For the first time in the LCV market, ChatGPT will be offered to all Peugeot customers across its latest generation of light commercial vehicles. Using the ‘OK PEUGEOT’ voice assistant, the most well-known generative artificial intelligence model in the world is integrated into the Peugeot i-Cockpit, becoming a true driving partner.
Some central and local government fleets are investing heavily in infrastructure to support their electric vehicles (EVs), and these could be made available in areas where private companies were having difficulty finding chargers, says the Association of Fleet Professionals.
An increase in working hours means that UK van drivers are now averaging 9 hours and 10 minutes of work per day – up from 8 hours 34 minutes reported in February 2023 – with 2 in 5 working over 10 hours per day. This represents a 7% increase in the average working day, year on year.
Fuel freeze extension provides much-needed stability and respite for drivers who have been grappling with rising living costs and fuel prices. By maintaining the current fuel duty rates, the Chancellor has effectively alleviated some of the financial burdens on households and businesses alike.
Established in 2021, Cardiff-based Nuvolt delivers an array of services including the installation of solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle charging solutions to commercial and public sector. Initially the company relied on leased vehicles to gain a foothold in the sector, but has now opted to invest in its own vans.
The agreement demonstrates a mutual commitment to supporting electric fleets. Both companies are set to release exciting new products in 2024. Mercedes will introduce a wealth of new products, including new large and midsize vans, while Rightcharge is set to launch its own electric fuel card and fleet management solution.
With each manufacturer now mandated to achieve a minimum proportion of zero emission registrations every year, February saw a decline in registrations of battery electric vans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, falling by 119 units to 847 units, and taking a 4.7% market share, down from 5.5% a year ago. Maintaining existing purchase incentives and ensuring charge point rollout – including van-specific charging infrastructure – will be essential to help raise demand to the level needed to deliver net zero rapidly.
There is a perception among some fleets that prescribed medication was more of a problem than illegal drugs when it came driving, but that these latest reports suggested this is not necessarily the case. There is an assumption by some employers that use of illegal drugs among drivers is very limited but there are increasing signs this maybe untrue. It appears that legal drugs prescribed for medical use and those taken for recreational purposes are both potential issues.
Carbon reporting so far tended to affect larger and often multi-national fleets but there are signs that the measures would affect more businesses over time, not just on a potential statutory basis, but because larger customers were increasingly demanding it from a supply chain compliance point of view.
The latest initiative is part of the company’s commitment to switching 50% of their 1.5ft vehicles to fully electric by 2025 with the goal of changing all 1.5t vehicles to electric in the future. The 12 new Renault Kangoo E-Tech’s will be used in London boroughs. Supporting the reduction of harmful emissions and helping to enhance the air quality in London.
The number of van thefts last year increased to 12,950 across the UK, an 18% jump from 2022’s total. Although the total is smaller compared to car thefts across the UK, which had a 5% increase and amounted to 64,087, it seems drivers just can’t get away from criminals targeting their vehicles.
Campaign Manager can be used to apply a range of incentives to remarketed vehicles, such as low-interest stocking loans and free delivery. It has been added to the company’s 1link Disposal Network platform, which has been used by fleets to sell more than 500,000 cars, vans and trucks since its launch in 2005.
WLTP labelling for vans needs to cover not just a load-free vehicle in warm conditions but a variety of payload and weather variations. Ideally, we’d end up with a grid that perhaps showed how vans operated with no load, a medium load and a full load in warm, normal and cold conditions.
From July, double-cab pick-ups will be considered cars as they don’t have a primarily commercial function. Professional Pick-up said the changes will be significant - a driver using a Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 as a company vehicle will, if taking delivery after 1 July 2024, face a company car tax bill of around £290 a month, rising to around £580 a month for a higher rate taxpayer — an increase of 340% over the existing figures.
Reporting into Managing Director Yvette Giannini, Greenaway’s appointment is the latest in a series of new announcements at DriverCheck, the most recent of which was the promotion of Giannini herself to the position of MD. The company had an outstanding year last year and results show sales growth of almost 10%, with a further 26,500 drivers added across the 1,200-plus client portfolio.
