greenfleet 80

WINTER DRIVING

www.greenfleet.net ISSUE 80

How collaboration between logistics firms can green the industry and streamline operations

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

EFFICIENT LOGISTICS

EV VENDING MACHINES & BATTERY-SWAPPING TAXISThe most impactful ideas to drive forward electric mobility across the globe

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

FLEET PROFILE

DOWNLOAD

THE NEW

GREENFLEET APP

Scan the QR code

DETROIT AUTO SHOW

ROAD TEST: NEW NISSAN PULSAR N-TEC DCI 110

EURO 6 ENGINESMaintenance and training needs examined

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

DRIVINGTHE FUTURE

0845 769 [email protected]

lexautolease.co.uk/thegreen

At Lex Autolease, we do more than just help you choose the mosteffi cient vehicles. We can help structure your policy, manage your mileage

and enable your drivers to use their vehicles more effi ciently.

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

Green Fleet Ad AW.indd 1 11/07/2014 12:42

It looks even better on your books.

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Mondeo range: urban 27.4-100.9 (10.3-2.8), extra urban 47.9-85.6 (5.9-3.3), combined 37.2-78.5 (7.6-3.6). Official CO2 emissions 176-94g/km. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.Vehicle shown is a 2.0 180PS TDCi with 19 Alloy wheels, Panorama roof & Dynamic LED Headlights, in Ruby Red Special metallic paint (all optional at additional cost).

ALL-NEW FORD MONDEO Ford Dynamic LED HeadlightsSleek curves, bold lines — the All-New Mondeo is quite a head-turner. But its beauty is more than skin-deep: • New rear seatbelts with built-in airbags that give your passengers unprecedented protection.• Dynamic LED headlights that improve all-round visibility.• With the option of a Hybrid Electric delivering over 100mpg on urban cycle.

For more information please contact our Business Centre on 0345 723 2323.

37.2-78.5

COMBINED MPG

£20,740 - £27,310

P11D14% - 31%

BIK176 - 94g/km

CO2

P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE-TO-FACE

© 2015 Public Sector Information Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 1471-3713

WINTER DRIVING


How collaboration between logistics firms can green the industry and streamline operations

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

EFFICIENT LOGISTICS

EV VENDING MACHINES & BATTERY-SWOPPING TAXISThe most impactful ideas to drive forward electric mobility across the globe

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

FLEET PROFILE

DOWNLOAD

THE NEW

GREENFLEET APP

Scan the QR code

DETROIT AUTO SHOW

ROAD TEST: NEW NISSAN PULSAR N-TEC DCI 110

EURO 6 ENGINESMaintenance and training needs examined

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

CO

MM

ENTOutside-the-box thinking

to drive EV uptake The great global push towards electric mobility in the last few years has seen some creative stabs at driving the adoption of plug-in vehicles.

As well as growing vehicle choice, improved infrastructure and fiscal incentives, there has also been some ‘outside the box’ thinking, such as EV vending machines and battery-swapping taxis in China, and wireless charging roads in South Korea.

Fifty of the most impactful ideas have been collated in the EV City Casebook, published by think tank Urban Foresight. More than 150 global projects were nominated and an international panel of electric mobility experts identified the ideas that offered the greatest potential to drive EV uptake. As well as the more ‘avant guard’ ideas are more conventional measures, such as introducing ultra-low emissions zones, like those planned for London, tax incentives and other perks, such as those that have driven uptake in Norway, and a fast charging infrastructure, like that implemented in Estonia. Read the full feature on page 20.

With preparations on their way for this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show in April, this issue of GreenFleet takes a good look at the CV industry, in particular the HGV segment. We examine the maintenance and

training implications of the Euro 6 engine on page 35, and DHL Supply Chain shares how collaboration within the transport and logistics industry can improve operations and generate CO2 savings.

To finish off, as this is the first issue of 2015, we asked our friends at Next Green Car to identify the top ten green vehicles to look out for this year, on page 40.

Angela Pisanu, editor

PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 Web: www.psi-media.co.uk

EDITOR Angela Pisanu EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Michael Lyons EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Danny Wright PRODUCTION EDITOR Richard Gooding PRODUCTION CONTROL Jacqueline Lawford, Jo Golding WEB PRODUCTION Reiss Malone PUBLISHER Martin Freedman ACCOUNT MANAGER Kylie Glover ADMINISTRATION Victoria Leftwich, Vickie Hopkins REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

If you would like to receive 10 issues of GreenFleet magazine for £200 a year, please contact Public Sector Information Limited, 226 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055

GreenFleet® would like to thank the following organisations for their support:

Printed on recycled paper

3 Volume 80 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

Judith EadieAutomotive Leasing’s Electric Vehicle Champion. Spreading the EV love.

We’re Automotive Leasing, and as the public sector specialist division of LeasePlan, we’ve seen lots of vehicle trends in the last 50 years.

This one is really exciting.

We’re seeing a million possibilities to make a real difference and enjoy all the benefits that come with a sustainable fleet strategy.

Download our ebook The New Green www.easiertoleaseplan.co.uk

Contents GreenFleet 8009 News EC approves expanded Rural Fuel Rebate Scheme; £5m for public sector fleets 15 Fleet profile: British Gas British Gas has shown its commitment to electric vehicles, taking on a fleet of Nissan e-NV200s following a successful trial 20 Electric vehicles From electric-vehicle vending machines, to battery-swopping taxis, there are many examples of innovative ways to drive forward electric mobility across the globe 27 Road safety The Institute of Advanced Motorist’s Peter Rodger offers tips for driving in winter conditions, and reminds employers about staff duty of care and road safety 31 Commercial vehicles: Freight & logistics Some may argue that there are too many HGVs on European roads, causing pollution and congestion. But what would happen if all road freight operations stopped? 35 Commercialvehicles: Euro 6 With the arrival of Euro 6 trucks on many organisations’ fleets in the past 12 months, the challenge of servicing and maintenance, has reared its head once again

38 Commercial vehicles: collaboration DHL Supply Chain has released a paper examining how collaboration can benefit logistics firms, including reducing the industry’s environmental footprint 40 2015 top ten Next Green Car filters out the top ten low and zero-emission offerings which should be appearing in the next 365 days

42 Detroit Auto Show The 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit was awash with hybrid technology

45 Road test: Lexus NX300h Premier Angela Pisanu tests the technology-packed Lexus NX300h, a petrol-hybrid compact SUV with bold looks and low-emissions

46 Road test: Renault Twingo Dynamique SCe 70 Both chic and cutting-edge, the all-new Renault Twingo carrieson from where the first generation left off

48 Road test: Nissan Pulsar n-tec dCi 110 With a high equipment count, low emissions and masses of interior space, the new Nissan Pulsar is a good value, clean family hatchback

CO

NTEN

TS

GreenFleet magazine www.greenfleet.net

15

42

31

46 35

27


business.peugeot.co.uk

PEUGEOT 308

PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY YOU HAVEN’T SEEN BEFORE

PEUGEOT 308

The Peugeot 308 offers you the next generation of cleaner, more economic engines that still deliver pure driver satisfaction. PureTech is an advanced 3-cylinder petrol engine technology that offers the drive and performance normally associated with much bigger engines but with significantly improved fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. However, if it’s diesel you’re

interested in, BlueHDi delivers class-leading figures for CO2 and MPG, without compromising on performance. By combining technology with efficiency, it’s no surprise that the 308 is loved by fleet managers, company car drivers and award juries alike.

Official Fuel Consumption in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 308 Range are: Urban 38.2 (7.4) – 80.7 (3.5), Extra Urban 61.4 (4.6) – 97.4 (2.9), Combined 50.4 (5.6) – 91.1 (3.1) and CO2 130 – 82 (g/km). MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. Model shown is a 308 Feline with 18” Saphir alloy wheels.

PureTech – 3 cylinder petrol engine

From 105g/KM CO2

Up to 130hp

BlueHDi – Diesel engine

From 82g/KM CO2

Up to 180hp

PEF0903_308_PureTech_Press_Ad_210x297_08.indd 1 17/12/2014 15:59

NEW

SNews in brief

Toyota releases Hydrogen patents used in first production model

Toyota is making available thousands of fuel cell patents, including critical technologies used its first production hydrogen car the Mirai. It is hoped this initiative will spur development of fuel cell technologies around the world.

Bob Carter, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations at Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc, said: “The first generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, launched between 2015 and 2020, will be critical, requiring a concerted effort and unconventional collaboration between automakers, government regulators, academia and energy providers.

By eliminating traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the development of new technologies and move into the future of mobility more quickly, effectively and economically.”Set to launch next year, the new Mirai is the final production model based on the FCV first seen at the Geneva Motor Show back in March last year.

Green Holiday park invests in three OutlandersThe five-star Hendra Holiday Park in Newquay is to take delivery of three Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVS which will be used by its directors. The plug-in hybrid SUV uses both electric and petrol power. The manufacturers claim an impressive electric range of 32.5 miles, 44g/km of CO2 and an official combined fuel consumption figure of 148mpg. Hendra Holiday Park has its own solar and wind farms that generate the 100-acre site’s electricity. Will Dexter, financial director, said: ‘We are heavily into renewables, and as part of our commitment to long-term sustainability we wanted a vehicle that we could charge up from our renewable sources.”

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£5m for Public Sector FleetsUp to 35 public sector organisations are being invited to bid for £5m funding to deploy ultra-low emission vehicles on their fleets.Announced by Transport Minister, Baroness Kramer, the scheme aims to add around 200 plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles with fleets including the police, fire services and NHS from February onwards. It builds on the scheme announced last year, which worked to introduce ULEVs on the fleets of 15 government departments, and includes a fully funded fleet review for participants.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “We want the public sector to lead by example. This £5 million investment will see a significant increase in the number of plug-in vehicles used by public bodies such as local authorities, police forces and the NHS and help both the environment and the economy. I look forward to seeing the results.”

READ MORE

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The European Commission (EC) has approved the UK Government’s plan to expand the country’s fuel rebate scheme from islands to selected rural areas on the mainland.The rebate scheme currently operates on the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles, the Islands of the Clyde and the Isles of Scilly. It allows registered retailers to make monthly claims to the HMRC of GBP0.05 (USD0.08) per litre on unleaded petrol and diesel for retail sale, and analysis by HMRC has shown that it has successfully reduced prices on the islands relative to the UK mainland.According to the Government, expanding the scheme to remote mainland areas will allow 125,000 people currently facing some of the highest fuel prices in the country to benefit from cheaper fuel.The Government intends to implement the scheme before elections in May, and is currently holding a consultation on the necessary regulations. However, approval is still needed from other member states through the Council of the European Union.The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, explained: “While we have one more stage to go, I want to make sure we are ready to implement this as a top priority so we will press for this to be heard as soon as possible.” He added: “I’m determined to implement the rural fuel rebate in the current Parliament as part of this government’s drive for a stronger economy and fairer society.”

Three criteria were used to identify 17 eligible areas. Pump prices had to be more expensive than the lowest pump price in the existing scheme; areas had to be more than 100 miles by road from the nearest refinery; and population density had to be no higher than any area currently in the scheme.The areas chosen include postcodes in the Scottish Highlands (IV14, IV21, IV26, IV22, IV27, IV54, KW12, PH19, PH23, PH36, and PH41) and in Argyll and Bute (PA38 and PA80), along with certain English postcodes for Northumberland (NE48), Cumbria (LA17), and Devon (EX35), and the town of Hawes in North Yorkshire. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “This announcement is a landmark moment for mainland rural communities which are the last to benefit from the record low fuel prices now widespread across much of the UK. Filling stations provide a crucial public service in more remote areas, and the plans to widen the Rural Fuel Rebate Scheme will help reduce prices closer to those enjoyed in other parts of the UK. “We now look to the other European member states to rapidly approve the scheme so that motorists can benefit from cheaper fuel without delay.”

FUEL REBATES

EC approves expanded Rural Fuel Rebate Scheme

READ MORE

tinyurl.com/k3lwgcu

FUNDING


NEW

SFORMULA E

Felix da Costa bags Buenos Aires Formula e trophyAntonio Felix da Costa clinched victory in an action-packed Buenos Aires ePrix on January 10, ahead of e.dams-Renault’s Nicolas Prost and China Racing’s Nelson Piquet Jr. The Amlin Aguri driver kept clear of trouble and slowly made his way into the lead. Both polesitter Sebastien Buemi and championship leader Lucas di Grassi retired with suspension failures at the fast Turn 8 and 9 chicane. Venturi’s Nick Heidfeld looked favourite to win in the closing stages but a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pitlane scuppered his chances. The Qualcomm Safety Car was deployed after Mahindra Racing’s Karun Chandhok also fell victim to broken rear suspension at the Turn 8 and 9 chicane. Piquet wasn’t the only driver to be effected by the confusion as a number of drivers had to pass the safety car to unlap themselves. Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird was part of the lead group but he picked up a drive-through penalty for ignoring the pit exit lights. Bruno Senna, who was one of the FanBoost winners, finished fifth ahead of a feisty Jean-Eric Vergne who damaged his nosecone in the fight for the final podium spot.Da Costa’s team-mate Salvador Duran clinched four points in eighth ahead of Nick Heidfeld in ninth. Dragon Racing’s

Oriol Servia rounded out the top-10 positions while Formula E debutant Marco Andretti came home in 13th place.

The race attracted a sell-out crowd of around 20,000 who also witnessed the first round of the Formula E School Series, which was won by Lucas Gambante representing the Antonio Bermejo school.

READ MORE

tinyurl.com/qgl2v42

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Automotive Leasing joins forces with the EST ScotlandSpecialist public sector leasing company Automotive Leasing, part of LeasePlan, has partnered with the Energy Saving Trust (EST) Scotland to encourage drivers to consider electric vehicles.

Under the partnership, both organisations will distribute information to fleet operators in both the public and private sectors about LeasePlan Group’s ‘Take A Leaf Out of Our Book’ initiative, which offers drivers the chance to trial a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle for three months.

The two organisations will also promote EST’s fuel-efficient driver training, which encourages driving that minimises fuel consumption and reduces vehicle wear and tear.

Judith Eadie, account director at Automotive

Leasing, said: “There is nothing that beats the real-world experience of driving an all-electric vehicle. EST is the ideal organisation to promote the benefits of ultra-low emission vehicles as they visit businesses and public bodies around Scotland.”

Both Automotive Leasing and EST will be present at GreenFleet Scotland, which takes place on April 11 at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh and gives fleet managers the chance to test drive a huge range of low and zero emissions offerings from all the major manufacturers.

READ MORE

tinyurl.com/mszcmxx

News in brief

Go Ultra Low City scheme invites bidders

Local authorities are being invited to bid for a share of the £35 million ‘Go Ultra Low City Scheme’, which can be used in a range of ways to support ultra-low emission vehicles such as installing charge-points and introducing low emission zones. Other measures they can use the fund for include changing planning rules to make it easier to install electric vehicle charge-points, trialling new technology and encouraging workplace schemes. Up to four cities with the best proposals stand to get a share of the money, which it is hoped will boost local economies by creating more jobs. The deadline Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “This can help to transform people’s quality of life in their cities and build a stronger economy.” The deadline for submitting outline bids is 20 February 2015.

Fleet registrations up 8.7 per cent, says SMMT

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 2014 fleet registrations rose 8.7 per cent (up to 1,178,416) and, together with business sales, fleets were responsible for over 52 per cent of all new registrations. In total, there were 2,476,435 new car registrations in 2014, up 9.3 per cent on 2013. Figures from the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) back these statistics up, showing that the fleet leasing sector also had a good year. Commenting on the SMMT figures, BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “We saw consistent growth in the fleet leasing sector, with volumes up around 6 per cent. We expect to see a further, steady increase in new leasing volumes this year. Demand for vehicle finance continues to grow – particularly from consumers, SMEs and salary sacrifice customers.”

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tinyurl.com/m69tueoFORMULA E DRIVER STANDING

1 Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport) 58

2 Sam Bird (Virgin Racing) 48

3 Sebastien Buemi (e.dams-Renault) 43

4 Nicolas Prost (e.dams-Renault) 42

5 Nelson Piquet (China Racing) Jr 37

6 Antonio Felix da Costa (Amlin Aguri) 29

7 Jaime Alguersuari (Virgin Racing) 26

8 Jerome D’Ambrosio (Dragon Racing) 22

9 Franck Montagny (Andretti Autosport) 18

10 Karun Chandhok (Mahindra Racing) 18


NEW

S

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LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIPS

Millbrook chief on Local Enterprise BoardAlex Burns, chief executive officer of independent motor technology centre Millbrook has been appointed to the Board of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP). Alex, who took up the post of CEO at Millbrook in February 2014 following the transfer of ownership from General Motors to Rutland Partners in December 2013, will represent the motorsport, high performance technology and engineering sectors and to promote the South East Midlands as a place to do business.

Alex spent 11 years at Williams F1. During this tenure, he established Williams Advanced Engineering, which

brought F1-inspired low carbon technology to the commercial and passenger vehicle markets. Prior to Williams F1, Alex spent 12 years in various senior roles at Meggitt PLC, and started his career at Westland Helicopters.

Alex added: “I am very excited to join the SEMLEP Board; as a business that shares its ambitions for innovation and sustainable growth, Millbrook will play an important role in helping SEMLEP to become one of the most successful and high performing Local Enterprise Partnerships in the country.”

Advanced biofuels demonstration competitionThe government has launched a £25 million advanced biofuels demonstration competition to support the development of a domestic advanced biofuel industry. An independent feasibility study looked at the opportunities available for UK industry. According to the study, gains from the domestic supply of converting low value waste to high value transport fuel could be worth up to £130 million gross value added to the UK by 2030, and potentially up to £500 million per year including exports. Originally announced by the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Norman Baker MP last August, the £25 million of capital funding, supported by significant private sector investment, is designed to achieve the construction of up to 3 demonstration-scale advanced biofuel plants in the UK. Awards

will be made in 2015 and the funding will be available until 2018. Relative to first-generation biofuels (those made from traditional crops, starch, sugars or vegetable oil), advanced fuels could deliver greater carbon savings without the same concerns around food security and land use change. The have the potential to reduce reliance on imported energy. Alongside the competition, the Department for Transport has also established a Transport Energy Taskforce to consider options for supporting advanced biofuels through policy mechanisms. Expressions of Interest are now being sought from potential bidders until 13 February 2015, shortlisted projects will then be invited to submit full proposals.

FEASIBILITY STUDY

tinyurl.com/noasedm

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

LowCVP’s Andy EastlakeOLEV’s Christmas messages bring some festive cheer and new policies for 2015It was good to get some rest after the flurry of activity prior to the Christmas holidays.

I’m aware that some of you may have been waiting for details about the Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s (OLEV) plans to encourage low carbon vehicle adoption from April 2015 onwards before firming up plans to buy for the 2015/16 period and I’m sure that there are still questions to be answered. What you may not be aware of is the enormous amount of activity going on behind the scenes to try to ensure that the new schemes will be even more robust and better designed, particularly for operators and users. Apart from the new Government incentives there are, of course, significant other factors at play. The sudden and dramatic drop in oil prices, now filtering through to real savings at the pump, may reduce (in the short‑term, at least) the financial attractiveness of low carbon vehicles. However, the rapidly increasing concern about air quality is having a contrary effect and revitalising the debate around the best vehicle choices. As GreenFleet readers will know, the motivations are not just saving money, but about real improvements in carbon, air quality and efficiency. The LowCVP is working closely with Government in developing the new support schemes to try to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of all stakeholders. A good example is the development of a new scheme to support the adoption of greener buses.

During January we have been helping OLEV in running stakeholder workshops to help agree what the priorities for support should be, how vehicles should be tested, and, ultimately, how funds can be most effectively used to deliver the greatest market impact. Building a consensus about how to spend limited funds can be very challenging. However, it’s a key strength of the way policy in this area is now formulated that Government is engaging through the LowCVP’s membership to try to make the new support opportunities as robust for suppliers, buyers and users of low carbon vehicles as possible.

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

FURTHER INFORMATION

DEDICATED TO PROMOTING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT | www.greenfleet.net12

NEW

S

Commercial news

FTA addresses HGV driver shortageA Freight Transport Association (FTA) Summit on March 12 plans to address the professional HGV driver shortage, which is affecting operators across Britain. ‘Solving the Driver Crisis – an FTA Summit’ will be held at the Ricoh Stadium, Coventry and will bring together government officials, professional HR advisors, and experienced operators to work towards solutions to the current driver crisis. The event is free to attend for the first 500 applicants.

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Nissan and NASA join forces to help bring autonomous drive systems to market

Glass Systems Group goes Euro 6Swansea-based Glass Systems Group has marked a 25 year association with Mercedes-Benz trucks operation by ordering its first Euro VI vehicles. The latest additions to its fleet of 35 trucks are a 7.5-tonne Atego and an 18-tonne Actros, supplied by Dealer Euro Commercials (South Wales) and fitted with curtainside bodies. Established in 1988 by John and Claire Wood, Glass Systems is now the largest independent sealed unit manufacturer and glazing supplier in the UK, producing nearly 50,000 insulated glass units per week.

Nissan Motor Co. and NASA have announced the formation of a five-year research and development partnership to advance autonomous vehicle systems and prepare for their commercial application. Researchers from Nissan’s US Silicon Valley Research Center and NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California, will focus on autonomous drive systems, human-machine interface solutions, network-enabled applications and software analysis/verification, all involving sophisticated hardware and software

used in road and space applications.Researchers from the two organisations will test a fleet of zero-emission autonomous vehicles at Ames to demonstrate proof-of-concept. For NASA, these tests parallel the way it operates planetary rovers from a mission control center. The first vehicle of that fleet should be testing at the facility by the end of 2015.

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AECOM to manage TfL’s FORSInfrastructure services company AECOM has been awarded a five year contract by Transport for London (TfL) to manage the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS). In a bid to expand the accreditation scheme across the UK, AECOM will run FORS min conjunction with the Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (CILT) and Fleet Resources.

RESEARCH

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Daimler Trucks heading for the half million in 2014Despite difficult market conditions, Daimler Trucks manage to sell almost 500,000 trucks in 2014. Deliveries to November last year totalled 445,300 units – an increase by three percent over the same period in 2013. Final worldwide sales figures will be published at Daimler’s annual press conference on February, 5th, 2015.

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ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Alphabet arranges West Middlesex Hospital’s EV pool car West Middlesex University Hospital has engaged business mobility specialist Alphabet to help cut costs and lower its carbon footprint.

With the hospital’s taxi fare bill forming a substantial part of its employee travel expenses in 2013, it needed to significantly reduce the cost and environmental impact. Following consultative advice from Alphabet, the hospital has taken delivery of a Nissan Leaf. Therapy employees now use the electric pool car instead of taxis whenever possible.

Alphabet was able to offer the hospital an opportunity to lease a single electric vehicle (EV). Andy Finlay, performance and

operations manager at the Trust says: “It’s a win-win for us on cost and the environment. Alphabet helped us to solve this problem by coming up with the car and the insurance.”

Since the launch of its AlphaElectric EV consultancy service in November 2013, Alphabet has seen a dramatic increase in interest from organisations looking to incorporate EVs within their corporate fleets, with the total number of EV’s ordered approaching 800.

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renault.co.uk

100% electric reNAUlt zoe

Model shown is ZOE Dynamique Intens with optional metallic i.d. paint. CO2 while driving: 0. MPG: N/A

*Actual consumption and range may vary: Renault ZOE can travel up to 130 miles on a single charge, based on the new European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Renault also publish real life ranges of 63 miles (winter) to 94 miles (temperate conditions), reflecting range variations from driving style, road conditions, heating and other external factors. **Equivalent to 2p per mile based on (i) overnight electricity costs (British Gas Clear & Simple Economy 7 unit rates for a customer paying by direct debit as at 31 October 2014, assuming 7 hours of charging at the night rate and 1 hour on the day rate), and (ii) a range of up to 126 miles per full charge (based on 95% efficiency and 17˝ wheels). 26p per day standing charge applies.

100% electric renault zoe Dynamique intensNo fuel bills. No road tax. No congestion charges. No brainer.

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

• Rapid charge in just 30 minutes• R-Link controlled 7" touchscreen

navigation• Z.E. interactive: remote battery

charging and remote climate control from your smartphone

• Best in class range*

• Less than 2p per mile fuel cost**

• Zero CO2 emissions whilst driving

Renault Business Quality Commitments• Like for like vehicle replacement• Pro+ specialist fleet network• Free collection and deliveryT&Cs apply. For full list of commitments visit renault.co.uk/business for details

11778-REN-ElectricRenaultZoe_GreenFleet_297x210_1.0.indd 1 11/11/2014 15:46

Energy giant British Gas serves around 11 million homes in Britain – nearly half the country’s homes – as well as providing energy to around half a million UK businesses. The company has made a public commitment to have ten per cent of its 13,000 commercial fleet using electric vehicles by 2017. The company runs one of the largest fleets in the UK, and wants to take the lead to demonstrate how these vehicles can be successfully integrated into a busy and diverse fleet. British Gas is always working hard to reduce operational costs and carbon emissions, and believes that integrating electric vans into its fleets will help. British Gas expects that using electric vehicles will reduce its carbon emissions by 3,277 tonnes, or 7.3 per cent. This is based on having 10 per cent of our existing fleet running from electricity by the end of 2017. In October 2013 British Gas, in partnership with Nissan and Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions set out on one of the UK’s largest commercial trials of electric vehicle technology. Using the Nissan e-NV200 fully electric van, 28 service and repair (boiler) engineers in Scotland (Glasgow), North

An electric van fleet for British GasBritish Gas has shown its commitment to electric vehicles, taking on a fleet of Nissan e‑NV200s following a successful trial during the winter of 2013, which allowed the company to test the vehicles during the company’s busiest time of the year – and during the most challenging season for an electric vehicle

FLEET PROFILE

East England and West London converted from their diesel Volkswagen Caddy to the low carbon vehicle for six months. British Gas’ commitment to the environment, and the trial’s success, led to British Gas scooping Private Sector Fleet of the Year (medium to large), as well as Outstanding Achievement, at the 2014 GreenFleet Awards.

A comprehensive testThe trial looked to test a large number of vans across different locations, patch size, and inevitably in harder weather conditions. It also allowed British Gas to test the vans during its busiest time of the year – and it attended 200,000 more breakdowns in the winter of 2013/14 compared to 2012/13. These conditions meant it could robustly test if electric technology could be used by engineers with no impact on their working day, and

to see if the total cost of ownership is comparable to a conventional vehicle. A team from both Hitachi and Nissan supported the engineers during the trial, and looked at a variety of elements including installing a fast charger at the engineers home, looking at billing solutions to pay the engineers for the electric used, understanding how to train the engineer to recognise the dangers of high voltage electricity, and also how to maximise the range of the van using good driving practices, which differ highly to responsible and ‘green’ driving in a conventional vehicle. Fleetmaster PLC and Gateshead College provided bespoke training to the drivers, which looked at charging the van, how to use eco modes and regenerative braking, and the technical features of the van. The training provided the engineer with a BTech level 2 in electric vehicle driving, and provided many of the engineers with confidence in using the new vehicles. The vans completed in excess of 60,000

miles between them up until April 2014. Towards the end of the trial, all

28 engineers were invited to complete a feedback

survey of the vehicles, and overwhelmingly the feedback was very positive. Engineers commented on the many user friendly features of the vans such as ‘automatic’

gearboxes (fixed drive, no gears), heated seats

and steering wheels (in an effort to reduce the amount of

cabin heating needed), and the same turning circle as a London taxi, making them incredibly manoeuvrable. E

With

the average

British Gas van

emitting 3.75

tonnes per year, the

10 that have been

on fleet have saved

37.5 tonnes of

CO2

renault.co.uk

100% electric reNAUlt zoe

Model shown is ZOE Dynamique Intens with optional metallic i.d. paint. CO2 while driving: 0. MPG: N/A

*Actual consumption and range may vary: Renault ZOE can travel up to 130 miles on a single charge, based on the new European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Renault also publish real life ranges of 63 miles (winter) to 94 miles (temperate conditions), reflecting range variations from driving style, road conditions, heating and other external factors. **Equivalent to 2p per mile based on (i) overnight electricity costs (British Gas Clear & Simple Economy 7 unit rates for a customer paying by direct debit as at 31 October 2014, assuming 7 hours of charging at the night rate and 1 hour on the day rate), and (ii) a range of up to 126 miles per full charge (based on 95% efficiency and 17˝ wheels). 26p per day standing charge applies.

100% electric renault zoe Dynamique intensNo fuel bills. No road tax. No congestion charges. No brainer.

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

• Rapid charge in just 30 minutes• R-Link controlled 7" touchscreen

navigation• Z.E. interactive: remote battery

charging and remote climate control from your smartphone

• Best in class range*

• Less than 2p per mile fuel cost**

• Zero CO2 emissions whilst driving

Renault Business Quality Commitments• Like for like vehicle replacement• Pro+ specialist fleet network• Free collection and deliveryT&Cs apply. For full list of commitments visit renault.co.uk/business for details

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The only additional technology that British Gas added to the project were van trackers to monitor mileage and kWh per mile. Smart meters were also fitted at the engineer’s home to measure exactly how much energy the van was using in a certified and auditable manner.

Data to analyseThe trial provided a huge amount of data for the fleet team to analyse, with the two main focus areas being the operational performance of the vans, and the resulting total cost of ownership figure. This information allowed British Gas to decide the vans are suitable for everyday use, and how much the vans would cost the business to purchase, run maintain and sell onwards during its operational life. The team also compared this with the normal TCO figure of the fleet today. The trial was considered such a success that the team has made an initial order of 50 vans, with another 50 expected in early 2015. Ten trial vehicles are still in use today with engineers throughout the country, and a further five have been used as demos at engineer events so they can try the new technology. Paul Kidd, a British Gas service & repair engineer from Northumberland, said: “I can sometimes spend hours each day driving between customer’s homes, but the Nissan e-NV200 made that just a little bit easier. It was smooth, stress-free and I was really disappointed when I had to give it back. I would absolutely recommend the van to other engineers, particularly as the technology improves and more charge points are installed. It’s definitely the future.” Colin Marriott, general manager, fleet at British Gas said: “We have been extremely impressed with the performance of the Nissan e-NV200 during our winter trial. The feedback from our engineers speaks for itself, with the majority saying they would be happy to keep the van permanently.” “Taking on 100 of these vehicles on a permanent basis demonstrates our continued commitment to leading the adoption of this technology amongst large vehicle fleets in the UK. With technology and infrastructure improving all the time, we look forward to

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expanding this number in the coming years. Jim Wright, Nissan GB managing director, said: “The feedback we have received from the British gas engineers has been invaluable as it has ensured that the e-NV200 is well-suited to British road and business conditions and we have high expectations for its future and ongoing success.” Jon Lawes, divisional managing director of Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions which managed the trial, added: “We have been closely monitoring and analysing the trial throughout the six months it has been running and have been delighted with the way the e-NV200 has performed. We fully expect to see a continued increase in the adoption of electric vehicles for commercial fleet operations, and the success of the British Gas trial provides

compelling evidence to support business use of electric vehicles.”

Fleet detailsBritish Gas operates a 15,000 strong fleet comprising of 13,000 commercial vehicles (small to large vans under 3.5T) and 2,000 company cars. Because

the business has many different aspects which

may cover larger or smaller mileages, an annual mileage

figure is difficult to calculate on a whole. However 12,000 miles a year

per vehicle would be a good approximation. Typical vehicles on British Gas’s fleet are: Volkswagen Caddy Maxi, Ford Transits and Vauxhall Vivaros. Its average CO2 figure for the fleet stands at company cars – 109 grams per Kilometre forCommercial vehicles – 3.75 tonnes of CO2 per year, per vehicle.

Environmental ImpactThe environmental impacts of electric vehicle technology speaks for itself: zero tailpipe emissions. Even if the power for the vehicles came from fossil fuel power stations, they would still be far less CO2 intensive per mile than a comparative diesel powered vehicle.In major cities (with London being a big target) particulates are a major consideration with electric vehicles emitting none. With the average British Gas van emitting 3.75 tonnes per year, the 10 that have

been on fleet have saved 37.5 tonnes of CO2. Overall during this trial British Gas has saved 70.5 tonnes (approx). By mid-2015 British Gas will be saving 375 tonnes of CO2 per year with 100 electric vans. Ten per cent on electric by 2017 would represent a CO2 saving of 4875 tonnes per annum. The electric vehicles represent a saving over their diesel counterparts, as long as they drive at least 10,000 miles a year, to pass the break even point. In London the cost savings could be as high as 20 per cent + with everywhere else representing about a six-ten per cent saving over diesel.

CommunicationBritish Gas completed a number of communication activities with external stakeholders and staff to compliment the project. Over 68 news articles, publications and reports have been covered on the trial, and the van, with an estimated audience of 471, 055 views. It has been internally advertised to different business units, to try and raise awareness for the new technology. There have also been demonstrations at engineer and manager meetings. Representatives of the trial have also attended the 2014 commercial vehicle show and many national fleet events.

PartnershipsHitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions have helped enormously in the management and running of the trial, and have been awarded the contract of leasing the first 100 electric vehicles to British Gas. Other parties include Nissan who have been very helpful during the trial period, offering pre production hand built vans (never before heard of by major motor manufacturers) and even changing aspects of the production version on from trial feedback. Finally Fleetmaster PLC have provided all the training and technical support for the engineers when receiving the vehicle. The future of electric vans for British Gas looks very bright, thanks in part to more optimistic residual values, warranties and of course, lower vehicle costs than have ever been available thanks to battery mass production. L

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.britishgas.co.uk

Selected British Gas engineers converted from their diesel Volkswagen Caddy to the Nissan e-NV200 for six months

By

mid-2015,

British Gas will

be saving

375 tonnes of

CO2 per year with

a fleet of 100

electric vans


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WE HAVEN’T JUST MADE HISTORY. WE’VE MADE A 4WD THAT’S GREENER THAN A CONVENTIONAL SMALL CAR.With the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, we haven’t just made a car – we’ve created a vehicle that really is a friend of the earth. The fusion of electric and petrol technology can deliver a staggering 148 mpg1 and creates a fraction of the CO2 emissions of even a conventional small car - just 44g/km. As a result you’ll pay no road tax or Congestion Charge. Business users will only pay 5% Benefit in Kind rather than the 25%+ that most business users pay2. If your commute is less than 30 miles your petrol consumption will be minimal too. That’s because, in full electric mode, the Outlander PHEV has a range of up to 32 miles. Its combined petrol and electric range is an incredible 510 miles3. Plus its battery can be charged in a few hours via a domestic plug socket4 or a home Charge Point5. We’ve made history – you just need to make time for a test drive. We call this Intelligent Motion.

THE WORLD’S FIRST 4WD PLUG-IN HYBRID SUV

1. Official EU MPG test figure shown as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. 2. 5% BIK compared to average rate of 25%+. 3. 32 mile EV range achieved with full battery charge. 510 miles achieved with combined full battery and petrol tank. Actual range may vary depending on driving style and road conditions. 4. Domestic plug charge: 5 hours, 16 Amp home charge point: 3.5 hours, 80% rapid charge: 30mins. 5. Government subsidised charge points are available from a number of suppliers either free of charge or for a small fee – ask your dealer for more information. Offer ends 31st March 2015. 6. Prices start from £28,249 for Outlander PHEV GX3h. Metallic/pearlescent paint extra. Model shown is an Outlander PHEV GX4h at £33,399 including metallic paint. Prices shown include the Government Plug-in Car Grant and VAT (at 20%), exclude VED and First Registration Fee. Prices correct at time of going to print. For more information about the Government Plug-in Car Grant please visit www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants.

Outlander PHEV range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Full Battery Charge: no fuel used, Depleted Battery Charge: 48mpg (5.9), Weighted Average: 148mpg (1.9), CO2 Emissions: 44 g/km.

FROM £28,249Including £5,000 Government Plug-in Car Grant6

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

M36287 Q1 2015 Outlander PHEV National Ad - Brief 6 - Phase 1 Green FLeet Ad MAG DPS 297x420.indd 1 19/12/2014 16:58

Fifty of the most impactful and innovative ideas on how to dramatically increase adoption of electric vehicles around the world have been collected in a new publication by think tank Urban Foresight, called the EV City Casebook. Ideas covered in the casebook include: the Korean city of Gumi’s wirelessly charged electric buses; U.S. tech giant Google’s self-driving electric cars; British software company Route Monkey’s tools to optimise fleets for EV adoption; and the world’s first EV vending machines in Hangzhou, China. The casebook is the second publication highlighting leadership and best practices in advancing electric mobility.

The first was released in 2012. ”The first EV City Casebook drew attention to those pioneering cities and regions that could offer not only lessons learned about the initial introduction of EVs, but also inspiration for other city leaders interested in vehicle electrification,” said Paul Telleen, the United States’ representative of the Electric Vehicle Initiative. “This new edition highlights the most innovative and impactful ideas that will help drive market transformation now and in the future.” More than 150 projects from around the world were nominated for the 2014 edition of the casebook, after an open call for submissions. An international panel of electric

Electric innovation around the worldFrom electric‑vehicle vending machines, to battery‑swopping taxis and electric HGVs, there are many examples of innovative ways to drive‑forward electric mobility across the globe. Fifty of the most groundbreaking examples are highlighted in the EV City Casebook by think tank Urban Foresight. GreenFleet reports

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mobility experts from national governments and non-governmental organisations met in Copenhagen in May 2014 to identify the measures that offered the greatest potential to advance global adoption of EVs. This assessment provided the basis for selecting the final 50 big ideas to highlight in the casebook.

Low-emission zonesMore than 200 cities and towns in 10 countries around Europe have established a Low Emission Zone or are preparing to implement one. This includes a range of different restrictions, with some cities banning heavy goods vehicles and some restricting or charging according to the emission standard of every vehicle that enters the zone. In London, half of all emitted pollution is from transport. This is why in 2013, the Mayor of London announced a plan for the “world’s first big city ultra low emission zone” (ULEZ) to be operational by 2020. This vision has been further set out by the city’s transport authority, Transport for London (TfL) in a roadmap which outlines plans of how London could reduce air pollution and CO2. London currently has two road user charging schemes, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and the Congestion Charge. TfL has been consulting stakeholders on options for the new ULEZ since early 2013. It is expected that the key entry

Bogotá’s BYD electric taxis produce 60 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than petrol taxis


requirement will be linked to new Euro 6 standards for mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx), with a CO2 emissions requirement for some vehicles in the region of 35-75g/km being considered. While a list of the vehicles affected has yet to be compiled, TfL has confirmed that it could include buses, coaches, taxis, heavy goods vehicles, motorcycles, cars and vans. A public consultation on plans for the new ULEZ was launched in October 2014, with TfL initially proposing to set a low charge for light vehicles and a high charge for heavy vehicles.

Electric taxisAlthough taxis represent a relatively small percentage of urban vehicles, their high mileage makes them disproportionately large contributors to problems of climate change and air quality in cities across the globe. In 2013, the City of Bogotá in Columbia launched an initiative to create the largest fleet of electric taxis in the Americas. This ambitious initiative is the result of a joint project with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, a global network of megacities committed to addressing climate change. The partnership culminated in the launch of a pilot of 50 electric taxis. Compared to all other forms of transportation in Bogotá, taxis are responsible for the most CO2 emissions per passenger in

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the city. But the BioTaxis are producing 60 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than the petrol taxis and 49 per cent less than the CNG taxis. Thanks to these good results, the city is preparing an EV policy and working with C40 Cities to significantly expand the programme.

Integrated urban intelligenceDigital and communications technologies are connecting electric vehicles with energy grids and wider transport systems to facilitate more efficient and effective operation of urban infrastructure and services. Toyota City in Japan is piloting a system that places electric vehicles at the heart of an integrated urban system. The Ha:mo project is a multi-modal navigation system with the capability to incorporate different forms of transport into one route. This includes cars, trains, buses, taxis, power-assisted bicycles, and a network of over 100 shared ultracompact electric vehicles intended for short journeys within the city. Hiroshi Miura, director of transport policy at Toyota City Hall, explains that “Ha:mo will notify you of traffic congestion before you

set out on a journey and will recommend a route to avoid traffic jams. It

also lets you plan journeys with information on the availability

of parking spaces, traffic forecasts and provides a reservation platform for the carsharing network.”

Less dependence on fossil fuels

Reducing road transport’s dependence on finite fossil

fuels is part of a global energy security movement.

The state of Hawaii is actively working to reduce its dependence

on imported fossil fuels. Anne Ku from the University of Hawaii explains that: “Hawaii is the most isolated landmass on earth making the islands hostage to high shipping costs and volatile oil prices. As a result Hawaii’s residents have to pay the highest energy prices in the U.S. and 10 per cent of the state’s gross domestic product is spent on energy.” To reduce Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil, the state began a unique partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to set up the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) in 2008. The HCEI goal in transportation is to reduce petroleum consumption by 70 per cent or displace 385

million gallons of petroleum by year 2030.For Ku there is little doubt that Hawaii is the perfect location for EVs: “The islands’ abundant renewable energy potential, high rooftop solar penetration, excess wind power at night, limited driving distances, and sustainability-minded residents all provide ideal conditions for electric vehicle adoption.”While Hawaii’s rich renewable resources promise a viable alternative to fossil fuel dependence, achieving this requires that these variable resources are properly harnessed. This is where Ku sees EVs as having a much bigger role in energy security than simply decarbonising road transport. “Through battery storage and controlled charging, plug-in electric vehicles will be essential in managing the variable loads from renewables and improving the management of distributed energy resources.” This is being put into practice on the islands through over $60 million of investment in several smart grid projects, which are preparing the islands electric system for increased renewables and widespread adoption of EVs.

Incentives to encourage take-upExemptions from local taxes and charges can greatly enhance the cost advantages of EVs. Incentives can also offer non-financial benefits, such as preferred parking or access to fast track lanes for buses. Local incentives have been a major factor in the growing popularity of EVs in Norway. Motorists in Oslo have reported saving an hour on their daily commute by driving in bus lanes and by gaining easy access to dedicated EV only parking. A recent survey by the Norwegian EV Drivers Association found that 64 per cent of the 1,859 respondents felt that their electric car saved them time.The same survey also showed that 94 per cent of EV drivers agreed with the statement that their electric car was low cost to use. A big part of this cost equation is the difference in fuel costs between highly taxed petrol and relatively inexpensive electricity from hydropower. However, a suite of incentives also means that Norwegian EV drivers enjoy additional daily cost savings. This includes exemptions from road charges, free travel on road ferries, free electricity and parking at over 5,000 chargepoints across the country, and free on-and off-street parking in all municipal spaces.

AwarenessA low level of awareness, understanding, and confidence in EVs amongst the general E

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2013, the

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London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced plans

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low emission zone”

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By choosing Green Motion as your Vehicle Rental partner your company now has the real choice to make an immediate and positive impact in thereduction of carbon emissions.

Green Motion’s fleet is unique as it boasts a wide range of vehicles all featuring low CO2 technologies including hybrid, electric and particular filtered diesel and, as a result, each time your company requires to hire a vehicle you have the peace of mind that by working with Green Motion you are actively reducing

Green Motion Car and Van Hire offers its customers - both leisure and business the opportunity to enjoy great value vehicle rental, while helping to reduce the impact of global CO2 emissions associated with road travel.

Green Motion is committed to ensuring that its customers have the choice to hire vehicles boasting the latest in low CO2 technologies, whilst benefiting from excellent fuel economy.

Our environmentally friendly fleet of cars

Corporate Vehicle Rental Accounts with Green Motion

Many responsible and forward thinking companies and organisations are pro-actively searching for ways to reduce their impact on the environment. Many areas are being addressed, such as the use of green energy and recycling initiatives, however until now, there has been little or no choice in reducing carbon emissions relating to the rental or leasing of cars and vans. With our environmentally friendly fleet of cars, Green Motion is committed to ensuring that its customers have the choice to hire vehicles boasting the latest in low CO2 technologies, whilst benefiting from excellent fuel economy.

your company’s carbon footprint and, in turn, helping to contribute to the reduction and the effects of global climate change.

Hiring with Green Motion also does not represent acompromise to your company. As well as an excellent range of vehicles from manufacturers includingVolkswagen, BMW, Citroen, Honda, Toyota and Lexus you will also enjoy all the normal benefits and servicesassociated to a national rental company.

UK Reservations: 0333 888 4000Worldwide: 0044 (0) [email protected]

Become a corporate partner

2014

By choosing Green Motion as your Vehicle Rental partner your company now has the real choice to make an immediate and positive impact in thereduction of carbon emissions.

Green Motion’s fleet is unique as it boasts a wide range of vehicles all featuring low CO2 technologies including hybrid, electric and particular filtered diesel and, as a result, each time your company requires to hire a vehicle you have the peace of mind that by working with Green Motion you are actively reducing

Green Motion Car and Van Hire offers its customers - both leisure and business the opportunity to enjoy great value vehicle rental, while helping to reduce the impact of global CO2 emissions associated with road travel.

Green Motion is committed to ensuring that its customers have the choice to hire vehicles boasting the latest in low CO2 technologies, whilst benefiting from excellent fuel economy.

Our environmentally friendly fleet of cars

Corporate Vehicle Rental Accounts with Green Motion

Many responsible and forward thinking companies and organisations are pro-actively searching for ways to reduce their impact on the environment. Many areas are being addressed, such as the use of green energy and recycling initiatives, however until now, there has been little or no choice in reducing carbon emissions relating to the rental or leasing of cars and vans. With our environmentally friendly fleet of cars, Green Motion is committed to ensuring that its customers have the choice to hire vehicles boasting the latest in low CO2 technologies, whilst benefiting from excellent fuel economy.

your company’s carbon footprint and, in turn, helping to contribute to the reduction and the effects of global climate change.

Hiring with Green Motion also does not represent acompromise to your company. As well as an excellent range of vehicles from manufacturers includingVolkswagen, BMW, Citroen, Honda, Toyota and Lexus you will also enjoy all the normal benefits and servicesassociated to a national rental company.

UK Reservations: 0333 888 4000Worldwide: 0044 (0) [email protected]

Become a corporate partner

2014

public will undoubtedly temper demand. Addressing this requires active education and promotion efforts to create an informed public that is positively disposed to EVs.The very first and most basic issue is that before an individual can consider investing in an EV, they first need to understand that this is an option. After this, the next challenge is to explain the relative benefits of EVs and how these vehicles could match different needs and lifestyles. In 2011, to spur the development of the burgeoning electric vehicle market, the Chinese government named Shanghai as an International Electric Vehicle Demonstration Zone. The EV Zone offers the public free test drives in different EVs – an opportunity which some 80,000 people have accepted to date. Lucas Cao Yue, project manager at Shanghai International Auto City Group Co explains: “We have many different electric vehicles in one place, so people can compare their options. We also have knowledgeable staff, an educational cinema, and lots of information that we can share with the public.” The EV Zone also has a fleet of 160 electric vehicles from which it collects usage data. This data and the information from the surveys are then shared with vehicle manufacturers to help establish a better understanding of the developing markets for EVs.

Wireless chargingThe wireless transfer of power to an electric vehicle when parked or in motion could extend driving range and enhance the convenience of recharging. This convenience could further differentiate EVs from internal combustion engine vehicles and other alternative propulsion fuels. In the city of Gumi in South Korea, a seven and a half mile stretch of inner-city road has been fitted with a wireless charging system to power an all-electric passenger bus. Developed by researchers at Korea’s Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the Online Electric Vehicle system (OLEV) consists of electrical cables buried under the surface of the road that create magnetic fields which are picked up by a receiver on the underbody of the bus and converted into electricity. All-electric bus routesBuses are an effective mass-transit solution for millions of urban dwellers each day, but also a major source of surface pollution in cities. Because buses operate almost 5-10 times more than the average passenger car, they are a key priority for emissions reductions. In IEA’s Energy Technology Perspectives 2014 (ETP 2014), buses were singled out as

the road transport mode with the most electrification options available, including battery swapping, overhead (catenary) lines, induction (static and dynamic), and stationary battery charging. Italy’s capital city Rome boasts one of Europe’s largest fleets of electric buses. The city’s entire bus system carries 945 million passengers per year and has been running all-electric buses since 1989. 60 all-electric minibuses operate on five routes, using battery swapping. The size of the minibuses reduces the amount of charging necessary, but it also means they can navigate the narrow alleyways of the city. This would simply not be possible with other buses which would be too large to fit into these historic streets and are also prohibited from doing so because of emissions and noise regulations. Rome has also implemented trolley bus lines. This includes one hybrid line (Line 90) that uses overhead power until it reaches the centre and then uses battery power.

Challenging misconceptionsThere is broad agreement that public understanding of electric vehicles needs improving. However, in many developed markets, promoting greater understanding of the benefits and potential of EVs is not simply about giving people more information, but rather a need to challenge commonly-held misconceptions, scepticism, and bias.Widely held misconceptions that EVs are slow, unreliable, and unsafe largely stem from traditional negative stereotypes and outdated associations with milk floats, golf carts, and older EV models. An initiative that has the potential to both challenge negative stereotypes and to also generate positive mainstream news headlines is Formula E, the world’s first fully-electric racing series. Sponsored by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the series is intended to representthe highest class of competition for electrically-powered single-seat racing cars. Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings said: “One of the biggest issues electric vehicles face is image. Many people think they won’t work for them or they will be too slow but we want to show everyone what electric cars can really do, through motorsport, and to help shape perceptions of what is cool and exciting.”

EV vending machines Hangzhou, on the south eastern coast of China, is home to the world’s first electric

vehicle vending machines. These automated multi- storey vertical garages are part of

a city-wide carsharing scheme that enables users to hire a fully charged

electric vehicle at the push of a button. Launched by Kandi

Technologies in 2013, users can hire an ultracompact EV with a range of 75 miles for around $3 per hour and drop it off at another Kandi station near their destination.

The charging/parking towers are located at

airports, train stations, hotels, business centres, selected

residential areas, and other places that are typically congested.

With only 10 per cent of the 1.35 billion people in China owning a car, and strict license plate controls designed to restrict purchases of new cars in Chinese cities, Kandi sees significant potential in this model. In August 2014, Kandi introduced over 200 EVs to a new car share scheme in Shanghai and has announced plans to expand the model to other cities and regions such as Shandong and Hainan. A second life for batteriesEven after batteries have reached the end of their useful life in electric vehicles, there are still some valuable applications for which they can be used. Redeploying batteries has the benefit of enhancing the capital value and lifecycle performance of ageing EVs. It could also provide a valuable resource for managing energy grids.On Yume-shima Island in Osaka, Japan, the Sumitomo Corporation is harnessing the potential of redeploying spent EV batteries by building the world’s first large-scale power storage system utilising used batteries collected from electric vehicles. This prototype 600kW/400kWh system includes 16 used lithium-ion EV batteries. Over a period of three years, the system will measure the smoothing effect of energy output fluctuation from the nearby Hikari-no-mori solar farm. The project has been developed under a joint venture between Sumitomo and the Nissan Motor Company known as 4R Energy Corporation to create new business models for used lithium-ion EV batteries. Nissan expects that the glide path for a normal LEAF’s battery degradation will be down to 70-80 per cent capacity after five years, with up to 70 per cent of their capacity remaining after 10 years of service as a car battery. This would make these batteries ideally suited for grid energy storage.

Fleet optimisationInstead of just replacing fossil-fuelled engines on a like-for-like basis, fleet managers can increase the opportunities for electrification by optimising the operation of all of their vehicles. In other words, the best way to reduce costs and emissions is to place the right vehicles on the most efficient routes and this will often make a compelling case for EVs. From their head office just outside of Edinburgh in Scotland, software company E

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initiative

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stereotypes is

Formula E, the world’s

first fully-electric

racing series


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Route Monkey has developed a tool to help fleet managers optimise their fleets for EVs. “Benchmarking EVs as like-for-like replacements for petrol or diesel vehicles is not the optimal way to think about this,” explains Route Monkey’s chief executive, Colin Ferguson. “We look at the total cost of ownership of the whole fleet – not just a single vehicle.”Route Monkey’s unique selling point lies at the heart of their software, where their sophisticated algorithm calculates the optimum deployment of EVs. “Scheduling EVs is not just about benchmarking the total miles driven,” explains Ferguson. “The same electric vehicle will have a totally different range if it is going up a hill with a heavy load compared to travelling on the flat. Our algorithm takes into account all of the factors that impact range – like weather, topography, payload, regenerative braking, and opportunities for charging – and calculates the optimal schedules, routes, and vehicles for a fleet.”

Electrifying HGVsIn many countries, long-haul truck traffic is concentrated on distinct corridors, presenting opportunities for targeted deployment of solutions for electrification. For example, in France and the U.S., more than 50 per cent of long-haul trucking activity takes place on just 2.5 per cent and 17 per cent of highway infrastructure, respectively. While heavy duty trucks typically only represent a small percentage of a region’s vehicle fleet, they emit a disproportionate share of certain pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. In addition, many trucks have lifespans of 20 years or longer, meaning that even when emission standards are implemented for new vehicles, it will be decades before the oldest and highest-emitting vehicles are retired from service. Patrik Akerman, business developer for Siemens’ eHighway project said: “The weight of these vehicles and the distance that they travel means that they present very different challenges when it comes to electrification. “Our approach in eHighway is to use a catenary system (overhead wires) to dynamically deliver power to trucks while they are driving.” Catenary systems are widely used in a variety of heavy duty applications, including trains and buses, meaning that the technology and expertise already exists. However, according to Akerman, “it’s only recently that hybrid electric drive technology has matured to provide a cost-effective truck that could operate on and off the catenary line. Our solution enables the trucks’ pantograph to be retracted from the overhead wires when needed, giving full flexibility to truckers, without tying them to a single route.” Siemens has developed a two-kilometre test track in Gross Dölln outside Berlin. Three heavy goods vehicles

(HGVs), including one developed with Swedish truck manufacturer Scania, have been tested under various driving and weather conditions. While the trucks would need to drive outside of the catenary using another fuel for the last-mile, Siemens estimates overall system efficiency to be twice as high as for conventional diesel trucks.

Travelling long distancesThe provision of infrastructure to extend all-electric journeys has emerged as a key priority for industry and policymakers around the world. There are different ways to extend the journeys that are achievable in an EV. But the strategy favoured by most global vehicle manufacturers today is fast charging. The Baltic state of Estonia was one of the first countries to roll out a nationwide network of fast chargers, installing 165 fast chargers for a population of 1.3 million. This provided each town with a fast charger as well as charging stations every40 to 60km. These stations can recharge an EV battery up to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes. Depending on the model of car, a driver could travel for over 100km in a battery electric vehicle.

Battery swappingIn the city of Hangzhou, China, there are currently about 500 electric taxis criss-crossing the streets, stopping only to pick up passengers and switch batteries. The taxi fleet, which started operation in 2009, has logged 34 million kilometres so far. The daily coverage of one electric taxi is about 230km. During normal operation, a taxi’s battery will be swapped about two-three times per day at swapping depots located throughout the city, provided by State Grid Corporation of China, the nation’s largest power provider. The switching process is semi-automatic, using two workers and one mechanical arm, and takes about five minutes to complete. When being recharged at the main switching hub, the batteries are also capable of storing power and balancing grid loads.

Self-driving vehiclesThe development of autonomous self-driving technologies could give EVs a further advantage over equivalent fossil-fuelled vehicles. This is the case because EVs provide an ideal platform for autonomous vehicles, with the mechanical

nature of the electrical motor, drivetrain, and battery being far more responsive to signals and manipulation than internal combustion engine vehicles. This

makes battery electric vehicles better equipped to operate in the

conditions necessary for automated fuelling

and speed variation. For example, as EVs do not coast in the way that petrol-powered vehicles do, they are better able to autonomously adjust their speed

according to changing traffic dynamics. As Nissan spokesman Brian Brockman notes: “Electric cars are well suited to autonomous drive (AD) because all actuators are already electrified with precise controllability.” In Mountain View, California, search engine and technology giant Google launched its self-driving car project to tremendous fanfare. In 2012, the company released a now famous YouTube video of a blind man behind the wheel of a driverless car, navigating city streets and even ordering a meal from a fast food restaurant. Since then, the company has continued to grow its programme. Its original vehicles were adapted from existing models, such as the Toyota Prius, with bolt-on sensor technology. Recently, the company produced 100 electric, self-driving prototypes. The vehicles are powered by an electric motor, with a range of 160 kilometres, and can be called upon with a smartphone – arrive to their destination without a steering wheel, pedals, or manual controls. Built in sensors and global positioning system enable the vehicle to see up to 183 metres in every direction and to easily navigate urban streets.

EV tourismTourism is one of the most pollution-sensitive economic sectors. Failure to reduce noise and emissions from road transport could have profound consequences for tourism flows and the associated economic opportunities that this brings. The world famous Swiss resort of Zermatt has restricted access to combustion engine vehicles to the town since 1966. With more than 500 electric vehicles as the main source of transportation, Zermatt offers long-established experience for other tourist destinations to follow. “The town council issues special permits to residents wishing to own small electric vehicles,” said Philipp Walser of the Swiss Association e’mobile. “Taxis and hotel owners are also eligible for EV permits but this depends on strict conditions such as the size of the hotel, number of guests, and the availability of parking.”Walser explains that any non-electric vehicles have to be parked on the northern outskirts of the town. Tourists arriving by public transport are either met by an electric taxi or one of eight electric buses that run on two circular lines.

Inspirational ideasTali Trigg, a transport analyst at the International Energy Agency, said: “The projects featured in the Casebook represent some of the most inspiring and game-changing electric mobility developments from around the world, across a wide spectrum of applications. The ideas presented here are fresh, inventive ways of thinking about EV deployment.” The Casebook draws on the global networks of future city think tank Urban Foresight, the Clean Energy Ministerial’s Electric Vehicles Initiative (EVI) and the International Energy Agency’s Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Implementing Agreement. L

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.urbanforesight.org

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Google’sself-driving car 25 Volume 80 | GREENFLEET MAGAZINE

As the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings of ice and snow for much of the country, motorists need to take extra care when on the roads. Employers also need to be cautious when sending staff on the roads as they have a duty of care towards employees when driving for work purposes. Existing research from the Department for Transport in 2013 shows winter is a dangerous time of year for motorists, with a reported 57,260 cars across England and Wales involved in accidents as a result of wet, flooded and icy roads. Motorcyclists are also being warned about the severe weather, as over 5,000 reported motorcycle accidents took place in the same year across the country as a result of wet, flooded and icy roads too. Skidding alone, caused by rain, sleet and snow resulted in an 11,614 major road accidents occurring – putting both riders and drivers safety at risk. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning riders and drivers to be extra vigilant on the road this winter through its national winter campaign, wheels in winter. Through weekly advice, reactive weather forecast updates and social media activation, the IAM winter campaign will aim to increase rider and driver consideration and reduce the number of winter weather related fatalities.

Tips for the roadIf weather conditions are severe in your area you should take notice of police advice and simply don’t travel. However, in exceptional circumstances, if you must go out make sure you drive safely with extra caution on icy roads and bear in mind the following tips. Keep to the main roads as they’re more likely to be salted. Also bear in mind that after the frost has gone, ice can remain in areas which are shaded by trees and buildings – and it forms there first, so be careful in the evening as the temperature drops. It may seem obvious to say, but every year people do forget, so ensure you have de-icer and a scraper. And don’t be one of those people, still out there, who only scrape a small area and drive looking through a slit – clear the whole screen to be able to see properly. If the road is slippery when you start off, do it in second gear, releasing the clutch and

accelerating gently, avoiding high revs – this will help prevent wheel spin. As

you drive, stay in higher gears to help avoid wheelspin. In an

automatic be gentle with your feet, and use whatever gearbox features that the car handbook says will help in slippery conditions. Cars go in ditches every winter because

drivers haven’t taken icy roads seriously enough. If

it’s cold outside treat wet looking patches with great care

– they could be ice, not water. Stopping distances are increased

by up to ten times in icy conditions, so leave plenty of distance between your car and the car in front – plan so that you’re not relying on your brakes to stop – on ice they may E

Get a grip on winter drivingFollowing warnings of icy weather, the Institute of Advanced Motorist’s Peter Rodger offers tips for driving in wet, snowy and icy conditions, and reminds employers that they have a duty of care towards staff when they are on the road W

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If the

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Quit smoking and save thousands with petrol full hybrid

Poor air quality kills*. Reduce CO2 and NOx emissions and eliminate particulates whilst saving

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Hybrid range fuel economy (mpg) Comb. 134 - 32.8; Urban 91.1 - 26.9; Extra Urban 80.7 - 37.9; CO2 49 - 199g/km.The mpg fi gures quoted are sourced from offi cial EU-regulated test results. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not refl ect your actual driving experience.

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thousands of pounds by switching from diesel to petrol hybrid. Arrange a free personalised

fl eet fi nancial health check and extended hybrid test drive.

To clean up and save visit quitclub.org.uk or call our ‘quitline’ today 0344 701 6186

*5000 premature UK deaths a year due to combustion exhaust. Environmental Science Technology – Public Health Impacts of Combustion Emissions in the United Kingdom 21/03/12 (COMEAP – Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution)

Hybrid range fuel economy (mpg) Comb. 134 - 32.8; Urban 91.1 - 26.9; Extra Urban 80.7 - 37.9; CO2 49 - 199g/km.The mpg fi gures quoted are sourced from offi cial EU-regulated test results. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not refl ect your actual driving experience.

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not do that for you. If it is really slippery slow down early and use the gears to do it. If your car loses grip and starts to slide sideways, take your foot off the accelerator, and point the front wheels where you want to go. Bends are a particular problem in icy conditions – slow down before you get to the bend, so that by the time you turn the steering wheel you have already lost enough speed.On a downhill slope get your speed low before you start the descent, and do not let it build up – it is much easier to keep it low than to try and slow down once things get slippery.

Driving on gritted roadsEven when roads are gritted, drivers must take precautions. Salt will often make the windscreen, headlights, number plate and rear parts of your car very dirty. Cars without headlamp washers, for example, will lose an estimated 40 per cent of luminosity, and possibly all their focus in about 20 miles on a damp, gritted motorway. When travelling long distances it is advised that you stop regularly at service stations to clean your windscreen and headlights with a clean cloth. Or keep a filled gallon of water in the car boot to give your lights, windows and mirrors a quick wash over – a handy investment to top up your windscreen washer reservoir when needed too. When driving on a busy road avoid overtaking a gritting lorry as the road ahead may not be treated yet. If you have any doubt, don’t risk it. Never overtake a snow plough in heavy snow conditions. While roads may be gritted to give you better

traction some areas may not be completely treated, leaving ice patches exposed. You should therefore drive at a steady pace – ensuring the safety of you and your passengers. It’s important that you keep your car clean throughout the winter as the salt in grit can cause external damage such as corrosion to any exposed suspension parts. Ensure that you thoroughly wash the underneath of your car when you can to stop salt from settling. Don’t forget to wash/rinse alloy wheels too; the smallest scratch can quickly become a large rust patch.

If the worst does happenIf the worst does happen, keep track of where you are. If you do have to call for assistance, you need to be able to tell the breakdown or emergency services your location. If you must leave your vehicle to telephone for assistance, find a safe place to stand away from the traffic flow. If you have just lost control, the next driver could well do the same in the same place. If you break down or have to pull over on a motorway or dual carriageway, it is always better to leave your vehicle and stand a short distance behind and to the safe side of it. Don’t stand in front of it if at all possible. Balancing the risks of a collision and hypothermia is something that depends entirely on your situation. L

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.iam.org.uk

Winter driving tipsKeep to the main roads as they’re more likely to be salted.

Ensure you have de‑icer and a scraper and clear the whole screen to be able to see properly.

If the road is slippery when you start off, do it in second gear, releasing the clutch and accelerating gently, avoiding high revs.

As you drive, stay in higher gears to help avoid wheelspin.

In an automatic be gentle with your feet, and use whatever gearbox features that the car handbook says will help in slippery conditions.

If it’s cold outside, treat wet looking patches with great care – they could be ice, not water.

Stopping distances are increased by up to 10 times in icy conditions, so leave plenty of distance between your car and the car in front.

If it is really slippery slow down early and use the gears to do it.

If your car loses grip and starts to slide sideways, take your foot off the accelerator, and point the front wheels where you want to go.

Slow down before you get to the bend, so that by the time you turn the steering wheel you have already lost enough speed.

On a downhill slope get your speed low before you start the descent, and do not let it build up.

When travelling long distances it is advised that you stop regularly at service stations to clean your windscreen and headlights


THE NEW DAF EURO 6 SERIES: TAILORED FOR EVERY APPLICATION

Featuring new ultra clean Euro 6 drivelines which are both economic and reliable together

with new purpose designed chassis layouts the new generation of DAF trucks sets the

standard in transport efficiency. Low operating cost and maximum uptime make the

new LF, CF and XF the best trucks for the operator. Outstanding comfort and ease of

use make them also the favourite of every driver. The new Euro 6 LF, CF and XF: there is

always a DAF that perfectly matches your requirements.

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Advertentie_Range_210x297.indd 1 11-11-14 09:40

THE NEW DAF EURO 6 SERIES: TAILORED FOR EVERY APPLICATION

Featuring new ultra clean Euro 6 drivelines which are both economic and reliable together

with new purpose designed chassis layouts the new generation of DAF trucks sets the

standard in transport efficiency. Low operating cost and maximum uptime make the

new LF, CF and XF the best trucks for the operator. Outstanding comfort and ease of

use make them also the favourite of every driver. The new Euro 6 LF, CF and XF: there is

always a DAF that perfectly matches your requirements.

DRIVEN BY QUALITY

TRUCKS | PARTS | FINANCE WWW.DAF.CO.UK

Advertentie_Range_210x297.indd 1 11-11-14 09:40

Written by D

onald Arm

our, manager, international affairs, FTA

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Road freight transport is a key component in everyone’s daily life as trucks collect and deliver to and from factories, stores, restaurants and homes. They carry everything, from TVs and computers to clothes, medicine, children’s toys, food and construction materials – all part of the supply chains we rely on – and can justly be regarded as the number one transport mode of choice for most businesses. The industry is highly fragmented, with many owner operators and small businesses of up to five to seven vehicles. Businesses with a significant fleet of, say, over 100 vehicles, are very few and far between in comparison. From the customer service point of view,

this means that trucks can provide a very flexible and prompt service, can cross borders within Europe without delay and are the only transport mode that can carry goods from door to door. This is why nearly 75 per cent of the volume and 90 per cent of the value of all freight transiting the member states is moved by truck. In modern economies, 85 per cent of road freight tonnage is carried over distances of 150km or less, for which there is no economically viable alternative, and less than one per cent is carried over 1,000km. Travelling by motorway, most of us would

come to the conclusion that there are far too many enormous goods vehicles on the road but actually close to 90 per cent of trucks are relatively small vehicles not much bigger than a large van. They are mainly used for local distribution on short runs, delivering goods from regional centres to the local store, or home delivery services, for example. Heavy goods vehicles or trucks above 16 tonnes represent only six per cent of the European commercial vehicle fleet.

A partnership modelMany people believe that goods should be increasingly transported by rail and taken off the roads but usually use of the other modes requires transhipment to enable the goods to reach their destination, adding time to the supply chain. Truck transport can replace most other forms of transport but is not itself easily replaced by them. Road freight transport companies are increasingly using rail services for their customers in central Europe, both trans-Alpine and East-West, using a technique called combined transport, where entire trucks or just trailers or cargo

transport units may be transported on freight trains. Logistics companies

in particular are committed to working in partnership

with transport service E

Moving goods around EuropeSome may argue that there are too many heavy goods vehicles on European roads, causing pollution and congestion. But what would happen if all road freight operations stopped? Havoc to our economy as well as our health, writes the FTA’s Don Armour who argues that this vital industry is in fact getting greener

From a customer’s point of view, trucks can provide a flexible and prompt service, cross borders without delay and carry goods from door to door


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providers across all modes, to find the best combinations for their supply chains and to provide a reliable service to their customers. Targeting emissionsAn important part of the industry’s story is its sustainable progress. Modern trucks are now more comfortable for the driver, equipped with more fuel efficient engines, produce less damaging emissions and are quieter than ever before. In the UK, new products, technologies and innovations are being developed which demonstrate exemplary research and have the potential to transform the performance of future vehicles. Thanks to the investment made by vehicle manufacturers, pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulates from new Euro 6 engine models have been reduced by up to 98 per cent compared with the emission levels of engines used in 1990. Work continues on reducing CO2 emissions even further, which will apply to both trucks and vans. Trucks built today are also much more fuel-efficient than older 32 tonne models which typically consumed around 50 litres per 100km. Today, on average, a modern 40-tonne truck uses around 32 litres per 100km. Nothing is more wasteful for business and damaging for the environment than cars, buses and trucks stuck in traffic. Trucks of all sizes represent about 10 per cent of the total number of vehicles on roads across Europe; and 20 per cent of all kilometres driven; while private cars, representing close to 80 per cent of vehicles on the road, are the main users of the road transport network. Traffic jams and bottlenecks increase emissions and fuel consumption compared to free flowing traffic. One of

the industry’s big issues in Europe today is that due to environmental concerns, road construction has slowed, night and weekend truck bans are imposed, as well as restrictive delivery times in urban centres: all these have a negative impact on the environment, road safety and mobility as they compel transport operators to run their delivery fleet during peak hours.

A freight-free EuropeAlthough European road freight operations may be subject to traffic congestion, road tolls, low emission zones, weekend lorry bans, stowaways, bad weather, demonstrations, weights and dimensions restrictions and curtailed delivery times for example, thanks to the sector’s ability to react quickly to situations it has little or no control over, the goods that you need and those you want are usually delivered on time. But what if it all stopped without warning for a week? What would the practical implications be? How long would stocks last in shops and hospitals? A study published by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) reported that: Within a day of truck transport ceasing, hospitals would run out of clean linen and staff clothing. Delayed deliveries of linen and clothing affects a large part of the health care system and means that planned operations must be delayed.

Milk will quickly become unavailable at food stores. Only letters that are already at the post office can be distributed; new letters or packages cannot be sent away. After two days there will be a lack of fresh produce in the food stores. Large supermarkets routinely have 10-15 deliveries by truck daily, maybe more. Some products will no longer be found in the stores. Pharmacies and doctor’s surgeries depend on daily deliveries of products and certain medicines will soon be out of stock. Non-supply of spare parts for buses can result in interrupted services. There will be less fresh food in restaurants and in hotels as freezer supplies are not delivered. Day three: fuel is now out of stock or restricted at many service stations. Storage tanks at waste treatment plants are now full. It may be pumped out into rivers with insufficient treatment. Restaurants’ supplies are now limited and many items are taken off the menu. Buses are still running but due to the lack of fuel there are service interruptions and some routes are cancelled. The supply of aviation fuel runs out today. Hotels no longer have clean sheets. On day four, outside shops, restaurants and apartments bags of waste are accumulating, causing a potential health hazard. The lack of fuel forces public transport, and air traffic, to stop. No newspapers are printed as the supply of newsprint has run out. After five days water supplies are affected as the regular delivery of chemicals means that plants cannot guarantee that water is fit to drink. In schools, old people’s homes and hospitals food is in short supply. Restaurants close. Hotels close due to a lack of both customers and supplies. Industrial

production has stopped due to a lack of room to stock finished products, or due to lack of inbound raw materials and parts. Paving the way forwardThrough its membership of the IRU and its contacts within the European institutions in Brussels, FTA continues to work towards a level playing field for its members in the international road freight marketplace. This is because, as this article has demonstrated, trucks play a unique role in the European freight system. Whether it is in local transport or as part of a longer-distance supply chain, road freight remains a crucial industry, from underpinning the European economy to the delivery of Christmas presents on time.

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.fta.co.uk

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Thanks to the investment made by manufacturers, pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulates from new Euro 6 engine models have been reduced by up to 98 per cent compared with the emission levels of 1990


Given that the new Euro 6 models are a significant investment for the majority of operators, it is essential that they spend as much of their time as possible out on the road earning money, as opposed to suffering from unscheduled downtime. As such, many technicians have been subjected to extra levels of training, in order to cope with planned, and unplanned, issues when it comes to maintenance and vehicle upkeep. While operators have got used to new specifications and running costs, in the workshop, technicians have faced more complex diagnostic obstacles on these cleaner vehicles. The act of diagnostics itself might not have changed, but the skills required of the technician have been broadened somewhat.

Time to trainWith the arrival of Euro 6 trucks on many organisations’ fleets in the past 12 months, the challenge of servicing and maintenance, as well as the general management of the vehicles themselves – has reared its head once again

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The combined introduction of SCR (selective catalytic reduction), cooled EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), DPF (diesel particular filter) and VGT (variable geometry turbocharger) in one engine will mean more sensors, thereby leading to added complexity. “In order to make the most accurate diagnosis, technicians now not only need to understand the overall system, but also how to use diagnostics to interrogate the vehicle ECUs,

using fault codes to examine the live data,” states Paul Sinderberry,

European Product Manager, Diagnostics and

Tooling, at Delphi. Pressure – on the part of the engine, as opposed to the technician – is one of the big issues, says Sinderberry. “Euro 6 engines have fuel pressure exceeding

2,500 bar. To put this into context, you only need

1,379 bar to cut steel, so the pressures associated with

Euro 6 engines are high.” E

While

operators

have got used to

new Euro 6 specs,

in the workshop,

technicians have

faced more complex

diagnostic

obstacles

D13K460 is the first Volvo engine to fulfil the Euro 6 emission standard


Filename 115324 streamline broken record 210x297

www.rla.co.ukSize (hxw) 210x297 Operator SMPage No. 2 Modified 23 December 2014 12:49 PM

12.13 mpg. That’s the new record set by the Scania G410 with a 40-tonne tractor and trailer combination on the demanding test route north of Munich. It set the record in the process of winning the ‘Green Truck 2014’ award run by respected German trade magazines Verkehrs-Rundschau and Trucker. You can see details of the test and results at scania.co.uk/recordbreaker It’s the lowest consumption they’ve ever measured for a heavy tractor in this test. 0.67 mpg better than its nearest rival. That’s what it takes to be a record breaker.

FUEL RECORD BROKEN.

YOUS CANIA

SAVEON FUEL.

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Repair and maintenance changesFor Steve Ball, Technical Trainer at Diagnostic Tools Developer Texa, Euro 6 signifies an opportunity change the way that technicians deal with repair and maintenance work. “The motor industry has, in the past, been guilty of looking at a fault code, replacing a component and hoping it fixes it,” he says. “But because the cost of new components is higher, diagnosis will have to be more accurate than ever to change that approach. “The exhaust temperature sensors used to be a standard unit, but there are now three or four going into one module, which is communicated across the vehicle’s controller area network (CAN) back into the ECU. CAN plays a bigger role on the new engines. So understanding the CAN side of things is now key for technicians, and for them to properly test, as opposed to roughly guess, what the issues are.” A worthwhile investmentThe end goal for many technicians undertaking the training is IRTEC accreditation – something that comes at a cost. But the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has calculated the return on investment in the training programme, and believes being involved in the independent technician accreditation scheme from the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), which assesses the safety and competence of technicians, is worthwhile. Working with high-profile organisations, the institute sets about undertaking return on investment studies, in order to accurately measure and assess the benefits of the scheme to the heavy vehicle

sector. Key areas covered included MOT first time pass rates; productivity and financial benefits as well as technician confidence, competence and professional recognition. The results indicated a number of positive factors about IRTEC and it’s value to operators and the wider commercial vehicle community. There was an eight-fold increase in the number of operators achieving a 100 per cent monthly MOT pass rate; a 200 per cent return on investment; and £3 was returned for every £1 that was invested. Within the results of the study, there was also a step change in the increase of the overall MOT pass rate, which rose to 94 per cent. As part of the study, a number of operators were keen to speak out in support of IRTEC and communicate the difference it has made to their own businesses. “Cemex, as a large organisation, felt safer in the knowledge that our service and maintenance provider has IRTEC licenced technicians throughout the DAF network. This gives Cemex peace of mind in the products we use every day in our business,” commented Mike Fowler, of Cemex – a customer of Watts Truck and Van (DAF) for all of its maintenance needs. DSV’s Commercials’ Les Smith was particularly pleased with “less return of faulty workmanship, more available hours to sell, and technicians getting it right first time,” while Willie Hensman, Service Manager at Imperial Commercials Bellshill (DAF), believed that IRTEC played a fundamental part in bringing Greggs to Imperial. “It opened the door for negotiations based on a huge step change for their business,” he said.

The growth of trainingThere is clearly work to do with all kinds of training, but the growth of IRTEC, and the increasing number of companies – as well as technicians – involved is taken as a big positive.“The ideal scenario for me is for all Arriva technicians and graduating apprentices to be IRTEC assessed,” says Lloyd Mason, Arriva UK Bus’ Engineering Development Manager. “I’m a big fan of IRTEC; it has really gained ground in the industry, especially after backing from both the DVSA and Traffic Commissioners. It’s a useful way for technicians to benchmark their competence and for organisations to identify the developmental needs of their staff.“It also helps operators identify where they sit against national standards,” adds Lloyd. “That a technician needs to renew their IRTEC licence every five years means that there is an in-built CPD aspect to it, with the onus on technicians to maintain their skills.” The industry is set up to further embrace training in the future, which can only be a good thing for operators, and the UK’s transport fleet as a whole. The popularity of IRTEC, combined with an increasing number of apprenticeships, and other training opportunities for technicians and maintenance staff, means that there is no excuse for staff to be under-prepared for any eventuality that they may have to contend with.

This article was supplied by SMMT’s Transport News Brief.

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.transportnewsbrief.co.uk

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There is increasing pressure on today’s transport and logistics sector to increase efficiency whilst maintaining a high standard of delivery. In a competitive marketplace, transport companies are always looking to innovate to develop new services and offerings for their customers. Coupled with this commercial pressure,

there is a greater focus on the need for the industry to contribute to an overall reduction of emissions. This is driven by a combination of increased public awareness of environmental issues and regulatory targets. This context, alongside new and more specific requirements from customers, has led to real changes in the way logistics companies operate.

Working together for greater efficienciesDHL Supply Chain has released a paper examining how collaboration can benefit transport and logistics firms, in terms of easing commercial pressure and reducing the industry’s overall environmental footprint. Philip Roe, the firm’s managing director of innovation, strategy and business development, shares the paper’s findings

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Collaboration – an emerging modelAs a response to a more demanding commercial landscape and pressure to reduce environmental impact, transport and logistics companies have started to adopt a collaborative model of delivery. These collaborative partnerships are


helping businesses to address the Challenges of changing customer demand by allowing the industry to be capable of greater flexibility in the supply chain and across the distribution network. Collaboration in transport is not in itself a new approach. Transport providers have facilitated sharing for decades simply to utilise resources and maintain profitability. But new innovations and increased adoption of collaborative services are emerging: ranging from industry platforms – shared logistics infrastructures meeting the service and efficiency needs of several similar customers – to the rise of pallet networks for those customers who require a more standardised product. A collaborative approach has helped some businesses to achieve supply chain performance they would have been unable to achieve alone. This is particularly notable in the retail sector, an early adopter of collaborative transport models. The supply

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chains of retail businesses have been affected by changing consumption patterns. Shoppers are making smaller, more frequent shopping trips so that stock has to be topped-up more often, especially for fresh produce. This trend has put pressure on existing logistic operations and has been further exacerbated by the growing popularity of e-commerce and ‘click and collect’, greatly increasing the number of deliveries made to distribution hubs, supermarkets and homes. The desire for lead-time reductions has led to real progress towards new collaborative partnerships and new solutions being adopted by a sector which has been traditionally more inclined towards dedicated operations.

Overcoming challengesAs with the integration of many new models, there have been some early challenges around optimising the collaborative model for maximum impact. Efficiencies aren’t guaranteed unless the collaborative

Case study: SCALE

One such example of DHL Supply Chain working to achieve collaborative benefits is through project SCALE, or Step-Change in Agri-Food Logistics Ecosystems.

This project is partly funded by INTERREG IVB North-West Europe, a financial instrument of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy. Together with the Universities of Cranfield, Wageningen, Artois and EFFP, DHL is aiming to deliver a step-change in efficiencies in the agri-food supply chain on a trans-national basis. Within the agri-food sector, it is widely believed this will only be possible through collaboration.In the first of three pilots, DHL has introduced Muntons to Bowmans.

Both organisations have a longstanding manufacturing history in the agri-food ingredients supply chain – with the first, manufacturing malted products, and the latter, flour and coating products. All parties recognise that by operating jointly, greater supply chain efficiencies can be achieved.

Since their introduction, an increasingly robust and mutually beneficial relationship, supported by DHL, has been built.

partnerships are implemented in a smart way, tailored for the needs of the businesses. This is borne out through statistics – empty running statistics remain stubbornly stuck at around 28 per cent, despite an increase in collaboration. However, examples of best practice are now emerging as companies are becoming increasingly aware of the potential of collaboration, leading to smart solutions -orientated collaborative partnerships and platforms. Working with an experienced supply chain partner, who offers expert guidance and experience to implement a collaborative arrangement, can be essential to ensuring the successful realisation of the potential of the partnership offering.

Finding the right partnerJust like recruiting talent into a business, finding a supply chain partner with the right fit in terms of skills, experience and vision is challenging but vital for a successful collaborative partnership. Typically, customer collaboration works best with three to four companies – beyond eight companies and it can become unwieldy.In addition to the transport that is shared, there might also be a shared management team, and physical operation of the collaborative platform. Convenience store retailer Nisa, for example, has partnered with BP to share journeys for delivering its groceries in England & Wales. In Scotland, Nisa also works with JD Wetherspoons, further sharing vehicles to drive up utilisation and reduce costs.

The future of collaborationAs the collaborative model becomes more established, we are likely to see collaboration move from an innovative approach tostandard best practice. The continued consumer and commercial pressure to reduce lead times could open up a new wave of collaboration across primary transport operators in an attempt to build efficiency. This is likely to increase the number of partnerships between businesses that have previously seen each other as competitors. Collaboration can also be used to offset the costs associated with new regulations or operational restrictions. These competitors may work together on a regional level too, especially in large urban areas. When collaborative regional andindustry platforms become successful and established in their own right, the next logical step is to merge these to build inter-connected sophisticated collaborative platforms, furtheramplifying the benefits of joining forces and ensuring quicker, cleaner, more efficient operations. Although collaboration can take a variety of forms as a result of a number of pressures, one theme is consistent. Industry must innovate and adopt new ways of working to ensure a level of sophistication is reached which is suitable for providing interconnected collaborative networks. These can offer industry opportunities to tackle challenges such as carbon footprints, empty loads and congestion simultaneously, whilst significantly contributing to the all-important bottom line of businesses.

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.dhlsupplychainmatters.dhl.com



Top ten green vehicles to watch out for in 2015What will 2015 bring the fleet car buyer? Next Green Car filters out the top ten low and zero-emission offerings which should be appearing at a showroom near you in the next 365 days

2015

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TEN

1. Volkswagen Twin-Up – Plug-in Hybrid – CO2: 27g/kmThe twin-up!’s 55kW powertrain consists of a 0.8 litre TDI diesel engine working in conjunction with a 35kW electric motor. The energy storage system includes a lithium-ion battery (energy capacity: 8.6 kWh), a conventional 12V battery for on-board electrics, and a 33 litre capacity fuel tank. On the official test cycle, the twin-up! delivers a combined fuel economy of over 250mpg with a CO2 emissions of just 27g/km. In zero-emission operation the PHEV can cover a range of 31 miles and is anything but a slouch: the twin-up! accelerates up to 62 mph in 15.7 seconds and has an all-electric top speed of 80 mph. Pricing to be announced.

4. Kia Soul EV – Electric – CO2: 0g/km – NGC Rating:32 The new Soul EV is the result of almost 30 years of research and development into the feasibility of electric vehicles at Kia and it shows. A 27kWh lithium-ion battery gives the Soul EV an official range of 132 miles beating everything but the Model S. As you’d expect for an electric car, the Soul EV is quiet and perfect for nipping around town. Unlike most other EVs, however, it also scores highly on the use of low impact materials including bio-degradable plastic, bio-foam and bio-fabric which are all used in the interior. Zero tailpipe emissions mean zero London Congestion Charge and zero car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty). Priced from £24,995 the Soul EV isn’t cheap but it does come with Kia’s class-leading 7-year warranty.

3. Škoda Fabia 1.4 TDI – Diesel – CO2: 88g/km – NGC Rating: 25Arriving in showrooms early 2015, the new Škoda Fabia is likely to be a highly popular choice and is set to compete against the equally popular Ford Fiesta. The new Fabia shares many components with the latest Audi A3, Seat Leon, Škoda Octavia and VW Golf. Škoda offers a good range of petrol injection and diesel engine options, including a 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol engine and a 1.4-litre diesel. The new model is slightly bigger than its predecessor and includes more standard and optional equipment. Priced from £10,600 (petrol) and £14,090 (diesel).

2. Smart fortwo 1.0 start/stop – Petrol – CO2: 93g/km – NGC Rating: 26The new fortwo will be available with 71bhp and 90bhp turbo power units and twinned with a new five-speed manual gearbox for the first time. The 71bhp engine returns 68.9mpg on the official combined cycle, emitting just 93g/km of CO2 with a top speed of 94 mph. At just 2.69 metres long, the compact dimensions of the fortwo are well known and do not disappoint. With a benchmark turning circle of 6.95 metres, the new fortwo is even more suited for city driving, out-turning even a London Cab. On the inside driver and passenger alike benefit from the fact that the fortwo boasts the most interior space in relation to the size of any car in the segment. Priced from £11,125.

HYBRID

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2015 TOP TEN

9: Toyota Mirai FCV – Hydrogen Fuel Cell – CO2: 0g/kmThe fruits of extensive investment in fuel cell technology, Toyota is bringing the new Mirai (meaning ‘future’ in Japanese) to commercial reality, arriving in the UK in 2015. Powered by a 114kW fuel cell stack, the Mirai is capable of 0 to 60 mph in around 9 seconds, and drives like… well very much like a normal car. With a range of over 300 miles, and a refuelling time under 5 minutes, this electric vehicle is unlikely to lead to any range anxiety. While UK pricing is still to be confirmed it’s likely to be around £43,500. The main barrier? The availability of hydrogen stations. But as the film script (almost) says, ‘build them and they will come’.

8: VOLVO XC90 – Plug-in Hybrid – CO2: TBC No doubt encouraged by the huge success of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Volvo will bring its own plug-in SUV to market in 2015, in addition to the usual range of petrol and diesel engines. While all will offer four-wheel drive, for the first time there will also be a front-wheel drive option. The XC90 PHEV will also feature a collection of entertainment and safety technology including a 9.3 inch screen compatible with Apple’s new CarPlay interface and Volvo’s new collision avoidance system. The XC90 range is priced from £45,750.

5: Mazda2 1.5 SKYACTIV-D – Diesel – CO2: 89g/km – NGC Rating: 27With a combination of performance, fuel economy, safety and handling, the all-new Mazda2 has the potential to reproduce the popularity of its siblings – the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3. The all-new Mazda2 will premier in Europe with a brand-new small displacement clean diesel engine, the SKYACTIV-D 1.5, as well as different power versions of the petrol SKYACTIV-G 1.5. Together with SKYACTIV body, chassis, and manual and automatic transmissions, it also gets the company’s innovative MZD Connect in-car connectivity system, a range of i-ACTIVSENSE active safety technology and a remarkably spacious and refined interior. The diesels have the highest fuel economy (83mpg official combined) and lowest CO2 emissions (89 g/km). Diesels priced from £15,995.

10: Tesla Model X – Electric – CO2: 0g/kmOriginally scheduled for 2013, Tesla recently announced that the eagerly anticipated Model X crossover will be launched in the third quarter of 2015. Despite being larger than the Model S, the

all-wheel electric drive will give the Model X a similar level of performance (that’s 0 to 60 mph in around 5.9 seconds!). With 10 per cent additional weight, the expected driving range will be slightly less; around 170 miles for the 60kWh

battery pack or 230 miles for the 85 kWh battery. One of the striking features of the next Tesla will be its rear ‘Falcon’ doors

which open upwards instead of swinging outward. Final pricing has yet to be announced. Although its been a while in coming, with the new Model X, Tesla is unlikely to disappoint.

DIESEL

PURE EV

6: Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive – CO2: 0g/kmThe Mercedes-Tesla relationship is evident (and welcome) in the B-Class ED with the drive-train and battery pack coming from the California-based company. Capable of 125 miles per full charge, the B-Class ED provides electric motoring in a quality package with more reserved styling than some other brands such as the BMWi range. While the motors can deliver up to 179 bhp (Sport mode), two other driving modes are available: ‘Economy’, where power is limited to 131bhp; and ‘Economy Plus’ with just 87 bhp and a maximum speed of 70 mph. Expected to be priced from around £27,000.

PURE EV

7: VW Passat GTE – Plug-in Hybrid – CO2: <45 g/kmNow in its eighth incarnation, the new Passat range includes the GTE, the first Passat with a plug-in hybrid drive. Powered by a turbocharged direct injection petrol engine (TSI) and an 85kW electric motor, the GTE is capable (on the official test) of over 141mpg (petrol) and 13.0kWh/100km (electric) with CO2 emission of under 45 g/km. On a full tank and fully recharged 9.9kWh lithium-ion battery, the new PHEV has a total driving range of over 620 miles. In ‘E-Mode’, the Passat GTE can also cover a distance of up to 31 miles with zero emissions. AC charging options include standard (or ‘slow’) charging at 2.3kW from a domestic socket in 4.25 hours or an optional a home 3.6kW charger which provides a full charge in 2.5 hours. Anticipated pricing from around £20,000.

HYBRID

HYBRID

FUEL CELL

HNext Green Car is the UK’s leading green car website providing independent and expert advice to help people find a more economical and environmentally-friendly car. At the core of the site is a comprehensive, searchable database which enables users to search, review and compare key data on over 50,000 models including mpg,CO2 emissions and the unique lifecycle Next Green Car Rating which enables environmental comparison across all power-trains. With all the latest green car news and reviews, microsites dedicated to each technology and Zap-Map, a UK-wide charging point map, Next Green Car is an essential destination for those researching low-emission and electric cars.>> To find out more visit: www.nextgreencar.com

About Next Green Car

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The 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit was awash with hybrid technology. GreenFleet takes a look at the new concept and prodcuction models from across the pond

Running from 17-25 January, the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) wasn’t just about supercars and super-sized trucks. In its 27th year, over 45 vehicles debuted at the Cobo Center. As well as a focus on hybrid powertrains, a handful of EVs could be found on the show floor, while fuel-cell vehicles also put in appearance. GreenFleet picks out the more notable environmental show stars.

ELECTRIC VEHICLESChevrolet Bolt EV ConceptAs well as the new Volt range-extender, Chevrolet also pulled the covers off the striking Bolt EV concept. A five-door one-box hatchback the size of the BMW i3, it promises a 200-mile range for a rumoured $30,000 (£20,000) price tag.

While few details have emerged regarding its technology, lightweight materials including aluminium, carbonfibre, magnesium and woven mesh have been built into the car’s

design to save weight. Active aero technology

also helps the Bolt slip through the air, increasing its potential range. The front and rear overhangs have been kept small, while the interior focuses on space efficiency.

A range of modes cater for almost any driving style, while variables such as accelerator pedal mapping, ride height and suspension settings can be altered. DC fast-charging is catered for, too, while the Bolt EV Connect app can be used on smartphones and allows ride-sharing and autonomous parking.

HYBRID VEHICLESAudi Q7A large Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) it may be) but the new version of Audi’s Q7 is “a statement of competence in lightweight construction, efficiency and assistance systems” says the German company. The new-for-2015 model is 325kg lighter than the version it replaces and reportedly 26 per cent more efficient. Audi cites an mpg value of 47.8 and CO2 emissions of 153g/km.

UK-bound models will be powered by a 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine at first, but of particular interest to GreenFleet readers will be the plug-in hybrid version – the first to feature a diesel-electric powertrain married with quattro four-wheel drive.

The Audi Q7 e-tron quattro will have 370bhp of system output and system torque of 516lbft (700Nm). Official figures are 166.1mpg which equates to less than 50g/km of CO2. A full charge can power the Q7 e-tron quattro a distance of 35 miles. The new Q7 goes on sale in the spring.

Chevrolet VoltChevrolet unveiled its new Volt at the Cobo Center. The previous version was sold as the Vauxhall Ampera in the UK, but for now, it seems the latest version will only be available in the US.

The new car has sleeker looks and improved range-extender powertrain technology. A 192-cell/18.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a new 111kW two-motor drive unit are coupled to a 1.5-litre petrol engine developing just under 100bhp. The US carmaker claims this helps the new car achieve a distance of more than 400 miles between fill-ups – electric range is said to be 50 miles.

The new Voltec powertrain system is said to be up to 12 per cent more efficient than before and around 45kg lighter. Performance is improved, too: the 0-60mph dash takes 8.4 seconds, while top speed is 98mph.

Clever technology means that the engine can power the front wheels only, which allows for both more power and range. Four driving modes will be available: Normal, Sport (providing more acceleration), Mountain (for steep gradients) and Hold, which stores battery power.

All hail the hybrid

Chevrolet Bolt EV concept

Volkswagen Cross

Coupé GTE

Honda FCV Concept42

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Hyundai Sonata Plug-in HybridThe first plug-in hybrid from Hyundai Motor made its debut in Detroit. The Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can travel up to 22 miles on electric power alone from 9.8kWh lithium polymer battery. A six-speed automatic gearbox using Hyundai’s Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED) is mated to a 50kW electric motor.

A 2.0-litre four-cylinder GDI petrol engine produces 154bhp and 140lb ft of torque. Total system output is 202bhp at 6,000rpm. Hyundai states the Sonata PHEV can achieve 93 MPGe combined in EV mode, and around 40mpg in charge sustaining mode.

Recharging time is said to be as little as two-and-a-half hours. The Sonata Plug-in Hybrid will be built at Asan in South Korea and will go on sale in selected markets later this year.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in HybridGerman giant Mercedes-Benz launched its C-Class Plug-in Hybrid at the US show, and aimed it farely and squarely at business drivers.

The C350 uses a petrol engine with a displacement of 1,991cc and a 60Kw electric motor/6.2kWh battery to produce a combined system output of 279bhp. Torque of the combined system is 600Nm, meaning a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds.

The ultra-clean engine features direct injection with a spray-guided

electronically-controlled system, and a fast multi-spark ignition. The high-efficiency technology delivers estimated emissions of 48g/km, while fuel economy is said to be 134.5mpg. A 19-mile electric-only range is standard. Charging time is 3.5

hours to 100 per cent depending on available charging facilities.

The C350 Plug-in Hybrid is Mercedes’ second PHEV,

after the larger S500 and will come in both saloon and estate body styles. Available in the UK in the summer, nine more PHEVs will follow from the German carmaker.

Volkswagen Cross Coupé GTE

The big news from VW was just that – a mid-size

seven-seat SUV, called the Cross Coupé GTE. Like other members of the Volkswagen GTE family – the Golf and Passat – the Cross Coupé GTE is a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid, and like the Audi Q7 e-tron quattro it features all-wheel drive.

Previewing Volkswagen’s new US ‘design language’, the Cross Coupé GTE is specifically tailored to the American market.

A 3.6-litre, 278bhp V6 petrol engine in combination with two electric motors provide the motive power. One 40kW 220Nm electric motor is mounted at

the front of the car, while an 85kW 270Nm unit sits at the rear. A compact 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery is sited in-between them. Total system output is 358bhp means a 130mph top speed and acceleration to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds.

As with other GTE models, the Cross Coupé GTE can be driven in five different power modes: E-Mode, Hybrid, GTE, Offroad and Battery Hold/Battery Charge.

E-Mode promises 20 miles of range, powered by the rear electric motor. Three drive modes are offered: Onroad, Offroad, and Sport and Snow.

A new 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system features inside, while a 12.3-inch Active Info Display provides an interactive digital dashboard graphic presentation. A production vehicle is slated for late 2016.

FUEL-CELL VEHICLESHonda FCV ConceptHonda displayed its new FCV Concept at the Cobo Center. Advanced aerodynamics and a large 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank give the Honda FCV an expected maximum range of over 300 miles (482km) based on Japanese cycles. The FCV Concept features an ultra-aerodynamic body and Honda states that ‘significant technical improvements’ to the fuel-cell stack have resulted in a 60 per cent increase in power density.

The size of the stack has been reduced by 33 per cent when compared to the Honda FCX Clarity, while quick refuelling and cabin space efficiency is promised.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Plug-in Hybrid

In its 27th

year, 45 vehicles

debuted at the

2015 North

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International

Motor Show

Audi Q7

Chevrolet Volt

Hyundai Sonata PHEV

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Hydrogen (H2) is an environmentally friendly gas with high energy efficiency and without carbon print. This renders H2 as a very attractive alternative fuel, still waiting for its wide application. Is it possible to drive a conventional ICE vehicle on hydrogen? Yes, it is!

Adventure, a Bulgarian company for innovative technologies, has developed a proprietary technology for generation of hydrogen (H2GS) from fossil fuels and alcohols for fueling ICE. The H2GS-ICE is a multi-fuel system which generates continuous flow of hydrogen when required, on demand, without the need for H2 storage, and enables IC engine to run on hydrogen rich reformate.The fuel could be diesel, gasoline, natural gas, methanol or ethanol. Substituting diesel or gasoline by hydrogen reformate cuts fuel cost, reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter whilstretaining the original engine’s power, efficiency and reliability characteristics.

The H2GS-DR is a type of system that allows diesel engines to run on a combination of diesel and hydrogen rich reformate obtained from reforming of a fraction of the diesel.The objectives behind the concept

of Adventure’s technology for converting of fossil fuels and alcohols to hydrogen for fueling internal combustion engines (ICE) were:

• Reduction of fuel consumption, and thus achieving an economic benefits with simultaneous reduction of emissions of toxic gases and CO2

• Eliminating the obstacles related to the lack of infrastructure for H2 supply

• Resolving the H2 storage deficiency and the safety issues of H2 storage under high pressure.

Adventure H2GS-ICE is largely independent of external power sources: the heat required for the process is provided by the partial oxidation steam reforming reaction.

Adventure’s H2GS-ICE consists of catalytic reactor (reformer), cooler and control unit. The reformer operates at temperatures between 550oC and 650oC. In order to achieve an optimal performance of the ICE, the cooler quenches the H2-rich mixture down to below 40oC prior to introducing it to the air intake of the engine. The water vapor is condensed, cooled and recycled back into the system. This allows water tanks to be minimized and simplifies the utilization of the system for motor vehicles.

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.adventure.overgas.bg

Fuel saving and clean environment: Hydrogen fuel for internal combustion engines (ICE)

Adventure AD Bulgaria Sofia,1309 1 Kukush str

Email: [email protected] Web: adventure.overgas.bg Tel: +359 2 442 40 74

PFD of Adventure’s patented H2GS- ICE system for gasoline

Benefits offered by Adventure H2GS- ICE system

More than 20% reduction of green gas emissions (CO2)

Very low toxic emissions from the ICE engine: NOx less than 5ppm, CO less than 0.15%, no PM

Environmental advantages Up to 20% fuel saving Due to the very low NOx emissions in the exhaust,

the expensive Ad-Blue system for NOx abatement becomes obsolete

Financial advantagesSaving for heavy duty engines with H2GS-ICE generator

Reconstruction of conventional engine is not required

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The Lexus NX300h is the Japanese manufacturer’s first entry into the fast growing compact SUV market; demand for this type of vehicle has grown almost seven-fold in the last seven years and is expected to top one million sales a year in 2015 globally. It rivals the likes of the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and BMW X3, but unlike these, will not have a diesel version available; only a petrol and petrol-hybrid model. It comes in all-wheel drive or front wheel drive, although the latter is only available in the entry level S trim. The hybrid NX, which is the version I drove, has a 2.5-litre petrol engine combined with an electric motor which drives the front wheels, and an additional electric motor which drives the rear wheels for extra torque when needed. The petrol version will be available in 2015 and will be a faster turbocharged model.

Electric motionWhen you turn the engine on and get going, the NX is near-silent as it draws its power from the electric motor. It can do low speeds in electric mode, unless sudden acceleration is called for. There is notable engine noise when the petrol engine kicks in, but it is not offensive and mellows out when cruising. Depending on what is required from the car, the NX chooses between petrol and electric power to maximise efficiency, comfort and performance. The CO2 for the hybrid all-wheel drive model is 121g/km and fuel consumption is stated

The hybrid compact SUVAngela Pisanu tests the technology-packed Lexus NX300h, a petrol-hybrid compact SUV with bold looks and low-emissions

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as 54.3mpg. For the front-wheel drive S model, it’s 116g/km and 56.5mpg. These are good figures for a car of its size and performance, and of course, low-CO2

translates to tax savings. The NX is a head

turner. The design was influenced by the concept

Lexus LF-NX hybrid presented at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show and the

turbo model seen at that year’s Tokyo motor show. It’s a mix between bold SUV styling cues and elegant, fluid lines. The interior is roomy and finished with premium materials.

Packed with technologyThe NX is equipped with impressive modern technologies, including a wireless charging tray for mobile phones and other smart devices, and a touch pad control for the infotainment screen. There’s panoramic view

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

Lexus NX300h PremierENGINE: 2,494cc, four-cylinder

petrol-electric hybrid

CO2: 121g/km

MPG (combined): 54.3

VED: Band D, £0 first year, £110 thereafter

BIK: 17%

PRICE (OTR): £42,995 (including VAT, £43,640 as tested)

monitor (in Premier only) which gives you a complete all-round, birds-eye view of the car. This was very handy when manoeuvring a vehicle of such size. What’s more, the ‘rear cross parking alert’ has radars which scan behind you for other parked cars and alerts you if it spots a potential collision. Additional safety features an plentiful, but of note is the adaptive cruise control. This can detect if a potential collision is imminent, and activates the pre-crash brake to avoid an impact, or lessen its severity.

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Renault has form when it comes to small and charming hatchbacks. The 1961 Renault 4 and the 1972 Renault 5 were stylish, practical and above all, chicly French. Conceptualised as a modern-day Renault 4, the first-generation Renault Twingo was launched in 1993 as a chic urban runabout. Cute looks and a simple mono-box shape with a Fisher-Price-like interior cemented its cult status. Only available in the early days with a single engine, single trim level model, the first-generation Twingo was only available in European left-hand drive markets. It proved extremely popular, selling over 2,478,648 examples.

Radical rootsThe second-generation model arrived in 2007 and was based on the mechanicals of the contemporary Clio. Available in the UK, it was much less radical than its predecessor. The latest all-new Twingo first appeared at the 2014 Geneva motor

show, going on sale in the UK in September of the same year. More radical than even its predecessors, it shares a rear-wheel drive, rear-engined powertrain developed with Smart (which features in the German company’s latest Fortwo and Forfour models) and a five-door only body. It’s going back to its radical roots then, but with the added practicality of two further doors and more personalisation.

While the 2015 Renault Twingo is an all-new design, it nods to Renaults past. The rear wing flares evoke the mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo and point to its rear-engined configuration. The overall silhouette bears

Le freak c’est chicBoth chic and cutting-edge, the all-new Renault Twingo carries on from where the first generation left off. The original car was stylish, simple yet also mildly radical but with a rear-engined layout, the new Twingo is equally groundbreaking

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more than a passing resemblance to the geometric 5, too. A bright colour palette points to Twingos past, as does the optional full-length fabric electric sunroof. Exterior highlights include hidden rear door handles and LED daytime running lights which look like ice cubes. The small bonnet and front wings are plastic to save weight, the former sliding forward to access top-up tanks for the engine liquids. It’s worth noting that there is no additional storage space under the bonnet, even though there is no engine underneath it.

Like the first-generation car, the basic range is made simple with two engines and three trim levels. As personalisation is key in 2015, the new Twingo is also available with six personalisation packs which marry various alloy wheel styles with different decals and interior trims. A city car trend, it does make the latest Twingo even more striking and aims to snare fashion-conscious

drivers. Pricing of the packs range from interior and exterior ‘touch’ options

at £100 to side decals at £150. The 16-inch alloy wheels on

‘our’ Dynamique SCe 70 Stop & Start cost £275. The folding canvas roof is £850.

Three-cylinder petrol enginesA pair of three-cylinder

petrol engines power the new Twingo. A 999cc

70bhp normally-aspirated unit provides the motive power for SCe

70 Expression, Play and Dynamique models, while a turbocharged 898cc engine developing 90bhp lies under the bonnet of top-of-the-tree TCe 90 Dynamique models. Stop & Start is standard on TCe 90 variants

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the crowded city car market. Yes, there are compromises. Rear boot space suffers due to the avantgarde engine layout and the rear windows just pop out rather than wind down (though selected competitors are the same).

The new Twingo is up against some stiff competition, including the GreenFleet Award-winning Citroën C1, the Peugeot 108, the SEAT Mii, the Skoda Citigo, the Toyota Aygo and the Volkswagen Up. Priced

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

New Twingo is rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, developed wth Smart

and can be specified on SCe 70 models, taking emissions down to 99 and 95g/km respectively. Without the CO2-saving system, SCe 70 models emit 105g/km of CO2. This means they are placed in VED band B, as opposed to A for the cars with the system fitted. Fuel consumption is quoted as 67.2mpg on the SCe 70 Stop & Start model we tested. Our real-world average was 45.8.

At 865kg, the new Twingo weighs only as much as a 1970s supermini, so the engine feels punchy. Renault quotes a 0-62mph of 14.5 seconds and a top speed of 94mph. When venturing out of the urban landscape, the Twingo copes with motorway traffic admirably. The five-speed manual gearbox is slick and the steering is light but positive. Due to the engine sitting over the back axle, the front wheel only have to turn and steer rather than put down power, so can turn at 45 degrees. The old Twingo’s could only pivot 33 degrees, so the new model’s small turning circle of 8.59 metres really comes as a revelation. Suitably refined with only wind noise buffeting the windscreen pillars, the engine makes very little noise for front seat passengers due to its rear location. There’s a little more for those in the back, but overall, the Twingo is adept at handling out-of-town driving situations. The ride is comfortable for a car with such a small wheelbase.

R&GO appRenault states that more cabin space has been liberated Inside thanks to the rear-engined layout, pushing the wheels to the corners of the car. The new car is just under 100mm smaller than the old one, but the wheelbase is 12cm longer. While the interior will never be described as Tardis-like, the Twingo offers reasonable accommodation for rear seat passengers. The interior itself is kept simple with one instrument dial and a central colour R&GO infotainment touchscreen connectivity system. Featuring Bluetooth, DAB radio, twin USB sockets and a smartphone cradle, the R&GO system also includes a free to download mobile app (pictured right).

Once installed on and connected to your smartphone in the cradle, this software controls phone and media functions. It also includes certain free maps for satellite navigation and also displays vehicle information such as a rev counter, trip computer, fuel consumption information as well as an eco driving score. It’s a very useful piece of kit, and makes you question the need for aftermarket or standard fit costly sat nav systems. Other nice interior design details include the use of bright colours, Twingo logos on the rear door panels as well as a simple strap to keep bottles or baguettes in place.

Engaging and characterfulThe Twingo’s rear-engine layout harks back five decades or more to when small cars almost universally featured rear-wheel drive powertrains. It’s a brave move by Renault, but by sharing development costs and parts with Smart, it has succeeded in bringing an engaging and characterful small car to

ENGINE: 999cc, three-cylinder petrol

CO2: 95g/km


VED: Band A, £0

BIK: 12%

PRICE (OTR): £10,995 (including VAT, £112,365 as tested)

Renault Twingo Dynamique SCe 70 S/S

from £9,495 to £11,695, the all-new Twingo range is, on the whole, built well and competitively priced against its rivals. BIK is only 12 per cent, but an exclusively-petrol range means that economy suffers against higher-rated but more economical diesel small cars. Overall, though, the new Twingo is a winner. Fun, stylish, and a little bit different, it brings more than a little joie de vivre to the city car class.

Boot space is moderately affectedby rear engine layout

Short overhangs make city driving easy

R&GO app features eco scores

Interior featuresbright colours


The family hatchback market is a fiercely competitive one and full of seriously good players. Nissan abandoned it in 2006 and thought outside the C-sector box with the introduction of the SUV-styled Qashqai. A mid-size crossover, the new Nissan idea has caught on and become one of the best-selling cars in the UK. Ironically, the Japanese company has now thought it time to bring back its standard family hatchback template. The Pulsar name first appeared in 1978 and now resides again in 2014 on the back of Nissan’s Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf rival. Of course, the UK has known it as the Sunny and also the Almera, but is the 2015 Pulsar Nissan’s shooting star?

LEAF and Qashqai styling cuesWhile the new Pulsar has received a dose of LEAF and Qashqai-esque styling cues, it resolutely stays true to its conventional-looking hatchback roots. Sharp body and wheel arch creases, and a rear diffuser-style bumper make it stand out from the crowd a little, but, although handsome, it remains a car easily confused with

its Korean or Far Eastern rivals. And they are the Pulsar’s key rivals. Priced to compete more fairly with the likes of the Hyundai i30, Kia Ce’ed and Toyota Auris than the ubiquitous Golf, the Pulsar range starts at £15,995 for the 1.2-litre DIG-T 115 petrol Visia, and rises to £21,945 for the range-topping dCi 110 Tekna.

The mid-range n-tec tested here costs £20,595 with its 1.5-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox. Powered by the well-trusted Renault 1,461cc dCi unit (Renault is Nissan’s strategic partner), it develops 108bhp and 191b ft (260Nm) of torque between 1,750-2,500rpm. It’s an easy car to hustle along and Nissan quotes 11.5 seconds to reach 62mph from rest. Chasing fleet sales, all dCi versions of the new Pulsar are fitted with a stop/start system as standard and emit only 94g/km of CO2

With a high equipment count, low emissions and masses of interior space, the new Nissan Pulsar is a good value, clean family hatchback. But in which other areas does it shine?

ROAD

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(117g/km on the petrol model), meaning no VED is payable and a BIK rate of 14 per cent. Those are benefits not to be underestimated in the fleet world, but the Pulsar delivers

in selected other areas, too.

Class best rear spaceThe Japanese car has

plenty of space for back seat passengers – a best-in-class wheelbase of 2,700mm liberates 692mm of rear legroom. There’s a decent level of equipment, too. The n-tec

comes with automatic LED headlights, cruise control,

dual-zone climate control, an engine starter button,

rain-sensing windscreen wipers, and steering wheel audio controls.

There is also Bluetooth and USB connectivity, DAB digital radio, a 5” full colour TFT screen in-between the main instrument dials, NissanConnect 5.8” touchscreen navigation

The new Pulsar carries contemporary Nissan styling cues

A celestial intervention?

Chasing

fleet sales, all

dCi versions of

the new Pulsar are

fitted with a

stop/start system

and emit only

94g/km of

CO2


ROA

D TEST

and entertainment system, a reversing camera and 17-inch alloy wheels. Safety is taken care of by a forward emergency braking system, six airbags, and Active Trace Control – a system which controls brake pressure at individual wheels to aid ‘tracing’ at corners. Top-range Tekna models also receive Around View Monitor, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Moving Object Detection systems.

Eco Driving ScoreThe interior has a hint of Renault about it and is a comfortable place to be. Chrome detailing and a ‘wood-grain’ finish to the central dashboard panel add to the ambience, and everything works with the precision you would expect from a Japanese car. The central 5.8” touchscreen displays all the essential information and also provides an ‘Eco Driving Score’ function which measures the driver’s pulling away, cruising and deceleration activity. The higher the score, the more environmental a driver you are. A stop/start indicator also informs the driver of how much CO2 has been saved while the system has been operational. Nissan quotes a claimed 78.5mpg on the combined cycle. Over our 294-mile test distance we achieved a real-world average of 51.3mpg, with an all-time high of 61.0. For

comparison, the petrol-engined model’s official combined cycle figure is 56.5mpg.

Incredibly refinedIt’s distance travel where the Pulsar shines. Extremely quiet when on the move at speed, the Nissan hatchback is incredibly refined on the motorway and makes for an easy and admirable cruising companion. Wind and road noise is noticeable only by its absence and the engine pulls well in top gear, with no need for fuel-sapping down changes. At 70mph, the engine is spinning at a lowly 1,850rpm. Very comfortable front seats add to the relaxed feeling. As with most modern cars with electric power steering systems there’s not much feel, but there is a nice degree of weighting. The six-speed gearbox benefits equally from a feeling of tightness, meaning no mis-shifts. An absorbent ride smooths out bumps and lumps, and the Pulsar enjoys good visibility.

Extremely competentNissan reports that the 2015 Pulsar is pegged around £1,500 less than the equivalent Golf. The equivalent-specification 100g/km Hyundai i30 Style Blue Drive is £19,840, the 100g/km Kia Ce’ed ‘3’ 1.6 CRDi ISG is £19,495 and the 103g/km Toyota Auris Icon Plus D-4D

Emissions of only 94g/km mean that the Pulsar sits in VED Band A

is priced at £19,795. Nissan intends to sell a modest 10,000 units in the first year of UK sales (2014-2015), a figure which should be eminently achievable.

The Japanese company unashamedly states that the new Pulsar is a car created to fill a (fleet) sales need and for business users who cover lots of motorway miles and favourite lots of technology, it’s a definite addition to the family hatchback shopping list. As it is, the new Pulsar is an extremely competent and very likeable five-door hatchback, which is cleaner and offers more equipment than its key rivals.

ENGINE: 1,461cc, four-cylinder diesel

CO2: 94g/km


VED: Band A, £0

BIK: 14%

PRICE (OTR): £20,595

Nissan Pulsar n-tec 1.5 dCi 110

Interior is comfortable and well-specified

Pulsar shines with best-in-class rear legroom

1.5 dCiengine is from Renault


PRO

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Documents

new greenfleet appscan

allnew mondeo

electric mobility

new rear seatbelts

new nissan pulsar ntec

hybrid electric

mpg figures

winter driving