GreenFleet 108

MOBILITY

EV BATTERIES

www.greenfleet.net

FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

ISSUE 108

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

EV ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION Industry experts and fleet operators gathered to share experiences, concerns and predictions for the electric vehicle market

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ALTERNATIVE FUELS

MORE OPTIONS FOR ZERO EMISSIONS Will the government’s £23m funding for hydrogen make this fuel more viable?

FIRST DRIVE ALFA ROMEO STELVIO 2.2 Q4 AWD

7

GreenFleet Arrive ’n’ Drive took place on 28 September.

Read the review on page 37

FORD MOBILE SERVICE

W E ’L L CO M E T O YO U Wh eth e r yo u r u n a s m all o r l ar ge f le et, yo u c an n ow b e n ef it f ro m o u r F o r d M o b ile Se r v i ce, in clu d in g ve h i cle s e r v i cin g, ge n e ral m ainte nan ce an d war rant y re p air s, all at a lo c ati o n that s u it s yo u.

F o r d M o b ile Se r v i ce is avail ab le n ow f ro m p ar ti cip atin g d e ale r lo c ati o n s nati o nw i d e.

To f in d o u t m o re v is it fo r d .co.u k /m o b ile - s e r v i ce

EV BATTERIES

www.greenfleet.net

FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

ISSUE 108

The big electric vehicle debate

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

EV ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION Industry experts and fleet operators gathered to share experiences, concerns and predictions for the electric vehicle market

8

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

MORE OPTIONS FOR ZERO EMISSIONS

7

GreenFleet Arrive ’n’ Drive took place on 28 September.

Read the review on page 37

Will the government’s £23m funding for hydrogen make this fuel more viable?

FIRST DRIVE ALFA ROMEO STELVIO 2.2 Q4 AWD

Visit t.tv nflee video e e r g e v ti a rm for info tent on t con tal flee nmen enviro agement man

Comment

MOBILITY

Follow and interact with us on Twitter: @GreenFleetNews

GreenFleet held a roundtable discussion about electric vehicles on 15 September, which saw a gathering of industry experts and fleet operators share their experiences, concerns and predictions about the EV market.

8

One of the points that emerged was that people overestimate how much they drive. With the average commute being around ten miles, an electric vehicle with a 170 mile real-world range would more than comfortably fulfil these needs. Delegates at the event agreed that the best way to get people to change their perceptions is to try the vehicles.

7

GreenFleet Arrive ’n’ Drive took place on 28 September.

Read the review on page 37

Another point raised was that it is possible to make a business case for electric vehicles, even without grants and subsidies. But it does take time and research to make it happen. Jersey Post was one such example. With no grants from the Jersey government, the firm still invested in 30 electric vans. Darren Moon from the company told delegates how they are paying 1.8 pence a mile in the EVs compared to around 30-40 pence per mile for diesels, and that it pays back in just under four years. What’s more, the drivers love the electric vans.

Read the first report from the event on page 18, with another three reports to follow in the subsequent issues of GreenFleet.

Angela Pisanu, editor

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE-TO-FACE If you would like to receive 10 issues of GreenFleet magazine for £200 a year, please contact Public Sector Information Limited, 226 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 GreenFleet® would like to thank the following organisations for their support:

PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED

226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 Web: www.psi-media.co.uk EDITOR Angela Pisanu FEATURES AND ROAD TEST EDITOR Richard Gooding EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Andrea Pluck PRODUCTION CONTROL Ella Sawtell PRODUCTION DESIGN Jo Golding WEB PRODUCTION Victoria Casey PUBLISHER George Petrou ACCOUNT MANAGERS Kylie Glover, Dean Cassar ADMINISTRATION Vickie Hopkins REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

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Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Contents

Contents GreenFleet 108 07 News

18

Best ever quarterly plug-in vehicle sales for July to September 2017; General Motors reveals electric vehicle plans; KIA and Rolec EV to offer free home charge point installation; Indian government set to buy 10,000 electric Tata Motors; electric double decker bus trial welcomed in Leeds

16 Electric vehicles 26

EV100 is a new global initiative gathering companies that pledge to electrify their fleet by 2030 and use their collective influence and buying power to stimulate the electric vehicle market

18 GreenFleet EV roundtable

People widely overestimate how much they drive on a daily basis. This, as well as issues with charging, are two of the biggest barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption, according to delegates at GreenFleet’s EV roundtable discussion, which took place at London’s iconic Tower Bridge on 15 September

35

23 Alternative fuels

The £23 million fund to develop hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure will go some way towards providing a competitive national coverage of hydrogen refuelling stations that should widen the scope of zero emission vehicles, writes Amanda Lyne, chair of the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association

26 Electric vehicle batteries 40 46

Electric vehicle batteries and fuel cells can be viewed as competing technologies, but in reality both have a part to play in decarbonising transport. Emma Richardson from the National Physical Laboratory, looks at the challenges that both technologies face before full commercialisation can happen

31 Mobility

MaaS Scotland is a new organisation dedicated to supporting the growth of Mobility as a Service. Kate Armitage explains how this exciting new technology will revolutionise travel – and help organisations tackle tough challenges around grey fleet

GreenFleet magazine

35 Fleet interview

Guernsey Post has introduced 19 electric vans to its postal delivery fleet. GreenFleet chats to Dawn Gallienne to find out how the company finds the vans and how the island is ideal for electrification

37 GreenFleet Arrive ’n’ Drive review

GreenFleet once again hosted its annual Arrive ’n’ Drive event at the Rockingham Motor Speedway on 28 September, which showcased the latest zero and ultra-low emission vehicles

39 GreenFleet North East preview

GreenFleet is coming to the North East on 19 October to allow fleet transport managers from across the region to understand more about the Electric and Plug-in Vehicle market

40 Frankfurt motor show GreenFleet takes a tour of the vast halls at Frankfurt/Main and reports on the cars which embodied the IAA 2017’s ‘future now’ billing

43 Emergency Services Show review

Emergency and rescue vehicles of every type were on display at the Emergency Services Show at the NEC, Birmingham

44 Retrofit technologies

The LowCVP has analysed a range of retrofit technologies and devised a Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme to help bus operators identify the most effective solutions for lowering emissions

46 First drive: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 Q4 AWD Milano Edizione

Named after an Italian mountain pass famed for driving satisfaction, does the first-ever Alfa Romeo SUV deliver on the same promise? Richard Gooding reports

48 First drive: Peugeot Partner SE L2 Electric

Richard Gooding finds that a greater load length adds to the practicality of the all-electric version of Peugeot’s small commercial

www.greenfleet.net Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

5

ADD ELECTRICITY.

THE NEW MINI COUNTRYMAN PLUG-IN HYBRID. The new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is our most fleet-focussed model yet, combining the efficiency of a hybrid with the practicality of a crossover. Its 26-mile pure-electric range opens the possibility of fuel-free commuting, while five seats and bags of space in the back means your drivers can pack in more than they may think.

CO2

49 g/km*

134.5 mpg* (combined)

BIK

9%

To find out more, visit mini.co.uk/countrymanphev

WHO’S IN?

MINI Fleet & Business Sales Official fuel economy figures for the new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4: Combined 122.8-134.5 mpg (2.3-2.1 l/100km). CO2 emissions 52-49 g/km. *Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle using a combination of battery power and petrol fuel after the battery had been fully charged. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions. The new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that requires mains electricity for charging.

News

AWARDS REGISTRATIONS

Best ever quarterly plug-in vehicle sales for July to September 2017 New electric vehicle registration data shows that registrations for plug-in vehicles has continued to increase in the third quarter of 2017.

A total of 12,932 plug-in models were registered between July and September, a rise of 36 per cent on the same period in 2016 and 721 units higher than the previous record quarter, January-March 2017.

The best-ever quarterly figures follow a record September, with 7,794 plug-in models registered (27 per cent up on September 2016).

This is believed to be driven by the rapidly expanding variety of plug-in vehicles offered by manufacturers, their low running costs, and the continually‑improving national charging infrastructure.

With demand continuing to increase, this year’s registrations are expected to exceed the full-year total for 2016 by the end of October.

The popularity of pure electric cars continues to drive growth, with 11,127 new vehicles sold in the year so far, up 37 per cent on 2016.

Meanwhile, registrations of plug-in hybrids also showed strength, up 15 per cent for the year-to-date, boosted by 5,764 new vehicles finding homes in September (a 38 per cent rise). The record uptake

levels pushes the national total of plug-in cars on UK roads to more than 120,000, meaning EV sales now make up for 1.7 per cent of new car registrations.

Poppy Welch, head of Go Ultra Low, said: “It is great to see that the popularity of plug-in cars continues to grow at a record pace. To help even more UK motorists save money and cut their emissions, Go Ultra Low is launching a new media campaign that will help UK motorists find out what type of electric vehicle could be right for them.

“A host of real-world plug-in vehicle owner case studies and eight informative videos will demonstrate how plug-in vehicles could fit into motorists’ lives, even to those completely new to plug-in cars.”

Go Ultra Low has also launched a range of specially-developed interactive tools via its www.goultralow.com website. These will provide motorists with tailored information on a number of topics including how much they could save with an electric car, how easy it is to charge at home and how far a plug-in car can go on a single charge.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ya67lnwc

ELECTRICITY NETWORKS

OpenLV project to open up local electricity usage data A new initiative has been set up by OpenLV to examine and find solutions to the challenge of EV charging on local electricity networks at peak times.

Currently, electricity network operators don’t have enough information about how much spare capacity there is on local electricity networks. This makes it difficult to know whether a cluster of EVs charging at peak times will push the demand over the limit.

The OpenLV project will, for the first time, open up data from local substations, so that Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and third parties such as businesses and academia, will have more information about whether networks can cope with rising EV numbers.

If the data highlights a potential capacity issue, then other initiatives could be implemented – such as smart charging, vehicle-to-grid technology, energy storage, or joining networks together – in preference to more costly and disruptive infrastructure reinforcement works.

The OpenLV project, led by project partners Western Power Distribution and EA Technology, is inviting the submission of ideas for how data from local electricity networks could be used to develop new apps – to help manage the charging of increasing numbers of EVs, as well as for other uses.

The car industry and EV charging companies are invited to get involved in the OpenLV project.

Mark Dale, innovation manager, Western Power Distribution, comments: “The OpenLV project is making local electricity network data ‘open access’ for the first ever time.

This presents a great opportunity for smart thinking and innovation. We’re inviting people, ranging from community groups to industry stakeholders, to come up with novel ideas for apps that can make use of this data.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yb5aux7g

LowCVP Low Carbon Champions revealed Held in association with Energy 2017 at the NEC, Birmingham, the LowCVP Low Carbon Champions Awards celebrate the achievements and innovation of organisations and individuals who are leading the UK towards low emission road transport.

The event on 12 October was hosted by TV personality, science communicator and Formula E presenter, Nicki Shields and The Champions Awards judging panel was comprised of 25 senior executives from across a range of UK organisations with a stake in the low carbon road transport agenda.

Transport for London, BYD (bus manufacturer) and Go-Ahead London (operator) jointly won the ‘Grand Prix’ – or winner-of-winners – award for their effective partnership in delivering the vehicles, operational capacity and infrastructure to begin running London’s first two all‑electric bus routes (507 and 521).

Waterloo bus garage has been remodelled to accommodate over 50 electric buses and new charging infrastructure in a space-constrained environment. Working with infrastructure supplier, SSE, the partnership has overcome technical challenges to transform the garage into a large-scale, fully-electric operation.

The London EV Company – formerly known as the London Taxi Company – scooped the Low Carbon Car/Van Manufacturer of the Year prize. The judges said that LEVC has shown leadership and innovation in bringing to market the UK’s first purpose-built electric taxi.

David Martell, founder and chief executive of Chargemaster, is the LowCVP’s 2017 winner of the award for Outstanding Individual in Promoting Low Carbon Transport.

The LowCVP managing director Andy Eastlake, commented: “All the entries that were short-listed for this year’s awards deserve praise for their contribution to cutting road transport carbon emissions and helping to reduce air pollution.

“Against the backdrop of a year of political and environmental turmoil it’s perhaps appropriate that our overall winning entry required a strong collaborative approach to radically reduce the impact of a whole bus fleet.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y7dmvcbf

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

7

NEW GRANDLAND X

WHEN OTHERS GO LEFT, GO RIGHT

P11D FROM £22,095

BiK FROM 22% | CO2 FROM 104G/KM | UP TO 70.6MPG From business journeys to a weekend adventure, Grandland X takes you whichever way you choose to go. With plenty of room for five, serious comfort, connected technology and safety features that include lane departure warning, forward collision alert* and Vauxhall OnStar, go your own way with Grandland X. Isn’t life brilliant.

Pre-book your Grandland X 3 Day Test Drive.

Visit threedaytestdrive.co.uk Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. Grandland X range provisional fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 44.1 (6.4)-60.1 (4.7), Extra-urban: 57.6 (4.9)-80.7 (3.5), Combined: 51.4 (5.5)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 127-104g/km.

Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. 2017/18 tax year. Vauxhall Motors Limited does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their own tax position. Grandland X Elite Nav 1.2 (130PS) Turbo Start/Stop model illustrated (P11D of £26,445) features Topaz Blue two-coat metallic paint (£565), silver-effect roof rails (£100) and black roof and door mirrors (£320), optional at extra cost. 3 Day Test Drive terms and conditions apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please call 0330 587 8221 for full details. Includes 12 months of OnStar services from date of first registration and a 3 month/3 GB Wi-Fi free trial period (whichever comes first) effective from the date the customer accepts the nominated network operator Wi-Fi Ts&Cs. OnStar services and 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot are subject to mobile network coverage and availability. OnStar services require activation and account with OnStar Europe Ltd. Wi-Fi Hotspot service requires account with OnStar Europe Ltd. and nominated network operator. Charges apply after free trial period. The OnStar subscription packages could be different from the services included in the free trial package. Terms and conditions apply. Check vauxhall.co.uk/OnStar for details of availability, coverage and charges. Vehicles purchased without OnStar cannot have the required technology retro-fitted. Destination download is not available on Grandland X. Vehicle Diagnostics and Smartphone App do not support tyre pressure or oil life information for Grandland X. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (October 2017). * = Standard on all models except SE.

News

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

General Motors reveals electric vehicle plans American manufacturer General Motors has announced its plans for an “all electric future”, with two new all-electric vehicles introduced in the next 18 months and 18 more by 2023.

“General Motors believes in an all‑electric future,” said Mark Reuss, General Motors executive vice president of Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “Although that future won’t happen overnight, GM is committed to driving increased usage and acceptance of electric

vehicles through no-compromise solutions that meet our customers’ needs.”

The company will be looking at both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to cater for its customers’ various needs.

GM also introduced SURUS – the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure – a fuel cell powered, four-wheel steer concept vehicle on a heavy-duty truck frame that’s driven by two electric motors. With its

DIAGNOSTICS

capability and flexible architecture, SURUS could be used as a delivery vehicle, truck or even an ambulance — all emissions free.

General Motors, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities produce and sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang and Wuling brands.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y7t3zjw3

CHARGING

Groupe Renault invests in start-up smart charging firm

MotorEasy launches plug-in warranty product MotorEasy has launched a new warranty product that includes a plug-in car diagnostics tool to offer drivers an ongoing ‘health monitor’ for their cars.

The fitC plug-in device connects directly to the engine’s ECU via the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port to provide instant diagnostic data, previously not available to drivers without paying for a diagnostic service at a garage, directly to the user’s smartphone.

The product’s early warning system means that potential faults can be identified

before the vehicle breaks down, potentially saving motorists’ time and money.

After a fault is detected, it is flagged in the connected app and fitC connects drivers to repair centres via the MotorEasy service desk.

Purchasers of the device are covered

by MotorEasy’s warranty scheme, which includes a free health check and complete wear and tear protection.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y89l6bbd

EV CHARGERS

Welsh car park welcomes first EV charger Chepstow’s Welsh Street car park has had its first public electric car charging point installed.

According to the South Wales Argus, there are plans for further facilities in other Monmouthshire towns.

It is located within Welsh Street’s free car park and tokens can be obtained from Monmouthshire County Council’s community hub in order to use the facility.

Tokens can also be collected from Chepstow Library and the town’s Greenman Backpackers Hostel.

Tokens are priced at £5 and cars will be given free parking while using the point.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yd9thc9m

Groupe Renault has announced that it is acquiring a 25 per cent share in Jedlix – a Dutch start-up specialising in smart charging for electric vehicles.

Together, the two companies will develop new offers for the electric vehicle users, based on Jedlix’s expertise in smart charging and its in-depth knowledge of the energy sector, along with the electric vehicle experience and skills of Renault.

Gilles Normand, senior vice president, Electric Vehicle, Renault said: “A pioneer in the electric vehicle market, Renault has confirmed its leadership position by developing innovative partnerships. With Jedlix, we will provide new services to make charging – and thus the use of electric vehicles – even more easy and affordable.”

As a result of this partnership, Renault is launching Z.E. Smart Charge, a new smartphone app. The app optimises the management of vehicle charges to benefit as much as possible from renewable energy and the lowest prices.

Users indicate the charge level they need and the departure time of their car. After supplying the minimum charge requested by the user, the app manages the rest of the charge in smart charging mode. In addition, Z.E. Smart Charge rewards users financially for being flexible about their charges. Every month, the user receives an amount, which could be equivalent of up to a complete charge.

Z.E. Smart Charge will be available in the Netherlands before the end of the year and will be rolled-out in other European countries in 2018. It can be used on all types of smartphones or tablets with iOS or Android operating systems.

READ MORE bit.ly/2wKAPqA

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

9

www.volkswagen.co.uk

The Golf.

With intelligent driver assists.

The futuristic Golf is packed with intelligent driver assist technology, such as Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist.

This helps you stay in control of the busy road ahead, before you contend with the busy day ahead.

We make the future real.

The Golf from £17,765 RRP. Model shown £27,950 RRP with optional metallic paint, 18” Jurva alloy wheels and LED headlights. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

Official fuel consumption figures for the model range in mpg (litres/100km): urban 29.4 (9.6) – 68.9 (4.1); extra urban 44.8 (6.3) – 74.3 (3.8); combined 37.6 (7.5) – 72.4 (3.9). Combined CO2 emissions 102 – 180/km.

News

CHARGING

KIA and Rolec EV to offer free home charge point installation KIA Motors and Rolec EV have launched a new initiative which will see KIA’s EV and PHEV customers receive a Rolec home charging point, fully installed, for free.

Customers purchasing a new KIA Soul EV, Optima PHEV, Optima Sports Wagon PHEV or Niro PHEV will qualify for the free Rolec home charge point.

Kieron Alsop, managing director of Rolec EV, commented: “We

are delighted to have joined with KIA Motors to offer their new EV customers free charging points.

“This free charge point installation offer has been made possible as a result of OLEV grant funding, further subsidised by the KIA Motors and Rolec EV partnership.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/yd3b2jfg

Air quality and carbon: are fleets the problem or the solution?

This was the question we tackled at the GreenFleet Arrive ‘n’ Drive workshop in September at Rockingham

DIESEL

Only one in three motorists sticking with diesel, research finds A study released by Kwik Fit has found that only one in six (16 per cent) of those considering a new car in the next two years are planning on buying a diesel, compared to 42 per cent opting for petrol, 19 per cent choosing a hybrid, and eight per cent preparing to go fully electric.

More than half (51 per cent) of diesel car owners are considering changing their car in the next two years. However, of the 11.4 million drivers whose main car is a diesel, only just over a third (36 per cent) will choose another diesel car. In contrast, almost half (46 per cent) will switch to other engine types – 19 per cent to hybrids, 18 per cent to petrol and 9 per cent to electric motors.

The research found that some car buyers could be tempted to opt for the latest diesel models. However, they would need hefty discounts to do so.

The average motorist would want a new diesel car to be 18.4 per cent cheaper than the petrol equivalent for them to consider buying it. Those who currently drive a diesel would not need as large an incentive to stick with a diesel car, but would still want an average 13.5 per cent off the windscreen sticker price, compared to the 21.7 per cent discount wanted

LowCVP’s Andy Eastlake

by the average petrol car driver.

Thirty-five per cent say they would not buy a new diesel car, no matter how cheap it was. Conversely, 12 per cent, or 5.9 million people, say that they would not need any discount compared to a petrol version to consider a new diesel car. This is over three times more likely to be the case for current diesel drivers than those with petrol cars (27 per cent v 8 per cent).

Kwik Fit’s study also looked at whether motorists felt that the recent announcement by the government of its plan to eradicate petrol and diesel cars by 2040 was an achievable goal.

The nation is even split on the issue, with 45 per cent saying that it is likely that the government will achieve its plan and 42 per cent believing it is unlikely (17 per cent think it is extremely unlikely).

Those drivers who have experience of alternative fuel are much more positive about reaching the target – 74 per cent of hybrid drivers and 81 per cent of those with electric cars think the government will achieve its aim.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ydhwapfv

Though Britain’s air quality has been improving steadily for some time (most pollutants have been on a steady downward trajectory since 1990), it has not been improving fast enough in the worst affected areas. The science around health impacts has become more focused and some of its findings alarming.

Nitrogen oxides and particulates, and particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2) have been singled out as the primary exceedances in terms of impacts on human health, particularly of the young, the old and the most vulnerable.

This year’s government Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations, was the latest response to increasing pressure to deal with air pollution. A new Clean Growth Plan, expected to be announced soon by BEIS, will provide more evidence – if any is needed – of the direction of travel.

Coming back to my original question and the workshop, I think we established that green fleets are definitely one of the quickest ways to a solution to our urban AQ problems and to reducing carbon. The emission standard required has been clearly set (Euro VI and Euro 6), but reaching these levels without completely renewing the whole fleet can be challenging and needs a variety of approaches.

Switching key vehicles to new technologies with low or zero emission capability is obviously one of the options, but cost and the availability of suitable vehicle choices (particularly for larger vehicles) may be unsurpassable barriers for many operations right now.

Thankfully, other possibilities are now available. Working with the Government’s Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) the LowCVP has identified and assessed some of the most effective vehicle retrofit technologies capable of making a near-term impact on air pollution in Britain.

Using the LowCVP’s analysis, a new £30m government grant scheme – the Clean Bus Technology Fund – is now open to local authorities in England and Wales who are looking to implement accredited, rapid, cost-effective and reliable emissions-reduction retrofit programmes in bus fleets. LowCVP are championing the need for a similar scheme for freight operators, for which similar retrofit technologies can be suitable and will be accredited.

LowCVP has just published its Evaluation Report on the previous Clean Vehicle Technology Fund (CVTF) and Clean Bus Technology Fund (CBTF) Programmes to assess a range of retrofit technologies tested through these public grant schemes.

Our work has shown that very large NOx emission reductions (85-95 per cent) can be obtained through retrofit SCR after-treatment systems as well as diesel bus engine conversion to use an electric or gas powertrain. Some smaller but significant (25-29 per cent) improvements can also be achieved by retrofit thermal management and flywheel hybrid technologies.

Working with the Energy Saving Trust (EST), we’ve developed the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) which will enable fleets with vehicles operating mainly in urban areas to be fitted with proven emissions-control solutions.

Read more on the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme on page 44.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.lowcvp.org.uk

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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News

Don’t be idle this winter

GOVERNMENT FLEETS

Indian government set to buy 10,000 electric Tata Motors In a bid to start replacing petrol and diesel, the Indian government has said that it will buy 10,000 electric vehicles from Tata Motors.

According to Reuters, the new vehicles will be used to replace government vehicles over the next three to four years.

The number of vehicles used by government agencies at the moment stands at 500,000.

Tata Motors will supply the vehicles in two phases starting

in November. Nissan and India’s Mahindra & Mahindra had also bid for the contract.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ycvx3kfu

AIR QUALITY

All Londoners are being exposed to dangerous toxic air The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has released new research which reveals that every Londoner in the capital lives in an area exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the most dangerous toxic particles known as PM2.5.

The research, based on the latest updated London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, also shows that 7.9 million Londoners – nearly 95 per cent of the capital’s population – live in areas of London that exceed the guidelines by 50 per cent or more.

The Mayor released the damning report as he delivered a keynote speech at the ‘Every Journey, Every Child’ Conference at City Hall and signed the capital up to the Breathe Life coalition organised by WHO, UN Environment and Clean Climate and Clean Air Coalition, to connect similar world cities, combine expertise, share best practice and work together to improve air quality.

Khan, said: “This research is another damning indictment of the toxic air that all Londoners are forced to breathe every day.

It’s sickening to know that not a single area of London meets World Health Organisation health standards, but even worse than that, nearly 95 per cent of the capital is exceeding these

12

guidelines by at least 50 per cent.

We should be ashamed that our young people – the next generation of Londoners – are being exposed to these tiny particles of toxic dust that are seriously damaging their lungs and shortening their life expectancy.

“I understand this is really difficult for Londoners, but that’s why I felt it was so important that I made this information public so people really understand the scale of the challenge we face in London.

“I am doing everything in my powers to significantly reduce NOx emissions by introducing the T-Charge to drive down the number of dirty vehicles polluting our roads and our lungs and implementing an Ultra Low Emission Zone with even tighter standards.

“I also urge the government to devolve powers to me so I can get on with tackling the dangerous toxic air particles – known as PM2.5 – that we know come from construction sites and wood burning stoves. It’s measures like these that we need to get on with now to protect our children and our children’s children.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y8844xh6

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

Last month saw a huge amount of activity around the Road Haulage Association’s ‘Love The Lorry’ campaign and as members of this invaluable organisation, Engine Carbon Clean ran our own initiative by offering fleet managers the chance for a first-hand demonstration of our service and the benefits it provides to vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

With fuel costs and emission levels continuing to be a headache for fleet operators up and down the country, we enjoyed having the opportunity to discuss how we work together with fleet and transport managers to maximise vehicle efficiency across their fleet, and ultimately help with the operational bottom line. Often it’s a case of not knowing the technology is out there and the difference it can make, but the word is spreading fast.

Which is just as well as we seem to be hurtling into winter once again! This brings additional challenges to fleet operators, but a few vital checks and having vehicle and staff procedures in place can make all the difference.

Top of the list should be checking tyre treads, screen wash, coolant and fuel levels as well as lights and the battery, to ensure each vehicle is ready for the open road and the winter weather ahead.

All fleet operators know that idling causes wear and tear on the engine and uses up a significant amount of fuel, up to 4.5 litres an hour. As idling often increases in frequency during winter with drivers using the engine for warmth and light, the resulting increase in fuel will no doubt impact profitability.

Furthermore, idling creates pollutants that can be harmful both to your driver’s health as well as the surrounding environment, the biggest offender being carbon dioxide.

According to the Environmental Media Association (EMA), the pollutants caused by idling have been linked with health issues such as asthma, heart disease and other allergies, so reducing the amount of idling particularly in winter, will be a positive step for both driver and operator.

Whether you are a one-van courier company or a large national network, it’s essential to take care of your fleet using a combination of common sense and maintenance technology to address these issues, whatever the season.

Adrian Charles is director at Engine Carbon Clean East Midlands. With a degree in chemistry and extensive automotive knowledge, Adrian is the lead advisor at Engine Carbon Clean FURTHER INFORMATION www.enginecarbonclean.com Author: Adrian Charles, Engine Carbon Clean

Commercial Vehicle News

FREIGHT

Companies urged to compete for funding in a bid to reduce freight emissions Businesses are being urged to compete for up to £15 million of funding to develop technology to reduce harmful emissions from freight.

Road minister Jesse Norman has asked UK businesses to lead research into low‑emission technology for lorries, as well as cars and vans. The projects could see materials which make vehicles lighter, or improve the efficiency of engines or batteries. Norman said: “We have made important progress in lowering emissions and are always looking at further ways of improving air quality.

“Lorries cause a third of the UK’s transport CO2 emissions and simple new technologies can have the greatest impact in reducing the harmful pollutants of freight.

“This funding will give UK companies the chance to lead the world in developing important innovations to improve air quality across the country.”

The competition has been developed with Innovate UK and will help the government achieve its ambition to be a global leader in electric vehicle technology and to see all new vehicles emission-free by 2040.

The first of the projects in the government’s low emission freight and logistics trial, announced earlier this year, are now using new electric and hydrogen dual-fuel vehicles on our roads. By mid-2018, more than 300 of these low-emission vehicles will be on UK roads.

The competition is open for applications.

Details of how to apply will be published on the Innovate UK website.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y7vumt9f

FUNDING

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Volvo Trucks backs gas as its future fuel Volvo Trucks will be intensifying its development of gas-powered trucks for heavy regional and long-haul operations, as it believes liquefied natural gas or biogas can drastically reduce CO2 emissions from heavy trucks.

“Many of our customers and their clients already work hard to reduce their environmental footprint. Our vision is that trucks from Volvo will eventually have zero emissions, although the way of achieving that is not by one single solution but rather through several solutions in parallel,” said Lars Mårtensson, Director Environment and Innovation at Volvo Trucks.

“Natural gas is a fossil fuel, but it can produce 20 per cent lower CO2 emissions than diesel, while renewable BioGas reduces the overall impact further. It is used primarily in industrial operations, but has excellent prerequisites for being a competitive vehicle fuel.”

By using methane in liquid form, it is possible to carry larger quantities of fuel and thus ensure the necessary operating range for long-haul assignments. Both natural gas and biogas consist largely of methane, which is

a potent greenhouse gas. This makes it particularly important to minimise the risk of gas leakage during transport, refuelling and operation of the vehicle.

“While biogas is thus far only produced in limited quantities, the long-term availability of natural gas is excellent from a global perspective, which will aid short term large-scale expansion, as is a competitive price,” he added.

In many European countries, natural gas costs less than diesel.

A strategy for expanding LNG infrastructure is also included in the European Commission’s and member states’ action packages for securing Europe’s long-term energy supply.

“All told, this makes liquefied gas the best widely available alternative for heavy transport. What is needed now is gas-powered trucks that can compete with diesel in terms of performance and fuel consumption, and continued expansion of LNG infrastructure,” said Mårtensson.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y8ujvpwu

Humza Yousaf: “It is incredibly encouraging to see the steps that are being taken by the industry to get more Euro 6 engine and electric vehicles on to the road”

£1.4 million awarded for next round of Scottish Green Bus Funding A further £1.4 million has been awarded through the Scottish Green Bus Fund (SGBF) as part of the Scottish Government’s plans to reduce transport emissions.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf announced the details of this latest round of funding for public bus services during a visit to Lothian Buses in Edinburgh.

Yousaf said: “I am delighted to announce that £1.4 million has been awarded in the latest round of the Scottish Green Bus Fund, to support the purchase of 47 new buses between four companies.

“Through seven rounds of the SGBF, the Scottish Government has awarded £16.2 million, resulting in 362 new low carbon emission buses within the Scottish fleet.

“This is all part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions in transport and improve air quality. We are committed to increasing the use of public transport in

Scotland and to meeting our ambitious climate change target of reducing carbon emissions by 42 per cent by 2020.

“It is incredibly encouraging to see the steps that are being taken by the industry to get more Euro 6 engine and electric vehicles on to the road. We know that a Euro 6 bus produces 95 per cent less Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), than a Euro 5 and the particulate emissions are also better.

“I hope that many more bus operators continue to take advantage of similar funding in the future, so that companies and communities can both benefit from modern low emission vehicles.”

Deveron Coaches, Lothian Buses, HITRANS and First Glasgow were all successful in 2017 bids.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y9kr4owr Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Commercial Vehicle News

FREIGHT TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION

ELECTRIC LCVS

Nissan unveils longer range e-NV200 van Nissan has made a series of announcements at its Nissan Futures 3.0 event in Oslo, furthering its electric vehicle plans.

The manufacturer revealed at the event, that the new e-NV200 van has a 60 per cent extended range of up to 174 miles. This has been achieved with no increase in size of the battery itself, with no compromise in either load space or payload.

It is equipped with an upgraded 40kWh battery and will be available to order before the end of 2017.

Nissan also explained its infrastructure plans, including how it will expand Europe’s largest fast charger infrastructure network by 20 per cent, and announcing 1,000 additional quick charger installations – from over next 18 months, taking the total up to 5,600.

Nissan went on to announce the commercial launch of new 7kW double-speed charger

for the home, new 22kW charger for business, and 100 per cent renewable energy storage & charging unit.

Nissan also revealed an initiative to offer customers free power for its EVs. Using Nissan bi-directional charging, customers can draw energy from the grid to power their car or van and then ‘sell’ back to the grid for others to use. This means, the installation of a V2G charger has been paid, there are no fuel or energy costs.

In addition, a UK collaboration with OVO was revealed, which will allow customers to purchase an xStorage home energy unit at a discounted price enabling them to ‘sell’ back energy to the grid. It can result in an additional expected income for users averaging £350 / €400 per year.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y9autufk Upgraded Nissan e-NV200 has a 40kWh battery

BUS FLEETS

Liverpool to benefit from electric bus routes The Liverpool City Region is set to have commercial electric bus routes later this month when 12 electric buses are introduced.

This is part of a £21 million investment from Arriva Merseyside, as part of plans to improve air quality in the area.

The buses will travel on the City Centre Circular Routes 26 and 27, known as ‘The Belt’ which run from the city centre through Everton Valley, Anfield and Kensington. The 12 buses

have been part-funded through a £5 million sum awarded through the government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles, in partnership with Merseytravel.

The BYD ADL Enviro200EV single deck pure electric buses will join the 51 hybrid and 9 gas buses that came into Arriva’s fleet earlier this year.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/y8ajzuj7

FTA leads the call for clear government definition of ULETs The Freight Transport Association is calling on the government to issue a clear definition of what it considers to be an ultra-low emission truck.

Rebecca Kite, climate change policy manager, FTA

The move comes as ministers launch a competition to encourage UK businesses to become world leaders in research into ultra-low emission technologies for lorries, as well as cars and vans. The funding forms part of government ambitions for all new UK vehicles to be emission‑free by 2040.

Since the successful development of ULETs will undoubtedly be a key element in government plans, FTA, which represents more than 16,000 logistics businesses nationwide, has approached the Department for Transport requesting clarification of a formal definition of a ULET vehicle. Industry needs clear guidelines on what will be required, to ensure businesses have the confidence to invest in innovative technology which will be acceptable under new guidelines. Otherwise operators will face the concern that any purchases or investments may not meet future regulatory requirements.

It is also vital that government provides adequate plans and investment for the new infrastructure which will be needed to support this future, cleaner, logistics fleet.

Companies must be sure that adequate refuelling and recharging capacity is planned to allow the widespread operation of ultra-low emission vehicles. Without these key first steps, uptake of new low-emission vehicles, however swiftly they are developed, is likely to be slow.

This new round of research funding, which will be open for applications until mid-December, is the 14th competition in the joint Innovate UK and OLEV integrated delivery programme. Firms will be able to win up to £15 million for projects to develop technology which will help to reduce emissions from freight transport. Potential projects could include new materials to make vehicles lighter, or improving the efficiency of engines and batteries.

Innovate UK says applications should focus on zero emission or zero emission capable medium and heavy goods vehicles, including projects focused on electrifying the main traction power system, auxiliary power systems and vehicle bodies or trailers.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles and Innovate UK have invested more than £300 million in the research and development of ultra-low emission vehicle technologies and have secured a further £200 million of private sector investment.

Over recent years FTA has led calls for additional government funding to support the development of viable low-emission technology for HGVs. The government has praised our ongoing commitment to improving emissions from all freight vehicles and the voluntary members of our Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme have outperformed the rest of the industry in reducing commercial vehicle emissions.

The competition opened on 21st September and closes on 13th December. Details of how to apply are on the Innovate UK website.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.fta.co.uk www.fta.co.uk/lcrs

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

15

Electric Vehicles Written by Sandra Roling, head of EV100

The business community driving electric vehicles

EV100 is a new global initiative gathering companies that pledge to electrify their fleet by 2030 and use their collective influence and buying power to stimulate the electric vehicle market Judging on recent news headlines fleets to electric vehicles and offering alone, it is clear that the momentum charging stations to staff and customers. behind electro-mobility is growing.

Keeping in mind that transport is one of the With the announcements by countries like largest and fastest growing sources of GHG France, China and the UK setting timelines emissions – as well as a major source of the for the end of the internal combustion air pollution that is becoming an increasing engine and automakers including health concern in cities around the Volvo, Volkswagen and Jaguar world – their leadership is a key Land Rover pledging to offer determinant of how far and how electric or hybrid versions quickly we can make electric Since s e s s across their whole model transport the new normal. e n busi e ranges, the transition At The Climate Group, g r a l a e t a r has certainly begun. our mission is to speed e p o of all d, n What some may not up climate action. We o i t r o a p have noticed is that to drive the pace, n the ros are work o s e l c global companies, scale and ambition i h e i e n v too, are going “all in” of climate initiatives compa EV100 up to deliver to limit warming to for electro‑mobility, transitioning their well below 2°C and signing nable

i a susta re futu

16

ensure a prosperous future for all. We do this by working with leading businesses and sub‑national governments globally, supporting them to commit to our low carbon initiatives and then turn those commitments into action.

A campaign for action At Climate Week NYC (18-24 September), we launched a corporate leadership initiative called EV100 – the only initiative of its kind to encourage global businesses to make commitments on electric transport. By using companies’ collective global buying power and influence to build demand and cut costs, EV100 aims to speed the transition to electric vehicles across the world.

The first ten members to join the new campaign include Baidu, Deutsche Post DHL Group, Heathrow Airport, HP, IKEA Group, LeasePlan, METRO AG, PG&E Corporation, Unilever and Vattenfall.

Joiners make a public commitment to transition their vehicle use to EVs and/ or roll-out charging infrastructure for their staff and customers at all relevant premises by 2030. By setting out their future EV purchasing requirements on an ambitions timescale, these big purchasers can drive mass roll-out, reduce costs, and make electric cars more affordable for everyone around the world at a much faster pace.

Since businesses operate a large portion of all registered vehicles on the road, companies who commit to EV100 are signing up to deliver the sustainable future that is in all of our interests, positioning themselves as the frontrunners that will

Electric Vehicles

EV100 members are future-proofing their businesses against a growing body of international and domestic climate and air quality initiatives by ensuring their operations are well ahead of the low‑carbon curve

Sandra Roling, head of EV100

By using companies’ collective global buying power and influence to build demand and cut costs, EV100 aims to speed the transition to electric vehicles across the world shape a crucial future market at the same time. In addition, EV100 also offers members a collaborative platform to jointly engage with policy makers and other stakeholders to actively address the remaining barriers.

The business case For EV100 companies, the business case to encourage the switch to EV is clear.

Especially for fleets with high usage rates, total cost of ownership for EVs can already be significantly lower due to savings on fuel, maintenance and repair.

Our members are also future-proofing their businesses against a growing body of international and domestic climate and air quality initiatives by ensuring that their operations are well ahead of the low‑carbon curve. They are also meeting the expectations of their staff who we have found are increasingly expectant of their employers to help them act on their own individual convictions about climate change.

Through their pledges, members of the campaign are sending a strong market signal that there will be mass demand for electric vehicles by 2030, or before. This sets the automotive industry a compelling challenge to deliver more EVs sooner and at a lower

cost, as well as to policy makers to keep developing favourable regulatory conditions.

An electric commitment LeasePlan’s CEO Tex Gunning said: “Electric vehicles are what’s next. We’re therefore delighted to become a founding partner of the EV100 initiative and to work with some of the world’s largest companies on speeding up and facilitating the switch to electric mobility. Together, we can have a significant impact: over half the cars on the road today belong to companies.

“We’re also very proud to announce that LeasePlan’s own employee fleet will be going electric, making us the first major leasing company to make the switch. Our ambition is to have all our employees driving electric cars by 2021. We encourage other companies to do the same: making the transition to an electric fleet is one of the easiest ways for businesses to lower their emissions and to help tackle climate change.”

IKEA’s Pia Heidenmark Cook said: “IKEA Group wants to show that a transition to electric vehicles is possible, bringing benefits for both the global climate and the local environment around our stores.

That’s why we are excited to join EV100 as

founding members, and accelerate the change towards more sustainable transportation.”

Wang Lu, Vice President at Baidu, said: “We are delighted to be the first Chinese company to join EV100. As one of the world’s leading IT companies, we are inspired to create a better future for all through technology innovation, and are committed to sustainability across our business operations. We have already made significant progress in promoting low carbon electromobility. We hope that other Chinese companies will follow our lead.”

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, and ambassador for the EV100 campaign added: “This is going to be as or more important than the digital revolution.”

For EV100 members, the electric future is already underway and the business community is taking the initiative to drive the transition. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.theclimategroup.org

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

17

Electric Vehicles Written by Angela Pisanu

With support from

EV ROUNDTABLE People widely overestimate how much they drive on a daily basis. This, as well as issues with charging, are two of the biggest barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption, according to delegates at GreenFleet’s EV roundtable discussion, which took place at London’s iconic Tower Bridge on 15 September People need a better understanding of their driving habits and what they need a car to actually do, believes Ben Wicks from Go Ultra Low, a government-industry campaign that promotes electric vehicles. He said: “Research has found that the average daily commute is less than 10 miles. If an electric vehicle can do around 170 miles in the real world, that is a lot of distance before needing to recharge, and more than capable of doing the average daily commute.”

Chris Chandler, principal consultant from Lex Autolease echoed this thought, saying that people use that “special occasion” to justify not buying an electric car, such as driving to France once a year. He said: “You need to start off with your usual driving requirements, then you think about the exceptions, without basing your decision on them.”

Challenges surrounding electric vehicles Ben and Chris were joined by Matthew Morgan from EV charging infrastructure specialists the Phoenix Works, and fleet operators from Leeds City Council, London Ambulance Service, Jersey Post, Gnewt Cargo, and Babcock International. The roundtable opened up discussions about the challenges surrounding electric vehicles and allowed delegates to share experiences and gain advice. The event was chaired by John Curtis, a motoring journalist who headed up the Scottish Government’s approach to policy for low carbon vehicles and transport.

Ben continued to explain why charging – or people’s perception of charging – is a major barrier. He said: “People think they need to charge an electric vehicle every single day. But you don’t go to the petrol station every single day, so why do you need to charge your car every single day? Again, it’s down to understanding driving habits.”

“The best way to get people to open their minds to electric vehicles is to get them to try them,” Ben continued. “There remains a public perception that EVs are like milk

18

Chris Chandler, principal consultant, Lex Autolease Chris has spent 25 years helping organisations of all sizes to run more efficiently and cost‑effectively.

Since 1996, he has provided strategic fleet management consultancy to clients in a wide range of industries, with a focus on optimising operations.

Chris is a recognised expert in sustainable transport and alternative fuels.

Matthew Morgan, operations director, The Phoenix Works Matthew is operations director at The Phoenix Works, a national renewable energy installation company specialising in electric vehicle charging, solar PV systems and battery storage solutions.

A qualified electrician, Matthew has seven years’ experience designing, installing and maintaining systems for customers from all market sectors.

Ben Wicks, senior campaign manager, Go Ultra low Ben has been working in PR and communications for more than eight years and has worked on the Go Ultra Low campaign for the past two and a half years. As senior campaign manager he oversees its social media, PR and content delivery, as well as the extensive fleet communications campaign. floats and it’s a really hard barrier to get past. When you get people in these cars, they get a big smile on their face. Yes you don’t get the revving petrol engine, but you’ve got to move with the times and look at how technology is going to improve our lives.”

Public charging infrastructure The public infrastructure was raised for discussion at the event. There are around 7,493 charging devices in the UK, according to Zap Map and this number needs to grow in order to make public charging

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

more practical. There are also issues with the interoperability of the different charge points, and the fact that a charge point may be occupied when you need it.

Given these limitations, the question was raised as to whether fleets need to rely on the public charging infrastructure, or if they get by with work and home charging.

Chris Rutherford, fleet commercial manager at London Ambulance Service NHS Trust said the organisation would not be reliant on public charging, unless it was just for opportunity charging. “Even if it’s just our support fleet

rather than frontline,” explains Chris, “if a general station manager needs to do GP or hospital visits and all the local public chargers are being used, then that person is going to be stuck and the vehicle becomes useless.”

Chris from Lex Autolease said: “We advise fleets that if they have got a charger at home and at work, that is what you should be reliant on. Using the public infrastructure is not a problem if it is only occasional, but if you are reliant on it, it can become a barrier by stopping you from doing your work.

That is when you get the nightmare stories about running out of charge and charge bays being occupied.

And it’s these stories that spread 50 times quicker than if an electric journey went well.”

Ashley Grainger, project manager from Gnewt Cargo, an all-electric last mile delivery firm in London, explained that their vans do on average six or seven miles a day, so they don’t need a full charge every time. The firm has therefore recently invested in smart chargers from the Phoenix Works which will stagger demand and schedule charges.

Darren Moon, operations manager at Jersey Post explains that drivers of their electric vans are eager to take the vehicles home and are therefore happy to charge at home and pay for it.

The firm also has wall chargers in the

company car park which benefits from discounted overnight electricity.

Interoperability Not only is there a limited public coverage of charging bays, they also need to be interoperable so that drivers can use any charge point without having to register first.

John Curtis asked the question of whether fleets can use their collective power and influence to put pressure on the government to make public charging a “national resource” with one card for charging on any network in any part of the country.

Andrew Hickford from Leeds City Council echoed this thought, asking why contactless payment technologies could not be put in place so that you can pay for charging at any device, with the money going to the appropriate provider.

Matthew Morgan explained that private investment was encouraged in this market in the early days, and for these companies to make it work, they needed a return on investment, hence the plethora of different networks, devices, and tariffs. “Contactless credit card readers involve expensive hardware costs, transaction costs and merchant bank costs,” Matthew added.

Lex’s Chris said that while different providers competing for a part of the market is understandable, there should have been E

Do eed fleets nn the to rely oharging c public ture, or can uc infrastr get by with they nd home work a ging? char

Matthew Morgan Operations director & electric vehicle charging / infrastructure specialist, the Phoenix Works Chris Chandler Principal consultant, Lex Autolease

Electric Vehicles

Event delegates

Lauren Pamma Head of fleet consultancy, Lex Autolease Ben Wicks Senior campaign manager, Go Ultra Low Darren Moon Operations manager, Jersey Post Ashley Grainger Project manager, Gnewt Cargo Andrew Hickford Project manager, Projects Programmes & Procurement Unit, Leeds City Council Chris Rutherford Fleet commercial manager, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Michael Cook Senior fleet engineer, Babcock International Group John Curtis Event chair, motoring journalist

19

23 November

2017

Recognising environmental pioneers in fleet management

www.greenfleetawards.co.uk www.greenfleetawards.co.uk Closing date for entries: 20 October 2017

Join us on the fleet industry’s big night: book a place, just £195 plus VAT pp Book a full table for 10: just £1,495 plus VAT To book your places and for other options, call Colin Boyton on 020 8532 5704 or email colin.boyton@psigroupltd.co.uk

Electric Vehicles

With support from

For those that live in urban areas with no possibility of home charging, such as in a flat, there are additional challenges to owning an electric vehicle  some central guidance in place stating that charge providers had to “comply with a certain format or billing system”.

The issue of interoperability was included in the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill, and new laws addressing such issues should come into place within two years.

Ben Wicks explains what this means: “The bill should address some of the issues we’ve been talking about. It gives the government power to legislate charging companies to have an open system so that you have one card that works with any system, whether it be a contactless credit card or one membership card.”

For those that live in urban areas with no possibility of home charging, there are additional challenges to owning an electric vehicle and reliance on a good public charging network is crucial.

Chris from Lex Autolease pointed out that it was predicted that urban areas, such as London, would be a big market for EVs. But in actual fact, it’s places like Scotland where there are favourable incentives for EVs, or Milton Keynes, which has a good charging infrastructure, where the market has really taken off.

end the sale of all new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040.

At the time, there was lot of misinformation about what this meant. It did not mean that petrol and diesel would disappear. The key word in the announcement was ‘conventional’ and what it meant was that all new cars from 2040 will have an element of electrification – either full electric, hybrid or will be run on another type of greener fuel. So for those using hybrids, the use of petrol and diesel will continue, as it will for larger commercial vehicles and HGVs where electrification is not viable.

Ben Wicks said: “There was a lot of misrepresentation when the announcement came out, saying we were going to ban petrol and diesel from the roads. This is not true, we will be ending the sale of new traditional petrol and diesel cars.”

Ben believes that many of us will be driving a hybrid in the future and if technology advances to a stage when EV batteries can do over 300 miles, then a greater proportion of us will be in pure EVs. However “there will still be a need for petrol and diesel as part of the overall car park”, Ben says.

‘Ending’ petrol and diesel In July 2017, the government announced as part of its air quality plans that it would

Residual values The topic of residual values was raised during the roundtable. Michael Cook from Babcock

International Group, a company that provides engineering support for the emergency services, said that while the company has an appetite for electric vehicles, they don’t have the confidence in their residual values. For a company that purchases its vehicles outright, this is a big factor.

It is battery degradation that causes residual values in electric vehicles to be low. But there is inherent value in an electric car because of its battery, and this will result in residual values increasing for EVs, according to Matthew Morgan.

He said: “There are companies that are buying second life EV batteries and using them as battery storage. I know a company that bought several thousand batteries from a manufacturer before they even had been made and put in a car yet.”

Chris Chandler added that: “It is still early days for the EV market and with residuals.

As a leasing company we know that because we take out the residual value risk.

But the more we are learning, the more positive we can be about residuals.”

The electric vehicle roundtable discussion also covered the issue of grid overload, renewable energy, and how electric vehicles can work even without subsidies and grants.

These topics will be covered in the next three issues of GreenFleet. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.goultralow.com www.thephoenixworks.com www.lexautolease.co.uk www.everwarmgroup.com

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

21

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UK gas infrastructure Kiwa Ltd were one of, if not the first organisation in the UK to promote such a re-purposing of the UK gas infrastructure.

This led to trials on the comparative safety of hydrogen and natural gas in the home followed by the famous Leeds H21 study which looked at converting the whole of the City of Leeds to hydrogen.

This would require conversion of all new combi boilers, gas cookers and gas fires, but such a conversion has been done before in the 1970s from Town Gas to Natural Gas. The number of appliances today is very similar to those converted previously.

Costs are substantial but less than other options currently suggested.

Conversion of Leeds (~260,000 meter points) with hydrogen produced at Teesside by the removal of the carbon atom from natural gas (the SMR process) and burial of the resulting carbon dioxide in the North Sea (termed CCS) would cost about £2 billion. It would achieve ~75 per cent carbon reduction. This compares favourably with Hinkley Point C at £18 billion.

Hydrogen refuelling stations could be fed by simple gas mains (at 4bar) running from re-purposed gas grids. While it is appreciated that the hydrogen would need to be cleaned up to fuel cell grade, and compressed to vehicle pressure, such a conversion is considered relatively routine and is the topic of ongoing work.

Bulk hydrogen route The great advantage of the bulk hydrogen route for the UK through the existing gas infrastructure is its ability to de-carbonise heat, process and transport using one easily storable vector. Several hundred tonnes of hydrogen have been stored under Teesside since the 1970’s and new hydrogen storage caverns are regularly washed out in Texas.

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Hydrogen expertise Kiwa Ltd is an expert in Hydrogen and at the forefront of all these developments.

The UK is supported by the wider Kiwa group of 4,500 employees worldwide in 40 countries, including a large hydrogen vehicle component test facility in the Netherlands, which acts as a technical office for European vehicle certification authorities.

The laboratories can test and certify hydrogen tanks and vehicle components to EC79:2009, GTR No. 13, and ECE 134 along with hydrogen fuel cells to the full EN 62282 suite of standards. We also provide vehicle pre-shipment inspections, offer advice on hydrogen vehicle garaging and safety inspections of HRS installations.

A Notified Body under the Gas Appliance Regulations, Kiwa has extensive experience of hydrogen appliance inspection, field trials, consultancy and thought leadership in the practical and safe application of hydrogen.

It has advised BEIS and the Climate Change Committee on the national use of hydrogen.

It is a Notified Body under the EUETS. It is currently advising all the UK gas distribution networks on the potential demand for hydrogen in the 10 largest cities in the UK. Kiwa Ltd can provide a service for all parts of the hydrogen supply chain from SMR to sofa, and electrolyser to wheel.

Please call – we would welcome the conversation to make the conversion. L FURTHER INFORMATION enquiries@kiwa.co.uk Tel: 01242 677877

22

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

The UK has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050, and aims to for almost every car to be zero emission by 2040.

Hydrogen not only represents an excellent route to delivering against these targets, but also offers a range of complementary benefits: hydrogen‑fuelled vehicles require very little change of behaviour by the driver; the cars are filled in five minutes, filling up at a conventional forecourt and generally requiring little or no change to vehicle use habits. Importantly for the UK’s energy system, the hydrogen can be sourced or made from a variety of locally generated routes, off peak, which will complement renewable electricity generation, and avoid the significant adverse impacts on the national grid and local electricity distribution networks.

Hyundai, Toyota and Honda already have Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) in production, with Kia, Nissan, BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz intending to roll out their vehicles by 2020.

Types of hydrogen fuelled vehicles There are a range of hydrogen fuelled

Finally there are heavy duty goods vehicles currently available in the UK. vehicles (including refuse trucks) which Fuel cell passenger cars (OEM supplied or are dual fuel hydrogen and diesel. niche vehicles) are 100 per cent hydrogen Fleets already using hydrogen‑fuelled powered – owned by a range of public sector, vehicles include Green Tomato Cars (a commercial operators and private individuals.

London taxi firm), Commercial Group There are also passenger car (a business service specialist), derived electric vans with The Europcar (a car rental company) fuel cell range extension, Hydrog Transport for London (TfL), mainly electric with en and various local councils. small “top-up” T r To date there are over quantities of hydrogen, Programansport a dozen public access owned as above. m e a expand ims to refuelling stations for Fuel cell buses of hydr the network hydrogen, including are also available. ogen re Cobham Services on They are 100 per fuelling the stations M25 and several cent hydrogen ( H others around Greater powered – owned develop RS) and London, and as far and operated either by cell veh fuel North as Aberdeen, with local transport authorities icles Fife, Sheffield, Swindon and or commercial operators.

South Wales in between.

Large vans (1.8-3.5 tonne class) exist with dual fuel hydrogen £23m to develop hydrogen and diesel and are owned and operated vehicles and infrastructure by the public sector or companies.

While vehicle numbers are low, and the awareness for hydrogen as an alternative to long range BEV is at its early stage, support is needed to help build sufficient infrastructure to make hydrogen a more natural choice for operators. Doing just that, the Office for Low Emission Vehicles E

Written by Amanda Lyne, Chair of the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association

The £23 million government fund to develop hydrogen vehicles and infrastructure will go some way towards providing a national coverage of hydrogen refuelling stations that should widen the scope of zero emission vehicles, writes Amanda Lyne, chair of the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association

The UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (UK HFCA) works to ensure that fuel cell and hydrogen energy can realise the many benefits offered across economic growth, energy security, carbon reduction and beyond. Through the breadth, expertise and diversity of its membership, UK HFCA works to trigger the policy changes required for the UK to fully deliver the opportunities offered by these clean energy solutions and associated elements of the supply chain.

Alternative Fuels

More options for zero emissions

About the HFCA

23

Alternative Fuels

Hydrogen fuel-cell unit developed to extend the range of electric vans

OLEV recently launched a £23 million Hydrogen Transport Programme. Its aim is to expand the network of hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) in parallel with the deployment of fuel cell vehicles  (OLEV) recently launched a £23 million Hydrogen Transport Programme. Its aim is to expand the network of hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) in parallel with the deployment of fuel cell vehicles.

The programme is being taken forward via open competition for both HRS and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and the funding will be released in two stages. Stage 1 opened on 17 August, and closes on 16 October 2017.

The first stage will commit £9m to 50:50 match fund around seven new HRSs to be completed in 2018/19, plus captive fleets.

The second stage will commit £14 million to fund up to ten new HRSs plus captive fleets.

It is anticipated that the funding will be issued between November 2017 and May 2019. These additional stations will go some way towards providing a competitive national coverage for hydrogen infrastructure that should widen the scope of zero‑emission vehicles, for many more journeys.

What does the future hold?

Hydrogen is the only energy vector that is able to link a diverse range of energy generation sources with the various

24

components of energy demand. Hydrogen will provide the flexibility, connections and networks to make the new energy system work cleanly and cost effectively, through short term and long term (seasonal) renewable energy storage, clean fuel for transport, decarbonised heat and beyond.

As such, it offers a wide range of benefits, not only as a transport solution, but across the energy system as a whole.

As an example, at present over 1TWh of renewable electricity is being curtailed in the UK and this will increase as wind / solar penetration increases, due both to Transmission & Distribution constraints and growing grid stability concerns. If electrolysers were deployed to help utilise rather than waste this renewable electricity, then significant contributions could be made to the heat and mobility sectors.

For example, 1TWh of electricity produces nearly 18,000 tonnes of hydrogen, which is sufficient to fuel 90,000 FCEVs each travelling 12,000 miles per year, while causing zero local emissions and carbon dioxide.

This represents a more optimal solution than the use of batteries to store energy

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

A fuel cell based unit that will extend the range of a standard Nissan e-NV200 electric van has been developed by ULEMCo.

With the combination of the on‑board hydrogen storage and fuel cell module, the van will have a range of over 150 miles when fully loaded, satisfying the range requirements of most average daily delivery operations for this size of van.

ULEMCo’s power module has been engineered to provide additional energy to the vehicle so that the operational practicality of the full electric vehicle can be widened to cope with seasonal range variation, working lifetime, and the impact on range when fully loaded.

Using a 12kW fuel cell and 1.6kg/ day on-board hydrogen storage capability, the van will have almost twice the range of the standard e-NV200, measured to NEDC standards, without sacrificing load space capacity. ULEMCo’s fuel cell RX power module will be roof mounted, and provide motive power via the battery to support the drive load requirements for the base van.

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are specifically targeted to be eligible under the recently announced Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) support scheme. for use in traditional power applications, because the electrolyser operating profiles can better follow the surpluses of renewable electricity as they occur.

By comparison, BEVs use electricity from the grid. This puts immense pressure on grid capacity. A recent study by the Green Alliance warned that as few as six electric vehicles located near one another could lead to local grid brown-outs.

The UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (UK HFCA) believes that hydrogen vehicles will play a significant role in driving the ultra low emission revolution. Unlike BEVs, with sufficient refuelling stations, they do not cause range anxiety to drivers, they do not require behavioural change and do not compromise the stability of the electricity grid.

A ‘technology neutral’ approach to the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) agenda from the government will help to ensure that hydrogen can fulfil its promise and deliver benefits for consumers, the environment, the economy and energy security. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.ukhfca.co.uk

and the media filled with headlines of xoxoxoxo record high air pollution health warnings, the huge backlash against traditional diesel showsINFORMATION no signs of quieting down.

FURTHER Whilst we are all aware of the impact xxx heavy use of diesel has on the that environment, the reality is that we can’t just switch off our reliance on diesel overnight, especially for businesses whose fleets and machinery rely on it to keep moving.

So what is the solution?

Electrification is often regarded as the future of green and sustainable vehicles, with many commercial vehicle manufacturers recently announcing their intentions of going fully electric within the next decade.

However, the current state of technology means that electrification of entire fleets is simply not yet a viable option – reduced range, weight of vehicle issues, cost and availability of infrastructure to charge electric vehicles, all present challenges to efficiency and cost-effectiveness that make mass uptake in the technology unlikely.

Instead, at least in the short to medium term until battery technology and electrification infrastructure has developed further, there is a need to consider solutions that do not require huge levels of investment or cause activity to grind to a temporary halt. Certas Energy’s alternative fuel offering is Shell’s Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) fuel, which is a paraffinic fuel that is proven to lower levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by up to 40 per cent and particulate matter (PM) by up to 90 per cent compared to conventional diesel. It can be used in existing heavy-duty and light-duty diesel engines without the need for engine modifications, new infrastructure or vehicle investment, thus making it a practical, cost-effective and proven way to help improve air quality.

As the world transitions to lower emission mobility, paraffinic fuels such as Shell’s GTL, offer a readily available solution to make a positive impact on air quality and local emissions today. Since April 2016, paraffinic fuels have been officially recognised under the EN15940 standard. There are three main types of paraffinic fuels: hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), gas-to-liquid (GTL) and biomass‑to‑liquid (BTL). Trials on Shell GTL have shown that NOx emissions

Fuel compared to conventional diesel.

As a premium fuel, paraffinic fuel may cost slightly more than conventional diesel, but nowhere near as much as introducing catalytic converters and upgrading entire fleets or infrastructure that may become obsolete in a few years. For now, alternative fuels like Shell GTL present the most sensible and economical way for fleets to reduce emissions.

The selection of a cleaner burning fuel is not the only step that can be taken to improve efficiency and reduce a fleet’s environmental impact. Poor fuel efficiency, time consuming administration, bad driving habits and fuel card misuse are also all common causes of inefficient fleets that increases environmental impact.

Telematics in commercial vehicles The use of telematics in commercial vehicles has grown rapidly but the data will only help fleets become more efficient if analysed correctly. FuelTrace, a telematics solution from Certas Energy, uses GPS and mobile internet technology combined with onboard diagnostics to record information about a vehicle’s movements and performance, providing fleet managers with full visibility of their fleet, with support for fleet movements across Europe as standard. By applying the latest developments in user interface thinking, FuelTrace provides users with an easy to use platform that drives improvements in staff performance, fuel efficiency and duty of care, while also preventing fuel card fraud. When it comes to fleet management, saving time and cost is essential to gaining a competitive edge and fuel makes up a significant proportion of annual spend. FuelTrace can help reduce fuel costs by up to 25 per cent by monitoring speeding, idling and poor driving styles to improve safety and fuel efficiency. When used correctly, this invaluable data allows fleet managers to improve inefficiencies and get the most out of as little of possible, a powerful way of reducing fuel usage and emissions of an entire fleet of vehicles.

With over 90 per cent of goods consumed in the UK delivered by road, the haulage industry is the life-blood of the UK and Certas Energy is committed to supporting a more sustainable future for an industry under increasing pressure to become greener. L

Written by Advertisement Feature

An effective fuel management strategy can have a greater impact than simply pence per Udae–nonsend icidisquid quam elisimincim facepro etand et, sed litre it can help to reduce costs, improve efficiency also reduce the impact that harmful quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nos eumque laboribus emissions have on our environment and public health. Brian Worrall explains further et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae can be reduced by up to 37 per cent and With the UK’s air quality strategy looking Brian Worrall nimus tem ipsaest moluptatium PM by upes to net 90 peret cent with Shell GTL at ways toearibus, do-away with old diesel vehicles

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Brian Worrall is the Director of Corporate Affairs, using his expertise to facilitating Certas Energy to cement its status as an industry leader.

Joining Certas Energy in January 2014, Brian was brought on board following the firm’s rebrand from GB Oils in October 2013.

Previously, Brian was the former independent chairman of the Downstream Oil Distribution Forum and he has also held positions at Chevron and Valero, building up an extensive knowledge of the commercial, road, aviation and retail forecourt sectors. He is also a former President of the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association and a current Council member of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers. Brian has an excellent understanding of the issues currently affecting the fuel industry and played a key role in the development of the Petroleum Driver Passport, the first industry‑led driver training initiative. He was educated in Manchester, holding a PhD in History from Manchester University.

FURTHER INFORMATION For more information on Certas Energy and its products, such as Shell GTL Fuel and its telematics offering, FuelTrace, please visit www.certasenergy.co.uk

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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EV Batteries Written by Emma Richardson, environmental technology development co-ordinator at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

Today and tomorrow’s EV batteries and fuel cells Electric vehicle batteries and fuel cells can be viewed as competing technologies, but in reality both have a part to play in decarbonising transport. Emma Richardson from the National Physical Laboratory, looks at the challenges that both technologies face before full commercialisation can happen

The number of alternative fuel vehicles on the road is rapidly increasing. The Guardian recently reported a record 4.4 per cent of new cars sold in May 2017 were hybrid or pure electric models.

These vehicles – currently dominated by electric (powered by batteries) and fuel cell (powered by hydrogen) technologies – are becoming more popular as people become more aware of the impacts of urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the Royal College of Physicians, there are around 40,000 premature deaths annually attributed to illnesses relating to air quality. On top of health impacts, the transport sector also accounts for over 20 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

These are critical issues that require addressing, and have influenced the UK government’s recent announcement that the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned by 2040. As a result, car manufacturers have begun to shift their R&D focus towards low carbon technologies – the two leading technologies being batteries and fuel cells.

Electric vehicles EV penetration is currently less than two per cent in the UK, but the Committee on Climate Change predict that EVs could make up to 60 per cent of new car sales by 2030 (in their high uptake scenario).

Along with the government’s aspirations for a ban on carbon‑intensive vehicles and the launch of the Faraday Challenge, there are currently significant efforts being made to ensure the UK leads the world in the design, development and manufacture of batteries for the electrification of vehicles.

As the energy density of battery cells

26

A second life Recycling and re-use of batteries is also a major issue that is often overlooked. Batteries require the use of finite metals which need mining, therefore it is important that resources are used as efficiently as possible. NPL is developing standard test methods for automotive batteries at end-of‑life to make it easier to use them in second life applications, such as for grid storage. This will not only reduce the upfront cost of EVs, but ensure that the battery is being used to its full capacity.

It will take a concerted effort from industry, academia, government and research bodies to address the current challenges facing EVs, including high cost, limited range and a long recharging time. NPL have recently led a workshop with the UK battery community to attempt to bring together expertise in tackling these priority issues. The workshop aimed to identify and prioritise measurement issues facing UK manufacturing capability in next generation high energy density batteries and the outputs will be published in our upcoming report ‘Energy Transition: Measurement needs in the battery industry by the end of the year.

It will tak e an e industr ffort from y, govern academia, researc ment and address h bodies to the challen current facing Eges Vs

increases to meet the demanding requirements of emerging markets, including transport and also grid storage, the effectiveness of battery safety features becomes ever more critical. Thermal runaway of high energy density batteries is of increasing concern to manufacturers and end users, highlighted by the recent Samsung mobile phone fires and the grounding of the Boeing Dreamliner fleet a few years ago. Just one major incident of thermal runaway occurring in an EV could severely set back the industry.

NPL’s research into battery technologies is primarily focused on the development of in situ diagnostic techniques, modelling tools and standard test methods to better understand battery performance and degradation.

This is helping industry to develop cheaper, longer lasting and safer batteries.

Our recent research into failure mechanisms in Lithium-ion (Li-on) batteries – the kind you would find in smart phones, laptops and electric vehicles – has allowed, for the first time, 3D imaging of thermal runaway occurring in real time within the cell. This technique provides a better understanding of what happens chemically and physically when a battery cell fails, allowing for improvements to the design and safety features of Li-on batteries to be made. This research was carried out in collaboration with UCL, NASA, the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the European Synchrotron Research Facility (ESRF) and recently won The Engineer’s 2017 Collaborate to Innovate Award in the Safety and Security category.

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles Another promising solution for decarbonising transport is the use of hydrogen as a fuel.

Hydrogen can be produced at any location where there is an electricity source for electrolysis (using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen) and a suitable mechanism for storage. Most of the hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK currently produce hydrogen fuel in-situ via electrolysis and are powered by grid electricity. The gas is then stored in high-pressure tanks on-site and dispensed to the vehicle in a similar method and in a similar refuelling time to conventional petrol and diesel cars. Whilst driving, hydrogen passes through the fuel cell stack and reacts with oxygen to produce electricity which powers the vehicle.

According to the International Energy Agency, deploying a 25 per cent share of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on to the roads by 2050 ‘could contribute up to 10 per cent of all cumulative transport-related carbon emission reductions’ globally. The UK H2Mobility report from 2013 predicts that in the UK, we could expect 1.6 million fuel cell vehicles on the road and 1,100 hydrogen refuelling stations in operation by 2030. This would provide substantial benefits to air quality and decarbonisation efforts, as

Fuel cells and electrolysers NPL has also developed a range of novel in-situ measurement techniques, modelling tools and standard test methods to support commercialisation of fuel cells and electrolysers.

For example, NPL has overcome the challenges

of in-situ measurement – specifically in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells – by developing straightforward methods and monitoring systems to be implemented in real systems. Also, by continuing our active participation in the development of new and improved international standards, primarily via technical committees in ISO/TC 197 (Hydrogen technologies) and IEC TC 105 (Fuel cell technologies), NPL will also be key in transferring best practice to industry.

Today, there are only a handful of hydrogen refuelling stations nationally, but through funded projects such as Hydrogen Mobility Europe (H2ME), there are plans for 65 stations across the UK by 2020 and the numbers continue to grow.

Measuring the impact that the increasing number of electrolysers may have on the UK electricity grid, especially in terms of the high electricity demand required, will be another challenge that will require addressing to ensure that the grid is fit for purpose and able to cope with the potential demands of large scale electrolysis.

The UK has internationally prominent measurement capability, as well as established R&D institutions, and tackling the challenges currently facing hydrogen as a decarbonisation solution could enable us to host a world-leading hydrogen industry. These challenges were identified and prioritised by NPL and stakeholders from across the sector in our recent report ‘Energy transition: Measurement needs within the hydrogen industry’.

Next steps for low carbon tech It is evident that batteries and fuel cells are

among the leading candidates to facilitate the transition to a low carbon future. For many they are viewed as competing technologies, but the reality is that given the scale of the challenge that decarbonising transport represents, both will have a part to play.

There are cross-cutting challenge areas that face both of these technologies which require continued research if they are to achieve widespread commercial uptake.

These include the need to reduce cost and improve lifetime, as well as increase the roll out of necessary charging and refuelling infrastructure. As is often the case with emerging technologies, a ‘chicken-and-egg’ problem can occur where lack of refuelling and charging infrastructure can reduce vehicle demand, which in turn makes the infrastructure not commercially viable. Although it is essential to deal with this problem, it is also important that the safety and performance of these technologies are not overlooked by the industry in the current rush to be at the forefront of decarbonised vehicle development.

NPL will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the battery and hydrogen industries to address the range of challenges still hindering their wide commercial uptake, as robust measurement often underpins the solutions to these challenges. With continued research, the reality of a low carbon transport system could be just around the corner. !

EV Batteries

the only emission from the tailpipe of FCEVs is water. Currently, FCEVs are better suited to longer-distance road transport such as fleets of vans, small boats, buses and HGVs than EVs, as they have a much faster refuelling time and longer range. However, like EVs, this emergent technology and its required infrastructure create their own unique challenges.

Purity analysis of the hydrogen fuel being delivered to FCEVs at the refuelling station is essential, as even trace amounts of impurities (down to the parts-per-billion level) can quickly degrade the fuel cell. This is a serious concern for the fuel cell manufacturers and automotive industry, as impure hydrogen would impact the reliability, lifespan and ultimately the mainstream commercialisation of these fuel cell technologies. To avoid this, an international standard (ISO 14687-2) was established which requires measurements of 13 impurities to be taken before the fuel can be used in a FCEV. Due to the complexity of the measurements required, NPL is currently the only known laboratory worldwide accredited to provide calibration gas standards and validated methods to comply with the purity specifications. These stringent requirements could therefore eventually become a bottleneck for the commercialisation of fuel cell vehicles.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.npl.co.uk

EDT Automotive: helping fleets to keep moving EDT Automotive’s multi-award winning range of engine decontamination equipment has established itself with a national network of garages in the retail market and is now looking to enter the fleet arena to reduce vehicle downtime and save fuel.

The fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technology is designed to give the vehicle’s engine a deep-clean, effectively removing carbon and sludge that builds up inside an engine and which standard servicing cannot remove.

Carbon can have a detrimental impact on a vehicle’s overall performance and drivability and cost, leading to unnecessary time spent in the workshop with issues such as turbos, DPFs and similar: bad news for fleet operators.

EDT’s treatment is quick and simple to administer; after connecting the machine to the oil filter housing and the sump, the machine pulses mineral oil around the engine that removes any carbon which builds up in the engines oil system.

When the engine is treated, all contaminants are removed via a 1micron filtration system which is 25 times finer than a standard oil filter.

With proven results of fuel savings of up to 26 per cent, increased oil flow rate of up to 75 per cent, reduced emissions – 58 per cent smoke reduction and 69 per cent CO reduction, increased performance of torque and BHP, a treatment takes less than 15 minutes to complete a thorough detox of a vehicle’s engine, time well spent to keep your fleet on the road.

Once completed, the treatment improves the engine’s coefficient of friction, allowing the new, clean oil to perform to its maximum capabilities. This has a dramatic impact on

fuel economy, emissions, engine health and vehicle performance.

EDT Automotive’s recent relocation to larger premises highlights the growing demand for this effective treatment, and the company’s 9.7 out of 10 score on TrustPilot highlights how invaluable the service has become to the national network of garages currently offering the treatment to its customer base.

EDT Automotive’s managing director, David Holmes, said: “Our engine decontamination machine really is the fleet manager’s best friend. Carbon deposits can have an incredibly negative impact on engine efficiency, so cleaning brings measurable improvements when it comes to increased fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions, not to mention a much quieter engine too. For fleet operators, it’s imperative that their fleet is utilized to the maximum. EDT is the way forward to help them achieve this.”

FURTHER INFORMATION For more information on EDT, visit www.edtautomotive.com or call 01233 712341

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

27

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Owned or used under license.

Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are xoxoxoxo facing now, and in the years to come, is the development of vehicles that deliver a reduced impact on theINFORMATION environment. Vehicle emissions, FURTHER such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxides xxx and particulates, are all considered to (NOx) be primary contributors to air pollution and OEMs are being tasked by legislation to reduce the impact of their engines to air quality.

Legislation on emissions is getting tougher There are two main areas of legislation when it comes to reducing the impact of vehicle emissions on the environment. The most well recognised are the Euro Emissions Standards which focus on controlling harmful exhaust emissions such as unburnt hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter. This is complemented by broader legislation related to greenhouse gas emissions which for motor vehicles has a particular focus on CO2 emissions.

Implemented in 2014, the latest incarnation of the Euro Emissions Standards (Euro VI) sees a step change in the permissible levels of emissions from both petrol and diesel engines. The inevitable consequence has been the proliferation of exhaust after treatment systems (EATS) such as diesel particulate filters (DPF), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) – paired with AdBlue in commercial vehicles – and catalytic converters in various different forms. These components remove harmful pollutants from the exhaust gas before it exits the tailpipe, but are also sensitive to the type of lubricant that is used in the engine which presents a challenge for formulators. Since a small amount of lubricant is burnt during the normal combustion cycle, the wrong lubricant can promote deactivation of catalytic material or result in blockages to particulate filters that can cause the vehicle to not function correctly.

Legislation related to Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and in particular CO2, has been another main area of focus with increasingly challenging targets for vehicle manufacturers and escalating penalties for those OEMs that don’t meet the average requirement across their range. By 2020 the target is to reduce average CO2 emissions for new vehicles by 40 per cent versus the 2007 emission baseline, and penalties escalate

the target in the same time frame. This can quickly add up to millions of Euros in fines for an offending equipment builder.

Publically available data suggests that the great majority of OEMs were able to meet the initial target of 130g/km of CO2 for new vehicles set in 2015 with the average measured in 2016 at 118kg/km. There is still work to be done to meet the 2020 milestone of 95g/km of CO2 and a wide range of techniques are being employed in pursuit of that target. The primary challenge here for OEMs is one of fuel efficiency, the principle being that the less fuel that is burnt in going from A to B the less CO2 is produced. Again, this poses new challenges for equipment designers and lubricant developers alike.

Focusing on fuel economy to reduce emissions All vehicle emissions are the by-product of the combustion of fuel in air to produce power, so it stands to reason that if you are able to improve the efficiency of that conversion process you will consume less fuel and therefore generate proportionally less unwanted emissions. To that end, fuel economy has become a primary driver in the design process for OEMs for not only engines but the vehicle as a whole.

High performance, low viscosity lubricants contribute to an OEMs fuel economy strategy in a primary way by reducing friction between engine components and reducing pumping and spinning losses – the work done by circulating pumps and components moving through the oil. Increased durability and longevity in a lubricant is a critical enabler for other engineering design changes that are often used in pursuit of fuel economy such as smaller, higher revving engines operating at higher temperatures and the increased use of turbo and super chargers. Other operating conditions such as stop start technology also require a more durable lubricant to protect the engine against a substantially increased number of on/off cycles.

When considered over a background of the formulation restrictions applied by sensitive exhaust after treatment units, increasing drain intervals, lower circulating oil volume (weight reduction) and the requirement for greater tolerance of bio-fuels, modern lubricants, such

Karl Rudman

Written by Advertisement Feature

The automotive industry has witnessed rapid change in recent years, with technological Udae nonsend icidisquid elisimincim facepro et, sed demand all resulting in vehicle innovations, public policy,quam emissions legislation andetend-user quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nos eumque laboribus manufacturers working to refine engine design and functionality, writes Karl Rudman et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae nimusthe earibus, tem ipsaest et2 for every gram over Perhaps biggest pressure Original moluptatium to as highes as net 95/g CO

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Karl Rudman has over 20 years’ experience in the oil and lubricants industry, amassing a wealth of specialist knowledge working for leading global oil companies including Mobil and BP. Karl has held the position of business development manager at Petro-Canada Lubricants Europe, since January 2016.

Karl’s role focuses on the growth and development of finished lubricants sales, using the full breadth of his expertise to evolve both the product line and approach to the market to further accelerate strategic growth in the EMEA region.

Karl holds a degree in chemistry from the University of Nottingham. as our DURON™ Next Generation range of heavy duty diesel engine oils, are worlds away from their heavier, mineral predecessors.

As well as embracing the lower viscosities required to promote fuel economy, our formulations have been re-engineered to substantially improve durability across the board to meet the demands of OEMs now and in preparation for changes still to come in the future. L FURTHER INFORMATION More on DURON Next Generation: www.duronthetougherthebetter.com

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

29

Industry Comment Advertisement Feature

Telematics 800 WORDtoEDIT solve HEADLINEproblems business HERE AS TIGHT AS POSS GreenFleet chats to Darryll Finch from O2 Smart Vehicle about how fleets can make the most of telematics data and whether fleets have a moral and legal obligation to Udae nonsend icidisquid quam elisimincim facepro et et, sed act on information that flags up poor driving quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nos eumque laboribus

et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti Fleet managers will see most brand, finances and the general public. rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae benefit by understanding and Because of that, it’s the responsibility nimus earibus, tem ipsaest moluptatium es net et and the wider utilising all intelligence available of every fleet manager to them. They also need the right xoxoxoxo from their telematics support partner. What post-sales support does thatINFORMATION entail?

FURTHER First and foremost, it’s essential that fleet xxx managers use telematics to resolve the larger business problems they face in running a vehicle fleet. This helps justify the investment and improve the originations operation – everything from efficiency, productivity and safety to utilisation and cost savings.

To give customers the expertise they need to make all of that a reality, the O2 Client Manager meets with them on a regular basis.

These meetings can cover a pretty wide range of topics, but primarily, the focus on: making sure customers are getting the maximum business benefit from their telematics solution and keeping informed of any relevant solution developments, new services and technologies that could be of further benefit. Discussions with an O2 Client Manager would also help customers review the service, support and operations – with the option to invite relevant experts or hold separate reviews.

They would also carry out regular customer satisfaction surveys and understand all relevant changes and developments in their organisation and determining the best way we can respond to them.

We’ve worked with businesses of all types and sizes in the private sector and organisations across the public sector, and we always do our best to leave no stone unturned in helping them solve challenges and make the most of unique market opportunities. Every customer is different, and no matter how brilliant the solution, you can’t just assume one size fits all.

Is there a moral responsibility here also for fleet managers to act upon drivers that are consistently flagged for poor driving behaviour?

Absolutely. No question about it. The driver behaviour insights that telematics unlock allows fleet managers to go beyond a gut feeling or sometimes subjective reports to develop a clear, concrete driver profile.

Put simply, drivers with poor driving behaviour are a potential risk to the business

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business to measure the performance of their drivers, consistently. And then act on that information to manage risk.

This reduces the risk of accidents, so employees are safe, company assets are protected and members of the public aren’t put in harm’s way.

Even the best drivers could probably still use some additional driving tips, or a few handy reminders. In fact, the best drivers will maintain or even further develop their approach through in-vehicle coaching delivered by the telematics driver behaviour module. And drivers identified as having poor habits need to be retrained, urgently, to ensure they drive smart and stay as safe as possible.

If and when they can become better drivers, the benefits to the business are significant: reduced accidents, claim costs and admin, more affordable insurance premiums, and less risk to the brand.

As a result, is there still the old mentality (especially amongst drivers) of telematics being a big brother operation?

I’m inclined to believe that, by now, telematics is an established and generally accepted part of the driving experience solution among drivers.

And for the most part, I’ve found that drivers tend to expect at least an element of telematics to be involved with driving a company van or truck.

What drivers have realised is that if they embrace telematics, the solution can work in their favour. Whether it’s overtime claims, shift patterns, vehicle faults, service requirements, driver safety and their level of involvement with an accident, they stand to benefit.

And for drivers that object to telematics,

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Darryll Finch

Darryll Finch, Smart Vehicle product owner, O2 As solution specialist for O2 Smart Vehicle, which is powered

by Geotab, Darryll is passionate about the ever-evolving possibilities of vehicle telematics.

Darryll has worked with fleet telematics for over 20 years. it’s hard not to think there may be a reason for concern. They may not be hiding something (taking time off, going home, over‑claiming mileage and overtime), but if your job is to drive, wouldn’t you want to know if there was a way you could do it safer and better? Seems like a simple choice to me.

How have you seen the consensus among sceptics change to realise the full positives it can have on their operation?

I think it comes down to the simple fact that everyone stands to benefit.

A properly installed and well managed telematics solution has the potential to cut across every aspect of a business running a fleet of vehicles. That could mean benefits like fewer paper processes, which can slip through the cracks and be slow to action. It also means easier reporting capabilities, compliance and utilisation, which helps boost efficiency and productivity. Better, happier drivers, coupled with an optimised fleet will demonstrate short and long-term cost savings.

When the customer sees outcomes like these, which can be enjoyed by everybody, they start to understand how the business can be truly transformed. That makes it easy to justify the investment, and secure a return – quickly and easily. L FURTHER INFORMATION o2smartvehicle@o2.com

Mobility

How Mobility as a Service will transform staff travel MaaS Scotland is a new organisation dedicated to supporting the growth of Mobility as a Service. Kate Armitage explains how this exciting new technology will revolutionise travel – and help organisations tackle tough challenges around grey fleet transport-related services, which meet the mobility requirements of a customer”.

Traditional car ownership models are losing appeal; we see MaaS as a revolutionary technology that uses smart phones to bring together all available means of travel, via various transport providers, along with smart ticketing and digital payments. By combining providers, payment and tickets in one single application, we can make using different modes of travel much easier and more attractive.

Through MaaS, we can offer users instant access to all available public and private transport in their area, ranging from trains, trams and buses, to bike hire, car rental, and taxis.

In this way, our smart phones will become the technology of choice when it comes to planning a journey, paying for travel, and storing our tickets.

Furthermore, the best apps will offer users a choice of key metrics, such as whether they want to

make the most low carbon journey possible, or the cheapest, or the quickest.

Grey fleet There are several reasons why Mobility as a Service is important for readers of GreenFleet.

Firstly, more integrated transport makes it easier for potential employees to commute to your premises, thereby widening the available talent pool when it comes to recruitment.

Secondly, as traditional car ownership declines it will reduce the overall number of vehicles on our roads, helping the UK to hit stringent targets for air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

But there is also a big benefit for tackling grey fleet. Employees using their own cars for business purposes is a hot topic for almost all organisations.

With mileage reimbursed at 45 pence per mile, grey fleet is expensive and frequently grey fleet vehicles are older causing a much bigger CO2 impact compared to newer vehicles. There is also the temptation for employees to exaggerate their mileage claims – a recent survey published found that 36 per cent of drivers over-claimed on their mileage. Grey fleet use can also be high-risk, as organisations typically do not carry out the same level of risk management for employee-owned vehicles as they do for company-owned assets.

Energy Saving Trust estimates that there are about four million grey fleet cars operating in the UK – more than three times the number of company cars. So this is a huge area in which MaaS can make a really positive impact.

The increasing availability of MaaS apps E

The increasi availab ng MaaS a ility of help or pps will to redu ganisations ce em relianceployee on thei ro vehicleswn

Written by Kate Armitage, board member for MaaS Scotland

In the transport sector, at times it feels like we are awash with buzz words and phrases.

But if you only remember one new phrase from 2017, make sure it is this: “Mobility as a Service”. Also known as “MaaS”, this is going to transform how we travel, helping us to save money, improve road safety and reduce harmful emissions along the way.

So what is MaaS? James Datson, MaaS Lead for Transport Systems Catapult, defines it as “using a digital interface to source and manage the provision of

About the author Kate Armitage is projects and strategy director for optimisation and intelligent mobility specialist Route Monkey, which is part of the Trakm8 Group. A former winner of the EV Champion of the Year category at the GreenFleet Awards, Kate also sits on the management board for MaaS Scotland.

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Mobility

 will help organisations to reduce employee reliance on their own vehicles. We see it as enabling a cultural shift, as it will empower people to ditch the car when on company business. MaaS will make it so easy to travel via other means, that employees will eagerly embrace it.

There are several ways in which organisations can promote MaaS (for example car clubs, taxi splitting and on demand buses) with many benefits, such as reducing emissions, improving road safety, saving money, and speeding up expenses claims. This can feed into corporate social responsibility objectives, as well as supporting an employer’s legal liabilities around duty of care.

Current projects Route Monkey has been involved in developing and testing MaaS applications for several years, using our optimisation algorithms to do the heavy lifting when it comes to collating travel options. Examples include the MyRouteMonkey EV journey planner (my.routemonkey.com), which takes the stress and strain out of planning long journeys in an electric vehicle.

Working as part of a consortium led

by ESP Group, we also helped develop Navigogo. Scotland’s first MaaS web application, this will be piloted in Dundee and Fife this autumn with 16-25 year‑olds.

Further afield, Route Monkey has created a multi-modal journey planner for Bristol, as part of the REPLICATE project, which stands for REnaissance of PLaces with Innovative

What is Mobility as a Service (MaaS)?

MaaS brings all means of travel, transport providers and payment options together into one single service, giving customers instant access to all public transport, from trains and trams to buses and bikes.

With MaaS, the hassle of navigating a complex system of providers is removed. Whether it’s the office commute, visiting friends, or a spontaneous weekend away, MaaS will revolutionise your travel in the smartest way possible.

Citizenship And Technologies. Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, it aims to develop intelligent mobility solutions that can be rolled out to other cities.

MaaS Scotland MaaS Scotland is a partnership between two trade associations – Technology Scotland and ScotlandIS. These organisations recognised that Scotland has the transport infrastructure, fleets and technology companies to make it an ideal breeding ground for new Mobility as a Service applications.

Officially launched in September, MaaS Scotland’s fast-growing membership includes well-known companies such as Arnold Clark, Nexus, and the Stagecoach Group,

along with intelligent mobility specialists such as Route Monkey, Urban Foresight, and Viaqqio, which is part of the ESP Group.

MaaS Scotland’s goal is to deliver new and alternative ways for people in Scotland to travel, whether they are based in big cities or rural areas. By working with such a wide range of companies and organisations, it can create new public/private partnerships to develop pilot projects, turning Scotland into a leader in MaaS technologies. This will deliver huge benefits for people living and working in Scotland. However, it will also create fantastic opportunities for companies to create, refine and ultimately export MaaS applications to the rest of the world.

Get Involved MaaS Scotland presents a great opportunity to get ahead of the curve when it comes to this exciting new technology. If you are an organisation that is based in Scotland, or has employees located there, you could be eligible to join MaaS Scotland.

Membership rates are competitively priced, starting from £250 per annum for businesses with 10 or fewer employees.

MaaS Scotland also holds regular events where you can find out much more about the potential benefits of mobility as a service and how membership could benefit your organisation. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.maas-scotland.com

Kate Armitage at the MaaS Scotland launch event

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use telematics to achieve sustainability and xoxoxoxo goals. Careful consideration should efficiency be given to the information requirements from the solution, and a robust plan FURTHER INFORMATION established to act upon this intelligence. xxx These steps are just the foundation stones.

At TomTom Telematics, we work with customers to help ensure meaningful long‑term change. By establishing a company‑wide culture focussed on data‑driven decisions and ensuring that the correct skills, resources and responsibilities are in place to actively manage big data, telematics will remain core to business operations and bottom line savings.

Changing a culture It’s been well documented by my own organisation (white papers on the topic are available on our website) and others, that there is a need to change attitudes and culture throughout an organisation to achieve long-term business benefits from telematics data. This is particularly true where sustainability improvements are the goal.

For fleet management to achieve long‑term business and environmental benefits (such as a reduction in CO2 emissions), it should be embraced by everyone within a company – from the business owner or senior management to the drivers in the field. Once this has been acknowledged, with clear companywide communication and employee guidance, a business workforce can be empowered and inspired to become advocates for change.

Making a difference from the bottom up will see fleet drivers, for their part, championing the organisation’s environmental ambitions within a culture that encourages continual performance improvement and behaviour

other key question to ask is: who is actively managing the telematics system, analysing the information it collects and presenting the relevant elements to the right people at different levels within the organisation?

Having the right skills and resource in place to oversee these tasks effectively is all too often overlooked. In some cases, companies may not have anyone in the business with right skills, or time to devote, to managing the system.

Let’s consider for a moment the skills required to effectively manage a telematics system.

There’s data analysis, IT and systems skills, project management, knowledge of legislation, psychology and driver coaching, vehicle mechanics, accountancy skills, presentation and reporting and the need to be available 24/7.

Many organisations, especially in the SME space, don’t have a dedicated fleet department with people that cover all these skills. They are unlikely even to have a single, specialist, fleet manager.

More often than not, the day-to-day responsibility for managing a mobile workforce or fleet will come down to a single person who is a non-specialist.

It could be the company accountant, the office manager, a HR manager, the business owner or the operations manager.

These individuals have a day job – and probably a very busy one. So while the telematics system is new, they devote time to its implementation and the analysis of data to change working practices. But instead of building on the initial success and evolving the use of the solution to continue to improve performance, as time passes by and other organisational challenges take priority, its utilisation and results can diminish.

For those of you with an existing telematics system, or those considering implementing telematics to help achieve environmental improvements, efficiencies or cost savings, consider how you will resource the implementation and operation of your chosen system not just today but in the future.

If you don’t have the skills or resources internally to do this effectively, then consider looking for a supplier that can supplement your own resources.

Wise

Written by Advertisement Feature

If introduced utilisedquam effectively, a telematics should realise a Udae nonsendand icidisquid elisimincim faceprosystem et et, sed positive return on investment, both in the short and medium to long-term quodi blaborum ut molorem aut ationse nos eumque laboribus et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae Last month, we examined how it was vital to patterns engrained in the company’s DNA. Beverley nimus strong earibus, temwhen ipsaest establish objectives looking moluptatium to But that’ses onlynet partet of the picture. The

Industry Comment ADVERTORIAL

Implementing 800 WORD EDIT telematics: HEADLINE the keys toHERE unlocking AStrue its TIGHT potential AS POSS

Beverley Wise, Sales Director UK & Ireland for TomTom Telematics, has more than 20 years’ experience in the fleet industry.

The former Corporate Sales Director at Lex Autolease joined TomTom Telematics in 2016. She is responsible for spearheading the growth of TomTom Telematics’ within the UK. A supplier with an appropriate service offering should be able to provide dedicated on‑going account management, often via local or regional partners.

Indeed, TomTom Telematics now provides a service to assist our customers with the management and administration of their telematics solution, to help ensure that data delivers optimised fleet efficiency and return on investment now, tomorrow and in the future. L FURTHER INFORMATION To find out how TomTom Telematics can help your business, contact 0208 822 3605 or visit telematics.tomtom.com

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Industry Comment Advertisement Feature

Electric dreams: the future of fleets

Stuart Thomas

xxx

In just five years, 63 per cent of UK’s businesses and SMEs expect to use alternative fuels to power their fleets. That was one of the key findings of research jointly commissioned by the AA and BT Fleet Solutions, in the second annual Operational Fleet Insight report*. Stuart Thomas explains the report further The report drills deep into sector-specific data to provide detailed insights into the fleet challenges and opportunities facing nine leading industries. These range from the public sector, transport and logistics, through to IT and telecoms, and SMEs, a sector rapidly growing in diversity and significance in the fleet worlds, for whom operational fleets must run with a ruthless efficiency.

It’s clear that cross-sector change with regards to alternative fuels is already taking place. Electric vehicle (EV) driving figures are undergoing a rapid rise, with the SMMT reporting a 50 per cent year-on-year increase in EV sales in its end of summer figures.

Those responsible for the UK’s fleets believe that emerging technologies can offer greater logistical efficiencies and long-term cost savings, in addition to providing wider corporate social responsibility benefits for firms and their fleets. They can also, businesses feel, provide some future-proofing against any new regulations. This includes the introduction of more clean air zones – the implementation of which would be supported by 66 per cent of respondents to our research.

Emissions reduction is becoming a major focus for the UK. By 23 October 2017, all vehicles operating in central London, for example, will need to meet minimum exhaust emission standards, or pay a daily emissions surcharge, in addition to the current congestion charge. Fleet managers believe that the growing trend for city mayor appointments will drive increasing regulation in the UK’s cities and are keen to ensure they will be able to comply with future legislation.

Manufacturers have been quick to respond to this seismic transport shift, with many unveiling future electric vehicles, announcing timetables for the electrification of their model line-ups, or implementing key changes to their supply chain. But where is the government investment in electric vehicle infrastructure to accommodate this move?

A source of business anxiety The AA’s research revealed this investment uncertainty is a huge source of anxiety for businesses. Nearly half of the report’s respondents felt government organisations should be lobbying for greater investment in electric vehicle infrastructure to support the alternatively fuelled fleets of the future.

There’s a sense among fleet managers and business owners that if tougher emissions

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xoxoxoxo

targets are to be introduced, the government should be leading the way to make it easier for businesses to use the alternative.

This support should, respondents believe, go above and beyond the government grants that are available to businesses.

This includes the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), which part funds the costs to purchase and install electric vehicle charge-points for eligible businesses.

Brexit – its impact The operational fleet market is at present very much in a holding pattern. The after effects of Brexit are yet to be fully felt – 66 per cent of businesses say it has had an impact, while 68 per cent say they expect it to do so over the next year. But until the picture becomes a little clearer, fleet managers feel they must continue with business as usual.

Stuart Thomas, head of fleet and SME – the AA

with Chargemaster, the UK’s largest manufacturer of electric car charging points, who has set up the multi‑brand Electric Vehicle Centre in Milton Keynes.

The EV Centre is the first of its kind in the UK to provide information and advice on electric vehicles for all, providing free driving lessons with AA instructors to help drivers get the most out of their electric vehicle. Open seven days a week, the site offers test drives from its fleet of

The AA expects that, based on AA members’ car buying intentions and future trends, there will be more than 500,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in use by 2020 There is a fear among managers and business owners that as the dust settles over Brexit, the issues that will most affect fleets, such as rising fuel and travel costs, will not be a high government priority in the short term.

The AA expects that, based on AA members’ car buying intentions and future trends, there will be more than 500,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in use by 2020. But the biggest challenge for any fleet manager, regardless of looming legislation, is ensuring a fleet’s reliability. We’re already working closely with businesses to train them to make the most of the coming EV revolution to help them to prevent downtime and loss of income.

We know that fleets are the backbone of any business, keeping firms on the road and running successfully and the AA has trained its patrols to assist electric vehicle owners.

We’re keen to ensure that businesses understand this new technology and also want to help them to get the most out of their electric fleets. That’s why the AA recently joined forces

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

53 electric cars and neutral advice about which electric vehicle could suit your fleet’s needs, with week-long loans on vehicles available where applicable.

Managers should visit https:// evexperiencecentre.co.uk/ to find out more, or to book a test drive. L

*Findings taken from The AA / BT Operational Fleet Report 2017, which was based on survey of 514 fleet managers and company drivers, plus 24 in-depth interviews.

The Report covers the public sector, transport and logistics, secure transit, utilities, manufacturing, business services, construction and facilities management, IT and telecoms, and SME sectors.

FURTHER INFORMATION To download the report and find out more about fleet manager cross‑sector views on the issues that matter, please visit www.btfleetinsight.com.

Fleet Interview

Zero-emission postal deliveries in Guernsey

Guernsey Post has introduced 19 electric vans to its postal delivery fleet. GreenFleet chats to Dawn Gallienne to find out how the company finds the vans and how the island is ideal for electrification How and where are the electric vehicles used?

The digital revolution has seen a well‑publicised demise in letter mail but conversely for Guernsey Post the online shopping boom has seen exceptional growth in parcel volumes. Postal companies all over the world are having to adapt to keep pace with this change and Guernsey Post is no exception. Last year the Company launched a project that is now near to completion and which will see all but 4 of its bicycle delivery rounds combined with its parcel deliveries meaning 72 of its 76 delivery rounds will now be completed in a van.

After a successful trial earlier this year, Guernsey Post introduced 19 Nissan e-NV200 electric vans into its delivery fleet.

The vans have enough load capacity to deliver our ever‑increasing parcel volumes and the size of the vans are suitable for our roads.

Where are they recharged?

The vans are charged at Envoy House which is the Sorting Office and Head Quarters. There are eight charging posts, capable of charging up to sixteen vehicles simultaneously.

The vans ha enough ve load capacit y t our eve o deliver parcel v r‑increasing the size olumes and o are suit f the vans ab our roale for ds

How much are you saving?

The return on investment is calculated based on 85 miles per charge at a cost of about 2p per mile, compared to 21p per mile for diesel and we expect to see payback within five years.

How did the drivers react to the vehicles initially and how do they find them now?

Feedback from the posties driving the new electric vans has been very positive and the investment has generated a lot of interest from members of the public considering whether to make the switch to electric vehicles themselves.

What are your plans for the remaining vehicles in the fleet?

Guernsey Post has a delivery fleet of over 100 vehicles and have committed to a full fleet of electric vehicles within the next five years, replacing older vehicles with electric equivalents as they come to the end

of their life. They are also now exploring electric alternatives for its small number of larger trucks, which are used primarily to convey mail to and from the airport.

Guernsey as a small island with lots of stop start driving is an ideal location for electric vehicles – no engine idling or engine revving required – and no fumes.

Is there an appetite on the island to go electric?

Renewable energy and the use of electric vehicles in Guernsey is definitely on the rise, and with quite a few local companies following Guernsey Post’s lead the future is looking bright. With the recent announcement that the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned in the UK and France from 2040 it will be interesting to see the developments over the next ten years. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.guernseypost.com

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Industry Comment Advertisement Feature

36

RoadWORD 800 safety EDIT – cyclists and HEADLINE HERE pedestrians in major cities AS TIGHT AS POSS

Last year the Mayor of London called for action against the rising issue concerning cyclist and pedestrian injuries and deaths caused by lorries with poor visibility. Mike Cyprus discusses how this issue can be tackled Udae nonsend icidisquid quam elisimincim etunder et, the sedwheels It has been cited that tens of thousands of high cab andfacepro big clearance quodi blaborum ut molorem eumque laboribus these vehicles will be banned from London’saut ationse – will be nos banned from entering the city. roads within four years to better protect By 2024, only trucks rated three stars – et quoditiat dolo qui de volecab orerisqui nitibusdae nullacianti cyclists and pedestrians. This is only “good” – or above will be allowed in the city. rest, sitiatis ut idem quodi consequat facimagnime pernatemquae one example of where the safety of specific nimusof earibus, moluptatium esthe netissue et groups infrastructuretem usersipsaest has been acted Tackling on. This trend will be set to continue as So how do the safety industry and the xoxoxoxo are ever striving to make their communities construction vehicle manufacturers and environment a safer place for all concerned. outfitters tackle this issue. Longer term, FURTHER For road safety campaigners this re-development of vehicle design could INFORMATION particular action is a welcome move, and be undertaken to radically improve the xxx will be addressing the main concern this driver position and visibility from the cab. in some specific types of heavy goods However, this would be several years to vehicles (HGVs), especially high-wheeled develop and manufacturers are not quick construction lorries, which have major to respond to single point influences, high blindspots where the driver cannot see into. cost of development and capital spend to This will also sit well with the FORS (Fleet achieve this would need serious thought.

Operators Recognition Scheme) where the So to fix the issues around driver visibility organisation works with operators and and awareness by this route, would be a suppliers to ensure not only safety but large undertaking and this would present environmental considerations are placed an issue to the current developments, which high up on the importance list over cost. could leave a large gap in the number Example case studies can be found on the of available vehicles rated to the correct FORS website which illustrate the importance level and the number needed to continue of each factor, down to monitoring of development as needed. Impact of slowing driver’s health levels. Fuel efficiency and down the construction rate, driving costs up incidents are monitored, and from a safety a is possibility. Well this would be a worst perspective, part of this is to ensure that case scenario, but one to be considered. safety features are fundamental to the focus In order to meet the timeframes where on improving awareness in the industry. visible effects could be realised, alternatives must be found to maintain the flow Safety of construction vehicles required, but with ECCO Safety group are at the forefront the necessary safety devices and correct of providing products and solutions level of visibility to ensure the safety into the industry to support FORS of cyclists and pedestrians in the cities of members and the wider market of the UK and elsewhere in the world. course to ensure operators and other road users see, hear and remain safe.

Alleviating the problem Going back to the point raised, in Products which could alleviate the problem published data it was found that lorries are already available and solutions are being are involved in more than half the implemented to improve the awareness cycling deaths on London’s roads. of the driver to his surroundings.

There are also more than a fifth of pedestrian Amongst these are proximity sensors which deaths attributed to lorries, despite making can be fitted to the sides of a large vehicle up only four per cent of motor traffic. which can sense the presence of an object,

By January 2020, vehicles not meeting the cyclist or pedestrian and the approximate new requirements, a star rating, and this location of that object, ie, left side or right side. will be primarily construction trucks with a Sensors are placed at points down the length of the vehicle to ensure coverage is adequate.

Camera solutions are also becoming increasingly commonplace on vehicles in general. Advances in technology mean smaller form factor products which can be placed anywhere to enhance the visibility around a vehicle. New approaches will be needed in parallel with currently available sensor and recording technology to maximise the benefits of a camera solution for other road user’s safety.

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

Mike Cyprus

Mike Cyprus, Head of Product Management ECCO Safety Group EMEA Mike has wide ranging experience in product management and product marketing within high‑tech industries including semiconductor, printed technologies & industrial, responsible for products in the consumer electronics, telecoms and automotive markets. He started out as an engineer specifically focused on applications engineering for SoC platforms and managed global customer support team before being attracted into a product management role.

Changing the way fleets and services are seen and heard Here at ECCO Safety Group, we also are passionate about safety, hence we are working closely with partners and end users to ensure we are at the forefront of safety products which can change the way fleets, commercial vehicles and emergency services are seen and heard in the environment, changing people’s lives for the better. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.eccosafetygroup.com 0113 237 53 40

Over 250 delegates came to the showpiece event which showcased a range of low emission vehicles, from a number of leading car brands, for delegates to take

for a few laps around the Rockingham circuit. The event aims to help organisations concerned with excessive fuel and running costs, encouraging fleets to “go ultra low”. This is achieved by allowing and encouraging test drives around the track.

During the day, there were two Workshops presented by leading industry experts which aimed to educate fleet managers on the latest

ops Worksh ented res were p try experts s by induucate fleet to ed rs on the e manag ultra‑low latest ssion emi logy techno

Workshops Andy Eastlake, chair of the LowCVP, an organisation which aims to accelerate a sustainable shift to lower carbon vehicles, led the first workshop of the day. The talk focused on ‘Clean Air Zones and Commercial Vehicle Operations’.

Eastlake spoke about the latest air quality management strategies being implemented by the government such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) – due to be put in place by 2020 – and Clean Air Zones (CAZ), which are soon to be fully operational in five cities, chosen to drive down harmful vehicle emissions as a result of high levels of air pollution.

Eastlake also went on to speak about what the LowCVP is doing to ensure that air quality management policies are implemented efficiently. He stated that the organisation is working with councils to ensure that all CAZ and ULEZ follow the same criteria to avoid confusion. E

Written by Andrea Pluck

GreenFleet once again hosted its annual Arrive ’n’ Drive event at the Rockingham Motor Speedway on 28 September, which showcased the latest zero and ultra-low emission vehicles and allowed delegates to test how efficient their driving is with the Beat The Sprig challenge

Arrive ‘n’ Drive

Rockingham Arrive ‘n’ Drive proves popular

ultra low-emission technology, what the government is currently doing to improve air quality in some of the most polluting areas, as well as providing information regarding the latest AFR rates for electric vehicles.

ACFO also held their East and Midlands regional meeting on the morning of the event, and those attending were able to book a VIP test drive in vehicles ranging from BMW’s i3 to Nissan’s popular LEAF, and listen to talks from industry experts.

Beat the Spring winner Richard Morcom, The Sprig, and Nissan GB’s Claire Collings

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Arrive ‘n’ Drive

LDV showcased its electric commercial vehicles

The brand-new MINI Countryman Hybrid was among a raft of BMW Group cars in attendance

Solutions were available to share their knowledge. In addition, Cardinus Risks also offered their insight on fleet risk management and solutions.

VanTainer, part of Powertainer LTD, manufacturers of Systainer Toolbox Systems and Mobil Van Racking systems, were also available to discuss solutions for transporting and moving tools and equipment.

Rockingham proved popular all day as delegates were eager to get out on track

 The Workshop also focused on retrofitting opportunities for fleets, future clean air zone initiatives and the decision that fleets have in order to comply with new regulation – whether that be buying compliant vehicles or avoiding the charge zone areas.

Marcus Jenkins, director at Magtec – a firm that manufactures electric drive systems and components for different vehicle types – delivered the second keynote of the session. Jenkins spoke about the company’s ability to solve problems and talked about its electric drive system offering.

European sales manager at Paneltex, Sam Berridge, was the final speaker, and he demonstrated that pure electric drive is a viable option for commercial vehicles.

The afternoon saw John Pryor from ACFO lead a discussion on AFR rates for EVs, and LeasePlan’s Mark Lovett concluded the Workshop with a talk regarding vehicle leasing and financing.

Beat The Sprig GreenFleet once again held its ecodriving competition – Beat The Sprig. The aim is for those taking part to try and beat the Sprig’s MPG and “smart driving” score on a seven‑mile open-road route. Twenty-six drivers signed up and got the chance to drive a pre‑mapped out route, along with a specialist driving trainer, who was responsible for monitoring driving habits and making notes on how efficiency can be maximised.

This year’s Driver Trainer Partner was Cardinus Risk, a firm specialising in risk management and health and safety.

Nissan, this year’s Beat The Sprig Vehicle Partner, provided three new Nissan Micras to be used for the competition. The All-new Micra has a new design with an uplifting exterior. The vehicle also features new technology, has better driving agility, is comfortable and has best-in-class ABI ratings.

Each one was fitted with telematics

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technology, courtesy of this year’s Technology Partner, Geotab, that gave instant readings on elements such as harsh braking, excessive acceleration, braking and MPG. After a ‘warm-up drive’, participants received 10 minutes’ tuition from a professional driving instructor and were then asked to go out again, on the same route, putting in use the new eco-driving skills.

Once the drivers returned, a technician revealed the readings, which highlighted their financial and emissions savings, and determined whose overall score had made it onto the leaderboard.

This year’s winner, Richard Morcom, from Capital Approved Inspectors, achieved top marks of 100 per cent, across the parameters of smooth acceleration, harsh braking, optimal gear change, revs, cornering, etc. and was awarded a BOSE wireless system speaker, courtesy of Nissan. Nissan also held their “GoldenBalls” competition, which saw one lucky winner receive a pair of UEFA Champions League tickets.

Exhibitors On the day, there were a selection of stalls manned by leading industry experts to provide information to fleet managers.

The Phoenix Works shared the latest on renewable energy and electric vehicle charging and Northgate also set up a stand to talk to delegates about vehicle hire options.

For those interested in fleet management and associated software, Drive Software

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

Nissan Qashqai

Round the circuit Delegates were given the opportunity to take a vehicle from a range of different car brands, such as BMW, Nissan and Ford, around the Rockingham circuit.

One vehicle which proved popular on the day was Ford’s Mustang EcoBoost, which was constantly seen winding its way around the circuit throughout the day, putting its speed and handling to the test, and allowing fleet managers to enjoy the sunshine with the roof down. Ford also brought along its Ecosport, which has a 1.0 litre three-cyclinder EcoBoost engine, designed to give the same power as a conventional 1.6. It has a shift indicator light to tell the driver when to change gear – maximising fuel efficiency.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was also another popular vehicle which was taken around the track by fleet managers. It can travel up to 32.5 miles on electricity and recent Outlander PHEV developments include improve styling refinement.

Suzuki made their first appearance at Arrive ’n’ Drive and the Swift 1.0 Boosterjet SZ5 was a hugely popular model, with queues forming while delegates waited patiently to take the model for a drive. It’s new Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engines give the new Swift high power and torque without compromising efficiency.

Also, beneath the bonnet is a turbocharger, which has been designed to maximise fuel economy while keeping emissions low.

BMW/MINI showcased the latest vehicles in its iPerformance range, bringing the latest in plug-in hybrid technology to more models. The i3 was a favoured choice by delegates, as well as the plug-in hybrid 330e saloon, which is capable of driving for up to 25 miles when its battery is fully charged.

New to the fleet sector, the plug-in 530e was available for test drives, in addition to the plug-in hybrid X5, the clean 4x4, with premium style. For those that wanted a ‘real world’ test drive experience, Electric Avenue was available for delegates to take vehicles for a ride away from the circuit. L FURTHER INFORMATION For the latest line-up of GreenFleet events, please visit events.greenfleet.net Nissan Micra

GreenFleet is coming to the North East on 19 October to allow fleet transport managers from across the region to understand more about the electric and plug-in vechicle (EV & PHEV) market, and establish if this ever-evolving technology can be integrated into their everyday operations GreenFleet North East will take place at and other innovative solutions providers”. the Emirates Riverside stadium, home of The councils will also be on-hand to explain Durham CCC, and is being held in partnership the latest air quality goals and there will with the North East Combined Authority be talks from some of the major OEMS (NECA), and sponsored by Alphabet. producing ultra-low emission vehicles, The NECA are committed to lowering including BMW, Toyota, Nissan and LDV. emissions across the region and as part of The event aims to allow delegates to their aims, have had 1,163 electric vehicle experience a range of ultra-low emission charging points installed between 2010 and vehicles, and speak to the manufacturers 2013. This was part of the Plugged in Places and solution providers, as well as the UK project, which was responsible for developing government, about any concerns or interests. the UK’s first regional rapid charge network.

The day will consist of test drives, group The NECA are now working on sessions and informative seminars and delivering a “new wave” of electric vehicle there will also be a chance to network charging infrastructure to make sure that and share industry knowledge. charging requirements are met.

Funding from the Office for Exhibitors Low Emission Vehicles has The Phoenix Works will be since been granted to the available to share the latest t n NECA and the combined on renewable energy The eve w o l l authority are planning and electric vehicle a l l i w e k a on applying for the charging. The event’s m o st European Regional sponsor Alphabet will elegate u c a t e d d Development Fund also be exhibiting d e an to s to construct two and will be able to a n o i decis electric Go Ultra Low filling answer any queries r stations and up to whethees are a eight clusters of two l vehic ption or three rapid chargers.

Motoring journalist viable o and TV presenter Quentin Willson – an EV enthusiast who also campaigns to encourage the uptake of low emission vehicles – will be hosting the event, and will also be available to answer any EV-related questions. Delegates will also get an exclusive 30-minute session with him, together with the NECA, on the day.

In partnership with:

regarding vehicle leasing. Other exhibitors include Elmtronics, an independent supplier and installer of electric vehicle charging equipment, and vehicle hire firm Northgate.

Feature Heading GreenFleet North East

GreenFleet North East

Sponsored by:

Vehicles If it’s test drives that you’re interested in, Nissan will be bringing along its Nissan LEAF for delegates to take for a test drive, as well as its e-NV200 van. In addition, BMW will have its BMW 330e, i3 and 2-series Active Tourer for delegates to take for a spin, as well as the Mini Countryman PHEV. Toyota will showcase the new Prius Plug-In, as well as the hydrogen powered Mirai, and if it’s commercial vehicles that you need, then LDV will have the EV80 electric panel van and tipper on hand.

As the event comes to a close, there will be the ‘Galaxy Giveaway’ prize draw, where one lucky winner will leave with a Galaxy tablet, courtesy of GreenFleet.

Overall, GreenFleet North East will allow delegates to make an educated decision as to whether electric, plug-in and/or hybrid powered vehicles have a role to play in everyday transport operations.

If you haven’t yet signed up, then contact GreenFleet to reserve your place. L FURTHER INFORMATION Email chervon.edwards@psigroupltd.co.uk or visit northeast.greenfleet.net to book your free place.

Speakers On the day, delegates will hear from Tobyn Hughes, managing director of transport operations at NECA, Stephanie Edwards, head of strategy at the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), and other experts that can assist and advise on EV strategy and implementation.

An OLEV representative commented: “We are pleased to support the GreenFleet EV and plug-in vehicle events, as they help to educate UK businesses on the viability of this technology, and stimulate adoption in UK fleets.

“We would encourage any organisation in the region to attend, where they can then engage with ourselves, the vehicle manufacturers

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Frankfurt Motor Show

Future EVs charge into Frankfurt

Written by Richard Gooding

Electro-mobility was one of the key themes at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show. GreenFleet takes a tour of the vast halls at Frankfurt/Main and reports on the concepts and cars which embodied the IAA 2017’s ‘future now’ billing Audi Aicon German carmaker Audi pulled the covers off its four-door autonomous vision of the future at the 67th running of the Frankfurt motor show. The luxurious 2+2 concept featured no steering wheel or pedals, but of more relevance to driving now, was the all-electric Aicon’s ability to cover between 435-497 miles (700-800km) on a single charge. Four electric motors power the front and rear axles, while solid body batteries are stored under the car’s floor, and offer more energy capacity than traditional lithium-ion units.

Total system power is 260kW, with 405.7lb ft (500Nm) of torque available through the quattro all-wheel drive system. Powertrain and electric brake units recover energy, while lightweight construction and optimised aerodynamics also help efficiency. A high-voltage 800‑volt

system ensures the battery unit can be recharged to 80 per cent of its capacity in less than 30 minutes, while the autonomous Audi also featured inductive, wireless, charging.

BMW i3S Now an established electric vehicle benchmark, a sportier version of the BMW i3 was unveiled in Frankfurt. The BMW i3S features 10mm lowered suspension and a 40mm widened track for more improved and dynamic roadholding, while the 20-inch alloy wheels are 20mm wider than the standard i3.

The high‑performance BMW i3 is

powered by a 135kW/184bhp electric motor with 199lb ft/270Nm of torque while a modified motor control delivers up to 40 per cent more speed range, power and torque than the standard car. The i3S gets from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, while top speed is 99mph, and has an official range of 174 miles (280km) on the NEDC cycle.

BMW i Vision Dynamics The big news on BMW’s stand was the unveiling of the i Vision Dynamics electric concept car. A four-door ‘Gran Coupé’, the i Vision Dynamics has an official range of 373 miles (600km) and a top speed of 120mph EQA oncept s-Benz C Mercede

amics ision Dyn BMW i V Jaguar IPace

BMW i3 S

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Frankfurt Motor Show

Audi Aicon

Smart Vis ion

EQ Fortw o

Mercede sGLC F-C Benz ell

en Volkswagrozz I.D. C Mini Concept tric

Elec (200km/h). BMW stated that it accelerates from 0 to 62mph in four seconds and “offers a look ahead to the e-mobility experience of the future”.

The style of the i Vision Dynamics hinted at what a car which sits in-between the current i3 and i8 could look like. In line with other big-hitting car makers’ announcements at the German expo, BMW will have 25 models with electrified drive systems on sale by 2025, of which 12 will be pure-electric.

Honda Urban EV Concept It was a global motor show debut for Honda’s cute pure-electric concept car. Built on an entirely new platform, the Japanese company stated that the Urban EV Concept points to design and technology which will feature on a future production battery electric Honda due in 2019. Shorter than a Jazz supermini, the Urban EV Concept’s styling is unashamedly retro, yet also modern, thanks to interactive messages which can be displayed between the headlights. No details were given on the car’s range or power output.

Jaguar I-Pace electric racing series This year’s German motor show saw the announcement of the world’s first international championship for production‑based electric cars. The Jaguar Racing I-Pace eTrophy will support the FIA Formula E series, starting in late 2018. The series will also support the roll‑out of the production version of the I-Pace road car.

Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps from its family hatchback electric vehicle concept, the EQA. Powered by a pair of electric motors – one each on the front and rear

axles – with a system output which can exceed 200kW, the official quoted range of the Concept EQA is around 250 miles (400km) depending on capacity. The the electric Mercedes can be charged by a wallbox, rapid charge points, or even inductively. The ‘EQ’ name stands for ‘Electric Intelligence’, and the German company’s electric ambitions state that it will have launched 10 pure EV models by 2022.

Mercedes-Benz GLC F-Cell German carmaker Mercedes-Benz launched the world’s first EV with a fuel-cell/battery powertrain at the Frankfurt event. The plug-in hybrid Mercedes is said to have an official range of up to 272 miles (437km) with 4.4kg of hydrogen on-board. Electric range is up to 30 miles (49km), while power output is 147kW (200bhp). Mercedes billed the car as a fuel-cell vehicle which uses a 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery as an additional energy source. This can be charged in around 1.5 hours thanks to an on-board 7.2kW charger.

Mini Electric Concept Celebrating its world premiere in Frankfurt, the all-electric concept Mini heralded a production version which will be go on sale from 2019. The standard Mini’s four‑square and minimalist overhangs remain, while fibreglass side skirts add more visual appeal.

Striking rear LED tail lamps feature half a Union Jack flag on each side, playing to the car’s UK manufacturing base and heritage. No details on drivetrain options were given, and the production car will follow the introduction of the Mini Countryman Plug-in Hybrid.

Smart Vision EQ Fortwo Smart premiered an electric concept car which showcased “a new vision of urban mobility

and individualised, highly flexible public transport”. The autonomous car collects passengers from their chosen location, while an array of individualisation options on the front, side, and rear panels help users identify which Smart Vision EQ Fortwo is ‘their’ car.

Even bigger news for Smart at Frankfurt, though, was the announcement that it will become the world’s first car maker to move from an all-combustion engine line-up to a full all-electric range of cars.

Volkswagen I.D. Crozz Volkswagen ploughed on with its new electric car offensive in Frankfurt with the reveal of an updated I.D. Crozz concept, which took the form of an SUV-influenced coupé.

The production version of the metallic red show car will be the second all-electric vehicle to appear after the 2020 introduction of the I.D., both of which will be followed by the 2022 pure-electric updating of the company’s iconic T2 campervan, the I.D. Buzz. And, by 2025, there will be a range of 23 all-electric Volkswagens, thanks to a five-year, €6 billion investment into e-mobility following the 2015 ‘Dieselgate’ diesel emissions issue.

The I.D. Crozz marries an electric 4Motion all-wheel drive system to a twin-electric motor powertrain. System output is 225kW, while Volkswagen quotes an official range of 500km (310 miles) on one battery charge.

As well as the I.D. Crozz, the Volkswagen Group announced a comprehensive electrification initiative which will see 80 new electric vehicles launched by 2025. ‘Roadmap E’ will see over €20 billion earmarked for e-mobility, while the group’s battery strategy will be driven forward, with an order volume of over €50 billion put out to tender. L Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Advertisement Feature

Trakm8 showcases new technologies at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry Trakm8’s recent Technology Roadshow allowed attendees to experience its new RoadHawk 600 4G integrated camera telematics device, put their efficient driving skills to the test on Trakm8’s eco-driving course, and get to know the company’s EV journey planner Fleet managers experienced the benefits of the latest technology from Trakm8 at a dedicated road show.

Telematics specialist, Trakm8, arranged a Technology Roadshow for transport operators and members of its reseller network.

The company showcased all the recent product developments from across the group, including its new 4G telematics camera, the latest optimisation software, and an EV journey planner.

Great opportunity The event, held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, was open to a hand-picked audience of current customers and prospects.

Colin Ferguson, managing director of fleet and optimisation at Trakm8, said: “We have invested heavily in developing new products, and have been looking forward to sharing the results with fleet managers and our telematics distributors.

“This was a great opportunity for existing and potential customers to gain first-hand experience of our latest solutions – and get a preview of some exciting new developments for 2018.”

Visitors got a first look at Trakm8’s new 4G integrated telematics camera, the RoadHawk 600, which was installed in the car used on the company’s eco-driving course.

This course gave attendees the chance to put their safe and efficient driving techniques to the test, with a prize for the most improved driver.

The telematics hardware within the RoadHawk 600 dash cam accurately measured the driving styles of participants on a benchmark lap around the three‑quarter‑mile‑long track.

Guests then benefited from a one-to-one session with one of Trakm8’s application engineers who showed them their driving scores and identified individual areas for improvement, such as speeding, heavy braking and harsh acceleration events.

Guests then embarked on another lap of the course, with the goal of improving their scores.

Trakm8’s engineers scaled up the results, so that visitors could see how their scores would have affected the MPG output of a large fleet of vehicles.

In addition to its driver behaviour scores,

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Trakm8 demonstrated the forthcoming Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for the RoadHawk 600. A camera focused on the cab monitors the occupant for signs of drowsiness and distracted driving, providing in-cab visual and audio alerts if it spots the driver using a mobile phone, or catches them nodding off.

Colin Ferguson, added: “By adding ADAS features to the RoadHawk 600, we can provide our customers with unparalleled insights into driver behaviour behind the wheel. Instances of distracted driving detected by the camera will ultimately make up part of a driver’s overall driver behaviour score.”

New experience Visitors also got the chance to experience demonstrations of the new Trakm8connectedcare connected car and vehicle diagnostics solution.

This enables users to swap their plug‑and‑play telematics devices between vehicles with ease – particularly useful for fleets with high vehicle turnaround rates or for keeping track of rental vehicles.

Trakm8’s advanced telematics includes automatic detection functionality, along with the capability to read the actual odometer value displayed in the vehicle as opposed to traditional readings based on GPS mileage. The solution is also able to recognise fault codes from each vehicle it is plugged into.

By reading vehicle fault codes, this acts as an early warning system, helping fleet managers to address any issues before they cause a costly vehicle breakdown.

Developments include reporting on real‑time fuel tank levels, more accurate fuel consumption and vehicle service information.

Electric vehicle journey planner Also on display was the recently-launched MyRouteMonkey electric vehicle journey planner, a new web application designed to help EV users plan long distance journeys.

Drivers log into the portal and specify their start point, destination, and EV type.

The software then calculates the best route and provides instructions on when, where and how long to stop, in order to recharge the battery. Motorists can also input how much battery charge they want their vehicle to retain at the end of the journey, ensuring

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

they have enough power for their next trip.

Ferguson said: “MyRouteMonkey is a simple way for fleets to combat the dreaded range anxiety – particularly for organisations that have EVs as pool cars. It plans long journeys in a matter of moments, helping to encourage wider use of EVs.” Trakm8’s Big Data scientists were also on hand to demonstrate how crash data is retrieved from vehicles in an accident, re‑enacting crashes at speeds between three and twelve miles per hour throughout the day.

Ferguson said: “Accurately identifying low-speed impacts actually represent a far bigger technological challenge than crashes at higher speeds.

“By carefully analysing the data from these low-speed impacts, we are able to spot trends that have previously gone unnoticed.

Our engineers can subsequently apply this new knowledge to our devices, enabling them to automatically differentiate between real accidents and jolts caused by uneven road surfaces and cattle grids.”

For information on how your fleet could benefit from Trakm8’s telematics, camera, optimisation and EV solutions, visit www.trakm8.com. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.trakm8.com

Emergency and rescue vehicles of virtually every type, including fire appliances, ambulances, fleet cars, motorbikes, boats and drones were on display throughout the indoor and outdoor exhibition areas at the Emergency Services Show, which took place at the NEC, Birmingham in September Leading vehicle suppliers attended the Emergency Services Show, including BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo Trucks as well as a wide range of chassis manufacturers and specialist vehicle converters.

BMW showed a strong line up of electric and hybrid range extender vehicles with a marked BMW i3 94Ah AC REx NHS specification Rapid Response Vehicle, a marked BMW i3 94Ah AC REx Fire & Rescue Incident Response Vehicle along with a new model BMW G30 530d xDrive AC Touring Roads Policing Unit.

The BMW i3 94Ah AC REx (Range Extender) is an electrically propelled vehicle with the advantage of a 649cc petrol engine that generates electricity to charge the vehicle propulsion battery. The CO2 emissions from the small engine are ultra-low. As an extreme example the i3 REx can be driven from Exeter to Edinburgh without having to recharge the propulsion battery (the driver will need to refill the petrol tank). This might not be likely for a 999 response, but it does highlight the flexibility of this model. The larger battery of the 94Ah model gives drivers the ability to travel up to 125 miles on a single charge and 206 miles with the range extender.

Police bikes A further highlight of the BMW display was the police version of its C evolution electric motor bike, currently being trialled by the City of London Police. As well as having zero emissions, the bike is very accelerative and extremely quiet.

Unlike traditional combustion engines, the electric drive in the C evolution offers a spontaneous and very direct power transmission. There is no delay in the build-up of torque. With a peak output of 35 kW (48bhp) and 72Nm of torque, it produces a torque of almost 600Nm at the rear wheel. The acceleration figure from 0 to 50km/h is 2.8 seconds.

The energy storage device in the BMW C evolution consists of three modules, each of which has twelve lithium-ion battery cells.

Thanks to the battery modules of the latest generation with 94 Ah, the range of the C evolution is now up to 160 kilometres.

The battery in the BMW C evolution is charged using the integrated charging device – either at a regular power socket or at a charging station.

CNG power from Iveco Commercial vehicle specialist Iveco was a newcomer to The Emergency Services Show and took the opportunity to introduce its

Emergency Services Show

Efficient vehicles at the Emergency Services Show with integral retarder. This high specification truck also comes complete with a five-six person Volvo crew cab, Electronic Braking System with ASB, ASR, Anti-Bandit Glass, Stability Control and features bodywork by John Dennis Coach Builders. The Volvo FL complements the Volvo FE range, which is becoming an increasingly popular, versatile product as both a water tanker and aerial platform in 4x2 and 6x2 configurations.

Lithium battery

technology BMW Among the many displayed ambulance suppliers exhibiting were AMZ the police version Vehicles, BAUS AT and of its C evolution WAS UK. WAS displayed electric motor bike, its new lithium battery technology which is currently which offers up to being trialled by the 100kg weight saving compared to the current City of London GEL and AGM solutions, Police offer demonstrable fuel and

natural power range of low emissions vehicles powered by natural gas. Iveco claims to be the only full-range manufacturer of light commercial and heavy commercial vehicles to offer a complete Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) range in the UK. It states that CNG-powered engines typically emit 15 per cent less carbon dioxide, or 95 per cent less in the case of biomethane fuel. Pollutant emissions are also much lower with 70 per cent less nitrogen oxide (NOx), 99 per cent less particulate matter and 99 per cent less no-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC). Engine noise is also reduced by up to 50 per cent.

Among the Iveco CNG vehicles on show was its latest CNG Daily Natural Power, a natural gas vehicle with dual CNG and petrol power. Designed and optimised for natural gas operation, if it runs out of fuel it automatically switches over to recovery petrol mode with a range of approximately 100km.

Fire appliances demonstrated Fire appliances were on show from Emergency One, Volvo Trucks and John Dennis, as well as the latest generation of smaller incident vehicles. In the outside area Emergency One will be demonstrated the Magirus M32L-AT turntable ladder featuring a telescopic 5-section ladder with a 32 metre working height.

Volvo Trucks displayed the new FL816 appliance in the livery of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS). It is powered by Volvo’s Euro-6 compliant D8K280 engine with 280bhp and 1,050Nm of torque and matched to an Allison 3000 series automatic transmission

emissions savings. The lithium battery also lasts ten times longer than conventional lead acid set up and charges ten times quicker. Its compact plug & play design offers a space saving advantage and the batteries are fully configurable to meet the power needs of a frontline ambulance. The individual lithium tubes are easy to replace and fully recyclable.

Also on display will be the all new WAS VW Crafter based ambulance, based on the ultramodern VW Crafter. Different versions of weight classes, motors, manual and automatic gear and chassis facilitate the adaptation of the base vehicle to customers’ special requirements. The new integrated WAS Design warning light bar is available for the VW Crafter only, for the time being.

The improved visibility from the front and from the side lays the foundation for the new WAS box body design. The light bar can be adapted to all box body widths and heights.

Alternatively, the WAS Fiat lightweight modular box A&E vehicle offers a solution to the restrictions of a panel van.

The vehicle has 20 per cent more interior workspace than a panel van but the gross vehicle weight is 6.5 per cent lighter, which improves fuel economy and enables bariatric capability with a pay load of 850kg. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.emergencyuk.com

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Retrofit Technologies

Quick win technology to tackle air pollution Older bus fleets are a significant source of pollution and need a rapid and cost-effective solution. The LowCVP has analysed a range of retrofit technologies and devised a Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme to help transport operators identify the most effective solutions for lowering emissions For a number of local authorities, the reductions and air quality benefits UK plan for tackling roadside NO2 in real world operation. concentrations presents a significant challenge, requiring them to improve poor Real-world analysis air quality as quickly as possible.

To assess the different types of retrofit Whilst the latest ultra-clean Euro VI solutions, the LowCVP conducted analysis buses and advanced electrified options of the Clean Vehicle Technology Fund (CVTF) comfortably meet clean emission and Clean Bus Technology Fund (CBTF) requirements, a significant majority of programmes over the last five years. The the older, existing bus fleet are seen as LowCVP’s evaluation report showed which being a significant source of pollution and technologies are the most effective, and have need a rapid and cost-effective solution. resulted in the development of a Clean Vehicle There are a range of retrofit Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS). The technologies out there that scheme, developed with the Energy Saving claim they can reduce Trust, provides a single standard for any emissions and emission technology to be validated l i pollutants. But until to meet the standards set out t n U s a now, there was in the government’s Clean Air w e r e h t , no independent Zone Framework for England. w t o n enden p evidence to It allows for a robust way of e d n i no o t show that such assessing competing retrofit e c eviden retrofit technologies technologies and helping t a h t actually deliver authorities and operators to r w sho delive s the expected identify effective technologies. e i g o l s emissions It is initially for buses, techno mission

re on thei g claims savin

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DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

but will extend rapidly to include a wide range of vehicles. A new £30 million government grant scheme is now open to local authorities in England and Wales who are looking to implement such accredited retrofit technologies in their bus fleets.

In-depth analysis The LowCVP’s Evaluation Report shows how it is critical for any vehicle operators and authorities to get independent and reliable emissions data or certification, before committing to any retrofit programme, and to ensure the technology is both effective and reliable in-service.

The Clean Bus Technology Fund (2013/2015) and Clean Vehicle Technology Fund (2014) programmes were introduced by the Department of Transport (DfT) to help reduce NOx emissions from diesel vehicles in cities experiencing poor air quality. The funding facilitated trials which involved retrofitting 2,137 diesel vehicles using a variety of NOx emission abatement technologies.

The government’s Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) commissioned and funded the LowCVP to undertake an evaluation of the CVTF and CBTF programmes, with the objective of determining the efficacy of different retrofit technologies in terms of reducing tailpipe NOx emissions and evaluating in-service performance.

In addition, the study assessed the impacts

Retrofit Technologies

The LowCVP work has highlighted the need for robust and independent vehicle emission testing to demonstrate the performance of retrofit technologies of the technologies on other air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. It covered twenty‑five local authority projects, five vehicle types and seven technologies including exhaust after-treatment such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR), fuel saving systems such as flywheel hybrids and engine conversions (such as the introduction of electric powertrains).

the highest emissions reduction also demonstrated excellent conformity with testing undertaken six months and two years after the initial fitting. The technology achieved high levels of NO2 emissions reduction (>80 per cent). The majority of retrofit SCR systems were fitted with particle filters, also resulting in high reductions (>75 per cent) in particulate (PM) emissions.

The results The LowCVP analysed a range of vehicle testing data, before and after retrofit equipment was fitted and when in service.

The Evaluation Report revealed that the highest NOx emission reductions (80 per cent to 100 per cent) were seen for retrofit SCR after-treatment and diesel bus engine conversion to use an electric powertrain.

There were moderate NOx emission reductions (25 per cent to 29 per cent) from retrofit thermal management and flywheel hybrid technologies. There were low NOx emission reductions (three per cent to six per cent) achieved by mild hybrid, hybrid assist, and dual fuel CNG conversions.

SCR retrofit, as well as showing

The rogues from the rubbish LowCVP’s head of projects, Gloria Esposito, said: “The LowCVP work has highlighted the need for robust and independent vehicle emission testing to demonstrate the performance of retrofit technologies in terms of both air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme builds upon our earlier work, enabling technology providers and vehicle users to focus on a nationally‑recognised independent system of equipment quality, durability and performance.

“LowCVP’s work in developing retrofit technology accreditation over a number of years provides one important part of the

About the LowCVP The LowCVP is a public-private, not‑for-profit partnership that exists to accelerate a sustainable shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels and create opportunities for UK businesses.

The LowCVP has been – and continues to be – mainly funded by the Department for Transport but with increasing contributions via membership fees and sponsorship/ project income. Approaching 200 organisations are members, from diverse backgrounds including automotive and fuel supply chains, vehicle users, academics and environment/not-for-profit bodies.

solution to tackling the urgent problem of cutting air pollution in our cities.”

LowCVP’s managing director, Andy Eastlake, added: “With the current focus on city air quality, there are a lot of erroneous claims being made for emissions-saving technology.

The accreditation scheme and our technology evaluation will help all stakeholders sort robust retrofits from rogues and rubbish.” L FURTHER INFORMATION www.lowcvp.org.uk

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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First Drive

FIRST DRIVE

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 Q4 Milano Edizione

Written by Richard Gooding

Named after an Italian mountain pass famed for driving satisfaction, does the first-ever Alfa Romeo SUV deliver on the same promise? Richard Gooding reports What is it?

Long-regarded as a manufacturer of charismatic and ‘emotional’ cars, Alfa Romeo has one of the most evocative model back catalogues in the automotive world.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s the marque created such iconic cars as the GTA and the deft-handling Alfasud, while the fleet-friendly 156 of 1996 combined style with practicality. The sharp-suited 159 of 2004 continued that trend, with the latest Giulia bringing the Alfa saloon up‑to‑date when it was unveiled in 2015.

The Stelvio marks the Italian manufacturer’s first foray in the SUV world, and builds on the look first inspired by the Kamal concept car of 2003, which floated the idea of a tall-silhouette Alfa Romeo. Not quite so an outlandish a concept as it first appeared, the Stelvio arrives at a time when SUVs are riding high, and when premium SUVs in particular are very fashionable. With rivals such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace, Land Rover Discovery Sport, and Volvo XC60 competing against it, the Alfa‑badged SUV’s success will be well-earned.

How does it drive?

With nods to both the well-received modern‑day Giulia saloon and the smaller Giulietta hatchback in its looks, the Stelvio looks every inch the Alfa Romeo SUV. From the ‘scudetto’ front grille to the gently‑tapered rear end, there’s more a hint of estate car in the Stelvio’s appearance rather than typical high-shouldered SUV. And it works, the Italian newcomer looking both smart and sporty.

Get inside, and the story is the same. While the cabin bears similarities to the Giulia, Alfa says that the

Stelvio’s interior is more passenger‑focused.

A low seating position brings a snug and sporty feel to proceedings, though, as does the cabin’s fit and finish. Similarly to its Giulia sibling, there are twin‑cowled dials, steering wheel-mounted and beautifully tactile aluminim paddle-shifters for the eight-speed automatic gearbox – the only transmission option – and a nice mix of carbonfibre and wood materials. However, the walnut trim on one of our test cars was part of an £1,900 option pack.

The cabin’s not the only place where exotic materials are used. At 1,604-1,659kg the Stelvio is the lightest SUV in its class, thanks to the liberal usage of lightweight materials in its construction. There is an aluminium bonnet and rear body, brake calipers, suspension, with engines also made from the lightweight metal. A carbonfibre propshaft sends 100 per cent of the power from the front-mounted engine to the rear wheels – but four-wheel drive models can have as much as 50 per cent of that power sent to the front tyres.

The ‘Q4’ four-wheel drive system continuously monitors numerous parameters and optimises torque distribution between the two axles according to what the car is doing and how much grip the road surface offers. Both the Stelvio and Giulia mark a return to ‘traditional’ rear-wheel drive Alfas, and share the same newly-developed ‘Giorgio’ platform. The Stelvio is 15 per cent stiffer than the Giulia, though, and also uses the same electronic and mechanical braking, steering, and suspension systems as its saloon sister.

What all this means of course, is that the Stelvio doesn’t handle like a traditional SUV, and feels very fleet of foot, yet incredibly stable, even at high speed.

Lightweight materials helps with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s economy, with an official combined cycle figure of 58.9mpg

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Alfa Romeo’s ‘D.N.A’ driving selection programme features an ‘Advanced Efficiency’ mode which saves energy

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Body control is good, the cambers and dips of our open road test route barely unsettling the Stelvio’s composure. The Italian SUV corners flatly, too, and exhibits an overall ‘tied‑down’ feeling. Add in a comfortable – if firm – ride and direct steering which lets you place the car accurately enough, and the Stelvio lives up to its sporty billing.

Performance is on the sporty side, too, with the 210bhp turbodiesel Stelvio posting a quoted 0-62mph time of 6.6 seconds, but if we’re being particularly critical, there’s a slight ‘lag’ from the automatic gearbox when accelerating. The engine is quiet when on the move, though. Other downsides? The satellite navigation system lacks some polish when compared to some rivals with limited functionality and zoom options, and there doesn’t appear to be an overly large amount of rear legroom.

How economical is it?

The Stelvio’s lightweight build helps with the its economy. Alfa Romeo quotes a combined cycle fuel economy figure of 58.9mpg for the 210bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel‑engined Stelvio, which creeps up to 60.1mpg on lower-powered 180bhp versions. All Stelvios feature stop-start systems to cut the engine when stationary in traffic to save fuel, and all engines regardless of fuel type meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standard.

Economy can be optimised further by choosing the ‘Advanced Efficiency’ mode on the Stelvio’s standard Alfa Romeo ‘D.N.A’ drive selector programme. Changing the car’s dynamic behaviour, the increased efficiency mode minimises emission levels and saves energy.

What does it cost?

Available in four trim levels, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is priced from £33,990 for the

First Drive

The Stelvio is the first SUV in Alfa Romeo’s 100‑year history

Premium-feel cabin features a mix of high-quality materials

entry‑level ‘Stelvio’ model powered by the 180bhp version of the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, driving the rear wheels. As you’d expect from a premium-positioned SUV, equipment is high, with 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8.8-inch colour infotainment system, auto lights and wipers, climate control, cruise control, Alfa’s ‘DNA’ driving mode selector, and rear parking sensors all included in the price.

Move up to the £37,290-plus ‘Super’ specification and the wheels gain an inch in diameter, while satellite navigation and front parking sensors become kit additions.

‘Speciale’ models start at £43,690 and add 19-inch wheels and bi-xenon headlights, as well as chrome window surrounds, heated leather seats and steering wheel, and red calipers. Range-topping ‘Milano Edizione’ Stelvios like our test cars include 20-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded 10-speaker audio system, keyless entry, privacy glass, rear-view camera, and sports leather seats in the £43,990-upwards price.

In time, a dedicated diesel-engined Tecnica model will also be available to corporate, fleet, and professional customers, offering key kit including an 8.8-inch Alfa Connect 3D Nav infotainment system, bi-xenon headlights, and electric folding mirrors.

How much does it cost to tax?

Alfa Romeo’s new SUV challenger has emissions of 127g/km in 2.2 turbodiesel Q4 all-wheel drive form, whether with outputs of 180bhp

or the more powerful 210bhp version tested here. This places it in the £160 firstyear rate band of VED, with the launch cars’ high-specification Milano Edizione trim costing £450 per year thereafter due to their list price exceeding £40,000.

The lowest-emitting and cleanest two‑wheel drive 180bhp 124g/km Stelvios cost the same £160 in the first year, while the 200 and 280bhp four-wheel drive petrol models are rated at 161g/km, attracting a hefty £500 bill after initial registration. The lowest-priced ‘Stelvio’ and ‘Super’-trimmed models that retail under £40,000 are the cheapest when it comes to VED after the first year, with all versions rated at £140.

Why does my fleet need one?

The Stelvio’s arrival is big news for Alfa Romeo. Expected to be its halo and biggest‑selling model in 2018, the company’s first SUV has a lot riding on its broad, rounded shoulders. And overall, there is a great deal to like. Stylish looks, ample performance and a driving experience which is more sports-orientated than many of its rivals, the Stelvio is something of which Alfa can be justifiably proud.

While the list prices of high-end models attract a penalty when it comes

to vehicle tax, the Stelvio should prove popular to drivers who desire a stylish and swift carry-all. Engaging yet practical, the Stelvio is a very attractive entry into the SUV segment from one of the most revered names in the business. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.alfaromeo.co.uk

Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 turbodiesel 210 Q4 AWD Milano Edizione ENGINE: 2,143cc, four-cylinder diesel CO2:

127g/km

NOx:

61mg/km

MPG (combined): VED:

58.9

£160 first-year, £140-£450 thereafter (see text)

BIK:

25%

PRICE (OTR):

£43,990 (including VAT, £47,435 as tested)

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

47

First Drive

Peugeot Partner SE L2 Electric GROSS PAYLOAD:

552kg

LOAD VOLUME:

3.7m3

ENGINE:

49kW/67bhp synchronous electric motor, 22.5kWh lithium-ion battery

CO2: RANGE: VED:

0g/km 106 miles £0

PRICE (ex-VAT): £22,180 (excluding on-the-road costs and government PiVG)

FIRST DRIVE

Peugeot Partner SE L2 Electric Richard Gooding finds that a greater load length adds to the practicality of the all-electric version of Peugeot’s small commercial was up‑to‑date, while the greater load length model was unveiled earlier this year.

What is it?

Similarly to the latest all‑electric version of the Citroën Berlingo (GreenFleet issue 107), Peugeot has launched a new zero‑emission variant of its light commercial.

Like its Citroën sister, the big news is the arrival of an ‘L2’ version, with a greater 250mm load length, which joins the familiar ‘L1’ model. A shared heritage with the popular Berlingo saw a first-generation Partner Electric land in 1998, with a second‑generation model launched in 2013.

A refresh in 2015 ensured the small Peugeot

48

How practical is it?

The Partner SE L1 Electric has a payload of 636kg, and a carrying capacity of 3.3m3, but the L2 version sees the cargo capacity extend to 3.7m3. This can grow further to 4.1m3 – 3.7m3 on the smaller L1 – thanks to the multiflex folding passenger bench seat, which also sees the load length extended even more to 3,250mm. On both versions of the all-electric Partner, the 22.5kW lithium‑ion battery packs are fitted under the loadspace floor, therefore meaning the all‑important interior cargo dimensions are the same as their diesel‑engined relatives. While the Partner SE L1 Electric has a sliding door on the nearside and asymmetric rear opening doors, the L2 boasts twin sliding side doors.

What range does it have?

By using the 49kW (67bhp) permanent magnet synchronous electric motor/22.5kWh lithium‑ion battery pack drivetrain, the Peugeot Partner SE L2 Electric features

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

the same official quoted range of up to 106 miles, or, a more authentic 80-90 miles in ‘real-world’ conditions.

How long does it take to charge?

A 16A Type 2 charging cable comes as standard with both L1 and L2 versions of the Partner Electric, and it is compatible with the majority of UK public charging points.

This takes eight hours to refill the battery, while a 13A household/domestic socket replenish will take around 10 hours.

Both Partner L1 and L2 variants’ batteries can be recharged to 80 per cent of their capacity in 30 minutes from a 50kW (DC) CHAdeMO rapid charge point. In November 2016, the UK government also announced a workplace grant for charge points which enables electric vehicle customers to gain a reduction in the cost of electric charge points (tinyurl.com/ych8tejc).

How does it drive?

Just as before, the Partner Electric’s all‑electric powertrain drives the front wheels through a speed reducer and single ratio gearbox.

Acceleration is brisk off the line as you’d expect, thanks to the electric motor’s 148lb ft (200Nm) of torque from rest. The overall impression is that it’s just the same

First Drive

The L2 version of Peugeot’s Partner Electric van adds a useful 250mm to the overall load length

Twin sliding doors are standard on all L2 versions of the Peugeot Partner small van

The Peugeot Partner SE L2 Electric boasts an additional 250mm of load length and has emissions of 0g/km

as driving an internal combustion‑engined LCV, apart from the very obvious lack of noise. Around urban areas, the electric small Peugeot commercial is nippy and easy to use, its compact size making it a cinch to thread through town and city centres, somewhere the French EV will spend a lot of its time with the Royal Mail (see panel).

Just as in an electric car, the drive motor also provides regenerative braking under deceleration. This aids battery recharging and also reduces wear on the brakes, therefore bringing cost savings when it comes to maintenance bills.

How much does it cost to tax?

Just as with other zero‑emission and all‑electric offerings, Peugeot Partner Electric vans are exempt from UK Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), which brings a further saving of £230 per year when compared to diesel rivals.

There are other savings, too, as Partner Electric drivers in London will be eligible for the Ultra-Low Emission Discount (ULED) which gives a 100 per cent exemption from the London Congestion Charge, worth £2,000 per year. Selected London boroughs also offer free parking permits for electric vehicles: another potential £1,750 annual saving.

What does it cost?

The larger-capacity Peugeot Partner SE L2 Electric is priced from £22,180 excluding VAT and on‑the‑road costs, while the smaller L1 version of the French all-electric LCV challenger starts at £21,750. The UK’s Office of Low Emission Vehicles’ Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG) from also discounts 20 per cent of the price including VAT, excluding on-the-road costs, and is worth up to £5,323.20 (reduced accordingly when a manufacturer discount is offered).

Why does my fleet need one?

The Partner SE L2 Electric offers all more practicality than the smaller L1 version, and offers quite large potential savings when compared to traditional diesel‑engined vans.

Although its range means it’s perfectly suited to urban deliveries, the lack of VED costs also helps the Peugeot EV’s case. L

A battery meter and auxillary consumption gauge which monitors the impact of consumables on the battery’s performance is standard on electric versions of the Partner

Partner Tepee Electric launched As well as the electric commercial variant of the Partner, Peugeot now offers the passenger‑carrying version as an EV. The Partner Tepee Electric is capable of over 100 miles on all-electric power, and can be set to charge remotely via a smartphone, while the Tepee Electric can be rapid charged to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.

Peugeot has also secured an order for 100 Partner L2 Electric vans from Royal Mail. The vans will be used for local deliveries, and will go into service from December 2017.

FURTHER INFORMATION business.peugeot.co.uk

Volume 108 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

49

Product Finder

ALTERNATVE FUELS

EV CHARGER POINT INSTALLER

Certas Energy

Kiwa

Doyle Electrical Services

www.certasenergy.co.uk Tel: 0345 600 3519 Email: product@certasenergy.co.uk

www.kiwa.co.uk enquiries@kiwa.co.uk +44 (0)1242 677877

www.doyleelectrical.co.uk Tel: 01473 622 674

Certas Energy is the UK’s largest independent supplier of fuel and lubricants, operating a national network to deliver a competitive and responsive service. Committed to providing customers with smarter, alternative fuel choices, Certas is the only supplier of Shell GTL Fuel in the UK – a cleaner burning alternative to diesel to help tackle the UK’s air quality problem.

Kiwa is an energy management and low carbon consultancy, recognised internationally for technical expertise in gas, solid fuel, oil and renewables. As a leading testing and certification body for hydrogen and other gas applications, Kiwa has been involved in many high profile and innovative projects to help the UK meet its carbon reduction targets.

Doyle Electrical Services Ltd, are OLEV grant approved EV charge point installers for Rolec, MyEnergi, and EO. We are also approved installers for Tesla. We cover East Anglia, Norfolk, and Essex.

FLEET MANAGEMENT

HYDROGEN

Chevin Fleet Solutions

ULEMCo

+44 1773 821992 Sales@chevinfleet.co.uk www.chevinfleet.com/gb/

01928 787 179 info@ulemco.com www.ulemco.com The Quay, 12 Princes Parade, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1BG

Chevin’s leading fleet management software, FleetWave, helps measure and reduce fleet costs, improve operational efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure compliance & risk requirements are met. The system manages the whole fleet lifecycle, from the initial acquisition of a vehicle, through to deployment, operating expenses, incidents, work orders, maintenance, legal requirements and finally disposal.

CAR AND VAN RENTAL

Green Motion 2 Redman Court, Bell Street, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 0AA Tel: 01844 222333 reservations@greenmotion.co.uk www.greenmotion.co.uk Green Motion is the UK’s leading provider of low CO2 vehicle hire. Through our national network, we offer both leisure and business customers the opportunity to enjoy great value vehicle rental, while helping to reduce the impact of global CO2 emissions associated with road travel. Providing reporting and advice to management and staff, Green Motion can highlight savings in cost and impact on the environment.

50

HYDROGEN

ULEMCo Ltd offer services to convert commercial vehicles to run on hydrogen dual fuel. Including the supply & installation of safely engineered retrofit, warranty and VSO certificate. Ideally suited to significantly reduce emissions for urban duties. Advice, consultancy and the supply of hydrogen refuelling capability can also be provided.

RAPID CHARGING

Engenie www.engenie.co.uk Email: info@engenie.co.uk The specialist in rapid charging and installer of the first publicly available rapid charger in the UK, Engenie has many years of expertise in EV rapid charging technology. Engenie provides fully funded high-quality reliable rapid chargers for fleets, removing the argument against the switch to electric mobility. Call 08000 588 400 to find out more.

ADVERTISERS INDEX

The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service

Certas Energy UK 25 Ecco Safety Group 36 EDT Automotive 27 Engine Carbon Clean 12 Engenie Inside Back Cover Ford Inside Front Cover Iveco 14 Kiwa 22 Mini 6

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net

O2 Telematics 30 Petro-Canada 28, 29 The AA 34 TomTom Telematics 33 Toyota 4 Toyota Back Cover Trakm8 42 Vauxhall 8 VW 10

Supercharge your fleet Keep your business moving with 100% funded EV rapid chargers

Engenie is set to fund and install hundreds of electric vehicle RAPID charging points throughout the UK in car parks at supermarkets, hotels, restaurant chains, petrol stations, commercial developments, on-street locations and at fleet depots.

Let us help you make a smooth transition to environmentally friendly zero emission vehicles.

Our fully funded rapid charging stations provide the perfect answer to keeping your electric vehicles charged at lower cost.

50kW charging to 80% in under 30 minutes, 16 x quicker than standard points 100% funded installation so no cost to your organisation Total solution to help fleet managers move to electric vehicles Contributes to improving local air quality Industry leading, proven, reliable, safe and futureproof charging equipment 24/7 friendly customer service with simple kWh unit billing

For more information contact us:

E: fleets@engenie.co.uk T: 08000 588 400 Compliant with

www.engenie.co.uk

REDUCED BUDGET GIVING YOU HEADACHES?

Meet your budget by switching to our world-leading hybrids.

See how much you can save by calling 0344 701 6186 or visit toyotalexusfleet.co.uk/cost

www.greenfleet.net

THE ALFA ROMEO STELVIO. MORE THAN AN SUV.

ISSUE 108

Search Alfa Romeo Stelvio

THE ALFA ROMEO STELVIO. MORE THAN AN SUV. SOME MAKE. WE CREATE. Introducing the All-New Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

Created to be different, with beauty, joy and performance at its heart. It defies the rules of its class, to become a fully versatile All-Wheel-Drive SUV with the feel of a best-in-class sports saloon. With 525 litres boot capacity, and sumptuous leather interiors. It’s the perfect marriage of road presence and driver exhilaration. All from £33,775 (P11D).

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a car for the business user who refuses to settle for anything less; who wants to enjoy the experience rather than just make a journey.

SAFETY The Alfa Romeo Stelvio puts cutting-edge technology into practice with an active approach to safety.

It pairs our world-class Integrated Brake System with Autonomous Emergency Breaking, complete with pedestrian recognition to help you limit risk and avoid hazards.

Search Alfa Romeo Stelvio

THE ALFA ROMEO STELVIO. HARMONY & INNNOVATION.

PERFORMANCE The Alfa Romeo Stelvio introduces unprecedented innovations to the SUV category. The use of extensive ultra-light materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium, helps to keep CO2 emissions and fuel consumption low; the 2.2 Turbo Diesel 180hp Q4 AWD engine produces best-in-class CO2 emissions of just 127g/km whilst the RWD version of the same engine achieves combined cycle fuel consumption of 60.1mpg. For those that prefer Petrol, the stunning performance of the 2.0 Turbo Petrol 280hp Q4 AWD engine allows you to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds.

TECHNOLOGY

Q4 (AWD)

BALANCE

ALFA D.N.A.

100% rear-drive with automatic transfer of up to 50% torque to the front axle when slippage is detected.

Perfect 50/50 weight distribution between the two axles for improved agility and speed.

Transform the drive dynamic for the road ahead at the touch of a button.

Search Alfa Romeo Stelvio

THE ALL-NEW ALFA ROMEO STELVIO SPECIALE. AVAILABLE FROM £359 PER MONTH* Whether you are a fleet decision maker or a company car driver, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio offers the complete fleet and business package. Coupling the most exciting driving dynamics with elegant Italian design and offering exceptional fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and specification, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is the perfect Business choice.

RANGE OF OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE ALFA STELVIO RANGE: URBAN CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 31.7 (8.9) – 51.4 (5.5), EXTRA-URBAN CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 47.9 (5.9) – 65.7 (4.3), COMBINED CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 40.4 (7.0) – 60.1 (4.7).

EMISSIONS 161 – 124 G/KM. FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 VALUES ARE OBTAINED FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH EC DIRECTIVES/REGULATIONS AND MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF REAL LIFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. FACTORS SUCH AS DRIVING STYLE, WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS MAY ALSO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON FUEL CONSUMPTION. *Business Contract Hire. Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 D 180 Speciale 5dr Auto. Initial rental of £2,154 followed by 35 monthly rentals of £359, excl. VAT & maintenance. Based on 8,000 miles p.a. Excess mileage charges apply. Vehicles must be ordered & registered by 31/12/17. Subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Ts&Cs apply. Leasys, SL1 0WU.