A helping hand for fleet managers

With the opportunity to test drive the latest low-carbon vehicles, attend topical seminars and see the latest fleet products, fleet managers and purchasers returned from GreenFleet Scotland full of inspiration

A fleet manager’s job is getting increasingly more complex. They are under constant pressure to reduce costs, increase safety and cut CO2 emissions.
    
In recognition of this, GreenFleet Scotland, which took place on 2nd September at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, served to show fleet managers and buyers that a greener fleet doesn’t have to mean a higher level of investment or a compromise on performance.

TOPICAL FLEET ISSUES    
Sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust, the event allowed delegates to test drive the latest low-carbon vehicles and see first-hand the products and services that make running fleets easier.
    
Ian Murdoch, Manager, Scottish Transport for the Energy Saving Trust said: “Low carbon or no-carbon vehicles have a significant role to play in helping Scotland reach its carbon dioxide reduction target of 42 per cent by 2020. The GreenFleet Scotland event was a great success and provided an excellent opportunity for fleet managers to find out about low carbon alternatives.”
    
High-level speakers attracted delegates to the seminar theatre where a range of fleet issues were discussed. First up was John Curtis, head of low carbon vehicles and fuels for the Scottish Government. He spoke about the Scottish Government’s strategy for low-carbon transport which includes £4.3 million funding to allow public sector organisations to meet the cost difference between an electric vehicle and its petrol or diesel equivalent.
    
Speaking about the event, John Curtis said: “Scotland has the most ambitious climate change legislation anywhere in the world and our climate change delivery plan means persuading fleet managers and drivers to use more sustainable forms of transport. The GreenFleet event was a good opportunity for us to highlight this vision for Scotland, as well as present our exciting ‘Plugged in Places’ proposal to be part of the UK Government’s £30m match funding scheme for the installation of publicly available charging points for electric vehicles.”
   
The second speaker was Dr Colin Herron, who is responsible for the introduction of electric vehicles into the north east of England. He discussed the progress of the region’s electric charging infrastructure, which has received funding from OLEV’s Plugged in Places scheme. The aim is to install 1,300 charging points by 2013, as well as 12 quick charge points. He also explained the regional and national implications of introducing electric vehicles.
    
Other speakers included the Energy Saving Trust’s Ian Murdoch, who discussed how fleetsw can reduce their fuel consumption and CO2 levels through eco driver training; Mike Waters, director of Market Insight Arval, who discussed effective low carbon leasing and contract hire; and Andrew Britton from Millbrook Proving Ground, who discussed fuel saving devices and techniques.

ECO DRIVING EXPERIENCE
During the day, ten teams from the public and private sector took part in the Eco-Driving Experience, which aimed to demonstrate how eco-driving can significantly reduce fuel use. Taking part in identical vehicles supplied by Arval, the teams navigated their way to five checkpoints around Edinburgh, collecting a token from each to show they had stopped in the correct order. Eco Driving Experience partner TRACKER showed the vehicles’ progress live on its stand in the exhibition area.
    
After returning to Ingliston, the results were determined by Millbrook Laboratories and the most fuel efficient participants were awarded their trophies in the afternoon seminar session. The winners were City Car Club in first place, Babcock Rail in second place and the Scottish Government in third place.

EXHIBITION
The indoor exhibition boasted an impressive array of low carbon vehicles from major manufacturers such as Citroen, SEAT, Peugeot, Honda, Skoda and Toyota. The vehicles were available for a test drive around the circuit at the Royal Highland Centre, allowing delegates to experience first hand the high performance of eco friendly vehicles.
    
Also on display were a range companies showcasing their products and services that help make running fleets easier.
    
Arval, for example, were on hand to discuss their full range of fleet and fuel management products and services. In the UK alone, the company manages around 145,000 vehicles and has more than 1.2 million UK drivers using Arval fuel cards.
    
Automotive Leasing showcased their services, including the company’s award winning Environmental Initiative GreenPlan, which provides an effective means of reducing emissions, improving driver safety and increasing efficiency.

ALTERNATIVE POWER
Axeon were available to discuss their lithium-ion battery systems for electric and hybrid electric vehicles (EVs and HEVs).
    
Meanwhile, ITM showcased their electrolyser technology which can produce ‘Green Hydrogen’ anywhere using only water and renewable electricity.
    
Revolve Technologies Ltd is a leading UK powertrain and vehicle engineering specialist serving vehicle OEMs and providing engineering capability to companies developing low carbon technologies.
    
SMA (Scottish Motor Auctions) also had a presence at the event. Experts in every aspect of the motor auction market, the staff at SMA ensure the personal touch is always part of what they do while consistently achieving the most competitive prices for customers on a wide range of vehicles.
    
Also on display was TRACKER, the UK’s number one supplier of vehicle tracking services. To date, TRACKER has recovered more than 19,000 stolen vehicles - worth a staggering £420 million.
    
In addition, Tennant Green Machines, the world leader in the design and manufacture of city cleaning street sweepers, also had a stand in the exhibition. The Green Machines 500ze city sweeper is the worlds first Lithium Ion powered vacuum sweeper specifically designed for city centre and urban cleaning.
    
When whole life costs of a vehicle are taken into account, it can be demonstrated that a green vehicle can mean cost savings as well as CO2 savings. The Energy Saving Trust has calculated that Scottish organisations could save over £250 million a year through reduced fuel bills by switching to greener company cars – a figure based on the 290,000 company cars that are registered in Scotland over the last three years. Typically, a company running 100 vehicles can expect to save £85,000 annually by implementing a range of best practice recommendations.
    
GreenFleet Event Marketing Manager Colin Boyton said: “This years event has once again proved a success, with fantastic support from the manufacturers and service suppliers alike. The introduction of information delivery, through the seminars, helped keep the format fresh, and we are now looking forward to ensuring GreenFleet Scotland remains a key date in the fleet management calendar, next year, and thereafter.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Web: www.greenfleetscotland.co.uk