GreenFleet 72

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

TRANSPORT INNOVATION

www.greenfleet.net

2014 CV SHOW

ISSUE 72

GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES

MISSION ULTRA LOW EMISSION

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer on getting the country into zero & ultra-low CO2 vehicles

INTERVIEW

DELIVERING CARBON REDUCTION

TNT Express UK & Ireland shares its strategy for lowering fleet emissions

ROAD TESTS: VAUXHALL ZAFIRA TOURER • RENAULT CLIO DCI

Less fuel in.

More miles out.

Go further with the new Honda engine.

CR-V 1.6 Diesel

Civic 1.6 Diesel

Civic Tourer 1.6 Diesel

• Low fuel costs 62.8 mpg

• Low fuel costs 78.5 mpg

• Low fuel costs 74.3 mpg

• 119 g/km CO2

• 94 g/km CO2

• 99 g/km CO2

• Band C VED

• Zero VED

• Zero VED

• BIK rate from 18%

• BIK rate from 13%

• BIK rate from 14%

• Two wheel drive

• Insurance group from 15E

• Insurance group from 15E

honda.co.uk/corporate Fuel consumption figures for the Honda range in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle 23.2 – 70.6 (12.2 – 4.0), Extra Urban 40.4 – 85.6 (7.0 – 3.3), Combined 32.5 – 78.5 (8.7 – 3.6). CO2 emissions 201 – 94g/km. Fuel consumption figures sourced from official EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving experience.

Models shown for illustrative purposes: Civic 1.6 i-DTEC S in optional White Orchid Pearl, CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC S in optional Passion Red Pearl and Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus in optional Twilight Blue Metallic.

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GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE TRANSPORT INNOVATION

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

www.greenfleet.net

2014 CV SHOW

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer on getting the country into zero & ultra-low CO2 vehicles

INTERVIEW

DELIVERING CARBON REDUCTION

TNT Express UK & Ireland shares its strategy for lowering fleet emissions

ROAD TESTS: VAUXHALL ZAFIRA TOURER • RENAULT CLIO DCI

BIK RATES FOR EVs INCREASE George Osborne’s 2014 Budget had many points of interest for the fleet industry. Scrapping the planned increase in fuel duty for petrol and diesel until at least May 2015 was welcome news. But the BIK rises for zero‑emission vehicles was not.

ISSUE 72

GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES

MISSION ULTRA LOW EMISSION

Comment

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

Many fleet industry associations, such as ACFO and the BVRLA, were pushing for the government to extend the 0 per cent rate that electric car owners currently pay. But now company vehicles emitting between zero and 50g/km CO2 will be subject to five per cent tax in the next fiscal year, rising to seven per cent in 2016-17.

As fleets are the main purchasers of electric vehicles, this could act as a huge disincentive going forward, and prove damaging for a sector still in its infancy.

But still the government is steadfast in its mission to grow the zero and low‑emission vehicle market, especially as the UK faces legal proceedings from the European Commission over its failure to meet EU air quality standards. On pages 16 and 17, Secretary of State for Transport Baraness Kramer explains the government’s recent Go Ultra Low campaign to promote the benefits of electric and ultra-low emission vehicles to consumers and fleets, and shares the further work it is doing to drive uptake and grow the industry.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we interview

Alistair Cochrane, managing director of TNT Express UK & Ireland on its successful fleet emission‑reduction strategy, the Technology Strategy Board shares the work it is doing to drive growth and innovation in the green transport industry, and we give our pick of the best green vehicles at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

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 EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Arthur Walsh EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Danny Wright PRODUCTION EDITOR Richard Gooding PRODUCTION CONTROL Jacqueline Lawford, Jo Golding WEB PRODUCTION Reiss Malone PUBLISHER Martin Freedman ADMINISTRATION Victoria Leftwich ACCOUNT MANAGER Carl Skinner REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

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© 2014 Public Sector Information Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 1362 - 2541

Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

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Contents

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

CONTENTS GREENFLEET 72 07 GREENFLEET NEWS

07

Fuel duty frozen and BIK rate changes feature in the Budget 2014; EV rapid charging network in Milton Keynes; alternative fuel HGV recommendations

39 EVENT REVIEW: CAPITAL GREENFLEET

20 INTERVIEW

40 ROAD TEST: VAUXHALL ZAFIRA TOURER 1.6 CDTi

Alistair Cochrane, managing director of TNT Express UK & Ireland, explains the firm’s strategy and commitment to reduce its own fleet carbon footprint

25 TRANSPORT INNOVATION

Tim O’Brien talks to GreenFleet about the Transport Strategy Board’s work and its real‑world trials with fleets

31 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW

The CV Show caters for every operator’s requirements, from trucks, vans and all types of trailers, through to handling equipment, fuels, telemetry and more

25 31

GreenFleet looks at the green stars of the recent Switzerland exhibition

16 GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES

Transport Minster Baroness Kramer explains the government’s Go Ultra Low Campaign

16

35 2014 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Quentin Wilson led one-to-one sessions at the Capital GreenFleet event for fleet managers

Angela Pisanu tests the big Vauxhall with a new 1.6 CDTi engine

43 ROAD TEST: RENAULT CLIO dCi S&S ECO

Richard Gooding tests the small French car with 88.3mpg and 83g/km CO2 promised

45 ROAD TEST: VW GOLF GTD

With emissions on a par with previous Golf BlueMotions, the GTD is fast and fun

46 PRODUCT FINDER A round-up of products and services for the fleet market

45

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GreenFleet magazine

www.greenfleet.net Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

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POLLUTION

WHO pollution death estimates double The World Health Organisation has reported that in 2012 around 7 million people died (1 in 8 of total global deaths) as a result of air pollution exposure. This finding doubles previous estimates and confirms that air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk.

The new estimates are based on more knowledge about the diseases caused by air pollution, and better assessment through the use of improved measurements and technology.

“Excessive air pollution is often a by-product of unsustainable policies in sectors such as transport, energy, waste management and industry. In most cases, healthier strategies will also be more economical in the long term due to health-care cost savings as well as climate gains,” says Dr Carlos Dora, WHO Coordinator for Public Health, Environmental and Social READ MORE: Determinants tinyurl.com/pqgdd5q of Health.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Majority of UK charging points will charge Fees will be introduced at the majority of UK charging stations over the next year, following the end of the government‑funded Plugged in Places scheme, which provided match funding for the building and operation of charging stations.

Chargemaster will become the first provider to levy a cost to users in April.

Chief executive David Martell said: “This is happening not just in the UK but all over the world. In the Netherlands until last year charging points were free and now it’s chargeable. You can’t get away from it. If you want public charging points someone has to pay not only for the electricity but also for the maintenance and investment. This is a positive step because it means there’ll be more and better-maintained charging sites.”

Around a fifth of Chargemaster’s stations will begin charging from April, with more becoming paid-for in the coming months.

Drivers will be able to pay by monthly direct debit or annual subscription, or with a smartphone app. Prices will be equivalent to £1.20 an hour for a standard 13amp tariff, £1.70 for an advanced Type 2 tariff and £7.50 for thirty minutes of rapid charging.

News

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

FINANCE

Budget 2014: Fuel duty frozen and BIK rate changes Among the announcements in Budget 2014 is enhanced capital allowances for zero-emissions goods vehicles

George Osborne has reversed plans for increased fuel duties in his 2014 Budget, meaning that there will be no rise in duty for petrol and diesel until at least May 2015. Support for green initiatives came in the form of freezing fuel duty differentials for compressed natural gas and biomethane until 2024. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will see its duty differential decrease by 1p every year until 2024.

For conventional company cars, BIK rates will increase from 2017-18 by two per cent for vehicles emitting more than 75g/km CO2, up to a maximum of 37 per cent. There will be two new BIK bands for ultra-low emission cars. Company vehicles emitting between zero and 50g/km CO2 will be subject to five per cent tax in the next fiscal year, rising to seven per cent in 2016-17. Vehicles emitting 51-75g/km CO2 will be subject to nine per cent tax on the P11D price in 2015-16 and 11 per cent in 2016-17.

Osborne also spoke about enhanced capital allowances (ECAs). The ECA for zero emission goods vehicles will be extended to March 2018, but this will only apply to companies that do not claim the Plug-in Van Grant.

Businesses purchasing ultra-low emission

vehicles will also have their 100 per cent First Year Allowance extended until March 2018.

ACFO chairman Damian James said: “Benefit-in-kind tax rates up to the end of the 2016/17 financial year were already known.

Therefore, the decision of the Chancellor to announce rates for 2017/18 and 2018/19 is to be welcomed. It means that company car drivers can make their vehicle selection in clear knowledge of what their benefit-in-kind tax liability will be for the lifetime of the car.

“Nevertheless, the rates announced still mean that an employee choosing a company car with emissions up to 50g/km, such as an electric car, will go from paying 0 per cent benefit-in-kind tax in 2013/14 and 2014/15 to 5 per cent in 2015/16, 7 per cent in 2016/17, 9 per cent in 2017/18 and 13 per cent in 2018/19, which is a series of steep increases.

“Furthermore, cars with emission levels below 95g/km are not hugely plentiful at the moment.

“Therefore, we hope that vehicle manufacturers will continue to focus on introducing more vehicles into these lower tax bandings in READ MORE: the coming tinyurl.com/p5r9mtn years.”

TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS

Electric rental scheme for London The capital is to introduce a scheme similar to the Paris Autolib electric car sharing initiative. Up to 3,000 electric Bolloré Bluecars will be available for short hires in London from March 2015.

The Paris scheme was launched by the Bolloré Group in 2011 and since then has experienced rapid growth, with an average of 10,000 rentals per day. The Bolloré Group recently secured a TfL contract to upscale the charging network.

Vincent Bolloré said: “We believe it could be equally successful in London, offering

people a convenient and low-cost form of environmentally friendly transport.”

Leon Daniels, head of surface transport at TfL, said: “London is in very serious danger of getting a €300m (£250m) fine from the EU for its breaches of air quality.

“We think electric vehicles are very much the right answer for London, and in particular when shared, reducing the total number of vehicles on our streets and drastically READ MORE: reducing tinyurl.com/p3xwqu8 emissions.”

Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

EV rapid charging network in Milton Keynes A Milton Keynes Council initiative to form a network of 14 electric vehicle rapid chargers has been completed four weeks before the planned launch date.

The rapid chargers are some of the first ‘tri-standard’ units in the UK and will allow electric vehicle (EV) drivers to charge their cars in approximately 20 minutes, enabling cross‑country motoring through Cambridge, Bedford, Milton Keynes, Buckingham and Oxford.

The charging units are sited at strategic locations connecting Cambridge and Bedford in the East with Milton Keynes and Cheltenham, Oxford and Buckingham with Milton Keynes to the South West. The units, supplied by local company, Chargemaster Plc, will provide rapid charging to a whole range of the latest electric vehicles. The ‘tri-standard’ charging points are designed to work with all the latest electric cars.

The network of charging points has been partly funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) under a government scheme

Councillor Keith McLean, Milton Keynes Council Cabinet member for Transport (left) and David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster Plc

supporting the growth of ultra low emission vehicles and the respective charging network.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “These charge points are the first of their kind in England, able to rapidly recharge a wide range of plug-in vehicles.

“The government is committed to making the UK a leading market for ultra low emission vehicles and putting in place versatile and accessible infrastructure like this is an important part READ MORE: of making this tinyurl.com/oyzygo8 happen.”

FREIGHT

EU Parliament backs new lorry design The EU Parliament has supported draft motions to alter the length and weight restrictions imposed on lorries used on European roads. The new designs aim to reduce emissions and deliver greater fuel economy (savings of £2,513 per year based on 62,137 a year mileage are predicted). Additionally, trucks and buses with low carbon motors would have their weight limit increased by one tonne.

Under the changes, lorries could have a rounder, streamlined front end instead of the ‘brick’ shape which is the current standard. The additional cabin space would have to incorporate new safety measures, such as a crumple zone to protect pedestrians and cyclists. There

would also be scope to incorporate aerodynamic flaps on vehicles’ rears.

While manufacturers would be able to use these designs once the law is passed, there are plans to make them mandatory by 2022.

The motions await approval from all 28 EU member states before they can pass into law. William Todts, clean vehicles officer at Transport & Environment (T&E), said: “Today is a good day for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, hauliers and the environment. This vote brings the end of the brick-shaped cab closer. It’s a key decision that will reduce road deaths and kick-start progress on lorry CO2 emissions after 20 READ MORE: years of tinyurl.com/nfhoyko stagnation.”

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Low carbon lorries for Waitrose delivery fleet The supermarket chain Waitrose will use six dual-fuel lorries (running on a mix of gas and diesel) as part of its delivery fleet, it has been announced. The trucks are fitted with fuel‑saving measures like low rolling resistance tyres and aerodynamic trailer design.

The dual-fuel trucks are developed in conjunction with Cambridge University. As well as running on a mix of gas and diesel, the lorries have a range of fuel saving measures fitted. These range from simple measures such as lowering

the height of the vehicle and fitting low rolling resistance tyres, to more advanced engineering, including an aerodynamic truck and trailer design with a smooth underside and open rear section to help optimise air flow under the vehicle.

Justin Laney, Waitrose central transport general manager, said: “We’re always looking at ways to improve fuel consumption and reduce our carbon emissions, and one of the ways we’ve looked to do that is by improving the aerodynamics on the lorries we use.”

News

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

NEWS IN BRIEF Fleets urged to get involved in Road Safety Week Employers, especially those with staff who drive for work, are being urged to sign up now to be part of Road Safety Week 2014 (17-23 November), the UK’s biggest road safety event. The charity Brake, which coordinates the event, is encouraging organisations to go to www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk for ideas on using the event to promote safe driving to staff and the wider community, and to register for a free e-action pack.

READ MORE:

www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk

Renault defends leasing model for batteries Renault is standing by its battery leasing model for electric vehicles, saying it allows them to sell cars at lower prices and aids competitiveness. The company’s UK sales director Darren Payne told Fleet News: “We’ve got a number of major leasing companies using that model. We still believe that it’s the best and most affordable route to market.”

The leasing model has been criticised in the past by automotive information experts CAP, who refuse to forecast prices for used EVs with no battery included.

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/nmafgas

Diesels greener, says SMMT The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has said that efficiency ratings for diesel engines have improved over the last decade. It was found that cars running on diesel emit 21 per cent less pollution and are 27 per cent more economical than in 2003. Innovations such as stop/start systems and common rails have helped bring about these efficiencies.

Peter Fouquet, president of Bosch in the UK, said: “Motorists today benefit from much cleaner diesel cars than those that were on the market even ten years ago. As diesel car sales continue to rise, we are focused on constantly innovating new technologies that help reduce emissions from diesel cars and make them cheaper to run.”

Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

News

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

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Old EV batteries to help power Europe data centres Disused electric car batteries could be used as energy storage to manage the power demands of Europe’s data centres.

The idea is to use lots of old batteries as stores that can supply power on demand at peak times.

A €4.3m (£3.6m) research project called Green Data Net is looking at new ways to maintain Europe’s computer infrastructure.

The project is looking at using both hardware and software to do a better job of getting power from where it is generated to the data centres where it is needed.

Using lots of partially degraded car batteries as a store could be one way that power could be stockpiled as it was generated and then supplied to data centres at peak times, said documents describing the Green Data Net initiative.

If electric or hybrid cars prove popular in Europe, the region could end up with a stockpile of old lithium-ion batteries that are no longer useful for cars but are still broadly functional.

“Affordable and reliable batteries could have a second life in data centres and in the home, starting around 2020,” a spokesman for Nissan told TechWeek as the Green Data Net READ MORE: consortium tinyurl.com/odum2cl was launched.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Alternative fuel recommendations for HGVs The Low Emission HGV Task Force has published its latest recommendations on the use of methane and biomethane in HGVs. The Task Force views the use of natural gas and biomethane as an important part of the carbon reduction agenda, especially in regional and long-distance freight operations. The new report highlights the benefits of supporting these fuels, including powerful costs, greater energy security and reductions in air pollution.

The report includes short-term recommendations to support the early adoption of gas-fuelled HGVs, as well as medium and long-term recommendations

to develop the use of methane. A number of key areas are examined, including: removing financial and legal obstacles; facilitating implementation and delivery; and improving the evidence base.

The Task Force concludes: “There is potential for a breakthrough in the take up of methane gas HGVs, but there are many challenges which need to be addressed to create the conditions for road freight operators to invest in new technologies and infrastructure. In addition, work needs to be done to understand the long term case for READ MORE: moving to tinyurl.com/pnxrchk methane gas.”

No MRP provisions ELECTRIC VEHICLES Independent garages train to be hybrid-ready for EVs Maximum Resale Price (MRP) provisions will not apply to resold electricity from electric vehicle charging points, Ofgem has announced. A recent open letter from Ofgem said: “We expect this clarification to alleviate concerns that the MRP could act as a barrier to the commercial expansion of charge points.’

This is the first time the MRP implications of electric vehicles have been considered.

While the new amendments, which are to be enforced from April of this year, allow EV charging operators to set higher prices for the electricity they supply, it means that more businesses will be likely to develop new charging services.

Ben Lane of the Next Green Car website said: “While this change opens up the possibility of overcharging for electricity used to change EVs, it is a necessary change that will incentivise businesses to develop new charging points across the UK. As long as EV users use their buying power to limit any excessive costs, the market as a whole READ MORE: should www.ofgem.gov.uk benefit.”

The Trust My Garage scheme has provided over 1,000 hybrid vehicle safety training courses to its members. It is hoped that this will make it easier for hybrid owners to get their vehicles serviced at independent garages rather than dealerships. While many service needs in hybrids are similar to those of traditional vehicles, technicians require training to work safely with their high voltage systems.

Terry Gibson of Trust My Garage said: “As with new cars many motorists falsely believe that their hybrid car can only be serviced

by a main dealer but this is not the case.

Independent garages have the same access to skills and information as main dealers and the fact that so many of our members are now able to service hybrid vehicles is proof of this.

“Our Hybrid Vehicle Awareness course is certified by the Institute of the Motor Industry which means that technicians have an industry standard QAA qualification to demonstrate that they can safely work on and around READ MORE: hybrid tinyurl.com/plh5cpj vehicles.”

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Electric cars for Northumberland Council Northumberland County Council has begun using electric cars in its vehicle fleet for the first time. Two Nissan LEAF vehicles will be used as pool cars for the council’s employees, many of whom travel long distances for their work.

Councillor Ian Swithenbank, policy board member for streetcare and environment at

Northumberland County Council, said of the vehicles: “We had to see a business case showing that, once we had leased them, the overall cost to the council would reduce.

We have clear evidence they will do just that and they will also make a contribution to the council’s carbon saving targets.”

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News

HYDROGEN

Aberdeen City Council’s £19m bus hydrogen scheme The first hydrogen-powered buses have been delivered to Aberdeen City Council as part of its £19m scheme.

Four buses in the ten-strong fleet have arrived in the Granite City – but passengers will have to wait until autumn before trying them for themselves.

Council leader Barney Crockett said the hydrogen bus fleet, the world’s largest, will cement Aberdeen’s place as a “leading energy city”.

He said: “We will have the world’s largest fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses running on the Aberdeen’s streets, which will help us to not only realise

our aspiration of becoming a world-leading city for low carbon technology and maintain our position as a leading world energy city.

“This is the first step in a very important demonstration project which will help inform the growth and development of hydrogen technologies and the hydrogen industry – as well as a strong hydrogen economy in Aberdeen.”

The fleet, which will be operated jointly by First and Stagecoach, will be supplied by Scotland’s first commerical-scale hydrogen refuelling station, based at Kittybrewster in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen City Council will run 10 hydrogen-powered buses as part of its £19m scheme

Image copyright: Aberdeen City Council

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Asda to get on-site LNG refuelling station A new dedicated dual-fuel LNG refuelling station will be built at Asda Logistics Services’ (ALS) recently opened chill distribution centre in Avonmouth, near Bristol to support the supermarket’s fleet of 50 dual‑fuel Volvo trucks.

The station incorporates the latest ‘zero loss’ refuelling technology, developed by BOC, a member of The Linde Group.

This uses cryogenic cooling to ‘temperature-condition’ the fuel just prior to dispensing.

The refuelling station is the latest development in Asda’s transport sustainability strategy, which includes a target to reduce emissions from its transport fleet by 60 per cent (between 2005 and 2015). The new depot

at Avonmouth features a range of carbon and energy efficiency initiatives, including rainwater harvesting, combined heat and power, occupier lighting and reducing its CO2 emissions – the latter in line with the distribution team’s own mantra calling for ‘fewer and friendlier miles’.

Corinne Murphy, National Fleet Manager for Asda Logistics Services commented: “Alternative fuels are an important part of Asda’s green agenda and working with BOC and Volvo will help us deliver our 10 per cent absolute carbon footprint reduction by 2015.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/o7yo7zb

LowCVP’s Andy Eastlake Celebrating green growth There was very encouraging news on the low carbon car front this month when the SMMT announced that average new car CO2 emissions fell to around 128g/km in 2013, down 3.6 per cent on the previous year and comfortably below the EU’s 2015 target of 130g/km.

The industry – in the UK context at least – now has two extra years to focus on delivering the recently agreed 95g/km EU target for 2020.

SMMT calculations show that the total UK car parc now emits 15 per cent less CO2 than it did ten years ago; good news in the context of climate change and good news for drivers and fleet managers who have significantly lower fuel bills than would otherwise have been the case.

While new car CO2 emissions are down by almost 30 per cent since 2000, fuel efficiency has improved by a hugely impressive 42 per cent over the same period.

(CO2 emissions and fuel economy are closely tied; the variation is in part due to changes in fuel choices.)

The SMMT report clearly highlights the fact that car buyers and fleet users now have much more choice when it comes to low carbon and alternatively-fuelled vehicles (AFVs); there’s been a threefold increase in the number of plug-in models on the market in the last three years alone.

Moreover, as we’ve succeeded in fuel efficiency improvement and CO2 reduction over the last decade, the automotive industry itself is proving to be a UK industrial success story.

Indeed Mike Hawes, SMMT’s Chief Executive, speaking at the launch of the 2013 New Car CO2 report stated that: “The motor industry has become the poster child of the UK economic recovery, delivering both jobs and growth.”

It’s clear that a collaborative approach to policy making has been a success story.

We’ll be helping to tell a part of that story at a Sustainability Hub event, being held in association with the LowCVP, in Westminster on April 10, featuring Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.

This (free) event will be a discussion around the theme: ‘Green and growth: we can have both – lessons from road transport and other sectors’.

The Sustainability Hub event will be a little taster for the LowCVP’s annual conference in the summer which will showcase a report we are about to commission which will tell a lot more of the story about how and why the UK auto sector has managed to slash emissions, while simultaneously increasing the rate of investment, delivering growth and jobs over the last decade.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.lowcvp.org.uk/events or @theLowCVP on Twitter

Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

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EMISSION REDUCTION

Written by Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport

Government Incentives

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

MISSION ULTRA LOW EMISSION

At the start of the year, the government launched its Go Ultra Low Campaign to give clear information on the benefits and practicalities of electric and other ultra-low emission vehicles to both consumers and fleets. Transport Minister Baroness Kramer explains the campaign and the wider work it is doing to get the country driving greener 2014 has already started with a bang. And there is the prospect of much more to come.

A really important early moment was seeing the Deputy Prime Minister standing alongside senior figures from the car industry to launch the Go Ultra Low campaign in January. This joint funded media campaign is a clear statement of intent by both government and industry. Government is doing its bit to support the transition to ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) – through tax benefits, funding chargepoints, providing incentives and much more. And the car companies are delivering an increasing selection of mainstream vehicles at competitive prices. Now it is time to get that message out there and bust some of the persistent myths around these cars.

The advertising we have run in the national press, internet and on radio, supported by PR, has already captured people’s interest.

And we have had very positive reactions to the campaign messages so far.

But there is a lot more Go Ultra Low activity still to come over the next few months – so do keep an eye on the website

16

GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE | Volume 72

(GoUltraLow.com) and Twitter (@GoUltraLow).

The campaign has a strong fleet element – including a dedicated section on the website. If you are looking for a basic introduction to all things ultra low emission, through to the more detailed questions

about the nitty-gritty of charging, you will find the answers at GoUltraLow.com.

A THRIVING INDUSTRY The campaign hits at a time when the vital statistics on this agenda are looking

“Government is doing its bit to support the transition to ultra low emission vehicles – through tax benefits, funding chargepoints, and providing incentives. And the car companies are delivering an increasing selection of mainstream vehicles at competitive prices.

Now it is time to get that message out there and bust some of the persistent myths around these cars” Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport

working up options. Expect an announcement on this later in the spring. We want to enable long-term planning certainty for the sector – in the way that motoring taxes now do following Budget 2013.

GREENING GOVERNMENT’S OWN FLEET Around the same time we will also be setting out central government’s plans for readying its own fleets for the transition to ULEVs. In the Autumn Statement we announced a £5 million package to provide support for every central government fleet to be able to integrate a number of ULEVs into their fleet, and we have provided provision for fleets across the wider public sector to do the same.

I have made it a personal mission to ensure government’s house is thoroughly in order.

And we will continue to involve fleets in much of what we do over the next year.

Thanks to everyone who has signed up to the Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s LinkedIn group for fleets – we now have over 150 members and the numbers are growing each month. Participants are continuing to use the group to engage with like-minded people on and offline (join at http://www.linkedin.com/ groups/OLEV-Fleets-Forum-6547857/about).

The activity on our new Twitter handle, @OLEVgovuk, is also growing with over 600 followers and nearly 300 tweets so far.

We are also working with the Energy Saving Trust to continue to provide support for organisations as they look at the case for introducing ULEVs into their fleets. Over the past couple of years, the Plugged-in Fleets Initiative has successfully walked a variety of fleets through what it means to go ultra low. And the proof has very much been in the pudding, with dozens of fleets taking up the vehicles and reaping the rewards on a daily basis. When you combine the growing variety of vehicles, able to fit a range of duty cycles, with the low running costs, tax breaks and sizeable government grants, the business case really does stack up for many fleets. And that has to be a good thing for fleets in the year ahead. L

When ne bi you comety of i the var with the s vehicle ng costs, tax ni low run s and grants, break iness case the bus ack up for does st y fleets man

increasingly healthy.

The number of new ULEVs registered in January this year was pushing 700 per cent higher than the same month last year.

With a number of significant vehicle launches due in the next few months (including, very importantly, some excellent light commercial vehicles) we will soon pass 10,000 grant claims. The UK is also performing strongly on installing infrastructure, with several thousands of publicly accessible chargepoints already out there, some 5,000 domestic chargepoints installed over the last nine months, and the prospect of a UK‑wide network of over 500 rapid chargers by next spring – the best in Europe.

Let’s not pass over the significance of that last achievement. Such a dense network of rapid chargers allows ULEVs to undertake even the most demanding duty cycles.

Rapid chargers are not just about enabling motorway journeys but about ensuring businesses like yours can integrate ULEVs into their fleets without compromise.

I am grateful for the breadth and depth of responses we had to the call for evidence on how to use the £500 million earmarked to support the ULEV sector after 2015. We have analysed the material and are now

FURTHER INFORMATION www.goultralow.com

The Go Ultra Low campaign On 30 January, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg kicked off the Go Ultra Low Campaign to promote the benefits of electric and hybrid cars.

Government Incentives

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Supported BMW, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Vauxhall, the campaign aims to debunk common myths and misconceptions that put drivers off switching to electric or hybrid cars, such as cost and range.

A new website, www.GoUltraLow. com, will let people match their own needs with the ultra low emission vehicle that’s right for them, as well as providing a wealth of information highlighting the advantages of these vehicles.

Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport Robert Goodwill said: “This campaign is about opening people’s eyes to the advantages of ultra low emission vehicles.

“They are incredibly cheap to run and we’re giving grants that knock thousands of pounds off the pricetag at the point of sale. This is great news for the consumer and for industry, with the UK well‑positioned to take the lead on the development of these advanced technologies.”

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said: “This is a significant development as government and some of the country’s leading automotive brands pool resources to fund a campaign that will raise awareness of the benefits and capabilities of these new technologies. The Go Ultra Low campaign will help the public understand how these new cars work and how they could be a perfect fit for their personal, business or fleet needs. Given the importance of running costs and environmental performance to new car buyers, we hope the campaign will encourage more people to consider going ultra low.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg helped launch the Go Ultra Low campaign in January 2014

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Interview

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FLEET MANAGEMENT

DELIVERING CARBON REDUCTION

Courier giant TNT Express recognises that the transport industry generates nearly one fifth of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions and has therefore made a commitment to reduce its own fleet carbon footprint. Alistair Cochrane, managing director of TNT Express UK & Ireland, explains the firm’s strategy TNT Express Services UK & Ireland is a courier delivery service operator delivering up to 150 million items per annum. It has the largest individual share of the national market, employs more than 10,000 people and has an extensive network of 53 strategically located express delivery depots, plus sortation hubs and National Customer Contact Centres.

As a road transport operator it is inevitable that the majority of carbon emissions produced by TNT Express will originate from its fleet of road vehicles.

In light of this TNT Express is acutely aware of its environmental responsibilities and invests significant resources into initiatives designed to manage and reduce the fleet’s carbon output.

This activity has been key to helping to achieve a reduction in TNT Express’ overall carbon footprint from 105.5 kilotons in 2011 to 95.1 kilotons in Roadhawk in-cab cameras monitor TNT Express drivers’ behaviour

2013 (a 10 per cent decrease).

Here, the company’s managing director explains TNT Express’s environmental fleet strategy.

Describe TNT’s fleet.

Within the UK TNT Express operates almost 3,200 vehicles, including more than 1,700 pickup and delivery vehicles, 419 tractor units and 36 shunter vehicles. TNT Express also has a fleet of approaching 1,700 trailers, including a number of longer and double deck trailers being piloted as part of the DfT’s 10-year longer semi-trailers trial.

What environmental targets has the company set itself?

Our targets are set by TNT Express’ global Head Office and are yet to be confirmed for the coming year, however the operation in the UK continues to develop new initiatives and achieve year-on-year success.

As outlined earlier we reduced our UK carbon footprint by 10 per cent between 2011 to 2013. We have also set ourselves challenging targets for waste recycling, having achieved a recycling rate of 81 per cent in 2013 and we have set a new target of 85 per cent for 2014.

How does the company measure its carbon emissions?

TNT Express adopts a proactive approach to monitoring fuel and energy consumption across both its fleet of vehicles and office/depot locations.

Using the Merridale fuel management system TNT measures fuel consumption and mileage data for all company vehicles upon refuelling, this data is then converted into grams of CO2 per km travelled allowing the performance of individual vehicles to be measured.

In terms of buildings, more than 100 TNT sites have been fitted with smart electricity meters or gas loggers, allowing the company to capture data and generate regular statistics on how many KG of CO2 each location consumes per m2.

Reports detailing the carbon performance of each site, including vehicle fuel consumption, building energy consumption data, waste consumption and recycling stats are produced and circulated on a quarterly basis.

Do you use any alternatively‑fuelled vehicles?

TNT Express recently announced plans to double its use of zero emission delivery vehicles deployed in London in partnership with specialist provider Gnewt Cargo, while further plans to introduce Cargo Cycles for ‘final mile’ deliveries in the capital are also being progressed.

Within our wider fleet we have 13 electric powered pick up and delivery vehicles on the road, and are also currently trialling a gas powered tractor unit.

While researching alternative fuel sources can offer a long term solution, we are also keen to focus on making our conventional vehicles more environmentally friendly in the short term. We have therefore deployed Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems across our PUD and linehaul fleet.

What other measures have you taken to reduce your fleet’s CO2?

Following a successful local trial in which 56 per cent of drivers reported making changes to their driving behaviour, TNT Express is currently in the process of rolling out the use of Roadhawk in-cab camera systems across its wider fleet. Apart from road safety benefits, this system allow us to how fuel efficiently individual vehicles are being driven, and where necessary work with drivers to improve performance.

From a training perspective, as part of

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TNT Express is planning to double its fleet of zero-emission vehicles in London

TNT Express recently announced plans to double its use of zero emission delivery vehicles deployed in London in partnership with specialist provider Gnewt Cargo, while further plans to introduce Cargo Cycles for ‘final mile’ deliveries in the capital are also being progressed our internal CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) driver training programme, TNT Express’ 2,200 drivers are required to undertake a specific module on safe and fuel efficient driving and 90 per cent have been trained to date.

As well as modifying driver behaviour and individual vehicle performance we also invest resources into optimising the organisation of our network in order to minimise the total miles being driven, and therefore fuel being used, every night by our vehicles. Our most recent review, of linehaul operations between 58 locations, saw a saving of almost a million

litres of fuel per year being achieved.

Additionally we are also an active participant in the Government’s longer semi‑trailers trial, currently with two, but soon expanding to 11, double-deck trailers in operation. Each trailer saves approximately 12,000kgs of CO2 per year by reducing the need for a second vehicle to be used.

What have been the challenges?

In the current economic climate securing up‑front investment in developing new practices or technologies can prove challenging, especially if benefits are not likely

Interview

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to be realised until the medium to longer term.

However as an environmentally responsible organisation TNT Express has a commitment to pursuing such projects, and the reality is that many of the ‘green’ improvements we have looked to develop (whether reducing fuel consumption, energy use, new final mile options) can also bring direct financial or competitive advantages to the company in the longer term.

Has the company received green certification or awards?

We hold ISO 14001 (Environmental) Standard and the Carbon Trust Standard.

The Trust recognises organisations for real carbon reduction.

Based on a rigorous, independent assessment, it certifies that organisations have measured, managed and reduced their carbon emissions across their own operations, and are committed to reducing them year on year. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.tnt.com

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INTERVIEW

The Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle (ULCV) demonstrator programme

vehicles were deployed. More than 90 per cent were pure electric vehicles (EVs) and the rest were plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Collectively the vehicles completed over 276,000 individual trips, covering more than 1.5 million miles and recording over 51,000 charging events.

The data was collected and analysed by Cenex and Oxford Brookes University on behalf of the Technology Strategy Board. A report detailed the results of a study of the drivers’ perception and attitudes towards the pure EVs, and their real-world performance.

DRIVING FORWARD GREEN TRANSPORT

The Technology Strategy Board works with industry, government and academia to push forward environmental transport initiatives and overcome common barriers. Tim O’Brien talks to GreenFleet about the agency’s work and its real-world trials with fleets to find out their views of zero and low-carbon vehicles The Technology Strategy Board is the UK’s innovation agency. Its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation.

Transport generates about 25 per cent of UK carbon emissions, and congestion is set to cost the economy £22bn by 2025. With this in mind, Transport is one of the agency’s top priorities. Here the Technology Strategy Board’s Tim O’Brien tells GreenFleet about its work to make transport more sustainable in the UK and the work it is doing with fleets and the public to understand how they engage with electric and other low emission vehicles.

What are the Technology Strategy Board’s objectives concerning road transport?

As the UK’s innovation agency, we focus our efforts on the industries and technologies that will drive UK growth in the future and address global challenges and opportunities.

Transport is one of our priorities. We have a vital leadership role across the whole industry, asking the difficult questions and promoting innovative solutions. We need to maintain the UK’s strong capabilities in vehicle and system design and development while considering the wider transport system.

Our objectives centre on helping UK businesses, science and supply chains to

benefit commercially from developments that improve transport effectiveness and efficiency and that support manufacturers to develop and deliver new vehicle technologies.

On the roads, new emission regulations will require new technologies and a new automotive supply base.

We have been supporting the development of low‑carbon road vehicle technologies and now need to take these closer to production, while continuing to develop technologies which reduce carbon emissions.

Transport Innovation

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What has been learned from the ULCV Demonstrator Programme?

Drivers entered the trial with a variety of motivations. The EV was seen as simple to drive and unfamiliar components such as regenerative braking were adapted to within the first trip. The EVs were seen as fun to drive, smooth, and rated very highly on their acceleration performance.

EVs were considered easy to use, with comparable performance to a normal car, although less flexible. This was observed in the vehicle data where the average trip length was 5.1 miles compared to the national average trip length of 7.0 miles.

The maximum journey length achieved was 107 miles. The EVs were used mainly during the working day with 71.5 per cent of trips being undertaken between 8am and 6pm.

Drivers assumed it would be easy to judge remaining range, but learnt that a variety of factors combined to decrease range such as a reduction in temperature.

They learnt to adapt their driving style and ancillary equipment use depending on the journey length they required.

Drivers said that charging was easy and safe. Private drivers quickly established a routine for themselves and did not charge each day. Pooled corporate drivers endeavoured to charge after every trip in order to accommodate the next driver and consequently did not learn how many trips/mileage could be achieved from a full battery charge.

Private drivers showed a marked preference for charging over refuelling at petrol stations.

The mileage drivers undertook between charge events increased gradually throughout the loans as drivers became more confident in journey planning and range prediction.

Having a public charging infrastructure was strongly endorsed, yet drivers felt they could complete trips without one. Home charging was the most popular charging location.

Low noise came to be seen as an asset.

Drivers paid more attention to E

ies Compand in involve truck on the carbration trial t demons e Mueller, includ n Dairies, WisemaJohn Lewis Tesco, d DHL an

What was the Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator Programme?

The Technology Strategy Board launched the Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle (ULCV) Demonstrator programme in 2008 as the first major step in a UK wide journey to support the development of technologies and markets for ultra low carbon vehicles.

The programme was jointly funded with the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

Throughout the trial 349 low-carbon

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INTERVIEW  pedestrians than they would normally when driving at low speeds.

All drivers believed EVs lowered carbon emissions. Corporate drivers were often employed by organisations involved in energy or intent on reducing carbon emissions. These drivers endorsed the use of renewable energies more strongly than private drivers.

To maximise future uptake, drivers said that EVs needed to perform and look as good as normal internal combustion engine cars, but still be distinguishable as EVs so that the variety and presence of contemporary EVs were visible to the non-EV driving public.

People expected EVs to be priced at the same level as normal vehicles. Their intentions to purchase were influenced by residual value, second-hand market, insurance, battery, maintenance costs, and how quickly the current EV technology would be surpassed.

How does the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform operate?

The Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform (LCVIP) invests jointly with the industry and other funders to encourage innovation and market development of low carbon vehicle technologies in the UK automotive industry and related sectors.

The platform, set up in September 2007, has a dedicated team of three technologists and three key goals: contributing to the growth of the UK automotive sector, accelerating the introduction of vehicle-centric technologies to the low carbon vehicle market, and working towards national and international green house gas reduction targets.

The key stakeholder groups in the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform are industry, government and academia. We work in partnership with them, shaping and delivering the innovation landscape. The creation of the Automotive Council, and the integration of our previous work into its programmes, has added to our effectiveness. The Advanced Propulsion Centre, the centrepiece of the joint industry and government strategy for the automotive sector, will also be key to our activities.

The ways in which the industry engages at national and local levels often reflects geographic size and location, population density, heritage, dedication to research and development, skill base and cost base. For the LCVIP, the stakeholders representing industry are across the sector and include vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, research organisations and industry bodies.

The UK Research Councils invest around £3 billion in research each year. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the main UK government agency for funding academic research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. We have developed a close working relationship with EPSRC that has resulted in co-funding

(currently £13m) to help support academia develop projects towards industry goals.

Importantly, this provides a feedback loop from academia back to industry.

The LCVIP also collaborates closely with the key industry groups including the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the LowCVP, the Gas Vehicle Alliance, as well as the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) and the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies (Cenex).

What is the Transport Systems Catapult?

Our Catapults are technology and innovation centres where the very best of the UK’s businesses, scientists and engineers can work side by side on research and development, transforming ideas into new products and services to generate economic growth.

fuels as a way to reduce their carbon footprint while also having better control over their running costs and, in the case of the gas-fuelled trucks, as a pathway to replacing fossil gas with biomethane.

In addition to the trucks, 26 new gas refuelling points are being installed as part of the funded trial, 13 of which will be publicly accessible for other fleets to fuel their trucks from.

The trials began at various times through 2013 and they are all due to complete by the end of 2015 when the Department for Transport will write a report about the findings.

In the interim, the 13 consortia are disseminating their findings through a series of bi-annual workshops run by Cenex, which are open to interested parties from the sector to attend.

Transport Innovation

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The Low Carbon Truck Demonstration Trial is helping to fund 13 consortia of technology developers and commercial fleets to trial 350 HGVs that run on alternative fuels in single-fuel or dual-fuel engines The Transport Systems Catapult will support UK industry in exploiting the massive global market for new products and services that will drive the integration of transport and its systems. The key challenge is how to increase mobility: the efficient and cost effective movement of people and goods.

Some of the early challenges that will be addressed through the Catapult include seamless journey systems, remote asset management and monitoring, traffic management and control systems, journey assistance systems, infrastructure integrity and security, connected vehicles, and novel economic and business models.

Is the agency working on any schemes with fleets?

The Low Carbon Truck Demonstration Trial is a project we are running jointly with the Department for Transport and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles. It is helping to fund 13 consortia of technology developers and commercial fleets to run 350 HGVs to trial alternative fuels in single‑fuel or dual-fuel engines. The trucks are in daily use with large and small logistics companies, including Mueller Wiseman Dairies, Tesco, John Lewis and DHL. Twelve of the consortia are trialling gas as an alternative fuel. Some have chosen to trial it in compressed form on their trucks and some in liquefied form.

One consortium, led by United Biscuits in Ashby‑de-la-Zouch, is trialling a by-product of their food processes – used cooking oil.

All the fleets involved see the alternative

What are the major barriers to green transport innovation?

There are barriers to funding the development, adoption and exploitation of a great idea which will ‘green’ an aspect of the transport sector. This, more often than not, needs the innovator to find friends out in larger industrial companies to help with the burden. But then comes the second barrier: the numerous obstacles which deter individual and SME innovators going ahead with their idea. These include patent protection; finding the right development partner(s), having the necessary business skills as well as the technical capability to make the innovation happen.

Another barrier is the investment and infrastructure which is already in place and would need, possibly, wholesale change to adopt the more radical ideas, for example, a complete switchover to a fully electric or hydrogen-fuelled transport system. Finally, there is the obstacle of people’s perceptions and what they are willing to accept as a new transport paradigm, for example, driverless cars or accepting the use of much more public transport.

What other activity is in the pipeline?

One event to watch out for is the High Performance Low Carbon SME Showcase on 15 May, a new venture which brings together the automotive and the motorsport sectors. Held at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, the day will also incorporate the Meet the Engineer event. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.innovateuk.org/transport

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EVENT PREVIEW

AT THE VANGUARD OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE EVENTS

The largest and most comprehensive road freight transport event staged in Britain, the CV Show caters for every operator’s requirements, from trucks, vans and all types of trailers, through to handling equipment, fuels, telemetry and more The CV Show is the leading meeting place for suppliers and operators and many new products are expected to be introduced to the market over the three days of the Show. These new products will ensure that business visitors have the opportunity to see, first hand, every option to help them operate and maintain a safe, efficient and effective fleet. Unrivalled in size, product range and visitor attendance, the CV Show now attracts more than 18,000 high quality visitors, many with serious buying power.

The event runs from Tuesday 29 April to Thursday 1 May at the NEC in Birmingham.

Every aspect of the UK road transport sector will be covered at this year’s show; trucks, including those that are sector‑specific such as refrigerated vehicles, curtainsiders, tankers and tippers. The van market also continues

to grow and this year it really is a case of ‘all the colours, all the sizes’. Visitors to the Show will also see an extensive range of ancillary suppliers to the industry including products such as handling equipment, insurers, tyres, telematics, training providers, fuels and lubricant suppliers and a whole lot more.

VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS Vehicle manufacturers exhibiting include Citroën, Fiat Professional, Ford Motor Company, Isuzu, Isuzu Truck, Iveco, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Renault Trucks, Renault UK, Toyota GB and Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles. Most are planning new additions to their ranges and the CV Show will be a chance for visitors to see them for the first time.

Representing the light commercial sector,

Steve Bryant, Vauxhall’s commercial vehicle brand manager said, “Vauxhall is delighted to be back at the UK’s largest Commercial Vehicle Show. The company has always been a big supporter of the CV Show and is very much looking forward to returning to Birmingham in 2014.”

In addition to vehicle manufacturers, many bodywork and trailer builders will also be using the CV Show as their shop window.

These include Al-Ko Kober, Cartwright, GM Coachwork, Lawrence David, Magyar, Maisonneuve, Maxi-Low, Montracon, Road Tankers Northern, SDC Trailers, SOMI Trailers, Strongs Plastic Products and Whale Tankers.

The CV Show also includes the Cool Pavilion, offering visitors a wide variety of refrigerated products and services. Gray and Adams, Paneltex, Quinn Vehicles and Solomon Commercials have booked stands, as well as specialist refrigeration equipment suppliers Frigoblock and Thermo King.

Commercial Vehicle Show

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CUTTING COSTS WITH TELEMATICS Key among the many issues affecting the commercial vehicle industry is operating costs. Fuel, maintenance, driver safety, communications all mean money and, for today’s commercial vehicle operator, telematics can go a long way towards making every penny count.

Once the realm of the big fleet operator, telematics systems are now accessible to everyone and, by their very nature, can be tailored to any company, large or small.

Whether it’s vehicle tracking, tachograph E

New s product that ure will enss visitors businesopportunity e have the, first hand, to se tion to help p every o operate an them nt fleet efficie Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

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EVENT PREVIEW

Commercial Vehicle Show

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Most vehicle manufacturers are planning new additions to their ranges and the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show will be a chance for visitors to see them for the first time

 analysis, fuel economy or a fully integrated package that you’re after which covers every area of operation, exhibitors at the CV Show will have something to suit every buyer.

Karen Crispe, managing director of tachograph legislation experts Tachodisc, is a long-time exhibitor and great supporter of the Show.

“The CV Show has become the main event of the CV industry calendar,” she said.

“We at Tachodisc firmly believe that the use of technology, including telematics, has become an absolute must for all operators.

Total efficiency can only be achieved with total compliance. It’s quite simple; you can’t have one without the other. Efficiency and compliance; telematics and technology have become the glue that joins the two together.”

With fuel now representing nearly 40 per cent of a haulier’s operating costs, global telematics provider Trakm8 is leading the way in enabling businesses to reduce that cost through the utilisation of Trakm8’s industry leading ecoN solution. Fleet fuel costs can be reduced substantially, as demonstrated in a recent Trakm8 fuel efficiency driving competition. Through feeding back efficiency scores to the driver, the winners of the Trakm8 competition scored an average of 98 per cent fuel efficiency, with one individual driver making an impressive improvement of 69 per cent.

equipment. The chance of having such a wide range of expertise under one roof has proved to be of great benefit to companies such as Centrica, BT and the RAC; all of which operate many hundreds of vehicles and have substantial budgets for replacement parts and garage equipment.

MAINTENANCE ADVICE The CV Show again includes Workshop 2014, where companies will offer advice to operators so that they can keep the industry’s wheels turning at maximum efficiency. It is the only national forum for the passenger car, commercial vehicle maintenance and repair industry sector. It therefore attracts business from the widest possible audience including prime decision makers from franchised dealers, independent garages, fleet workshops, body repair shops and wholesalers.

Workshop 2014 really is a one-stop shop for those responsible for the maintenance of car fleets, vans and trucks, the opportunity to visit the latest providers of goods and services, including components and replacement parts to garage and workshop

TYRE MANUFACTURERS Choosing the right tyre is key to the success of any transport operation, because of the critical role tyres play in fleet safety and performance.

Operators should carefully consider their company tyre policy and the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show will provide operators with the perfect opportunity to compare tyre suppliers and decide which is best suited to their needs.

That’s why this year’s Show will feature 14 different suppliers to this essential sector of the road transport industry including Aeolus Tyres, ATS Euromaster, Bandvulc, Bridgestone, Continental, GITI Tire, Goodyear, Hankook, Kirkby Tyres and Wheels, KwikFit Fleet, Michelin, RH Claydon, TD Tyres and TIA Wheels.

An illegal or defective commercial vehicle tyre could mean a roadside prohibition, a

court appearance and a hefty fine. A driver caught behind the wheel of a vehicle with illegal tyres faces three penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre – regardless of whether or not they own the vehicle.

For fleet operators or owner drivers, tyre choice and maintenance cost dictates profit. Every transport operation is different and the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show will provide operators with the perfect opportunity to compare tyre suppliers and decide which is best suited to their needs.

Guy Heywood, commercial director of Michelin’s truck division, says: “We spend more on research and development than any tyre manufacturer in the world, so it’s only fitting that as new Michelin truck and trailer tyres are launched, we display them at the industry’s largest trade event. For this year’s CV Show we’ve got the strongest product line-up in our history; it will be a major opportunity to reinforce that when customers think about their tyre policy, they should be focused on buying value.” L FURTHER INFORMATION www.cvshow.com

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Geneva Motor Show

MOTOR SHOW REVIEW

SWISS STARS

Electric, hybrid, fuel-cell, alternatively-fuelled and conventionally‑fuelled vehicles all had starring roles to play at the recent Geneva Motor Show. GreenFleet scratches below the surface and rounds up the stars at the Palexpo in Switzerland With over 670,000 attendees, the 2014 Geneva motor show brought in the crowds to the first major European motor show of this year.

The 84th running of the event ran from March 6-16, and featured 900 vehicles on show, a test track for electric cars, and a Green Pavillion for cars which emit 95g/km or less.

Here are GreenFleet’s highlights.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES Kia Soul EV Debuting in Geneva, the Kia Soul EV is the Korean company’s first globally‑sold electric production vehicle. Distinguished from regular Souls by its two-tone colour scheme, unique front and rear bumpers and LED tail lights, the car also features a higher-quality interior with additional EV‑only displays. The Soul EV is powered by an 81.4kW, 258Nm electric motor with 27kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack.

Range is said to be around 124 miles (200km).

The Soul EV will come with Kia’s impressive 7-year, 100,000 mile warranty.

BMW i3 and i8 The premium German car maker once again displayed its latest i3 and i8 electric vehicles, both of which are on sale to the public. The i8 sports car premiers laser lighting technology.

Italdesign Giugiaro Clipper Concept Volkswagen-owned design house Italdesign Giugiaro unveiled an innovative six-seater MPV in Switzerland. Called the Clipper, the four-wheel drive concept has an twin-motor electric powertrain and a potential range of 335 miles. Front butterfly doors and rear gullwing openings contribute to the striking looks, while a floating tablet touchscreen can move between the three rows of seats.

NV200 Nissan e-

Nissan e-NV200 The Nissan eNV-200 combines the electric technology from the Nissan LEAF and the versatility of the NV200 van in one package. The all-electric e-NV200 has a 105-mile (170km) range and is CHAdeMO quick charge compatible (0-80 per cent in 30 minutes). A re‑engineered chassis with a second‑generation 80kW AC synchronous motor, interior revisions, a new battery pack, a higher capacity regenerative braking system and other modifications will make the e-NV200 better suited as a city-based delivery vehicle.

The eNV-200 goes on sale in June.

HYBRID VEHICLES Kia Optima Hybrid Korean company Kia debuted the refreshed Optima Hybrid in Switzerland.

The car features different front and rear bumpers as well as new wheel designs.

Available only in left-hand drive (as previously), the new Optima Hybrid will be fitted with a touchscreen interface specific to the hybrid system, and Kia’s third-generation regenerative braking set-up. E

EV Kia Soul

BMW i8

Italdesign Giugiaro Clipper Concept

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Geneva Motor Show

MOTOR SHOW REVIEW

Vauxhall 1.6-litre CDTi diesel engine

Škoda VisionC

Volkswag en Golf GTE

Peugeot 108 s Ford Focu pt EV Conce

Honda FC  The 2.0-litre engine and 35kW electric motor produce a combined output of 175bhp at 5,500rpm and 319Nm of torque. Fuel economy of 56.4mpg (5.1l/100 km) and 119g/km CO2 emissions are expected. Kia also previewed future powertrain technologies with an all‑new mild hybrid system which combines zero‑emissions urban motoring with an electric supercharger for greater performance.

Volkswagen Golf GTE Volkwagen’s new Golf GTE is a plug-in hybrid with, the company says, ‘the dynamics of the Golf GTI.’ Two engines – a 1.4-litre 148bhp direct-injection petrol engine and a 100bhp electric motor – produce combined power of 202bhp and a theoretical range of around 580 miles. Torque is 350Nm/258lb ft). A provisional combined cycle figure of 188mpg and CO2 emissions of 35g/km are promised. The 8.8kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged in around three and a half hours from a domestic mains outlet. Order books open in August.

FUEL-CELL VEHICLES Honda FCEV Concept The latest Honda FCEV concept model made its debut European appearance in Geneva. Honda’s next generation FCEV will feature the world’s first fuel-cell powertrain packaged completely in the engine room of

the vehicle, more than 100kW of power output, with power density now 3kW/l. Driving range is said to be 434 miles (700km), with a quick refuelling time of three minutes at 70 MPa. ALTERNATIVELY-FUELLED VEHICLES Škoda VisionC and Octavia G-TEC The Škoda VisionC made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. A four-door ‘coupé’, the design study represents the next stage in Škoda’s design language. With a CO2 emission value of 91g/km from its CNG powerplant, the VisionC falls within the stringent EU2020 standard specifications. As well as the VisionC, Škoda previewed the production Octavia G-TEC with CNG natural gas drive technology. With a maximum range of 826 miles (1,330km), the engine can use both compressed natural gas and petrol fuels. Two full gas tanks will last a distance of up to 254 miles (410km), while petrol running range is 571 miles (920km). Emissions are 97g/km and the Octavia G-TEC is available in both hatchback and estate body styles.

CONVENTIONALLY-ENGINED CARS New Citroën C1/Peugeot 108/Toyota Aygo New versions of the triumvirate city car were announced at the Palexpo. Based on the same chassis and sharing engine technology and certain exterior body panels, the new Citroën C1, Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo are both bolder and cleaner than before. A

light weight of around 840kg and optimised running costs help the three town tiddlers score well on the efficiency front. Two petrol engines of 68 and 82bhp feature Stop&Start technology and a five-speed gearbox. The 82bhp PureTech engine fitted to the Citroën and Peugeot uses innovative technologies giving 65mpg and 99g/km of CO2 emissions.

The cleanest versions deliver 88g/km of CO2.

New Ford Focus The facelifted Ford Focus was unveiled in Switzerland. With refreshed looks and a revised interior, the new model offers significantly improved fuel efficiency on many versions thanks to new powertrain options.

New Vauxhall engines The new 1.6-litre CDTi engine from Vauxhall offers 97g/km and 104g/km CO2 emissions and up to 76.3mpg on the combined cycle.

A new 1.0-litre three-cylinder Direct Injection Turbo meanwhile has 99g/km emissions.

New Volkswagen Polo The refreshed Volkswagen Polo offers new safety and efficiency technologies as well as revised looks inside and out. A new petrol BlueMotion TSI model with 94g/km of CO2 and 68.9mpg replaces the BlueMotion TDI in the UK which will continue in Europe with 82g/km of CO2 and a claimed consumption figure of 91mpg. L

Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

37

EVENT REVIEW CAR AND PLUG IN TECHNOLOGY FOR LONDON

27 FEBRUARY 2014

TALKING ELECTRIC

EMIRATES STADIUM

Capital GreenFleet

BMW’s i3 was one of the vehicles available to drive at Capital GreenFleet

Motoring journalist and TV presenter Quentin Wilson led one‑to‑one sessions at the Capital GreenFleet event on 27 February where fleet managers were free to express their views and concerns about electric vehicles The first ever Capital GreenFleet event was staged on 27 February at the Arsenal Emirates Stadium and gave fleet managers in London a chance to voice their thoughts, concerns and experiences of electric vehicles in small one-to-one sessions, as well as here keynotes from Transport for London, the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), and former motoring journalist and TV presenter Quentin Wilson. What’s more, attendees were able to test drive the latest electric vehicles, such as the much talked-about BMW i3.

The event was a success, with over 50 fleet professionals in attendance from the likes of Santander, Royal Mail, and the AA, as well as various London Councils, police forces and NHS Trusts.

HIGH-LEVEL KEYNOTES The event was staged in association with OLEV, and included a keynote from Transport for London’s David Metcalf, project manager of Source London, who gave an update on the charging infrastructure and future plans in the capital.

Other keynotes included Jonathan Mitchell, Head of Strategy and Policy from OLEV, who gave an update on the government’s plans to drive the adoption of electric vehicles in the UK, and Nigel Trotman from Alphabet, who discussed finance and leasing electric vehicles.

Quentin Wilson, formally of Fifth Gear, also gave a keynote on his experience of owning electric vehicles, as he has a Citroen C-Zero and Vauxhall Ampera (range-extender).

Following the keynote sessions, delegates broke into small groups and had one‑to‑one sessions with representatives from Alphabet, BMW, Nissan, Renault, Vauxhall, and Quentin Wilson. This enabled them to ask all those burning questions about plug-in vehicles, such as recharging, range anxiety, and cost.

The latest electric vehicles, such as the BMW i3, Renault Twizy, Renault Zoe, Vauxhall Ampera, Nissan Leaf, and the plug-in Prius were available to test drive on the streets of London for delegates to experience first hand how they perform.

One of the headline concerns that came out of the session was the high purchase cost of EVs and widespread fears about residual values. Delegates said there was not enough alternative funding available such as PCPs and cost-effective lease schemes. Fleet buyers were particularly worried about their personal accountability when residuals are so low.

Charging infrastructure also came up as a concern. Many of the delegates that Quentin spoke to didn’t understand that EVs could be charged from any socket, including a domestic three-pin socket.

Almost all believed that charging is only possible from dedicated charging posts.

Regarding the public charging infrastructure, there were also anxieties about different account cards for different charging networks, with many asking why they can’t all be standardised.

It was also brought up that there is no internet data available when motorway fast chargers are inoperative. Early adopters say that journey planning is ruined when crucial chargers are off-line. They want real-time data on charger reliability.

Several groups also said that increased take up would be helped by national free on street parking, use of bus lanes and EV only lanes.

BATTERY CONCERNS The groups that took part in Quentin Wilson’s sessions also expressed widespread fear about battery reliability and warranties and said that a standardised pan-industry eight-year battery warranty would give greater reassurance.

The speed at which technology changes was also brought up. Many groups said that buying an EV now on the normal three‑year replacement cycle could leave them exposed if there are

Quentin Willson the e of took ont sessions, u break‑o his own using of owning nce experie ctric vehicle an ele nswer to a ns questio

technological improvements/model changes during that period. A general feeling that buyers should wait for the technology to be deeper embedded and proven.

Quentin Wilson also reported a surprising level of ignorance on EVs from his group participants.

Only 10 per cent of his groups had driven an EV prior to the event. Given that many were from the fleet industry, this is still far too low.

MORE INCENTIVES NEEDED Some groups suggested more personal tax incentives such as an income tax credit for EV drivers instead of BIK and subsidised costs for electricity used for charging. The fact that electricity is generated from coal-fired and therefore not environmentally sound was also brought up as a negative factor to ownership.

The more positive attitudes for electric vehicles came from larger companies such as AA, Santander, local authorities, and NHS Trusts. They were aware of PR benefits. Within the groups, there was little understanding of the financial benefits of electric vans.

When explained this was seen as a very positive option for short journey loops.

NHS Trust and local council groups were impressed by financial advantages for grey fleet use. If EVs were used with HMRC mileage calculations, individuals could profit from use. A standard HMRC EV mileage rate would clarify benefits.

When asked if an EV could be a personal choice rather than a fleet purchase, despite relatively short commute distances, over 50 per cent of groups said they couldn’t charge from home because of on street parking/no garage/driveway. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.events.greenfleet.net/capital

QUENTIN WILSON GATHERS EV CONCERNS Quentin Wilson took one of the break-out sessions, using his own experience of owning both an electric vehicle and range-extended electric vehicle to answer delegate questions and gather their thoughts and concerns.

Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

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Road Test

VAUXHALL ZAFIRA TOURER 1.6 CDTi

Written by Angela Pisanu

A NEW ENGINE FOR THE ZAFIRA TOURER

The Zafira Tourer builds on the success of the ‘classic’ Zafira, but with added space, practicality and a new refined 1.6 CDTi engine for improved fuel economy and lower emissions The ‘classic’ Zafira has enjoyed success in the compact MPV sector in the UK since 1999. Across Europe, over 2.2 million have been sold, with almost a quarter of those sales coming from the UK. Since its launch in 2011, the Zafira Tourer has been recognised in the fleet industry, gaining awards such as best full-size people carrier from Fleet News and the Best MPV title two years running from Fleet World.

CLEANEST DIESEL ENGINE The new Zafira Tourer comes with added cabin space, a flexible seating arrangement Vauxhall’s new 1.6 CDTi engine us said to be its cleanest-ever diesel

40

and upgraded materials for a more premium feel on the inside. What’s more, it is now offered with the new-generation 1.6 CDTi Start/Stop diesel engine, which Vauxhall says is its cleanest diesel engine ever.

For a car of its size, you could think that the 1.6-litre unit would not be up for the job. But it is. It gets up to speed quickly and smoothly, delivering 134bhp and 236lb ft (320Nm) of torque. It feels nimble and responds accurately. With low levels of noise, vibration and harshness, you can feel the refinement of the engine.

Compared to the 2.0 CDTi engine with

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Tech Line 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX Start/Stop ENGINE:

Road Test

The Vauxhall Zaifra Tourer has been well-received by the fleet industry

1,598cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

109g/km

MPG (combined):

68.9

VED:

Band B, £0 first year, £20 thereafter

BIK:

17%

PRICE (OTR):

£23,175 (incl VAT)

The cabin feels both spacious and luxurious

One the key strengths of the Zafira Tourer is its multiple seating configurations

similar power on the Zafira Tourer, it offers a 10 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, bringing it down to 68.9mpg combined and 109g/km CO2. I achieved 62mpg on a 45 mile trip which was impressive, and over the week I averaged 54mpg.

Other fuel-saving features of the engine is the Start/Stop technology and the braking energy recuperation system.

This recovers kinetic energy when the engine is overrun and converts it into electrical energy, feeding it into the battery. This happens when the foot is taken off the accelerator pedal or during braking.

can fold down level with the floor of the luggage compartment. But the second row of seats has been completely re-designed. It now comprises three individual seats rather than a bench, and they can slide forwards and backwards and independently of each other.

The second row can also transform into two 2 roomier seats with lots of extra legroom and shoulder space.

The outer seats slide up and towards the centre of the cabin, and the middle seat folds down and the back turns into armrests. Vauxhall claims this clever seating system is a first in the industry.

Prices for the new Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi start from £23,175 for the Tech Line model, and the engine is also available in Exclusiv and SE trim, too.

Company car drivers can save over £900

The Zafira DTi .6 C Tourer 1ower CO l with its igh fuel and h gures is y fi economling offer for el a comp looking for a fleets act MPV comp

SEATING INNOVATION One of the major new developments of the new Zafira Tourer is its multiple seating configurations. As before, the third row seats

in running costs over a three-year period versus the 2.0 CDTi ecoFLEX model, based on a fleet driver using an 80,000 mile cycle.

As well as being spacious, the cabin feels light and airy, with a large panoramic windscreen. The fabrics used are high quality and give it a luxurious feel. Boot space is good at 710 litres with the first two rows in place, increasing to 1,860 litres with the middle seats folded fully flat.

Safety features include a back camera screen for safer reversing and parking, blind spot monitors, lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control and ESP, as well as six airbags.

COMPELLING OFFER The new Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi has added to the success of the original Zafira, making it even more attractive, with lower CO2, better fuel economy and lower running costs. The flexible seating system and quality fabrics on the inside add more practicality and appeal and is a compelling offer for fleets looking for a compact MPV. L

Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

41

Road Test

RENAULT CLIO dCi S&S ECO

CLEAN CLIO

With 88.3mpg and 83g/km CO2 promised, the Renault Clio dCi S&S (Stop&Start) ECO is one of the cleanest small cars on sale.

Richard Gooding drives it and sees just how green a red car can be

dCi TECHNOLOGY Over 11.5 million Renault Clios have been sold since it was launched in 1990. Diesel versions were included from the outset. Renault first introduced its dCi (diesel common-rail injection) technology in 2001, when the 1,461cc engine was first fitted to the Clio. The latest Energy dCi 90 version adopts Renault’s Stop&Start technology and is marketed under the French company’s ‘eco2’ banner. eco2 vehicles are manufactured in an ISO 14001-certified factory, are 95 per cent recyclable, and more importantly, emit less than 120g/km of CO2.

The Energy dCi 90 engine was introduced with this car, the fourth‑generation Clio. The unit fitted to the test car boasted lower‑than‑standard tailpipe gases and taller gear rations for those headline-grabbing high mpg and low emission figures. Developing 88bhp at 4000rpm and weighing just 1,071kg, it is certainly sprightly. With peak torque of 162lb ft (220Nm) available from 1,750rpm, the Clio dCi S&S ECO is both very tractable and easy to drive. It accelerates well on more open

stretches of road, with performance which is seemingly at odds with its high fuel returns.

A kerb weight 100kg lower than the car it replaces no doubt helps here.

Renault compares the Clio dCi S&S ECO’s low emissions and high miles per gallon figures to those of a hybrid, which surprisingly, is a valid comparison. While the Toyota Yaris Hybrid has lower emissions at 79g/km, the Clio beats it on mpg with a quoted 88.3 compared with the Japanese hatch’s 80.7. Only the Kia Rio 1 1.1 CRDi EcoDynamics that we tested in GreenFleet issue 71 comes close with a slightly higher 85g/km. The Korean car matches the Clio’s 88.3mpg miserly appetite for fuel. The Rio returned a real-world average of 63.0mpg over its time with me, while the Clio delivered a similar 61.3, despite both its increased performance and power output.

EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS Renault has added efficient solutions to the Clio to aid economic driving. An ‘Eco’ mode can be activated which modifies the car’s performance characteristics and reduces fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent. There is also a driving style indicator with green, yellow and orange markings to display when the car is being driven at its most economical. A gear shift indicator helps drivers adjust their driving style to achieve further fuel consumption savings. Finally, the Driving eco2 function built into Renault’s ‘R-Link’ dashboard infotainment system provides additional data enabling drivers to analyse the way they drive and take corrective measures to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.

The fourth-generation Clio was the first

MORE LUXURIOUS Inside,‘Style’ upholstery with ‘Carbon’ cloth looks sporty, while the digital speedometer and fuel display add a modern twist. Dynamique MediaNav models like this one feature an integrated on-board multimedia system including 7” touchscreen and Navteq Nav ‘n’ Go Satellite Navigation system in addition to an Arkamys radio with Bluetooth, USB, hands‑free technology, Renault Bass Reflex system and fingertip remote controls.

Summing up, the Renault Clio Dynamique MediaNav dCi S&S ECO is both an enjoyable and comfortable car to drive. That it’s also kind to the environment is the icing on its stylish cake. A lower-specified Expression+ dCi 90 ECO model is available for £1,000 less, but does without this car’s Stop&Start system and added style. With £0 VED and a competitive BIK rate of 13 per cent, whichever Clio dCi ECO model you go for, you’ll be rewarded with a good-looking, high-performing and economical small car with added joie de vivre. L

Renault Clio Dynamique MediaNav dCi S&S ECO ENGINE:

1,461cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

83g/km

MPG (combined):

88.3

VED:

Band A, £0

BIK:

13%

PRICE (OTR):

Dynamique MediaNav models feature a 7” touchscreen

Written by Richard Gooding

Thanks to Renault’s recent high-profile activity in the electric new car market, you could be forgiven for temporarily overlooking the company’s conventionally-fuelled offerings.

However, its diesel models post impressive fuel return figures if you’re not in the market for a zero-emission vehicle. The Clio dCi ECO also boasts one of the lowest non-hybrid CO2 figures for a conventionally-fuelled car. With a combined cycle figure of 88.3mpg promised, it’s one of the cleanest superminis currently on sale.

Renault to be designed by Laurens van den Acker, the company’s new Senior Vice President, Corporate Design. Much more stylish than previous generations, the latest Clio has flowing lines and bold detailing. Its five-door only body style has been disguised well, with the rear door handles neatly integrated into the rear side window. Personalisation is very much at the forefront of the new look, with buyers able to choose from a range of five basic colour ‘collections’ and several thousand possible graphic, wheel, roof decal, interior accent and dashboard options. With ‘Flame Red’ paint, gloss black exterior inserts and 16‑inch ‘Passion’ alloy wheels, HN62 KGU looked every inch the stylish urban runabout.

£15,545 (incl VAT, £16,080 as tested)

The latest Clio embodies Renault’s new bold styling direction

43

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTD

Road Test

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

Cabin has sporty flourishes, yet all the traditional Golf comforts

GREEN, THRILLING DIESEL

Golf GTD is capable of 53.5mpg in the real world

Created with fleets in mind, the latest Volkswagen Golf GTD marries performance with both low emissions and high fuel returns

its best behaviour. And that fun doesn’t come at a price: there is a reported 13 per cent increase in efficiency over the Mk 6 Golf GTD.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has become a byword for the hot hatchback, but the Golf GTD has always offered a similar turn of speed with considerably more miles per gallon.

Developed off the back of the original Mk 1 Golf diesel of the 1970s, the Golf GTD has been around almost as long as the GTI itself.

1982 saw the birth of the pacey diesel Golf, and 30 years later, the seventh generation model takes the formula to new heights.

With 182bhp, the most potent diesel Golf certainly has the pace, but with 109g/km of CO2 emissions and a claimed 67.3mpg, it has also has a clean conscience. Created with low running cost-appeal and a nod to the fleet market in mind, can the Golf GTD bring clean, guilt-free driving fun to company car drivers?

CONVENTIONALLY-FUELLED FUN One of the most interesting comparisons with the latest Golf GTD is that it’s on a par (pun intended) with the eco-focused Golf BlueMotion of early 2008. Six years ago, the BlueMotion returned 62.8mpg and 119g/km of CO2, figures which the GTD now not only beats, but beats comfortably. Lower insurance groups than its predecessor mean even more reduced costs for user choosers.

The GTD is expected to take around six per cent (2000-3500 per year) of the Golf’s total sales, while 60 per cent of its sales are expected to go to fleets. Volkswagen UK says that it forecasts the GTD to outsell the GTI by two to one, and on this outing, it has every right to. Doing an impression of the legendary GTI is difficult enough – the fact that the GTD does it so well with much lower running costs and outlay should seal its high-selling fate.

One hundred per cent guilt-free it may not be, but the Golf GTD is among the few cars which gets close to offering clean, conventionally-fuelled fun. It is the consummate all-rounder and an immensely capable car. L

MUSCULAR-LOOKING Taking the GTI’s style, the GTD features more muscular-looking front and rear valances, side sills and rear spoiler. Handsome 18-inch ‘Nogaro’ alloy wheels also set it apart from its petrol-powered brother, and whereas the GTI has a red pin-stripe grille accent, the GTD has chrome. LED tail lights add some glitz to the familiar exterior outline.

A ‘GTD’ badge sits on the grille and rear hatch, while inside, the chequered ‘Jacara Grey’ upholstery swaps red stripes for grey. Otherwise, it’s the same story as the GTI and most other Golfs. A beautifully-built cabin with a healthy dose of space also ensure the GTD is practical.

The two-litre four-cylinder diesel has 280lb ft of torque and coupled to the six-speed manual gearbox (a semi-auto DSG ‘box is also available), surges the GTD along at quite a pace from as

little as 1,750rpm. As with the GTI, the GTD is a refined and comfortable motorway companion, the engine turning over at 1800rpm when cruising at the legal limit in top gear. In fact, so hushed and smooth is the engine, that you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the GTD’s more famous petrol relative.

The cabin is a nice place to be. Illuminated footwells and door trims, and high-quality materials make the interior that little bit more special than other medium‑sized hatchbacks, while the latest Volkswagen 5.8‑inch colour touchscreen infotainment system relays a plethora of data back to the driver.

DRIVER PROFILE SELECTION The GTD, along with several other seventh‑generation Golfs, has a driver profile selection. Seemingly at odds with its performance leanings, an ‘Eco’ setting – like the ‘Sport’, ‘Normal’ and ‘Individual’ settings – adjusts the engine mapping (and other parameters such as steering weight) to the chosen style selected. For the purposes of GreenFleet tests, the car was run in ‘Eco’ mode for the majority of its time with me. In this mode, optimised for the greatest fuel efficiency, the engine management, air conditioning and ancillary systems are controlled by the car’s computerised brain.

The GTD doesn’t sacrifice any of the playfulness the Golf ‘GT’ family is known for either, even when it is averaging 46.1mpg in the real world.

Running on 15mm lower suspension than regular Golfs, it always feels composed. Feeling fun yet secure, cosseting yet mischievous, the GTD exudes its sporty side even when it’s on

Volkswagen Golf GTD ENGINE:

1,968cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

109g/km

MPG (combined):

67.3

VED:

Band B, £0 first year, £20 thereafter

BIK:

17%

PRICE (OTR):

£26,220 (incl VAT, £27,880 as tested)

Volume 72 | GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE

45

Product Finder

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

BUSINESS FLEET SALES

CAR AND VAN RENTAL

Green Motion Perrys Amersham Perrys Amersham Chesham Road, Amersham Buckinghamshire HP6 5EX www.perrys.co.uk/amersham-alfa-romeo Tel: 01494 958813 Perrys Alfa Romeo Amersham boast a wealth of experience within both our sales and service departments. Our aim is to create a hassle free car buying experience. Our dedicated business to business team have the commitment and knowledge to cater for all of your business fleet needs.

FLEET MANAGEMENT: FLEET COST REDUCTION

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.

FLEET MANAGEMENT

sgfleet

Run Your Fleet

SG Fleet UK Ltd Tel: 01228 564 455 pcrabtree@sgfleet.com

Forward House, High Street, Henley In Arden, Warwickshire. B95 5AA Tel: 08445 733111 sales@runyourfleet.com www.runyourfleet.com

sgfleet is a professional fleet management company with a strong pedigreee. Our focus is to work in partnership with our clients to help them operate their vehicle fleets as efficiently as possible and drive down costs. Robust systems and state of the art on line reporting functionality and capability help us to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Run Your Fleet delivers innovative on-line fleet management solutions for fleets of all sizes. Services include: Maintenance control, managed breakdown cover, risk management, daily rental, contract hire and flexible leasing. Our industry leading telematics service – www.runyourtracking.com delivers full driver behaviour and unrivalled fuel and CO2 reporting.

INSURANCE

COMPLETE VEHICLE RECHARGING SOLUTIONS

Schneider Electric Tel: 0870 608 8608 www.schneider-electric.com/uk

As a global specialist in energy management, Schneider Electric has contributed to the electric vehicle (EV) market for more than a decade.

We have partnered with leading professionals and research organisations to deliver efficient and safe residential, parking and fast charging solutions for EVs. FLEET MANAGEMENT REPORTING

Alphabet Form One, Bartley Wood Business Park Hook, Hampshire RG27 9XA Tel: 0870 50 50 100 alphabet@alphabet.co.uk www.alphabet.co.uk GreenCARE is Alphabet’s comprehensive online reporting, analysis and modelling tool designed to help customers reduce their CO2 emissions, fuel and fleet costs, while benchmarking performance against ‘average’ and ‘best in class’ fleet performers. Speak to us today to find out more about how GreenCARE can help to reshape your fleet.

ADVERTISERS INDEX

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

kdh Insurance Brokers Ltd Tel: 01746 760440 www.kdhinsurance.co.uk KDH Insurance Brokers provide competitive quotations for both business and personal insurance.

Our experienced staff can find the best policy to suit your needs. Whether it is premises, liability, fleet or private car you can be confident it is the right policy for you.

Please contact us for a quotation.

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GREENFLEET® MAGAZINE | Volume 72

Alphabet 32 BMW UK 34 Citroen UK 18, 19 Commercial Vehicle 30 Ford 6 General Motors 38 Honda IFC Lex Auto Lease 24 Microlise 44 Nissan Motor GB 42 Peugeot 22, 23 RAC 4 Renault UK OBC Rolec Services 12 The AA 26 Toyota IBC, 36 Mercedes 14, 15 Vauxhall 10, 28, 29 Volvo 8

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Quit smoking and save thousands with petrol full hybrid

Desirability Reliability

Poor air quality kills*. Reduce CO 2 and NOx emissions and eliminate particulates whilst saving thousands of pounds by switching from diesel to petrol hybrid. Challenge us to prove it with our personalised fleet financial health check.

Rangeability

Sustainability Serviceability Affordability

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brilliant for business *5000 premature UK deaths a year due to combustion exhaust. Environmental Science Technology – Public Health Impacts of Combustion Emissions in the United Kingdom 21/03/12 (COMEAP – Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution) Hybrid range fuel economy (mpg) Comb. 134 - 32.8; Urban 91.1 - 26.9; Extra Urban 80.7 - 37.9; CO 2 49 - 199g/km.

The mpg fi gures quoted are sourced from offi cial EU-regulated test results. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not refl ect your actual driving experience.

renault.co.uk

100% ELECTRIC RENAULT ZOE

No company car tax. No road tax. No brainer.

With the 100% electric Renault ZOE we’ve thought of everything. You’ve fewer things to pay and more added extras, including R-Link touchscreen navigation and remote activated pre-conditioning function.

Visit renault.co.uk/business or call the Renault Business Team on 0800 040 7344.

The official consumption figures in mpg ( I/100km ) for the Renault ZOE core range are: Urban N/A; Extra Urban N/A; Combined N/A. The official CO 2 emissions for the range are 0. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO 2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors.

Warranty applies to new vehicles up to a period of 4 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first (first 2 years unlimited mileage). Renault Assistance Roadside Cover is provided in association with AXA. Cover from months 0 to 36 includes assistance at the roadside and home, national recovery, onward travel and European cover. Cover from months 37 to 48 includes Roadside and Homestart (including a local tow to an authorised Renault dealer). The provider of this cover is the AXA UK.