Panel of Experts: EVs
EXPERT PANEL ELECTRIC VEHICLES Could air quality improvements caused by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions spur more organisations to consider a zero-emission fleet? Our expert panelists discuss this idea, as well as the impact tax and grant incentives has on boosting EV adoption
Lee Brown, head of 0Zone, The Grosvenor Group Lee Brown is head of 0Zone, the Grosvenor Group’s innovative and market leading solution to help companies navigate their way smoothly towards ultra-low emission and electric vehicles. Lee is also finance director of Interactive Fleet Management, the Grosvenor Group’s specialist fleet management business, which means he brings a perfect balance between how fleets can drive down their emissions and the financial implications of policy setting. Lee joined the Grosvenor Group in 2001, became finance director of Interactive Fleet Management in 2012 and is well-known for his clear and inciteful advice for companies with car and light commercial vehicle fleets.
Colin Ferguson, chief executive officer, The Algorithm People The Algorithm People was launched in April 2019 by Colin, who pioneered the use of algorithms in the fleet sector with his last company Route Monkey and saw him recognised as one of the most influential figure heads in fleet within the GF100. The Algorithm People has now secured £500,000 of investment to develop ‘My Transport Planner’, which allows organisations to increase vehicle utilisation, cut costs and reduce emissions.
Peter Eldridge, director, The Association of Fleet Professionals Ltd Starting at Fiat Auto UK in 1963, Peter has enjoyed a successful fleet industry career that has encompassed almost every aspect of customer service and technical support, including spells as the manager of a large blue-chip fleet operation as well as senior management positions within franchised motor trade, contract hire, leasing and accident management. Peter sits on the board of the ICFM and, following the creation of the new, merged organisation in March, 2020, also of the AFP. He was inducted as an honorary fellow of the ICFM in 2011 and is regarded as one of the organisation’s strongest lead tutors.
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DRIVING THE SWITCH TO CLEANER FLEETS | www.greenfleet.net
The coronavirus pandemic has shown that significantly reducing transport and manufacturing can have major benefits for the environment. Air quality has improved in cities across the globe, with London reporting drops of almost 50 per cent on its busiest roads. During this pause to our usual lives, people’s awareness of how travel affects the environment has increased. “The pandemic has caused people to stop and think,” comments Lee Brown, head of 0Zone at The Grosvenor Group. “Air pollution has dropped to unprecedented levels across the world as major cities and countries impose lockdown measures. “As we stay inside, the environment is temporarily changing, with wild animals photographed roaming the streets, images showing the water in Venice to be clear, and in places like Punjab in India, city residents saying they can now see the snow peaks of the Himalayas; a view that has been blocked by air pollution for decades.” This heightened awareness of the link between transport and the environment could make drivers and fleet operators more open to the idea of a zero emission electric vehicle. Colin Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer from The Algorithm People, comments: “Air quality will certainly be higher up the agenda than before and will influence buying decisions for both company car drivers and fleet managers. “The two primary pressures on vehicle operators are to cut costs and emissions, and both those factors will remain in play during and after COVID-19. “However, companies will be conserving cash after the impact of the coronavirus, so they also need to be more creative in how they can cut carbon from their fleets of diesel and petrol vehicles. Route optimisation software is a proven way to reduce total fleet mileage, thereby reducing carbon emissions and saving money which can be reinvested in EVs.” Peter Eldridge, Director of the Association of Fleet Professionals, cautions that any such intentions to move to electric vehicles could be hampered by the availability of such
