All the key news in fleet…

The National Chargepoint Registry complies data on the location and availability of units.

Cenex to overhaul National Chargepoint Registry
 
Cenex is to take charge of the UK-wide database of charging points, in a move aimed at providing better live data to drivers and routing companies.

Launched in 2011, the National Chargepoint Registry (http://national-charge-point-registry.uk) uses data from operators on the location, compatibility and availability of units across the UK. The data is used by mapping companies and apps, including the Open Charge Map and Zap Map.

Funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), Cenex and software specialist Apetrel Systems will work together to improve real-time information with a view to enabling better route-planning around available charging infrastructure.

10% of ALD UK’s fleet is classed as Ultra-low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs).

ALD achieves Go ultra Low Company status

ALD Automotive has been awarded ‘Go Ultra Low Company’ status in  recognition of its company car fleet, of which over 10% are classed as Ultra-low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs).

It forms part of an initiative run by the Government led Go Ultra Low campaign to recognise UK businesses that are embracing EVs and looking to boost their uptake over the next five years.

ALD recently assigned 20 Mercedes C350e PHEVs to its UK company car drivers. This forms part of a long term in-house trial studying the use of alternatively fuelled vehicles for business travel.

“The publication of the Government’s Air Quality Plan is another step towards a greener future for the UK,” commented Matt Dale, consultancy services manager at ALD UK. “Fleets are already considering their options around low emission vehicles and our Go Ultra Low Company status demonstrates our commitment in this area, underlining the skills and experience we have in place to support them with this challenge.”

The Royal Mail purchase is the first major fleet order for Peugeot Partner Electric.

Royal Mail adds 100 electric vans to delivery fleet

Royal Mail has signed an agreement to purchase 100 Peugeot Partner L2 Electric vans, to be used on delivery rounds.

The vans will go into service from December 2017 at delivery offices around the UK, supported by a rollout of charging infrastructure.

The Partner L2 Electric was launched in February and this is the first major fleet order for the van.

Its lithium-ion battery pack is fitted under the load floor, ensuring there is no loss of load space compared with petrol and diesel-powered Partner L2 models. The Partner L2 Electric offers a gross payload of 552kg.

The Partner Electric’s 22.5kWh lithium-ion batteries offer a range of up to 106 miles, measured on the NEDC cycle. The batteries can be re-charged to 80% capacity in 30 minutes from a dedicated rapid charge point, and the drive motor also provides regenerative braking when slowing down.

The AEB demonstrations will take place on the Brooklands motor circuit in Surrey.

Autonomous braking demos at Mercedes-Benz World

As ‘partner in excellence’ at Mercedes-Benz World, Continental Tyres is inviting drivers to experience Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for the first time at the facility.

Continental will offering  20-minute demonstrations from 31 July – 13 August, at Mercedes-Benz World, based at the Brooklands motor circuit in Surrey.

The AEB demonstrations will take place between 11:00 and 13:00, with no pre-booking required.

AEB systems help to avoid accidents by identifying critical situations early and automatically braking, or lowering the speed of collision.

Mark Griffiths, safety expert at Continental Tyres, said: “With demonstrations such as these, we hope to educate people about the potential of using automotive technology to improve safety and possibly save lives, coupled with tyres that are above the legal tread depth and correctly inflated.

“These free driving experiences further support our ‘Vision Zero’, a global initiative that aims to reduce road accidents worldwide through improved driver education and enhanced automotive safety systems.”

Secure payments for SMR work can be made via PayPal or Sage Pay.

My Van Service offers flexible SMR booking

Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd has launched My Van Service – an online booking tool with five new options to offer efficient booking for service, maintenance or repair (SMR) work.

Customers can see a choice of slots available with the dealer of their choice using a live booking facility, and SMS booking and confirmations is possible. Secure instant payment can be made online using PayPal or Sage Pay.

Flexible booking options include ‘Overnight’, which means the vehicle is serviced outside of the 9am-5pm working day and collected the next morning before 9am, and ‘We Collect’, allowing the Dealer to pick up the van from the customer at an agreed time, service it, and return it during a set time too.

ServiceCare Maintenance, Flex, and Complete service bookings can also be made via My Van Service.