GreenFleet

A record attendance at the Rockingham racetrack demonstrated that the annual GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive is now firmly established as a highlight in the fleet manager’s calendar.
    
Following its success over the last three years, Arrive ‘N’ Drive 09 enabled fleet managers and those responsible for vehicle procurement to test drive fuel efficient vehicles around a world class race circuit. This year, the middle pit garage block hosted an exhibition where organisations provided a range of information on products including telematics and driver monitoring, vehicle cleaning, fuel cards and driver training.

The Green Experience
All drivers taking vehicles out onto the track were required to attend a driver briefing from Rockingham’s head instructor, and were accompanied by an ARDS (Association of Racing Driver Schools) instructor, on hand to offer advice on how to get the car round the track economically and safely. In addition, eco driving tips were dished out in the driver briefing by Mike Fletcher of Drive & Survive, part of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, so that each test driver left the event knowing a bit more about green driving and how to maximise fuel economy by careful control of their actions. Peter Snelling, Head of Communications, Michelin Tyre Company, stated: “The event continues to provide anyone involved in car, van and even bus fleets the chance to catch up on industry developments and hands on experience of the latest green vehicles and associated products and services.”
    
He continued: “With many shows being cancelled this year, it was good to see the GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive event in good shape.”

On show
LPG supplier Calor Autogas showed how converting your fleet to run on liquefied petroleum gas can save up to 50 per cent in fuel costs. With LPG vehicles exempt from the congestion charge, this works out particularly cost effective for fleets operating in and out of London.

The introduction of BMW’s EfficientDynamics and MINIMALISM technologies across the BMW and Mini ranges allows the Group to offer models that return impressive fuel economy. The Mini range offers the BMW Group’s cleanest ever car, the Cooper D Hatch, producing just 104g/km and returning over 72.4mpg
    
Citroën is proving a popular choice for company fleets. The company offers some 30 cars and vans in the sub 120g/km CO2 sector – including the C1 range of city cars, priced from just £6,000. Its advanced light commercial range includes the Nemo, the new Berlingo, the versatile Dispatch and the company’s biggest van, the Relay. Citroën also offers the UK’s widest range of dual fuel (petrol/LPG) vans, and its HDi diesel engines are able to run on up to 30 per cent biodiesel without modification.
    
Elsbett provides technology to convert diesel engines to run on vegetable plant oil. On display were ultra-low carbon VW Polos and Caddy vans, which, according to the company, have net carbon footprints similar to an electric vehicle, but with a greater range and load carrying capability.
    
Ford had the new ECOnetic models from the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo ranges on show and available for test drives. Exempt from road tax, the new Fiesta ECOnetic offers CO2 emissions of just 98g/km, and is one of the most fuel efficient five seater cars in the UK.
    
Modec has been present at the Arrive ‘N’ Drive since 2007, returning to Rockingham for the 3rd successive year. It’s Zero Emission Electric Delivery Vehicle continues to offer a low carbon, low noise solution for city deliveries, and its impressive UK customer base includes Tesco, Speedy Hire, FexEx, Center Parcs and Islington Council.
    
LDVs retro-fitted with the Connaught Engineering HYBRID+ system were on display in pit garage 10. Independently tested at the Millbrook proving ground using government approved drive cycles, the system, when fitted to a Transit van, demonstrated fuel savings of up to 25 per cent, with an equivalent reduction in all exhaust emissions.
    
The Nemo-Electro by Nicholson McLaren, an all electric LCV based on the award-winning Citroen van, made its debut at the event. This goes on sale from August, and the company are also planning to launch a C1 Electro later in the year. Also on display were its range of LPG converted light commercials.
    
In the EV showcase area, situated outside the middle pit garage exhibition, Aixam Mega gave visitors the opportunity to test drive the Mega e-City car and the Mega Multitruck, which won the company the 2008 European LCV Manufacturer of the Year title at the European GreenFleet Awards last year.
    
Peugeot has embarked on a pioneering programme to reduce pollutants and CO2 emissions across its whole range through technological advancement. Its current range includes 35 derivatives, including two vans, which emit less than or equal to 130g/km CO2. Peugeot has awarded these vehicles its ‘Blue Lion’ status.
    
Volkswagen’s BlueMotion was first incorporated into the Polo, making it one of the most efficient vehicles in its class. This technology has now found its way into models across the range; Polo, Golf, Golf Plus, Golf Estate, Jetta, Passat Saloon, Passat Estate, Touran and Sharan; all offering impressive environmental performance by refining existing technology whilst not compromising on standard equipment.
    
The Electric Car Corporation’s team provided free advice on all aspects of electric car ownership, and showcased the Citroen ev’ie; a reasonably priced electric car that will comfortably seat four adults and has an impressive performance and range.
    
Allied ZEV’s electric vehicle offerings combine the latest in battery technology and electronic management software together with a tried and tested range of production vehicles. Its expanding range of wheelchair passenger cars, MPVs and minibuses is produced in conjunction with leading vehicle manufacturers including Peugeot, Renault, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Citroën, Fiat and Iveco.
    
GreenRoad’s SafetyCentre SC2 software enabled test drivers to view data relating to their trips around the track. The software can help improve driver safety and fuel economy by providing instant feedback, which empowers drivers to manage their own behaviour and change risky driving habits.

‘Indoor’ exhibition
The exhibition area was this year moved to the middle pit garages, making for easier access between outdoor and indoor exhibits. According to visitors, this format worked well, and allowed those waiting for test drive appointments to peruse the exhibition and enjoy the laid on refreshments, nearer to the manufacturer’s pit garages which offered the test drives.
    
Chesterfield BioGas showcased its system for the upgrade, storage and dispense of energy-efficient biogas in the form of biomethane. The process upgrades raw, untreated biogas into 97 per cent pure biomethane, identical in composition to CNG. The output from this system can also be fed directly into the gas grid.
    
CMS Supatrak demonstrated its EcoTrak technologies – powerful driver management tools that provide fleet managers with real time information including actual MPG, time spent idling, time spent in cruise and a range of alerts including harsh braking, accelerating and speeding.
    
The Drive & Survive stand was well worth a visit. The company, part of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, has offered Driver Risk Management Solutions to over 25,000 fleet drivers each year, including the ‘ecolution’ course, which can improve fuel efficiency by up to 25 per cent and see ongoing reductions in vehicle repair and maintenance costs.
    
Returning to Rockingham was SAFED – The Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving standard. The scheme has been developed to improve the safety and fuel efficiency techniques of van drivers, and consists of a one full day off-the-job training course. Part funded places for SAFED for vans training are still available, and drivers who reach the SAFED standard will receive a certificate of achievement, an ID card and a SAFED hi-visability vest.
    
Washing your car with a hosepipe can use more than 180 litres per wash and using a bucket and sponge can use over 10 litres. The OneDryWash stand showcased a new method for cleaning vehicles that removes water from the process. A 500ml bottle of the solution, which is used with two clean cloths, can potentially save one ton of clean water.
    
The Eco Power Group has worked extensively with the automotive and haulage industry for more than 20 years. At Rockingham, the company showcased its fuel saving Eco Map engine management software. Specifically developed for van and LCV users, the software aims to increase fuel efficiency, lower CO2 output and improve drivability.
    
Leading telematics company TomTom WORK supported more economical, greener and safer driving through its WEBFLEET fleet management software. Used in conjunction with its Smart technology in the company’s LINK 300 tracking device, the system enables uneconomical and dangerous driving behaviour to be easily identified. TomTom WORK also hosted a seminar detailing the benefits of its system in the driver briefing area.
    
Elektromotive, manufacturer of the Elektrobay charging station for EVs and plug-in hybrids, demonstrated its new EBConnect software. Pre-installed in the Elektrobay, the software can manage a two-way exchange of data via GPRS and the internet, providing usage patterns which facilitate accurate and timely billing. The system allows the possibility of a number of payment methods including a ‘pay-and-go’ service, where the user adds credits to their personalised Elektrobay keyfob. Alternatively, costs can be automatically added to the consumer’s household utility bill, or the balance can be settled remotely with the user paying via SMS text messages, interactive voice recordings and automatic registration number recognition.
    
Niche Fleet Support, together with Noyle Fleet Solutions, a leading specialist in environmental fleet issues and duty of care, launched ‘Grey Fleet Care’, an added-value service for companies offering drivers a cash option helping meet duty of care obligations whilst provide high quality, low cost servicing for drivers.
    
Seen for the first time at the Arrive ‘N’ Drive was the FleetGreen fuel card, currently the only fuel card with a diesel price guarantee that gives competitive prices. If in any week, another card company supplies diesel to you at a lower price than FleetGreen, the company will promise to match that price and refund the difference on purchases made that week. It also enables users to get biodiesel certification in the same way as purchasers of bulk loads. It has committed to replace diesel used by customers with a five per cent biodiesel blend, supplied from a number of reputable companies to BS EN 590.
    
Working together with O2 UK, Cybit is already the supplier of choice for 1,500 organisations with over 40,000 assets managed and monitored using the O2 UK network. Its business-to-business clients use Cybit applications to manage mobile assets in a range of industries including transport and logistics, service management and across public sector organisations.
    
Having your equipment stowed away neatly on shelves and in drawer units makes for better ergonomics. Comprising hundreds of different modular racking systems, the Modul-System combines to create a tailored solution, and its lightweight racking helps keep fuel consumption and CO2 emissions down. The system, which scooped the Specialist Equipment Service of the Year Award at the 2008 Fleet Van Awards, attracted plenty of attention from visitors to the event.
    
The Ashwoods Hybrid Drive, winner of the 2008 GreenFleet Award for Industry Innovation, is a kinetic energy recovery system which uses the power stored to electrically assist the drive shaft when the vehicle is inefficient. According to Ashwoods, the system reduces emissions by 15-25 per cent on both petrol and diesel engines and is easily moved from one vehicle to another.

Success
This year’s event, with its improved exhibition area and increased attendance, was judged by visiting fleet managers to be a huge success. Martin Reid, Fleet Environmental & Technical Manager at Royal Mail, stated: “Not only did it provide me the opportunity to see the latest vehicle related environmental technologies first hand, I also had the pleasure of viewing and driving the latest environmental vehicles within a controlled and safe environment.”
    
He continued: “The Arrive & Drive 09 also gave me the opportunity to network with representatives from numerous other companies to discuss and exchange ideas and experiences in reducing CO2 levels through vehicle and equipment testing, and the methods used to capture and record the end results. In all, a very business productive and beneficial day.”
    
The 2009 GreenFleet series of events continues with GreenFleet Scotland, produced in association with the Scottish Energy Saving Trust on 8th September at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh. For further information visit www.greenfleet.net/scotland.
    
October 1st will see the climax of the 2009 series, the GreenFleet Awards. Staged at the Guildhall in London, the event will once again recognise the leaders in environmental fleet management and greener vehicle manufacture. Visit www.greenfleetawards.co.uk for further information.