Bringing the future closer

This years’ Arrive ‘N’ Drive event at Rockingham was bigger, better and greener, and featured several debut appearances including that of the Sprig, GreenFleet’s eco-driving superhero.

As well as test drives galore, green vehicle debuts, the EDF Energy sponsored ‘Electric Avenue’ and a host of other fleet-greening attractions (and a free lunch), perhaps the highlight of this years’ Arrive ‘N’ Drive at Rockingham was a staggering demomstration of how eco-driving techniques can drastically reduce fuel consumption.

GreenFleet’s green driving ‘superhero’ the Sprig was in a frugal mood. ‘Beat The Sprig’ was set up in conjunction with three key partners - Citroen supplied four identical DS3’s, each capable of around 68mpg. TomTom Business Solutions fitted the cars with its vehicle tracking technology, and UK Road Safety, which has developed a deserved reputation for the quality of its online driver assessment and training programmes, supplied the eco-driving instructors.

The Sprig set the mpg benchmark by driving a designated route on public roads for everyone to try and beat. First out, he managed a hugely impressive 78mpg - already highlighting that you can better the manufacturers figure if you drive ‘properly’. The big question was - could the fleet managers Beat the Sprig?

Monitoring Performance
The participants initially drove the cars around the set public urban route without coaching from the UK Road Safety team. This was followed by a coaching session, and then by driving the same route applying the instruction on eco-driving techniques. Both routes were monitored by TomTom vehicle tracking technology and each of the driver’s routes were then compared after the session in TomTom’s WEBFLEET management software. This gave an insight in to the driver style, using the Optidrive™ indicator. The software’s profiling feature was then used to show how the fleet managers had performed.

And it went right down to the wire. In third place was Paul Hitchen from Boots, who managed a brilliant 89mpg, over 20mpg better than the car’s official stats. Just beating Paul to second place was Keith Freeman of the AA, with a fantastic 91mpg and it looked as though Keith would  scoop the first prize of a TomTom sat-nav.

But, literally with one of the last drives of the day, Clive Brocklehurst of Balfour Beatty managed to clock a staggering 94mpg, improving on both Citroen’s official figure and the target set by the Sprig by a considerable margin.

UK Road Safety gave prizes to the most improved drivers on the day. Third place managed a 24mpg improvement (from 60mpg to 84mpg), in second we saw a 25mpg difference (56mpg to 81mpg) but by far the most impressive was the huge improvement of 37mpg (49mpg rising to 86mpg after training). Convert that into pounds, and multiply this across the number of vehicles in your fleet, and you’ll get an idea of the huge benefits of eco-driving instruction as part of green fleet programme.

“This clearly demonstrates that even with modern eco-efficient vehicles, it can often come down to the knowledge, understanding & ability of the driver to achieve impressive results in efficiency” said Giles Margerison, sales director at TomTom Business Solutions.

Watch this space for news on The Sprig, and when he may be in your area and on-hand to offer your organisation some expert eco-driving tuition.

Good advice for fleets
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) was present to offer a range of advice to fleet managers on how to reduce their fuel bills. EST provides a free health check which can reduce fuel costs by up to 20 per cent. An in-depth report estimates your fleet’s carbon footprint and makes recommendations on how to go about making both cost and carbon savings.

This year featured a wider range of low emission vehicles than ever before, from a record number of manufacturers. Renault’s debut demonstrated the company’s charge into the 100 per cent electric market. Three of its four electric models were available for test drive - the Kangoo Van ZE, the Fluence ZE 4-door family saloon, and the space-age Twizy, an urban compact two seater suited to city driving. Designed for a driver and one passenger to sit in tandem, the vehicle takes three and a half hours for a full charge and gives a range of 60 miles.

Already a proven hit on the test track from previous GreenFleet events, Vauxhall’s Ampera addresses a major concern of potential electric vehicle drivers - whether or not the battery range will get them to where they want to go and return back again. The Ampera is the UK’s first range extended electric vehicle. It has a Lithium-ion battery which delivers up to 50 miles on a full charge.

But once the battery has depleted, a petrol engine kicks-in, driving an onboard generator to supply electricity to sustain the battery for over 300 miles. The Ampera has a recognisable saloon profile, so it will blend in well on the high street and in the corporate fleet.

Arrive ‘N’ Drive gave UK fleet managers the first chance to get behind the wheel of the new look Peugeot 208 with micro-hybrid (e-HDI) Stop/Start technology. The diesel range starts at 87g/km of CO2 and delivers up to 83.1mpg, while the new range of 3-cylinder petrol engines provide up to 65.7mpg and 99g/km CO2. The Peugeot 508 RHX with diesel-electric HYbrid4 technology was also on show. As a premium specification vehicle, the 508 RHX delivers 200bhp, 107g/km and 68.9mpg.

Star of the show?
The Citroën DS5, the first of the manufacturer’s models with HYbrid4 diesel hybrid technology, proved to be extremely popular, and was booked out for over 160 test drives. The HYbrid4 system delivers 200bhp, four-wheel drive capability, emission-free electric power for city driving, and an acceleration boost function for the open road, all with total CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

Toyota and Lexus Fleet services demonstrated the Prius, Auris, the new Lexus CT 200h, and a brand new Prius seven seat MPV, which emits just 96g/km of CO2. The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid allows drivers to cover more than 14 miles in EV mode, using power from its hybrid battery, after which the vehicle switches to its full hybrid system.

Fiat showcased its International Engine of the Year 2011, the TwinAir Turbo. The 875cc unit has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any quantity production petrol engine in the world. Already seen in the iconic Fiat 500, it is now available on the third generation Panda, giving it 85hp, 67.3mpg economy (combined cycle) and 99g/km of CO2.

Visitors enjoyed BMW’s ultra-frugal EfficientDynamics range, which features innovative engine construction, a longer transmission ratio, lowered suspension and the use of specially designed aerodynamic alloy wheels with energy saving tyres. Also popular was the iconic MINI Cooper D which can run for 74.3 miles on a gallon of fuel and emits just 99 g/km CO2.

As well as the frugal VW BlueMotion range, visitors got a first look at the Volkswagen Up! city car, part of the Volkswagen Group New Small Family (NSF) series of models, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Production started in December 2011 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Up! features a 2-valve 999cc three-cylinder petrol engine which is available in either 60 or 75bhp trim. The 60bhp model manages 62.8mpg and 105g/km, while the BlueMotion Technology version with start/stop manages 68.9mpg and 96g/km. There are plans for a pure electric Blue-e-Motion version next year.

Ford proudly demonstrated the EcoBoost, its smallest petrol engine, in the new Focus. The 1.0-litre cylinder block can fit onto a sheet of A4 paper but delivers up to 125PS and 170Nm peak torque (with 200Nm overboost), giving it the highest power density of any Ford production engine to date.

Kia’s EcoDynamics technology is available on the Picanto, the cee’d and Sportage models. CO2 emissions and fuel costs reductions are delivered through green technologies such as Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG), V-let energy saving car tyres and as gearshift indicator. Every vehicle has Kia’s head turning seven year/100,000 mile car warranty, with unlimited mileage during the first three years.

As well as the frugal VW BlueMotion range, visitors got a first look at the Volkswagen Up city car, part of the Volkswagen Group New Small Family (NSF) series of models, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA).[6] Production started in December 2011 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Michelin research has revealed that 39 per cent of motorists are driving on dangerous or very dangerously under-inflated tyres, whilst five per cent are running around on punctured tyres. As a result drivers are using an extra 244 million litres of fuel and emitting more than 600,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. The company was on hand at this year’s event to give advice on tyre safety, explaining the impact that tyres can have on fuel spend and the environment. Michelin also sponsored Rockingham’s dedicated wet-grip facility, which gave visitors the opportunity to experience how its low-rolling resitance tyres perform in wet conditions.

A pioneering EV
GreenFleet’s 2011 Electric Vehicle of the Year, the LEAF, is an incredible achievement by Nissan. It offers five-door practicality, a generous boot, a high level of spec and a 110 mile range. The vehicle instantly delivers 100 per cent (280Nm) torque in a near-silent cabin. The LEAF will also be produced at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, England, beginning in 2013. The steady rollout of CHAdeMO-compliant fast charging units makes the LEAF more feasible as a business and consumer choice.

David Wilcock, who works in Fleet Enforcement at Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, made his first visit to the event: “Some of the technology on show was amazing and to get the chance to drive some of the vehicles was eye opening, particularly the Ford 1L three cylinder focus and the 7.5 tonne all electric truck.”

David was referring to Paneltex Zeroed’s star attraction -  a 7.5 tonne 150kW Zeroed pure EV featuring a Paneltex ATP Class C type approved insulated body and electric refrigeration system. A combination of active and passive regenerative braking recovers the maximum possible braking energy which, with the 100kWh battery, helps give this zero emission urban delivery truck a long range. The 20kW on-board charger provides a full charge from flat in five hours, and in-built remote diagnostics and tracking provide live management information 24/7.

The company offers a range of vehicles from 5 to 11 tonnes. Fully automatic, these offer brisk performance with ranges up to 120 miles on a single charge in urban driving.

Electric Avenue
EDF Energy sponsored the Electric Avenue, which encouraged visitors to examine the feasibility of incorporating pure electric vehicles and charging infrastructure into their plans.

The infrastructure needed to enhance buyer confidence in electric vehicles is a hot topic in the low-carbon vehicle industry. As such, Arrive ‘N’ Drive hosted a number companies dedicated to providing electric vehicle recharging solutions. Headline sponsor EDF Energy has been consulting widely with motor manufacturers, charge point manufacturers and central and local government to help bring about effective recharging solutions. Its recent studies and trials with businesses across the UK have given EDF Energy insight into recharging requirements. As such, it offers bespoke solutions for businesses, from offering practical advice, installation and ongoing maintenance.

Arrive ‘N’ Drive’s Recharging Technology Partner Elektromotive displayed its stylish, elegant Elektrobay range of on-street and off-street residential charge bays, as well as its solutions for businesses and public recharging. Established in 2003, the company has a long list of product firsts including the first on-street charge point, first use of RFID cards and first patented charge points. Elektromotive has also been running electric vehicle user schemes for six years and in 2011 passed more than one million hours of vehicle recharging, with a 100 per cent safety record.

The new Elektrobay range is suitable for all on-street and off-street residential, business and public recharging, supported by an advanced back office system.

Ransomes Jacobsen has now been appointed the sole UK importer for the Mega Professional range of road homologated eco-friendly compact utility vehicles. The company displayed the new Mega e-Worker electric truck and the Multitruck 600 low emission diesel truck. The Mega e-Worker is an EV with a tight turning circle and compact external dimensions, making it highly manoeuvrable. Robustly constructed with excellent carrying capacity, the e-Worker is available in several versions and with a large and varied range of equipment, and be supplied with a choice of three battery packs.

Exhibiting for the first time, Siemens charging solutions for the evolving EV market included the Siemens CP500A fast charging point, which can provide fast charging facilities for two electric vehicles at the same time. According to Mark Bonnor-Moris, Siemens head of electromobillity UK and Ireland, the Siemens charging stations can fully charge vehicles in just one hour. He stated: “Siemens also provides a full supply, installation and maintenance service. As the UK’s largest provider of traffic control and signalling equipment, we have a specialist field service operation that is able to support EV charging infrastructure as part of a much larger portfolio of work.”

Schneider Electric Group’s EVLink charging solution incorporates residential, roadside and quick chargers which respond to three major challenges: ensuring that users and installations are safe, making charging stations accessible and easy to use within existing infrastructure and offering smart energy management solutions for integrating electric vehicles into the smart grid. The EVlink DC Quick Charger enables EV drivers fast charge access in settings such as public parking, shopping malls, gas stations and rest stops, fleet applications, car sharing programs and rental companies. The EVlink DC Quick Charger is currently CHAdeMO-compliant and will incorporate the SAE combo-coupler when the standard is finalised and released.

Rolec EV displayed its Classic 3000 EV charging stations, which have recently been supplied to the Wellington Civic and Leisure Centre in Telford for use in the public car park. The 1000mm height pedestals were manufactured to client specification with green powder-coated composite aluminium outer skins and equipped with 2 x 13amp IP65 domestic sockets for use with mode 2 charging. The range is designed to be future-proof and can be upgraded to full mode 3 communication EV charging at a later stage should the Centre deem it necessary.

Speed Limits
The Freight Transport Association’s Van Excellence Governance Group stands united in its decision to appeal to van manufacturers to supply vehicles with a speed limiter set at 70 miles per hour as a no-cost option. 

Following a recent meeting of the group, it was unanimously agreed that, Despite recent press reports trailing Government plans to increase motorway speed limits to 80mph, manufacturers should be called upon to help play their part in managing van top speeds and to continue to restrict their vans to 70mph. It was felt by the group that aside from the legal implications, restricting van top speeds would also see significant fuel economy benefits.

CMS SupaTrak had its new Safer Driving Assistant (SDA) on display throughout the event. The SDA is an interactive in-cab display unit which has been developed to help drivers adhere to good driving practices and become safer and more fuel and carbon efficient drivers. The device is mounted on the vehicle’s dash panel and reacts in real time to the driving style, alerting drivers to instances of excessive idling, speeding, harsh braking, harsh accelerating, excessive throttle use and over revving.

Autokontrol showcased its combined speed limiting and rev control device, the COMBO. The company has a customer base including local authorities, utilities, energy providers and construction companies, and its system has been proven to reduce fuel costs and increase safety.

Feedback
Feedback from visitors was extremely positive. Retail print specialists Beizer has over 60 blue chip clients, and its procurement officer David Smith made his first visit to the event this year. He commented: “I thought it well organised - a good balance of formailty & fun. It was nice to have ‘observers’ from different backgrounds sat alongside whilst driving the vehicles, and the racing drivers certainly give a different insight to vehicle behaviour. The manufacturers were very obliging without resorting to the hard-sell. An excellent fact finding experience.”

Jonathan Evans of Numatic International, manufacturers and distributors of cleaning equipment, has attended before. He stated: “I attend for the test drives, plain and simple. The opportunity to try numerous vehicles in one day, back to back, under the same conditions, saves me weeks of my time. I would happily pay for the food if I could ensure you would be kind enough to organise a similar event next year.

Rest assured, Jonathan, there are no plans to charge for the food at next years’ Arrive ‘N’ Drive. There is such a thing as a free lunch, after all. Even in Scotland, where the next GreenFleet event takes place on September 13th in Ingliston, Edinburgh, in association with EST Scotland and O2.

For more information
arrivendrive.greenfleet.net
scotland.greenfleet.net