Ten-year celebrations at 2015 GreenFleet Arrive ‘n’ Drive

This year’s GreenFleet Arrive ‘n’ Drive had the largest collection of exhibitors and low-emission vehicles in its history, as well as informative workshops on van compliance and fleet procurement.

On 24 September, Rockingham Motor Speedway played host to the 10th GreenFleet Arrive ’n’ Drive (A’n’D) event. Held in association with RAC Business, the A’n’D event aimed to assist organisations that are constantly battling excessive fuel and running costs, or those struggling to convince drivers and stakeholders, that a switch to a low‑emission alternative is a viable solution. Demonstrating the very best in environmental fleet management, including fleet solution providers and the most efficient vehicles on the current market, most of which were drivable around the Rockingham circuit, the event was once again a resounding success.
Over 250 visitors descended upon the home of the A’n’D to not only experience the vehicles, but to network with their peers and attend leading workshops. The latest information from some of the key industry players was delivered in workshop and Q&A sessions from the Freight Transport Association (FTA), LowCVP and Crown Commercial Service (CCS).

Beat The Sprig
This year’s A’n’D provided the perfect opportunity to put our visitors eco-driving prowess to the test. Twenty six participants took on the challenge of trying to beat our tame eco driver ‘The Sprig’. This year’s winner was Richard Morcom of Capital Approved Inspectors Limited.

All participants were given the choice of either a 208 or a Partner diesel, kindly supplied by Peugeot, the Official Vehicle Partner, with the aim to set the best miles per gallon (mpg), but initially without any guidance. Following the first drive, participants were then given a short tutorial with Pinnacle Driver Training Solutions, the competition’s Official Driver Training Partner for 2015. During this short time with Pinnacle, the participants mastered various techniques and driving styles, such as how to avoid harsh braking and acceleration, and calmer cornering, in order to increase efficient driving and the overall fuel economy.

All of this was monitored using state-of-the-art telematics technology, which was recorded by the Official Technology Partner, masternaut. Masternaut ‘scored’ both drives and provided comparative reports from which the famous ‘Sprig Leaderboard’ was compiled.

Richard Morcom said: “I thought it was a great opportunity for a challenge so I jumped at the chance to try and beat the Sprig. As I was the last to go, I knew that three others had managed a clear round without setting off the dreaded warning lights on the rather (too) clever system so I knew I couldn’t even set it off once. However, although driving rather gingerly, I also knew that if I did manage a clear run, it would now come down to time, so I couldn’t be too slow.

“When I got back there was a little wait while the data was retrieved and then it was announced that I’d won. I must say I was more than a little surprised and a bit embarrassed to have beaten Donna, who had been at the top of the leader board all afternoon. There was only six seconds between us – I think I was rather lucky! My thanks to GreenFleet, Masternaut, Pinnacle, Peugeot and all those involved.”

Those that took the real‑life test at the UK’s original fleet efficiency event have now been shown that you can make these savings a reality. Multiply them across a fleet of vehicles and the savings become potentially huge.

Electric Avenue
Arrive ’n’ Drive took visitors along ‘Electric Avenue’ in preparation for Euro 6.  A’n’D once again featured the very latest in Electric Vehicles (EVs), and together with route optimisation specialist, Route Monkey, laid on a designated test circuit to provide a ‘real world’ experience. Organisations that operate recharging technology and infrastructure were also in attendance and their expert knowledge and advice was available throughout the day, courtesy of Rolec, EDF Energy and Siemens.

Electric Avenue played host to some of the most exciting EVs on the road, including: the Nissan Leaf and eNV200; the Audi e-tron; the Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf GTE; the BMW i3; the Tesla Model S; the Peugeot Partner electric and iOn; and the Citroen C-Zero and Berlingo Electric.

Workshops
‘Information Delivery’ is key to assisting fleet and transport professionals in making the ‘right’ choice for their organisation, and the A’n’D workshops were designed for visitors to listen to experts on topics such as ‘The challenge of air quality and carbon reduction’, delivered by the FTA. This session was supported by ‘in-cab technology’ specialist, Smartdrive. The LowCVP, supported by Vic Young, delivered a ‘Clean & Green Van Workshop’, and particularly useful for the public sector was Kim Harrison’s presentation on the Fleet and Fuel Card Frameworks from the Crown Commercial Service. Kim’s workshop was followed by Alphabet, whose offering includes leasing, AlphaCity and AlphaElectric. Those that took a speaker slot at this year’s event then stayed to answer any questions that visitors had about their topic area and enabled our visitors to get a true understanding about subjects they may have been previously unsure on.

Stars of the show
A’n’D debutants, Jaguar Land Rover, introduced their incredibly economic and stylish XE to the show, while the ever popular BMW presented their jaw-dropping hybrid i8, which was available for test drive and proved to be in very high demand. This stunning plug-in supercar was constantly seen looping the famous Rockingham circuit.

Ford had their eagerly‑anticipated Mondeo Hybrid available for test drive, which has proven to be a popular option amongst fleets across the UK and it was no surprise that it was also a popular option at this year’s event. The Tesla Model S is an evolution in automobile engineering, the acceleration is instantaneous, silent and smooth, and visitors had the chance to experience this on the 24 September too.

Other vehicles that stole the show included the Audi e-tron, which takes progressive technology and blends it with everyday usability, and also the GreenFleet award‑winning Mitsubishi Outlander – the world’s first plug-in SUV. Mini, Toyota, Lexus, Volkswagen Commercials, Skoda, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Citroen and Peugeot also brought vehicles which joined the all-star line-up.

Fleet solutions providers
Arrive’n’Drive prides itself on being an all‑encompassing show and that wouldn’t be the case if we didn’t have some of the most innovative and pioneering solutions providers who exhibited on the day. Route Monkey were in attendance and were on hand to make visitors aware of how they can help with route optimisation, while Chevin Fleet Solutions and Magenta Technology were able to assist with fleet management technology. Alphabet, Autokontrol and Telogis offered expert advice on business mobility, rev limiters and mobile workforce solutions respectively.

Green Motion car hire – the low cost and low CO2 car and van rental company – were on-hand for visitors to talk to, alongside public sector specialists Automotive Leasing, who have delivered fleet funding and fleet management solutions for over 25 years. Alphabet and Fleetdrive Electric completed the leasing options available on the day. EC Charging were there on the day, too, with its complete range of electric car charging equipment which provides customers with safe, reliable and convenient charging solutions that caters for all of today’s electric car charging requirements.

Driver’s Licence Partner, Admin Business Solutions, completed all licence checks throughout the day, which made the process much smoother for those who wanted to get behind the wheel on the Rockingham track. The leading experts in accident and repair in the UK, National Accident & Repair Group, were present at A’n’D and shared how they can help organisations keep on the move and on the roads. Kumho Tyre once again demonstrated safety techniques, on the Wet Grip facility, showcasing their ground-breaking new tyres.

RAC Business
The GreenFleet A’n’D has been another successful event for the RAC Business team, which not only gave visitors the chance to win the ultimate green driving experience, but were on-hand to provide expert advice to fleet managers. Increasing awareness of RAC Telematics and the green benefits for fleets in terms of reducing fuel consumption and reducing wear and tear, was the key topic of discussion on the stand.

This year, visitors were also drawn by the opportunity to win a weekend with a Tesla, the high performance electric car with zero emissions, by posting the best lap of the day in a Renault Kadjar. The scoring was based on the data from an RAC Telematics unit in the vehicle, which gave points for smooth braking and acceleration, meaning the best score wouldn’t necessarily be the fastest. Drivers could also take the challenge in an RAC patrol van, also fitted with RAC Telematics. The Renault Kadjar leader was Tony Demaine who scored an impressive 4mins 34secs, and a perfect telematics score of 100 and the best lap in the RAC Patrol van was driven by Seb Harber who scored 3mins 55secs, and an equally impressive telematics score of 100.

Simon Peevers, PR manager at RAC, said: “As an event sponsor it was a great opportunity to meet some quality industry contacts, many of whom were at the right point in their purchasing cycles in terms of wanting to hear what RAC Business has to offer and how we can support them and their fleets.”

It is only appropriate for Colin Boyton, GreenFleet events manager, to have the final word. He said: “I was delighted that our 10th anniversary Arrive ’n’ Drive was a resounding success. Once again we have managed to showcase the leading ultra-low carbon offerings from the world’s leading motor manufacturers, in one place, on one day, meaning that there were over 1,000 test drives that took place. This represents a great way to influence change!

“We have come a long, long way since our launch in 2006, with the manufacturers and industry suppliers bringing more innovative vehicles and solutions to a sector that needs to keep evolving. And we’re very excited about what the next decade will bring us, as the event goes from strength to strength.”

Further Information
events.greenfleet.net/arrivedrive