Mazda is close to introducing a revolutionary internal combustion engine in 2019 which uses petrol but works in the manner of a diesel. Their homogeneous charge compression ignition engine ignites gasoline through compression, eliminating spark plugs, and its fuel economy potentially matches that of a diesel engine without high emissions of nitrogen oxides or sooty particulates. Nissan is … [Read more...]
Hiring
New van news: Transit Custom updated
Ford has revealed the new Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle, delivering bold new design, an all-new interior and enhanced productivity to European businesses. New Transit Custom will be available to order later this year, and is scheduled for customer delivery in early 2018 powered by the Dagenham-built Ford EcoBlue 2.0-litre diesel engine delivering improved fuel efficiency … [Read more...]
Fleets adopting more hybrids and EVs
More than half of UK fleets are already operating at least one alternative fuel to traditional petrol and diesel models or are planning to do so in the next three years – an increase of 6% since 2015. The finding comes from the 2017 edition of Arval’s long-established Corporate Vehicle Observatory Barometer, research which covers 3,847 fleets. Their choices include traditional hybrids (22% … [Read more...]
Six million Brits could be driving on the wrong side of the law
Motorists who lease their vehicle could be falling foul of the law when driving overseas. According to a recent survey, over 15% of Brits who take their cars abroad have admitted to driving on the wrong side of the road and only 1 in 5 bother to learn foreign laws in advance of getting behind the wheel. Alongside brushing up on the rules and regulations of driving overseas, motorists are now … [Read more...]
Newslines 2 June
UEFA Champions League final this Saturday in Cardiff will see a clash on field, but possibly on city roads as well. As tensions run high, Welsh motorists may find themselves driven to distraction, according to research for locally–based Confused.com which found one in 20 Welsh drivers have had an accident as a result of being distracted by sport on the radio. The Road Haulage Association is … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 May
Affluent buyers are most likely to search websites for a Ferrari than any other brand. Next most popular was Lamborghini with Jaguar in third place, reports analyst Captify. Better driver training is a clear way to reduce fleet insurance premiums, says Arval. Average premiums are up 8% this year and companies should embed road safety into the corporate culture, says the leasing … [Read more...]
Van crime is rising again
Arval is releasing new advice to fleet operators in the light of reports that theft from vans is rapidly rising. New figures obtained by the BBC from 45 police forces show that thefts from vans have increased from 14,063 in 2014/15 to 22,749 in 2016/17. A van is broken into every 23 minutes. Simon Cook,LCV Manager at Arval, said, “This is very much in line with what we are hearing from … [Read more...]
Clocking comes around again
Fraudsters have returned to “clocking” vehicles odometers to boost part exchange prices and escape mileage penalties under growing leasing schemes, says hpi. The number of cars on UK roads showing mileage discrepancies has risen to one in 16, a jump of 25 per cent according to new figures from hpi. The figure has leapt from one in 20 cars in 2014. The figures emerge as what is believed to … [Read more...]
Scheme to trial risk assessment
Fleet software specialist FleetCheck has been asked to take part in a DVSA pilot scheme that could transform how businesses approach fleet compliance. Called “Earned Recognition”, it provides commercial vehicle fleets who can prove good compliance track records with the possibility of reducing the number of inspections they undergo plus a range of other benefits. The DVSA is currently … [Read more...]
Majority business motorists thinking of EVs
Venson Automotive Solutions says 85% of motorists would now consider buying an electric vehicle or choosing one as their company car. However, concern over a lack of charging points is a significant ownership hurdle for those surveyed (69%). People living in the South East of England (88%) were more concerned about the availability of charging points than those living elsewhere in the … [Read more...]