April 2019 and has already awarded grants as Minister of State at the Department per day removed from the ‘ICE’ van towards the purchase of 65 e-cargo bikes. for Transport by Northampton system, UPS is claiming a 40 Managed on behalf of the Department for MP, Michael Ellis MP. per cent CO2 reduction. Transport by the Energy Saving Trust, the Fund The European Cycle Logistics Now, in the autumn, aims to put an additional 2,000 cargo bikes Federation held its 6th The £2 the Fernhay-UPS e-quad on English streets by April 2020. The Fund is international conference m eCargo Breathe will be trialled in getting its technical advice from the industry on 24 June 2019 in Grant F Bike Dublin, in a partnership via the Bicycle Association (bike retailers and Dublin. Hosted by that also includes the wider UK bike industry) and the UK Cycle the City Council, the already und has award Belfast City Council. E Logistics Federation (cycle logistics operators). event had over 150 g

Peter Harris (right), UPS’ international sustainability director, shows Owen Keegan (left), CEO of Dublin City Council, the all-new Breathe 4-wheel ecargo bike at #ECLF2019, Dublin

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DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER FLEETS | www.greenfleet.net/commercial

Cargo Bikes

The ECLF and CIE have announced a strategic partnership to strengthen the impact and industrial coordination of the cargo bike sector. They will create a stronger voice for cycle logistics businesses in EU and national government policies.  Collaboration The Dublin ECLF conference also saw the European industry associations European Cycle Logistics Federation (ECLF) and Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) announced a strategic partnership to strengthen the impact and industrial coordination of the cargo bike sector. They have combined forces to create a stronger advocacy voice for cycle logistics businesses in EU and national government policies. Kevin Mayne, chief executive of CIE said: “Two million light commercial vehicles per year are sold in the EU and

96 per cent of them are diesel, a figure that is growing. Our collaboration with ECLF means we can showcase how cycle logistics businesses must be at the heart of sustainable mobility policies. Our target is one million cargo bikes sold annually.” ECLF will be represented in Brussels by the CIE staff unit at the heart of the EU district, enabling the benefits of cycle logistics to be presented at the highest policy levels in the EU. An Expert Group in cargo bikes and cycle logistics will be formed to represent the companies involved and to draft the policy

positions of the new organisation. The companies’ input will also feed into the development of Europe-wide standards for cargo bikes. This will include activities in the EU funded project City Changer Cargo Bike, a €4million project to grow cargo bike use and sales across the EU. In Dublin, the CCCB Project launched a set of four booklets promoting the use of cargo bikes in different settings (download your copies at www.cyclelogistics.eu/ downloads/source-material). Overview of the market Finally, a look at the European cargo bike market. Sales volumes are rising rapidly at several of the key cargo bike companies this year. Earlier this year, cargo bike dealers and distributors were surprised to receive notices from their suppliers of delivery times exceeding 26 weeks. Mounting evidence of the pressure to increase volumes was apparent at the International Cargo Bike Festival in Groningen, the Netherlands, in 14-16 June 2019. There the talk amongst exhibitors was consistently about significant investment being made or imminent in new production lines and increased production. One trailer manufacturer, Carla Cargo, has started sellling to Amazon in Manhattan, New York; several cargo bike makers are working on large-scale projects with postal service companies and global and national couriers. 2019 could just be the tipping point for cargo bikes. L

Richard Armitage FCILT is Executive Director of the trade association, European Cycle Logistics Federation (www.eclf.bike). His company, Last Mile Manchester, provides third party logistics services and express deliveries using electric-assist cargo bikes. FURTHER INFORMATION www.eclf.bike www.cyclingindustries.com Supported by

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ROUNDTABLE

Roundtable

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Lowering commercial vehicle emissions

Despite clear progress in the consumer and fleet market, there is still a long way to go to clean up heavy commercial vehicles. Delegates at GreenFleet’s latest roundtable explored the barriers to cleaner commercial vehicle adoption and how to overcome them, as well as what businesses can do now whilst the commercial vehicle market plays catch up. For many, changing to a cleaner vehicle is a standard part of business practice, but making the leap to zero emissions still requires a leap of faith; a leap some have yet to wrestle with, despite mounting pressure from central and local government. There is a genuine lack of heavy goods vehicles that utilise cleaner technologies and so complying with the requirement to have Euro 6 vehicles is seen by many to be as far as they can go.

Changing regulations The day began with the attendees looking at the rapidly changing political and regulatory frameworks that require action on commercial transport emissions. Air quality is getting worse with increased levels of nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and particulate matter causing ever increasing respiratory problems. Recent media coverage of particulates from tyres and brakes has once more raised the profile of clean air and the unintended consequences of moving people and products about. Rebecca Kite from the FTA gave us an insight into the legislative and policy frameworks in place that are likely to impact on commercial fleets. In July 2017 the government introduced the concept of clean air zones in a number of UK cities. Southampton, amongst

Written by John Curtis

There is an appetite amongst commercial vehicle operators to go green, but the government must provide a clear strategy for cleaning up larger vehicles to give fleet operators a clear path forward. This was the message from the GreenFleet Roundtable, which took place at St Mary’s Football Stadium in Southampton on 16 July others, has agreed to implement changes but not introduce a clean air zone. Rebecca informed us that the FTA has been pushing to make such zones as small as possible and introduced as late as possible to assist businesses in meeting obligations for commercial fleets. In July 2018 the UK Government launched it’s Road to Zero strategy; its plans for the decarbonisation of transport. The FTA challenged the document as it didn’t define what constitutes an ultra low emission truck. The government is developing a definition and it is felt that this will help vehicle manufacturers deliver vehicles of the required specification. Sarah Maxwell from the City of London gave an overview of the challenges she faces in meeting the challenges presented by the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London. E

May 2019 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Roundtable

GreenFleet roundtable attendees Dean Hedger New Business Development Manager, The AA Michael Wilmshurst Specialist Business Development Manager, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions Joe Leduc Commercial Director – Europe, Agility Fuel Solutions Aimee Postle Director, Prova PR Sarah Maxwell Fleet Supporting Officer, City of London Mick Cook Senior Fleet Engineer, Babcock Fleet Management Laura Dale Sustainability Manager, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Nadia Smith Policy Analyst, Renewable Energy Association Rob Ellis Divisional Fleet & Plant Manager, Ringway Paul Hancock Principal Fleet Engineering Manager, Bournemouth Borough Council Rebecca Kite Environment Policy Manager, Freight Transport Association Brian Avery Service Delivery Manager, Surrey and Sussex Police

Event chair

John Curtis, motoring journalist

 Whilst the City of London covers a very small geographical area, the need to obtain vehicles of the correct size, that meet the need to be zero emissions is leading her to buy smaller vehicles that will do the job, rather than the larger vehicles which have yet to hit the market. As has been seen at many low emission exhibitions and motor shows, manufacturers are gearing up to provide product that meets legislative standards by 2021 but

We asked how a government can declare a climate emergency but at the same time reduce subsidy to encourage the uptake of renewables and low emission vehicles. Sarah Maxwell illustrated this point brilliantly outlining how the City of London has massive challenges making solar work due to the height of buildings and shadows cast. Paul Hancock from Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch said: “Not all necessary policy makers are joined up to make a low carbon transport infrastructure work.” It is critical that policies are aligned and work to deliver systemic change at scale and pace. Michael Wilmshurst from Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions said that It almo st getting renewables feels lik into vehicles and e t h e UK mar back out, via vehicle ket reac the tipp hed to grid technology, ing poin is the optimum t EV upta way to fully build ke and for lose tra may the case. It was ction recognised by all continu if supply that the withdrawal es to a proble be of reduction in feed m in tariff significantly undermined the challenge of justifying a

the reality is that implementation of long term solutions is being held up by this long lead time for new products. This situation is further compounded by the current long lead times, of up to eighteen months for existing electric vehicles. It almost feels like the UK market reached the tipping point for electric vehicle uptake and may lose traction if supply continues to be a problem, causing fleet managers to settle for replacement vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines. Energy sources The roundtable explored the need to couple the use of electric vehicles with renewable energy. Nadia Smith from the Renewable Energy Association agreed that without renewable energy, electric vehicles do not deliver the possible benefits but said that one size does not fit all when using renewables for transport.

DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER FLEETS | www.greenfleet.net/commercial

undertaking vehicle procurement to establish the vehicle requirement, what will it be used for and what are the clean alternatives, before any vehicle purchase is considered. Joe Leduc from Agility Fuel Solutions believes that the slow rate of uptake of alternative fuels is in part because it requires fleets to change their behaviour, something that needs justification and for many organisations, getting broad stakeholder buy-in can feel like fighting a losing battle.

business case for alternative fuelled vehicles. We asked how a government can declare a climate emergency but at the same time reduce subsidy to encourage the uptake of renewables and low emission vehicles. The alignment of such policies is key to ensuring that implementation by business is effective and efficient. Event Sponsor Event Sponsor

Michael Wilmshurst, specialist business development manager, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions Michael is a specialist asset bid manager at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions. From dealing with accidents and breakdowns, to meeting operational and budget-based targets, Hitachiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experts understand the complex pressures of managing a large, specialist fleet. From pre-life to end-of-life, the company delivers a Total Asset Solution approach.

Vehicle usage Paul Hancock from Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch rightly stated that there is a need to review the whole transport network to reduce the number of vehicles in fleets, the miles driven and to encourage alternatives. For local authorities and public sector organisations it is a standard practice when Event Sponsor

Dean Hedger, new business development manager, The AA Dean joined The AA in 2018 after 24 years in the motor industry. With a career spanning fleet management, vehicle funding and people leadership, Dean brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience of the public sector, corporate and SME marketplace with particular focus on sustainable transport, car sharing and commercial vehicles.

Roundtable

With support from

Heavy goods vehicles There was a discussion about whether the necessary technology is available in the HGV market or not. Mick Cook from Babcock said that the electric vehicle isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t technically capable of working at range above 18 tonnes and this was sadly widely accepted. Despite Tesla announcing the electric lorry none are currently available. We explored the place for alternatives in the HGV sector such as CNG / LNG and Hydrogen. The panel agreed that there are still many misconceptions about alternative fuels which need to be tackled through education, learning from others, and hands-on experience. Companies like Waitrose operating with gas can only help support adoption and may in time give them a competitive advantage. Assurance schemes have a big part to play, in giving certainty to buyers. The EST and LowCVP both work with the FTA to share best practice CNG suffers from a perception of failure following a stalled uptake in the late 80s and early 90s. CNG also comes with safety and security challenges due to its potentially explosive nature. However, natural gas is no different to many other transport fuels in that regard. E Event Sponsor Event Sponsor

Joe Leduc, commercial director of sales, Agility Fuel Solutions Europe Joe Leduc is the commercial director of sales for Agility Fuel Solutions Europe. Joe has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of British Columbia and has developed his professional career in the alternative fuels space, having a history with the company dating back to 2004.

May 2019 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Roundtable

With support from

To increase the speed of change, the government needs to provide a clear strategy for cleaning up HGVs, while the manufacturers must meet demand and make sure the vehicles are available  Brian Avery from Surrey and Sussex Police reminded us that with cobalt and lithium as key components of batteries, few transport solutions come without an environmental impact. Whilst it was agreed that this was the case the potential for the circular economy and reuse of second hand batteries has its place in decarbonising, as a storage medium for renewables. We discussed at length the need to give input and feedback to the government on the disjointed nature of policies and implementation dates, especially as batteries and HGV solutions are pretty much unavailable at present. It was agreed that unified responses and lobbying would be optimal. The SMMT, the FTA and REA have a collective opportunity to influence policy. However, business and government seem to believe that the other is responsible for the implementation of solutions. Finance options Leasing or capital purchase turned out to be a very interesting discussion. As battery electric

vehicles are in short supply, companies that traditionally buy their fleet solutions outright have started to lease for a short period until new stock is available to buy. Outright purchase was a firm favourite for those seeking to use specialist vehicles as they cover low mileage and are able to be ‘sweated’ over an extended period. In the afternoon, Joe Leduc from Agility Fuel Systems set out that they are technology agnostic but seek to supply transport solutions that improve air quality and make an environmental improvement. The business case for vehicles doing more than 100,000 miles a year is clear and alternative fuels such as CNG/LNG and hydrogen can work in the right application. Joe rightly pointed out that our transport history does not dictate our future and that we have an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past. The previous work with CNG/LNG fuelled vehicles was done as dual-fuel aftermarket conversions and the smaller players were not readily available

DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER FLEETS | www.greenfleet.net/commercial

to service the product. The new CNG/LNG vehicles are OEM manufactured, dedicated gas powertrains and well-supported which offers customers improved reliability. Speaking of the future, we received a comprehensive update on what the future looks like from Michael at Hitachi. What was of particular interest was the proposition to work with Hitachi to install refuelling capacity in depots as part of the leasing solution. There was a certain amount of frustration that change is happening all too slowly but Nadia Smith of the REA rightly urged us to remember that progress has been made over the last five years and that change is happening. The pace of change is slower than the market requires, and businesses can only buy what manufacturers produce. Rob Ellis of Ringway knew exactly what was required: “We need a fuel that will enable us to carry the same load, for the same distance, at a similar cost.” Joe Leduc was delighted to say that natural gas ticks all those boxes. We concluded the day by identifying that to increase the speed of change and improve clean commercial vehicle uptake, the government needs to provide a clear strategy for HGVs, while the vehicle manufacturers must keep up with demand and make sure the vehicles are available. It feels like there is a great deal still to do. L

To view the video of the roundtable event, including individual interviews, visit www.greenfleet.net/roundtables

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Agility: championing green transportation solutions Agility® Fuel Solutions is leading the way in the clean fuel market, providing systems for the storage, delivery and conversion of clean energy on board commercial vehicles. Agility makes state‑of-the-art systems that store compressed natural gas (CNG), liquid petroleum gas, and hydrogen. Agility also manufactures battery packs for hybrid and electric commercial vehicles on-board fuel storage, powertrain, and hydrogen solutions, with a commitment to safety, reliability, and lightweight systems that last for the lifetime of a vehicle. “We’ve evolved our product line to be able to offer a complete portfolio of clean fuel solutions, to meet the needs of any commercial fleet operator,” says Bippus. Agility has designed an innovative CNG system for 6x2 tractors. This is the first CNG truck in the UK capable of 44-tonne operations and thus makes CNG a viable option for a large portion of the UK truck market. In addition, the company has designed a trailer mounted CNG system, which can add up to 700 additional miles of driving range. Notably, this allows a vehicle to comfortably cover any potential driving range in the UK.

As the UK and other European transport markets move away from petrol and diesel vehicles, Agility’s solutions for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles are critical to bringing cleaner energy alternatives to this expanding market. Agility’s rapid growth in the UK is a clear indicator that more countries will soon follow. Growth into the U.K. market According to Agility’s director of European sales, Joe Leduc, the move into the UK market was “facilitated by fuel station infrastructure starting to come online.” Leduc also credits Agility’s growth in the UK to “a few key customers who were motivated to implement biogas, but lacked the technical solutions necessary to operationalise alternative fuels within their fleets.” One such customer was the large British supermarket chain, Waitrose. Wanting a natural gas solution, they challenged Agility to provide a forward-moving alternative to the chain’s previous original equipment manufacturer (OEM) fuel solution. This was three years ago; today, Waitrose boasts a long-range compressed natural gas solution that meets its operational needs and aligns with its corporate values. Because of the product options provided by Agility, Waitrose was able to revolutionise its fleet. Notably, Agility launched a long‑range

CNG system for 4x2 trucks into the market. Previously, vehicles would run with 200 bar, steel CNG tank systems. This means they would be getting between 250 – 300 miles of range before having to refuel. But with Agility’s system utilising Type 4 carbon fibre cylinders running at a 250-bar service pressure, these same trucks can now get over 500 miles of range. This is significant. “A lot of fleets need vehicles that are capable of a full day’s driving,” explains Eric Bippus, SVP of sales and marketing at Agility. “That was the case with Waitrose, who didn’t want to be refueling frequently within a single shift. A 200-bar system couldn’t develop that range but with 250, it is achievable.” With Agility’s proven ability to deliver additional range and capacity, it’s no surprise that its UK customer base is growing. For another client – one that provides double decker buses – Agility developed a fuel system that similarly allowed it to utilise CNG while achieving the range it needed to deploy the buses on longer routes. As a result, the client’s new buses, outfitted with Agility fuel systems, are now being used in Nottingham, Bristol and Reading. The Agility advantage Over the past two decades, Agility’s range of products has grown. But its focus has remained constant: providing quality

Zero emissions strategies In addition to providing range, efficiency, and cost-savings, Agility is poised to support the transition to cleaner and greener fleets. Besides CNG, another increasingly popular option is Agility’s on-board hydrogen system for long-range applications. Since 2001, Agility has implemented more integrated hydrogen systems into commercial vehicles than any other company and will play a critical role as a consortium member in H2Bus Europe (www.h2bus.eu), aiming to deploy 1000 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses across European cities in the years ahead. The Future An organisation’s carbon footprint isn’t the only thing that will decrease as a result of the move from diesel to alternative fuels. Companies’ fuel costs will drop as well. Greater driving range means fewer stops, which keeps driver-related costs down. And lighter, more efficient storage systems burn less of the fuel they carry. The result is that customers will enjoy a return on investment in a much shorter time. With an increasing number of commitments to low emission zones and zero emission policies worldwide, alternative fuel solutions are becoming more important. And, being that they’re good for the bottom line, adoption is poised to speed up. L FURTHER INFORMATION For more information, visit www.agilityfuelsolutions.com

May 2019 | COMMERCIAL GREENFLEET

Road Test Written by Richard Gooding

FIRST DRIVE

Volkswagen e-Crafter The Volkswagen e-Crafter spearheads the company’s all-electric light commercial revolution. Richard Gooding finds that it offers an accomplished sign of things to come What is it? The e-Crafter is the latest addition to a Volkswagen’s diverse commercial vehicle heritage which spans almost seven decades. The Crafter is the biggest light commercial Volkswagen and it replaced the LT35 in 2006. The second-generation model arrived in 2016 with load capacities of between 3.0 to 5.5 tonnes, a choice of front, rear, or four-wheel drive powertrains and van or chassis cab configurations. Already on sale in Europe, prices and availability of the all-electric e-Crafter driven here are yet to be announced for the UK market. How practical is it? Designed to incorporate an electric powertrain from the outset, the VW e-Crafter’s 35.8kWh lithium-ion battery sits under the bodywork at the front of the van. This means the standard Crafter’s carrying capacity is retained. That translates to 10.7 cubic metres of volume, with maximum payloads of between 1.0 and 1.75 tonnes. The practical aspects of the standard Crafter remains intact, too, with a through-loading width of 1,380mm, a cargo compartment height of 1,861mm, a maximum cargo space length of 4,855, and a pair of rear wing doors that open to 180 degrees. What range does it have? Volkswagen claims an official NEDC cycle range of 107 miles. The e-Crafter is aimed at

‘last-mile’ delivery uses and customers such as energy suppliers, couriers and logistics drivers, as well as shuttle and taxi services. On a par with the range offered by the new all-electric Renault Master Z.E, expect ‘real-world’ range to be around 70 miles dependent on weather conditions and how much cargo the van is carrying. Volkswagen calculates the e-Crafter uses 21.5kWh of energy per 100km/62 miles with a 975kg payload on board, which equates to 135mpg from a Crafter 2.0 TDI carrying the same cargo. The company also points out the e-Crafter has been designed following analysis of 210,000 driving profiles from 1,500 customers that show most drivers cover between 43 and 62 miles per day, with multiple stop-starts. Four UK fleets from Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, the City of London Corporation and the London Borough of Southwark took part in international e-Crafter trials from May to September 2018 and, along with 21 other European companies, provided feedback which aided the development of the final production model.

DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER FLEETS | www.greenfleet.net/commercial

How long does it take to charge? The e-Crafter’s battery can be recharged to 100 per cent from a 7.2kW supply in just over five hours. The van is compatible with the Combined Charging System (CCS), and from a 40kW DC CCS charging feed the VW’s battery can be charged to 80 per cent of its energy capacity in 45 minutes.

The er e-Craft quiet he shares t ed driving x and relaf car-based traits o ectric el vehicles

How does it drive? With the exception of e-Golf-style badges, the e-Crafter looks no different to the internal combustion-engined Crafters. Sharper looks came with the arrival of the latest version and the 2,590mm high roof line is elegantly integrated. Inside, an eight-inch colour infotainment touchscreen lifted from Volkswagen’s passenger cars displays the ‘e-manager’, a range monitor, navigation and smartphone connectivity functions, and the design and quality is all as you’d expect from a Volkswagen. Practical as well as functional, standard equipment is high. Automatic air conditioning, LED headlights, and heated seats and windscreen are all on the e-Crafter kit list, as are parking assistance, cross wind and post-collision safety systems.

Road Test

Volkswagen e-Crafter GROSS PAYLOAD:

1,000 - 1,750kg

LOAD VOLUME: ENGINE:

134bhp/100kW electric motor / 35.8kWh lithium-ion battery

CO2: RANGE:

10.7m3

0g/km 107 miles (NEDC cycle)

VED: PRICE (ex VAT, inc PiVG):

£0 TBA

Unsurprisingly, the e-Crafter shares the quiet and relaxed driving traits of car-based EVs. Aiding the car-like comparison is the powertrain, which has been taken from the popular e-Golf. The ‘EEM85’ electric motor generates 134bhp/100kW and 213lb ft (290Nm) of torque, which translates to impressive power and response from the off. The e-Crafter’s top speed is capped at 56mph, but that won’t fuss the targeted urban area users of the van. The light steering will prove useful, too, as will the singlespeed transmission, and the welcome lack of diesel engine noise is another added benefit. Regenerative braking helps eke out range and tops up the battery on the move, too. What does it cost? At its 2018 launch, the e-Crafter was priced at 69,500 euros in Germany, which equates to around £63,000 in the UK before the government’s Plug-in Van Grant is deducted. Already sold in selected left-hand drive European markets, UK market e-Crafter pricing and availability will be confirmed nearer the van’s release date, forecast to be mid-2021. Why does my fleet need one? Along with larger light commercial vehicle rivals such as the newly-announced Fiat Ducato Electric, the Volkswagen e-Crafter is ideal for urban area last-mile deliveries. Like other electric LCVs, its zero-emission running is ideally placed to capitalise on the removal of diesel-powered light commercials from everstricter Low Emission Zones and Ultra-Low Emission Zones. As legislation is tightened up, more of these areas will appear, and the e-Crafter should prove useful in getting to areas where traditionally-powered LCVs will soon be unable to. Overall, with a proven powertrain, a highquality cabin, and an extensive equipment list, Volkswagen’s e-Crafter should suit delivery fleets who are looking for a zeroemission answer that complies with incoming legislation. Low running costs will also be enticing to those forward-thinking and early-adopting fleets. The downsides for now are the likely price and the wait for the van to arrive in the UK. But when it does, the e-Crafter will be an accomplished, useful, and tempting addition to the ever-growing band of electric light commercial vehicles. L FURTHER INFORMATION

Commercially charged The production e-Crafter heads a soon-to-arrive Volkswagen electric light commercial vehicle line-up. Developed with ABT e-Line GmbH, the e-Caddy and e-Transporter are all-electric versions of VW’s small and mid-sized LCVs. Expected to be on sale in late 2019, the e-Caddy’s 37.3kWh battery has a forecast maximum range of 136 miles while the e-Transporter offers a potential of 248 miles when fitted with a 74.6kWh battery.

The fuel cell-powered Crafter HyMotion concept previews a longerrange electric van, its integrated tanks capable of holding 7.5kg of hydrogen for a potential range of over 310 miles. As well as LCVs, Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus builds electrically-powered buses and delivery trucks in Brazil.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk Supported by

Recruitment Written by Sally Gilson, head of skills campaigns, FTA

which reduces motivation and increases staff turnover. In essence, this means businesses will have to pay twice to train staff, thus removing valuable investment from the bottom line at a time when the logistics industry is under extreme financial pressure. The government needs to develop a workable apprenticeship standard and training framework or, alternatively, reassess the role of the apprenticeship levy and turn it into a training levy, which would enable its use where it is most urgently needed. Amend future immigration policy The UK’s future immigration system needs to accommodate the requirement for workers with practical qualifications – as well as academic – if Britain is to keep trading effectively after Brexit. After all, 13 per cent of HGV drivers currently working in the UK are EU nationals. But the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report fails to recognise the importance of these workers; it is deemed to be ‘low skilled’ profession and so drivers are unlikely to Businesses now anticipate that 15 per cent of their current HGV be granted access to the UK post-Brexit. driver vacancies will not be filled. So what can be done? The MAC report, along with the recent Sally Gilson, head of skills campaigns at FTA, shares some advice review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), ignores the value which workers The nationwide shortage of HGV drivers is at all levels bring to the logistics sector, by ensuring that everyone has access to the threatening the UK’s logistics sector and one of UK PLC’s most crucial trade drivers. goods and services they need, but too often, we are reaching crisis point; businesses The government must move away from this vital contribution is often overlooked. now anticipate that 15 per cent of their prioritising purely academic classifications FTA has established a partnership with current HGV driver vacancies will not be and focus more on vocational skills: the Think Logistics, an arm of educational charity filled and a further 36 per cent expect a regulatory knowledge and the skills required Career Ready, to build links between schools, long delay to find the right candidate. to drive an HGV are complex and must colleges and employers to communicate the This was one of the key findings of FTA’s not be dismissed or underestimated. opportunities a career in logistics presents Logistics Report, launched in partnership To ensure that our businesses can continue to young people. But awareness is only with Santander Corporate and Commercial to be served by the industry which provides one piece of the puzzle: the government in May 2019, which polled the opinions of the goods and services they need, the must rethink its treatment of drivers; only more than 500 freight and logistics businesses government must start recognising and by delivering promised upgrades to driver operating in the UK and internationally. appreciating technical skills within facilities and infrastructure will it The logistics sector is the lifeblood of our immigration system too; be viewed as an aspirational the nation’s economy, employing more otherwise, its approach career choice. Furthermore, than 2.7 million people and contributing will remove thousands of the apprenticeship levy is The £124 billion gross value added (GVA). Our vital logistics workers not working for logistics UK’s fu ture economy simply cannot operate without HGV from our economy. businesses across the immigr drivers – businesses would come grinding Logistics is a flexible, UK and needs to be needs t ation system o accom to a halt and Britain would cease trading. highly adaptable radically overhauled modate the req But we are facing serious challenges in industry, which if the workforce of u ir e m ent for the recruitment and retention of these always goes the extra tomorrow is to be worker s with p workers, due to an ageing workforce, mile to deliver for its trained effectively. r a ctical qualific competition for skilled staff, the ineffective customers. Yet without ations apprenticeship levy, and shifting migration adequate allowances for Repair the patterns in response to Brexit. training and development, apprenticeship levy In this article, FTA, the business organisation the improvement of driver The apprenticeship levy is which speaks for the logistics sector, facilities, and amends to the a tax on employers which can shares its three-pronged recommendation UK’s future immigration policy, the be accessed to fund apprenticeship on how this issue can be tackled. industry could easily come to a halt due training. But despite contributing large sums to lack of available skilled staff. While this to the apprenticeship levy fund, logistics Attract new talent article focused on the shortfall of HGV businesses have not been able to draw down With the average age of an HGV driver now drivers specifically, the skills shortage funds to train the workforce of tomorrow, 48 years old – as revealed in the survey touches every corner of logistics, from since the standards against which to train – it is clear the industry needs to attract technicians to warehouse staff. them have yet to be approved. Any moneys and retain a new generation of workers; FTA is committed to ensuring that the still unused after two years of payment will we must show there are promising career industry has sufficient skilled staff on which be taken by the Treasury. This means that opportunities and long-term prospects on to draw as we move into the next decade; the levy is simply an additional tax on those offer to convince them that this is a job worth we will continue to push government to businesses which desperately need to use pursuing. After all, the logistics sector is at ensure policies reflect this vital need. L this money to train their future workforce. the heart of every facet of British life, from By insisting that businesses plough funding hospitals to business, schools, retail and into a levy which they cannot utilise, the FURTHER INFORMATION manufacturing. HGVs drivers support the government is preventing the development nation’s well-being, economy and prosperity, www.fta.co.uk of existing workers in the logistics sector,

The HGV driver shortage

Supported by

FIRST ALL-SEASON TYRE FULLY FOCUSED ON UHP SEGMENT than 10% better 10% more wet grip *

improvement on snow handling *

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* Data based on internal testing compared to predecessor Quatrac 5 in development size 245/45 R 18

Apollo Vredestein (UK) Ltd., 1 Beechwood, Cherry Hall Road, Kettering Business Park, Kettering NN14 1UE Tel: 0330 333 1294 - Fax: 0330 333 1296 - customer.uk@apollovredestein.com - www.vredestein.co.uk

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CALL 03303 335126 OR VISIT ISUZU.CO.UK TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE #Over 40 MPG figure applies to manual transmission models. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel figures for the Isuzu D-Max range in MPG (l/100km): Urban 30.4 - 38.7 (9.3 - 7.3). Extra Urban 40.9 - 50.4 (6.9 - 5.6). Combined 36.2 - 45.6 (7.8 - 6.2). CO2 emissions 163 - 205g/km. For full details please contact us or visit isuzu.co.uk *3.5 tonne towing applies to all 4x4 models. **125,000 miles/5 year (whichever comes first) warranty applies to all new Isuzu D-Max models. Terms and conditions apply. Visit isuzu.co.uk