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Essential Fleet Operator NewsThe latest news from across the sector
Public Sector • Social Housing • Utilities • Infrastructure Management
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There are an estimated 14 million grey fleet vehicles on UK roads being used for business journeys. Regardless of the reason for the journey – whether your employee is driving to a customer meeting half way across the country or driving to the shop to pick up milk during the working day – their private car insurance must cover them for business use.
Our experience at Selenity is that not all employees have the right cover. In helping our customers we’ve discovered a disturbing trend – we’ve found that 21 percent of drivers are failing our insurance checks and may not be eligible to drive for work purposes, that’s one in five motorists. It’s a shocking set of statistics that points to an issue that business owners shouldn’t be ignoring – their employees are breaking the law, either inadvertently or potentially on purpose. In our new Grey Fleet Review, Adam Bamford – Expedite Services Manager at HR and Finance specialists Selenity – looks at what processes need to be put in place to demonstrate that you are meeting your duty of care obligations. You can read Adam’s full article in our Grey Fleet Review
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Vauxhall’s all-new Combo Cargo van has been awarded What Van? Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year 2019, a title reserved for the outstanding model debut of the previous 12 months. The class-leading Combo Cargo doubled up on accolades by winning the coveted Light Van of the Year 2019 title. “The hotly-anticipated new Combo Cargo is in Vauxhall showrooms now and, with the backing of a strong dealer network and competitive pricing, will see Vauxhall return to the forefront of the light van sector,” said James Dallas, Editor at What Van?.  “It is available in short- and long-wheelbase formats, and as a crew van. A well kitted out cabin with cutting edge technology and lots of storage space is complemented by engines and transmissions that can hold their own with the best in class.
“Clever load options, including the FlexCargo folding passenger seat, allow operators to make full use of the 1.0-tonne payload and load volume of up to 4.4m3.” The Combo Cargo is based on an all-new architecture and is offered in a selection of variants, including short wheelbase, long wheelbase and crew van. In crew van body style, up to five occupants can be accommodated, while the load is safely stowed behind a partition wall. In addition, the rear bench can be folded down and the partition moved behind the front seats, if required. The Combo Cargo is also clean and cheap to run with low CO2 emissions from 109g/km and fuel economy up to 67.3mpg. Operators can be sure that the vehicle is not overloaded by pressing the sensor-based overload indicator (optional). A range of innovative technologies and driver assistance systems make driving and manoeuvring easier, including the optional Rear View Camera and IntelliGrip traction control system. The new generation of infotainment system with an eight-inch colour touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensures outstanding on-board connectivity. Since its launch, the Combo Cargo has already proved popular among buyers, and was recently voted International Van of the Year 2019 by journalists across 25 European countries. “We are delighted to add this award to the Combo Cargo’s growing collection of honours – it really does raise the bar in the compact van segment,” said Derek Wilson, Vauxhall’s LCV Director. “Practical, comfortable, economical and packed with all latest driver assistance and connectivity technology, the new Combo Cargo is the small van that helps carry British business.” The British-built Vauxhall Vivaro was also Highly Commended in the Used Van category. Fitting devices to prevent drink-drivers from getting behind the wheel would help save lives, say safety experts. In Britain, around one in seven of all road deaths every year involve drink-drivers with the most recent Department for Transport statistics revealing that drink-driving deaths rose by 20% in 2016 to 240 casualties – the most significant year-on-year rise for over a decade. Safety campaigners are now urging the government to tackle this shocking statistic by making it compulsory for convicted drink-drivers to use alcohol interlocks – a device that is fitted to the ignition of a vehicle to prevent it from being started until a clear breath sample is given.
 The largest independent fleet operator in the UK, Mick George Ltd, has expanded its commercial collection service with two new state of the art refuse vehicles equipped with the latest safety and weighing technology joining its trade waste fleet this month. Abigail Johnson, Head of Commercial Waste, Mick George Ltd said: “We are growing quickly, and diversifying to offer customers better environmental and cost-efficient solutions. By looking at each customer’s waste intuitively and treating different waste streams, like glass and food, separately we can improve disposal outcomes and increase recycling rates.” Mick George Ltd offers a Zero to Landfill service facilitated through its Materials Recovery Process locations with residual materials diverted away from landfill to RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) outlets, and is accredited to PAS 402 to verify it’s waste data monitoring and reporting.
The new vehicles have been provided on 3-year contract hire with a full maintenance package by Refuse Vehicle Solutions Ltd (RVS) from its RediTruck range of ‘off the shelf’ ready for work refuse trucks. The two 26T DAF CF Olympus with BETA trade lifts were supplied liveried, and fitted with the PeoplePanel® side guard protection system and AMCS weighing system. Abigail added: “RVS took only 7 weeks to deliver the vehicles, which is a great response time and much quicker than it would usually take to get the vehicles directly from the manufacturer. The preventative maintenance support package is great too. RVS engineers visit our premises every 6 weeks to inspect and service the vehicles. We work our vehicles hard and deliver an extensive daily service across our operating areas so it’s important they are well looked after to minimise service disruption.” RVS provides a complete solution for refuse vehicle operators, supplying a wide range of refuse vehicles – new, quality used and remanufactured – as well as a host of support services comprising service, breakdown cover, contract hire, short term hire, new and used spare parts, finance and low loader services. For further information about job opportunities at RVS services visit www.RefuseVehicleSolutions.co.uk/careers; Tel 01453 899 131; or email info@rvsl.co.uk
 Jacqueline O'Donovan has been honoured with yet another award at a prestigious event at Wembley Stadium last Friday. The National Women’s Business Awards are an annual event and held to recognise industrious, hardworking and enterprising Business Women on a national level.
Having already picked up the PwC ’UK Private Businesswoman of the Year’ Award and the Building Magazine ‘Female Leadership’ Award as well as the Women’s Economic Forum naming her as their ‘Woman of the Decade in Enterprise and Leadership’, Jacqueline has gone onto win the National Business Women’s Awards ‘Business Woman of the Year’ As managing director of O’Donovan Waste Disposal, London’s leading independent waste management company, Jacqueline (who became MD as 19) has grown the company to a multi-award winning business with a turnover of £21m+ and 160 employees. With a reputation as passionate and driven businesswoman, dedicated to making the family business a resounding success as well as influencing and improving the industry as a whole, she has spent her entire working career devoted to the company her father, Joe, started almost 60 years ago. Jacqueline is passionate about demonstrating excellence in all of the company’s operations and setting industry standards. Jacqueline commented: “I am delighted to win this prestigious award and with our 60th anniversary year just around the corner, this has been an exciting and rewarding time for the company. I am thrilled that my siblings and I have been able to continue the legacy my dad started all those years ago.” Majority of car makers face huge fines for missing CO2 emissions targets, PA Consulting predicts12/10/2018 Innovation and transformation consultancy PA Consulting’s annual forecast of car manufacturers’ performance against mandatory EU CO2 emissions targets suggests that eight out of 13 car manufacturers will miss their 2021 targets and face significant fines.
Volkswagen, Ford, Fiat, PSA, BMW, Daimler, Mazda and Hyundai-Kia are predicted to miss their specific 2021 targets. Volkswagen could be fined up to 1.4 billion Euros. PSA faces the biggest impact from fines based on EBIT (600 million Euros, representing 20 per cent of its 2017 profit). Toyota remains the best performing manufacturer in the ranking, Renault Nissan Mitsubishi lists second and Volvo third (down from second last year). Ford and Volkswagen have gone backwards and in 10th and 11th place respectively. Daimler and BMW are making progress towards their targets and Jaguar Land Rover still has the highest CO2 emissions, but is on track to meet its specific target. From a regional perspective, Norway still leads the way seeing a significant reduction on CO2 emissions from cars. All other European countries lag behind with CO2 levels staying broadly the same or even increasing since 2015. Germany is one of the worst performing countries, only ahead of Switzerland in the league table. Balfour Beatty and its joint venture partners and clients, scored a quadruple win at the Street Works UK Annual Conference and Awards last week, securing the Communications Leaders, Team of the Year, Best Collaborative Work and the Lifetime Achievement awards.
The Gas Distribution Strategic Partnership[1] was praised for its efforts to inform the local community in Stratford-Upon-Avon for its works to update the market town’s 1960s gas mains, while the Thames Water eight20 alliance[2] was commended for its innovative use of engineering techniques to update the King’s Scholars’ Pond sewer in London. In addition, the SMB Joint Venture[3] working as part of the Thames Water eight20 alliance[4] was commended for its relentless collaboration with The City of London to successfully combine and deliver two pipe-laying schemes. It was also a night of celebration for Tom Lambert, Balfour Beatty’s General Manager for Street Works as he received a Lifetime Contribution award for his services to the industry. Bryan Casey, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Gas & Water business, said “These prestigious awards are in recognition of the hard word and collaborative efforts between Balfour Beatty and its partners. I would like to thank all those involved. “I am especially proud of Tom Lambert for his Lifetime Contribution award which is testament to his tireless work promoting street works best practice across our business and the wider sector, through effective partnership and innovative thinking.” 1] A partnership between Balfour Beatty and Cadent Gas [2] A collaboration between Balfour Beatty and Thames Water [3] A joint venture with Balfour Beatty, Skanska and MWH Treatment [4] A partnership between Balfour Beatty and Cadent Gas Daytime running lights on vehicles, which have been required to be fitted on all new European Union cars and small vans since early 2011 to improve road safety, may be causing unintended confusion for other drivers, according to research carried out by the RAC.
Transport for London (TfL) has begun installing more than 300 Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) warning signs across central London.
The signs, which are being installed at the same locations as existing Congestion Charge signs, warn drivers at all entry points to the zone, and on a number of key approach routes, to ensure their vehicle meets the tough new emission standards that come in to effect next year. The vehicle rental and leasing industry is laying the groundwork for a productive and secure long-term future, according to the BVRLA’s new Industry Outlook 2019 Report.
The next twelve months will be a very challenging period, but there is clear evidence that BVRLA members are seizing the initiative and not waiting for an upturn in the economy or Government support. The Department for Transport has today launched a Rental Vehicle Security Scheme which aims to increase counter-terrorism awareness and preparedness across the sector and mitigate the risk of rental vehicles being used as weapons in acts of terror.
The world’s biggest trial of commercial electric vehicles (EVs) has been given the green light by UK energy regulator Ofgem, bringing together leading power, technology, fleet and transport companies to test and implement the best approaches to the EV rollout for commercial enterprises.
With businesses buying 58% of all new vehicles in the UK, it will be commercial vehicles that determine the speed of the transition to low carbon transport. Major electricity distributor praises payload credentials for additions to national repair fleet12/4/2018 UK Power Networks, the country's biggest electricity distributor, has taken delivery of eight 3.5-tonne IVECO Daily panel vans. The vehicles were chosen after a demonstrator proved it could carry an extra 100 kg in a payload test versus competitor models when fully kitted out with the firm's chosen racking.
From the Office of the Traffic Commissioner
Revised criteria applies to existing haulage, bus and coach operators and new applicants. The 2019 financial standing levels for standard operator licence holders and applicants have been confirmed. The rates will come into effect on 01 January 2019. 1st vehicle: £8000 (previously £7950) Each additional vehicle: £4450 (previously £4400) There will be no change at the current time to the rates of finance which must be available to support a restricted licence or application.
 Isuzu UK, the pick-up professionals, is pleased to announce the launch of the new Isuzu D-Max Utah V-Cross double cab. A special edition in the D-Max range, the Utah V-Cross will be produced in a limited to a volume of 100 vehicles in total and will be available in both a manual and automatic transmission.
 Leading supply chain, transport and logistics company, Eddie Stobart has been awarded a five-year contract by Tarmac, the UK’s leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions business. The contract, effective from December 2018, will see Eddie Stobart help Tarmac’s Cement and Lime business restructure from a national to a regional transport setup for cement hauliers to deliver an enhanced service for its customers.
The UK Government's Procurement Organization CCS Wins Prestigious Supply Chain Finance Award12/3/2018 Crown Commercial Service (CCS) — the U.K. government’s procurement organisation which is responsible for £16 billion of annual spend — has been named winner at the 2018 Supply Chain Finance Awards in the Government & Not for Profit category for its innovative early payment program. The program, powered by Taulia, is the first of its kind to scoop such a prestigious award in the public sector.
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October 2019
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