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Paul Hollick, chair, Association of Fleet Professionals

The AFP’s Paul Hollick

AFP readies to introduce shared charging for fleets

Earlier this year, following research that showed enthusiasm among fleets to share their electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities with other businesses, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) formed a committee to investigate the idea.

Good progress has been made and a two-pronged strategy is now being implemented. To start, we’re looking to provide an online matchmaking service that will link fleets that have spare capacity at their premises with others who need charging in those areas. Following that, we’ll commission an online platform that will enable a more structured approach. Fleets that have charging facilities to spare will register and those that need charging will be able to search and book. It should also set prices and payment terms.

A key discussion point for the committee has been the price point of shared charging and general agreement has been reached that it should be a maximum of 40 pence per kWh. Also, there have been extensive discussions around how to gain access to charging sites, health and safety considerations, measuring charging use, and potential payment mechanisms. Ultimately, shared charging isn’t going to be for everyone because of inevitable compromises – for example, the kind of provision on offer will almost certainly be geographically patchy – but as part of the ongoing journey to fleet electrification, it’s certainly a further step forward.

First electric HGV for eFREIGHT

2030 consortium hits the road

The eFREIGHT2030 project has announced the delivery of its first electric heavy goods vehicle as part of the government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme.

The 42-tonne Renault Trucks E-Tech T 4x2 has been delivered to Welch’s Transport, the Cambridgeshire-based freight, haulage and logistics business where it will operate out of their flagship site in Duxford on regional distribution and long-haul deliveries.

The arrival of the E-Tech also marks the first deployment of Renault Trucks’ heavy duty regional distribution model in customer operations in the UK.

Future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood said: “A greener transport network is a key priority for this Government, which is why our demonstrator programme aims to scale up zero emission HGVs and install the right infrastructure to decarbonise road freight. This is an excellent example of industry and government collaborating to reach net zero.”

Welch’s Transport and Renault Trucks are among the fourteen founding members of the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, part of the ZEHID Programme funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, which is introducing 100 eHGV tractor units and 32 new charging locations over a multi-year real world evaluation of electric HGVs that will shape the future of zero emission transport.

The introduction of the first Renault Trucks E-Tech T, which will be joined by a second ...

ELECTRIC HGVS

Major rollout of EV charging infrastructure begins in Dublin

Dublin has announced the installation of electric charging infrastructure around key destinations in the region.

Around 200 chargers will be placed at 50 locations, including local authority-owned car parks in Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. Other locations will include community centres, libraries and sports clubs.

Irish company ePower has been selected to undertake the rollout following a competitive Europe-wide tender process.

While Dublin has the most charging points for EV owners in the country, the majority of these are privately installed and there is a lack of public charging points available.

It is expected that some 138,000 EVs will be registered in the Dublin region over the next few years. Around a quarter of those EVs will rely on public charging.

To cater for that growth, the Dublin EV Strategy developed by the four councils has targeted some 1,650 charge points being deployed at highly frequented destinations.

The initial rollout of these will include the likes of Bremore Castle, Howth Harbour, Bushy Park, Tallaght Stadium and St Anne’s Park, as well as a number of libraries and leisure centres. The project marks the first-time local authorities in Ireland have cooperated in this way on widespread charging...

Zemo Partnership’s Jonathan Murray

Reflections on the Summit

We had a great day at Zemo Partnership’s 2024 Summit, held in Westminster in early October! Approaching 200 really engaged delegates packed the conference theatre and a great line-up of speakers made for a very stimulating and vibrant day. The event had extra interest and urgency, of course, with a new Government in charge of transport policy and one of the first public outings by one of its transport ministers focusing on the decarbonisation policy agenda. Simon Lightwood, the local transport minister, signalled the intent of the new Government to accelerate the pace of decarbonisation, though most of the detailed policy announcements are yet to come. (We’re expecting the announcement of a consultation on the details of the reversal – from 2035 – to 2030 of the end of sale date for ICE-only cars and vans, for example.)

I’m very glad to say that the minister also said some very flattering things about the contribution of Zemo Partnership to the decarbonisation agenda over the last two decades! (You can view his full speech and those of other speakers and panellists at the Summit on a dedicated page on the Zemo website.)

A highlight of the day was a speech and subsequent ‘in conversation piece’ with Professor Sir Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel ...

www.zemo.org.uk

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Asda invests in new Bio-LNG fuelling facilities

Asda is investing in two new Bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas) refuelling facilities in an effort to reduce its carbon emissions.

Working closely with Gasrec, the new refuelling facilities in Warrington and Dartford now mean Asda has thirteen fully operational Bio-LNG stations strategically located across the UK.

With over 780 vehicles, Asda operates the largest fleet of LNG fuelled trucks in the UK, with this type of fuel a leading, lower carbon alternative to diesel. Through the new infrastructure, Asda will continue its efforts to decarbonise its operations, aiming to achieve net zero operations by 2040.

This investment comes after Asda recently launched a new sustainability-linked enhancement to its Supply Chain Finance scheme in partnership with HSBC UK. Launching in January 2025, the facility will see the retailer use financial incentives to encourage better sustainability practices within its supply chain.

Earlier this year, Asda revealed in its annual ESG report it had reduced operational carbon emissions in 2023 by 41 per cent since 2015, with a target to achieve a 50 per cent reduction by 2025.

James Westcott, chief commercial officer of Gasrec, said: “We have forged a strong relationship with Asda and it’s a real pleasure to be able to deliver these two latest facilities for them, as they continue to expand their growing gas fleet and invest in a cleaner and greener fuel source...

HGV DRIVERS

£12 million for better truckstops and HGV parking

£12 million in joint government and industry funding has been announced to create better conditions for lorry drivers, such as better truckstops and more HGV parking.

430 new lorry parking spaces will be upgraded as part of the fund, which relieve local congestion by helping reduce the number of large trucks parking in town centres or on the side of the road.

The investment will also help build better dining, changing and rest facilities, as well as new CCTV and secure fencing to boost welfare and security for lorry drivers.

The funding is from the third year of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme, which will come in addition to £8 million from industry, for a total funding boost of £12.5 million to improve truckstops.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Freight is a crucial engine of our economy and it is only right we do all we can to improve working conditions, pioneer innovation and drive sustainability across the industry.

“Our funding, combined with investment from the industry, will ensure lorry drivers can enjoy safer parking, a proper rest and a warm meal, while supporting UK businesses to harvest the best of technology to move freight faster, decarbonise our supply chain, and grow the economy for all.”

The funding will be spread across England to ensure all lorry drivers in the country can benefit from better roadside facilities and better working conditions, while supporting local jobs and economic growth.

Freight Innovation Fund projects announced

Winning projects from the third round of the Freight Innovation Fund have been announced, worth £1.8 million from both government and industry.

Funding is awarded to SMEs to trial new groundbreaking technology for decarbonising freight and driving innovation in the sector.

Projects include TUAL working with Wincanton to trial high performance powerbanks for electric lorries, and Innervated Vehicle Engineering working in partnership with Asda to retrofit hydrogen power to small delivery vans.

UK businesses from the first year of the fund have so far raised £97 million in additional capital to fund their innovative projects.

Delivered by Connected Places Catapult, the Freight Innovation Fund will give SMEs access to technical and business support from the organisation to develop new groundbreaking projects.

Chief executive officer at Connected Places Catapult, Erika Lewis, said: “Building on the success of the Freight Innovation Fund to date, I’m very pleased to welcome a third cohort of high potential innovators onto the Accelerator.

“This programme gives bespoke support to SMEs, working hand-in-hand with industry as they trial their solutions in real-world environments. By supporting new ideas in freight, we are helping to unlock the sector’s potential to be greener and more efficient.”

Freight innovation fund drives invention and needs to continue Logistics UK’s Michelle Gardner

The government recently announced the latest tranche of projects as part of the Freight Innovation Accelerator and, with funding for the programme currently scheduled to end in the next few months, it is critical that the new government chooses to continue it into the next spending period, beyond March 2025.

The fund was first announced in The Future of Freight in 2022 and committed £7 million of government investment over three years to support the innovation and decarbonisation in the freight sector. Since then, almost 30 businesses have been successful in securing support to develop and trial their creative solutions in real-world environments, with those implemented including drone delivery services, digital twinning and technology to reduce particulate matter emissions from HGVs and buses.

The novel structure of the funding programme uses logistics companies as test beds which has been critical to its success and sign posts the direction future funding programmes for our sector should take. By recognising the value logistics businesses can offer by providing the test environment, it allows tech companies to develop their solutions in operational situations while minimising the financial burden on the logistics sector. Demonstrating their solutions work, has helped the businesses from the first year of the Freight Innovation Fund raise £97 million in additional funding...

www.logistics.org.uk

Michelle Gardner, deputy director

Half a billion-pound investment in electric buses secured BUSES

Bus operator Go Ahead has announced a £500 million investment to decarbonise its fleet, including creating a new dedicated manufacturing line and partnership with bus manufacturer Wrightbus.

The investment is set to fund the manufacturing of up to 1,200 new zero emission buses over the next three years and will enable greener buses to be deployed across the country including in Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London and the Isle of Wight.

On top of directly supporting 500 manufacturing jobs, the £500 million investment for Wrightbus will also support an additional 2,000 jobs across the wider UK supply chain by 2026.

For every vehicle manufactured, the government said that 10 trees will be planted by Go-Ahead and Wrightbus in the towns and cities where the buses are deployed.

Go-Ahead Bus CEO, Matt Carney said:

“This multi-million pound investment and partnership with Wrightbus will accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleet across the UK.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with the UK government and local authorities to deliver transformational environmental change for communities, while supporting UK jobs and the growth of the country’s supply chain.”

Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales said: The deal with Go-Ahead is hugely significant and represents a huge boost to the UK’s economy. It will support homegrown manufacturing...

Anti cable-theft measures showcased at Be.EV charging hub: READ MORE

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Record increase in 150kW+ chargers at motorway services: READ MORE

A special new award has been launched for this year’s GREENFLEET Awards – the Electric Fleet Race Award by Rightcharge.

Launched by Rightcharge at the start of 2024, the Electric Fleet Race offers a monthly insight into the organisations leading the way in terms of Battery Electric Vehicle numbers on fleet – split nationally and in sector specific categories.

Following months of sharing fleet electric vehicle numbers, the new Electric Fleet Race award will go to the largest EV fleet within the Electric Fleet Race. Entry closes on 21 October, so make sure you enter here

Recognising fleet and transport decarbonisation success since 2005, the GREENFLEET Awards on 5 December are a key date in the fleet industry calendar.

MORE

New Electric Fleet Race Award launched

GREENFLEET AWARDS

The MINI fleet for your business

Thinking about a MINI for your next company car? Smart choice – you can look forward to low running costs, innovative tech and a whole lot of fun behind the wheel

Why MINI?

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MINI Corporate Certified

Dedicated to business excellence. Our industryleading programme, MINI Corporate Certified, brings the assurance of an enhanced MINI experience tailored to fleet customers. Certified retailers across our network are committed to providing exception service tailored to your business needs.

Future-proof your business

Electric is now. Many companies are now looking to electric to future-proof their

business. Our range of all-electric cars deliver low running costs, favourable BIK rates, and no Ultra Low Emission Zone, Low Emission Zone or Clean Air Zone charges. They can also make a statement about your business and where it’s headed. Get in touch today so we can help you discover whether electric is the right choice for your business; with a choice of three fully-electric models there’s a car to meets your fleet and driver’s requirement.

The MINI Aceman

Say hello to the ace in the pack. A progressive crossover with everyday usability, the allelectric MINI Aceman does practicality with zero emissions, sleek sophistication and a cheeky pinch of attitude.

The MINI Cooper

Our fifth generation MINI is modern and simplistic, embodying maximum driving pleasure and minimum footprint, and incorporating more innovative technology than ever before.

The MINI Countryman

It’s still the MINI Countryman you love, just not so MINI. With clean lines and less clutter, the new MINI Countryman exudes selfconfidence and adventure, ready to take you where you need to go in complete comfort. M

www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/business

Mini for business.

Making the van transition work for fleets

This year is another milestone moment for road transport decarbonisation. The introduction of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate was followed by a new government with a renewed green focus. But despite such change, van adoption remains in park. Here, Toby Poston of the BVRLA looks at the current state of van decarbonisation and what solutions will unlock the market

A Labour government, intense scrutiny over MP’s expenses and gifts, and Oasis making headlines. In many ways, 2024 has been the year of the comeback. Alongside those familiar events at a national level, our sector has faced the unknown as official government targets for registrations of zero-emission vehicles moved from concept to reality.

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate was introduced in January and is having a fundamental impact on the automotive supply chain. Some of the changes were predicted and

the fleet sector was able to prepare. This has enabled pockets of the market to be up to – and ahead of – the targets set out by the mandate, which requires 22% of new car registrations in 2024 to be for zero-emission vehicles. They are but pockets of success and the mandate has created unintended consequences too. The terms of engagement between those bound by the targets (vehicle manufacturers), and those that hold the key to compliance (fleet operators and the leasing sector), are shifting.

One of the sectors falling short of decarbonisation targets is also one of the biggest. Vans.

The UK’s workhorses Vans power the UK economy. One in ten workers – 3.4 million people – rely on vans across diverse sectors, including engineering, construction and emergency services. They represent the fastest growing part of the UK’s vehicle parc, accounting for more miles being driven on our roads every year. Without vans, the economy stalls.

For the UK to get anywhere near its road transport decarbonisation targets, and kickstart the economy, vans need to be front of mind.

Currently they are not. Fleet operators are facing challenges with infrastructure, regulation, affordability, and vehicle availability. Their transition to zero-emission vans is being hindered at every turn.

The impact of these challenges is clear as day in the new vehicle registration data. The van sector closed 2023 with battery electric vans accounting for 5.9 per cent of registrations. This year, the ZEV mandate requires that number to grow to 10 per cent.

Such a jump was always ambitious. Latest data suggests it is nigh-on-impossible. Year to date, zero-emission vans account for around

The Plug-in Van Grant is currently due to end in March 2025; we need to see it extended so more operators can start their electric transition sooner

five per cent of new registrations. No single month in 2024 has seen electric vans take a greater share of the sector than recorded last year.

At best, electric van adoption is level year on year.

This is not for lack of trying. Supported by their partners and vehicle providers, fleet operators are exploring how to make the transition work for them. Their ambition must now be matched by that of industry partners and decision makers.

Putting a plan in place

How to bridge that gap was the grounding of the Zero Emission Van Plan, a joint campaign by the BVRLA, Logistics UK, RECHARGE UK, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) and The EV Café.

Launched in Parliament earlier this year, it highlights where action is needed to avoid leaving 3.4 million van users behind in the UK’s zero-emission journey. Key asks and recommendations underpin the Plan, split into factors that impact affordability, vehicle charging, and regulations.

Another element holding the transition back is the lack of suitable vehicles.

Although new launches are coming at an increasing rate, we are yet to see a steady flow of electric vans that meet the needs of many operators. Range, towing capability, and on-board power are three key barriers yet to be addressed.

The new Labour government has been open since day one about the country not having a strong financial footing from which to invest. Its plans in the early years of this term are likely to be guarded, with intense scrutiny on where every pound is being spent.

Unlocking the sectors that can accelerate progress is essential. With such a wide footprint across every sector, vans present such an opportunity, while supporting the government in meeting its ambitious decarbonisation targets too. E

Public Charge Point Regulations were introduced last year and we are pushing to see them used in a way that works for electric vans

F Assisting affordability

The Zero Emission Van Plan highlights that the average price for a new electric van is 50 per cent higher than a diesel equivalent. When factoring in the high costs to use a public rapid charger –impacted by global factors and up to 25 per cent more per mile than ICE vans – the costs to source and run an electric van don’t add up for many.

A critical support that has enabled those to have made the switch to do so, has been the Plug-in Van Grant. It provides up to £5,000 off the cost of a new large electric van (£2,500 for small evans) and helps to close the gap between ICE and EV. It is currently due to end in March 2025; we need to see it extended so more operators can start their transition sooner.

New registrations only tell part of the story. For every new van sold in the UK, 2.5 are sold on the used market. The majority of preowned vans are operated by sole traders and the SME sector. They depend on their vehicle for their livelihood and are more heavily hit by increasing costs or periods of vehicle downtime. For electric vans to work for them,

more support is needed. The potential in used electric vans can’t be overlooked.

Increasing infrastructure

The second cornerstone of the Zero Emission Van Plan is improving vehicle charging. The UK’s EV charging network is expanding all the time, with more chargepoints being installed and innovative solutions enabling more people to charge in more areas. The key aspect is that it is not purely seen as a numbers game. The magic is in getting the right chargers in the right places, accessible by the right users.

The opportunities span public and private networks, with both playing a vital role in supporting the switch. The government introduced Public Charge Point Regulations last year and we are pushing to see them used in such a way that works for electric vans. Bay sizes, location, and the ability to book ahead are three areas that would transform operators’ fortunes when away from their depot.

Reducing red tape

Regulatory barriers are also restrictive, with many examples of where historic requirements are failing to keep pace with an evolving environment. The additional weight that a battery adds compared to a petrol or diesel engine is seeing some electric vans fall into regulatory frameworks designed for trucks. In practice, this means earlier MOTs, fewer approved places to conduct tests, and tighter limits on driver hours.

These regulations create cost and confusion. 4.25t vans should be seen as just that, not trucks, and treated appropriately.

Vital to a green economy

Vans are the backbone of our economy, providing an essential form of transport and a mobile workspace. They are growing in number every year and account for a major portion of the miles driven up and down the country. If the UK is to meet its road decarbonisation targets, zero-emission vans must now take centre stage. Through the Zero Emission Van Plan, industry events, and direct conversations with decision makers across government, we are discussing the challenges faced by operators with those able to drive positive change.

Vans are a vital player in the fair transition to a green economy. They command more attention. M

Planning for a clean van future

For many van fleets it may be business as usual for sourcing new vehicles as diesel continues to dominate, but it pays to plan for a zero-emission future.

Small changes in course now will avoid the so-called ICE-berg facing fleets, when legislation ends the supply of new internal combustion-engined vehicles, or manufacturers end production because combustion engines are no longer profitable. However, with a recent change of government the timing of the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vans is now unclear until a consultation process is completed, which means uncertainty reigns.

Grosvenor Leasing’s innovative Electric Van Flexible Switch programme ensures commercial vehicle operators can maintain vehicle replacement schedules while remaining responsive to emerging zeroemission vehicle offerings.

Under the scheme, customers can source an ICE (internal combustion engine) van through a flexible contract. They can then switch that vehicle to an EV when suitable zero-emission technology becomes available.L

Steve Beadle head of

Grosvenor Leasing’s Salary Sacrifice scheme for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles and Electric Vehicles can save your employees as much as 40% per month compared to a personal lease, with financial and environmental advantages for your business too.

Risk Free and Minimal Administration

It also comes with protection against employees leaving the company, or going on extended sick or maternity/paternity leave, and there is minimal input required to put it in place.

It means businesses can implement the scheme with complete peace of mind, and without being overwhelmed with lots of administration.

Benefits to Employees and Employers

Employees sacrifice a portion of their gross salary in return for a fully maintained, taxed and insured company vehicle, at very competitive rates.

The employer gains by making Class 1A National Insurance savings as well as offering an additional staff benefit, at no extra cost.

With many exciting electric cars available, such as the Tesla Model Y, Cupra Born and Polestar 2 (all shown above), now is a great time to be offering a ULEV and EV Salary Sacrifice scheme.

For more information, why not speak to one of our Ultra Low Emission and Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice experts.

Telephone 01536 536 536 or email salsac@grosvenor-leasing.co.uk

Driver wellbeing – are you giving it enough focus?

With driver fatigue often resulting in an increase of collisions and poor mental health, Grosvenor looks at how the culture needs to change

About 17.1 million working days were lost to stress, depression or anxiety in Great Britain in 2022/23. Between 10 and 20 per cent of collisions are estimated to be caused by driver fatigue, and the suicide rate for van drivers is 25 per cent higher than the national average.

Stress and fatigue

Drivers who are stressed or fatigued are more likely to make errors. Experts warn that if a driver doesn’t stop and take a nap when they’re tired they’re more likely to have a microsleep while driving and could travel 200 metres without knowing it.

Health and safety legislation and the corporate manslaughter act mean that you, as an employer, owe a duty of care to at-work drivers. But how can you spot the signs that a driver is suffering from poor mental health and what action can you take?

Certain key indicators may offer an insight. Has their incident rate gone up? Are they absent from work more often? Are they late for work and unreliable? Has their performance dipped? If your vehicles are fitted with telematics, is the data showing changes in behaviour?

It’s not just about data

Nurturing an open culture about driver wellbeing can encourage drivers to feel safe coming forward themselves, or for their work colleagues to advise you of their concerns.

To achieve this, it’s important to build relationships with drivers. Set realistic driver schedules, avoid putting drivers under pressure by planning schedules which don’t allow for rest breaks. Have dedicated mental health first aiders or mental health champions to create a positive work experience and provide support for employees.

“At Grosvenor Leasing, we have a dedicated team of mental health first-aiders to offer staff someone to turn to if they need help or support,” said Lee Brown, managing director.

“They provide front-line support and advice, backed by an extensive wellbeing campaign.

“We also encourage conversation through active participation in key events, such as Mental Health Week, National Thank You Day and National Stress Awareness Day, and we also have staff yoga sessions, a table tennis league, dress down days, ‘pizza Fridays’, team quizzes, and guest speakers on mental health.

“For our customers, we have a complete Drive Care programme that is designed to make drivers safer on the road, with wellbeing being a key aspect of our approach.”

Other key areas for supporting employee wellbeing include employee assistance programmes (EAPs), health screenings, offering employee health benefits, promoting healthy eating and reward and recognition schemes. M

www.thegrosvenorgroup.co.uk/leasing

Supply chain resillience and climate change

The logistics sector is embracing the decarbonisation agenda but needs a greater say on how it is achieved. Jonathan Walker, head of infrastructure policy at Logistics UK, outlines the industry’s key asks

Climate change is already disrupting transport networks due to an increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The recent “State of the UK Climate 2023” report published by the Met Office shows the number of “hot” days (28C) experienced in the UK has more than doubled, and “very hot” days (30C) more than trebled for the most recent decade (2014-2023) compared to 1961-1990. And it is not only temperatures that are rising, with five of the 10 wettest years for the UK since 1836 having occurred in the 21st century.

Readers of GreenFleet will be well aware of these issues, but it is sometimes worth reminding ourselves of the stark realities and why the whole of the UK economy is working tirelessly towards reaching the

domestic target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 100 per cent of 1990 levels by 2050 and reach “net zero”.

Extreme weather does not only lead to travel disruption: the economic cost for transport operators is already significant. Winter floods cost an estimated £180 million in damages to motorways in 2013/14 and weather disruption costs for Network Rail over the last 15 years topped £3 billion.

As part of the solution, the logistics sector is already embracing the decarbonisation agenda and making changes to transition away from fossil fuels but the industry still needs a greater say on how this is achieved. It is essential that the new government works closely with logistics businesses to enable E

There is no agreed plan for the role low carbon fuels will play in the transition, despite being able to reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent and provide a solution for the many ICE vehicles that will be in use for decades to come

F collaboration so environmental goals can be reached in a fair, pragmatic way. While progress has been made and industry continues to innovate and adapt, the high costs of low carbon fuels and electrification, as well as insufficient grid capacity and lack of investment, mean many barriers remain.

A clear roadmap

Decarbonising the logistics sector must be underpinned by an agreed and co-created logistics roadmap to net zero, as well as a phase-out of fossil fuels that is based on the availability of technology, infrastructure

investment, regulatory reform and tax incentives. This emissions reduction plan should include zero tailpipe emission technology and supporting infrastructure, as well as the role of low carbon and sustainable fuels across all transport modes.

The new government has committed to making the UK a clean energy superpower and this will be essential to support the logistics industry’s decarbonisation programme and transition to zero emission vehicles. Still more needs to be done, however, and there are some clear steps the government needs to take as a matter of urgency to support the logistics sector in meeting its net zero targets.

Clarity on decarbonisation policy

The government has made long term planning central to its industrial strategy and it is essential it clarifies the end of sale date for new internal combustion engine vans. Businesses need clarity to enable succession planning for vehicles, and the government needs to ensure the deadline is matched by a substantial increase in public charging and incentives for businesses so they can afford the investment required for depot charging and new zero emission technology vehicles.

Critical need for infrastructure

With net zero deadlines approaching, there is a growing risk that the energy infrastructure needed will not be delivered at the pace the sector requires if the supply chain is to be maintained. Public charging infrastructure is not being delivered with logistics in mind and zero tailpipe emission HGVs remain unproven for long-distance operations. The amount of energy required for the UK’s fleet of HGVs and vans to be fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell is substantial so it is also critical that the national grid can handle the uplift in demand for power and ensure the energy can be supplied where it is needed. There is also no agreed plan for the role low carbon fuels will play in the transition, despite being able to reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent and provide a green solution for the many internal combustion engine vehicles that will be in use for decades to come.

Remove regulatory barriers

A simple legislative change requiring no infrastructure would be to align 4.25 tonne electric van regulations with what is already in place for 3.5 tonne diesel vans. The batteries in electric vans make them heavier than the equivalent sized diesel vans, meaning

operators that make the switch are exposed to costly operator licensing, more expensive MOTs and drivers’ hours rules designed for HGVs. Aligning electric and diesel van regulations would help remove the red tape barriers that are currently limiting the uptake of electric commercial vehicles.

Incentivise investment in decarbonisation

The new government can also incentivise business investment in decarbonisation: one practical step that we have been calling for is full expensing for capital investment to be expanded to cover leased and hired vehicles, and fees paid to energy network operators to deliver the asset upgrades necessary to support fleet decarbonisation. Industry is keen for closer working relationships with government and these types of incentives are exactly what are needed to back the sector in its continued efforts to achieve the nation’s net-zero targets and help keep supply chains resilient when faced with a changing climate.

In July 2021, Logistics UK launched its Route to Net Zero campaign providing members with the opportunity to make a public commitment outlining how they are tackling emissions as quickly and urgently as possible. It shows the desire within the industry and the steps that are already being taken to reduce emissions, and the government would be “pushing at an open door” if it creates a positive policy environment that helps the sector transition to net-zero in a fair and sustainable way. L

Jonathan Walker, head of infrastructure policy, Logistics UK

Navigating the road to fleet electrification

Duncan Webb, The AA’s fleet director, explains how The AA is supporting drivers and businesses making the transition to alternative fuels

The evolving landscape of fleet management poses challenges, especially with the uncertainty around the 2030 ban on ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles. But one thing is clear: fleet managers need certainty to plan effectively. Regardless of the deadline, fleets are already leading the charge toward decarbonisation. This is not just down to government mandates. Businesses are also prioritising their environmental impact.

For those yet to begin their decarbonisation journey, starting with a comprehensive audit of fleet operations, assessing mileage needs, and understanding charging infrastructure are essential first steps. Open-minded experimentation with different fuel types will also pay off in the long run.

Even for those who have adopted EVs (electric vehicles), transitioning larger vehicles like vans and HGVs presents hurdles due to market limitations. At The AA, we’ve adopted a ‘test and scale’ approach, trialling various alternative fuels, from hydrogen to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), with promising results.

With over 100 years of experience in supporting drivers, we have the expertise to navigate major driving changes, helping us to find the right solutions for our customers. Our focus remains on supporting driver confidence and safety, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to navigate this changing landscape successfully. M

What’s holding back decarbonisation progress?

Helen Flanagan, EyeQ product director at Wincanton, explores the challenges that logistics businesses face in reaching net zero, as well as the opportunities to overcome these

In recent years, the scientific community, together with governments and organisations worldwide have come together to acknowledge the vital need to take action against climate change. It is something that cannot be ignored — especially given, earlier this year, for the first time, global warming exceeded 1.5C across an entire year, according to the EU’s climate service. Due to the nature of the work it conducts, the logistics sector has an essential role to play when it comes to hitting environmental targets and reducing CO2 emissions. But while many understand this, our new research reveals that UK businesses aren’t making the progress they want in this area. In fact, over half (54 per cent) feel they will struggle to meet their net-zero goals.

The big problem is that the climate can’t wait. With the pressure well and truly on for businesses to hit their CO2 targets, what are some of the challenges they face and what opportunities await them to confront these?

Cost pressures hold back progress

The good news is that sustainability remains a high priority for 81 per cent of organisations. But in this difficult economic climate where costs are rising and competing pressures are rife, there is a clear gap emerging between priorities and action. One of the biggest barriers to CO2 reduction which became clear in the research, is the perceived risk of cost. Indeed, 80 per cent believe that reducing CO2 emissions in E

Over a third of businesses asked have proven that reducing their CO2 emissions also reduces their costs, shining a spotlight on the critical difference between perception and proof when it comes to meeting environmental goals

F their logistics fleet means an increase in costs. As a result, 66 per cent have had to deprioritise hitting their net zero targets.

Significantly, however, over a third (37 per cent) of businesses have proven that reducing their CO2 emissions also reduces their costs, shining a spotlight on the critical difference between perception and proof when it comes to meeting environmental goals.

In terms of actionable steps to take, while it is true that some areas of change (such as replacing a fleet with electric HGVs) can incur significant cost, there is much which can be done without considerable investment. Indeed, some things can save a business money in the short-term. Just one example of this is using technology that reviews load builds and route planning. This can ensure that the right vehicle is being used for each delivery, helping to reduce the amount of fresh air being transported around the UK logistics network due to empty space that can be redeployed. It can also significantly reduce the number of dead miles or wasted journeys carried out across a wide transport network, driving environmental, and financial, efficiency.

A look at alternative fuels

Looking ahead, the use of alternative fuels is progressing in the right direction, but widespread adoption of these is still years away. For instance, while electric power is increasingly more common for light and medium-duty vehicles, with electric vans, motorbikes and cargo bikes readily seen on our roads, there are only 300 electric HGVs currently registered in the UK, and only one charging point, according to the Road Haulage Association (RHA).

Meanwhile, biofuels are being developed to provide sustainable alternatives to traditional fuels – particularly in sectors where electrification is more challenging, such as

aviation and HGVs. These are still expensive to produce, however, and so are unlikely to dominate the fuel market any time soon.

Hydrogen is another option, with the UK aiming to become a global leader in hydrogen technology as part of its broader decarbonisation strategy to develop hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure.

While these are all good options, one of the most significant barriers at present, lies between the availability of alternative fuel vehicles and their viability and affordability. Which explains why, on average, supply chain decision makers believe that these vehicles will only become widely viable in five years.

Collaboration will be crucial to success

It’s clear that the focus needs to shift towards a more efficient and innovative logistics solution for businesses. But to really tackle the issues faced, they need to forge new partnerships and work collaboratively.

Collaboration has already proven itself as a prime solution with commercial and environmental benefits to organisations across the UK, with 65 per cent of businesses believing it is the key to the future success of the industry and will help to tackle a range of sector issues, reduce costs and help to meet

CO2 targets. At the same time, 28 per cent say they are nervous about the difficulty in finding partners to work with, while the same number also worry about the lack of internal resources to manage collaboration projects.

Ultimately, collaboration is going to be the cornerstone of success if businesses are going to hit their net-zero targets on time. Working with logistics service providers can significantly increase your operational efficiency and improve your supply chain resilience – through access to a wide range of vehicles to suit your business needs and by helping you to scale up and down according to fluctuating market demand.

They can also provide you with the expertise and technology that would be difficult to match without substantial capital and the necessary procurement requirements.

Final thoughts

Sustainability is now a critical component of business strategy and operations, and the need for action can no longer be put on the back burner. And businesses don’t need to wait for alternative fuel HGVs or the infrastructure to support – there are solutions that are available now.

Working with a logistics service provider means businesses can have access to technology

solutions that will ensure businesses can optimise to improve productivity, reduce operational costs and make the right steps to achieving net zero. Doing so will allow businesses to focus on the strategic decisions that are going to help them build long-term growth and success. L

Helen Flanagan, EyeQ product director, Wincanton

As buses turn electric, what awaits the coach market?

While city bus sales have turned increasingly electric, the electric coach market is stagnant and almost entirely diesel. Mika Takahashi, technology analyst at IDTechEx, finds out why

Electric buses are booming, with sales growing in Europe, America, India, and other key regions. Transport operators have shown themselves keen to electrify urban transport and cut greenhouse gas emissions. As emissions regulations tighten, city buses are likely to be all-electric within the next few years. IDTechEx’s report, shows that over half of all city bus sales in Europe in 2023 were electric (battery and fuel cell) and that some regions are well ahead of the EU’s target for 100 per cent of new city buses to be zero emission by 2035. However, in the coach segment, only around one per cent of sales were electric across the same period. So what is driving the excellent growth in the city bus segment, and will it be replicated for coaches?

What makes city buses perfect for electrification?

Buses were one of the first transportation sectors to demonstrate that they could be completely electrified. In China, sales began at pace in the early 2010s and reached a peak in 2016 when almost 140,000 electric buses were sold in a single year. While the sales figures have since declined and then plateaued - the overall bus fleet is now over 77 per cent electric. With over three quarters of buses electric, these are not pilot projects or early successes but established incumbent technology. Electric buses now have well over a decade of use, transporting millions of people safely and efficiently. But what are the unique E

Buses typically operate during the day, meaning they have a much longer period to charge overnight. Thus, lower-level trickle charging can be used rather than gridintensive fast charging

F aspects of city bus transport that have allowed electrification to outpace other bus sectors?

Predictability

City buses, by their nature, follow predetermined routes with set schedules every day that they are in service. For electric buses, this means that routes can be optimised such that range anxiety is effectively removed. Compare this to a private passenger car, where the daily mileage might vary substantially, and routes longer than the range of the vehicle may be desired.

Opportunity charging

City buses are typically confined to a single metropolitan zone, and to be useful, transit services must stop regularly for passengers to embark/disembark. This presents a perfect chance for opportunity charging, where either overhead pantographs or wireless charging can quickly top up the batteries. This allows operators to potentially use a smaller Li-ion battery pack yet achieve the same range. This brings cost and weight savings.

Concentration of infrastructure

Buses are typically parked overnight in depots, and many buses may use a single site. This allows for the concentration of infrastructure, as building out grid capacity for a single site allows the charging of an entire fleet. Buses typically operate during the day, meaning they have a much longer period to charge. Thus, lower-level trickle charging overnight can be used rather than grid-intensive fast charging – this also slows the battery degradation. When the buses are operating the daily routes, this infrastructure

can then be utilised by other vehicles such as public charging or eLCV fleets. This generates revenue for the bus operator and recoups some of the investment in the infrastructure. In summary, electric city buses are here to stay. They have demonstrated that they can operate in a wide range of conditions - with buses in operation from Northern China to Southern Spain. With correct route optimisation and clever infrastructure utilisation, they can comfortably operate most routes operators require.

What about coaches?

While city bus sales have turned increasingly electric, the coach market, by contrast, is stagnant and almost entirely diesel. The IDTechEx research assessed some of the challenges that hold back electrification, both technical and economic.

Range

One of the larger technical hurdles to overcome is range. Although energy density improvements have allowed onboard battery

storage to increase, electric vehicles still have shorter ranges than their ICE counterparts. As battery pack size increases, weight and volume become a challenge. Improvements in energy density can help overcome this, but current state-of-the-art packs are insufficient to provide adequate range. Coach journeys are typically much longer and travel interurban, intercity, and even international routes. As such, the limited range is a much greater challenge than that of a city bus, which may have a much lower daily required mileage.

Charging infrastructure

These coaches will typically leave built-up areas behind and travel long distances on highways without stopping. As recharging will be required, the necessary highway infrastructure needs to be put in place for coaches to recharge en route. Unlike city buses, which can charge slowly overnight, these coaches are likely to need fast charging to avoid passengers having to wait multiple hours in a remote service station, which would increase journey times and reduce customer satisfaction. The nonconcentrated nature of coach travel (fewer coaches will travel to a much wider range of destinations) means that more charging infrastructure will need to be developed.

Funding

Currently, battery electric buses are about twice as expensive as a comparable diesel bus. While large metropolitan transport operators may be able to afford the investment, regional coach transport operators are often much smaller entities and thus struggle to absorb the increased costs associated with electrifying. Government support is also less prominent. The UK’s successful ZEBRA (Zero Emissions Buses Regional Areas) has contributed to the strong growth in electric sales, but it explicitly excludes coaches from any subsidy support. What options are left in this challenging environment? Fuel cell buses, with their greater range and quicker refueling, are considered alternatives to battery electric buses by some, but challenges with hydrogen production and distribution remain. Increases in Li-ion cell density will translate into greater ranges for fully electric buses, but to what extent can these overcome the challenges of long-haul travel? What is the regulatory outlook for coach travel compared with city buses? IDTechEx explores these questions and more in its in-depth report here. L

Investment for a better freight sector

A number of projects to decarbonise the freight sector have been announced, alongside £12 million to create better conditions for lorry drivers, such as better truckstops and more HGV parking

TUAL will be working with Wincanton to trial powerbanks for electric lorries.

Winning projects from the third round of the Freight Innovation Fund have been announced, worth £1.8 million from both government and industry.

Delivered by Connected Places Catapult, the Freight Innovation Fund gives SMEs access to technical and business support to develop new groundbreaking projects that aim to decarbonise freight.

The latest projects to receive funding include TUAL working with Wincanton to trial high performance powerbanks for electric lorries.

Unlike traditional charging, which can take hours, TUAL’s powerbanks can be swapped out in under five minutes, ensuring that vehicles spend more time on the road and less time charging.

The modular nature of TUAL’s powerbanks means they can be scaled to meet the specific needs of different eLCV and eHGV fleet sizes and use-cases.

Funding has also been announced to Innervated Vehicle Engineering working in partnership with Asda to retrofit hydrogen power to small delivery vans in Sheffield.

Another company that has secured funding is RAD Propulsion, who will work with Williams Shipping to demonstrate a clean, electric, automated waterway micro freight logistics transport system.

XeroE Sustainability Logistics, meanwhile, will work with DHL, to pilot the use of containerised cargo bikes alongside virtual micro hubs. The goal of this initiative is to demonstrate the economic viability of the system, significantly increase the proportion of deliveries made by cargo bikes, and accurately measure the emissions reductions achieved.

Botanic Energy’s efficient core heat transfer technology offers low emissions transport chilling and refrigeration without damaging refrigerants, targeted at temperaturecontrolled intermodal transport and cold chain logistics. The company has secured funding to do trials with Cambridge Refrigeration Technology and Sainsbury’s Supermarkets.

Ecomar Propulsion will work with Forth Ports and the Port of Exeter to trial a commercial vessel using battery and hydrogen with a new electrical powertrain. The trial aims to prove the possibility of achieving ‘below deck’ mounting of hydrogen systems and the ease of fuelling and charging with this combined approach.

Funding has been secured by GoMetro to trial its data-driven EV feasibility planning solution for fleet owners driven by a telematics aggregation platform, Bridge. With trial partner

The investment will help build better dining, changing and rest facilities, as well as new CCTV and secure fencing to boost welfare and security for lorry drivers

Maritime Logistics, they will be collecting and analysing fleet movement data for a chosen depot, from which they will identify critical vehicle and infrastructure specification needs.

GPC Systems’ Forklift Measure is designed for logistics companies moving cargo using forklifts looking to use dimensions for journey efficiency and revenue generation. The trial will validate fast, accurate dimension capture of freight, using low cost, plug and play hardware. The trial will collaborate with Pall-ex UK and The Welch Group.

Speaking about the fund, chief executive officer at Connected Places Catapult, Erika Lewis, said: “This programme gives bespoke support to SMEs, working hand-in-hand with industry as they trial their solutions in realworld environments. By supporting new ideas in freight, we are helping to unlock the sector’s potential to be greener and more efficient.”

Better conditions for truck drivers

To create better conditions for lorry drivers, £12 million in joint government and industry funding has been announced, which will fund measures such as better truckstops and more HGV parking.

430 new lorry parking spaces will be upgraded as part of the fund, which relieve local congestion by helping reduce the number of large trucks parking in town centres or on the side of the road.

The investment will also help build better dining, changing and rest facilities, as well as new CCTV and secure fencing to boost welfare and security for lorry drivers.

The funding is from the third year of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme, which will come in addition to £8 million from industry, for a total funding boost of £12.5 million to improve truckstops.

The funding will be spread across England to ensure all lorry drivers in the country can benefit from better roadside facilities and better working conditions, while supporting local jobs and economic growth. M

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EXPERT INSIGHT

DECARBONISING COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Low uptake of electric vans and trucks is putting Britain’s zero-emission vehicle sales targets at risk. And while commercial vehicle fleet operators have the appetite to go green, many still come across barriers to adoption. So what are the issues and how can they be overcome?

Despite there being more than 30 different battery electric vans on the market, their sales represent just 5.3 per cent of all new LCVs registered so far in 2024, according to the latest SMMT figures. This is just over half of the 10 per cent required by the UK’s zero emission vehicle mandate.

This shows there is clearly more to do to speed up the adoption of electric vans. But barriers are in the way. The industry argues that fleet operators need long-term certainty, fiscal incentives and van-specific charging infrastructure in order to make the switch viable.

The slow uptake of battery electric vans also has an impact on the second hand market.

According to the Zero Emission Van Plan, for every new van sale there are 2.5 used-vans sold, showing the popularity of the second hand market, particularly for SME and sole

traders. But if there are not many electric vans entering the second-hand market, then an EV is simply not an option for many.

There are also barriers for operators of trucks and specialist vehicles looking to go zeroemission, as electrification may not yet be fit for purpose. While there are trials of battery electric trucks underway, and some companies are adding one or two electric HGVs to their fleet, mass adoption is still a long way away.

In the meantime, alternative fuels, such as HVO or natural gas, could be used for an immediate reduction in emissions, as well as better use of technology and data. Hydrogen too could be the answer for haulage trucks.

In this article, we seek the views of Darren Gardner, country manager, KEBA UK & Ireland, on the challenges in the way of decarbonising commercial vehicles. E

F Although the Labour Government is mooting the idea of bringing back the 2030 ICE car deadline, there is no mention of their van plans. Do you think the date should be the same or not?

This is a tricky question. In one sense yes it should align since fleets buy both cars and vans, so it makes sense to have the same date. At the same time, the LCV market is at a different stage in its electrification and there are still many things to solve, such as reimbursement of expenses, backend CPO platforms that incorporate telematic data. So there is a lot to do. From a fleet managers perspective that transition to meet a 2030 deadline would almost certainly need to begin now (taking into account lease agreements). That would certainly raise demand, and I believe automotive OEMs like Ford, who KEBA partners with, would be well placed to help fleets transition. But the date change also ramps up massive pressure on fleet managers, particularly SMEs. So perhaps there could be some tapered deadline depending on the type of fleet and size of business.

The second-hand van market is popular, especially with sole traders and SMEs. According to the Zero Emission Van Plan, for every new van sale there are 2.5 used-vans sold. But how can the used electric-van market in particular be stimulated?

I suspect this will follow the car market. It needs time and it’s a tricky one to get right. On one hand you want your vehicles to not depreciate too much which on the other hand makes the second hand market more expensive. I’m not an expert but I suspect we need a churn of vehicles and therefore short lease agreements, which would increase supply. There maybe some levers that government could use such as grants for second hand vans, specifically for SMEs.

Turning our attention to heavier vehicles, what do you believe is the best route to reaching zero emissions for HGVs? Is it purely electric or a mix of alternative fuels?

I think we see a mix of fuels in HGV. For example our 22kW EV chargers are used to power the Toot sightseeing buses in London, which was a project with our partner VEV. Personally I see

I have confidence in all forms of technology, but the one that dominates will, in the end, be driven by economics

a role for hydrogen fuel cells in HGV and there is a great bus project between Bristol and Bath which is entirely powered by human and food waste. I think I have confidence in all forms of technology but the one that dominates will in the end be driven by economics. For that reason I think electric vehicle charging as we know it will remain the dominant fuel source.

For commercial vehicle operators that cannot yet go zero-emission due to the unsuitability of vehicles, what other measures can they implement to begin the decarbonisation journey? Operate the most efficient fleet you can in terms of fuel source. Use data to really understand your fleet and plan the most economical trips possible. Invest in renewables and energy efficiency programmes in the workplace. Run an EV salary sacrifice scheme and help your employees own and operate a personal EV, and maybe measure your scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and offset your carbon emissions. M

EXPERT

Darren Gardner, country manager, KEBA UK & Ireland

Darren is the country manager of KEBA UK & Ireland, a manufacturer and distributer of the market leading carbon neutral AC EV Charging Wallbox made in Austria. Darren has been in the EV and energy industry since 2008 and has worked across a wide range of projects from fleet electrification, vehicle to grid and integration of eMobility with onsite generation and storage assets. Darren loves discussing all things eMobility and always has time for a coffee and some free advice.

Zemo Summit dissects transport decarbonisation

All facets of transport decarbonisation were discussed at Zemo Partnership’s Summit, which took place in the heart of Westminster on 3 October 2024. As media partner, GreenFleet attended the Summit. Here are our key takeaways

It’s not every day that some of the most influential voices in sustainable transport gather in one place to discuss the future of the industry.

Taking place at One Birdcage Walk in the heart of Westminster, the Zemo Partnership Summit saw speakers from across the sector come together last week.

In the welcome to the summit, Philip Sellwood CBE, chair of Zemo Partnership, and executive director Claire Haigh, said the event “couldn’t be taking place at a more important moment.”

They said this was due to average global temperatures surpassing previous records in the last year.

They added that the timing was also poignant as the new government begins to get its feet under the table, having made promises to accelerate the net zero transition. However central government can’t tackle the challenge alone.

“This is why we’ve brought together representatives of leading figures from not just the UK but from the Scottish and Welsh governments too, with sub-national transport bodies and the local government sector,” Sellwood and Haigh said.

While it is impossible to discuss everything that was covered at the comprehensive summit, we take a look at some of the key areas that were touched on.

Moving on from fossil fuels

The week of the Summit marked the end of an era, as Britain’s last coal fire power station closed, marking a hopeful transition to more sustainable fuels.

As well as this, a recent survey from Climate Outreach found that nearly two thirds (65 per cent) say they support shifting energy production from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The timing of the Zemo Summit was poignant as the new government begins to get its feet under the table, having made promises to accelerate the net zero transition

Electrification is widely accepted as an effective way to reach zero-emission transport. But there are challenges to overcome before mass adoption can be realised, especially for larger and specialist vehicles.

As Claire Haigh pointed out, it will be “decades” for all ICE vehicles to become electric, adding that renewable fuels will be needed in the meantime for an immediate reduction in emissions.

Echoing this point, Ollie Bradshaw, sustainability lead of liquid renewables at Certas Energy, discussed how alternative fuels can provide an “immediate” short-term solution for diesel and petrol vehicles to reduce emissions.

He described fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a “complimentary transition to decarbonisation” as they can be used in place of fossil diesel with little to no modification to engines.

Co-operation between sectors

Lord Deben, chair of the Council for Net Zero Transport, and former chair of the Climate Change Committee, highlighted the urgency to tackle the harm we are doing to the planet.

He said: “Because we know [about the climate crisis], we are responsible for what we know.”

He said that humans need to take responsibility for climate change, especially in the transport sector as there are widely accepted solutions to reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.

Deben said that “speed is of the essence” and part of the solution is co-operation with other parts of the industry.

As an example of this, back in April this year, the Welsh government contracted decarbonisation experts from Zemo Partnership to support the delivery of a strategy to decarbonise Wales’ commercial vehicle sector.

Collaboration was a point that was raised a number of times during the event.

As Philip Sellwood said: “If we don’t do it together, we won’t do it at all.”

Taking fleets onboard

In a separate panel, Catherine Bowen commented that 60 per cent of local authorities are not engaging with fleets about where electric vehicle infrastructure should be best placed to suit their needs.

She pointed out that it’s not just about the number of charging points being installed, it’s about the right charging infrastructure in the right locations. As fleets are currently the biggest users of EVs, they should be consulted to make sure the infrastructure meets their requirements.

She also highlighted that rental has a very important role in the EV transition. She said: “Rental has a unique position which is often overlooked in getting people into electric vehicles.” This is because drivers can experience living with an electric vehicle without the commitment of purchasing one, which is especially important if they are unsure.

Bus and coaches

Rebecca Kite, deputy regional manager for CPT, led the discussion on how to make both rural and urban bus routes more appealing to the population, as well as decarbonising the coach sector.

She said that one of the key issues facing electric buses is their range, and pointed out that coaches get no funding support to decarbonise.

Kite added that local authorities need to engage with sustainable travel solutions sooner rather than later, especially when it comes to local bus routes.

“Anything that covers a big area,” she said, “will eventually need to be a net zero vehicle.” M

BUSINESS:

• New Employee induction

• Van driver training

• General advanced training

• Training for staff

• UK familiarisation

PRIVATE:

• Younger driver advanced training

• Confidence driving courses

• Pre-court advanced training

• Post RTC courses

• Performance driving / Millbrook driver training

Prepping first time EV drivers

Organisations that have introduced electric vehicles into their fleet should ensure drivers are briefed on their unique operating requirements to maximise safety and efficiency, and to ensure drivers have a confident and positive experience

Nowadays, driving an electric vehicle is not that different from running a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle. But there are certain things to know to get the most out of an electric vehicle and to ensure a positive experience.

Get to know the vehicle

Before the keys get handed over to a new EV driver, they should be talked through the vehicle’s technology and charging procedure. This should include how to access the charging port, where the cable is located, how to find out current battery status, and how to search for a charging station.

Charging

Before an organisation adopts electric vehicles for their drivers, they need to assess how they will be charged. If a home charger could be installed, then this option should be talked

through with the employee, ensuring they know what the installation work involves and also how charging will be reimbursed.

If the driver will have to use the public charging network, then it’s worth explaining through the various types and speeds of charging available.

Ultra-Rapid chargers have speeds of 150kWh – 400kWh and can be found on motorway services or near major routes. They can charge an electric car to 80 per cent in 10 minutes to one hour, however, there is a cost premium for such a quick turnaround.

Rapid charging has speeds of 50kWh –100kWh and can typically charge an EV to 80 per cent in 20 minutes to an hour.

Fast charging has speeds of between 7kWh – 25kWh and charge times are more like two to six hours. These types of chargers are best used as destination charging, where the vehicle can be left for a number of hours. E

F It’s also worth discussing payments for public charging, highlighting that while many charge points accept contactless payments, others may require you to register first. And make sure you explain how business mileage will be paid for or reimbursed.

An EV orientation session should also include how to find public charging. Most EVs will have inbuilt sat navs or technology that will allow you to search for charging. There are apps too, such as Zap Map, which will tell you the location, speed, charge type, and the status of a chargepoint – such as if they are in use or broken.

Drivers should use regenerative braking to their advantage. They can do this by taking their foot of the accelerator to slow down and brake rather than use the brake pedal. This method will also increase the life of the brake pads

A change of mindset

Driving an electric vehicle requires a change of mindset from driving a petrol or diesel vehicle. You have to consider if the vehicle has enough battery charge to get to the destination and back again, or if you will need a charge on route.

If you do need to charge, then some research should then be done on the availability of chargers in the area.

There are around 64,000 public charging devices available in the UK, according to Zap Map figures from June 2024. What’s more, technology has improved drastically to give accurate location data and real time information on charger status.

This means that drivers can replicate a more traditional approach to refuelling, ie, seeking out charging as and when they need it during a journey.

That said, it is a good idea to do some research into charging availability before a long journey, especially in more rural locations as the charging network may be more patchy. E

F You should also add in charging time / stops when calculating how long a journey will take.

Getting the most out of your EV

Just like with traditional eco-driving skills in a petrol or diesel car, drivers of electric vehicles should avoid late breaking and heavy acceleration, which puts demand on the vehicle’s battery.

Anticipating the road ahead, such as traffic light changes and gaps on roundabouts, will result in a smoother driving style which will result in better efficiency. This style of driving is also safer, and should be a encouraged for fleet / business drivers.

There is a range of in-cab technology that can help drivers improve their driver style, either inbuilt into the vehicle or installed separately. And fleet managers can use telematics data to see which of their drivers is erratic behind the wheel, and then address the issue through training and incentive programmes.

EV drivers should consider if any extra weight is crucial as extra loads can impact the battery range.

Tyre choice is arguably important. With EVs typically weighing more and having higher torque, they place higher load on the tyre so they need to be hard-wearing. To get more range, tyres with lower rolling resistance are recommended. There are a number of EV specific tyres on the market so it’s worth doing research as a fleet manager or EV driver.

Correct tyre pressure is also important, as if the pressure is low, the tyres will be less stiff and have a higher rolling resistance and decrease range performance.

Understand regenerative braking

Electric vehicles will generally use regenerative braking to regain energy wasted during braking. As you lift your foot off the accelerator, the regenerative braking will make the car decelerate at a much quicker rate. The kinetic energy that is usually wasted is put back into the battery, adding to the range.

Drivers should therefore get into the habit of using this function to their advantage. They can do this by taking their foot of the accelerator to slow down and brake rather than use the brake pedal. This method will also increase the life of the brake pads, as they are not being used as much.

The appropriate speed

The most efficient speed for an EV is generally between 50–60 mph. The faster an EV

goes, the more energy it uses, which has a negative impact on range performance.

Electric vehicles are well known for their instant power, however, aggressive acceleration negatively affects the range of an EV, so it’s better to press gently on the accelerator and increase the speed gradually.

What else is good to know?

When charging an electric vehicle, it’s worth knowing that after 80 per cent, charging speeds tail off significantly. This is to maximise charging efficiency and protect the battery. It is good practice when charging on the public

network to not charge beyond 80 per cent, to allow other drivers to use the charge point.

There is a difference between AC and DC charging, which is mainly where the power conversion happens, and how fast the car charges.

AC chargers require the vehicle to convert the AC power to DC power before it can charge the battery. Meanwhile, DC chargers have a converter built into the charger itself, so the power is converted to DC before it’s delivered to the car. This means that DC charging is faster.

It’s worth noting that not all vehicles will be capable of ultra rapid charging. Drivers can find out in the driving manual what

their vehicle’s charging rate for AC charging is. This is good to know because there is no point paying for a ultra-rapid charge if the car cannot accept the full amount, especially if there are other options available.

There are CHAdeMO or CCS charging standards, with CCS being the most common. CHAdeMO is a charging standard that was developed by Japanese car manufacturers and can be found on Nissan EVs.

Some electric vehicles will have a driver app, which can be useful for checking charging status, scheduling charging during off peak times at home, or for heating / cooling the vehicle temperature in advance. L

Octopus Electroverse for Business: the all-in-one solution for your EVs

Octopus Electroverse for Business enables simple fleet charging with a slick management platform and driver app, allowing you to track usage, get insights, and ditch expense claims

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Overcoming electric vehicle accessibility concerns

Disabled drivers are facing some very basic accessibility barriers when it comes to electric vehicles. So what is being done to address the issue?

If the UK is to meet its net zero transport ambitions, then everybody needs to be able to make the switch to zero emission electric vehicles, including the 16 million+ disabled people in the UK.

While some motorists and business drivers may cite the usual concerns about electric vehicles, such as range anxiety or being unsure about the public charging network, these issues are heightened for disabled motorists, who can experience even the most basic accessibility barriers.

At charge points, for example, issues could include a lack of dropped kerbs, the height of the charge points, parking bays that are too small for adapted vehicles or wheel chairs, or cables not reaching. Charging cables may be too heavy to carry and the amount of force required to attach the connector could also be a challenge.

There are also issues with the vehicles themselves, as some are not tall enough for

some seated wheelchair users, or do not have enough boot space for mobility equipment. The location of the charging socket is often highlighted as key accessibility concerns for EVs.

British Paralympic athlete Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE has recently shared her own experience when looking to make the switch to electric driving. Having attended a recent meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Electric Vehicles, Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “We were very close to buying an electric car but when we started looking at the accessibility of the charging stations it very quickly became apparent that it was a complete no-go.

“Many of the charging stations we looked at, I would not be able to use for many reasons which include the height of the charging stations, high steps, gravel, and no wide spaces.

“One place we looked at I might have been able to use the charger but there were

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has backed calls for EV charging sites to have accessible charging mandated

no accessible spaces so I could not get my chair out of the car to be able to use it. There was also an issue with lighting. One place I checked later at night felt very isolated and I was not sure I would feel safe getting out.”

An earlier meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) saw Welsh Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords, Baroness Jenny Randerson, call for urgent government action to address accessibility issues. She said: “We live in an ageing society and around one in five adults have a disability. It’s essential that charging point infrastructure is provided with all drivers in mind. The UK cannot transition to EVs unless we can all use them. The industry needs to see the bigger picture – everyone is a potential customer.”

What can be done?

Research by Motability Foundation predicts that 1.35 million disabled drivers will be partially or fully reliant on public charging infrastructure by 2035. It is therefore of paramount importance that accessibility issues must be addressed. To make the public charging network more user-friendly for disabled motorists, British specification PAS 1899:2022 identifies how to provide accessible public charge points for electric vehicles. Co-sponsored by the Motability Foundation and the government, it can be used by designers, procurers, and installers.

However, as British specifications are voluntary unless referred to in legislation, at present, charge point providers, landowners and land administrators are under no legal obligation to conform with the standard.

Indeed, a Freedom of Information request from Vauxhall to councils across the country has shown that only 238 of the 19,456 on-street charge points in the UK are known to conform to PAS 1899. And only 105 on-street chargers are positioned in disabled parking bays.

Some of the voices putting their weight behind the calls for PAS 1899:2022 to be mandated are ChargeSafe, Motability Foundation, RECHARGE UK, as well as the aforementioned individuals Baroness Jenny Randerson and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Pockets of good practice

In May 2023, Dundee City Council opened its new public EV charging hub on Clepington Road, which has an emphasis on accessibility. Installed by Swarco Smart Charging, in consultation with Urban Foresight, along with disabled drivers, charities and manufacturers, the design takes into account guidance

Research

by Motability Foundation predicts that 1.35 million disabled drivers will be partially or fully reliant on public charging infrastructure by 2035

from the BSI PAS 1899:2022, with measures including longer cables to allow for wheelchair access vehicles, as well as level access from the parking bay to the charge point. Carefully considered wheel stops prevent vehicles from encroaching on the space between the front of the bays and the chargers.

Vauxhall’s Electric Streets database allows drivers to register their need for local on street charging, and can also say whether they need it with particular requirements to suit their disability.

The vehicles

It’s not only the design of the charging infrastructure that can pose issues. According to research from Motability Foundation, disabled people believe their requirements are not being sufficiently considered in the design and production of EVs. Examples of unsuitable design features included some electric vehicles not being tall enough for some seated wheelchair users, or not enough boot space for mobility equipment. The position of the battery is a key concern for adapters and converters, and is a particular challenge to producing small Wheelchair Assisted Vehicles (WAVs), which are the preferred size for many WAV users.

Motability Operations and Callum have recently worked together to create the eVITA concept vehicle which addresses the needs of passenger WAV users. Critical to the design of eVITA is the positioning of the battery. Its design ensures that the floor between the vehicle tailgate and front row is completely flat. This allows a wheelchair to smoothly travel from the rear ramp through the interior and be positioned nearer other occupants. With a ride height closer to that of a hatchback car, the wheelchair user has an improved lower seating position with better visibility in the cabin.

eVITA features two charging ports – one at the nearside rear and a lower frontmounted option for ease of access for all users. The vehicle’s 50kWh battery provides an anticipated range of around 200 miles. L

Diamond Partner

Adapting EVs for everyone

Adaptations for age related or diagnosed conditions as well as anyone who needs a little extra help making the most of their EV We help expand your EV fleet for all drivers

Book a free adaptation assessment for you and your team with our nationwide EV demonstrators.

Maximise your fleet with adaptations

We believe no team member should be left out or lose independence because of the company’s fleet of vehicles

Vehicle adaptations transform the way someone with either age related mobility issues or a diagnosed condition can access and drive a car, but with the rise of EVs, many people are still unaware that these can be installed just as easily and at the same price as traditional fuel vehicles.

We offer an extensive range of adaptations that can be fitted to most makes and models to ensure everyone on your team has access to their preferred vehicle. Whether they need that extra bit of help to get seated, drive or even

stow a mobility device, we have a solution for everyone’s individual requirements.

At Mobility in Motion, we pride ourselves on providing the complete service, from an initial needs-based assessment enabling us to select the correct products based on suitability and vehicle compatibility, right through to fuss-free installation though our network of nationwide installers and a dedicated aftercare support team, ensuring we’re always here to help.

And as most of our adaptations are non-intrusive, when your vehicles come to the end of their lease, we can return them back to OEM conditions.

Adapt your fleet to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to EV. Explore our adaptations in action by clicking below. M

Motability Operations drives a more accessible electric vehicle transition

Accessibility must be considered at every stage of planning the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Jonathan Jenkins, head of innovation at Motability Operations, shares explains how the organisation is supporting its customers through the switch

that something needs to change, to make the transition work for all. Both Motability Operations and the Motability Foundation believe the shift to electric provides a fresh opportunity to reimagine accessible design, ensuring that the future is inclusive.

As the UK moves towards the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, Motability Operations, the UK’s largest leasing company is ensuring disabled people are not left behind. Over 60,000 Motability Scheme customers have already joined the EV revolution, but barriers to adoption remain for some disabled people.

Research conducted by the organisation shows that 72 per cent of customers aren’t confident about using the public EV charging network and two thirds feel like they can’t afford an EV. This customer data highlights

Motability Operations is working with industry to help remove some of these barriers, because ultimately if the transition works for their customers, then it will work for all. Jonathan explained: “Around half of our customers don’t have access to off-street parking, and they’ve told us that paying for public charging is more difficult than it needs to be. We’ve worked with innovative tech company, Paua, to develop ‘Motability Go Charge’, an app and card to streamline payments at 45,000 UK public chargepoints, and guide customers to the most convenient chargepoints.”

‘Motability Go Charge’ covers 70 per cent of all the UK’s rapid chargepoints, and it’s already been rolled out for free to all electric car drivers on the Motability Scheme. Next year the company will announce a further innovation to improve access to public charging for its customers. Jon added: “We’ve learnt a lot from our work in this space and we are developing a solution that will make this experience even better for our customers. Watch this space!”

Meanwhile, the Motability Foundation has also partnered with the UK Government to cosponsor an accessibility standard for public chargepoints, BSI PAS 1899:2022. The standard provides clear specifications for making public chargepoints accessible and was developed by experts working with disabled people.

The organsisation has now also endorsed assessment schemes, so chargepoint providers have a way of checking if their infrastructure is compliant. The Motability Foundation is calling for the PAS 1899 standard to be made mandatory with a phased approach, and continues to engage with government departments, MPs, local authorities, providers, landowners and manufacturers to highlight this issue.

The design of today’s EV also poses some challenges for wheelchair users and specifically electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV) conversion. This is down to the architecture of a small or medium EV, specifically where the

vehicle’s battery is located in the floor, as it can limit the conversion into an eWAV.

Typically, the batteries are not flat, featuring a raised portion which limits cabin height and creates an uneven floor. This restricts access for wheelchair users and forces them to consider larger and more expensive vehicles. But it doesn’t have to be like this – and Motability Operations is showing what is possible in this space.

Motability Operations has been working with Warwick-based car design firm CALLUM, founded by Ian Callum CBE, to develop a concept eWAV. Named eVITA, this next generation eWAV demonstrates innovative design solutions so wheelchair users can remain mobile in the EV transition.

“The eVITA design shows what could be possible, if accessibility was considered from the beginning,” says Jonathan.

“But we need the industry to work with us to make this a reality. We are urging organisations across the automotive industry to work with us to find solutions that really work for our customers.”

If you think you can help, make an accessible EV transition a reality for Motability Scheme customers, get in touch with the innovation team via the Motability Operations website M

The EV Rally of Scotland

This summer’s EV Rally of Scotland saw teams navigate nearly 600 miles in electric vehicles as a true test of the Scottish charging network

The first EV Rally of Scotland (EVROS) took place in 2021 to coincide with COP26, with the aim of showcasing and testing the public charging infrastructure in Scotland. Fast forward to its fourth incarnation in 2024, the Rally continued to challenge teams as they tackled nearly 600 miles over two days – taking in both areas with plenty of charging, as well as more rural areas where charging is sparse.

Supported by Transport Scotland, The EV Rally of Scotland kicked off from Falcon Square in Inverness, hosted by The Highland Council. Once the flags were waved, teams made their way to the north coast, stopping at designated checkpoints and taking in the stunning Scottish scenery before they reached their final destination in Thurso, having completed 266 all-electric miles.

Day two saw Teams progress across the north coast, taking in John O’Groats, before heading south, along the part-coastal ‘Electric A9’. Teams passed through Inverness, before heading to Aviemore, then down to Perth, followed by Falkirk to the finish in Edinburgh Zoo – completing 319 miles.

Teams and partners

Team Maxus were behind the wheel of its new E-Deliver 7 mid-size electric commercial

vehicle, as well as the all-electric T90 Pick-Up. Maxus was also the Event Logistics Partner, providing logistics crews with electric vans to set up and break down checkpoints.

Team AA took to the road in a Skoda Enyaq and ID Buzz. As the Rally’s Roadside Assistance Partner, The AA was on standby incase teams experienced any problems.

Drivetech meanwhile was the Rally’s Driver Training Partner, who offered ecodriving and safety tips so drivers could get the most out of their vehicles.

Evolt was the Rally’s charging partner and provided teams with access to the entire ChargePlace Scotland network with an RFID card and dedicated app.

BMW was the event’s Vehicle Partner, supplying BMW i5s and i5 tourings to the GREENFLEET media team John Curtis and Karl O’Sullivan, and journalists from The Scotsman, as well as senior management teams Jason Devoto and Colin Boyton.

Other teams that took part in the Rally were Speedy Hire, AM Phillip, MAR, Scottish Water, Motability Operations, Eagle Couriers, ScotRail, Transport Scotland and Highland Council.

Councillor Sarah Janet from The Highland Council took part, keen to see the progress that the Scottish public charging infrastructure has

achieved. She said: “Electric cars are improving all the time; the range is getting better and more and more infrastructure is being added. I’m looking forward to testing where were are today in terms of charging, particularly in areas like the Highlands, the north and the west coast.”

Jamie Dunsmore from Transport Scotland noted: “It’s been great being in a convoy of so many electric vehicles.”

Charging innovation

The EV Rally of Scotland highlighted some innovations when it comes to charging in places where there are no public chargers available. Tronius showcased its containerised EV charging solution, the first of its kind to be manufactured in Scotland. And Norco demonstrated its Go Anywhere portable charging solution which can be used in areas that can’t get an electrical connection.

Efficient Drivers

The data uncovered from the Rally showed that the most efficient drivers were team Evolt/ Swarco, who achieved 113 per cent of WLTP. In joint second place was Speedy Hire and The AA/Drivetech, who both achieved 111 per cent. Third place meanwhile went to Transport Scotland, who achieved 106 per cent, beating what manufacturers say can be done.

A three-day roadshow

The EV Rally of Scotland took place after GREENFLEET Scotland, a three day roadshow that went to Edinburgh, Dundee, and Inverness. Delegates were able to hear keynote sessions from Transport Scotland, Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA), ChargePlace Scotland and Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP). Other sessions were hosted by Logistics UK, Zemo Partnership, and the BVRLA. M

www.ev-rally.co.uk/evros

• Full turnkey supply & installation with OZEV & MCS accreditation

• Free site surveys, consultations & feasibility studies

• We provide hardware, back office, groundworks, signage, grid connections & servicing

• Domestic & Commercial installations

• Our ‘Voltcare’ programme offers service & maintenance availble for your existing EV charging hardware

We offer impartial advice from our dedicated team, supporting over 5,400 customers in the last 10 years. Charging your EV from Solar PV array allows operating charging costs from 0p/kWh*

To arrange a free consultation and site visit where we can assist in the design, grant applications and full installation for your business:

Driving down charging costs with solar PV and battery storage solutions

If you really want to reduce charging costs, solar power can be transformational, putting you in control of energy and emissions

The question now is not ‘how do we charge EVs?’ but ‘how can we reduce charging costs of EVs?’ While the price of electricity increased recently, businesses with workplace charging and solar have not felt the affect as much as others.

Protecting your fleet from fluctuating electricity prices can be tackled with workplace charge points that currently attract over £7,000 grant funding for SMEs. Home charging can be even cheaper with overnight electricity from 8p/kWh compared to some 79p/kWh public charging. Choose to work with experienced partners like Jorro and they can provide automated billing and turnkey installation service for your drivers.

However if you really want to reduce those costs, solar can be transformational. Generating your own power puts you in control of energy and emissions. A typical 50kW system can provide eight vehicles with over 140 free miles per day. If your vehicles are away during the day, we provide battery storage to ‘time shift’ the free power to when they need to charge. With fully funded solutions or competitive financing available, you can now save over £1,400 per vehicle per year compared to public EV rates, with no up front cost to the business or organisation. M

Pweru Cymru wyrddach

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn falch i gefnogi Evolution Cymru 2024. Mae symud i gerbydau trydan yn rhan o’r ateb i ostwng allyriadau o deithio. Rydym yn parhau i fuddsoddi mewn seilwaith a gwefru cerbydau trydan yng Nghymru i sicrhau bod pawb yn teimlo’n hyderus wrth newid i gerbydau trydan. Mae gan Gymru mwy na 2,770 o fannau gwefru ar gael i’r cyhoedd.

Chwilia: Gweithredu ar Hinsawdd Cymru

Powering a greener Wales

The Welsh Government is pleased to support Evolution Cymru 2024. Switching to electric vehicles is part of the solution to cutting emissions from travel. We continue to invest in EV charging and infrastructure to ensure everyone feels confident when making the switch to EVs. Wales now has over 2,770 publicly accessible charging points.

Search: Climate Action Wales

The EV Rally comes to Wales this November

Launched in collaboration with the Welsh Government, EV Rally Cymru will see teams in electric vehicles travel over 500 miles across Wales as a real life test of the country’s charging infrastructure

After the EV Rally kicked off in Cardiff in July 2023, it was quickly agreed that the Rally concept would return in 2024, with an event entirely based in Wales to showcase the country’s growing EV infrastructure.

Launched in collaboration with the Welsh Government and Climate Action Wales, EV Rally Cymru will be a key highlight of Climate Action Week.

Teams will assemble on the startline in Cardiff on 13 November before setting off on their two-day, 500+ mile journey.

The route

Designed to be a real-life test of electric vehicles and public charging infrastructure in Wales, teams will visit designated checkpoints on route, taking in dramatic Welsh scenery, as well as visiting clean energy projects, including a wind farm.

After the flag waves vehicles off in Cardiff, teams will make their way through mid-Wales, taking in Brecon Beacons, Powys and up past Llangollen, finishing day one on the north coast, in Bangor, completing more than 230 all-electric miles.

Day two sees the Teams heading south through Blaenau Ffestiniog, down to Machynlleth, Aberystwyth, via Cardigan and then across to Neath Port Talbot for the Finish.

Rally partners and teams

Assisting the organisers will be Event Logistics Partner, Maxus whose award-winning electric vans will be used by set-up crews.

The AA is the Rally’s Roadside Assistance Partner and will have their iconic yellow vans ready should any of the Teams need them.

Driver Training Partner DriveTech will offer eco-driving and safety tips to enable drivers to maximise safety and efficiency.

Partnering with Paua, Voltric is the rally’s Charge Card Partner. This will give teams access to free charging across 3,551 connectors in Wales at 1,360 charging locations. Voltric and Paula will also develop the dedicated EV Rally Cymru app.

BYD is the Official Vehicle Partner, providing electric cars to the event senior management and the media team.

Teams participating in the Rally include the Welsh Government, MAXUS, Speedy Hire, The AA, Drivetech, MAR, Motability, Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions, National Grid, Evolt Charging, Voltric, Paua, and BYD.

Watch the teams as they progress across social media here . M

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.ev-rally.co.uk/evroc

The importance of the used-EV market

The second-hand electric vehicle market is crucial to meeting the government’s decarbonisation targets. So how can it be stimulated to boost demand and stabilise prices?

With new electric vehicles (EVs) still proving to be more expensive than their petrol and diesel counterparts, many prospective EV buyers look to the second-hand market. Auto Express estimated that in the first quarter of 2024, 41,505 used electric cars entered the market – a two-third increase on the same period in 2023. However, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) found in a recent survey that the value of used EVs has fallen by 50 per cent over the last two years. They also warned that the sector could see further drops later down the line if no action is taken.

While this creates a short-term benefit to used-EV buyers, it comes at a huge cost to the finance companies and dealers who have pressure to increase the monthly lease rates for new EVs to cover their potential losses. This therefore affects buyers of new EVs.

BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Keaney, said: “New EVs are expensive while used EVs are stunningly cheap and getting cheaper, but someone needs to pay for this price gap.

“It is motor finance companies and new EV drivers that are footing the bill, through massive depreciation and increased lease rates. These are the fleets and customers that

have been responsible for driving demand for EVs up to now. We cannot afford for them to lose confidence in the transition.”

Battery standardisation

In Labour’s automotive sector plan , the party said they would support buyers of second-hand electric cars by standardising the information supplied on the condition of batteries.

This plan was discussed at July’s meeting of the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA).

Philip Nothard, chair at the VRA, said: “One of the recurring themes of our discussions at the meeting was that arriving at a standard measure of battery health is quite difficult – there are many ways to measure battery health and present the results, as well as question marks over which are most meaningful to consumers. The government has some quite tricky decisions to make.”

The Association of Fleet Professionals’ (AFP) Paul Hollick said he believes a governmentstandardised battery health check would be very useful, providing a high degree of reassurance for used EV buyers. But he cautions that more also needs to be done to stimulate the second hand market.

He said: “We believe that this is an area that almost certainly needs a degree of

In

Labour’s automotive sector plan,

the party said they would support buyers of second-hand electric cars by standardising the information supplied on the condition of batteries

financial support, such as through used EV grants or low-cost loans. How likely we are to see those moves from a Labour Party that continually stresses the need for financial control is open to question, however.”

Zemo’s guide to used EVs

Zemo Partnership, an independent non-profit partnership, works with the government and their members to help shape future policy, create influential transport initiatives, and provide advice to those working to reduce transport emissions. In April, the organisation published a new Best Practice Guide , which aims to help those that sell or assist in the selling of EVs consistently communicate key information to prospective buyers of used EVs.

Zemo said it launched the guide to help buyers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), in particular, as they need to understand new categories of information, different units of measurement and an array of new features and capabilities associated with electric propulsion. E

F Zemo hoped the guide would also help to dispel a lot of confusing information that buyers can come across in their research. It is specifically tailored for those involved in selling used EVs, whether online or in person. Through the guide, used car dealers are provided

with direction on what information should be included in sales materials for electric cars and the reasons for its inclusion. Through this route, Zemo aims to provide consistency and clarity across the consumer’s used EV purchase journey. Report author Zemo’s Naomi Brandon-Bravo said: “Making an informed decision to buy a used electric vehicle requires time and research. I hope that by explaining and clarifying many of the key terms and things to consider when buying a used EV, more consumers will be encouraged to make the leap into an electric motoring future.”

Happy EV After Campaign

To stimulate and restore confidence in the used-EV market, the BVRLA has launched the #happyEVafter campaign, in conjunction with Auto Trader, EVA England and the NFDA. The coalition is asking the government to launch an information campaign to counter negative EV myths, support standardised battery health certificates, and launch a targeted Used EV Plug-in Grant. It also calls for a cut on VAT on used EVs by 50 per cent for four years, provide 0 per cent Benefit-in-Kind tax rate for used EVs for four years, and allow the Civil Service to access used EV Salary Sacrifice schemes. L

GREENFLEET Road-to-Zero Roundtable: South West

GREENFLEET took its Road to Zero Roundtable series to Taunton Racecourse on 5 September to hear how fleets and industry professionals in the South West are working towards net-zero transport

Taunton Racecourse and Conference Centre hosted the recent GREENFLEET Road to Zero Roundtable, which saw a gathering of fleet professionals discuss their progress – and challenges – towards transport decarbonisation.

Hosted by Kate Armitage, and partnered by ElectrAssure and Quartix UK, the conversation in the room revealed that electrification is firmly on the radar, with most delegates having a transition plan. However, electric vehicle charging infrastructure continues to throw-up challenges for fleets. Having a strong charging strategy is a must, with business continuity and resilience being a central element. Staff training of the charging equipment is absolutely critical, both for users and on site technical support.

Telematics was cited as a valuable tool for planning future infrastructure requirements, and can also help separate the fact from the fiction.

When it comes to operators of electric vans and trucks, the roundtable showed that payload and the need for auxiliary power continues to be a big barrier. Positively, a few fleets in attendance had experienced the phase-out of niche ICE vehicles, and it is clear that this is only going to become more common.

Public sector fleets meanwhile spoke of how they are typically Capex funded, and this is a challenge with the high upfront costs of BEVs and infrastructure.

Watch the full roundtable discussion below L

Vauxhall Corsa Electric

The original iteration of the Corsa Electric introduced the idea of Vauxhall’s EV passenger car models on its arrival in 2020. Richard Gooding discovers that the recently refreshed version offers more technology, more power, and a longer range

What is it?

Originally known as the Corsa-e, the all-electric version of Vauxhall’s popular small car is based on Stellantis’ ‘e-Common Modular Platform (e-CMP) which underpins other models from the group. The small EV underwent a refresh for 2023, adding a long range 51kWh battery option alongside the existing 50kWh choice. Vauxhall was named the GreenFleet 2023 Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year at the GreenFleet Awards, and it was this car that laid the foundation for its other EVs.

What range does it have?

Unlike its predecessor, the refreshed Vauxhall Corsa Electric comes with a choice of two batteries. Both lithium-ion units, the entry level 50kWh battery is the same as before, and can officially travel up to 221 miles on a single charge on the WLTP combined test cycle. The larger 51kWh battery – that comes with a more powerful electric motor – officially manages up to 248 miles under the same testing protocols.

How long does it take to charge?

Plug the Corsa Electric into a 7kW home wallbox and a flat to full recharge will take just under eight hours. An 11kW AC chargepoint will refill the battery in the same state of charge increments in just over five hours, while a 100kW DC rapid charger connection takes around 30 minutes to fill either battery from 0-80 per cent. Vauxhall’s supermini EV has a standard on-board 11kW AC charger.

How does it drive?

One of the Corsa Electric’s trump cards is that it doesn’t immediately look different to its ICEpowered siblings. Its appearance is similar to the outgoing model but Vauxhall’s new ‘Vizor’ grille makes it a lot smarter. Inside, there’s a more traditional feel, too, but that is a key part of this car’s appeal. There are physical buttons for the air conditioning, and the 10-inch colour touchscreen is sharp and angled towards the driver for ease of use. Quality is equal to others in the class, but there are some plastics that feel wanting for the price.

On the move, the Corsa Electric is quiet, with only road noise being audible. It feels agile and quite spirited through corners, with responsive handling, and a sense of the weight (in relation to the battery) being low down in the car. Accurate steering enables you to place the Corsa Electric easily on the road, and a good overall level of damping – though it can sometimes err on the firm side – helps to make it fun to drive, but comfortable, too.

Three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Sport – allow tailoring of the driving experience, with Eco limiting the power to around 80bhp, and switching off all unnecessary energy-consuming features to help eke out available range. A stronger regenerative braking ‘B’ setting also increases the level of force when the car is decelerating, feeding more energy back into the battery.

Model tested: Vauxhall Corsa Electric Ultimate Long Range

What does it cost?

Priced from £32,445, the entry level Design trim offers 16-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch colour touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, cruise control, keyless start, rear parking sensors, headlight high beam assist as well as lane departure and speed sign recognition systems.

The Corsa Electric Yes is a limited edition model, and adds a black exterior styling pack and a unique ‘Record Red’ colour, yet from £26,895, is the cheapest version of Vauxhall’s small EV.

The GS trim begins at £34,080, and includes features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, a black roof and dark-tinted rear windows, climate control, navigation, a panoramic rear view camera, a smartphone wireless charging pad, and sports seats. The top-specification Ultimate (as tested here fitted with the 51kWh battery) is priced from £37,190 with highlights including LED Matrix headlights and LED tail lights, adaptive cruise control, a seven-inch digital driver’s display, alcantara seat trim, driver seat massage function, heated front seats and steering wheel and a blind spot alert system.

The Corsa Electric Design and Yes are only available with the smaller 50kWh battery, while the GS has the option of both this and the 51kWh

unit. The Ultimate only comes with the 51kWh battery.

How much does it cost to tax?

Similarly to all electric vehicles currently on sale in the UK, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric is currently exempt from VED charges in both its first and subsequent years of registration. For the 20242025 tax year, it has a Benefit In Kind (BIK) value of two per cent.

Why does my fleet need one?

Shunning the trendy or glitzy feel of certain other EVs, being a sensible small electric car has done the Corsa Electric a lot of favours. Just as before, it remains a wholly resolved small EV, with good on-road manners, and an easygoing, easy-to-use nature. For those fleet drivers who favour little fuss with clear get-in-and-go capability, the Corsa Electric is still a compelling choice. L

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.vauxhall.co.uk

Vauxhall Corsa Electric

POWERTRAIN: 100kW (134bhp) electric motor, 50kWh battery, front-wheel drive / 115kW (154bhp) electric motor, 51kWh battery, front-wheel drive

RANGE (WLTP, combined): 221*-248** miles

OFFICIAL EFFICIENCY (WLTP combined): 3.8**-4.3*mpkWh

GF EFFICIENCY: 3.6mpkWh

CO2: 0g/km

VED: £0 first-year, £0 thereafter

BIK: 2%

PRICE (OTR): £26,895-£38,585 (including VAT)

London Build 2024

Taking place on 20-21 November 2024 at the Grand & National Halls in London’s Olympia, London Build will uncover the latest trends and technologies shaping the UK’s built environment

On 20-21 November, the UK’s leading and largest construction show, London Build, is back and this year it’s set for its biggest edition yet, with brand-new, exciting features and stages for attendees to discover.

London Build 2024 is doubling in size, taking over both Grand & National Halls at Olympia London. Attracting over 35,000 attendees, tickets give access to over 700 incredible speakers across 12 CPD stages, 450+ exhibitors, feature areas, networking parties, entertainment, DJs, and live music through the Festival of Construction.

Attendees will get the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, discover upcoming project opportunities, and uncover the latest trends and technologies shaping the UK’s built environment. With 12 dedicated conference stages running over the two days, topics

include the tall buildings boom, driving for a more sustainable future, the importance of diversity, mental health and wellbeing in construction, and innovations in MMC. With a focus on electric vehicles, the Construction Leadership Council will launch its Construct Zero Electric Vehicles report on the Sustainability Stage on 20 November, with Eric Renfrew from Balfour Beatty confirmed as a speaker. There will also be a panel discussion on a “Circular Future in Construction: Redefining Sustainability in the UK”.

London Build Fire & Security

Due to such high demand from the industry, the London Build Fire & Security Expo will be taking over Olympia London’s National Hall in 2024 in its own dedicated, stand-alone show!

Co-hosted alongside London Build 2024, it will feature over 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest cutting-edge technologies and solutions in fire safety & security and over 100 thought leaders speaking on dedicated conference stages for fire safety and building security, including panel discussions, workshops and interactive demos from leading end-users and industry experts.

Skyscraper & Tall Buildings Stage

For the first time, London Build will have an entire stage dedicated to Skyscrapers and Tall Buildings, with a two-day conference bringing decision makers together to innovate and share successful strategies for creating sustainable and impressive high-rise structures. Be prepared to discover groundbreaking technologies, gain invaluable insights, and stay at the forefront of the construction industry. Hear from industry leaders from AECOM, The City of London, Knight Frank, Robert Bird Group, Savills, SOM and many more.

AI & Digital Construction Stage and CPD Workshops

Each year the London Build AI & Digital Construction Stage attracts thousands of digital construction professionals from across the UK to learn about the latest

technology and innovations from across the sector. This year sees the addition of a brand new Digital Construction Workshop stage, featuring in-depth presentations showcasing the latest technology, innovation and digital transformation tools from leading industry experts.

London Build is free to attend and promises two fun-filled days of highlevel content, networking opportunities and endless entertainment.

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DRIVEN TO DO