Chris Wright, Author at Business Motoring - Page 2 of 77

About Chris Wright

Chris Wright has been covering the automotive industry nationally and internationally for 30 years. Following spells with consumer titles he became News Editor of Automotive Management (AM), Editor of Automotive International, International Editor for Detroit-based Automotive News, and Editor of Dealer Update. He has also co-authored several FT Management Reports and contributes regularly to Justauto.com

SMEs face funding challenge

By |2023-11-15T09:46:52+00:00November 15th, 2023|News|

There are funding options open through dealers, including the highly regarded VAT Assist option for LCVs, which has proved a big hit in helping businesses manage their cash flow. The flexibility also extends to vehicle age and fleet size, with businesses able to fund a fleet from one vehicle upwards.

Fleets should consider training to counter EV tyre wear

By |2023-11-14T09:38:31+00:00November 14th, 2023|Fleet management, Keep it legal, News|

The data behind this is still relatively scarce and much of what we are hearing is anecdotal but it seems as through the range of wear you can expect from different driving styles is wider for EVs than you would see for petrol or diesel. The reasons for this are, it appears, the facts that EVs tend to be much heavier, model-for-model than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and often offer faster acceleration

Licence Check launches driver app within coaching module

By |2023-11-13T09:58:13+00:00November 13th, 2023|Driving advice, duty of care, News|

As part of the DAVIS platform, the new Coaching module is designed to provide fleet and other line managers with a clear indication of driver attitude and knowledge by rating drivers as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘watch’ or ‘action’ based upon their responses and willingness to learn. Clients also have the added benefit of demonstrating proactivity in minimising occupational road risk by improving knowledge and awareness amongst their driver pool, which could lead to a reduction in insurance premiums.

Volkswagen ID.7 now available to order

By |2023-11-09T12:16:39+00:00November 9th, 2023|Car news and reviews, News|

Retail customers ordering an ID.7 from 9 November 2023 until 2 January 2024 can get a free Ohme wall charger, or £750 in charging credit from We Charge by Elli, the Volkswagen Group-owned public charging network. Customers can choose between a 7 kW Ohme Home Pro charger (five-metre tethered cable) or a 7 kW ePod charger (untethered), while the £750 charging credit is valid for up to three years.

Fleets need to work with insurers on EVs

By |2023-11-08T10:24:25+00:00November 8th, 2023|Electric Vehicles, Fleet management, Insurance|

Industry body says that evidence from its members indicates that some insurers have recently been increasing premiums for EVs, based on what appears to be incorrect and, in some instances, irrelevant information. The repair profile of Teslas is applicable only to Teslas, in the same way as any other manufacturer, and has very little relevance to commercial vehicles. Fleets and insurers need to be working together to create a situation where premiums can be calculated based on much better and directly applicable data.

Consumer Duty increasing the role for smart insurance

By |2023-11-08T10:16:53+00:00November 8th, 2023|Insurance, News|

Minior damage can hit a drivers' no-claims bonuses, and that claim can ultimately prove costly and frustrating because of insurance excesses reaching up to £300.The combination of minor car damage risks that confront all car buyers, not least of all PCP and PCH finance customers who face the potential of end-of-agreement excess wear and tear damage charges, all point to the potential afforded by Smart insurance.

SME’s must focus on safety when equipping fleet vehicles 

By |2023-11-07T16:27:58+00:00November 7th, 2023|Duty of care, Keep it legal, News|

Businesses need to take into consideration how their vehicles are used, including the working environment and the payload of the goods and equipment they are carrying. Crucially, these need to be considered prior to any conversion.  Organisations also need to make sure staff are equipped with the knowledge they need to operate the vehicle and the on-board equipment

Ayvens reaches half-a-million EVs on the road

By |2023-11-07T16:06:31+00:00November 7th, 2023|News|

At the end of 2022, ALD Automotive and LeasePlan operated a combined fleet of 380,000 EVs and, in less than nine months, Ayvens reached this landmark figure, with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) representing a clear majority of the overall EV fleet. This significant increase illustrates the effectiveness of Ayvens’ business model in facilitating the adoption of EVs, notably in corporate fleets, and confirms its leading role in the transition to sustainable mobility.

Home working lengthens vehicle contracts

By |2023-11-07T15:28:30+00:00November 7th, 2023|Fleet management, News|

The 2023 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer surveyed businesses who have introduced or extended working-from-home since the start of the pandemic. It found that the move towards contract extensions is more pronounced among larger companies with more than 1,000 employees (38%) compared to the smallest with fewer than 10 (24%).

Herd Group reveals new mobility brand name

By |2023-11-06T16:41:29+00:00November 6th, 2023|Fleet management, News|

The new brand move reflects the vehicle rental and fleet management specialist’s significant growth and development since the business was founded in 2014. An expert in the provision and management of Commercial Vehicles, Herd Group is a respected and leading brand, recognised as a leader in providing exceptional customer care.

New foundation course created by AFP Fleet Academy

By |2023-11-02T11:11:21+00:00November 2nd, 2023|News|

Two-day trainer-led course covers topics including fleet sector roles and responsibilities, opportunities and challenges; supporting customers and other stakeholders; core elements of fleet administration including compliance; understanding key terms and processes; developing communication skills; and vehicle lifecycle from acquisition to disposal. A register of interest has been opened and it is planned to hold the first courses in early 2024.

Cool cruiser: Audi A6 Avant 50 TFSI e quattro S tronic 220 kW (299PS)

By |2023-11-02T11:06:43+00:00November 2nd, 2023|Audi Reviews, Car news and reviews, News|

The A6 PHEV brings together a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor integrated into the seven-speed twin-clutch transmission. The e-motor draws power from a 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery which is good for a claimed 34 miles of electric-only running at speeds of up to 84mph. This largely depends on driving conditions. Recent trips in the dark and pouring rain knocked about 10 miles off that range, but at least you have the comfort of a good old ICE engine to rely on getting you where you want to go.

Europcar Mobility Group accelerates green initiatives

By |2023-11-01T09:43:15+00:00November 1st, 2023|Contract hire and leasing, News|

Introducing an increasing number of plug-in hybrid and fully electric battery vehicles for private or business rental – including the Tesla Model 3, MG4, ORA Funky Cat and the high-spec Mercedes Benz EQ electric range – Europcar is helping motorists try EV technology before making a long-term commitment.

Fleet use of independent garages rises by a quarter between year one and four

By |2023-10-31T10:27:19+00:00October 31st, 2023|Fleet management, News|

New data from epyx shows that buying of service, maintenance and repair (SMR) shifts from 30% independent garage and 70% franchise dealer at 1-2 years old to 35%/65% at 2-3 years old, 40%/60% at 3-4 years old and 38%/62% at four years old and over. The information is taken from transactions during 2023 for epyx’s 1link Service Network platform, which is used by car, van and truck fleets totalling more than four million vehicles to manage and process SMR

Few fleets consider journeys when electrifying

By |2023-10-31T09:59:39+00:00October 31st, 2023|Electric Vehicles, News|

The 2023 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer shows that among businesses that are already operating electric vehicles (EVs), just 3% are using them first in urban areas because of air quality benefits and only 2% on those routes thanks to better access to charging. Overall, more than a third (38%) said that they haven’t thought about initial use of their EVs on different road types, while more than half (58%) said that they planned to use them effectively everywhere.

Do fleets need to check Chinese manufacturers for credibility?

By |2023-10-31T09:39:49+00:00October 31st, 2023|Electric Vehicles, Industry Intelligence, News|

FleetCheck says exporting to markets like the US and Europe is one obvious way for manufacturers to attempt to survive in the kind of disruptive situation that China is seeing, and it seems credible to suggest that not all of the car and van makers who come here will end up staying.

Roadchef and Gridserve announce Electric Super Hub in Chester

By |2023-10-27T11:30:54+01:00October 27th, 2023|Electric Vehicles, News|

This comes on the heels of Roadchef launching its first Super 8 roadside hotel where there is a growing need for well-considered EV charging options to suit an overnight stay. The new Electric Super Hub will have 12 High Power chargers for those stopping on their journeys and six AC chargers to provide easy on-site EV charging facilities for hotel customers, allowing guests to charge their vehicles overnight at an inclusive and affordable price. 

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