Stuart O'Brien, Author at Fleet Summit - Page 19 of 53
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Stuart O'Brien

Lightfoot launches new Live Overspeed Alerts feature

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Driver coaching and rewards platform provider Lightfoot has unveiled a new development for its fleet management package – the Live Overspeed Alerts feature.

Available to add on to the existing Lightfoot solution, this feature targets the problem of speeding within fleets, helping to prevent approximately 80% of incidents. It does this by alerting drivers whenever they travel over the speed limit through a series of audible and visual warnings via the Lightfoot dashboard device. This helps raise awareness in drivers of how fast they’re travelling whilst they’re on the road, giving them the ability to correct their driving in real-time and prevent the speeding event from occurring.

Speeding remains one of the most prevalent motoring offences in the UK, and accounts for around 13% of all accidents on Britain’s roads. For fleets, it brings with it the added disadvantages of increased wear and tear on the vehicles and the risk of damage to brand reputation if drivers are repeatedly caught travelling at illegal and unsafe speeds. It’s clear that more needs to be done to curb speeding incidents in commercial vehicles, and this latest development from Lightfoot is a great example of the tools that are available to help fleets create safer, more responsible drivers.

Find out more at Live Overspeed Alerts | Lightfoot

LEVC has now sold 7,000 TX ‘electrictaxis’ globally

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LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) has marked a major milestone of 7,000 global sales of its TX ‘electrictaxi’, and has given Londoners the chance to hail a ride for free.

From Thursday 19th May until Thursday 26th May, there will be three unique ‘celebration cabs’ roaming around central London. Each will be kitted out with a unique exterior, as well as a special surprise inside for passengers to enjoy, celebrating not only 7,000 global TX sales but also the upcoming Jubilee.

Over the next seven days, anyone who hails one of the three distinctive taxis will be able to travel from their pick-up point to any destination within the North and South Circular, with the fare being picked up by LEVC.

Since launching in 2018, the TX has provided sustainable transport to both owners and passengers in more than 20 countries. Over the last four years, LEVC claims its electric TX taxi has travelled more than 418 million miles globally and prevented 127,000 tonnes of CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere.

LEVC’s TX has flexible space for up to six passengers, the vehicle includes an integrated wheelchair ramp, enabling it to accommodate a forward-facing wheelchair – the only taxi of its kind to do so. The TX’s eCity technology provides a pure EV range of more than 64 miles and a total range-extended capacity of 318 miles.

Joerg Hofmann, CEO of LEVC, said: “LEVC is proud to have sold 7,000 electric TX taxis across the globe. The iconic black cab can now be seen from Paris to Madrid and Cairo to Tokyo; it truly is a vehicle for everyone, everywhere.

“As the iconic “black cab” is an integral part of the London landscape, we wanted to mark 7,000 global sales of our TX in the capital. As the British population will also be celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s reign of 70 years, we felt it was appropriate to bring a classic British street party theme to our three celebration cabs.

“The black cab has been a familiar sight on city streets for more than a hundred years and today’s TX has never been more fit for purpose. Offering unrivalled accessibility, capable of zero emissions  and eliminating range anxiety, the TX is the ideal choice for both cab-drivers and passengers in any city.”

Do you specialise in Telematics and Tracking? We want to hear from you!

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Each month on Fleet Management Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the fleet market – and in June we’ll be focussing on Telematics/Tracking solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help fleet buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a supplier of Telematics/Tracking solutions and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Chris Cannon on 01992 374096 / c.cannon@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our features list in full:

Jun – Telematics/Tracking
Jul – Contract Hire & Leasing
Aug – LPG/Alternative Fuel & Fuel Management
Sept – EV Infrastructure
Oct – Duty of Care
Nov – Grey Fleet
Dec – Service, Maintenance & Repair

RoSPA study says e-scooters far safer than bicycles

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By Farooq Beloch, WhichEV 
As a new study from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents reveals that electric scooters are five times safer than bicycles: Are we about to see new legislation which revolutionises inner city travel?
Given that scooters are likely to be limited on speed, not raw power – will the UK Government allow for a broader definition of ‘electric scooter’, that might open up new ‘last mile’ delivery options for companies that want to show their green credentials?

The case for decarbonising existing fleet vehicles

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Lightfoot have launched their latest video titled ‘Doing Nothing Is Not An Option’, the video makes the case for actively decarbonising existing ICE vehicles within fleets whilst concurrently planning for the electric future.

Whilst the transition to EVs is the accepted long-term solution for the fleet industry, the reality is that the supply of electric vehicles is not currently available for an all-out adoption of EV fleets, and many fleets simply do not have the resources or infrastructure to go fully electric today.

Instead of making future plans to tackle decarbonisation solely through the eventual replacement of ICE vehicles with EVs, industry-leading green-tech provider Lightfoot argues that fleets should instead be looking to their existing fleet vehicles to reduce emissions, reduce fuel consumption, and take action now to protect the planet.

Watch the video to learn more.

Oxford University unveils autonomous cars research project with Capgemini

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Capgemini has revealed a collaboration with the University of Oxford focused on the safety and human factors of interactions with AI autonomous systems.

The firm is working in collaboration with the university ecosystem around cutting-edge technologies, creating thought leadership, assets, and the services of tomorrow. These joint efforts are designed to answer the crucial question: “How can technology help solve the key challenges of a more intelligent industry in society?”

David Jackson, Chief Technology Officer for Product & Systems Engineering at Capgemini Engineering, will work with a team of researchers supervised by Marina Jirotka, Professor of Human Centred Computing and lead for Responsible Research and Innovation in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford, on a project entitled, “Being safe, feeling safe: designing, measuring and evaluating underlying factors determining safety and trust in autonomous vehicles”.

“The impacts of novel technologies on societies and individuals can sometimes get lost in the excitement of new tools and innovations. We believe this project with Capgemini gives us a great opportunity to really examine how we can keep human needs and interests at the forefront of research and development,” said Professor Jirotka.

“The wide adoption of innovations such as autonomous vehicles and aircraft needs people to trust them, so we are proud to tackle this challenge with the University of Oxford. This new initiative will further strengthen our strategic research program on Intelligent Industry,” commented William Rozé, CEO of Capgemini Engineering and Group Executive Board Member.

Capgemini says it’s committed to the adoption of AI in a way that delivers clear benefits from AI technologies within a trusted framework, by adopting the Code of Ethics for AI.

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: Keeping your money in your wallet – a fleet-forward solution with drivers in mind

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In a time of economic crisis, with household bills rising and petrol prices skyrocketing, being out of pocket while you wait to be reimbursed for business parking is a burden many fleet drivers may struggle to bear.

But a solution designed for fleets and on-the-go workforces from the global leader in mobile parking payments, PayByPhone, could be the answer. PayByPhone Business eliminates the need for fleet drivers to pay for work-related parking themselves, to keep receipts or to wait for reimbursement – they are never out of pocket. And that personal outlay adds up for drivers, especially when other costs are rising.

PayByPhone Business is convenient for employees who are on the road, but the benefits are also seen by the fleet administration staff. The days of piles of receipts and monthly parking expense reports are over; staff can do more productive tasks. Parking payments are finally one less thing to worry about.

And using PayByPhone Business couldn’t be easier via the PayByPhone app. A parking session booked by an authorised fleet driver, in an authorised vehicle, will be presented with the option to pay using the corporate card. With PayByPhone Business, card details are protected against interception or misuse.

PayByPhone Business brings a company’s parking under one easy-to-use, centralised system so one or more admins have visibility over all parking activity in a simple solution – one app and one interactive dashboard.

To find out more and to sign up your fleet visit https://park.paybyphone.co.uk/business/

Are you ready for next month’s Fleet Summit?

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Will you be attending the Fleet Summit on the 13th & 14th June in Northamptonshire? We’ve got everything you need to succeed in 2022 and beyond!

As a fleet professional, your place is entirely complimentary and includes;

– A bespoke itinerary of 1-2-1 meetings with suppliers (see list here)
– Full hospitality – which includes overnight accommodation and all meals/refreshments throughout
– An evening drinks reception and networking dinner
– A seat at our insightful seminar sessions (see list here)
– Networking with like-minded peers (request list here)

Let us know if you have any questions – alternatively book your place via our short booking form. 

Hyundai details enhancements for in-demand IONIQ 5 EV

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Hyundai has enhanced its multi award-winning IONIQ 5 with the introduction of the 2023 model year, including a new 77.4kWh battery, along with several range tools and new features.

First launched in February 2021, IONIQ 5 is the first model based on Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated BEV platform, Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

Along with the new 77.4 kWh battery, the updated IONIQ 5 will be available with video-based digital interior and exterior mirrors. Mounted in the IONIQ 5’s rear spoiler, the Digital Centre Mirror (DCM) optimises visibility by providing an unobstructed, panoramic rear-facing view of the car.

Meanwhile, the new battery heater and conditioning feature is standard across the range and will enable IONIQ 5 to adapt its battery temperature while travelling to support optimal charging conditions when reaching the charging point, improving real-life charging performance in hot or cold ambient conditions. This function activates automatically when a high-power charging point is entered into the vehicle’s navigation system using connected routing.

A new addition to the IONIQ 5 range is the Namsan Edition that offers customers the choice of the highest possible equipment and powertrain specifications. The Namsan Edition is named after Namsan Mountain in the city of Seoul, affording views across the skyline of South Korea’s capital city and a national park covering over 3.3 million square meters, offering Seoulites a relaxing and calming location in one of the world’s busiest cities.

The IONIQ 5 Namsan Edition honours the Korean landmark with its full-length vision roof presenting an unobstructed panoramic view, whilst the leather upholstery, relaxation seats and spacious interior cossets occupants within. The Namsan Edition will also offer Digital Side Mirrors (DSM). Already available for Korean-spec IONIQ 5 models, this high-tech feature will be available in Europe for the first time in a Hyundai Motor Group vehicle. The DSM reduce air resistance and will provide IONIQ 5 customers with an enhanced rear view, even in inclement weather.

In a range realignment, the SE Connect 58 kWh is now available from £39,400. With a range of up to 238 miles and a 16.7 kWh/100km efficiency (WLTP), the SE Connect offers a high level of standard specification including front multi-function reflector and rear LED lamps, 12.3” audio and navigation with Bluelink© connectivity, wireless device charging and adaptive cruise control. Vehicle dynamics benefit from the addition of smart frequency dampers to improve the response of front and rear suspension and increase both handling response and ride comfort.

From £41,900 on the road, Premium IONIQ 5 models receive new standard equipment including the Vehicle to Load (V2L) system, previously a cost option, part leather upholstery, upgraded soft touch interior including 64 colour ambient lighting and sliding centre console. The Premium specification level also sees the first digital based solution introduced with a standard full display mirror that also uses a camera positioned inside the vehicle spoiler to project a real time display onto the interior mirror, optimising the drivers rear view in all conditions, alongside the automatically dimming function. Also available on the Premium is the optional heat pump which will enhance the efficiency of the battery during inclement weather by heating the cabin as opposed to using the high voltage battery to power the heating system. Premium models are available with both the 58 kWh and new 77.4 kWh pack that delivers an increased range of up to 315 miles (WLTP) and a power increase of 11PS over the previous 72.6 kWh battery3.

Now priced from £48,400, the Ultimate trim now offers the previous cost options of blind view monitor and surround view monitor as standard, which join 20” alloy wheels, privacy glass, heated and ventilated front seats, with heated rear, BOSE premium sound system and augmented reality head up display. Customer options include the Heat Pump as well as a revised Tech Pack that features Remote Smart Park Assist (RSPA), Parking Collision Avoidance (PCA), Automatic flush door handles, driver seat position memory function and relaxation seats on both driver and passenger seats.

The Namsan Edition is available from £52,900, the new range topping specification includes Digital Side Mirrors that replace traditional door mirrors with externally mounted cameras that projects their image onto OLED monitors for better visibility and improved safety. The Namsan Edition will also introduce a standard full length vision roof with integral sunshade to maximise the available cabin light. In addition to these additions to the top trim, Namsan Edition models also include both Heat Pump and Tech Pack as standard.

Veolia rolls out its first renewable-fuelled fleet

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Broadland District Council has announced the launch of a contract for all waste collection services including residual, recycling and food waste and for street cleaning with Veolia – which is deploying a renewably-fuelled fleet for the first time.

The 10 year contract that started in April 2022 has an option for an extension of up to a further 10 years.

Reducing energy consumption and reaching carbon neutrality is essential for combating climate change and the new contract includes a commitment to reduce operational emissions and to develop low carbon solutions. This supports Broadland District Council’s priority to protect the environment and for continuous environmental improvement.

Every vehicle in the fleet is fully powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a bio-based liquid fuel made from vegetable oils and animal fats. HVO is a low carbon, low emission, fossil-free and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil diesel which eliminates up to 90% of net CO2 and reduces nitrogen oxide (NOX), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.

HVO fuel is fully interchangeable with conventional diesel and can be used pure or blended with fossil diesel if required. The fleet in the Broadland district will be solely powered by HVO in a first for Veolia in the UK.

Councillor Judy Leggett, portfolio holder for Environmental Excellence, said: “We’re very pleased to be continuing our very successful working relationship with Veolia through the award of this major new contract. The contract brings together an excellent service for residents with innovative new approaches which will help to make our waste and recycling services more effective and even more environmentally friendly. This new contract will help drive us towards our aim of being carbon neutral well ahead of the Government’s 2050 target.”

Pascal Hauret, Managing Director Municipal, Veolia UK said: “We’re delighted to launch our first fully HVO powered fleet in Broadland. HVO significantly reduces CO2 emissions so this is a hugely positive step in our shared commitment to net zero. Importantly, whilst the availability of HVO is still limited in the UK, Veolia has secured a guaranteed supply for the entire contract term.”

The new contract also offers residents an enhanced service with the introduction of weekly kerbside collections of small electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and textile collections.

The Council will continue to roll out food waste collections and will now be able to achieve its goal of food waste collections to all Broadland residents in 2023.