A pioneer of safety and low-emission initiatives'
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FleetNews March 28, 2019
FleetNews
March 28 2019 £6.00
WORKPLACE PARKING LEVY
CommercialFleet
INCORPORATING
Fleet News Awards 2019
■
VEHICLE-TO-GRID CHARGING
‘A pioneer of safety and
low-emission initiatives’
■
WEX EUROPE SERVICES
...and a Newcastle United supporter. The penny finally drops as Graham Telfer
(and wife Alison) realises he has entered the Fleet News Hall of Fame. Full details inside
■
TOYOTA COROLLA FIRST DRIVE
■
COMMERCIAL FLEET
CONTENTS
NEWS AND
OPINION
4 Imminent ULEZ prompts
renewed calls for state aid
6 Comment: Lack of clear
Government guidance on
CAZs is unacceptable
9 Fleets in limbo as Chancellor
avoids clarifying tax position
10 Surge of interest in EVs not
matched by battery supply
11 Safety concerns delay
recovery of crashed EVs
12 The past month’s news headlines
16 Have your say
98 Last word: Alison Bell
TOMORROW’S
FLEET: STRATEGY
20 Workplace parking levies –
four things fleets should know PARKING
24 Easy money? The profit
potential of vehicle to grid
LEVIES
P20 IN THE TELEMATICS AND
CAMERAS P92
SPOTLIGHT
FLEET NEWS 70 Wex sets out its growth plan
for Esso fuel cards
AWARDS 2019 FLEET
NEWS
31 A 39-page special celebrating AWARDS
TODAY’S FLEET:
PAY LESS BIK.
COVERAGE
the very best in fleet P31
OPERATIONS
72 Policy benchmarking highlights
GET MORE SUV.
a possible costly problem
74 Techniques for developing
relationships with suppliers
IGNITION COMMERCIAL
76 Toyota Corolla FLEET
84 ‘Shocking’ lack of infrastructure
Corolla is ‘performing’ again
79 Lexus UX is holding back electric trucks
New Grandland X. Tax savings increase its popularity
81 Our test fleet
87 Kangoo ZE 33 uptake hampered
by battery supply delays
Keeps calm. Carries on. 88 Keeping a grip on the budget is
not an easy ride for TMs
BiK from 24%† | P11D from £23,190 | CO2 from 111g/km* | Combined 37.2 to 54.3 mpg#
91 Compliance advice from FTA
92 Dashcams give fleet managers
greater control
96 Vauxhall Combo Cargo
Search Vauxhall 3DTD First van since PSA took over
97 Renault D-Range 6x2
Fuel economy# and CO2* results for the Grandland X. Combined mpg (l/100km): 37.2 (7.6) – 54.3 (5.1). CO2 emissions: 128 – 111g/km. TOYOTA COROLLA P76 Unsung hero has safety
#
Fuel consumption figures are determined according to the WLTP test cycle. *CO2 emissions figures are determined according to the WLTP test cycle however, a Government formula is then applied features in abundance
to translate these figures back to what they would have been under the outgoing NEDC test cycle, which WLTP replaces. The correct tax treatment is then applied. Figures are intended for
comparability purposes only. The fuel consumption you achieve under real life driving conditions and CO2 produced will depend upon a number of factors, including the accessories fitted after
registration, variations in driving styles, weather conditions and vehicle load. Only compare fuel consumption and CO2 with other vehicles tested using the same technical procedures. For more
information contact your local Vauxhall Retailer. †2018/19 tax year. Vauxhall Motors Limited does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with fleetnews.co.uk ■ March 28 2019 3
regards to their own tax position. 3 Day Test Drive terms and conditions apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please call 0330 587 8221 for full details. All figures quoted correct at time of going
to press (March 2019).
NEWS: CLEAN AIR
London’s imminent ULEZ prompts
renewed calls for Government aid £270m
per year from non-compliant
£48m
scrappage fund
£52.2m
Government funding
60,000
vehicles could fall foul
vehicles entering for cars and vans for Birmingham CAZ of ULEZ charge
London ULEZ in London
Birmingham receives £38m to help businesses adapt to CAZ, but there’s no consistency
By Gareth Roberts company cars will escape charges, days per week. With fees for non- expense of another.” However, he
ith just a matter of where levied, due to their relatively compliant vehicles to enter the admitted it had cost his business
W days to go before the
launch of London’s
Ultra-Low Emission
Zone (ULEZ), the fleet industry has
short replacement cycles of, on
average, three years.
However, vans and trucks can
have much longer replacement
ULEZ starting from £12.50 for a car
or a van to £100 for a truck, that
would equate to more than
£750,000 per day or more than
£3m to make sure it was “ULEZ
ready”.
To help micro-businesses –
defined as those with 10 or fewer
again called for more support to cycles, increasing the likelihood of £270 million per year in charges employees – and charities adapt to
help businesses comply with clean mixed fleets running non-compliant Alex Williams, TfL director of city the new zone in London, a van
air zones (CAZs). vehicles, and incurring charges. planning, said: “We have been scrappage scheme has been
More than 60 towns and cities Vans, on average, are typically working hard to ensure drivers are launched with £23m available. A
are currently considering new replaced every four years, but aware that their vehicle needs to be further £25m has been earmarked
measures to tackle pollution, some fleet operators may sweat compliant if they are to avoid paying for a separate car scrappage
including the introduction of CAZs. their assets for much longer, for up the charge. We have also been scheme, which will launch later
As a result, almost every corner to eight years, while trucks can supporting businesses in their this year.
of the UK will be implementing stay on the fleet for 10-12 years. preparations – with many already The van scrappage scheme
some form of air improvement City Hall is expected to publish making the move to comply.” offers qualifying businesses £6,000
strategy within the next few years, new figures on how many vehicles to buy an electric van or £3,500
leading to further calls for a could be impacted by London’s TfL ADVICE TO FLEETS towards the purchase or lease of a
consistent approach to how rules new zone, which comes in force TfL says it has engaged with more Euro 6 diesel.
are applied. from April 8, in the next few days. than 6,000 fleets to advise them of Caroline Sandall, director at ESE
The Freight Transport Associa- Previous research suggested that their options and has worked with Consulting and deputy chair of fleet
tion (FTA) says it would like to see around 45% of all cars, 40% of light London’s business groups to reach representative body ACFO, said
more support for those who will goods vehicles (LGVs) and more “thousands more”. fleets will be “running the
struggle most to comply with than one-in-three (38%) trucks will Recycling firm First Mile, which numbers” to see whether, in the
CAZs, such as small businesses need to pay the charge. services more than 25,000 busi- short term, paying the charge or
and operators of specialist fleets. Around a fifth of the total LGV nesses in London with a fleet of 70 replacing the vehicle makes most
Natalie Chapman, FTA head of fleet is still expected to be non- vehicles, has consolidated collect- financial sense.
urban policy, explained: “The diffi- compliant in 2025, while virtually ions to reduce vehicle movements “For some businesses, espe-
culty is that for some fleets they are all HGVs are expected to meet the and uses cargo bikes to deliver cially the smaller ones, this does
locked into lease agreements that required Euro VI standard. waste bags. create a burden over and above
will be expensive to get out of or Transport for London (TfL) has Bruce Bratley, First Mile CEO, what one could expect to be part of
they may struggle to get replace- suggested that up to 60,000 said: “It makes sense to operate normal business planning,” added
ment vehicles in time, especially if vehicles could fall foul of the with the lowest possible impact on Sandall.
they require significant after- London’s new ULEZ charge, which air quality; it would be futile to solve To qualify for London’s van scrap-
market bodywork.” will operate 24 hours a day, seven one environmental issue at the page scheme, businesses and
charities will have to be registered
AIR POLLUTION THREAT TO HEALTH in London or have entered the
The warning comes as Public existing Congestion Charging Zone
Health England (PHE) said 28,000 52 times in the past six months and
to 36,000 deaths in the UK each provide a certificate of destruction
year could be attributed to long- for a non-compliant vehicle.
term exposure to air pollution Micro-business Clean Cover
(fleetnews.co.uk, March 11). operates three non-compliant
The organisation’s
describes air pollution as the
report GOVERNMENT
OVERNMENT SHOULD
SHOUL BE vans within the ULEZ, with the
business based outside the capital.
biggest environmental threat to WORKING MORE CLOSELY WITH Owner Sharon Lloyd welcomed
health in the UK, and outlines a
series of recommendations for
CITY COUNCILS AND PROVIDING the help offered through the van
scrappage scheme.
improving air quality, including MONETARY SUPPORT LIKE However, she said: “As a small
stopping cars idling near school
gates, promoting car pool lanes,
SCRAPPAGE SCHEMES business, I feel like we’re being
priced out of the capital. Upgrading Birmingham had sought close
providing priority parking for vehicles, even with this support, to £69m in Government aid for
electric cars and employing low will be a struggle.” its CAZ, but, instead, received
emission or clean air zones. CAROLINE SANDALL, ACFO AND ESE CONSULTING The level of support available to a little more than £52m
As it stands, the vast majority of fleets will vary from one zone to
4 March 28 2019 ■ fleetnews.co.uk fleetnews.co.uk ■ March 28 2019 5
NEWS: clean air opiNioN: clientearth
the next. Birmingham, which has
just had its CAZ approved by Govern-
ment, will also charge cars, vans
anyway,” she said. “The benefits of
CAZs will be short-lived. The Euro
VI/6 vehicles that will be required,
Government’s lack
and trucks that don’t meet the latest
emission standards to enter the city.
will enter the vehicle fleet on their
own accord as part of the natural
of clear guidance and
It will cover all roads within the
A4540 Middleway ring road and is
due to come into effect from January
fleet replacement cycle.”
She continued: “When businesses
buy new vehicles, it is not just the
coordination on CAZs
2020.
Non-compliant cars, taxis and
purchase price they need to consider,
but how long they plan to run them
is unacceptable
vans will pay £8 per day to enter the for and what they will sell them for
zone, while HGVs and buses will be when they are finished. The article alongside clearly shows what a
charged £50. “The introduction of CAZs means sorry state the Government’s plan to tackle
Birmingham councillors had that for many businesses, the time- air pollution in our towns and cities is in.
requested Government funding to frame in which they had planned to Responding to successive Government
introduce £68.7m of mitigation sweat their assets has reduced and failures to deliver a lawful air quality plan,
measures, including a car scrap- the residual values of their Euro ClientEarth has launched and won three
page scheme, but have V/5 vehicles have plum- legal challenges over the past eight years.
instead received £52.2m meted. So not only do But, instead of implementing a national
f r o m they need to obtain DOmINIC PHINN network of clean air zones (CAZs),
the Government financial resources Business accompanied by central funds to help
(fleetnews.co.uk, for new vehicles engagement businesses make the switch to cleaner
March 14). sooner than they Co-ordinator, vehicles, ministers decided to pass the buck
It has allocated
£38m to support
businesses and indi-
36,000
deaths a year attributed
had planned, they
have the double
whammy that
Clientearth to local authorities, so now businesses are
facing a confusing patchwork of schemes.
It is unacceptable that the Government has failed to take
viduals who might be to pollution they have also lost proper action to tackle this problem. CAZ proposals are trickling
impacted by the zone out financially on the in, but their roll-out lacks central government coordination and
and £14.2m to install vehicles they are support, and we are seeing some local authorities doing all they
signs, cameras and other replacing.” can to avoid such measures.
infrastructure. These CAZs are needed now and, despite claims from the FTA,
There will be one-year exemptions CONSISTENT APPROACH Defra’s own evidence shows they are the most effective way to
for commercial vehicles registered In July 2017, the Department of Envi- bring air pollution to within legal limits in the shortest possible
within the zone and one-year exemp- ronment, Food and Rural Affairs time, as required by law.
tions for those registered in the (Defra) and the Department for As local authorities across the country follow cities like London
Birmingham area and travelling into Transport (DfT) published the ‘Air and Birmingham in taking ambitious and necessary measures to
the zone, with vehicles that have an Quality Plan for nitrogen dioxide clean up their polluted air, disruption to businesses with fleets of
existing lease beyond 2020. (NO2) in the UK 2017’. vehicles is unavoidable.
Both exemptions will be limited to This plan, and subsequent The FTA is absolutely right in highlighting the need for CAZs to
two vehicles per business. iterations, have required local be complemented by help and support, particularly for small
Councillor Waseem Zaffar, cabinet authorities to take action to bring businesses if they are to move to cleaner forms of transport.
member for transport and environ- NO2 air pollution levels within In London, the £23m for a van scrappage scheme and £25m
ment at Birmingham City Council, statutory limits in the shortest earmarked for a separate car scrappage scheme are essential
said: “In light of the reduced funding possible time. to help smaller businesses adapt to the ULEZ and exactly the
for a scrappage scheme, we will But, by leaving councils to draw up kind of commitment we need to see.
continue to work with other council their own plans, fleet operators face They need to be matched by national support, however.
leaders and combined authorities inconsistencies in how they are being As restrictions come into force to meet legal limits for air
across the country to lobby the applied. pollution, funding for a means-tested scrappage scheme on a
Government for a national diesel For example, Oxford City Council national scale will be needed. This should be part-funded by the
scrappage scheme.” and Oxfordshire County Council car industry.
Sandall said that any support to have developed plans that would see Along with help and support to shift to cleaner vehicles, we
accelerate the replacement of older, all non-zero emission vehicles need to see tax changes to bring zero emission vehicles closer to
more polluting vehicles should be banned from parking and loading cost parity to help businesses buy these vehicles now.
welcomed and urged other cities to during certain hours from 2020, The months ahead will be crucial and attention will be focused
follow suit where CAZ charges were while individual boroughs in London on all levels of government to make sure that plans submitted
being considered. have been drawing up their own are effective in finally protecting people’s health and are
She added: “Government should plans, with tougher standards than accompanied by measures to help individuals and business
be working more closely with those those stipulated by the ULEZ. make the necessary shift to cleaner vehicles and more efficient
city councils and providing monetary Martin Brown, managing director transport systems.
support like scrappage schemes.” of Fleet Alliance, has called for
greater clarity from ministers so
BENEFITS ‘SHORT-LIVED’ companies can plan green fleet poli-
However, while CAZs are being cies with more confidence.
considered by councils, Chapman “If you ran a fleet of, say, 500 vehi-
argues that they are not necessary cles on a national basis, you could be
to deliver improved air quality, nor do faced with drivers driving from one
they provide an ongoing air quality city to another, Leeds to Glasgow for
benefit. example, where they might fall foul
“They do not set new standards, of a different set of rules covering
they aim to simply accelerate the low emission zones through no fault
vehicle change that is coming of their own,” he said.
6
NEWS: COMPANY CAR TAX
BIK/VED uncertainty
not resolved by the
Spring Statement IS THE DELAY IN
PUBLISHING NEW
Chancellor says response will be made ‘in Yes: 94.5% BIK RATES HAVING
the coming months’, leaving fleets in limbo A LONG-TERM
Unsure: 1.4% NEGATIVE EFFECT
ON THE COMPANY
By Gareth Roberts No: 4.1% CAR MARKET?
leets have delivered a orders had been put on hold until the
F clear message to the
Government: 94.5% of
respondents to a Fleet
News poll believe the delay in
Government decides its approach to
future benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax
tables.
WLTP testing has been required
Source: fleetnews.co.uk
publishing new company car tax for all new models from September
rates is damaging the industry. 2017, and all new car registrations
Fewer than one in 20 believed the since September 2018.
uncertainty was not having a long- In the Autumn Budget 2017, it was
term negative effect on the market. announced that cars registered from
The fleet industry has been April 2020 would be taxed based on drivers.
growing increasingly frustrated with WLTP. Cars registered before April “The use
the Government’s handling of the 2020 would maintain their current of NEDC-corre-
new emissions testing regime – the tax treatment, paying emissions- lated figures means
Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle based taxes according to correlated- that some motorists are
Test Procedure (WLTP) – and its NEDC figures under the EU’s facing unexpected tax hikes,”
impact on company car tax and CO2MPAS equation. he said.
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Matthew Walters, head of consul- NEDC-correlated figures, which could make them “prohibitively
HMRC launched a consultation tancy LeasePlan UK, says WLTP’s were not considered in the consulta- expensive”.
late last year to better understand “staggered integration” into the tax tion, have resulted in an uplift of CO2 Similarly, he says that questions
the problem, but hopes of hearing its system has created a lot of confusion emissions of 10%, on average, remain over the future tax treatment
response were dashed in the Spring and concern for fleets and their equating to some 10-15g/km. of electric vehicles (EVs), which
Statement (fleetnews.co.uk, March However, fleets and company car makes it difficult to forecast the cost
13). Fleet News understands that the drivers could face a further increase of transitioning to an ultra-low and
cause of the delay is the protracted in costs when they start using WLTP zero emission fleet.
Brexit negotiations. CO2 values from April 2020. The VED and company car tax
The Chancellor simply said in a Initial evidence provided by manu- consultation, which was launched in
written statement that the Govern- facturers suggests that more than December 2018, closed on February
ment would issue its response to the half of cars will see an increase in 17, so it was perhaps wishful thinking
review into the impact of the WLTP emissions from correlated values of to believe Government could
on VED and company car tax “in the between 10% and 20%. respond to the submissions in the
coming months”. Ashley Barnett, head of consul- Spring Statement, less than one
Company car tax tables are known FLEETS tancy at Lex Autolease, believes it’s month later.
up until 2020/21. The rates were
published in 2016, which gave fleets
AND a major issue for the industry. “The
lack of long-term company car tax
Matthew Walters, head of consul-
tancy LeasePlan UK, believes Brexit
advance notice of their liabilities for MOTORISTS tables is holding the fleet market played its part, but said that was “no
the next four years. They now have
just two years, which is taking its toll
CANNOT back,” he said.
“Before fleet decision-makers can
excuse” for the lack of rates beyond
the 2020/21 tax year.
on the company car market. PROPERLY build a strategy based around the “It’s outrageous that we weren’t
One fleet manager told Fleet News:
“I’ve had drivers in long-term hire PREPARE FOR average 48-month contract, and
before employees can commit to
told these rates years ago,” he said.
“This means that fleets and motor-
vehicles for almost a year now while THE YEARS what is, essentially, a four-year ists cannot properly prepare for the
WLTP was being sorted out and now
that they are allowed to order a new AHEAD investment, they need assurance
that the associated costs are not
years ahead, which is particularly
worrying at a time of such economic
car, many are reluctant to do so until going to increase over its lifetime.” uncertainty.
they have certainty of their tax liability Orders of diesel vehicles from Lex “The Chancellor needs to reveal
in years three and four of owner- MATTHEW WALTERS, Autolease are being delayed, the rates as soon as possible – pref-
ship.” LEASEPLAN UK according to Barnett, in case further erably even ahead of this summer’s
Another respondent said all vehicle tax increases are announced that draft Finance Bill.”
fleetnews.co.uk ■ March 28 2019 9
NEWS: EV PROLIFERATION NEWS: VEHICLE RECOVERY
Surge of interest in electric vehicles Crashed EVs ‘take longer to recover’
not matched by battery availability Extra safety requirements for high-voltage systems complicate electric vehicle collection
Now car manufacturers are bidding to establish battery cell production in Europe By Matt de Prez “A second man arrived later. He assessments or equipment. In order
lectric cars and plug-in was concerned that the battery was to make the scene safe, it may also
By Gareth Roberts
onger-range electric
E hybrid cars could take
longer to recover in the
event of a collision than
a regular petrol or diesel car, due to
damaged and there could be a
health and safety issue around
transporting hazardous materials.”
The i3 was immobile because
include specialist support for road
traffic collisions.
The Institute of Vehicle Recovery
(IVR) delivers specialist training to
L vehicles (EVs) and more
hybrid models are
expected to transform
the company car parc, but carmakers
safety concerns over the battery.
In many cases, a crashed electric
vehicle (EV) cannot be towed as the
driven wheels remain locked unless
there was no power to it. Jones said
they couldn’t disengage the hand-
brake and the electric motor was
locked, so the wheels wouldn’t turn.
I DON’T
enable recovery firms to handle elec-
trified vehicles correctly. It has seen a
lot of demand for its EV course.
Mark Hartell, vice-chairman of the
may struggle to meet the growing the car can be switched on to put it A third AA vehicle – a flatbed truck THINK THE IVR, said: “It is vital that all techni-
demand.
This was the sentiment at the 2019
in neutral.
To reduce the risk of battery fires
with a winch – was able to recover the
car. But the operator first had to work
UK IS GEARED cians, and those responsible for
sending them out, appreciate the
Geneva Motor Show, where electri- or electrocution, most EVs use out the weight of the car and the angle UP TO hazards and specialist knowledge
fication was a key theme, as was the
new subscription or short-term
circuit breakers that disconnect the
high-voltage system if an impact
it would need to be pulled at, to see if
the winch was powerful enough.
RECOVER required to recover this type
of vehicle.”
rental models that will deliver new is detected. “The operator had to literally drag VEHICLES Jones advises fleet operators to
plug-in vehicles (fleetnews.co.uk,
March 6).
The emergency services will also
seek to disconnect any high-voltage
the car up onto a flatbed truck. It was
the most annoying day,” said Jones.
OF THIS ensure that recovery firms are
aware they are being called to deal
However, carmakers also made components on electric vehicles if Speedy Services has been oper- TYPE YET with an electric vehicle, whether
clear that demand for alternative they are required to attend. ating three BMW i3s, which have directly or through an accident
fuel vehicles (AFVs) is outstripping These added complications been converted into vans, for the management provider.
supply and the situation may not mean recovery firms can have a past two years. This incident was the GARETH JONES, Pete Williams, RAC road safety
improve anytime soon due to a lack tougher job of collecting these often first the fleet encountered. SPEEDY SERVICES spokesman, said: “Our approach to
of supply of the batteries. heavy vehicles. “We were flabbergasted that EVs and hybrids is consistent with
Peugeot chairman and chief exec- The European Commission says Europe When a BMW i3 operated by companies like the AA seemed how we deal with conventional petrol
utive officer Carlos Tavares has been will need 10 to 20 ‘gigafactories’ – large- Speedy Services was involved in a unaware of how to deal with it,” and diesel vehicles. In the event of an
urging the European Parliament to scale battery cell production facilities collision, it took 15 hours for the said Jones. accident, if requested to recover an
provide the necessary support to vehicle to be recovered by the “I don’t think the UK is geared up In a statement, the AA said all its EV vehicle by the fleet manager, we
instigate production in the EU for the company’s appointed recovery to recover vehicles of this type yet. It patrols are trained to work safely on would send a flatbed lorry.
past year. companies, such as Samsung, although we are trying to secure the manufacturer’s new family of agent, the AA. hasn’t put us off EVs though. We’ve EVs. However, it did point out that “EVs present a particular chal-
There are lithium-ion battery Panasonic, CATL and LG Chem. more production,” Paul Philpott, Kia electric cars – in May, almost six “When the first AA man turned up, all got to move forwards and where EVs suffer damage in the lenge as most cannot be towed
factories in Europe, such as the Peugeot anticipates that 12% of Motors UK chairman and chief months before the car is unveiled at he said he didn’t know anything embracing new technology is a core event of an accident, there could normally and should be transported
Daimler-owned Deutsche Accumo- 208 registrations next year, some executive officer, told Fleet News. autumn’s Frankfurt Motor Show. about electric vehicles,” said Gareth part of our business. What we have be additional health and safety with all wheels off the ground. It is a
tive. However, they do not make the 2,400 units, will be the full electric “It’s a global supply chain, not just The hatchback will start from less Jones, transport compliance to do is look at how we are going to considerations before recovering the similar situation with many other
cells, which are supplied by Asian version – the e-208 – as it starts Europe or the UK and battery supply than €30,000 (£25,700) and it will manager at Speedy Services. stop it happening again.” vehicle. This may require further risk modern vehicles, including crosso-
planning for a future where every can’t keep pace with demand, which have a range of up to 342 miles. vers, SUVs, 4x4s, pick-ups, vans and
car and van model will have an elec- is growing at a significant rate. We However, the manufacturer’s automatics.
tric option within four years. have to manage the situation but we board member for sales, Jurgen “In response, we have developed
Deliveries of the new small car will can’t say when it will free-up. Our Stackman admitted: “Given the our new All-Wheels-Up equipment
start at the end of the year or the customers are prepared to wait.” interest in the ID family shown by our that effectively brings flatbed
beginning of 2020, with reservations European carmakers are working dealers, I think it is possible the recovery capability to our standard
opening in March and orders from hard to bring battery supply closer to launch edition will already have sold long-wheel based orange patrol
summer. home. Germany has earmarked out before we unveil it in September.” vans. To date, 600 have been
However, UK managing director €1 billion (£860 million) to support a Recognising a growing demand for equipped with this new kit. So a
David Peel said: “We are confident consortium looking to produce EV EVs and the batteries to power them, single van can recover an EV – saving
IT’S A we will have the supply that we need battery cells. There are also plans to the European Commission set up the driver valuable time.”
GLOBAL to meet our forecast demand.”
But, battery supply is one of the
fund a research facility to develop
next-generation solid-state batteries.
the European Battery Alliance (EBA)
in 2017.
The total number of fully electric
cars registered in the UK rose by
SUPPLY CHAIN. main reasons why orders for Kia’s More than 30 companies have Its objective is to create a compet- 59% last year, accounting for about
BATTERY full electric e-Niro has outstripped
its UK allocation. The carmaker
applied, including BMW and the
Volkswagen Group.
itive manufacturing value chain in
Europe, with sustainable battery
1% of total sales. Plug-in hybrids
are more popular, making up 2.8%
SUPPLY hopes the situation will improve for The latter recently announced cells at its core, and to prevent a of sales.
CAN’T KEEP 2020 as it prepares for the new Soul
EV (fleetnews.co.uk, March 6).
plans to make 22 million EVs within
the next 10 years – seven million
technological dependence on the
block’s competitors.
A recent survey by Kia found that
87% of fleet managers have encoun-
PACE WITH Kia has taken just more than 1,000 more than its original ambition It also wants to capitalise on the job tered increased demand for electri-
growth and investment potential of fied vehicles, but the majority feel
DEMAND orders for its allocation of 1,000
e-Niros, deliveries of which will
(fleetnews.co.uk, March 13).
The number of new electric batteries, which could be worth up to that the cars won’t be suitable for
begin in the next couple of months. models it plans to launch within the €250bn (£214bn) a year to the EU another two to five years.
Dealers are telling customers that same timescale has increased from from 2025 onwards. EVs cannot be towed normally and Kia’s Fleet Green Perspectives
PAUL PHILPOTT, they are looking at quarter one 2020 50 to 70. ■ See ‘Kangoo ZE 33 van uptake is should be transported with all Report found that 65% of fleets
KIA MOTORS UK if they order now. Volkswagen will start taking being hampered by battery supply wheels off the ground operate plug-in vehicles, an increase
“We have to be upfront with them, reservations for its first ID model – delays’ on page 87 of 27% in the past year.
10 March 28 2019 ■ fleetnews.co.uk fleetnews.co.uk ■ March 28 2019 11
in detail
news in brief To view the full story go to fleetnews.co.uk/news
The past month’s news head
d llines from fleetnews.co.uk
feb Polestar 2 revealed with InfInItI to cease european sales
300-mile range Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury arm, has confirmed it will stop producing cars in the UK 12
Polestar has revealed in July, as part of its plan to withdraw from the European car market by 2020.
most
28 read its second model, the
WHO’S DRIVING Polestar 2. A fully-
electric five-door fastback that OUR
RISK IN YOUR is predicted to cost £35,000
and to have a 300-mile range.
Wltp consultatIon response to
be publIshed In ‘comIng months’ MOBILITY AUDIT
BUSINESS? most
commented
In papers accompanying the
Spring Statement, the
13 WILL REVEAL ALL
Government says it will
new green nCaP highlights issue its response to the review into
mar real-world emissions PerformanCe the impact of the WLTP on Vehicle
Safety rating organisation Euro NCAP has Excise Duty and company car tax “in
launched a new green car assessment the coming months”.
1 programme called Green NCAP in
conjunction with European Governments,
motoring clubs and other organisations. It
aims to promote cars that are less polluting arval aImIng to groW busIness after successful 2018
and more fuel- and energy-efficient.
most
Arval’s leased fleet grew by 8.2% last year, reaching 1,193,910 15
shared vehicles and the number of vehicles ordered increased by 9%
year-on-year to 353,302 units. It reported growth of 5% in
France and the UK, 8% in Italy and 19% in Spain.
average Co2 emissions rise as Petrol sales boom
5 The average CO2 emissions across all cars sold in Europe
reached a four-year high of 120.5g/km in 2018, according to
Jato Dynamics. Its analysis found that CO2 emissions had neW laW to tackle rogue prIvate parkIng fIrms
been steadily reducing year-on-year, reaching a low of Fleets will have greater protections against bogus parking penalties as 18
117.8g/km in 2016, but a fall in demand for diesel cars new measures to clamp down on rogue private parking firms become
from 2017 has led to a reverse in this trend. law. The new Parking (Code of Practice) Act, which received Royal Assent
on March 15, brings in greater regulation of the private parking industry.
geneva motor show Coverage
6 Interviews, pictures and all the key fleet cars revealed –
fleetnews.co.uk/geneva2019
fleet neWs poll
all hondas to be ‘eleCtrified’ by 2025
Honda has pledged to electrify every car
it sells in the UK by 2025 as part of a fleet neWs vIeW:
6 Europe-wide commitment. This exceeds a More than three-quarters
You may have global promise to electrify two-thirds of its
cars by 2030 and will require a rapid flow
yes: 18.2% no: 76.4% (76.4%) of respondents to
our poll do not believe that
Our Mobility Audit
some hidden risks of new product over the next six years as new advisory fuel rates can identify extra
Honda phases out sole internal (AFRs), published in
if your employees combustion engine vehicles. February, adequately costs and hidden risks
are driving their reflect the fuel costs they to make your fleet
don’t know:
5.5%
do neW incur. Our view is
privately-owned advIsory fuel employers may wish to more efficient.
cars for work.
smart motorway red ‘X’ signs ignored by almost one in four
Almost one quarter (23%) of drivers have driven in a lane on a
rates (afrs) set rates which better
reflect their particular
8 smart motorway closed by the red ‘X’ sign in the past year, RAC
reflect your circumstances. For
research suggests. The roadside recovery company says there is fuel costs? example, where the cars
still some way to go to ensure near total compliance. in the fleet are fuel
efficient, employers may
prefer to reimburse at a
transPort Committee launChes lower rate. However,
11 inquiry into government’s road where an employer can
safety strategy demonstrate that the cost
DISCOVER MORE The Transport Committee is launching of business travel in FIND OUT AT
LEXAUTOLEASE.CO.UK/GREY-FLEET an inquiry to scrutinise the Government’s Source: fleetnews.co.uk company cars in the fleet LEXAUTOLEASE.CO.UK/GREY-FLEET
approach to road safety. The inquiry will concerned is higher than
investigate which changes would be thIs Issue’s poll: What is the longest time the guideline mileage rate,
most effective at reducing the number you typically drive without a break? AFRs are not binding.
and severity of road traffic accidents.
12 March 28 2019 n fleetnews.co.uk fleetnews.co.uk n March 28 2019 13
H AV EE YYOUR S AY
LINKEDIN UK fleet managers group CONTACT US
THE BIG TWITTER twitter.com/_FleetNews
Fleet News, Media House, Lynch Wood,
Peterborough, PE2 6EA.
PICTURE EMAIL fleetnews@bauermedia.co.uk
COMMENT ONLINE fleetnews.co.uk
Email – fleetnews@bauermedia.co.uk
Burning question:
Are you known, or have you ever been
known, by a nickname other than a
contraction of your real name?
EDITORIAL
Congratulations to all our winners at last
EDITOR’S PICK
Editor-in-chief
week’s Fleet News Awards. The celebrations ROAD SAFETY ELECTRIC PARKING FINES PLUG-IN INCENTIVES Stephen Briers 01733 468024
stephen.briers@bauermedia.co.uk
went on long into the night, as did the VEHICLES No, only nickname was Bri (shortened Briers
networking and conversation. New parking fines law ‘Significant’ investment from Bristol). Too many Steves at college
There was a real buzz around the Grosvenor Education and Fleets want required to boost AFV sales
Deputy editor
Sarah Tooze 01733 468901
Hotel’s Great Room, even though our numbers
enforcement plug-in
welcomed by fleets sarah.tooze@bauermedia.co.uk
Toozey
News editor
were down slightly (1,300, with the usual mix of Robert Chisholm, Applewood Vehicle Finance, Gareth Roberts 01733 468314
fleet decision-makers, manufacturers, leasing,
needed model now A Fleet wrote:
Having read ‘New law
wrote: Having read ‘average CO2 emissions rise as
petrol sales boom’ (fleetnews.co.uk, March 5), it would
gareth.roberts@bauermedia.co.uk
Too many to mention!
rental, dealers and suppliers – still the biggest Features editor
Devon Guy wrote: to tackle rogue private be interesting to understand the infrastructure that Andrew Ryan 01733 468308
and best night of the year in our industry). Having read ‘Seat to parking firms’ the likes of Norway have in place in order to achieve
andrew.ryan@bauermedia.co.uk
Rocky and variations of that, including Rock,
Despite all the uncertainty, it’s clear that there launch 260-mile El-Born (fleetnews.co.uk, March such a high penetration of alternative fuel vehicle Rocky the Thompson, Rockford Files, The Files
Head of digital
are still plenty of good news stories, and plenty EV in Q3 2020’ (fleetnews. 18), this has been a (AFV) sales. There is no way a market such as the Jeremy Bennett 01733 468655
jeremy.bennett@bauermedia.co.uk
to discuss and debate in a relaxed environment co.uk, March 6), the race is long time coming. UK’s will get anywhere near this level of AFV Fingers
surrounded by colleagues and friends. on to get battery electric I deal with the fines penetration without significant investment. Web producer
Elizabeth Howlett 01733 468655
I was personally delighted to invite Graham vehicles (BEVs) into the for our company cars elizabeth.howlett@bauermedia.co.uk
mainstream. and all too often we My dad called fetus me Squib because I moved
Telfer into the Hall of Fame. He has been a about like one in utero. Variations include:
Last year, we saw more receive escalation Squibby, Squibbo, The Squib
great supporter of Fleet News – as well as the premium BEV model letters before the Staff writer
fleet sector as a whole – over his many years Matt de Prez 01733 468277
launches, like the original fine or the fine comes in on the day, or after matt.deprez@bauermedia.co.uk
in charge of the Gateshead Council fleet, and it impressive i-Pace. The the reduced rate time period is due to finish. My (sort of) initials - MDP
Photos Chris Lowndes
was a joy to be able to properly recognise his middle of the sector now With some parking companies you cannot speak
PRODUCTION
achievements, particularly in the company of seems to be rising to the to anyone and they don’t respond to emails so it
Head of publishing
his wife, Alison. The look on her face said it all. challenge, with the £35,000 makes it really difficult to understand what we need Luke Neal
300-mile range Polestar 2 to do to transfer liability from us to the drivers etc. I have one friend who calls me Teawig,
Not everything was an overwhelming We saw it graffitied on an underpass once
announced this week. Some companies also escalate the fines before the Production editors
success. We introduced a new fleet category, Kia has also announced appeal process has finished as well. David Buckley
People called me Garfield more due to looking
‘best travel and mobility initiative’, but received it is producing a new like a fat cat rather than a love of lasagne
just two entries. However, a number of fleets 280-mile range Soul. Finbarr O’Reilly
No
told me on the night that this would become Expect to see some Senior designer
Chris Stringer
more popular in the coming years as the competitive pricing here. VEHICLE SMART MOTORWAYS Bagpuss
sector migrated away from vehicle Other manufacturers are EMISSIONS
Head of project management
Rosco wrote: no doubt racing to get their
management towards mobility management.
I was also surprised by the lack of entries in
Having read ‘Transport Committee launches efforts to market, fearful of Let’s not confuse Notify drivers of red ‘X’ earlier Leanne Patterson 01733 468332
Project managers
Niamh Walker 01733 468327
inquiry into Government’s road safety strategy’ risking losing valuable
the ‘leasing company – up to 20,000 vehicles’ (fleetnews.co.uk, March 11), the theory is that the sector domination. This charging for Michael Heenan wrote:
Kerry Unwin 01733 468578
Chelsie Tate 01733 468338
category. We introduced it a few years ago to rise in distracted driving as a result of smartphone shows an impressive pace congestion Having read ‘Smart motorway red “X” ADVERTISING
encourage smaller leasing companies to use is counteracting the improvements in safety as of innovation. signs ignored by almost one in four’ Commercial director
enter. Perhaps the vehicle threshold is still set a result of better vehicles and greater adoption of However, all these cars and emissions (fleetnews.co.uk, March 8), Highways Sarah Crown 01733 366466
B2B commercial manager
too high, but there is a real fracturing within driving aids. are available this year England should make the first ‘X’ a Sheryl Graham 01733 366467
Account directors
The problem is that the majority of distracted so it feels like Seat’s Gordy wrote: Having read mile out from the approach a flashing
leasing between the big (100,000-plus), driving convictions come following a fatal or serious announcement of a ‘Congestion charging amber to give time to move lanes.
Lisa Turner 01733 366471
Stuart Wakeling 01733 366470
medium (anywhere from 10,000) and small injury accident when the police will use forensic 260-mile concept that should be imposed in cities After that, use the cameras to issue
Account managers
Emma Rogers 01733 363219
(below 10,000, although many are below technology to determine if a smartphone was in use could be in production next across UK’, it would be fixed penalty notices like a bus lane. Karl Houghton 01733 366309
Lucy Herbert 01733 363218
5,000), so it’s difficult to know where to best at the time. year is too little, too late. better if subject matter When it costs money, people learn Telesales/recruitment
The roll-out of undercover cameras on buses and experts separated fast. We all know what the signs 01733 468275/01733 468328
set the benchmark. Suggestions welcomed.
I would also welcome your suggestions about lorries, which film drivers in the act, is a practical discussions about mean so there is no excuse as it is EVENTS
any other awards category. As the fleet sector way to improve conviction rates and send a clear congestion charging and for everybody’s safety. Event director
Chris Lester
message to those drivers. low emissions zone Companies should also address Event manager
evolves, so we have to evolve to stay relevant. However, why is there a shortage of public safety charging. London has got it this as a failure of their employees Sandra Evitt 01733 468123
The awards are important, but so is the messages from Government? In years past, the TV right. Let other cities and driving their vehicles to observe the
Senior event planner
Kate Howard 01733 468146
evening that accompanies them. Fleet simply was awash with them and surely this would be a towns consider London as Highway Code with possible
PUBLISHING
wouldn’t be the same without it. relatively low-cost way to get the message out a blueprint, but keep the disciplinary measures being put Managing director
there. schemes separate, as in place. Tim Lucas 01733 468340
Every journey I make, there are scores of people CRM & marketing manager
there is good reason to. Lauren Annis 01733 468295
using smartphones while driving. That this results Office manager
Jane Hill 01733 468319
in greater fatalities and serious injuries is obvious. Group managing director
But these people will very rarely be convicted, Fleet News is published 15 times a year or images submitted to the magazine ensure accuracy, the publisher is not Complaints: Bauer Consumer Media Rob Munro-Hall
by Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, without further consent. responsible for any errors or omissions Limited is a member of the Independent Chief executive officer
because there are no police on the roads. The registered address Media House, The submission of material to Bauer nor do we accept any liability for any loss Press Standards Organisation (www.ipso. Paul Keenan
Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Media whether unsolicited or requested, is or damage, howsoever caused, resulting co.uk) and endeavours to respond to and
Stephen Briers, result is the UK roads are becoming a free for all. Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. taken as permission to publish in the from the use of the magazine. resolve your concerns quickly. Our Editorial
Registered number 01176085. magazine, including any licensed editions
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16 March 28 2019 ■ fleetnews.co.uk fleetnews.co.uk ■ March 28 2019 17
Sponsored by
tomorrow’s fleet: WORKPLACE PARKING
THINGS FLEETS
4 SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT...
WORKPLACE
PARKING LEVIES
A number of cities are planning WPLs seven years after
Nottingham launched its pioneering scheme. Andrew Ryan
looks at what fleets can learn from the city’s experiences
even years after Nottingham City
S Council introduced the UK’s first –
and only – workplace parking levy
(WPL), the introduction of similar
charges is now on the agenda for a number of
1
NOT ALL ORGANISATIONS
AND VEHICLES FACE THE
CHARGE
other local authorities. Under Nottingham’s scheme, a number
Councils in Edinburgh and Glasgow plan to go of organisations and vehicles are
ahead with a similar charge, while Reading, exempt from paying the WPL, which will
Oxford, Bristol, Cambridge and the London be £415 per space for the 2019/20 tax
boroughs of Merton, Brent and Camden are at year.
the consultation stage. These are employers with 10 or fewer
“It is essentially a tax on something that nobody spaces, while there is also a 100%
likes – congestion,” says Anthony Breach, analyst discount given to emergency and NHS
at research and policy institute Centre for Cities, frontline services, as well as bays
which is dedicated to improving the economic occupied by vehicles used by disabled
success of UK cities. blue badge holders.
“By encouraging commuters to car pool or “Fleet vehicles which aren’t used for
switch to public transport, it reduces congestion commuting are outside the scope of the
and its costs to businesses and residents. levy – they are not even required to get
“The reduction in traffic also improves carbon a licence,” says Nigel Hallam, WPL
emissions and air quality.” service manager at Nottingham City
Under the Transport Act 2000, local authorities Council.
in England and Wales, with sign off from the “For example, Nottingham City Council
Secretary of State, have been able introduce a has a fleet of, say 100 bin lorries, that
parking levy licensing scheme on employers, might be working all day, but as they are
which requires them to pay a charge for each not taken home by employees at the end
parking space they provide to employees. of the day they are completely exempt.
Although this Government bill did not cover “If, however, you have employees who
Scotland, local authorities there can now intro- drive vans and take them home each
duce them under amendments to the Transport night and then bring them back in, they
(Scotland) Bill agreed between the Scottish are contributing to congestion, so those
Government and Scottish Greens as part of a fleet vehicles will be subject to the levy
budget deal earlier this year. because the levy, fundamentally, is a
In all cases, WPL revenue is ring-fenced by law congestion charge.”
and has to be spent on transport initiatives The exemptions mean 75%-to-80% of
contained within the local authority’s local trans- employers do not pay the levy.
port plan. Nottingham City Council figures show
Nottingham’s charging scheme, which began in the number of liable workplace parking
April 2012, has seen use of public transport soar places decreased by 17.5% from just
in the city, helped cut CO2 emissions, and more than 33,000 prior to the WPL
constrained congestion growth. being introduced as employers sought to
While details of other WPL schemes have not limit their liability, or introduced parking
been released, here we look four things fleet management schemes that passed on
decision-makers can learn from Nottingham’s the cost to employees (see page 23).
experience.
20 March 28 2019 2019 n fleetnews.co.uk fleetnews.co.uk ■ March 28 2019 21Sponsored by
TOMORROW’S FLEET: WORKPLACE PARKING
EMPLOYERS CAN PASS ON THE COST OF THE LEVY TO EMPLOYEES
2 While the charge is payable by the
employer, they are able to pass on
unpaid charity work wearing tabards with their
employer’s logo on.
spend £250,000 each year to support
employers to better manage commuter travel
all or some of the cost to employees. “That was good PR for Imperial Tobacco and through travel planning and parking
Research by Nottingham City Council found a great many of its staff did that,” says Hallam. management.
that 53% of organisations who have to pay the “Some employers have just passed on the cost, Around one-third of large employers now
WPL do pass the charge on in some way to and Nottingham City Council is one of those. have travel plans, while they can also take their
employees, with Hallam saying this probably “We have a car park management scheme own action to help employees. For example,
includes eight out of the 10 largest employers where our over-riding principle is that if you E.on promotes car-sharing at its sites in the
in the city. park on council premises then that is your city, including through the use of:
“Others have said for example if, as a factory, choice and you will pay for the privilege of ■ Priority parking for vehicles carrying at least
we hit our carbon emission target this year we doing so because Nottingham has a good public one passenger.
will pay the cost of the levy and won’t pass the transport offering. ■ A car-sharing register on the company’s
cost on to employees,” he says. “We have a slightly cheaper tariff in the areas intranet to make it easier to match lift offers
START SOMETHING GREAT TODAY. When the scheme was introduced, Imperial which are not so well served by public and requests.
Tobacco offered to pay the cost of the parking transport.” ■ A special rate negotiated with a local bus
levy for those employees who carried out The WPL also allows the local authority to company for employees.
WPL LED TO A SURGE IN THE NUMBER WPL HAS POSITIVELY IMPACTED
3 OF COMMUTERS USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT
During the life of Nottingham’s scheme, the council
4 CONGESTION AND AIR QUALITY
The objective of Nottingham’s WPL was not to reduce
expects to raise an average £12 million each year, with the WPL congestion, but to constrain the growth of it, as a city that does well
designed to raise less in the early years and more in the future. is almost certainly going to have a degree of congestion.
The WPL has helped Nottingham bring in funding to more than Hallam says: “Nottingham’s objective was to reduce the growth in
PERFORMANCE,
double the size of its tram network through a £570 million congestion from 15% to 8% by 2021, and although it is still relatively
extension, carry out a £60m redevelopment of the city’s railway early days, research shows it looks like it has been successful.”
station, and support its Link bus network. Loughborough University research found that from July 2015,
Hallam says a number of major employers such as VF and congestion rose less in Nottingham than the average of four
WHATEVER THE WEATHER.
Experian also opted to move into, or consolidated to, city centre comparable English cities (Newcastle, Liverpool, Sheffield and
locations with good public transport links to remove the need for Leicester) and, at 2.1% it was 0.7 percentage points lower than the
the provision of parking as well as to improve accessibility. country as a whole.
These measures have helped increase the proportion of people The WPL package of measures also helped Nottingham beat a CO2
travelling by public transport in the morning by 2%, meaning – for reduction plan well ahead of its target. It had aimed to reduce
the first time – more than 40% of commuters now use it. carbon emissions by 26% by 2020 compared with 2005 levels, but in
Loughborough University research found that 8.6% of commuters 2016 the council announced they were already 33% below that level.
who either cycled or used public transport in Greater Nottingham However, the scheme does have its critics.
Vector 4Seasons Cargo said the WPL and the package of measures it has funded played an “Nottingham City Council will tell you (WPL) has led to it achieving
important part in their decision to switch from the car. its clean air goals four years ahead of schedule, but it would be wrong
The new addition to Goodyearës light truck portfolio. The Vector “The two new tramlines are now carrying 20 million passengers to think it had improved traffic around the city,” says Andy Hibberd,
a year,” adds Hallam. “We have seen a modal shift where 20% of media and communications manager at East Midlands Chamber.
5GCUQPU%CTIQKUCHWGNGH⇔EKGPVCNNUGCUQPV[TGQHHGTKPIGZEGNNGPV people who used their cars are now using the trams.” “Nottingham’s trams are quite good today, but it still takes an hour
RGTHQTOCPEGCPFGZVGPFGFOKNGCIGEQORCTGFVQVJGRTGXKQWUOQFGN Hallam says the WPL also allows the council to offer a number of
grants to employers. “We have a cycling structure grant which
to drive the six miles to the motorway in the evening rush and it’s
now almost impossible to find parking spaces at park-and-ride
employers can apply for if they want a cycle rack, or infrastructure stations of the periphery of the centre.
around cycling, such as showers or drying cabinets, and we put “The city centre might have achieved clean air goals, but it is
about £100,000 aside each year for that,” he adds. possibly because the congestion has been moved to suburbs.”
fleetnews.co.uk ■ March 28 2019 23Sponsored by
TOMORROW’S FLEET: VEHICLE TO GRID
V2G:
EASY
MONEY?
Vehicle to grid technology has the potential to
earn electric vehicle operators money, but it is
not without some risks. Andrew Ryan reports
ompany cars and vans tend to earn a been financed and use some of those revenues to
C business money while they’re out on
the road, but could electric vehicles
(EVs) also be a source of income
when they’re parked?
offset the cost of that vehicle.”
V2G has already attracted significant interest
and investment – the UK Government last year
awarded £30m in funding to 21 V2G projects to
That’s one of the potential benefits of vehicle-to- explore and trial both the technology and
grid (V2G) technology, which allows EV operators commercial opportunities.
to sell electricity stored in their vehicles’ batteries Among the reasons for this is the expected
back to the grid when they’re plugged in, enabling growth in the number of EVs, which will increase
the network operator to make up the shortfall the demands on the grid, as well the rapid growth
when demand outstrips supply. in renewable energy generation sources such as
A recent trial in Denmark carried out by Nuvve wind and solar which deliver a more unreliable
found that, over two years, a fleet of 10 Nissan and intermittent electricity supply than fossil-
e-NV200 electric vans each performed 100 hours fuelled power stations.
of V2G, selling a total of 130,000kWh to the grid. This Ofgem figures show that in 2006, wind and solar
saw each van generate €1,860 (£1,600) per year. generated 1.2% of Great Britain’s electricity.
“Multiplied by a couple of million vehicles, you In 2017, this had risen to 19% and it is expected
could be looking at a US$20-70 billion (£15-53bn) to increase further.
industry by unlocking these resources,” Last November, the capacity of renewable
Paige Mullen, European project manager at energy overtook that of fossil fuels in the UK for
Nuvve, told a recent V2G workshop the first time, research from Imperial College
arranged by Level (Low Emission Vehicle London has shown.
Enterprise and Learning) in Nottingham.
“The great thing about using a vehicle in
this way is that somebody has already
bought it as they’ve made the financial
decision to electrify their fleet, so V2G
allows them to tap into a
resource that’s already
as frequency regulation, you are doing a small In some cases, V2G technology can improve “Everyone likes to fully charge their phone
WILL BATTERIES BE ABLE TO TAKE THE STRAIN? charge followed by small discharge, so even the life of an EV battery. ‘just in case’, but that is not the best way to
The long-term effect of using V2G technology are doing, so if you are doing full charge over eight-10 hours, the battery’s state of “Some of the feedback we have had is that store or maintain the battery, and that
on an electric vehicle battery is unknown, followed by full discharge, then that cycle is going charge is not changing much. You are not actually storing your battery fully charged can actually has quite a negative impact on it.
although early signs are that any degradation to put more strain on the battery,” says Paige putting that full cycle impact on your batteries. be more damaging than what you are doing “V2G can regulate that and sometimes even
will be minimal. Mullen, European project manager at Nuvve. “In our trial in Denmark we have seen with V2G,” says Chris Cox, head of energy improve battery life compared with leaving it
“A lot does depend on the type of service you “But typically if you are working in areas such negligible degradation in our batteries.” systems and infrastructure at Cenex. fully charged all the time.”
24 March 28 2019 ■ fleetnews.co.uk fleetnews.co.uk ■ March 28 2019 25You can also read
