GreenFleet 78

PARIS MOTOR SHOW

GREENFLEET AWARDS

www.greenfleet.net

TELEMATICS

ISSUE 78

D NLOA DOW NEW THE EET APP NFL GREE code e QR h t n a Sc

INTERVIEW

TAXI FIRM PLUGS-IN

C&C Taxis shares its experience of running electric vehicles AUTONOMOUS CARS

DRIVER-FREE VEHICLES

How likely is a future with self-driving cars, and how could fleets benefit?

ROAD TEST: VAUXHALL VIVARO 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX

www.greenfleet.net

TELEMATICS

ISSUE 78

LOAD DOWNNEW THE ET APP NFLE GREE code the QR Scan

INTERVIEW

TAXI FIRM PLUGS-IN

C&C Taxis shares its experience of running electric vehicles AUTONOMOUS CARS

DRIVER-FREE VEHICLES

How likely is a future with self-driving cars, and how could fleets benefit?

ROAD TEST: VAUXHALL VIVARO 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX

COMMENT

PARIS MOTOR SHOW

GREENFLEET AWARDS

A step forward for hydrogen This October, the UK received its first delivery of series-production hydrogen powered cars. No longer the stuff of trials and concepts, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles were delivered to paying customers – Air Products, ITM Power, Johnson Matthey and Transport for London This came on the same day that as Business Minister Matthew Hancock announced £11 million of funding from government and industry to prepare the UK for the roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The money will help establish an initial network of up to 15 hydrogen refuelling stations, by upgrading the existing refuelling stations and building new stations by the end of 2015. It also includes £2 million for public sector hydrogen vehicles.

At this year’s Paris motor show, Toyota revealed its new hydrogen-fuelled Toyota Fuel Cell Sedan. What’s more, the Japanese manufacturer has decided Britain will be one of the first markets to introduce its fuel cell vehicle next year.

2015 has been marked as the era when hydrogen as fuel will kick off. The delivery of the Hyundai ix35s and the Toyotas that will follow will allow the public to see them being used in the real world. And the expanding refuelling infrastructure will be crucial. But with the costs of such vehicles

still sketchy, and the limited refuelling infrastructure, only time will tell if hydrogen will be a success.

But added to the mix of electric, hybrids and biofuel-powered cars, hydrogen will be a welcome addition in the mission to de-carbonise transport.

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 ACCOUNT MANAGER Kylie Glover ADMINISTRATION Victoria Leftwich, Vickie Hopkins REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

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Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS

Contents GreenFleet 78 07 News

35 Procurement

16 GreenFleet Awards

39 Arrive ‘N’ Drive

Government invests £11 million in hydrogen; EU leaders set carbon targets for 2030; EV sales climb in Q3 of this year

16

A look at the nominees and winners at this year’s awards ceremony which took place at the Heritage Motor Centre on 30 October

19 Fleet Interview

Michelle Williams of Cornwall cab firm C&C Taxis talks about the benefits she has seen from introducing six electric vehicles into her fleet

21 Alternative Fuels

A look at the environmental and cost savings of using biomethane in transport

32

This year’s event boasted the largest number of exhibitors and green vehicles in the history of the event

43 Paris motor show

GreenFleet reports from the recent Paris motor show where 80 cars had their world premiere

48 Road test: Renault Kangoo Z.E.

Richard Gooding finds out how this electric van copes with his daily commute

27 Fleet Management

50 Road test: Citroën Berlingo HDi 90 625 XTR+

29 Telematics

52 Road test: Vauxhall Vivaro CDTi ecoFLEX

James Langley of the Institute of Car Fleet Management shares ten tips for running an efficient fleet

FIAG’s Jeffrey Bray talks about how technology can give organisations the information they need to make cost‑saving decisions

39

The Crown Commercial Service discusses its efforts to drive forward the green agenda in public sector motor purchasing

32 Driverless technology How likely is a future with driverless cars and how can fleets benefit? Professor Kevin Curran from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, reports

GreenFleet examines the qualities of the small French panel van

Richard Gooding inspects the latest LCV consignment from Vauxhall

54 Road test: Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC Angela Pisanu drives the winner of this year’s MPG Marathon

56 Road test: VW Golf SV A larger round of VW’s popular Golf

56 39

43

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GreenFleet magazine

www.greenfleet.net Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

5

NEWS

News in brief ALTERNATIVE FUELS

£11 million to prepare UK for hydrogen-fuelled cars

Business Minister Matthew Hancock announced £11 million of funding from government and industry to prepare the UK for the roll-out of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. The money will help establish an initial network of up to 15 hydrogen refuelling stations, by upgrading the existing refuelling stations and building new stations by the end of 2015. It also includes £2 million for public sector hydrogen vehicles.

This announcement came on the same day the UK received its first delivery of series‑production hydrogen powered cars – Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles – to paying customers Air Products, ITM Power, Johnson Matthey and Transport for London.

Speaking in Japan where Matthew Hancock met executives at Honda, Nissan and Toyota, Mr Hancock said: “Hydrogen cars present us with a huge economic opportunity and can bolster our internationally renowned automotive industry. We want to make the UK one of the best places in the world to design, manufacture and sell ultra-low emission vehicles.

“Government will work in true partnership with industry so the potential benefits are realised by businesses and consumers across the UK.” READ MORE tinyurl.com/pe5ej49

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Over a quarter of all UK plug-ins sold in Q3 of this year Record numbers of people have taken advantage of the government’s Plug-in Car Grant, bringing the number of grant funded vehicles on UK roads to over 17,000.

The scheme offers discounts on ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) of up to £5,000 for cars and £8,000 for vans. More than 5,000 grants were issued between July and September, representing an increase of over 50 per cent on the previous three months and close to a third of all grants since the initiative began in 2010.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “It is not surprising that people want these vehicles – they are a pleasure to drive and incredibly cheap to run, as well as beneficial to the environment. The government is breaking down barriers that may have put people off in the past.

“This growing confidence helps the UK

strengthen its position as a global leader in developing green technology. Expanding this sector is also creating thousands of jobs and contributing to Britain’s thriving £11 billion automotive industry, and encouraging more investment in the UK – a key part of this government’s long-term economic plan.”

READ MORE

Ford creates 318 jobs with low-carbon engine programme Ford has announced a £190 million additional investment to produce its new range low-carbon diesel engines, creating 318 new jobs at its Dagenham plant.

David Cameron has welcomed the investment by Ford as a “vote of confidence” in the Government’s economic plan. The extra investment, which includes £8.9 million from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, will see the plant turn out up to half a million of the two-litre engines a year.

The announcement is the second phase of investment in the new engine programme and takes the total amount of funding for the project to in excess of £475 million.

The first phase of investment relates to the production of state-of‑the‑art engines for Ford commercial vehicles around the world, while the second phase, due to start in 2017, is for passenger cars.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/m6p5hno

EU drops charging point targets The European Union has done a U-turn on a November 2013 European Parliament directive that issued targets to member nations for the number of electric vehicle charging points and hydrogen refuelling stations they should have by 2020. Under the directive, the UK was ordered to have 70,000 charging stations installed by 2020, while Germany was expected to have 86,000.

The EU has now done away with these targets and revised the bill so that it does not include binding contracts for member nations.

Instead, governments are called upon to deliver national action plans involving the installation of an “appropriate number of electric recharging points accessible to the public” by the end of 2020.

The lobbying organisation Transport & Environment has claimed that this about-turn will prove counterproductive. The organisation’s clean vehicles manager Greg Archer said: “Europe can and should do better and initiate a comprehensive strategy on e-mobility. This continent needs to join the race for clean innovation, cut its 300 billion oil import bill and reduce CO2 emissions as soon as possible.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/q63utk8

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Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

7

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Dundee gets grant for more EV charging Drivers in Dundee are to benefit from a £22,000 grant from Transport for Scotland towards two new 22kw fast chargers, which will be fully available to the public.

Dundee’s environment convener Craig Melville said: “This is another important step in our commitment to environmentally-friendly transport.

“These additional charging points will help us to keep up the momentum for electric cars in Dundee by making them even more accessible.”

Meanwhile, East Renfrewshire looks set to receive a £78,000 grant to improve charging point coverage throughout the area. Councillor Tony Buchanan, convener for infrastructure and sustainable growth, said: “I welcome this offer of funding and I hope many residents will take advantage of the facilities that will be provided.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/pnqcfqr

INFRASTRUCTURE

New business partnership to aid fleet EV charging

NEWS

INFRASTRUCTURE

CARBON REDUCTION

EU sets carbon reduction target of 40 per cent by 2030

European leaders have agreed to a binding pact that requires all EU nations to reduce greenhouse emissions to at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. This deal, which was struck at a summit in Brussels, aims to combat climate change and set an example for other nations in the run up to international climate talks being held next year. This makes the EU the first major world economy to establish clear targets for after 2020. However, the deal contains a clause which may allow the environmental targets to be reviewed if other world economies do not agree to similar measures.

The agreement also includes two 27 per cent targets, for increased renewable energy use and greater energy efficiency. While the latter goal is optional, it may be rise to 30 per cent pending a review in 2020.

But the Brussels summit saw many EU nations take issue with the new regulations.

Poland, for example, argued that as 90 per cent of its electricity comes from coal and it would not be possible to meet the targets in the time specified. The country threatened that it would prevent the bill passing if the costs to its economy were not discounted to the tune of £12-16 billion, and

concessions were made to provide funding to modernise its coal-fired power plants.

European Council president Herman Van Rompuy said that there would be “extra support for lower-income countries, both through adequate targets and through additional funds to help them catch up in their clean-energy transition.”

Environmental organisations have criticised the special allowances made for certain countries, with Julia Michalak of Climate Action Network Europe calling the Poland concessions “scandalous”. Michalak said: “A continuation of free emission permits for Poland’s coal-reliant energy system would be a grave mistake. Leaders who came to Brussels to agree new historic climate goals, are actually discussing whether to hand out money to Europe’s dirtiest power plants.”

Meanwhile Joris den Blanken of Greenpeace described it as a “very modest Package”, saying that it would “mean a slowdown in clean energy development in Europe.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/kdtdmeb

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Business mobility specialist Alphabet and low-carbon electricity provider EDF Energy have formed a partnership to advise fleet customers about electric vehicle charging points and supply bespoke infrastructure to meet individual needs.

It is hoped that the partnership will boost customer confidence in going electric by pooling expertise from the two companies on charging solutions including guidance on modes and speeds of charging infrastructure, as well as the types of charging cables available for selection. Customers will also receive advice on load and power requirements, alongside managing ongoing maintenance, installation and warranty protection.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/mwpw6pc

Government commits to £11 million spend on low-carbon technology The government has pledged £11 million in funding to help speed up research and development of emission-reducing vehicle technologies. The money is to go towards Innovate UK’s competition, ‘Adapting cutting-edge technologies’, which invites businesses to bid for a share of the funding for research and development purposes. The money forms part of a wider £500 million government investment in the development of ultra low-emission vehicles between 2015 and 2020.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “This new £11 million for research and development shows our support to UK companies leading the way

to cleaner and greener transport technologies. They are investing in more efficient transport, and that is the best way to drive our economy forward.

“By 2040 we expect virtually all new cars and vans to be using carbon-cutting technology and we want to see as much of this as possible designed and built here, in the UK, delivering economic as well as environmental benefits. We are already a world leader in this field and we must invest more resources to maintain our edge.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/k8l2awt

Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

9

COMPETITION

Win a professionally-installed Accident Camera worth £299* The Roadwatch DVR is a compact all-in-one digital video recorder suitable for all mobile automotive applications:  Compact all-in-one design  Incident panic button (locks an individual file)  Continuous recording with ignition input trigger  Adjustable settings for Fps, quality and the number of cameras  Adjustable angle for camera External video out for attaching an additional monitor SD card for easy retrievable data To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question: What date did the 2014 GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive take place?

The answer can be found within this issue of GreenFleet. Please email the answer to: editorial@psigroupltd.co.uk and provide your name, company name, telephone number and company address. * This prize is not transferable in whole or in part and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash. In the unlikely event that the item is unavailable, Handsfree reserves the right to substitute an item of similar value and functionality.

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NEWS

News in brief BMW plans car hire scheme similar to ‘Boris Bikes’ BMW has outlined plans to launch a grab-and-go car hire scheme in London, similar in concept to the capital’s ‘Boris Bikes’.

DriveNow, BMW’s joint venture with rental company Sixt, will deploy cars at strategic points on the capital’s streets, reports Car magazine. The electric i3 will be the biggest star of the London initiative, alongside Minis and BMW 1-series cars.

EV TECHNOLOGY

US city trials grid balancing technology A trial of grid-balancing technology that allows utility companies to request electric vehicles to stop charging is to get underway in the city of Sacramento in California.

Utility companies are to team up with the Electric Power Research Institute and leading car manufacturers including BMW and Mercedes‑Benz to develop a cloud-based system that facilitates communication with electric cars in order to ask that they stop charging, and also to restart charging remotely.

The trial aims to learn whether grid overload can be prevented by giving utility companies scope to manage demand, which could be of vital importance as the number of EVs increases. Vehicle owners will plug in their cars and set a departure time, while the system works out whether a pause in charging will be disruptive to the driver. If the pause does not interfere with the driver’s needs, charging will pause to save grid power. Utilities may offer

READ MORE

financial incentives to vehicle owners who make their cars accessible to the grid.

Dan Bowermaster of Electric Power Research Institute’s Electric Transportation Program said: “This demonstration represents a major milestone that meets the needs of utilities and equipment manufacturers while simultaneously benefiting electric vehicle owners and electricity users.”

Mike Tinskey, global director, Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure at Ford said: “This first-ever test is a critical milestone as we move forward with our collective goal to advance electrification and boost the environmental benefits that come with that. Our intent is to add more capability to this technology so that it may be used broadly in the future.”

tinyurl.com/l8h2qb5

Six-year high for car production The first nine months of 2014 have been the best for car manufacturing for six years despite a slight dip in production in September. A total of 1,132,017 cars were produced in the UK in the period January to September – a 0.6 per cent rise on the same period last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. This was the best three-quarters figure since 2008 and came in spite of a 2.8 per cent dip last month compared with September last year.

Production for export fell 8.1 per cent last month, but home market production was up 17.7 per cent.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/mgzaqvv

READ MORE

INFRASTRUCTURE

tinyurl.com/o73yffp

Tesla opens super-charger in Scotland Tesla has installed a new fast-charger facility at Edinburgh Airport. The charger, located in the airport’s car park, will be available to owners of the company’s Model S electric sedan 24 hours a day for free, offering them the chance to complete a half charge in about 20 minutes.

This location is part of a network expansion that will soon allow Model S owners to drive anywhere in the UK relying only on Superchargers.

In other news, Tesla has announced plans to issue all-wheel-drive versions of its Model S car. These AWD (the ‘d’ stands for ‘dual motor’) cars will be equipped with a second electric motor to power the front wheels. This will offer an additional

10 miles of range meaning that models with the longest range will now be able to travel 275 miles on a full charge.

Freight best practice scheme to go UK-wide The government-backed Fleet Operation Recognition Scheme (FORS), a voluntary scheme that encourages sustainable best practice for road freight operators, is to be extended beyond the capital across the country, it has been announced.

An external partner will be brought in to help deliver the scheme, which to date has been managed by Transport for London, all over the UK. READ MORE

READ MORE

tinyurl.com/ljv9yoh

tinyurl.com/nygmnfm Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

11

NEWS

FUNDING

South Yorkshire businesses to receive EV funding A new initiative has been launched that aims to help a number of South Yorkshire businesses reduce costs by including electric vehicles in their fleet. The Inmotion Electric Vehicles Scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, is a partnership between Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Council, and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

The partnership will work to implement the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund in the region.

Private and voluntary sector businesses in South Yorkshire are invited to apply for grants of up to £10,500 for plug-in vans or £7,500 for plug-in cars, as well as a £500 grant for workplace charging points, covering roughly half the installation cost. This represents a £2,500 increase on the government’s own plug-in grant scheme.

Vehicles eligible for grants include the BMW i3 and the Nissan e-NV200. All vehicles

will be fitted with a mileage tracker to allow the government to observe the benefits seen by companies (this is a compulsory requirement to secure funding).

The initial Inmotion scheme is scheduled to run until the end of March next year, or until 80 organisations have received grants, though an additional tranche of £4.8 million in DfT funding has been won which will allow the scheme to extend to a further 30 businesses over 2015/16.

Fleets will also benefit from participation in existing free training schemes – the ECO stars Fleet Recognition Scheme and ECO-Business Driving – which help companies to improve their safety and emissions records.

A spokesperson for Venson, the leasing company helping to deliver the scheme, said: “We are very supportive of electric vehicles, but they have to be right for fleets and drivers.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ozt3qj3

LOW-CARBON ENGINES

Survey finds Britons considering alternative fuel cars The findings of a recent survey suggest that a majority of British adults would consider using (buying or leasing) an alternative fuel car over the next two years. ContractHireAndLeasing. com polled 2025 people and found that over 65 per cent of respondents expressed an interest in vehicles running on alternative fuels such as LPG, hydrogen and electricity.

Respondents most favoured non-rechargeable hybrids (19 per cent expressed an interest).

Next were LPG-powered vehicles and plug-in hybrids, each cited by 12 per cent of those polled.

Hydrogen and fully electric cars came last at 11 per cent each.

There was a fluctuation in these choices according to region, with those in the North East seemingly more positive than average about fully electric cars, attracting 18 per cent of the vote in this area.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/pv5k5w4

LowCVP’s Andy Eastlake Stop press: Real world diesel emissions lower than lab tests Over recent weeks there has been a lot of media coverage about locally polluting emissions from diesel vehicles exceeding levels predicted by test results While levels of air pollution are certainly too high in some of our cities, we do need a sense of perspective; we’ve come a very long way since the days – not so long ago – when neither carbon nor local pollution from our vehicles was measured. Emissions from diesel vehicles are now a fraction of what they were, and there have been great strides in cutting carbon emissions from new cars too – down by a quarter in the last ten years.

Diesel is the mainstay of our commercial road transport system and will to continue to be important, possibly for decades to come. Indeed, while we fully support the introduction of electric, gas and hydrogen powered vehicles, for many fleets there is currently limited choice but to buy a ‘clean’ diesel, particularly in the van and truck vehicle segments. Given this reliance, no technology is getting more dedicated research and investment funding, and we must continue this and strive to deliver cleaner, greener diesel performance. The LowCVP is working actively to ensure that the drive to lower carbon does not compromise our ability to meet air quality targets.

It was early in my career as a vehicle testing engineer – around 1988 – that we actually started measuring particulates for the first time and even later (2000) imposed a separate NOx limit. Since then all our vehicles and fuels, including diesel, have made incredible leaps in both fuel economy and particularly emissions performance (down more than 90 per cent in lab tests).

I am a big supporter and instigator of actions to make sure the test conforms as closely as possible to the real world operation of a vehicle, but the complexity of creating and controlling the combination of fuel, engine and after-treatment to give us ultra-low emissions in every condition we encounter, takes time to perfect.

With still a couple of years before full implementation of the Euro 6 requirements, to see vehicles already on the road that are not just compliant with, but delivering on road to this standard, reassures me that clean diesel can continue to play an important role. Isn’t it about time we (and the media) celebrated the progress and success we are seeing emerge across every technology option?

FURTHER INFORMATION www.lowcvp.org.uk and follow LowCVP on Twitter: @theLowCVP and @aeastlake

Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

13

THE NEW JAGUAR XE. FROM 99G/KM OF C02 AND UP TO 75 MPG

Official fuel consumption for the Jaguar XE range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 24.4-64.2 (11.6-4.4); Extra Urban 46.3-83.1 (6.1-3.4); Combined 34.9-75.0 (8.1-3.8). CO2 Emissions 194-99 (g/km). Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ.

THE SPORTS SALOON REDEFINED. The new Jaguar XE features our lightweight, all-new aluminium architecture and F-TYPE-inspired design and technology. With class-leading emissions from as low as 99g/km of CO 2 and up to 75 mpg, the new Jaguar XE is the most efficient car we’ve ever built.

It’s due to arrive in 2015. For more information and to be among the first to experience the new Jaguar XE, register at jaguar.co.uk/XE or contact the Jaguar Business Centre on 0845 600 2214.

GREENFLEET AWARDS

Sponsored by

Awards for the green-minded fleet community This year’s GreenFleet Awards once again shined a spotlight on the fleet operators, suppliers and manufacturers that are putting great efforts into minimising the environmental impact of their fleets and vehicles. Here’s a look at this year’s winners The green-minded fleet community gathered at the Heritage Motor Centre Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire, on 30 October to find out who would scoop a GreenFleet Award, the industry’s most coveted awards for environmental fleet management and green motoring. The awards were sponsored

by Jaguar, who this year released its most fuel-efficient model ever – the XE. With the UK potentially receiving fines for failing to reach air pollution targets, the need to curb vehicle emissions is becoming ever more pressing. And year-on-year, organisations who operate fleets, as well as the motoring industry and fleet suppliers are putting great effort into reducing the impact of their transport operations and vehicle production. The GreenFleet Awards continues to recognise such dedication.

This year’s event was hosted by Quentin Willson, a renowned motoring journalist and longstanding spokesperson for drivers’ rights and a champion of greener fuels.

Fleet manufacturer This year, BMW scooped the title of Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year, which was Sponsored by Rockingham. Award judges said: “The German marque is the brand that all other vehicle manufacturers operating in the fleet sector must aspire to beat.

Initially through its ConnectedDrive and EfficientDynamics technologies, which are now commonplace across its vehicle range, BMW has defined the next generation of models in the revolutionary i3 and i8 electric cars. With fuel-sipping, low emission models to fit virtually every company car choice list, including the new 2 and 4 Series, X4 and X5, amongst the lowest whole life costs coupled with improved levels of support, alongside the arrival of electric cars and a radical approach to ‘mobility’, the brand has the biggest green halo in the market.”

Citroën celebrated double success this year, taking home City Car Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Green Motion, and LCV Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored

by Kumho Tyres. Citroën has a range of 51 cars that are sub-100g/km, and with the launch of its new city car, the C1, the marque has no less than 19 model variants in that bracket, with diesel engines emitting as little as 84g of CO2 per kilometre.

For its commercial vehicles, this year Citroën released its new Relay panel van with fuel economy improvements of up to 15 per cent while CO2 emissions have also been reduced thanks to efficient HDi and e-HDi 130 diesel engines, Stop & Start, energy recapture and intelligent alternator management. What’s more, it has class-leading payloads and

load space practicality. Citroën’s LCV range also includes the Nemo, Dispatch and Berlingo – which also has a pure electric version.

New technology This year, GreenFleet added a new category to its awards, to cater for the changes in low-emission technology. The category is for the manufacturer of the best plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), sponsored by EDF Energy. Mitsubishi won the award for its PHEV Outlander, which is the world’s first plug-in hybrid 4x4 SUV. With regenerative braking to feed power back into the batteries when possible, the Outlander is capable of 32.5 miles in EV mode (total range 500+), 70mph on EV power, and has the possibility of up to 148mpg. What’s more, it has SUV convenience and 4WD capability.

The award for Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by EDF Energy, went to Volkswagen. The company has made a stunning entrance in to this market, launching two new Pure EV models, the e-Golf and e-Up, which are based on existing model platforms. VW also has plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid variant.

DAF Trucks scooped this year’s LGV Manufacturer of the Year award. Its new range of Euro 6 engines have been designed for maximum efficiency, reliability and the

LGV Manufacturer of the Year: DAF Trucks

Fleet Manufacturer of the Year: BMW

Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year: Volkswagen

City Car Manufacturer of the Year: Citroën

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PHEV Manufacturer of the Year: Mitsubishi

LCV Manufacturer of the Year: Citroën

British Gas, Private Sector Fleet of the Year (Medium to Large) of the Year uses the GreenFleet Award for Industry Innovation winner, the Nissan e-NV200 all-electric van

average across the entire fleet drop to just 99g/km.

What’s more, the Green Heart Fee initiative supports environmental causes including the reforestation and protection within the rainforest of Costa Rica and the introduction of childrens’ activity packs which focus on eco-friendly education. highest driver comfort. What’s more, DAF Trucks have Innovative Driver Performance Assistant to help drivers get the best out of their driving, as well as telematics which is integrated within its repair and maintenance packages to help pre-empt problems.

Innovation Chevin Fleet Solutions won the Award for IT Innovation, sponsored by Alphabet. The company’s web based fleet management software FleetWave now allows operators to view and measure their carbon footprint and the corrective action they take through detailed reporting tools.

The software manages green initiatives with new and continuously improved features such as the Environment Impact Report, Fuel Analysis, Driver Training, Pool Car Share Function and the Smart Vehicle Replacement tool.

MITIE, the facilities, property and energy management provider, was presented with the Driver Training Initiative Award, sponsored by AA Drivetech. MITIE operates a fleet of almost 7,500 vehicles and is responsible for training some 15,000 drivers. An online ‘driver induction’ provides an overview of MITIE’s driving policies and processes, and establishes a risk rating which ascertains the level of training required. All drivers identified as medium or high risk receive Driver Awareness Training which takes place in MITIE’s own fully mobile driving simulator.

Zero-emission journeys The award for Private Hire/Taxi Company of the Year, sponsored by Catalina Software, went to eConnect Cars. Launched in January this year, the firm offers passengers zero emission journeys with its fully‑electric chauffeur driven service.

Account clients are given details of CO2 savings made instead of a TX4 black cab, which can then be added to their own reporting. eConnect Cars also has a ‘GoldPower’ tariff which means that for every kilowatt hour used by a GoldPowered car, an equivalent amount of energy is then produced by a renewable energy plant somewhere else.

The award for Rental Company of the Year was presented to GreenMotion. Since its launch in 2007, the Green Motion brand is now present in 15 countries throughout the globe. Continued investment in the latest green vehicle technology has seen their CO2

Award-winning consultancy Leasing Company of the Year, sponsored by the Green Journey (The Fuel Card Group) was awarded to Alphabet. Alphabet’s solutions are developed in close cooperation with customers and include the AlphaElectric consultancy service for fleets wanting to incorporate electric vehicles. Delivery specialist Gnewt Cargo brought in Alphabet to double its electric vehicle fleet size. Alphabet worked with Renault to fast-track 55 Renault Kangoo electric vans under its AlphaElectric scheme, and they were delivered within the space of a month.

Private sector fleets The award for Private Sector Fleet of the Year (small to medium), sponsored

by Route Monkey, was awarded to Commercial Group. The company drives over a million miles a year, but still manages to continuously reduce its carbon emissions. The company has switched from petrol to diesel, invested in both electric and hydrogen vehicles, and installed four quick chargers for visitors to charge their EVs while on site.

British Gas scooped the award for Private Sector Fleet of the Year (medium to large), sponsored by Jaguar. In October 2013 British Gas, in partnership with Nissan and Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions set out on one of the UK’s largest commercial trials of electric vehicle technology. Using the Nissan e-NV200 fully electric van, 28 boiler engineers converted from their diesel Volkswagen Caddy to the low carbon vehicle for six months. The trial, which took place over winter to see what the limitations of electric driving would be, was such a success that the company has now invested in 100 Nissan eNV200 electric vans.

The award for Private Sector Fleet Manager of the Year, sponsored by RecoAuto, went to Philippa Maher of Environmental Essentials.

Philippa combines her fleet manager’s role with being the company’s HR Manager as well. This year has seen the company’s fleet double in size, with the introduction of new hybrids, while average CO2 levels have fallen from 142g/km to just 108g/km. What’s more, she has also overseen the adoption of driver training, telematics and fuel cards.

Automotive Leasing, went to the University of Birmingham. The university has 98 in‑house vehicles, and also manages more than 2,000 external hires for staff as well. Its first EV was introduced six years ago, and now 15 per cent of its entire fleet is pure EV or hydrogen fuel-cell. What’s more, the university installed eight EV charging points and one of the UK’s only hydrogen refuelling stations.

The Public Sector Fleet of the Year Award (medium to large category), sponsored by Airmax Remote, went to Islington Council.

The council has had to bring its fleet, workshop and direct labour services back in-house, as it embarked on a multi-million pound fleet revamp. It operates the largest public sector fleet of hybrid commercial vehicles in the UK, coupled with 115 new Transit Custom vans fitted with eco packs, speed limiters and acceleration control.

What’s more, Chris Rutherford of Islington Council took home the Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year title, which was sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors. Chris is no stranger to revamping the organisations fleet, and is always looking to embrace the latest innovative technology as they strive to reduce carbon emissions. Having to do all of this with a fleet that is made up of bikes, cars, vans, tippers and refuse trucks is no mean feat.

With so much good work going on by individuals championing the electric vehicle (EV) cause, this year’s GreenFleet Awards added a new category, EV Champion, and this year, three winners were recognised. These were Judith Eadie from Automotive Leasing, Matt Trevaskis from Ecodrive, and Kate Armitage from Route Monkey (formerly EDF Energy).

GREENFLEET AWARDS

The fuel-efficient Jaguar XE

The leet GreenF re the a Awardsy’s most industr prizes for coveted ental fleet m environ ement and manag reen g g motorin

Public sector fleets The Public Sector Fleet Award in the Small to medium category, which was sponsored by

Industry innovation The GreenFleet Award for Industry Innovation this year went to Nissan for its e-NV200 electric van. It combines the EV powertrain from the Leaf and the class leading cargo area of the NV200. With its 106-mile range, the e-NV200 offers business benefits such as low running costs, sustainability and new business opportunities for drivers, such as night time deliveries.

The 2014 award for Outstanding Achievement, sponsored by Jaguar, went to a tri-party collaboration between Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions, British Gas and Nissan for its electric van trial. The nationwide trial of 28 vans – the UK’s largest electric commercial vehicle evaluation to the date, resulted in British Gas taking an order of 100 Nissan e-NV200s. The trial project took years of planning and research, bespoke manufacturing, intensive trails, and the results will help shape the future of sustainable fleet management for years to come. L FURTHER INFORMATION events.greenfleet.net/awards

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FLEET INTERVIEW

Electric savings for Cornwall cab firm After buying its first electric Nissan Leaf in June 2013, family-run cab firm C&C Taxis in Cornwall now has six electric vehicles on its taxi fleet, with more to follow. Owner Michelle Williams shares the company’s experience of electric vehicles and future plans Family-run cab firm C&C Taxis in St Austell, Cornwall, was the first taxi and private hire company in the county to adopt a pure electric vehicle, adding the first Nissan Leaf to its fleet of ten vehicles June 2013. This proved to be an operational success, which led the company to buy a further five. The firm has saved about £25,000 on diesel, with the Leaf costing around 2p-per-mile to run.

What made you decide to purchase an electric vehicle?

Living in such a rural area, next to the world famous Eden Project, and wanting to reduce our carbon footprint as well as reducing fuel costs, my husband and business partner Mark Williams happened to pick up a magazine about electric vehicles and the rest is history. We bought a first generation Nissan Leaf to check the viability of using it for taxiing, and now own six Nissan Leafs.

After your initial Leaf, what barriers had to be overcome before adding more EVs to the fleet?

After buying our first Leaf it became apparent that the 3.3kW onboard charger wasn’t quick enough for the duty cycle of a taxi. We then ordered a second generation UK built Leaf with an onboard charger capable of 6.6kW. This was far better but for intensive use it

was obvious that the Leafs would only be viable with a DC rapid charger. In November 2013 we installed our first rapid charger (RC) which allowed us to purchase more Leafs. With six Leafs, in September 2014 we installed our second RC for future expansion.

Describe a typical day of one of your electric taxis.

In the daytime all of the EVs are rapid charged. The charging of the cars is dictated by the length of jobs and how busy they are through the day.

Some drivers drip feed their cars through the day between jobs and others run the cars nearly flat and take a good full charge on their lunch break.

from the drivers are that they don’t feel tired after a shift in an EV like they did in a diesel.

This is really good news for fleet operators.

How much money on fuel have you saved?

To date we have saved about £25,000 on diesel and reduced our carbon footprint massively. We now estimate we use 80-85 per cent less diesel than we did 18 months ago.

Have you measured how much carbon you are saving?

We have tried to calculate how many carbon emissions we have saved with online calculators, with varying results.

We have clocked up 270,000 miles in our EVs which has replaced diesels with an average mpg of 30mpg.

What are your future plans?

We have been asked by Nissan to be part of their ambassador programme to trial an e-NV200 combi. After our trial we will be purchasing our own e-NV200. It’s just a shame it only does a five seater version at the moment. It will be used the same as the Leaf but it has more space which is handy for airport runs.

e “To dataved es we hav 5,000 on 2 about £nd reduced diesel a carbon ” our assively m t n i r footp elle Williams,

What advice would you give to other companies thinking of adding EVs to its fleet?

It depends on the nature of their business. Intensive-use, all day long, such as taxis, requires rapid charging. Less intensive use (plumber, florist, electrician) with a different type of business would rely more on the range of the vehicle and it may be possible to only use Type 2 slower charging. 

Mich xis C&C Ta

How did the drivers initially react to the EVs and what are their views now?

Drivers had mixed emotions when driving the electric vehicles at first. I think the range anxiety was a big thing until they got used to the cars. All drivers now choose to drive an electric car over a diesel. The usual comments

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DRIVING THE FUTURE

At Lex Autolease, we do more than just help you choose the most efficient vehicles. We can help structure your policy, manage your mileage and enable your drivers to use their vehicles more efficiently.

Our aim is lower emissions and costs for you – which is good for the environment and your business.

0845 769 7381 marketing@lexautolease.co.uk lexautolease.co.uk/thegreen

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Can you benefit from biomethane?

Biomethane as a transport fuel achieves significant environmental and cost savings in HGVs, buses and other vehicles, while also playing an important role in improving air quality. Charlotte Morton of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association reports on this important greener fuel “M&S is committed to maintaining its carbon neutrality by investing in renewable energy and so we are delighted to have become a member of Green Gas Trading Ltd, having signed an agreement to become a long term buyer of Biomethane Certificates from Future Biogas’ Doncaster gas to grid plant.

“After careful consideration of the market, we were particularly attracted by the lifecycle carbon analysis which is embedded in the Biomethane Certification Scheme’s methodology, which will allow M&S to de‑carbonise our gas supply whilst simultaneously supporting the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry.”

en In Swedne has ha biomet overtaken already ompressed fossil c ral gas natu a market ith (CNG) whare of s cent 57 per

Meeting air quality targets The importance of biomethane is not in doubt, with evidence from numerous industry experts highlighting that biomethane as a sustainable transport fuel achieves significant

environmental and cost savings in HGVs, buses and other vehicles, compared to diesel vehicles, while also playing an important role in improving poor air quality in our towns and cities. Outlining the key facts at the conference, Wakefield Council’s environmental health manager, Gary Blenkinsop, reported the potential benefits of using biomethane as including: an 80-90 per cent reduction in NOx; a 95 per cent reduction in particulate emissions; a 20-30 per cent reduction in carbon-dioxide levels; 78 pence per litre equivalent costs; and a payback period of just 12-24 months.

Andrew Whittles, managing director of low emission strategies, has reported that the most recent evidence from Public Health England suggests that diesel fumes are responsible

for the early death of one in 20 of the UK’s population. The UK is currently in breach of EU air quality levels and is facing potentially 

Written by Charotte Morton, chief executive, ADBA

Senior industry representatives have called on the major political parties to set a robust policy framework to support the use of biomethane in transport ahead of next May’s general election. Speakers at ADBA’s second UK Biomethane & Gas Vehicle Conference hosted in Northampton noted that the market and demand for biomethane has grown exponentially, with evidence from the Gas Vehicle Hub demonstrating that the number of their UK gas refuelling points which supply biomethane content has doubled year on year for the past three years to eleven.

However, the European Commission recently outlined a new regulatory framework that could require Member states to ensure a minimum number of publicly accessible refuelling points to be built by the end of 2025, ideally every 400km.

Currently biomethane is produced in 15 European countries from over 200 upgrading plants. In Sweden biomethane has already overtaken fossil compressed natural gas (CNG) with a market share of 57 per cent, and in Germany the share more than doubled within just one year (2012) from six to more than 15 per cent. Indeed, of the 900 gas refuelling stations in Germany, around half will sell gas with biomethane certificates.

Low carbon gas supply The UK also benefits from such certification schemes, with the Green Gas Trading Ltd (GGT) having recently announced that Marks and Spencer plc has purchased the majority of Biomethane Certificates (BMCs) from the green gas produced at Future Biogas’s new £8 million state of the art biomethane plant in Doncaster. The BMCs, registered with GGT in the name of Future Biogas, represent the green (or ‘bio’) element of the biomethane produced at the plant (rather than the physical gas itself). The certificates allow M&S to demonstrate that they have de-carbonised their existing gas supply without affecting any existing contractual arrangements in place across their UK stores.

The Head of Energy Supply at M&S, Gio Patellaro, has explained why the company is so enthusiastic about biomethane:

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CASE STUDY

The age of hydrogen fuel is here: Hydrogen generation on demand, no storage required Hydrogen – the environmentally friendly gas, commonly recognised as an alternative fuel, is still waiting for its wide application in daily life. Is it possible to drive a car on hydrogen? Yes, of course. But the important question is ‘where to refuel’ as hydrogen fueling infrastructure is not yet developed.

Will 2015 kick off an age where hydrogen is a viable alternative fuel?

This was the question on the front page of the last issue of GreenFleet Europe magazine. The answer is yes.

Adventure, a Bulgarian company for innovative technologies, has developed a proprietary technology for generation of hydrogen (H2GS) from fossil fuels and alcohols ‘on-demand’ and ‘on-board’.

It offers to resolve the issue about the lack of H2-fueling infrastructure and opens the road to a full commercialisation of FC driven vehicles.

Adventure’s H2GS system generates hydrogen when required, on demand. This is of particular significance when utilised for fueling of fuel cell (FC) vehicles as it eliminates the obstacles related to the lack of infrastructure for H2-supply, the H2storage deficiency and the safety issues of H2-storage under high pressure, which

currently hinder the fuel cell (FC) market.

Adventure’s H2GS is a multi-fuel system which generates continuous flow of hydrogen (H2) on-demand and without the need for H2-storage.

The fuel could be methanol, ethanol, natural gas or gasoline. Adventure‘s proprietary, highly efficient technology for reforming of natural gas, diesel, gasoline, ethanol and methanol to hydrogen is based on a novel formulation of catalysts, proprietary to the

company. The catalysts are highly efficient – more than 90 per cent conversion of the fuels to H2 is obtained.

Adventure’s H2-generation system for fuel cells (H2GS-FC) consists of two units: a reformer (catalytic reactor) of hydrocarbons and alcohols and a purifier of carbon monoxide (CO) impurities.

The catalytic reactor operates at temperatures from 350oC to 700oC depending on the type of the reformed fuel. Inside, there are elements for vaporising and preheating the reagents. Another component is the cooler for the reformate, in which the water vapor is condensed and recycled back to the reactor.

One of the constituents of Adventure H2GS-FC is the proprietary catalyst for purification of hydrogen from carbon monoxide (CO) impurities. The catalyst is highly selective and warrants a minimal loss of H2 during the purification process The CO-purification process takes place at temperatures in the range between 110oC and 120oC. FURTHER INFORMATION www.adventure.overgas.bg

Multi-fuel H2GS system for Fuel Cells

One of the main advantages of the system is that the heat required for the process is provided by the partial oxidation reaction of the reforming process, which makes the H2GS largely independent of external power sources.

Technology for H2 generation for Fuel Cells A solution of the lack of H2 fuel infrastructure is offered by Adventure’s multi-fuel Hydrogen Generation Systems (H2GS) The systems are adapted for various fuels: – Gasoline (GR) – Natural Gas (NGR) – Diesel (DR) – Methanol (MeR) – Ethanol (EtR) Adventure H2GS systems have high efficiency: > 88% for the gasoline and diesel reformers and > 92% for the methanol and ethanol reformers.

22

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

Adventure AD Bulgaria  Sofia,1309  1 Kukush str Email: adventure@overgas.bg Web: adventure.overgas.bg Tel: +359 2 442 40 74

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

 huge fines as a result. With strong growth in the use of road gas, a more targeted approach towards converting our cities biggest polluters – such as HGVs, vans and buses which contribute around 40 per cent of the UK’s vehicle emissions – could significantly reduce associated environmental and health risks.

Cost effective In addition to significant improvements to air quality, in particular reducing particulate emissions by 95 per cent and carbon dioxide levels by up to 30 per cent, biomethane vehicles offer a cost effective alternative to diesel.

Research undertaken by Cenex on behalf of Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) found that biomethane vehicles reduced fuel costs by 12.8 per cent compared to diesel alternatives.

A similar study undertaken by City of Bradford Council found that their biomethane fuelled mini-bus fleet made annual savings worth about £78,000 when compared to their diesel vehicles – approximately £916 per vehicle.

The benefits of biomethane-fuelled transport has been particularly realised by HGVs and buses. Earlier this year seventeen biomethane Scanias went into service with Stagecoach North East on two routes in Sunderland following almost £4 million in investment, including a biomethane refuelling station.

Trials in the pipeline Whilst further technological advances are needed to fully realise the sector’s growth potential, new developments are emerging such as Scania’s new gas-powered double‑decker buses which will join the

In addition to significant improvements to air quality, in particular reducing particulate emissions by 95 per cent and carbon dioxide levels by up to 30 per cent, biomethane vehicles offer a cost effective alternative to diesel UK market late next year and provide significant, cost-effective opportunities for London’s bus network. Leading UK grocer Sainsbury’s currently has a dual fuel fleet of 109 vehicles, equivalent to 10 per cent of its entire fleet. Through longer journey times with high torque and more consistent speed levels, Sainsbury’s has found its trials cost-effective and is now looking to expand its gas fleet to include 250 vehicles.

Speaking at ADBA’s conference, however, sustainability manager Mark Fletcher commented: “Improvements in the gas refuelling infrastructure and technological advances will help us do that, but there is also a real need to secure more biomethane supplies.”

The prospects for further growth in the availability of biomethane in the UK depend on the continued expansion of the country’s network of anaerobic digestion plants. Industry experts are clear that the AD industry will struggle to produce the volume of biomethane the transport sector is demanding without better targeted incentives, a ban on food waste to landfill, the proper facilitation of

separate waste collections and bioenergy sustainability criteria that recognise all the benefits of AD. While calling for this policy support over the long term, ADBA also believes that new emerging technologies can help ensure the industry’s future sustainability and unlock an estimated £1.2 billion in further private sector investment.

It is for this reason that we have amended our name to the ‘Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association’ (ADBA), which represents a widening of our existing remit to accommodate new technologies and products.

These emergent technologies are mostly only at the research or pilot stage, but they will in time fit perfectly with AD, delivering high value products alongside ultra low carbon renewable energy, and recycling valuable micro and macro nutrients.

Biomethane for transport is one part of an exciting journey to a bio-economy.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.adbioresources.org

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STEAM ENGINE

THE WHEEL 3500 BC

1712 NAVIGATIONAL CLOCK

ELECTRICITY 1752

1740

ALUMINIUM 1825

ENVIRONMENTALISM JET ENGINE 1930

WE HAVEN’T JUST MADE HISTORY.

WE’VE MADE A 4WD THAT’S GREENER THAN A CONVENTIONAL SMALL CAR. With the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, we haven’t just made a car – we’ve created a vehicle that really is a friend of the earth. The fusion of electric and petrol technology can deliver a staggering 148 mpg1 and creates a fraction of the CO2 emissions of even a conventional small car - just 44g/km. As a result you’ll pay no road tax or Congestion Charge. Business users will only pay 5% Benefit in Kind rather than the 25%+ that most business users pay2. If your commute is less than 30 miles your petrol consumption will be minimal too. That’s because, in full electric mode, the Outlander PHEV has a range of 32 miles. Its combined petrol and electric range is an incredible 510 miles3. Plus its battery can be charged in a few hours via a domestic plug socket or a low-cost4 home Charge Point5. We’ve made history – you just need to make time for a test drive.

We call this Intelligent Motion.

Make time for a test drive | Search: Outlander PHEV Visit: mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find your nearest dealer

1960’s

THE WORLD’S FIRST 4WD PLUG-IN HYBRID SUV FROM £28,249 - £34,999 Including £5,000 Government Plug-in Car Grant6

1. Official EU MPG test figure shown as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. 2. 5% BIK compared to average rate of 25%+. 3. 32 mile EV range achieved with full battery charge. 510 miles achieved with combined full battery and petrol tank. Actual range may vary depending on driving style and road conditions. 4. Low-cost British Gas plug-in vehicle charging package available – ask your dealer for more information. Offer ends 31st March 2015. 5. Domestic plug charge: 5 hours, 16 Amp home charge point: 3.5 hours, 80% rapid charge: 30mins. 6. Prices shown include VAT (at 20%), exclude VED and First Registration Fee. Metallic paint extra. Model shown is an Outlander PHEV GX4h at £33,399 including metallic paint. Prices correct at time of going to print. For more information about the Government Plug-in Car Grant please visit www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants.

Outlander PHEV range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Full Battery Charge: infinite, Depleted Battery Charge: 48mpg (5.9), Weighted Average: 148mpg (1.9), CO2 Emissions: 44 g/km.

Thinking of going electric?

Talk to the experts.

EDF Energy has been working with fleet managers across a variety of sectors helping them to deliver strong business cases for making the switch to plug-in vehicles. Our expertise covers the technical assessment of sites, impartial advice on hardware requirements and best price design solutions.

And because we provide complete end-to-end recharging solutions, there’s no need to look elsewhere.

To find out more call the electric vehicle team on: 0800 096 9636 or email electricvehicles@edfenergy.com.

Today there is a veritable plethora of technology, services and facilities that can or will improve particular aspects of the performance of a fleet. These solutions seek to address many of the issues which might well be faced by a fleet operator. However, in identifying those solutions which will represent justifiable investment opportunities, it’s necessary to have a real understanding of the real requirements of the organisation as well as the performance standards currently being attained.

In most organisations, evolution of their business model, developments in the marketplace and changes in legislation mean that things are likely to change.

Keeping the following ten step plan in mind will ensure that any new techniques adopted will make a positive contribution to the overall effectiveness of the fleet.

Clarity of Purpose Be sure that the rationale behind operating the fleet and the purpose to which vehicles or groups of vehicles will be put is clearly understood.

Develop the policy Establish and confirm the structure of the scheme; how the vehicles will be provided, ranging from fully expensed company cars right through to business use of a privately owned car; vehicle bands to reflecting employee status, extent of permitted driver choice and the replacement life and mileage.

replacements and fuel. Carefully consider how the entitlement or allowance will be maintained over the longer term.

Communicate Make sure that the drivers, their line managers and any other interested parties are fully briefed about the part they are required to play in ensuring that the requirements are fulfilled and precisely what actions they must take.

Establish measurements Identify a series of agreed measurements which will allow the performance of the fleet to be accurately monitored. These might include the number of vehicles in each employee grade, mileage and costs and could be available at company, cost centre or individual vehicle levels.

Identify robust and reliable routines for gathering key elements of information.

Interpret and contextualise Regularly review the available information to identify those issues which require attention and management focus. This may be achieved by looking for individual or groups of vehicles which are inconsistent with the norm in an area of measurement, comparison between two similar user groups or even comparison against an internal standard or an external benchmark.

It is right and proper to take the nature of vehicle deployment into consideration, for example users whose duty cycle sees them being able to travel significant distances at a consistent speed will deliver better fuel consumption that the user who spends a deal of time on heavily congested roads.

However, don’t accept that every variance is rooted in a unique operating situation.

Keepingin n this pla ensure ill mind w ny new that a adopted ues techniq ke a positive will ma ution to the contrib iveness of effect fleet the

Establish processes Develop processes to support the policy and deliver the required outcomes. These will include arrangements for drivers to access servicing and maintenance facilities, a method for obtaining fuel, appropriate reporting processes for the driver as well as arrangements for managing driver choice.

Vehicle selection Qualify vehicles for selection on the basis firstly of them being able to fulfil the commercial requirement but then on the basis of whole life costs, which should include depreciation; funding; non-recoverable VAT; the impact of any differential writing down allowances and restricted rentals; service, maintenance and repairs and

Manage performance Focus on improving performance, prioritising those areas where the payback is most significant either in terms of compliance with legal or organisation cultural demands or in terms of cost saving. There are benefits to be had in dealing with performance improvement in a measured manner, for

About the ICFM The Institute of Car Fleet Management was established, as a not-for-profit organisation in 1992 in response to a clear need for professional standards in vehicle management of cars and light vans.

The Institute is responsible not only for identifying changing trends but also for supporting the development of new skills for fleet professionals by ensuring the education and training programmes reflect the needs of today’s fleet specialists.

Written by James Langley, director and council member of the ICFM

Changes to business models, marketplace and legislation mean that the way your fleet is run is likely to change over the years. But keeping the following ten-step plan in mind will ensure that any new techniques adopted will make a positive contribution to the overall effectiveness of the fleet, advises James Langley, director and Council Member of the ICFM

FLEET MANAGEMENT

Ten tips for effective fleet management

example addressing the handful of the worst cases on a routine and regular basis.

Remember that managing the driver’s performance is often a matter for the line manager and it will often be necessary to work in concert to secure the best outcome.

Maintain policy, processes and procedures Update the policy and the things you do to reflect the evolution in what the organisation requires, developments in support facilities available from the fleet marketplace and changes in legislation, including taxation.

Particularly however, react to what is actually happening in your own fleet.

Deliver continuous improvement Deliver value to your employer by applying a continuous improvement approach to what you do. Careful analysis of information will almost always identify another area for focus; do however keep an eye on current measurements to make sure that aspects you’ve already addressed don’t revert to old standards.

Understand the fleet The reality is that unless any initiative contemplated is consistent with the overall strategy for that fleet, is thoroughly evaluated and well implemented, it will, in due course and in the subsequent evaluation, be regretted.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.icfm.com

Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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ACHIEVE MORE TOGETHER. Fleet management for better team and business performance WEBFLEET® is the easiest way to be informed about your vehicles. With WEBFLEET your drivers and office staff work closer together and everyone makes smarter decisions. That’s the key to happy customers, great governance and the ability to keep moving towards your business goals.

Call 020 7255 9774 or E-mail business.uk@tomtom.com to request a free demonstration from Europe’s leading fleet management and vehicle tracking provider.

www.tomtom.com/telematics

TELEMATICS

Load-up on information Geoffrey Bray, chairman of the Fleet Industry Advisory Group, explores how in-vehicle telematics technology can give organisations the vital ‘inside’ information they need to streamline fleet operations Telematics is revolutionising the way in which companies run their vehicles and employees drive them.

Vehicle telematics has its roots in the HGV sector but, in more recent years, has become a popular tool for LCV fleets and today the technology is increasingly finding its way into company cars.

Telematics systems monitor the location of vehicles and the way they are being driven to deliver a raft of essential operational real-time information to fleet decision-makers that enables them to take action to improve business efficiency, cut costs and ensure legislative compliance.

Simply retro-fitting telemetry devices to vehicles and having access to the torrent of data that flows will not solve fleet problems and potentially could cause more pain.

Indeed information overload is a major concern so fleet decision-makers will have to decide from the information and data streams accessible what they require to effectively and efficiently manage the fleet

operation and which channels remain ‘asleep’ or are perhaps switched on at a later date.

The benefits Telematics users suggest the benefits of the technology include saving money on fuel, improving driver behaviour, and enhancing productivity due to improved journey scheduling. They also say mileage record keeping is improved and savings are made on insurance premium as drivers adopt a more sympathetic style, resulting in fewer accidents and reduced maintenance costs.

Better customer relations due to more accurate response times and call scheduling, is another benefit,.

The list of benefits is almost endless and members of the Fleet Industry Advisory Group (FIAG) are among those utilising telematics.

FIAG was launched earlier this year with the aim of developing and sharing best practice among fleet decision‑makers and at its second workshop telematics will be in the spotlight. 

ics Telemat gest g users sunefits the be g money savin include el, improving on fu behaviour, driver hancing and en ctivity produ

About FIAG The Fleet Industry Advisory Group (FIAG) is a not-for-profit organisation created to develop and share best practice in the fleet industry.

Launched in April 2014, it is the brainchild of industry veteran Geoffrey Bray and a team of highly experienced professional fleet managers who collectively have around 200 years experience in running vehicle operations.

Through the considerable knowledge of its founding members, FIAG will provide fleet advice, consultancy, mentoring and support. FIAG will also assist with benchmarking and analysis of industry developments through the publication of white papers and the organisation of workshops.

FIAG is also dedicated to supporting Hope for Tomorrow, a national charity which raises funds to support the introduction of mobile chemotherapy units nationwide.

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Now available on your tablet device......

GreenFleet magazine is now available on iOS and Android platforms, offering an interactive experience for fleet managers and those responsible for keeping transport emissions to a minimum.

Download your free copy from

app.greenfleet.net

Get the drivers on board At the outset communication with drivers is critical as businesses seek to explain that they are introducing telemetry to put the brake on fleet costs and drive forward operating efficiencies and not as a ‘spy in the cab’.

Autoglass has recorded a nine per cent fuel bill reduction equating to cost savings running into thousands of pounds after introducing telematics to its 1,400-strong fleet of vehicle glass repair and replacement vehicles.

Separately, the company has also fitted tracker units to its 75 vehicles that deliver glass to its nationwide network of centres.

The company introduced telematics because it wanted to reduce its annual fuel budget, improve driver safety and improve its accident record, which is centred on low speed incidents. Indeed all three targeted improvements are inter-linked as improving driver behaviour when on the road is one of the most effective ways to save fuel.

Autoglass fleet manager and FIAG founder member

Ged Raymond said: “The huge saving in our fuel bill is the result of improving driver behaviour. Drivers do not want to incur violations so they are driving more carefully. In turn that has also reduced the number of low speed accidents suffered meaning downtime has reduced thus also cutting costs.”

Integral to fleet efficiency Meanwhile, telematics is a key tool in the fleet management armoury of Martin Carter in charge of the 600-strong company car and light commercial vehicle operation at world-leading stairlift manufacturer Stannah.

Introduced as a pilot tracking scheme in a few vans to aid customer responsiveness and schedule flexibility, today the technology is fitted in all vehicles with data collected underpinning the entire fleet operation.

Carter, operations director of Stannah Management Services, and a FIAG founding member, said: “Telematics is not a silver bullet, but it is one thread of fleet management and an integral part in helping us manage the fleet. Fuel, accident and vehicle maintenance costs are all down and telemetry is a contributory factor in improving fleet performance and efficiency.”

Telematics is not just about saving money and improving fleet

The ics telemat oving is m market d pace and i at a rap eems clear what s increasing n is that aer of fleets numb oduce the will intr nology tech

efficiency, but the data collected from the ‘black boxes’ are also an aid to corporate compliance while issues around driver privacy must also be in focus for businesses.

TELEMATICS

 The workshop’s aim – independent of suppliers – is to raise fleet understanding of how in-vehicle telematics technology can assist in fleet operations and the pitfalls to be aware of in adoption.

Embracing the technology As highlighted, fleets that have already turned to telematics report benefits in numerous areas, but the majority of businesses have yet to embrace the technology.

To-date the telematics market has been dominated by specialist providers. But an increasing number of organisations are looking to capitalise on fleet demand for the technology including vehicle leasing companies, motor manufacturers, telecoms businesses, insurers and firms best know for their breakdown and recovery services.

The disparate telematics market is moving at a rapid pace and what seems clear is that an increasing number of fleets will introduce the technology. To attend the free Wednesday, November 12, 2014 workshop, which is open to FIAG members and fleet decision-makers interested in joining the organisation, go to www.fiag.co.uk. Annual FIAG membership is currently available at a cost of £350.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.fiag.co.uk

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DRIVERLESS TECHNOLOGY Written by Dr Kevin Curren, senior member of IEEE, University of Ulster

Make way for the self-driving car Governments around the world are slowly warming up to the benefits of driverless vehicles, in terms of improved safety, traffic reduction and less environmental harm. Professor Kevin Curran, senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, talks about the impact that driverless technology could have on British roads and the benefits they could bring for fleets Driverless vehicles are now more of a reality than ever before. In 2006, the robotic Volkswagen Touareg ‘Stanley’ managed to complete the DARPA Grand Challenge, a prize competition for American autonomous vehicles funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and this kick-started the growth of driverless technology. BMW tested a driverless car that could go around a race track on its own at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The brand currently has vehicles being tested in the German Autobahn that are totally self-sufficient.

Now, a majority of automotive manufacturers have working driverless vehicles.

Legislation can be a major barrier to the widespread adoption of driverless technology of course. Although it’s likely that rules

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dictating the level of control a car can take will become more lenient as the technology evolves. Sceptics have expressed concern that the margin for computer failure is too high to take any big steps, but this is something that will surely be fine-tuned and improved as the technology is perfected.

There is in fact already evidence that governments around the world are beginning to warm up to the idea of driverless vehicles.

They have slowly begun to allow the use of them on public roads. The British government recently announced they will be permitted on public roads from January 2015. Government ministers have also ordered a review of UK road regulations to provide suitable guidelines for driverless vehicles. In the US, California, Nevada and Florida have allowed the testing of the vehicles. Google’s driverless

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

car has done more than 300,000 miles on the open road in California. Nissan carried out its first public road test on a Japanese highway in 2013. And in Europe, Sweden gave Volvo permission to test 100 driverless vehicles – though the actual trial hasn’t been scheduled to happen until 2017.

With things moving on apace in both the technology and the rules and regulations that permit – or otherwise – its use, what will future system managements and grids look like for roads in the UK? Sensitive navigation Modern cities are growing fast and becoming more congested. It is clear that soon we will have to reorganise the urban space and public/private transportation systems. Robotics and automation have

DRIVERLESS TECHNOLOGY

BMW has tested autonomous driving technology

‘Stanley’, a robotic Volkswagen Touareg completed the DARPA Grand Challenge, a prize competition for US autonomous vehicles

Driverless vehicles could mean improved productivity for fleet drivers. Rather than spending time driving on their commute, employees could use that time for responding to emails or drafting proposals, without the fear of accident the potential for delivering solutions that can promote mobility, safety, traffic reduction and less environmental impact.

First, we can start by looking at our current navigation systems and how these could be improved to divert traffic to vicinity areas.

Guidance systems have to become generally more sensitive to traffic flow and suggest alternative paths to drivers in order to become more efficient. We could imagine a future where a ‘cloud’ system will know where drivers are, and what volumes of traffic exist in a particular area. Such a central system would also be able to control traffic lights and road signs according to traffic. Currently, one of the leading innovations in the sector, the Lidar system, measures how lasers bounce off reflective surfaces to acquire information about millions of small sections surrounding the car every second. Google and Nokia are already using it to create online maps.

Efficiency gains In practical terms, distributing computing could become more efficient than having pre-programmed rules in every single venue

or device. In order to make this happen, we need infrastructures and standard protocols that will allow vehicles, devices and people to communicate with a central processing system. Currently, traffic hours mean financial losses, frustration, delays, missed opportunities and sometimes danger.

The new landscape of transportation systems points to flexible routes mapped by computational algorithms that can considerably improve mobility. The creation of technological prototypes and infrastructures is important in this pre-autonomous vehicles era. It is likely that we will progressively use such intelligent transport networks for preparing the logic and rationale behind the first autonomous vehicles.

Benefits for fleets For fleet drivers, the benefits of driverless car technology could be significant. Driverless cars could mean increased safety. If drivers no longer drive vehicles, this could remove the possibility of accident-causing variables, making cars safer. This, in turn, could save employers money from accident

Google’s driverless car has driven 300,000 miles

related expenses. The technology could also mean greater fuel efficiency. With the reduced crash risk, car manufacturers could make the vehicles themselves lighter, as fewer crash safety components would be needed. This could mean that driverless cars could be more fuel efficient, as the vehicle would be able to go a lot further on a battery or tank of fuel.

Improved productivity And finally, driverless vehicles could mean improved productivity for fleet drivers.

Rather than spending time driving on their commute, employees could use that time for conference calls, responding to emails or drafting proposals, without the fear of accident or injury. As the technology is refined and becomes more reliable, the driver will have to spend less time navigating the vehicles and more time on important tasks. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.ieee.org

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Jeep with ®

It’s not busIness as usual.

So you think you know Jeep? Think again. The all-new Cherokee doesn’t just offer outstanding performance off-road, it’s also guaranteed to stand out in the office car park. Its efficiency figures catch the eye too, returning 53.3mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 from only 139g/km.* New Cherokee models are also available with a range of fantastic features such as our award-winning 8.4” touch screen entertainment system, unique in-car wireless charging pad for mobile devices and adaptive cruise control. Hardly your average nine-to-five runaround, wouldn’t you say?

To book a test drive call our Business Centre on 01753 519442 or email us at fleet@jeep-comms.co.uk The all-new Jeep® Cherokee. Built Free.

jeep.co.uk/fleet FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE NEW JEEP® CHEROKEE DIESEL RANGE IN MPG (L/100KM): EXTRA URBAN 55.4 (5.1) – 61.4 (4.6), URBAN 39.8 (7.1) – 44.1 (6.4), COMBINED 48.7 (5.8) – 53.3 (5.3), CO2 EMISSIONS: 154 –139 G/KM. Fuel consumption and CO figures based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Model shown is Cherokee Limited. *Figures based on 2.0 140 4x2 versions.

2

Chrysler and CNH Industrial are Official Global Partners of the Expo Milano 2015. Jeep® is a registered trademark of Chrysler Group LLC.

The Crown Commercial Service’s fleet team explains its role in fleet procurement and how it works to promote the green motoring agenda throughout the public sector The recent Arrive ‘N’ Drive event – a yearly showcase of the latest vehicles and solutions to help fleet professionals run a more efficient transport operation – provided a fantastic opportunity for us to talk to visitors about our range of public sector fleet procurement solutions and discuss our green vision.

Arrive ‘n’ Drive gave us valuable insight into how various sections of the market are utilising technology and the resources available, such as telematics applications and carpooling, to help us push forward with our green agenda.

Following the event, we have established customer and supplier stakeholder groups to help us further improve our knowledge of a wide range of fleet topics – including driver training, accident assistance and prevention, and spare parts and consumables. If you are a public sector organisation or supplier of fleet‑related goods and services and would like to get involved in our stakeholder engagement please feel free to contact the team.

Green commitment Green fleet issues are very much at the forefront of our strategy and we’re working closely with the Office for Low Emission Vehicles who are developing the new Transport Government Buying Standard. This promotes easy-to-use product specifications to enable the public sector to develop tenders which focus on sustainably. It is mandatory for central government, and represents best practice for the wider public sector.

Our commitment to green operations also means that the average CO2 level of the vehicles bought through our Vehicle Purchase agreement over the last year sits at 115g/ km. This comfortably meets the Transport Government Buying Standard target of 130g/km, yet our goal in 2014/15 is to further reduce this to 110 g/km.

We are also exploring the options to include telematics in our range of goods and services to boost fuel efficiency and improve driver behaviours; and are developing a new Vehicle Purchase agreement. Scheduled to launch in December 2014, it will promote supplier accountability by making them responsible for the complete supply chain from vehicle manufacture through to after sales support. £680 million of public sector fleet spend passed through our agreements last year, with over 32,000 vehicles and over 250,000 tyres purchased, demonstrating our commitment to providing great value for money.

PROCUREMENT

Public sector fleet purchasing Vehicle Conversion and Reconditioning Services (RM956). Additionally, other fleet solutions such as the provision of electric charging installations, fuel cards, liquid fuels and insurance services are also available.

If you are a public sector organisation, you can access our services in a number of ways depending on your specific needs: self‑service via our website or dedicated fleet portal for the purchase and lease of standard specification vehicles; or get involved with our programme of eAuctions which we run on behalf of multiple customers to combine requirements and leverage economies of scale. Our eAuctions are delivering superior savings for customers – for example, an eAuction for 2,500 vehicles saved customers a total of £7.9 million compared to Recommended Retail Price.

We aim to be the ‘go-to’ place for expert fleet-related commercial and procurement services for the public sector. Our current focus is on increasing the scope and innovation of the goods and services available through our agreements and developing further expertise on fleet market dynamics, working proactively to spot future trends and innovations.

£680 million ugh thro passed reements g CCS’s a ear, with last y 0 vehicles ,00 over 32nd over a 0 tyres 250,00 ased purch

Procurement We have several agreements already available for public sector organisations to meet their fleet procurement needs. The core fleet agreements we offer are Vehicle Purchase (RM859), Vehicle Lease (RM858), Supply and Fit of Tyres (RM955) and

FURTHER INFORMATION ccs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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CUT YOUR FUEL NOT YOUR BOOT SPACE NEW PEUGEOT 308 SW

1.6 BlueHDi 120 FAP 6-speed manual stop start

CO2 MPG Boot space

from 85g/km up to 88 up to 1775 litres

SENSATIONS EXTENDED You CAN have it all. The lowest CO2 for this kind of car – and no road tax to pay. The biggest boot in the market, with one-touch folding seats and a flat boot floor. Excellent driving dynamics due to a strong, light chassis. And inside a sleek, technologically-advanced interior including the Peugeot i-Cockpit with 9.7" touchscreen+. The 308 SW is your new business leader. To find out more please visit business.peugeot.co.uk/308sw or call 02476 884 644 for more information.

Official Fuel Consumption in mpg (l/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km) for the 308 SW range are: Urban 43.5 (6.5) – 78.5 MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. Model shown is

NEW PEUGEOT 308 SW

business.peugeot.co.uk /308sw

(3.6), Extra Urban 64.2 (4.4) – 94.2 (3), Combined 54.3 (5.2) – 88.3 (3.2) and CO2 119-85. a 308 SW Feline with 18” Saphir alloy wheels. +9.7” touchscreen and satellite navigation available on Active level and above.

Stay on the move with a well connected partner.

No surprises - it’s Siemens. siemens.co.uk/traffic

Electric Vehicles, network operators and drivers alike require an increasingly powerful and reliable EV charging infrastructure. One that delivers high availability and a consistent charging experience. Siemens has the necessary technology and services to address the longer term

challenges of this fast changing market. We deliver future proofed technology including multiple charging standards, dynamic energy management and enhanced customer access options. Join the EV revolution, call us today on 01202 782649 or visit our website.

Answers for mobility.

This year’s GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive had the largest collection of exhibitors and low-emission vehicles to test drive in its history, as well as informative workshops and eco-driving competitions

‘Beat th e Sprig’ challeng saw drivers ed to the ecota driving ch ke on ampion

This year’s Arrive ‘N’ Drive returned to Rockingham racing circuit on 23 September and gave visitors the opportunity to test drive the latest electric, hybrid and ultra-low emission vehicles. Fleet managers were able to get behind the wheels of Volkswagen’s electric e-Golf and e-Up, Nissan’s electric van, the e-NV200, and Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Outlander, as well as attend informative workshops run by the Freight Transport Association and the Crown Commercial Service.

FTA Van Excellence This year the Freight Transport Association (FTA) had an interactive workshop informing visitors of the benefits of having their van fleet accredited, and the pitfalls of not.

The Van Excellence initiative aims to enhance standards of van operator compliance, celebrates operators who demonstrate excellence, and represents the interests of the van industry.

Delegates from the public sector attended a workshop by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS – formerly Government Procurement Service and Buying Solutions), and public sector leasing specialist, Alphabet, on the most up to date changes and developments to the Fleet Frameworks. These morning and afternoon sessions helped public sector

Mitsubish i Outland er PHEV

professionals understand the latest changes, and how they effect the way they purchase and lease fleet related goods and services.

Beat the Sprig The fleet industry’s most renowned eco‑driver, the Sprig came back to challenge visitors on their fuel-saving driving skills.

The eco driving training took place in a fuel-friendly Citroën C4 Cactus, which is officially capable of 94mpg.

Arrive ‘N’ Drive this year had a new Driver Training Partner, AA Drivetech, who taught participants with practical driving techniques to reduce their fuel consumption and therefore fuel costs and carbon emissions.

TomTom Telematics, the official technology partner for the competition, fitting its technology in each of the cars which gave detailed feedback, highlighting mpg, CO2, harsh braking and acceleration.

The participant that achieved the best MPG figure was Andrew Overtone from VeriLocation who achieved a staggering 100.7mpg, going home with a TomTom sat-nav system.

The RAC also held an efficient driving

ARRIVE ‘N’ DRIVE

Reporting from Rockingham

cased en show f Volkswag e-Up and e-Gol ic tr ec el s it

challenge, but on the track, so that participants had to be fast, and green drivers. The cars were fitted with RAC Telematics technology to give a ‘driver score’ on the most efficient driving.

The winner of the challenge was Ben Macauley from Inchcape with a lap time of three minutes and nine seconds and driver score of 68.10.

Get driving The big names in motoring were present on the day, allowing visitors to get behind the wheels of their latest emission‑friendly offerings.

Volkswagen brought its two electric vehicles to the event, the e-up and e-Golf, which were test drive sell-outs on the day.

Thomas Newby from the Phoenix Works, who test drove the e-Golf on the day, said: “The e-Golf is very well put together. It’s a lovely car. It’s the first time I’ve driven any of VW’s pure electric variants and it’s exactly what I expected from the manufacturer. It’s ‘VW-ness’ shines through.”

The event was also be one of the first times that the public was able to get behind E

leet GreenF Drive N’ Arrive ‘ ve visitors a 2014 g portunity p the o the latest to drive hybrid and electric, w emission ultra-lo hicles ve

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ARRIVE ‘N’ DRIVE

NV200 Nissan e-

Nissan Pu lsar

Infiniti Q 50

 the wheel of the Nissan e-NV200 electric van. The Nissan e-NV200 combines the EV powertrain from the Leaf and the class leading cargo area of the NV200. With its 106-mile range, the e-NV200 offers business benefits such as low running costs, sustainability and new business opportunities for drivers, such as night time deliveries.

Nissan also brought along its new Pulsar. As a C-segment Golf rival and CO2 as low as a 94g/km, Nissan hopes to capture fleet sales.

Sustainable to the core BMW’s electric i3, which was released last year, received lots of interest. Scooping last year’s GreenFleet Industry Innovation Award, the i3 was designed and built from the ground up as an electric vehicle following extensive trials into the real‑world usage of electric vehicles.

The i3 is engineered using 100 per cent renewable energy; the plant at Moses Lake utilises hydroelectric power and the BMW i assembly in Leipzig uses energy from wind turbines. As a whole, the production uses 50 per cent less energy and 70 per cent less water compared to normal automotive production processes.

The BMW i3 has a focus on using sustainable, recycled and lightweight materials designed to offset the weight of the battery and to help achieve maximum range.

Mini were also present, giving visitors a sneak preview of the new 5-door hatch, before its official launch. It has an entirely new body style, two rear doors and increased interior space, which gives it more versatility and should open up more doors for Mini within the fleet sector.

Stylish debuts A brand new debut came to Arrive ’N’ Drive this year, in the shape of the stylish Infiniti. The Q50 sedan is now gunning for the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Volvo S80 segment, and at 115g/km, from a 2.2‑litre, four-cylinder diesel engine, it looks set to spark interest in the fleet sector.

Renault brought its flagship electric vehicle, the Zoe, to the Arrive ‘N’ Drive. Much of the Zoe’s appeal stems from the fact that, not only is it a stylish supermini, it is one of the most affordable electric cars in the UK at £13,995. Renault also has a new battery hire option for lower mileage retail customers from only £45 per month.

The Renault Kangoo Van Z.E. was also available on the day. Since its launch at the end of 2011, it has been acclaimed repeatedly by the media and secured awards such as GreenFleet’s Electric Vehicle of the Year award in 2013 and International Van of The Year award in 2012.

The new, funky-looking Citroen C4 Cactus was at the event. This car is set to take the Compact SUV sector by storm, with a ‘back to basics’ approach, they’ve stripped out many of the luxuries they think buyers in this market aren’t bothered about. This keeps the price down, as the Cactus starts at less than £13,000.

All the weight saving has resulted in great economy, with even the most powerful petrol version (a 109bhp 1.2 turbo) pumping out just 107g/km, while the 99bhp 1.6 Blue HDi diesel emits as little as 82g/km. What’s more, its ‘Airbump’ technology on the side panels, made of thermoplastic polyurethane, are a stand-out design feature that absorbs minor impacts.

s Siemen UK sed its a c w o h s obility Electromn and solutio charging ed answer structure infra ions quest

40

Citroën s C4 Cactu

Award-winning technology Fiat Group showcased several models with its award winning TwinAir engine technology, such as the Fiat 500, 500L and Panda 4x4.

The engines are capable of delivering up to 72.4mpg and CO2 emissions from only 90g/km. And for those looking for spirited performance combined with low running costs, the new Alfa Giulietta MY 2014 was available, with emissions from only 104g/km.

Fiat Group also showed off its new JEEP Cherokee with its good fuel economy, best-in-class 4x4 capabilities and excellent level of technology.

Ford’s stand featured vehicles with new and green ECOnetic technologies, such as the International Engine Of The Year, the Ford 1.0l EcoBoost.

The International Van Of The Year 2014, the all-new Ford Transit Connect, along with Transit and Fiesta Van, were also available to test drive.

Hyundai brought its new generation i10, i30 and i40 which all feature Hyundai’s Blue Drive technology.

GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive also provided one of the first opportunities for fleet managers to get behind the wheel of the New Peugeot 508. This stylish and efficient vehicle now comes with enhanced equipment including colour touch screen, reversing camera and blind spot sensors. It also benefits from economical and efficient Euro 6 power units, like the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 150 6-speed manual, with CO2 emissions of just 105g/km.

Peugeot also had the New Peugeot 308, awarded the coveted European Car of the Year Award 2014, offering excellent fuel economy and exceptionally low CO2₂ emissions starting from just 82g/km.

Peugeot 508

RAC

The Peugeot Partner Electric, combining the van’s great features with an electric drive train, can also do 106 miles on a full charge, with a potential top speed of 68 mph.

Hybrids Toyota showcased its all-new Yaris Hybrid – the first non-electric/plug in car to beat the demanding 75g/km CO2 emissions target.

At just five per cent BIK / £15 a month and congestion charge free, it will also provide significant whole life cost savings.

Toyota’s Prius Plug-in Hybrid, with just 49g/km CO2, was also available on the day.

Vauxhall brought the new Insignia, a real fleet favourite, to the event, which delivers emissions of just 98g/km. Other models included the Astra and Corsa, as well as the ADAM – a personalisable city car – and Mokka – a stylish SUV with class-leading fuel economy.

Meanwhile, Volvo brought its latest range of D4-powered Volvos – the V40, S60, V60 and XC60 – which combine speed and efficiency.

The V40 D4 has 190HP, carbon emissions of just 99g/km, and 74.3mpg fuel consumption.

Get the charge Siemens UK was available at the Arrive ‘N’ Drive event to showcase its Electromobility solution and answer any charging infrastructure questions. What’s more, they were the official delegate EV charging partner, meaning that visitors who drove to the event in an electric car could charge up for free whilst they enjoyed the day.

Siemens Electromobility solution combines electric charging technology, modular back‑office management software, extensive contact centre capabilities and comprehensive service packages. The company also features on the Energy Savings Trust purchasing framework for all types of electric vehicle charging and supporting services.

Siemens range of charging points includes triple outlet multi-standard rapid charging points and AC chargers with single or dual outlets providing single phase 3.6 kW up to three phase 22 kW charging output that can be floor standing, pole or wall mounted.

The company’s charging solutions can to be tailored to meet individual customer requirements and ensure maximum system availability and safety.

Electric support RAC showcased its specially designed van to support electric vehicles, just in case they run out of battery power on route. It’s capable of supplying an emergency charge to get them on their way to their final destination or the closest charging point that is available.

EDF Energy meanwhile launched its new SelfSurvey app at the event. It is the first app that allows fleet managers to develop, design and cost electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Aimed at both fleet

ARRIVE ‘N’ DRIVE

ks DAF Truc

managers and facilities managers, this free app simplifies the process for companies looking to make the move to a low-carbon fleet.

Using the app eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming paperwork or site surveys. The app also allows designs to be reconfigured as often as is needed to get the most suitable design and cost.

This year was the first time that a HGV manufacturer was present. DAF Trucks attended the event showcasing its Euro 6 product range, which has completely new designs for maximum efficiency, reliability and the highest driver comfort.

New state-of-the-art PACCAR engines, smart chassis layouts and attractive cabs set the standard in the industry.

What’s more, DAF Trucks are now kitted out with Microlise telematics. The new system is fully integrated within DAF’s MultiSupport Repair & Maintenance packages to help pre-empt problems and provide preventative maintenance, all designed to maximise uptime and truck availability. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.events.greenfleet.net

Vauxhall’s new Vivaro was one of the LCVs at GreeFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive 2014

Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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CHARGING CARS ACROSS THE SOUTH EAST Don’t overload your vehicle.

You could be invalidating your insurance and risking a fine from VOSA / DVSA. Uprating service provided to increase payloads

The South East’s electric vehicle charge point network is growing fast...

Creating the electric vehicle charge network for the SE.

Linking together the SE charge points for everyone to use.

Making it easier for people and businesses to go electric.

Connecting the SE to the UK and Europe.

For more information visit:

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Use our FREE load distribution calculator on our website. It could save you ££££ in fines and extra servicing costs.

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

The benefit for our customers and the environment is an overall reduction of 9 million miles a day, saving tons of CO2 and fuel costs. www.ptvgroup.com/carbonreduction 15.04.2014 12:29:25

Alternating every two years with the IAA Frankfurt (Frankfurt motor show), the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris spans seven halls at the Paris Expo site at Porte de Versailles. For 2014, one of those pavilions was split in two housing an indoor EV and hybrid driving track.

A total of 1,253,513 visitors experienced the treats of 321 exhibitors from 4 to 19 October. Here are GreenFleet’s picks from the Paris car catwalk.

HYBRID VEHICLES Citroën C4 Cactus Airflow 2L Concept The boldly-styled Citroën C4 Cactus was only launched in the summer of 2014, but the French manufacturer showcased an ultra‑economical concept version in Paris. The name refers to the headline fuel economy figure of 2 litres/100km or 141mpg. Its body is optimised for slipping through the air, with a 20 per cent improvement in aerodynamics.

The front air intakes continuously adjust in

accordance with vehicle use, and mobile side deflectors have been added to guide air flow.

Cleverly, the wheels feature mobile shutters activated and controlled by centrifugal force.

Lightweight construction materials mean the Airflow 2L Concept is 100kg lighter than a standard C4 Cactus at 865kg, while its PureTech 82 three-cylinder petrol engine is mated with PSA Peugeot Citroën’s ‘Hybrid Air’ technology. Consisting of a compressed air energy storage unit, a hydraulic pump/ motor unit, an automatic transmission with an epicyclic gear train, and an intelligent electronic management system, the hybrid powertrain manages input from the driver to optimise energy efficiency.

Ford Mondeo Hybrid Ford finally pulled the covers off its new Mondeo at Porte de Versailles. All-new, the US car maker claims the fourth-generation Mondeo has the widest‑ever range of powertrains. All models include Auto-Start-Stop technology (even those

fitted with automatic transmissions) and for the first time there is a Mondeo Hybrid.

The Mondeo Hybrid is only available as a four-door saloon. Using Ford’s third‑generation petrol-electric hybrid system, the 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery is charged by one of two electric motors – the other supports the petrol engine in driving the wheels. A top speed of 85mph is achievable in electric mode, and the specially-developed 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine and electric drivetrain have an output of 185bhp with 67.3mpg and 99g/km CO2.

Conventionally-fuelled engines include a 123bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost variant, an enhanced 2.0-litre TDCi diesel, as well as a 94g/km 1.6-litre TDCi ECOnetic, with sub-100g/km even in estate form. All diesel-engined new Mondeos will emit less than 130g/km of CO2.

Written by Richard Gooding

‘The future of the automobile is in Paris’ said the publicity material. The recent Mondial de l’Automobile in the French capital boasted 80 world premieres from 250 of the world’s car manufacturers in 17 countries as well as an electric vehicle and hybrid driving arena. GreenFleet visited Porte de Versailles to see what gourmet motoring treats were on offer

PARIS MOTOR SHOW

French fancies

Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept Korean company Kia displayed a mild hybrid concept version of its mid-range Optima saloon in France. A 1.7 CRDi diesel engine is married to an electric motor powered by a 48V lead‑carbon battery. An electric supercharger also boosts torque and engine response at low speeds. Kia’s engineer’s are targeting significant reductions in both CO2 and fuel consumption with the new technology, which remains under consideration for future Kia models. E

Kia Optima T-Hybrid

Ford Hybrid Mondeo

Peugeot ybrid Air 208 2L H

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PARIS MOTOR SHOW

 Lexus NX 300h Lexus used Paris to launch the NX 300h compact premium SUV. The hybrid model combines a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine, electric motor/s and E-CVT automatic transmission. Emissions start at 116g/km of CO2 (front-wheel drive NX 300h S model) while maximum output is 195bhp. Fuel economy is rated at 56.5mpg for front-wheel drive models, and 54.3 for four-wheel drive versions.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S Mitsubishi displayed the Outlander PHEV Concept-S at Porte de Versailles. Presenting a special design package for the production Outlander PHEV, it centres on sporty looks and performance-orientated driving thanks to its twin-motor 4WD and plug-in hybrid EV system.

Peugeot 208 Hybrid 2L Peugeot brought out its version of the technology shared with PSA Peugeot Citroën Group bedfellow Citroën. Like that company’s C4 Cactus Airflow 2L Concept, the 208 Hybrid 2L uses Hybrid Air technology to score an impressive 141mpg or 2 litres per 100km.

Based on the production Peugeot 208 1.2‑litre PureTech 82bhp hatchback, the 208 2L uses carbon composites for the body panels, sides, doors and roof, along with the coil springs in the suspension. The hybrid drive system features a mix of petrol and compressed air.

In ‘Air’ mode, the car runs on compressed air alone, consuming no fuel and emitting no CO2.

In ‘Petrol’ mode, the car is powered only petrol engine. The ‘Combined’ mode draws on the two energy sources in proportions adjusted to achieve optimal fuel consumption.

Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Alongside the rest of the new Cayenne range, Porsche unveiled the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, which it claims is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. A lithium-ion traction battery with an energy capacity of 10.9 kWh, enables an all-electric driving range of 11 to 22 miles, depending on the style of driving and nature of the route. Combined fuel consumption is quoted at 83mpg with 79g/km CO2. The 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine and the electric motor produce a combined system power of 416bhp. The top speed in all-electric driving is 77mph.

Renault EOLAB concept Big French player Renault pulled the wraps off its super-eco EOLAB concept, which has a headline fuel consumption figure of 1 litre/100km or 282mpg. Featuring 100 technological innovations which will appear on production Renaults by 2020, active aerodynamics reduce drag by 30 per cent, while weight is down by 400kg when compared to an equivalent-sized Clio.

A Z.E. hybrid powertrain consisting of a three-cylinder 1.0-litre 75bhp petrol engine and a 440V, 6.7kWh battery emits only 22g/km of CO2 emissions. The EOLAB runs on electricity on journeys of less than 37 miles and at speeds of up to 75mph.

Volkswagen Passat GTE German car maker Volkswagen chose the Mondial de l’Automobile to give the new eighth‑generation Passat its first public airing.

Available in traditional saloon and estate bodystyles, top of the tree is the GTE, a petrol‑electric plug-in

hybrid. Combined output from the TSI engine and electric motor is 216bhp (with 295lb ft of torque), while driving range is over 600 miles, up to 31 of those in all-electric mode. The electric motor is supplied with energy from an externally (or internally when in ‘Charge’ mode) chargeable lithium-ion battery. VW states that official consumption is over 141mpg (under 2 litres/100 km) and 13.0kWh/100 km, equivalent to less than 45g/km. The new Passat also has a plethora of progressive drive, assistance and infotainment systems. Deliveries of the new Passat GTE start in October 2015.

As well as the new Passat, VW also had its full complement of electric and hybrid models on display including the e-Up, e-Golf, Golf GTE and XL1.

CONVENTIONALLY-FUELLED VEHICLES Fiat 500X Italian company Fiat added an SUV-style crossover to its 500 range in Paris. The 500X combines Fiat 500 styling cues with off-road rugged capability. Front-wheel and four‑wheel drive models are available, with a range made up of four petrol and three diesel engines. Outputs range from 95-184bhp with five or six-speed manual, six-speed clutchless automatic or nine-speed automatic transmissions. The Fiat 500X will go on sale in the second quarter of 2015.

Ford Focus, C-MAX and S-MAX Ford used the Paris motor show as a springboard to launch a heavily revised versions of the Focus, C-MAX and S-MAX. The Focus delivers up to

Lexus N X 300h

i Mitsubish Concept -S er Outland

Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybri d

Volkswagen Passat GTE

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

Renault ncept EOLAB co

Hall 2.1 at Porte de Versailles featured an electric and hybrid vehicle test centre where the public could take a drive of the latest green cars.

EV and st centre hybrid te

Models from major makers BMW, Nissan, Renault, Smart and Tesla were available to be driven around the indoor circuit. In addition, niche manufaturers such as Courb and Eon Motors also had vehicles on offer. Other EV manufacturers on show in the main halls included quadricycle maker Axiam, who displayed the eCity and eCoupé models; Kia, who was displaying its Soul EV; and Nissan, with its e-NV200 and Leaf.

PARIS MOTOR SHOW

Electric and hybrid vehicle test centre

Škoda Fabia

Fiat 500X

Renault Twingo Hyundai ation i20 er New Gen

15 per cent improved efficiency over the old model, while a new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and changes to the 1.5 and 2.0 TDCi diesels offer reductions in CO2, as do fuel-saving technologies including Auto‑Start-Stop, Active Grille Shutter, and Smart Regenerative Charging.

The new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX also made their motor show debut. Redesigned inside and out with improved fuel efficiency, the new models take on the new family Ford look shared with the new Focus. A new 1.5‑litre EcoBoost engine and 103bhp 99g/km 1.5-litre TDCi ECOnetic engine are star features.

The S-MAX completed Ford’s trio of model refreshes. The sever-seater has been redesigned and features 32 loadspace and seating configurations. New 157bhp and 237bhp EcoBoost engines feature, while diesel engines feature emissions reduced by seven per cent.

Hyundai i20 Hyundai’s big news in France was the New Generation i20. Designed, developed and built in Europe, the B-segment supermini has smarter looks than before, and is longer, lower and wider than the old model. Buyers can choose between 1.25 and 1.4-litre petrol, and 1.1 and 1.4-litre diesel engines – all Euro 6 compliant and as low as 84g/km. The New Generation i20 goes on sale in November 2014.

Jaguar X E

Jaguar XE The new Jaguar XE takes the British brand into the BMW 3 Series class for the first time. An aluminium-intensive monocoque is a class first, while a high-efficiency 161bhp, 75mpg 2.0-litre diesel emits 99g/km of CO2. Electric power steering delivers further CO2 savings of up to three per cent. UK prices start from £26,995.

Škoda Fabia The third-generation Fabia was the star of Škoda’s stand in Paris. Sharper, wider and lower looks and a greater range of personalisation options mark out the newcomer. A 1.4 TDI model with 88bhp is the most eco-friendly in the range, sharing its 88g/km three-cylinder engine with Volkswagen’s Polo.

Mini 5 door The long-awaited five-door version of the Mini had its world premiere at Porte de Versailles.

An extended wheelbase aid the addition of two rear doors, in turn boosting the luggage space. Six engines power the range with emissions ranging from 95-139g/km.

Smart Fortwo and Forfour A new version of the two-seater Fortwo city car was one arrival on the Smart stand; the other being the reintroduction of the larger Forfour.

Sharing parts with the Renault Twingo, both are rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, powered by turbocharged three-cylinder engines.

Nissan Pulsar Japanese company Nissan gave the Pulsar five-door hatchback its public debut in Paris.

A Volkswagen Golf rival, the cleanest Pulsar emits 94g/km of CO2 from its 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine. Nissan says that the car has the best rear legroom in the sector.

Vauxhall Corsa The new Vauxhall Corsa enjoyed its world debut ahead of a late-2014 launch at Porte de Versailles. New engines, transmissions and engine technology take emissions down to as low as 85g/km and fuel consumption as high as 87.8mpg on the combined cycle. A new chassis also features, as does a new interior featuring Vauxhall’s IntelliLink connectivity.

Renault Twingo It was the first chance for many buyers to see the all-new third-generation Renault Twingo in the French capital. Rear-engined, rear wheel drive and with five doors, the Renault baby has a range of personalisation options.

The cleanest model is the 67.3mpg, 95g/km 1.0‑litre Dynamique SCe 70 with Stop & Start.

Volvo XC90 Volvo’s all-new XC90 SUV was shown in Paris.

The seven-seat crossover features four‑wheel drive and a full complement of clean Drive-E four‑cylinder engines. A 400bhp plug-in hybrid with 60g/km will be available in due course. L Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

45

CASE STUDY

An innovative and cost effective electrical harness system offering complete flexibility for fleet operators Launching its innovative and award-winning PULSE wiring system earlier this year, UK company LITE-wire continues to see a fantastic response from both fleet and OEM customers in the commercial sector.

Vehicles of all types can benefit from PULSE technology, with many manufacturers and operators already specifying on new vehicle builds, including the AA, Hanson and TFL. Directly targeted at reducing the complication and unreliability so often associated with conventional wiring, PULSE Systems provides a ground breaking solution, requiring just a single cable type to assemble a complete vehicle harness.

Although very clever in design, a LITE-wire installation is incredibly simple, reducing not only cable, but cost and complexity. In many applications cable reductions of over 50 per cent are achieved and the more complex the requirement, the greater the savings, using fewer cables and taking less time to install.

How does it work? PULSE LITE-control units allocate a dedicated digital signal (PULSE) to each function connected to the system, allowing multiple products to be controlled along a single cable. Road lighting, beacons, worklamps, switches, alarms,

relays and sensors can all be connected onto the same supply cable, dramatically simplifying previously complex installations.

The PULSE system is completely intuitive, allowing the connection of electrical equipment or switching anywhere on the harness using a very simple but robust IP67 plug and play t-piece system. No longer is there a requirement for a dedicated wired connection between switch and associated electrical items, with multi-way switch panels offering incredible flexibility for more

complex applications. Shown recently at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Exhibition in Germany, LITE-wire has now released a plug and play wireless module, which is especially useful for the switching of beacons, work lamps or other equipment when working outside of the vehicle.

Light commercial utility vans which are increasingly specified with vast levels of equipment are assisted by the integrated electrical protection features within the PULSE control components. Auto resettable digital fusing is provided at every connection point, along with a master battery guard system that removes the supply power to ancillary equipment automatically, should the battery voltage fall below pre-set levels.

The Digital infrastructure of the PULSE system will ensure complete future proofing, providing an upgradable platform for the implementation of tomorrow’s products.

WI-FI, GPS and GPRS modules will very shortly give both fleet operators and drivers a real time link into the vehicle electrical system.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.LITE-wire.com

Reducing Cable, Cost & Complexity 100% Plug & Play Vehicle Electrical System | IP67 Sealing | Unskilled Installation | Digital Scenario Control What is LITE-wire

Innovation Award Winners — TIP-EX, 2014

Using technology more commonly associated with High Volume vehicle production, LITE-wire have created a patented PULSE communication system that is both modular and intuitive, simplifying even the most complex of Commercial Wiring Installations with the use of Digital Control.

What are the benefits PULSE technology allows all products to be controlled via a single cable which dramatically reduces the amount of cable required. When coupled with our Innovative Plug & Play Format, both the initial installation and subsequent Field Maintenance are incredibly simple.

LITE-wire Systems are compatible with all vehicle types allowing the integration of LED Road Lighting onto any system.

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Example Light Commercial Vehicle, MICRO-pulse harness system with Battery Guard | Handbrake control & Auxiliary Lighting

Find Out More @ LITE-wire.com | sales@LITE-wire.com | +44 (0) 1842 800801 LITE-wire is a UK company working both locally and globally in the advancement of vehicle technology

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

The 5th Green Vehicle Convention 2014 will take place on 12-14 November in Beijing, China, and will explore the latest developments in the country’s green vehicle market Chinese President Xi Jinping said on May 24 that new-energy vehicles are crucial for the country’s auto industry and that great importance should be placed on the vehicles. His comment boosted new-energy vehicle stocks up to the daily limit on May 26. China sold a total of 6,853 new-energy vehicles in the first quarter of 2014, a 120 per cent year-on-year increase, according to data from China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on April 22. Although experts say that sales were mainly boosted by public bodies such as bus operators, with private consumers only accounting for a very small number of sales, automakers still display a passion in the market for green vehicles.

Official Support China is offering more official support on electric cars. The State Council issued a guideline to promote new energy vehicles, urging for construction of charging facilities and elimination of regional protectionism.

In the meantime, private funds are encouraged to take stake in the construction of charging facilities. The guidelines also say that local governments are not allowed to put up barriers to keep new energy autos from entering local markets.

Besides, an increasingly prominent trend in the government vehicle sector is the increased focus on new energy vehicle purchases. This trend has been brought on in part by government legislation which mandates that new energy vehicles account for at least 30 per cent of all government vehicles purchased between 2014 and 2016.

A few days ago, Chinese government announced that new energy cars will be exempted from a 10 per cent purchase tax starting from September in its bid to save energy and combat pollution. From September 1st 2014 to the end of 2017, buyers of qualified pure electric cars, plug-in hybrid electric cars and fuel cell cars will not have to pay vehicle purchase tax, according to a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council, or the Cabinet.

On September 16th, China Ministry of Transportation issued ‘Opinion’ on new energy vehicles to speed up the popularisation and application of the implementation opinions. ‘Opinion’ shows that, as of 2020, the application of new energy vehicles in the transportation industry to take shape, totalled 300,000 vehicles, new energy vehicles on urban transportation will contribute up to 20 per cent of the energy saving and emission reduction.

In the ‘opinions’, Ministry of Transportation opens a green light in three areas. It will

award priority to new energy vehicles for city buses, taxis and urban logistics distribution vehicle operators; for local governments, new energy vehicles do not impose restrictions or buy discipline policy; and taxi operation indicators for new energy resources appropriate to relax, new energy city logistics distribution vehicle operator index does not implement total amount control.

The 5th Green Vehicle Convention 2014 will take place on 12-14 November in Beijing, China, with support from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Shanghai Jiaotong University. This year’s convention brings you 300 key industry experts, 30 local case studies from OEMs, 20 hours of networking and 50 exhibition stands.

Speaker list The latest confirmed speaker list includes RAO Da, secretary general of The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA); Stanley TANG, vice president of Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co, Ltd.; LING Tianjun, chief engineer of New Energy and Technology Management Department of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited; YE

GREEN VEHICLE CONVENTION

Chinese government boosts new energy car industry

Shengji, the deputy secretary general of China Association of Automobile Manufacturer; ZHAN Wenzhang, vice director – Strategy Planning Department of Beijing Automotive Group Co, Ltd; ZHENG Gang, general manager of Beijing New Energy Vehicle Co, Ltd. and so on.

Confirmed delegates Newly-confirmed delegates are from Mitsubishi Electric, DENSO China (Investment) Co Ltd, Eaton Vehicle Group Ltd, UL-CCIC Company Limited, Lear corporation, Higen Motor, Webasto, UTIL（Guangzhou）Auto Parts,ltd, Dana GMBH, Brose, ACOME, Goodyear Rubber&Tire Co Ltd, and BASF China Coating.

Don’t miss the separately-bookable training course on ‘New Energy Vehicle Development Opportunity and Core Technology R&D Progress’ to analyse, debate and learn how to overcome the key technical bottleneck complexities to building mutually beneficial relationship with OEMs.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.cdmc.org.cn/2014/gm

Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

47

ROAD TEST Written by Richard Gooding

Range extender The award-winning all-electric Renault Kangoo Z.E has been revised. Richard Gooding finds out if the small French LCV can handle longer journeys as well as the shorter distance trips it may be more used to We’re no strangers to the Renault Kangoo Z.E. at GreenFleet. The all-electric version of Renault’s small LCV panel van has won the GreenFleet Electric Van of the Year award twice, and we tested the five-seat Maxi Crew version back in 2012. Renault added an electric powertrain to its popular Kangoo back in 2011 and it soon became the top‑selling plug-in electric vehicle in France.

It naturally suits the cut and thrust of the city landscape and with refreshed new looks, we wanted to find out if it cope with something a little more challenging. Something like a 60mile maximum daily commute for example.

Just how viable and practical is the Kangoo Z.E. in daily use?

106-mile range My commute involves a mixture of A-roads and it was with more than a little trepidation I awaited the loan Kangoo Z.E.’s arrival. Its officially quoted 106‑mile range (78 miles in temperate conditions) should more than cover the daily maximum 60-mile distance, but the real‑world use figure would invariably include fewer miles. I could charge it at work on the office three-pin plug, so it wasn’t as fearsome a range anxiety experience as it may well have been.

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HN13 XZF arrived with 59 miles of range showing on its trip computer. At a severe push, that would cover the distance home from the office and the journey in the following day.

Driving an EV demands a different, more careful, driving style and when it comes to range, that’s exactly what an EV demands.

I’d planned to use A-roads the majority of the time during the week, with a couple of M25 routes thrown in towards the end of the loan. With careful driving and using the harsh regenerative braking to its maximum, I arrived home with 44 miles of range remaining, having covered 26 miles. On paper, I should have had 33 miles of range left, but I had actually gained 11 miles.

OK, that first journey was taking the eco settings to the maximum. The Kangoo Z.E. – like all Kangoos – has an ‘Eco Mode’ which limits engine output and associated power‑sapping ancillaries and is said to increase range by 10 per cent. To let the Kangoo Z.E. perform to the best of its abilities,

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this was turned on for most of my time with the van. On the first trip, the heating was turned off as it wasn’t needed and the radio was left off, too – partly to enjoy the feeling of silence and calm an EV gives you.

The rest of the week continued in much the same vein with range gains made on four days out of the six-day test period. Obviously, that gain is less the more ancillaries you use. A spell of inclement weather meant heater and wiper use and even with the radio turned on, a six-mile minimum range gain was possible.

Driving the Kangoo is like any other EV. The synchronous electric motor has 166lb ft (226Nm) of torque which provides plenty of accelerative force. There is 44kW of power – equivalent to 60bhp – and the Kangoo Z.E. never feels underpowered, despite its 1,426kg unladen weight. Easy to drive, the Kangoo handles as you would expect a van to. There is some body roll and obviously while no sports car, it feels relatively fun to drive, soaking up road imperfections well and bringing a little joie de vivre to proceedings.

The 195/65 R15 low resistance tyres are quiet and it’s the same story for the Kangoo’s overall experience – it’s still quite different driving a vehicle with no engine noise and just a whine from an all-electric powertrain.

There e o lik is a lot t Renault he about t o Z.E – it is Kango ugh to nip o small enthe city and is around apest full-size the che ctric van in all-ele UK the

ROAD TEST

Renault Kangoo Z.E. GROSS PAYLOAD:

650kg

LOAD VOLUME:

3.4m3

ENGINE:

44kW AC electric motor

ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION: CO2: RANGE:

155 Wh/km 0g/km 106 miles

PRICE (ex-VAT): £17,064.08 (inc VAT, after government grant) Optional EVSE charging cable for three-pin socket use is £495 extra Kangoo Z.E. can carry 3.4m3 or cargo with a 650kg payload in its smallest form

Charging time of Kangoo Z.E. varies from 6 to 13 hours

Cabin of Kangoo Z.E. is as practical as its conventionally-fuelled siblings

Simple charging Charging the Kangoo Z.E.’s 22kwh lithium‑ion battery is done in the same way as other electric vehicles and is simplicity itself. Just pop the front socket open behind the Renault diamond badge at the front of the Kangoo and you’re ready to dock the plug. The van comes with a four-metre long 16A IEC 62196 Type 2 Mennekes charging cable as standard for plugging into Renault’s recommended wall‑box charger or recharging stations when on the move. A six-metre long cable of the same type is available for an additional £90.

All of my charging was carried out through the optional £495 EVSE Cable, which is suitable for 10-amp charging with a domestic 3-pin plug socket. This ultimately takes longer (a full charge is 13 hours, rather than the six to eight hours of the Mennekes cable), but after six to seven hours, the Kangoo was up to 75 miles of range and ready to go once more.

While I used daytime hours for topping up the small Renault LCV’s battery, business users can utilise off-peak hour charging cycles, therefore saving costs due to the proliferation of cheaper energy tariffs. Renault states that charging could cost as little as £1.32 per charging cycle.

A three-year subscription to My Z.E. Connect costs £76.80 and allows smartphone viewing of the current battery charge state, the time remaining for a full charge, as well as the current range remaining. A pre-heating function is standard and an additional heating unit powered by petrol housed in a 13-litre tank is available for £702.

Practical benefits Onto the practical benefits. In its smallest form as tested here, the Kangoo has a load volume of 3.4m3 and a 650kg payload.

That’s on a par with rivals such as the Citroën Berlingo. Peugeot Partner and Volkswagen Caddy. The larger Kangoo Maxi van increases this still further to a maximum load volume of 4.6m3 and a 800kg payload, although both of these figures drop slightly with the crew van.

The Kangoo is fitted with twin opening rear and a sliding side door as standard and has a loading length of 1,476mm, increasing to 1,731mm when the folding passenger seat is specified. It can also accommodate a Euro pallet. Four versions are available: the basic panel van; the Maxi extended wheelbase panel van; the Maxi Crew van and the Maxi Crew Cab van. Renault has all bases covered.

Leasing charges Making the figures work for the Kangoo shouldn’t be too taxing. In fact, as it’s an EV, it is rated at £0 BIK and has a 100 per cent write-down allowance. There is no cost for road fund licence or congestion charge, but there is a leasing charge to be considered.

Renault implements a monthly battery leasing contract for all its EVs (which includes breakdown assistance), with the lowest rate of £61 chargeable if drivers cover 6,000 miles or fewer per year. The top rate is £89 for 15,000 miles of driving, while 9,000 and 12,000 miles are leveraged at £65 and £75 per month respectively.

The standard price of the Kangoo Z.E. tested here is £20,517.60 including VAT. With the government’s Plug-in Van Grant, this decreases to £16,414.08. With Renault’s registration fee and associated charges, the final ‘on the road’ price is £17,064.08. That’s a useful £4,000 cheaper than the Citroën Berlingo Electric and a substantial £9,000 less expensive than the Peugeot Partner Electric.

The Kangoo Z.E is protected by Renault’s 4+ package, with a four-year/100,000‑mile warranty and four years’ roadside assistance. A five-year/100,000 warranty applies to the electric drivetrain (the battery effectively has a lifetime guarantee as it is covered by the customer’s monthly battery hire contract).

No hardship to drive There is a lot to like about the Renault Kangoo Z.E. It is small enough to nip around in through urban areas, yet is large enough to be practical. And while it may be best suited to scooting about towns and cities, this test proved it can handle longer distance journeys and motorways with ease. Obviously more planning is needed with charging cycles and range, but if thought out, the Kangoo Z.E. makes the perfect courier/local business vehicle.

This latest version changed my perception of EVs in daily use for the better. Add in the facts that it is the cheapest full-size all‑electric van in the UK and it is no hardship to drive, it’s not difficult to see why it is an award winner. L

Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

49

ROAD TEST

Chatty van

Over 2.5 million Citroën Berlingos have been sold since 1996.

GreenFleet examines the qualities of the small French panel van The Citroën Berlingo is a long‑standing member of the small panel van market.

Arriving in 1996, it followed on from the successful car-derived C15 van based on the 1980s Citroën Visa. Larger and more versatile than the C15, it offered businesses large and small a compact urban runabout, but one which was still comfortable outside the city.

The first generation was replaced in 2008 by both the smaller Nemo and the larger second‑generation Berlingo. How does the current version stack up?

Two load volumes, two payloads Two versions – L1 and L2 – are available, with 3.3m3 and 3.7cm3 load compartment volumes respectively. The Berlingo L1 also has a choice of two payload capacities, while the L2 variant can carry 750kg. Our test van was an XTR+ enhanced traction version, offering off-road capability.

The XTR+ is aimed at utility companies in addition to agricultural, construction, and forestry businesses. The largest operator of Berlingo XTR+ models, the Forestry Commission was won over by the lower emissions and enhanced traction capabilities on offer.

It runs a fleet of HDi 90 Manual L1 625s.

Equipped with a 90bhp 1.6 HDi common‑rail diesel engine, the Berlingo HDi 90 Manual L1 625 XTR+ emits a very respectable 132g/km of CO2 and is fitted with a limited-slip differential, 30mm raised suspension, underbody protection and 15‑inch steel wheels with Goodyear Cargo Ultra Grip 195/70 R15 tyres.

Although our test was in largely dry weather, Citroën states that the Berlingo XTR+ can automatically apportion up to 75 per cent of engine torque between the two front driving wheels. The system automatically transfers most of the available torque from the driving wheel with the least grip, to the one with the most.

The Berlingo is based on the platform of the C4 passenger car, so rides and handles well, coping with lumps and bumps admirably for an LCV. The XTR+ specification raised suspension does make the van occasionally feel like it’s on tip-toes, but it never feels unsafe. The car-derived underpinnings play dividends with noise levels, too: the Berlingo is refined on the move with no overbearing noise from the loadspace area. Performance is lively, ideal for multi-drop roles in the city as well as the open road.

Car-based civility More car-like comforts can be found in the cabin. The steering column has audio and cruise control controls, while KV14 WHZ was fitted with the optional £150 + VAT cruise control with driver adjustable speed limiter.

The XTR+ is well-equipped, too: an RDS/ MP3/CD radio system, remote central locking, electric windows, three seats, and Trafficmaster Smartnav colour screen satellite navigation with Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking function are all fitted as standard.

As well as stand-alone Berlingo Enterprise models, an Enterprise Pack option is also available. Priced at £600 + VAT, it includes rear parking sensors, Connecting Box (Bluetooth & USB port) as well as air-conditioning. It’s a worthwhile option and adds a even more car-based civility to proceedings.

There are lots of cubbies and storage including an overhead full-width tray and door pockets.

In addition, an under-seat storage locker can be found beneath the middle passenger seat and there’s a driver’s glovebox on the top of the dashboard behind the steering wheel. An optional half-height steel bulkhead with mesh upper ensured safety on our test vehicle.

Six load lashing eyes, anti-drum panelling on the load compartment walls and loadspace lighting help the Berlingo’s load-lugging cause, while automatic door locking ensures the load bay is kept locked while the vehicle is in motion. Twin rear doors and a passenger side sliding opening ease loading and unloading.

Citroën quotes a combined cycle miles per gallon figure of 56.5. Over the 310-mile duration of our test we achieved a not-too distant real-world average of 48.6mpg.

While a lower-emitting 118g/km / 62.8mpg e-HDI 90 Airdream ETG6 L1 625 LX model is available, it does without the high specification and off-road capability of the XTR+. For city drivers, the ultimate green choice must be the city-dwelling 0g/km Electric variant, but priced at £21,550, it’s over £6,000 more than the XTR+.

With its ing easy‑go orking rd-w and ha it’s not hard nature, e why the to se as been a oh Berling it with h fleets

50

Easy-going, hard-working nature The XTR+ is the mountain goat of the Berlingo range, with a likeable go-anywhere, do-anything kind of character. Over 2.5 million Citroën Berlingos have been built since 1996. With its easy-going and hard‑working nature, it’s not difficult to see why it’s been a hit with fleets both large and small. L

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The Forestry Commission is the larget fleet operator of Berlingo XTR+ models

Berlingo XTR+ has a limited-slip differential, and 30mm raised suspension

ROAD TEST

Interior is well-equipped and features Bluetooth, and Trafficmaster Smartnav navigation system

Enterprise pack costs £600 + VAT, but includes rear parking sensors and air-conditioning

Citroën Berlingo HDi 90 manual L1 625 XTR+ GROSS PAYLOAD:

661kg

LOAD VOLUME:

3.3m3

ENGINE:

1,560cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

132g/km

MPG (combined): VED:

PRICE (ex-VAT):

56.5

£225

£15,580 (£16,480 as tested)

Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

51

ROAD TEST Written by Richard Gooding

The Vauxhall Vivaro has been thoroughly revised for the 2015 model year and in Start/Stop ecoFLEX trim emits 155g/km of CO2

Viva Vivaro!

Fresh looks, fresh engines and fresh technology. Richard Gooding inspects the latest LCV consignment from Vauxhall The Vauxhall Vivaro has been a mainstay of the UK D-segment middleweight van market since 2001. Manufactured in Luton, over 600,000 examples have left the production lines. Although built in Britain, all is not exactly as it seems. The Vivaro is a joint‑venture product between Opel/Vauxhall and the Renault-Nissan Alliance, also appearing as the Renault Trafic and the Nissan Primestar in chosen markets. The latest versions of both the Vivaro and the Trafic enjoyed their UK debuts at The Commercial Vehicle Show in April 2014. How does the new version of the load-lugging Vauxhall stack up?

Four body styles The new Vivaro is marketed under the slogan ‘Built to take it all’, and with four body styles and two lengths and two heights, it certainly appears to have all bases covered. Panel van, double cab, nine-seater combi and platform

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cab versions are available, with the basic panel van starting at £17,995 excluding VAT. Two trims can be specified: Vivaro and Vivaro Sportline. Vauxhall points to the new Vivaro’s ‘class‑leading build quality and practicality with improved cargo dimensions and excellent payload capability’ – and first impressions are good.

The new Vivaro is smart-looking and in Sportive trim as tested here, features body‑coloured bumpers, side mouldings, exterior mirror housings and rear light surrounds; LED daytime running lights and front fog lights; along with full-size wheel trims. VX14 XYZ also came fitted with

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optional £465 17‑inch alloy wheels.

There are distinct visual references to the old model, but overall the new Vivaro looks thoroughly modern.

Make yourself comfortable in the cab, and the Vivaro’s shared French heritage is plain to see. Renault-like switchgear makes its presence felt, and that’s no bad thing. All the controls feel built to last and are tactile in touch. The dashboard is stylish and very car-like with Clio-like dials and cowls, in addition to Renault’s well-thought out media controls mounted behind the steering wheel. Sportive models are well‑equipped, too. Standard kit includes: DAB radio with Bluetooth/USB/ AUX-IN/CD capability; air‑conditioning; cruise control with speed limiter, leather‑covered steering wheel and gear knob; chrome instrument rings; black ‘Connect’ cloth trim; and a twin passenger bench seat with dump latch centre section featuring storage, tray and dual-position clipboard ‘mobile office’ facility.

r Greene st, o than mVivaro the newrivers of offers dsized vans mediumith an w ience a c s n o c eco option l a i t c a r p

ROAD TEST

The new Vivaro’s cabin is spacious,well-built and very comfortable

The Vivaro has a load volume of 5.2m3 and a gross payload of 1,080kg

Practical and functional The FlexCargo bulkhead is also fitted as standard, which allows longer items to be loaded through the bulkhead hatch and below the passenger seat. Maximum load length increases to 4.15m. It’s a practical touch and one which adds to the already functional nature of the Vivaro. Even the smallest L1H1 (shortest length, shortest height) version boasts a load volume of 5.2m3 and a gross payload of 1,080kg. The biggest L2H2 variant is capable of carrying 8.6m3, while the L2H1 version has the biggest payload of the range at 1,270kg. The standard height of H1 versions is 1,387mm, rising to 1,898mm for the H2s.

Load length varies from 2,537mm for the shortest models to 2,937mm for the largest.

To enable ease of manoeuvrability, a parking sensor system is fitted.

Powering the new Vivaro is a family of four 1.6-litre diesel engines. Two turbodiesel CDTi units have 90 and 115bhp, while a pair of BiTurbos offer 120 and 140bhp. Our test model was fitted with the 120bhp option, and allied to a Start/Stop system and Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX technology is the greenest in the range. With CO2 emissions of 155g/km and a claimed 47.9mpg, Vauxhall states that ecoFLEX models can offer a fuel consumption reduction of up to 10 per cent through use

Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive L1H1 2900 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX GROSS PAYLOAD:

1,080kg

LOAD VOLUME: ENGINE:

5.2m3

1,598cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

155g/km

MPG (combined): VED:

PRICE (ex-VAT):

47.9

£225

£21,588.33 (£22,258.33 as tested)

of the on-board ‘Eco Mode’. Switchable by a button on the dashboard, the system limits both engine power and torque, smooths throttle response and inputs, and reduces the air-conditioning’s functionality. A gearshift indicator in the instrument panel shows when is the best time to change up or down, and a ‘driving style’ indicator displays green when the Vivaro is being driven at its most efficient.

Driving the new Vivaro efficiently is easy thanks to these on-board systems – a multifunction computer lets the driver keep track of trip mileage, immediate, and average fuel consumption. Providing one

of the most car-like driving experiences of any van we’ve tested (one of Vaxuhall’s key aims as a result of customer canvassing), the new Vivaro is sprightly through the gears (thanks to its 236lb ft/320Nm of torque) and refined at a cruise. Indeed, the refinement levels shame some cars. It feels equally at home in town or on the motorway, with handling which betrays the traditional top-heavy feel of most vans. In short, it’s a fun light commercial vehicle to drive.

Environmental conscience Competitively priced in a market which features an onslaught of rivals such as the Citroën Dispatch, Ford Transit Custom, Mercedes‑Benz Vito, Renault Trafic and Volkswagen Transporter, the new Vivaro looks set to continue the model’s success story in the UK, adding to the 170,000 vehicles already sold here.

Vauxhall forecasts that almost three-quarters of sales will go to fleets. Accordingly, service intervals are every 25,000 miles or every 2 years, while a 100,000-mile/3-year warranty is standard. Greener than most, the new Vivaro offers medium-sized van drivers with an environmental conscience a practical, cost‑effective commercial option.

A dash of driving pleasure just adds to the its wide‑ranging repertoire. L

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ROAD TEST Written by Angela Pisanu

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A real-world mpg hero The Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC came out top in the 2014 MPG Marathon, an annual real-world fuel efficiency test over 330 miles. Angela Pisanu gets behind the wheel to see just how frugal it is The new Civic Tourer is the first estate‑bodied Honda Civic the manufacturer has made since 2001.

With the compact estate market doing well, it is a sensible move for Honda, adding a model to rival the likes of the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Ford Focus Estate and Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer.

Inside the Civic Tourer is the 1.6 i-DTEC engine with the latest Earth Dreams Technology, which has proved to be very fuel efficient in real world tests. In fact the Civic Tourer won this year’s MPG Marathon, a real-world test over 330 miles. It achieved a staggering 97.92mpg – way over the Tourer’s quoted figure of 74.3mpg combined. At the end of the week that I had the car, after some 488 miles, I achieved 70mpg, which is impressive.

Green ambitions Emissions for the Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC are 99g/km. This is achieved by the finely-tuned i-DTEC engine, an improved aerodynamic body and a load of green technology. The Eco Assist system helps drivers get the best fuel economy out of the car. If the car is being driven efficiently, the dashboard glows green. If the driver goes over the optimum level of throttle control, the dashboard changes to white/green, and during heavy acceleration and deceleration, it will glow white. The efficiency is further enhanced with the option of ECON mode.

The Civic Tourer also has stop/start technology, cutting the engine of at a standstill and starting it again the instant you get going.

Performance wise, the Civic Tourer is confident and refined. Despite its fuel efficiency and low emissions, it boasts a more-than-reasonable 118bhp of power and 221lb ft/300Nm of torque. Its rear adaptive damper system, which can be set to comfort, normal and dynamic, allows the car to remain comfortable during highway cruising, yet firm and agile when more handling is required.

Same, but different The Tourer has its own style identity, but can also be recognised as a Civic, with the same sleek cabin design and the integrated rear door handle as the hatchback.

The Tourer is only 235mm longer than the Civic hatchback, making it the most compact in the segment.

The height and width however are identical.

But despite these compact dimensions, the Civic Tourer has class-leading boot space. With the rear seats up it offers 624 litres of volume, and with

For te corporathe buyers, r makes ure Civic To elling case. a compfuel economy t Excellen w emissions and lo an low me costs running

the rear seats down, it offers 1668 litres of space. And the cabin space is one of the roomiest in the segment, offering 1431mm of shoulder room between driver and front seat passenger and 795mm of between driver and rear seat. And the slightly raised roofline means more head space in the rear.

ROAD TEST

New model marks the first Honda Civic estate model since 2001

Versatile interior Honda has allowed for many options for carrying both people and cargo.

The car’s ‘magic seats’ fold down in one easy movement, and the interior trunk floor has been raised to create a completely flat area when the seats are folded down. The rear seat cushions can also be flipped up to reveal ample floor space for carrying tall objects.

What’s more, the tonneau cover can be rolled over the load space in the trunk and can be removed and stored away, which is useful when carrying larger objects.

Compelling case For the corporate buyer, the Civic Tourer makes a compelling case. The excellent fuel economy and low emissions means low running costs, vehicle excise duty and BIK. The added versatility of the interior and load space also give it the edge over other cars in the segment which offer similar fuel economy and emissions. L

Honda Civic Tourer’s dashboard changes colour to highlight efficient driving

Honda Civic Tourer is only 235mm longer than its hatchback sibling yet boasts class-leading interior space

The Eco Assist system helps drivers get the best fuel economy

Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC S Manual ENGINE:

1,598cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

99g/km

MPG (combined): VED:

74.3 Band A, £0

BIK:

15%

PRICE (OTR):

£21,375 (including VAT)

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ROAD TEST

A larger round of Golf A Volkswagen Golf not large enough? VW’s ubiquitous family hatchback range is broadened by the arrival of the larger new Golf SV. More practical than the regular hatchback, it offers versatility to match that of the traditional Golf Estate. But what other benefits does it serve up?

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ROAD TEST

Standing tall: Golf SV is 126mm taller than the regular Golf hatchback

Interior features soft-touch plastics

Volkswagen Golf SV SE 1.6 TDI ENGINE:

1,598cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2:

101g/km

MPG (combined): VED:

Band B, £0 first year, £20 thereafter

BIK:

16%

PRICE (OTR):

The Volkswagen Golf SV is the third model in the new Golf range after the traditional hatchback and estate. Replacing the Golf Plus first introduced in 2005, it is more small‑MPV in style than the established version of VW’s family hatchback. With 83mm of extra overall length, a 48mm longer wheelbase, 83 more millimetres of width and 126mm of more height, the Golf SV is larger in every dimension. Yet, it is shorter than the Golf Estate by 224mm. It can’t match the traditional load-lugging Golf for boot space with the rear seats in place (SV = 500 litres, estate = 605 litres), but when those seats are slid forward, it’s a near-match.

Rear seats which are split 60:40 and slide 180mm fore and aft are just one of the Golf SV’s party tricks. A front passenger seat that can fold forwards is available as an £160 option, creating a loadspace which is 2,484mm long. For the same price, a rear load‑through provision can also be specified, where a rear seat armrest with cup holders is fitted. Of course, the larger dimensions create greater flexibility with the ratio of passenger space and load capacity constantly variable thanks in part to the adjustability of the interior accommodation.

shape. The old Golf Plus looked a bit like a Golf made taller (which is essentially what it was) with irregular proportions as a result.

Combining longstanding Golf styling cues (the rearmost pillar for example) with new sharp surface detailing, the SV is a much more handsome proposition.

Drivers familiar with the current VW Golf will find much to like inside the SV. The dashboard, while looking familiar has been totally redesigned to suit the taller car and it works well. Interior quality is as you’d expect in a VW with soft-touch plastics and detail accenting to the fore. While the cabin looks good, it’s practical too, with 1.5-litre bottle‑sized front door pockets, storage cubbies and front underseat drawers.

There are additional pull‑out tables and pockets on the back of the front seats and the boot floor can be set either 21 or 130mm above the load sill. Standard equipment includes a 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and air-conditioning.

With carbon of ns emissiokm and g/ 95‑130 levels, there m four tri ld be a Golf shou riant for SV va driver every

A considered shape Known as ‘Sportsvan’ in mainland Europe, the Golf SV is certainly better-looking than the old Golf Plus. It appears both more dynamic and more in-line with the current Golf, as well as being much more of a considered

BlueMotion Technologies All Golf SVs are powered by engines fitted with BlueMotion Technologies including Stop/Start and battery regeneration. Petrol options are 1.2 and 1.4-litre TSIs, while buyers can choose from 1.6 and 2.0 turbodiesels.

Our test car was a 1.6 TDI SE with 108bhp and emissions of 101g/km. Despite a weight slightly over 1,400kg and a 184lb ft (250Nm) of torque, the 1,598cc engine feels adequate

72.4

£22,585 (including VAT, £23,120 as tested)

enough, but it does feel a little strained at the top end of the rev range. Volkswagen quotes an official mpg value of 72.4. To help boost economical driving, a multifunction computer with visual gear shift recommendation adds to the parsimonious kit count.

To drive, the SV is every inch a modern Volkswagen with slick controls, accurate and responsive steering and tidy handling. It feels much more tied down to the road than it has a right to and you’re not aware of the extra height over the standard Golf hatchback.

The Golf SV is safe, too. All models come as standard with an Automatic Post‑Collision Braking System, curtain airbags, an electronic differential lock, as well as traction control. A pre-crash protection system and rear side airbags are available as options. SE models such as the one tested also feature Adaptive Cruise Control with automatic City Emergency Braking and a Driver Alert system.

Added versatility Volkswagen UK predicts this 1.6 TDI SE to be the best-seller in this country. With prices starting at £18,875 for the entry-level S model, the SV is £1,245 more expensive than the equivalent five-door Golf S with the same 1.2-litre petrol engine. It may seem like an expensive premium, but the added versatility, useful extra space – in a still modest footprint remember – and more airy feel may mean it’s a price worth paying.

With CO2 emissions of 95-130g/km and four trim levels, there should be a Golf SV for everyone. That’s just one of many positive attributes the SV shares with the standard Golf – it just adds a touch of family friendliness. L Volume 78 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

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Infiniti Q50

FOLLOW THAT INSTINCT

You feel the pull the moment you see its curves. But when you get behind the wheel, instinct really takes over.

Driving you to experience the 170 PS direct injection turbo-charged Diesel or the 211 PS 2.0l turbo-charged Petrol engine. Forcing you to feel the visceral pleasure of world-first Direct Adaptive Steering. It’s time to follow your heart and give in to your instinct.

Book your test drive now at infiniti-instinct.co.uk

Official fuel economy figures for the Infiniti Q50 range in mpg (l/100 km): urban 29.4 to 50.4 (9.6 to 5.6), extra urban 53.3 to 76.3 (5.3 to 3.7), combined 41.5 to 64.2 (6.8 to 4.4). CO2 emission: 159 to 114 g/km.

Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ.