All the key news in fleet…

The new service offers drivers the choice of having replacement tyres fitted via a mobile service or at a fast-fit centre.

 New Alphabet portal offers online tyre service for fleets 

Alphabet has launched a new tyre replacement portal – believed to be an industry first – for its customers.

Developed in collaboration with Kwik Fit, the service enables drivers of vehicles leased from Alphabet to book a tyre replacement appointment online or via an app, either using a mobile service or at a fast-fit centre.

Crucially, it checks that the tyre the customer requires will be in stock when they get there to avoid delays or wasted trips. It also offers a choice of timed appointments at convenient times and locations for the driver.

The free one-hour Drive Electric course is being run in the Milton Keynes area with a view to being piloted nationally.

Free AA Trust course to help drivers optimise EV technology

Electric vehicle drivers can now sign up for a free one-hour driving lesson to help them get the best out their EV.

Launched by the AA Trust at the new Electric Vehicle Experience Centre (EVEC) in Milton Keynes, the Drive Electric course has been developed by AA Driving School and Drive Tech trainers in conjunction with Chargemaster and enables drivers to undertake a lesson in their own electric car or one of the centre’s test drive fleet vehicles.

The course is initially being piloted in the Milton Keynes area with a view to be rolled out nationally.

The agreement will see Dynniq’s software solution powered by SAM technology.

New technology to couple road infrastructure data with vehicle information 

Vehicle tracking firm Smart Asset Manager (SAM) has signed a strategic partnership deal with traffic and infrastructure solutions specialist Dynniq to team up telematics information with data from road infrastructure.

The agreement will see Dynniq’s software solution powered by SAM technology, not only providing in-vehicle information such as location, speed and availability but also offering the ability to integrate, display and report real-time infrastructure data.

The firm said the partnership will give users more tools to report on key business metrics around emissions, fuel savings and road service conditions, and complete visibility of the fleet and assets 24/7.

The theme for Road Safety Week 2017 is ‘Speed Down Save Lives’, looking at the need to keep to lower speeds, especially in built-up areas.

Webinar to show fleet benefits of Road Safety Week

Brake is running a free webinar for fleet and road safety professionals on the benefits of taking part in UK Road Safety Week, and providing advice on how to get involved.

This year’s Road Safety Week takes place from 20-26 November and addresses the issue of ‘Speed Down Save Lives’.

The Brake webinar, Taking part in UK Road Safety Week 2017, takes place 10am – 11.30am on Wednesday 20 September. For more information, and to book, visit www.brakepro.org.

Phil Jerome, managing director of Meridian Vehicle Solutions

More industry dialogue needed over damage charges, says Meridian

Increased dialogue and a more transparent approach to damage charges would benefit both vehicle rental companies and their customers, says Meridian Vehicle Solutions.

The medium term rental specialist says a lot could be achieved through better communication where customers are more forthcoming about damaging vehicles and rental companies are able to talk directly about the potential cost of repair

Phil Jerome, managing director, added that the customer perception that a damage charge would be expensive was very often mistaken and added the firm’s own damage charge rate tends to be lower than for SMART repairs carried out by local companies while also ensuring higher-quality repairs.