Automotive Leasing, LeasePlan’s specialist public sector fleet services provider, has tendered for TfL’s new electric vehicle lease framework and been successful.
The new procurement agreement is designed to further the government’s plans to increase the uptake of electric vehicles in the capital. It should also reinforce London’s position as a global leader in green motoring technology. Vehicles from 16 approved suppliers will be available to the Greater London Authority and other public sector bodies.
LeasePlan was the first UK leasing company to add the fully electric Nissan Leaf to its order book and in April last year, Automotive Leasing provided Dumfries and Galloway council with the first Nissan Leaf to a UK council fleet and the first range extended Vauxhall Ampera to a UK Council this year.
Automotive Leasing’s supply capabilities also include the provision of electric sweepers and other municipal vehicles. Tim Meadows, director at Automotive Leasing said: “We’re delighted to be named in the latest framework. It reflects our long-standing commitment to the environment and providing cost effective, innovative public sector leasing solutions.”
Minimising vehicle off road time for commercial fleets
New product offers customers greater control over commercial vehicle fleets.
The new offer, UPtime, allows fleet managers to maximise the efficiency of their commercial vehicle fleets by continuously tracking maintenance and repair requirements. Using in-vehicle telematics, the UPtime solution transmits performance updates to LeasePlan’s dedicated commercial vehicle team every 24 hours. All routine MOTs and repairs are then automatically co-ordinated through the LeasePlan service network.
The UPtime solution also maintains electronic copies of MOT documents and all service, maintenance and repair work carried out, to ensure each vehicle is fully compliant with existing legislation.
A three month trial with 20 customer vehicles shows that UPtime can generate over 60 per cent cost savings clients, primarily stemming from an overall reduction in vehicle downtime.
Mark Lovett, Head of Commercial vehicles, said, “We’ve listened to fleet managers who tell us vehicle downtime is the biggest challenge faced by CV fleets. We have designed a specific solution to address this issue while driving down costs and reducing the administrative load associated with this type of vehicle. Our goal is to significantly reduce downtime for fleets.
“We’re really excited by its potential to transform commercial vehicle fleet management for our customers
“The launch of UPtime is central to our commitment to growing our specialist expertise in the CV sector. Backed by a fantastic commercial vehicle team with a wealth of experience, we are confident that existing clients and prospects alike will be able to benefit hugely from UPtime’s capabilities.”
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West Lothian Council powers on electric Ampera
Range-extended Vauxhall Amperas offer drivers increased flexibility and lower emissions
West Lothian Council has become the first council in the UK to add an electric Vauxhall Ampera to its fleet. The announcement follows the signing of an innovative leasing agreement with Automotive Leasing, the specialist public sector division of fleet management company LeasePlan.
Cairngorms National Park and Highland Council, both in Scotland, have also ordered Amperas for delivery later this summer.
Automotive Leasing is providing the vehicle to West Lothian Council on a 5 year deal. The Ampera is Vauxhall’s new extended range electric vehicle, which features a petrol engine as a generator for the electric battery.
The car can travel up to 50 miles on battery alone then an additional 310 miles using the petrol generator.
The deal forms part of LeasePlan’s ongoing support for greener motoring, which saw it become the first UK leasing company to lease the fully electric Nissan Leaf in 2010. Automotive Leasing has also supplied a number of electric sweepers to councils around the UK.
West Lothian council was able to acquire the Ampera through funding from Transport Scotland, as part of a £4.3 million initiative to make sustainable transport more accessible for Scotland’s public services. The grant provides bridging funding to cover the difference in cost between purchasing conventionally-powered cars and low carbon or electric vehicles.
This deal was negotiated as part of an ongoing relationship between the Council and Automotive Leasing. The Ampera will be added to the Council’s existing 300 vehicles in the Green Transport fleet.
Steve Wallis, Vehicle Supply Relationship Executive, LeasePlan, said: “We are delighted to be working with West Lothian Council to provide this acclaimed green vehicle on an innovative and cost-effective financing deal.
“LeasePlan is always looking for new ways to enable organisations to reduce the carbon footprint associated with their fleet operations. We will be working closely with council drivers to hear their first-hand experiences of operating an electric fleet vehicle to allow us to continue to improve our service.”
Tom Conn, West Lothian Council’s Executive councillor for the environment, said:
“The Ampera will be a welcome addition to our electric fleet and will provide a reduction in operating costs as well as carbon savings.
“West Lothian Council is fully committed to reducing our carbon emissions and we’re delighted to have this new vehicle available for staff members to use. It’s part of our overall aim to encourage more sustainable forms of transport for work related travel.”
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Will you help us to Define the Future of Fleet?
TUESDAY 17TH JULY 2012, THINKTANK, MILLENIUM POINT, BIRMINGHAM
With the help of key public sector decision makers, influencers and operators, this summer’s must attend event will create a unique platform for debating the issues that matter most to you. As well as sharing best practice aims, guidelines and experiences we will look to define the future of fleet within the public sector.
You are invited to join a select group of fleet decision makers to actively take part in determining innovative solutions built around your own needs, expectations and aspirations.
Keynote speaker Dr. James Bellini, a leading Futurologist, Author and Speaker will lead a lively debate on the political and economic challenges being faced by public sector fleet professionals.
You will then have the opportunity to consult with industry experts on a one-to-one basis and discuss real solutions related to your personal fleet objectives.
There will be a strong focus on understanding the key fleet issues affecting public sector organisations. This knowledge will then be used to explore how you can meet the demands of today whilst preparing for the needs of tomorrow.
Our unique, free of charge event will include a mix of presentations, expert panel discussion forums and audience engagement to create a dynamic flow of ideas and interactions, the results of which will be yours to take away.
To reserve your space REGISTER HERE or to learn more about what to expect on the day, please visit our event microsite: http://www.automotive-leasing.org/future
Alternatively you can speak to a member of our expert team on 0844 493 5840 or simply email futureoffleet@automotive-leasing.co.uk
Care workers and community drivers benefit from red tape cut
After we highlighted the Department for Transport’s pledge to cut red tape in a previous blog post, we were interested to see a further announcement from transport minister Norman Baker which looks set to continue this trend.
His statement, released on the government news distribution service offered new guidelines to end confusion created by minicab laws that were implemented in 2006. Under these laws many drivers of patient transport services and carers were being classified as minicab drivers, and as a result had to register as such before the council could allow them to provide lifts.
Norman Baker said; “Clearly carers getting people to the doctor are not minicab drivers. I hope that by publishing this new guidance today these people will be able to get on with their vital activities, without the hassle or cost of getting a minicab licence.”
The government guidelines outline that the following groups should be exempt from having to license their vehicle:
Private ambulances, including emergency vehicles and vehicles which operate as part of a formal patient transport service;
Volunteers who share their car or provide lifts as part of their voluntary duties;
Care and support worker services, including those who care for adults in their own homes, in community settings or in residential or nursing care homes;
Childminders who carry children as passengers as part of their duties;
Rental car companies and garages offering ‘courtesy lift’ services for customers, for example whilst their car is in for repair.
For public sector fleet operators, the continued government focus on cutting the red tape associated with motoring should come as a welcome process, and we look forward to further developments as a result of this initiative in the coming months.
Drivers Remain Key to Accident Prevention
With around 10% of UK traffic being made up of company cars, and approximately 1 in 3 involved in an accident annually, increased training could help to lower these statistics further and help to re-define business drivers as the safest and greenest drivers on the roads today.
