Stuart O'Brien, Author at Fleet Summit - Page 6 of 52
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Stuart O'Brien

Do you specialise in fleet Duty of Care solutions? 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 October we’ll be focussing on Duty of Care 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 Duty of Care 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:

Oct – Duty of Care
Nov – Grey Fleet
Dec – Service, Maintenance & Repair
Jan 24 – Electric & Hybrid Vehicles
Feb 24 – Dash Cams
Mar 24 – Driver Training
Apr 24 – Accident & Risk Management
May 24 – Fleet Management Software
Jun 24 – Telematics/Tracking
Jul 24 – Contract Hire & Leasing
Aug 24 – LPG/Alternative Fuel & Fuel Management
Sept 24 – EV Infrastructure

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

You can’t afford to miss November’s Fleet Summit – Here’s why…

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Places are filling up fast at the Fleet Summit – a highly-focused event that brings fleet professionals together with top industry suppliers, offering the very best products & services to help you with your upcoming projects.

15th & 16th November 2023

Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre, London Heathrow

Your complimentary pass includes:

  • A personalised itinerary of one-to-one meetings with solution providers
  • Lunch and refreshments included throughout the event.
  • Networking breaks to build valuable connections within your field.
  • A seat at our insightful seminar sessions (included in your itinerary)
  • Free overnight accommodation
  • An invitation to our networking gala dinner with entertainment included

Spaces are extremely limited – Register your free place here.

Or contact us today with any questions you may have about the event.

Fleet Car EV Charging Solutions: Everything you need to know

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With the UK government’s pledge to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 (at time of writing!), electric vehicles (EVs) are set to become the norm. For businesses managing fleets, integrating EV charging solutions is an inevitable step forward. Here are the essential factors businesses should weigh when sourcing EV charging solutions…

  1. Assess Your Fleet’s Requirements: Start by understanding the size of your fleet and its growth trajectory. The number of vehicles, their battery capacity, and daily mileage are crucial to determining the number of chargers you’ll need, their type, and their capacity.
  2. On-site vs. Off-site Charging: Consider the spatial limitations of your premises. If on-site charging isn’t feasible due to space constraints, look for partnerships with nearby charging networks or public charging stations. On-site solutions are ideal for overnight charging, while off-site might be better suited for midday top-ups.
  3. Type of Chargers: In the UK, EV chargers vary from slow (3-6kW), fast (7-22kW), to rapid chargers (43-150+ kW). While rapid chargers can be more convenient, they’re also costlier. Balance your fleet’s charging speed requirements with your budget constraints.
  4. Cost and Financing: Implementing EV charging solutions requires capital. However, UK businesses can tap into various grants and subsidies, like the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), which offers financial support for the costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints.
  5. Integration with Fleet Management Systems: Modern EV charging solutions come with software that can seamlessly integrate with fleet management systems. This allows for real-time monitoring, scheduling, and optimisation of the charging process, ensuring efficient fleet operations.
  6. Maintenance and Downtime: Regular maintenance ensures longevity and optimal performance. Opt for solutions that come with comprehensive warranties, service agreements, and minimal downtime. Remember, a non-operational charger can disrupt fleet schedules.
  7. Scalability: As your fleet grows or the electric vehicle market evolves, your charging needs may change. Ensure your chosen solution is scalable, whether that means adding more charge points, upgrading existing ones, or integrating newer technologies.
  8. Safety and Compliance: Safety is paramount. Ensure that the EV charging solutions comply with UK and EU safety standards. Additionally, consider solutions that offer features like over-current protection, ground fault monitoring, and surge protection.
  9. Green Energy Options: To maximise the environmental benefits of transitioning to EVs, consider sourcing your electricity from renewable sources. Some providers offer green energy plans or partnerships with renewable energy suppliers.
  10. Employee Training: The switch to EVs, complemented by new charging protocols, may necessitate training sessions for employees. Ensure that the provider can offer training resources or sessions to help your team adapt seamlessly.

The transition to electric fleet vehicles is environmentally and economically strategic for UK-based businesses, but it’s the methodical selection of charging solutions that will determine the effectiveness of this shift. Businesses must engage in thorough research, consultations, and future-proof planning to make the most of their EV investments.

Are you looking for EV charging solutions for you business? The Fleet Summit can help!

Image by (Joenomias) Menno de Jong from Pixabay

Do you specialise in fleet EV Infrastructure solutions? We want to hear from you!

960 640 Stuart O'Brien

Each month on Fleet Management Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the fleet market – and in September we’ll be focussing on EV Infrastructure 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 EV Infrastructure 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:

Sept – EV Infrastructure
Oct – Duty of Care
Nov – Grey Fleet
Dec – Service, Maintenance & Repair
Jan 24 – Electric & Hybrid Vehicles
Feb 24 – Dash Cams
Mar 24 – Driver Training
Apr 24 – Accident & Risk Management
May 24 – Fleet Management Software
Jun 24 – Telematics/Tracking
Jul 24 – Contract Hire & Leasing
Aug 24 – LPG/Alternative Fuel & Fuel Management

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Government mandates and infrastructure investment ‘to fuel EV growth globally’

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Global EV sales reached 7.7 million units in 2022, up from 1.4 million units in 2018, and are anticipated to reach 51.6 million units in 2035, driven by government mandates and infrastructure investments.

That’s according to GlobalData‘s latest report, “Electric Vehicles Market Report, Update 2023 – Global Market Outlook, Trends, and Key Country Analysis,” which reveals that during 2022-35, the total EV market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.9%, whereas the passenger EV segment is expected to register a CAGR of 26.1%.

The commercial EV segment is expected to record a CAGR of 15% during the same period. The sales of battery electric passenger cars are expected to reach 44 million units by 2035 from 7.3 million units in 2022. The sales of battery electric commercial vehicles were 0.4 million units in 2022 and are anticipated to reach 7.6 million units by 2035.

Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Power Analyst at GlobalData, said: “The increasing prices of gasoline, growing EV infrastructure, including the number of charging stations, maintenance hubs and facilities related to electric vehicles, and growing concern about environmental pollution are the major reasons behind the increasing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide.”

China is the largest EV market in the world, with annual sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) of five million units in 2022. Being an early adopter of EVs, China has numerous local and international companies offering a range of EV models. The government’s focus on the promotion and adoption of EVs to reduce pollution is another important factor contributing to the growth of the EV market in China.

Saibasan added: “The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is leading the EV market in terms of annual sales globally, followed by Europe and the Americas. In 2022, APAC accounted for 69.3% of the sales, followed by Europe with 19% and the Americas with 10%. The presence of market leader China in the APAC region is the key factor for its major share. The region is anticipated to hold the major share of the market of 41.4%, followed by Europe with 31.6% and the Americas with 19.4% by 2035.”

The US federal government has set a target to make half of all new vehicles sold in the country zero-emission vehicles by 2030 and to establish a suitable network of 500,000 chargers to support the agenda of making EVs more accessible to all Americans for local and long-distance travel.

In 2022, the European Commission and the European Parliament and Council supported a policy of supporting the zero-emission target by implementing all new cars and vans registered in Europe to be zero-emission by 2035. The governments of various countries in APAC are also increasingly investing in electric mobility. In India, Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles (FAME) and FAME-II are the flagship schemes for promoting electric mobility. All these factors bode well for the EV market.

Saibasan concluded: “The increasing concern over environmental pollution and the growing number of targets and policies related to the net zero carbon emission economies of different countries have fuelled the global demand for EVs. Reducing global carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050 is consistent with efforts to curb the long-term increase in average global temperatures to 1.5°C.  The global pathway to net‐zero emissions by 2050 requires all governments to improve and effectively employ their climate policies. To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, countries are focusing on preventing the burning of fossil fuels for transportation and encouraging the use of EVs.”

Image by Lee Rosario from Pixabay

Industry Spotlight: Hands-on with Aftercare Response Video

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We sat down with Aftercare Response General Manager Andy Harrison to talk through the company’s ground-breaking video sharing platform and its key features…

Aftercare Response (part of Bevan Group) is the UK’s leading provider of mobile maintenance and breakdown services in the UK. Specialising in on-site commercial vehicle body repairs and ancillary equipment servicing, the business offers a host of additional services such as fleet maintenance contracts, OEM warranty work and nationwide emergency roadside assistance.

With 260 customers, Aftercare Response continues to experience strong growth – but, in the increasingly competitive landscape, the team constantly strive for ways to deliver added value to their clients.

Andy Harrison, General Manager at Aftercare Response, remarks: “The businesses that survive and thrive are those that ensure they are at the forefront of new developments, driving the charge to bring new and better products and services to the market”.

Aftercare Response Video

One such innovation is Aftercare Response Video. Launched in 2021 as the first initiative of its kind within the industry, Aftercare Response Video is a video sharing platform. It allows engineers to provide recommendations to camera and share the video directly with the customer, enabling a fully informed decision on whether to proceed with the suggested work. Once the work is complete, the customer receives a summary of the issue(s) and the work undertaken to get the vehicle back to its best.

The service gives the customer total control of each job by ensuring end-to-end visibility, complete transparency and improved knowledge. The videos provided enable the customer to re-charge damage repairs fairly and prove invaluable in supporting warranty claims. And crucially, the service allows authorisations to be secured more quickly, thereby minimising delay and vehicle downtime.

As Andrew, a Fleet Management & Finance Lease Provider, comments: “The Aftercare Response Video service has been a real game-changer for us; we have complete visibility and control of all jobs which provides greater transparency for the repairs carried out.”

Paul, a Food & Drink Distribution Provider, agrees: “We receive detailed daily job management updates that, combined with the video service, have enhanced our visibility of on-going jobs and enabled our depots to manage their fleets more effectively”.

There are broader benefits, too. The Aftercare Response team can process customer queries more effectively because there is greater transparency and clarity on the work completed. The videos are an excellent source of training and reference material, enabling knowledge to be shared among the business’s nationwide network of engineers.

“From a customer perspective, this development was all about building confidence and providing reassurance,” explains Andy. “But we also use the platform as a training aid, to improve repair standards and achieve an even higher level of consistency within our team of engineers.”

The Aftercare Response Video Service is available to all Aftercare Response customers. To view sample videos and find out more, visit https://bit.ly/46A2f3D.

Here’s what your two days at the Fleet Summit could look like

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How is your diary looking for the 15th/16th November 2023? Join your industry peers and your diary could look like this at the Fleet Summit in London…

Wednesday 15th / Thursday 16th November

1. Enjoy complimentary seminars

Opening Presentation -“Key Corporate Fleet EV Market Trends” by the Association of Fleet Professionals
Seminar 1 – “Scotland’s Electric City” by Fraser Crichton, Corporate Fleet Manager, Dundee City Council
Seminar 2 – Presentation By Martin Edgecox, National Fleet Manager, National Highways
Seminar 3 – Presentation by Which EV

2. Source the latest products and services and gain more insight in the industry from our partners

1-2-1 meetings with solution providers, networking breaks and opportunities to gain more insight from our partners; AFP and Which EV.

3. Take advantage of complimentary refreshments

  • Networking buffet lunches
  • Pre-dinner drinks reception followed by a gala dinner
  • Overnight accommodation
  • Breakfast and refreshments provided throughout

CONFIRM YOUR FREE PLACE

Alternatively, contact us today for further information on timings, we can work your itinerary around you.

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Autonomous driving levels explained

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BMW is taking a giant leap forward in the world of autonomous driving with the launch of its state-of-the-art test site, the Future Mobility Development Centre (FMDC), in Sokolov, Czechia. Representing an investment of 300 million euros, the FMDC is the first of its kind in central Europe and is set to play a pivotal role in BMW’s future mobility development.

Encompassing a vast expanse of 600 hectares, the site is dedicated to the ongoing research and testing of automated driving and parking technologies. Notably, this impressive investment will create over 100 new jobs and, in line with BMW’s commitment to sustainability, will operate entirely on 100 percent green electricity.

Transformed from a former mining region into an innovation hub, the FMDC’s strategic location offers an array of real-world conditions for testing highly and fully automated driving and parking, complementing virtual simulations of driving scenarios. By combining both virtual and real-world testing, BMW aims to meet the stringent safety requirements of its customers effectively. The FMDC joins the ranks of BMW’s existing group of test sites in Aschheim near Munich, Miramas in France, and Arjeplog in Sweden. This facility will be used to help develop future generations of electric car from BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce.

So what is autonomous driving and what do the various levels (from 1 to 5) actually mean in the real world?

Head over to WhichEV for the full lowdown.

Locks 4 Vans celebrating 20 years leading the van security industry

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On 21st July 2023, Locks 4 Vans will celebrate its 20th anniversary as the leading van security manufacturer.

Starting with a modest deadlock in 2003, Locks 4 Vans has spent two decades successfully serving the ever-changing Commercial Vehicle industry, helping customers deter criminals from breaking into their vans, with a wide range of locks and shields.

Founded by the late Chris Batterbee, Locks 4 Vans has grown from 3 staff members operating out of Chris’s garage to a muti-million-pound, international business with state-of-the art equipment and over 70 staff.

The key to Chris’s success was to install an innovation mindset amongst his team and to invest in new technology.  This philosophy has enabled Locks 4 Vans to keep ahead of criminal activity and to remain responsive to changes in attack methods.  The £2.5m investment to create the Innovation Centre in 2021 was a testament to his approach and has attracted significant award recognition across the industry as a result.

Terry Rayner, Commercial Director at Locks 4 Vans, said: “The Locks 4 Vans team have come a long way since those early pioneering days.  I’m pleased to say that we remain a local company but now have an international reach. With over 90% of our employees and suppliers living locally, we are fiercely proud of our roots. On behalf of everyone at Locks 4 Vans, a huge thank you to all our customers for your support and commitment to our business”.

VRA: Tipping point edges closer for EVs on price and buyer interest

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A tipping point is close to being reached where there will be widespread dealer and buyer acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs), with price parity within sight.

That’s what members of the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) were told at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week, with Dale Wyatt, Director of Automobile at Suzuki GB – who presented on issues currently facing motor manufacturers – saying that getting to that place would require a concerted effort on the part of the remarketing sector as well as a range of customer incentives.

“It looks as though used ICE and EV cars will start to reach some kind of price parity over the next year and I expect that trend to equally apply to new cars as we edge towards 2024, Wyatt said. “Price parity will be a key moment as there is still going to be customer resistance to EVs and there will need to be incentives to overcome that.

“Those incentives could take several forms which will depend on where cash is available and what motivates buyers, but it does feel now as though a tipping point is not far away where EVs will just become an everyday part of the car market.”

Peter Smyth, Director at Swansway Motor Group, provided a dealer perspective on current issues. He backed the idea of incentives but said that simply getting better at selling EVs would be crucial.

“It’s not something that is much discussed but what the retail motor industry is really good at, is selling. We have great sales skills and using them will be crucial to making EVs a success, with salespeople in dealerships making the right deal, matching the right customer to the right electric car and the right finance product.

“Of course, there will probably need to be incentives and ‘cash on the bonnet’ in the form of manufacturers’ subsidies will also form part of this story.”

A panel discussion on mental health and wellbeing in the remarketing sector featured Rachel Clift, health and wellbeing director at motor industry benevolent charity BEN; Stephen Whitton, founder of [M]enable, which is the VRA’s mental health partner organisation; and Danielle Grant, training officer at Compass, which provides wellbeing consultancy and training solutions.

The AGM, hosted by British Car Auctions in Perry Barr, Birmingham was attended by 50 delegates in person and more online, making it the organisation’s largest ever event of its kind.

Philip Nothard, chair at the VRA, said: “As every year, we work to make the AGM something of a showcase for the quality of insight that exists within the VRA and we were pleased to see such an excellent turnout and such vibrant discussion.

“Our membership has risen by around 25% in the last year and there is a real sense of momentum around the organisation. We’re now planning our annual VRA Seminar in November, which promises to be a fascinating day.”

Image by Qubes Pictures from Pixabay