It's becoming a grind convincing company car drivers to switch to electric models, admits Paul Hollick, chairman of the Association of Fleet Professionals. Pushing back against “scare stories” about electric vehicles (EVs) is becoming a key task for fleet managers, he said and pointed to a flood of misinformation appearing in both traditional and social media. “Sadly, it seems to have become … [Read more...]
Van drivers carry heavier risks and penalties
Getting behind the wheel of a van can be tough, especially when you're not used to, or aware of the handling changes and travel restrictions that come with larger vehicles. Although cars and vans may be similar in mechanics, they do differ in handling and manoeuvrability. So, if you're looking to get behind the wheel of a larger vehicle, it's important to be aware of these differences to keep … [Read more...]
Look after your van to look after your business
Vans are often a mission-critical asset for businesses, so it’s important to keep them on the road. From accidents to breakdowns, unplanned downtime can be disruptive and costly – so here are some hints to help reduce those risks. Allow time for daily checks Fleets operate some of the UK’s hardest-working vehicles. According to the latest BVRLA data, the average mileage for a new personal … [Read more...]
Tradelines 31 January
Specialist motor insurance loss adjuster Claims Management & Adjusting says new Office for National Statistics figures showing an 8% annual increase in vehicle thefts are shockingly unsurprising. According to the ONS’s latest Crime Survey for England and Wales instances of “theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle” increased from 122,423 in the year October 2021 to September 2022, to … [Read more...]
Electric SUVs charging into van market
Electric SUVs are being chosen by some fleets as an alternative to diesel and electric vans, Arval UK is reporting. The company says that as long as the space, payload and towing capacity offered by eSUVs is adequate, they can bring a wide range of advantages over their electric van (e-van) counterparts. Ben Edwards, Consultant, said, “We’re at a moment in time when, having largely … [Read more...]
Long road ahead for eHGVs
According to new research from Element Energy, Electric Heavy Goods Vehicles (eHGVs) are poised to become more economical than their diesel counterparts in the coming years. Coupled with recent data from e-mobility service provider ZapMap, which shows that there are now more than 920,000 fully electric cars on UK roads and a further 560,000 plug-in hybrids, it’s safe to say that the UK’s … [Read more...]
Toyota tops Professional range with Proace Max
The Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles offers greater choice than ever before, complemented by a commitment to customer care that will support Toyota’s continued growth in the sector. The new line-up stands out from the crowd with robust new styling across an extensive range that boasts class-leading load-carrying capabilities. Taking centre stage is the all-new Proace Max … [Read more...]
Fleets warned of possible Chinese burn
Fleets need to check new entrant Chinese manufacturers for credibility before committing to buying their vehicles, FleetCheck is warning. Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet management software company, said that electric vehicle manufacturers from China were undergoing a period of rapid consolidation, and that some were likely to export simply as a survival strategy. “The Financial … [Read more...]
Unfair settlements highlighted for damaged cars
Research by GAP Insurance provider, ALA Insurance has revealed that the average car owner is offered £286 below market value on claims where their car has been written off. Prompted by the news that Direct Line have been instructed to review unfair settlements from the past five years, ALA analysed over 3,748 claims to show which car makes, specifically receive the lowest payout based on market … [Read more...]
UK e-vans policy is crashing, say dealers
Government policy on electric vans is short-sighted and in a mess, according to the commercial vehicle division of the National Franchised Dealers Association. Last week, NFDA’s Commercial Vehicle division wrote to the Department of Transport highlighting key regulatory issues that are holding back the Electric Van market. Since 2018 the government have been aware of the need for a smooth … [Read more...]