Real-world green motoring

Fleet operators from across the country flooded to the Arrive ‘N’ Drive on 12 May, eager to test drive the latest ‘green’ vehicles around Rockingham’s first-class race track

For those organisations with small, medium or large van fleets looking to save on fuel costs and CO2 emissions, a visit to this year’s Arrive ‘N’ Drive, in association with TRACKER, proved to be an extremely worthwhile day for examining the options.
    
Fleet operators were able to get behind the wheel and take the latest eco-vehicles for a spin around the race track to see for themselves how environmentally-friendly cars do not compromise on performance.
    
Motoring Journalist Quentin Willson, who champions the cause for environmental motoring, said: “This event today really is the crucible of what’s going to happen. There are vehicles here, such as the Citroen C-Zero, which I have never even seen before, let alone driven. For fleet drivers, journalists and everyone in attendance, it’s an absolutely fantastic event to be able to have access to these cars.”
    
Quentin took the new Citroën C-ZERO for a spin round the Rockingham track. The full-electric C-ZERO is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 47 kW or 64 bhp EEC from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque of 180 Nm is available from 2,000 rpm.
    
Quentin continued: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be able to drive these cars hard and fast, yet safely, around a race track and see that green cars need not necessarily be dull and boring – far from it.”
    
Visitors were also able to perfect their driving style on the real roads by taking part in the Energy Saving Trust’s Smarter Driving initiative. As well as reducing emissions, experts agree that smarter driving also brings safety benefits and leads to lower accident rates as a result of putting greater emphasis on anticipation and reading the road ahead.

University challenge
On the track during lunch was a unique display of two university-developed solar powered vehicles, proving that UK Universities are at the forefront in developing exciting new concepts for future transport. Teams from Cambridge and Durham Universities competed to see who could set the fastest solar-powered lap around the Rockingham circuit in two incredible vehicles.
    
Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) designs, builds, and races electric and solar power cars which showcase cutting edge sustainable engineering and demonstrate the incredible potential of electric vehicle technologies. CUER brought its solar powered ‘Endeavour’ to race at Rockingham.
    
Durham University has similarly developed the Durham University Solar Car (DUSC), a solar-powered car with a specially designed carbon fibre body and advanced energy saving components.
    
On the day, Durham University’s DUSC came out on top, achieving a lap time of 1.39.34 while CUER’s Endeavour achieved a lap time of 2.04.22.

On the inside
Exhibiting indoors was a selection companies showcasing a range of innovative products to make the task of running multi-fleets easier, safer and greener. Products ranged from the simple yet potentially life saving – like the RAC Mediwrap Blankets and Ponchos which keep you warm, dry and visible during a road-side break down – to advanced telematics solutions, such as those from TRACKER, Trimble MRM, Trackm8, Trafficmaster, CMS Supatrak, and DA Systems.
    
To date, TRACKER has recovered more than 19,000 stolen vehicles – worth a staggering £420 million. More than just a stolen vehicle recovery provider, TRACKER’s advanced systems also help companies view fuel usage per vehicle and driver behaviour to deliver considerable business benefits.
 
Trimble MRM showcased its Driver DNA box which provides real-time information on driver behaviour, vehicle condition, fuel and mpg efficiency, and CO2 emissions. It also provides traditional GPS data on vehicle position and activity for a full 360 degree view of a fleet’s usage and performance.
    
Trakm8 displayed its fleet management range. One of Trakm8’s key features is the ability to connect to the vehicle CANbus. This enables a wide range of information to be monitored by fleet managers, such as fuel usage, CO2 emissions, driver behaviour, and more.
    
Jo Hewes from Trakm8 said: “We had a great show and the leads we received were of good quality and have been much better than what we had from a large logistics show recently. We’ve followed up our enquiries and already have appointments booked for over 1000 units.”
    
Trafficmaster featured its suite of services, which includes Fleet Director and the award-winning Smartnav, an intelligent route finding service that uses satellite navigation and live traffic information to find best routes and guide drivers around congestion.
 
Monitoring your fleet
CMS SupaTrak has developed EcoTrak, an award winning fuel and carbon saving technology in conjunction with the waste, haulage and transport industries. The technology is a driver and vehicle management tool, which enables businesses to monitor and manage their driver’s behaviours and highlights areas of performance that could be developed in order to improve overall driving efficiency.

DA Systems provides inventive mobile-data solutions which enable end-to end management and visibility throughout the transportation, logistics and service delivery sectors. By using these systems, organisations can control and optimise their operations, significantly reducing operating costs, increasing business efficiency and maximising service quality.
    
Garmin attended the event to showcase its range of products to help fleets operate more efficiently. Garmin nüvi portable navigation devices double as mobile data terminals in the cab, while an in-vehicle data transponder unit enables real-time navigation, two-way text messaging, job dispatch capabilities and instant re-routing via a wireless mobile data network. Available sensor technology tracks parameters include vehicle location, speed and direction of travel, cargo temperature, idle times, traffic conditions and ETA.

Stay fuel sure
Another innovative yet simple product on display was FuelSure, a device which protects your diesel car drivers from mis-fuelling with petrol. FuelSure simply replaces the existing filler cap so that it can only be opened with the diesel filler nozzle. This avoids mis-fueling, putting an end to expensive repairs.
    
Also exhibiting was ALD Automotive, the second largest vehicle leasing operation in Europe, managing over 1 million vehicles across 40 countries worldwide. In addition, it has a proven portfolio of award winning vehicle management solutions, such as its DriveSafe suite of risk management products, and its a unique in-vehicle telematics option, ProFleet2.
    
Others companies on show were British Car Autions (BCA) who can help you find the right vehicle to suit your budget; Michelin, the world leader in the development of low rolling resistance tyres; Lex Autolease, the UK’s leading fleet management and funding specialist; and Intelligent Energy, a company at the forefront of fuel cell system development and implementation.
    
In addition, Revolve Technologies, a leading UK powertrain and vehicle engineering specialist, was at the event. The company provides engineering capability to companies developing low carbon technologies.

Manufacturers
GreenFleet’s Arrive ‘n’ Drive was one of the first UK venues to showcase Honda’s new CR-Z hybrid coupe. With sporty looks and agile handling, the CR-Z promises driving thrills and a cleaner exhaust emissions package boasting emissions of 117 g/km and fuel economy of 56.4 mpg.
    
Alfa Romeo displayed its sporty yet eco-friendly MiTo. Through its new breakthrough MultiAir engine – which is a fresh take on a variable valve timing systems – performance is boosted yet emissions reduced.
    
The iconic Fiat 500, which won GreenFleet’s City Car of the Year at the 2009 GreenFleet Awards, was also available for test drives. The 2009 model features a 1.2 petrol engine and benefits from Start&Stop technology.
    
Ford displayed its ECOnetic range which doesn’t rely on different fuels, expensive batteries or ‘bolted on’ technology. The Fiesta ECOnetic offers astonishing fuel economy of 76.3 mpg (combined cycle) and exceptionally low CO2 emissions of just 98 g/km.
    
Hyundai is at the forefront of producing environmentally friendly vehicles, with models that emitted a fleet average of 133g/km in 2009, a 10 per cent improvement on the previous year. Current best sellers in the range, the i10, i20 and i30, all have models that emit below 120 g/km of CO2.
    
Kia showcased its new EcoDynamics range which has cutting-edge Intelligent Stop and Go technology fitted as standard, which can reduce fuel consumption by up to 12 per cent. On display was a three and five door cee’d, a Venga and a Sorrento. The popular cee’d 1.6 CRDi EcoDynamics boasts CO2 emissions of just 110g/km with seriously low fuel consumption of 67.3mpg.

Hybrid drives
Displaying its impressive hybrid vehicles, Toyota had its iconic Prius available for test drives. By mastering the combination of petrol and electric power, the Prius boasts impressive CO2 levels of just 89g CO2 per km. The Toyota iQ, with just 90g CO2, was also on display.
    
Lexus showcased a selection from its Hybrid Drive range including its RX450h which emits just 148gkm/CO2 but has combined fuel economy of 44.8mpg and power of 299 DIN HP.
    
Mercedes had two commercial vehicles on display; one that ran on natural gas or bio-methane and one with stop start technology – both of which generated a lot of interest at the event.
    
Mazda had on display a range of its environmentally advanced vehicles. With i-stop smart idling technology fitted as standard to the Mazda3 2.0 Sport, it is able to achieve emission levels of 159g/km, fitting under the capital allowance threshold. The range also goes as low as 119g/km in its 1.6 diesel model.
    
Additionally, the Mazda6 features the new diesel engine which aims to be frugal at the pump. All power derivatives achieve between 50.4 and 51.4 mpg (combined cycle), boasting some of the most impressive figures in the segment.
    
Peugeot’s commitment to green motoring was evident at the event, with a range of vehicles which emit less than or equal to 130g/km CO2. These vehicles have Blue Lion status, which stands for Reduced Waste, Reduced Emissions and Reduced Costs.
    
SEAT UK had on display its Ecomotive range including the new Leon SE 1.6 with CO2 of just 99g/km. The SEAT Ecomotive Range offers some of the lowest CO2 in the market starting from as low as 98g/km for the Ibiza.
    
Volkswagen’s BlueMotion range was available for test drives, proving the manufacturer’s commitment to the eco-cause.

Going electric
Featured in the EV Arena was Aixam’s Multitruck, a light commercial vehicle offered with a choice of van, tipper, Rossi tipper, pick-up or dropside body configurations.  Also proving popular in the arena were electric bikes from e-motive, Wisper, and Solstis.
    
Allied Electric’s products combine the latest in Lithium-Ion battery technology and electronic management software together with a range of reliable vehicles produced my major manufacturers.
    
The company’s new range includes goods vans and passenger carrying vehicles, all with a range of up to 100 miles and a top speed of 70mph, making them practical for operations in most urban environments.
    
Also on display were Epowertrucks. Established in 2000, the company has supplied road legal electric trucks, electric utility vehicles, electric tugs, multi passenger vehicles and a wide range of electric powered vehicles to a diverse range of industries across the UK and to over 20 countries. Whether it is a multi-purpose street cleaning and waste collection vehicle or a customised road legal unit for local authorities, the company can be called upon to supply a tailor made solution when required.
    
In terms of charging electric vehicles, Elektromotive had the Elektrobay on show, an innovative charging solution which can be installed at the kerbside or in multi-storey car parks.

Alternative power
Ashwoods Automotive is a low emission technology development company born from the growing demand for environmentally focused vehicles within the commercial vehicle market. In July 2009, Ashwoods was selected as the sole supplier of Hybrid Vehicles to the LCVPP (Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme). In November 2009 Ashwoods was awarded a three year Technology Strategy Board grant for the development of more advanced hybrid and electric power systems.
    
Calor, the leading supplier of automotive LPG to UK forecourts, also exhibited at the event. Calor continues to show its support for LPG drivers by providing Sat Nav POI (Points of Interest) downloads from its website www.autogas.ltd.uk (the first supplier to offer this).

For more information
Web: www.arrivendrive.greenfleet.net