The Key - Green Edition

Demand for Electric and Ultra Low Emission vehicles soars

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THE KEYINDUSTRY NEWS, VIEWS & UPDATES

FOR FLEET MANAGERS

GROSVENOR LAUNCHES NEW

SERVICE TO HELP FLEETS GO GREEN

GREEN EDITION

2017

Government funding will drive the green agenda

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Pod Point to install EV chargers at Lidl supermarkets

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DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC AND ULTRA LOW EMISSION

VEHICLES SOARS

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DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES ROSE BY 48% IN 2016, WITH PLUG-IN HYBRIDS ROCKETING BY 133%.The figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) offer the clearest indication yet that driver appetite for electric vehicles (EVs) and Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) is taking hold – a trend that’s only likely to build year on year.

“ Demand for alternative fuelled and low emission vehicles is now outperforming the wider market across all vehicle categories,” said Mark Gallagher, Grosvenor Leasing’s green fleet advisor.

“ The car market grew by 6.3% last year, however pure electric vehicles shot up by 48% to nearly 10,000 vehicles and plug-in hybrids soared 133% to over 18,000 vehicles. For a few years now there has been uncertainty as to when the EV and ULEV revolution would begin in earnest, however that moment appears to have come.

“ Compare the demand for alternative fuels to diesel. The uptake of diesel vehicles rose by just 3% in 2016, and the pressure on drivers to turn their backs on diesel technology is only likely to increase due to a range of socio-economic factors.

“ Looking globally, the leaders of Paris, Mexico City, Madrid and Athens have all announced they will stop the use of all diesel-powered cars and trucks by the middle of the next decade. In the UK, campaigners are calling for London’s mayor to commit to phase out diesel vehicles from London by 2025.

“ Taxation on polluting vehicles is becoming increasingly punitive while favouring low emission cars and vans, and the quality of electric and ultra-low emission vehicles has never been better.

“ For companies operating vehicle fleets, the message is to act now. Vehicle policies and driver choice lists will need reviewing in light of the growth in EVs and ULEVs because with most vehicle replacement policies being 3 to 4 years its important to have a plan now as the market is shifting faster than ever.”

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THE GREEN KEY

THE GREEN KEY

GROSVENOR LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE TO HELP FLEETS GO GREEN

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Shaun Barritt, Grosvenor Group CEO™

GROSVENOR LEASING HAS LAUNCHED ‘0ZONE’, A NEW SERVICE TO ADVISE, HELP AND SUPPORT ITS CUSTOMERS THROUGH THE TRANSITION OF BECOMING A ZERO OR LOW EMISSION FLEET.The new service offers clients support in the development of a low emission vehicle policy, advice on the steps required to move smoothly through the evolution towards Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs), and assistance with plug-in and hybrid demonstration vehicles (subject to availability).

“ The shift towards EVs and ULEVs is not something that is going to go away,” said Shaun Barritt, Grosvenor Group CEO. “At some point all companies operating vehicle fleets will make the transition to a new era of fuel technology and our advice is to be pro-active and start planning now.

“ Most company drivers have spent their entire working lives driving traditional petrol or diesel vehicles and a key factor in making a smooth transition is to communicate with them and get their buy-in.

“ It’s also vital to understand the current opportunities, and limitations, these vehicles offer so that timely decisions can be made, and begin to budget around the financial implications and forecast what the fleet operation will look like in years to come.

“ At Grosvenor Leasing, our new 0Zone service signifies the drive to a ‘zero’ zone, with no emissions, and we are here to guide you smoothly through the process and plan ahead rather than react too late.”

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THE GOVERNMENT’S NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY INVESTMENT FUND (NPIF) WILL INVEST A FURTHER £390 MILLION BY 2020-21 TO SUPPORT ULTRA-LOW EMISSION VEHICLES (ULEVS), RENEWABLE FUELS, AND CONNECTED AND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES (CAVS).

This includes £80 million for ULEV charging infrastructure, £150 million in support for low emission buses and taxis, £20 million for the development of alternative aviation and heavy goods vehicle fuels, and £100 million for new UK CAV testing infrastructure.

It means British transport is set for a significant low-carbon boost in a bid to drive a green transport overhaul.

A particular focus will be put on the development of driverless cars, renewable fuels and energy-efficient transport as the UK looks to boost its low-carbon vehicle transition, the Department said.

The funding boost for EV charging points is the latest in a series of private and public sector pushes towards transferring to a EV-based automotive future. The DfT announced last year plans to increase the convenience and availability of EV charge points.

Poppy Welch, head of Go Ultra Low, the Government-funded campaign to promote the use of electric and hybrid vehicles, said: “The £80m investment in charging infrastructure is vital as growth in the UK electric vehicle market continues to accelerate.

“ This is fantastic news for motorists and the continuation of incentives for plug-in vehicles through company tax and salary sacrifice schemes will give thousands more people the option of choosing the very lowest emitting cars and allow more businesses to benefit from adding electric vehicles to their fleets.”

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GOVERNMENT FUNDING WILL DRIVE THE GREEN AGENDA

THE GREEN KEY

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POD POINT, THE CHARGING POINT SUPPLIER, HAS ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP WITH SUPERMARKET CHAIN LIDL THAT WILL SEE RAPID CHARGE POINTS INSTALLED AT 40 STORES.

Customers will be able to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) free of charge while they shop, and Erik Fairbairn, chief executive of POD Point, said the expansion of the network of public charge points would make EVs even more attractive to customers.

“ Our partnership with Lidl is an important element in the wider rollout of the Open Charge Network, and a significant step towards our target of putting a POD Point everywhere people park for an hour or more by 2020."

Mark Gallagher, Grosvenor Leasing’s green fleet advisor added, “As more partnerships such as this are announced it makes it easier and easier for drivers of electric vehicles to charge their cars and vans quickly and without disruption to their day.

“ We are heading to a position where, rather than search round for a charging point and have to wait, the charging of your car and van fits into your daily routine thanks to them being increasingly located at key places where drivers stop.”

POD POINT TO INSTALL EV CHARGERS AT LIDL SUPERMARKETS

Mark Gallagher, Grosvenor Leasing’s green fleet advisor

For more information about Grosvenor Leasing please go to: www.grosvenor-leasing.co.uk or email [email protected]