FleetPoint

01/08/2024

Hultsteins UK teams up with Courage Technologies SL 🧊❄️

Hultsteins, the UK/Sweden producer of onboard electrical generation systems, has joined forces with specialist electric fridge manufacturer Courage, to provide sales and aftermarket services for the UK, Ireland and Sweden.

Courage Technologies, based in Sagunto-Valencia, Spain designs, develops and produces a comprehensive range of all-electric refrigeration systems for urban, inner city and ‘last-mile’ logistics operators

Click to continue reading -https://www.fleetpoint.org/logistics/refrigeration-units/hultsteins-uk-teams-up-with-courage-technologies-sl/

31/07/2024

DAF expands its Plug and Play program for highest efficiency 🛻

As part of its DAF Transport Efficiency philosophy, DAF Trucks has further enhanced the body builder friendliness of its New Generation DAF rigid trucks. The Dutch truck manufacturer has expanded its revolutionary Plug & Play programme, increased payloads by up to 160 kilogrammes and is offering new hole pattern options for its chassis rails.

Click to continue reading -https://www.fleetpoint.org/daf/daf-expands-its-plug-and-play-program-for-highest-efficiency/

31/07/2024

Key transport infrastructure projects cancelled 🛣️

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made a statement in Parliament on Monday (29/07/2024), and identified major ‘black holes’ in the government’s financing, requiring an immediate response with major cost savings.

Two significant transport projects were cancelled: the controversial plan for a road tunnel under Stonehenge and the £320m A27 Arundel bypass. During the election, Labour said that the money saved from the latter project would be used to “fix up to one million potholes a year”, but she made no announcement that the commitment would be retained.

Click to continue reading - https://www.fleetpoint.org/road-building-repairs/key-transport-infrastructure-projects-cancelled/

Key transport infrastructure projects cancelled - Road Building & Repairs - Transport Infrastructure Projects - FleetPoint

31/07/2024

Border zone to be increased at Dover 🇪🇺🇬🇧

The French border control zone at the Port of Dover is to be expanded to reduce the risk of queues at peak times when the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) rules come into force in November, the government says.

Home Office minister Seema Malhotra will lay a Statutory Instrument in Parliament on Monday to allow French border officials to operate in an expanded zone at the Port of Dover.

Click to continue reading - https://www.fleetpoint.org/logistics/distribution/europe/border-control/border-zone-to-be-increased-at-dover/
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Border zone to be increased at Dover - Border Control - Dover - Logistics - Europe - FleetPoint

30/07/2024

EV sales at BCA reach record levels in July🚗

BCA is reporting rising volumes of electric vehicle sales, with a record week in July as professional buyer demand continues to climb.

The first week in July saw nearly 700 electric vehicles sold, with BCA on track to record sales in excess of 30,000 units over the next 12 months. Good demand is leading to greater pricing stability in this sector, with trade buyers recognising that many EVs now appear to be good value in comparison to their ICE equivalent. The last few weeks have seen first time conversions average over 80% across the wide range of EV product on offer at BCA and over 1,200 different customers have purchased EVs since April.

The volumes of EVs reaching the remarketing sector is roughly doubling each year and is expected to increase going forwards as current government policy remains focussed on increasing the car parc share of EVs to meet climate change objectives. The ongoing pressure from the ratcheting up of the ZEV mandate continues to keep many OEMs focussed on shifting product ranges to satisfy the requirements and avoid hefty potential penalties

Click to continue reading -https://fleetpoint.org/electric-vehicles-2/electric-cars/ev-sales-at-bca-reach-record-levels-in-july/

EV sales at BCA reach record levels in July - Electric Cars - Used Electric Cars - BCA - Vehicle Auctions - FleetPoint

30/07/2024

ZF [pro]Academy expands training offer for commercial vehicle fleets 🚚

ZF [pro]Academy is now offering additional comprehensive training solutions tailored to commercial vehicle (CV) fleets via its revamped training centre at its UK Centre of Competence, further solidifying its commitment to supporting customers in the bus, coach and truck markets.

As a vehicle’s control system become increasingly complex, there is a growing demand for efficient, practical and flexible training solutions. Recognising this challenge, ZF [pro]Academy has expanded its curriculum to cover a range of products essential to CV fleets, including transmissions, gearboxes, WABCO air compressors and other ZF offerings.

ZF [pro]Academy’s training programmes are designed to offer a perfect blend of theory and practical application, catering to both new learners and experienced technicians.

Click to continue reading - https://fleetpoint.org/driver-training-safety/advanced-driver-training/zf-proacademy-expands-training-offer-for-commercial-vehicle-fleets/

ZF [pro]Academy expands training offer for commercial vehicle fleets - Advanced Driver Training - Training - Fleet Management - FleetPoint

30/07/2024

Time to address the epidemic of van driver speeding 🚗

Van driver speeding is at epidemic proportions, and a major safety and cost issue that needs to be addressed by the new Government, RED Corporate Driver Training believes.

Recent Department for Transport (DfT) figures showed that van drivers are the most likely group of drivers to speed in built up areas and on motorways, while it was unable to provide data on single carriageways roads due to the complex rules around speed limits for commercial vehicles. This, in itself, proves how little clarity there is around van speed limits.

DFT statistics showed that in free-flowing traffic in 30mph zones 45% of vans drivers were speeding, with 5% reaching speeds over 40mph.

Click to continue reading -https://fleetpoint.org/law-and-legislation/police/speed-enforcement/time-to-address-the-epidemic-of-van-driver-speeding/

Time to address the epidemic of van driver speeding - Speed Enforcement - Van Drivers - Fleet Management - FleetPoint

30/07/2024

Renault Trucks celebrates the arrival of E-Tech T tractor units 🚚

Renault Trucks has marked the arrival of its first E-Tech T tractor units by hosting a ZEHID Partner Day held on July 23 at Kinetic Studios in Corby, Northamptonshire, bringing together key stakeholders from three consortia selected for funding under the UK Government’s £200 million Zero Emission Heavy Goods Vehicles and Infrastructure Demonstration (ZEHID) programme, as well as from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK.

As part of the ZEHID programme, which is funded by the Department for Transport in partnership with Innovate UK to accelerate the update of zero emission HGVs, Renault Trucks is supplying 40 – 44 tonne tractor units from its fully electric E-Tech T range to eFREIGHT 2030 consortium led by Voltempo and Project Electric Freightway consortium led by Gridserve. Battery electric HGVs will also play a part in the ZEN Freight consortium, now led by Dynamon.

Click to continue reading - https://fleetpoint.org/electric-vehicles-2/electric-trucks/renault-trucks-celebrates-the-arrival-of-e-tech-t-tractor-units/

Renault Trucks celebrates the arrival of E-Tech T tractor units - Electric Trucks - E-Tech T - ZEHID - FleetPoint

29/07/2024

Go-Ahead named as leading Transport employer for Apprenticeships 🚚

The Go-Ahead Group is proud to be recognised as the top apprenticeships employer in the transport industry for a third year running in a ranking accredited by the Department for Education. Go-Ahead was named as the 7th top apprenticeships provider in England overall.

In the last 12 months the company has taken on nearly 1,000 apprentices through its award-winning apprenticeships programme, recruiting people into roles including bus drivers, train drivers and engineers in the bus and rail. The schemes act as a catalyst for the creation of permanent jobs at Go-Ahead and its subsidiaries across England, offering people a kick-start to their employment or an alternative path for those choosing to change careers.

Go-Ahead is committed to employing apprentices that represent the communities we serve and to grow diversity in teams across our bus and rail businesses. This year at Go-Ahead London, 65% of apprentices are BAME, nearly 20% are women, and 15% are neurodiverse.

Click to continue reading - https://fleetpoint.org/apprenticeship/go-ahead-named-as-leading-transport-employer-for-apprenticeships/

Go-Ahead named as leading Transport employer for Apprenticeships - Apprenticeship - Go-Ahead - FleetPoint

29/07/2024

Essential Trading Co-op remain loyal to Isuzu🚚

Bristol-based foods distributor Essential Trading Co - Operative has taken delivery of the first of five new Isuzu trucks from local dealer AK Commercials, continuing a longstanding loyalty to the marque dating back nearly a decade.

The new trucks – comprised of one 11-tonne F110.240(E) and four 7.5-tonne N75.190(E) rigids – will replace older Isuzu models in the company’s mixed commercial vehicle fleet, which also includes a larger 13.5-tonne F135.240(E) model. Mounted with curtainside bodies, the larger vehicles also include a bespoke split-body design that features a standalone refrigerated box section at the front.

Rob Baird, Transport Manager for Essential Trading, says: “We had tried many different manufacturers before the team at AK Commercials introduced us to Isuzu Truck back in 2015. It didn’t take long for us to see that their versatility and reliability would make all the difference with the type of delivery routes we operate.

“Other vehicles with similar payload capacities are substantially larger, which makes them difficult to operate on the smaller winding roads in the Bristol area. We also noticed that the Isuzu vehicles spent significantly less time in the workshop, which obviously helped to improve fleet efficiency and allowed us to better serve our customers. We genuinely haven’t looked back.

Click to continue reading - https://fleetpoint.org/isuzu-truck-uk/essential-trading-co-op-remain-loyal-to-isuzu/

Essential Trading Co-op remain loyal to Isuzu - Isuzu Truck UK - Essential Trading Co-operative - FleetPoint

26/07/2024

This Week's Top Stories 🚨- UK's Drink Drive DeathsSurge, EV Values Drop, and NISMO's Electric Comeback!

https://youtu.be/d-kwCc2Yp4E?si=eoQZWxBoAdMzIrJE via

Catch up on the top stories in the automotive and transport sectors this week! 🚗 Britain sees the highest drink drive deaths since 2009, used EV values plum...

26/07/2024

Daimler Truck’s GenH2 start customer trials with INEOS 🚚

The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks are the first heavy duty liquid hydrogen trucks in Europe, benefiting from a range of more than 1000 km they are able to carry the same payload as a conventional diesel vehicle. Along with Amazon, Air Products, Holcim and Wiedmann & Winz, we are working with Daimler Truck to run their first trial fleet in Germany.

Running over the next 12 months, INEOS will make around 250 customer deliveries across the Rheinberg area to understand fuel-cell technology in real-life operations, with an ambition to expand deliveries into Belgium and the Netherlands next year.

“Hydrogen is a game-changing energy solution that will transform truck transportation and help us achieve a zero-emission future. As both a major producer and consumer of low-carbon hydrogen, INEOS is in a unique position to help drive this change. We are delighted to be working with Daimler Truck,” says Wouter Bleukx, Business Director Hydrogen at INEOS Inovyn.

Wouter adds, “INEOS is committed to reaching Net Zero and Daimler’s pioneering...

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/hydrogen-vehicles/hydrogen-trucks/daimler-trucks-genh2-start-customer-trials-with-ineos/

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Daimler Truck's GenH2 start customer trials with INEOS - Hydrogen Trucks - INEOS - Mercedes-Benz Trucks - Daimler Truck - FleetPoint

26/07/2024

Drink drive deaths highest since 2009 🚨

There’s been a sharp increase in the number of deaths on Britain’s roads caused by drunk drivers.

Final figures for 2022 released by the Department for Transport estimate that 300 people were killed in drink drive accidents – an increase of 15% on the previous year and the highest since 2009. The overall number of casualties was also up slightly – to 6,800 compared with 6,740 in 2021.

Fatalities in reported drink-drive collisions: Great Britain, 2012 to 2022; error bars show 95% confidence intervals. Chart: DfT

“Drink drive casualties have been steadily declining since these figures were first published in 1979,” comments Hunter Abbott, MD of personal breathalyser firm AlcoSense.

“But there’s been a shocking increase in fatalities over the past two years. In 2021, there were 260 deaths – which in turn was 40 more than in 2020.

“Some studies show that people who drink above government guidelines have been drinking more heavily since the pandemic, which may explain the increase in collisions where alcohol is a factor....

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/road-safety/killed-or-seriously-injured-ksi/drink-drive-deaths-highest-since-2009/

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Drink drive deaths highest since 2009 - Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) - Drink Driving - Department for Transport - FleetPoint

26/07/2024

Used EVs fall in value by 43.8% in 18 months 📅

The average three-year-old used electric car is now 43.8 percent cheaper than eighteen months ago according to INDICATA UK’s latest Market Watch report.

Used EVs experienced a 2.0% price fall in June, which contributed further to achieving price parity between equivalent EVs and ICE cars across many different sectors. UK used prices fell by just 0.1% during June which gives a clear sign of prices levelling off after falling by 16.5% since January 2023.

More good news for used EVs is that demand continues to rise on the back of falling prices and is more in sync with supply. Market Days’ Supply dropped to 50 days at the beginning of July, slightly behind hybrids at 47.5 days and diesel and petrol respectively at 45 and 41 days.

This means the UK had the lowest MDS in Europe in June, due to a combination of stronger demand and dealers continuing to be cautious about stocking zero emission...

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/electric-vehicles-2/used-evs-fall-in-value-by-43-8-in-18-months/

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Used EVs fall in value by 43.8% in 18 months - Electric Vehicles - Used Electric Vehicles - Ian Hare- FleetPoint

25/07/2024

R J & I Monkhouse marks milestone with Renault Trucks 🚚

Carlisle-based R J & I Monkhouse Ltd, has added the 35th Renault Trucks vehicle to its fleet, a 13-litre T520 6×2 Tag. This latest acquisition highlights the exceptional service provided by the dealer, Border Trucks, and the proven reliability of Renault Trucks.

The addition of a new T520 6×2 marks another milestone in R J & I Monkhouse’ long-standing partnership with Renault Trucks and Border Trucks, which began in 2010 with the purchase of their first Premium model and has since grown to an 11-strong Renault Trucks excusive fleet.

Managing Director, Stuart Monkhouse commented on the new addition: “Renault Trucks are reliable and have a good engine. We experience very little trouble with them, and on the rare occasions we do, Border Trucks resolves the issues promptly. This is why I haven’t bought anything but Renault Trucks for years.”

Stuart continued: “Our relationship with Border Trucks is the other key reason we continue to choose Renault Trucks. They are...

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/renault-trucks/r-j-i-monkhouse-marks-milestone-with-renault-trucks/

R J & I Monkhouse marks milestone with Renault Trucks - Renault Trucks - FleetPoint

25/07/2024

NISMO returns to Europe with the full-EV Nissan Ariya 🚗

Gear up Europe…the Ariya NISMO is on its way! With 2024 marking NISMO’s 40th Anniversary and a legacy spanning 30 years in the region, the NISMO brand returns to Europe with a spark. European customers will soon be able to purchase the sleek, stylish, yet sporty Ariya NISMO – Nissan’s first fully electric NISMO model in this market.

Dynamic, agile and with a bold personality, the Ariya NISMO is the embodiment of ultimate Nissan performance. Building on Nissan’s strong NISMO heritage and keeping it’s Japanese-inspired design, the Ariya NISMO brings a new level of exhilaration to the already excellent performance of the 87KWh Ariya e-4ORCE.

The Ariya NISMO boasts a lineup of sharp and sporty exterior details and engineering, delivering that signature smooth electric feeling with an added spark from the racetrack. With its Japanese-inspired crossover design, the all-electric...

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/nissan/nismo-returns-to-europe-with-the-full-ev-nissan-ariya/

NISMO returns to Europe with the full-EV Nissan Ariya - Nissan - Ariya NISMO - Manufactorer News - FleetPoint

25/07/2024

A camouflaged Škoda Elroq at the Tour de France 🚴‍♀️

A camouflaged Škoda Elroq, the brand’s latest all-electric model to be unveiled this autumn, joined the final-stage time trial of this year’s 111th edition of the Tour de France to accompany the riders. The overall winner, Tadej Pogačar, received the popular crystal glass trophy created by Škoda Design, and Škoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer presented a green crystal trophy to Biniam Girmay, the points classification winner. Škoda Auto has been supporting the Tour for twenty-one years now, and this partnership including providing the official TdF fleet has been extended to last until 2028. The brand is currently a partner of 20 top cycling events, including the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift since 2022.

Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO, commented: “The final laps are thrilling and make me proud that Škoda Auto is the main partner again to the Tour de France, for the 21st year in a row. I want to congratulate all the athletes who have given their best for almost 3,500 kilometres. We were honoured to be able to support the teams with our fleet, including the Director’s cars, and pleased to be part of the awards ceremonies. Our own cycling heritage makes it even more important that we contribute to inspiring cyclists around the world by supporting the Tour de France and the wider work of the A.S.O., including the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.”

Surprise in the final stage: Camouflaged Škoda Elroq makes its public debut

As a long-standing official main partner, Škoda Auto provided the organising team with 205 Škoda vehicles, including “red cars”, an all-electric Enyaq and a new plug-in-hybrid Superb Combi, that were used by the race director Christian Prudhomme to lead the peloton. Škoda prepared an unexpected surprise for the final stage, a camouflaged Elroq: the brand’s latest all-electric model thus made its public-event debut. With its distinguished looks, this new compact SUV is the first Škoda model to adopt Modern Solid, the brand’s new design language that takes the exterior design of...

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/skoda-2/a-camouflaged-skoda-elroq-at-the-tour-de-france/

A camouflaged Škoda Elroq at the Tour de France - Skoda - Skoda Elroq - Electric Cars - Tour de France - FleetPoint

25/07/2024

Drivers ignoring smart motorway lane closed signs🚚

More than 53,000 motorists have been caught by police enforcement cameras disobeying Red X signs on smart motorways since 2021, according to new research conducted by the UK’s leading road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.

Analysed data* gathered through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to police forces in England reveals that in 2021, nine police forces were enforcing against Red X infringements, with 4,393 drivers caught. A further eleven forces began prosecuting against the contravention in 2022 resulting in 20,773 motorists being captured by cameras. In 2023, a total of 21 forces used enforcement cameras to catch 28,231 drivers breaking the law. Almost all police forces with smart motorways within their boundary areas are now actively pursuing this type of criminality.

The Red X is often used to close lanes on a smart motorway when an obstruction such as a broken-down vehicle is detected in the road ahead. Closed lanes are also used by the emergency services attending those who might need urgent assistance at the incident in question. Enforcement cameras automatically detect vehicles passing illegally under a Red X, which can result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 and three points or, in some cases, more severe penalties or a court appearance**.

Between 2021-23 inclusive, Surrey Police topped the table with 11,360 drivers caught committing Red X offences along stretches of the M3, M23 and M25 – the latter being Britain’s busiest motorway. Thames Valley Police had the second highest volume with 9,957 motorists being snapped by cameras over the same period. Further north, Greater Manchester Police had the third highest national number of intended prosecutions with 6,120 drivers committing Red X...

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/road-building-repairs/smart-motorways/drivers-ignoring-smart-motorway-lane-closed-signs/

Drivers ignoring smart motorway lane closed signs - Smart Motorways - Road Safety - Lane Closures - FleetPoint

24/07/2024

Grid constraints threaten e-truck roll-out🚚

A lack of capacity in the grid is threatening to roadblock the roll-out of electric trucks, according to an energy storage provider.

The high-capacity EV chargers needed for HGVs require up to 50 times the power of car and van charge points. Connected Energy is advising fleet operators, dealerships and service centres that in most cases, their grid connection may not support this charging infrastructure.

“We have carried out extensive modelling for the HGV sector and the data shows that there will be challenges at many sites,” said Nigel Dent, head of sales at Connected Energy. “In the majority of cases, the local grid simply could not support a high-capacity charger of 150 kilowatts, never mind a 350kW unit.

“The industrial estates and business parks that are home to fleet depots, service centres and dealerships were naturally not built with these high-power demands in mind. But this could potentially cause delays to the roll-out of electric HGVs and add substantial, unanticipated costs to projects.”

In cases where the grid connection cannot support these chargers, the distribution network operator (DNO) can upgrade the local grid capacity. However, this is usually costly, comes with long lead times, and can be complex if the business involved rents rather than owns its premises...

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/electric-vehicles-2/infrastructure/battery-energy-storage-system-bess/grid-constraints-threaten-e-truck-roll-out/

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Grid constraints threaten e-truck roll-out - Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) - Electric Trucks - FleetPoint

24/07/2024

The NAO publishes its report on the state of local roads in England🚘

The National Audit Office (NAO) issued its report on the current state of England’s local roads, and it is not good news. Their detailed conclusions are summarised in this document, and the full report can be downloaded from here.

Local roads are a vital part of local transport infrastructure, used every day by millions of people. Despite their importance, the condition of local roads is declining and the backlog to return them to a good state of repair is increasing.

DfT has provided between £1.1 and £1.6 billion of capital funding each year to local authorities and has set out plans for additional funding through to 2034. Given the fiscal constraints, it is essential that DfT secures maximum value from the funding it has available.

However, at present DfT does not have a good enough understanding of the condition of local roads, and does not use the limited data it does have to allocate its funding as effectively as possible. It does not know whether the funds it allocates are delivering improvements in road condition, and has not updated its guidance to local authorities, to share good practice and help them make the most of their limited funds, for some years...

Click to Continue Reading - https://fleetpoint.org/road-building-repairs/the-nao-publishes-its-report-on-the-state-of-local-roads-in-england/

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The NAO publishes its report on the state of local roads in England - Road Building & Repairs - Local Roads - Pot Holes - FleetPoint

24/07/2024

My vote is a vote for a change in UK EV infrastructure🔌

The landslide labour election victory could and should be a vital step in reversing the slow-down in Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption. Delivering on pledges to reinstate the 2030 deadline for all new car and van sales to be electric, commitments to giga-factories and removing planning constraints are important, but there is also a hearts and minds battle to be won.

The adoption of EVs is extremely uneven, with adoption in rural areas just a fraction of that in towns and cities. Charge anxiety – and the uneven distribution of the public charging network – has replaced range anxiety, yet there is a network of 500,000 charging points across the country, owned by commercial fleets and private individuals. Building collaboration and fostering the shared economy to transform accessibility to charging would not only address anxiety but transform the efficiency of EV fleets, enabling both companies and private individuals to embrace a sustainable future without any need for planning changes or additional infrastructure development.

The priority is to rebuild confidence in EVs. Alok Dubey, Regional Director for Western Europe at EV charging platform, M***a, shares his advice with the Government on what is needed to bolster the UK EV infrastructure, support Fleet managers and ensure the UK is adequately prepared for the rise of EVs.

Delivering Promises

Labour’s Election Manifesto outlined its plan for the Automotive sector, which is based on the plan outlined by Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds MP. In his foreword, Reynolds explained, “A Labour government would drive the automotive industry into the future by accelerating domestic battery-making capacity, investing in giga-factories, and removing planning barriers to get shovels in the ground.”

But are these the biggest barriers to the adoption of EVs? Since the last government postponed the eradication of new petrol and diesel car and van sales from 2030 to 2035, the EV evolution has slowed. While the number of EVs on the road in the UK reached one million earlier in 2024, growth is driven by commercial fleets rather than private owners...

Click to Continue - https://fleetpoint.org/electric-vehicles-2/my-vote-is-a-vote-for-a-change-in-uk-ev-infrastructure/

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My vote is a vote for a change in UK EV infrastructure - Electric Vehicles - EV - Expert Blog - FleetPoint