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The following came as a stark warning as we finally see pubs and bars open for the first time in 4 months. With fewer police cruising the streets checking motorists I’ve personally seen a lot of drivers exceeding speed limits so with pubs and bars opening are we likely to see drivers risking drink driving believing that they will get away with it?

I would hope not but please be more aware of the likely danger that some reckless drivers may present!

The UK appears to be failing in its approach to road safety, with provisional data suggesting there were more road deaths in 2019 than in 2010.

The Baltic States, together with Greece and Portugal, were the best performing countries in the EU according to a new report published today by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC).

The new analysis shows that two of Europe’s traditional leaders on road safety: the UK and the Netherlands, while remaining relatively safe when compared on road mortality, had more road deaths in 2019 than in 2010.

In the UK, there were 1,905 road deaths in 2010; provisional figures suggest there were 1,926 deaths in 2019.

France, Sweden and Germany have also shown disappointing progress over the last nine years with only modest reductions in deaths.

Bulgaria and Romania remain Europe’s worst performers in terms of road mortality and have also made below-average reductions in recent years.

Estonia will be awarded this year’s ETSC Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) after significantly improving road mortality (road deaths per million inhabitants).

The EU, and its Member States, agreed a target to cut road deaths by half in the decade to 2020. However, with one year left until full data for 2020 are available, that target will almost certainly be missed, says ETSC.

That is likely to be the case even taking account of the significant drop in road deaths that have occurred in several countries in recent months as a result of Covid-19 lockdown policies.

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council, said: “While progress across Europe has disappointed over the last nine years, some countries have been quietly undergoing a road safety revolution.  We’re delighted to award Estonia this year for its remarkable progress, following Ireland’s win in 2019.

“Overall, EU Member States will need to step up a gear to hit the new targets for 2030.  But the recent response to the Covid-19 epidemic may signal a way forward.

“A dramatic shift to walking and cycling in urban areas, combined with infrastructure changes and lower speed limits, could have a massive impact on road death and injury.”

However, Avenoso added: “If we just revert to business-as-usual after this crisis, the results could be even worse than before.

“There are danger signs already in the large numbers of speeding offences being reported as lockdowns are lifted, which only adds to the work of overstretched police and emergency services.”

Road safety in the EU is likely to see a boost over the next decade thanks to new legislation on minimum vehicle and infrastructure safety standards agreed last year.

But much will depend on the detailed technical standards for the new laws, which are currently being worked out.

ETSC is particularly concerned about the requirements for Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology for new cars, and “direct vision” standards (to improve visibility around the vehicle for drivers) for new Heavy Goods Vehicles, which both risk being watered down following motor industry pressure.

Relative change in road deaths between 2010 and 2019: *National provisional estimates used for 2019, as final figures for 2019 are not yet available at the time of going to print. **UK data for 2019 are the provisional total for Great Britain for the year ending June 2019 combined with the total for Northern Ireland for the calendar year 2019.

Road mortality (road deaths per million inhabitants) in 2019 (with mortality in 2010 for comparison): *National provisional estimates used for 2019, as final figures for 2019 are not yet available at the time of going to print. **UK data for 2019 are the provisional total for Great Britain for the year ending June 2019 combined with the total for Northern Ireland for the calendar year 2019.  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

The Government has given the go-ahead for pure electric vehicles (EVs) to be identified by a green number plate.

I must admit that having read this report I’m mystified. There has to be something more than a simple green stripe on the side of the number plates to identify the vehicle as being electric. If that’s the only change it will make forging the plates extremely easy. In the 21^st century is that the best that we can do?

The new registration plates, which will be rolled out from the autumn, aim to make it easier for cars to be identified as zero-emission vehicles, helping local authorities design and put in place new policies to incentivise people to own and drive them.

For example, drivers could benefit from local initiatives such as cheaper parking and cost-free entry into zero-emission zones where those with a green number plate will be recognised as eligible.

The plates will be identifiable by a green flash on the left-hand side and will be available for zero emission vehicles only.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “Green number plates could unlock a number of incentives for drivers and increase awareness of cleaner vehicles on our roads, showing people that a greener transport future is within our grasp.”

The Government launched a consultation on introducing green number plates for zero emission cars last autumn, highlighting their use by countries like Norway, Canada, and China.

A similar scheme was trialled in Ontario with drivers of EVs given free access to toll lanes and high occupancy vehicle lanes. Ontario saw an increase in EV registrations.

Lauren Pamma, electrification propositions lead in Lloyds Banking Group’s motor finance and leasing division, said: “It’s encouraging to see that despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus outbreak, sustainability remains high on the agenda for fleets.

“Our business customers have a relatively strong understanding of the environmental and wholelife cost benefits of having EVs on fleet – especially when it comes to tax and national insurance costs – and remain focussed on making the transition where they can.

“For private drivers, the more tangible benefits might be a greater draw – such as access to emissions-restricted zones and better parking spaces, and the cost savings associated with both.

“Making zero-emission vehicles easier to identify on the roads could help to communicate this message and boost advocacy.”

Tom Clarke, head of electric vehicle strategy at LV (Liverpool Victoria) General Insurance, added: “The introduction of green number plates from autumn is excellent news, especially given the current climate.

“Drivers looking to make the switch to electric really need to understand the cost benefits of owning one, and as more cities look to introduce zero and low emission zones, it’s positive that drivers will be able to save money on any charges in force.

“Ultimately, this move will encourage the uptake of electric cars, and help the UK towards its ambition of net zero emissions by 2050, as drivers become more aware of the benefits of owning an electric car.”

Alongside the decision to give the new number plate design the go-ahead today (Tuesday, June 16), the Department for Transport (DfT) has also announced £12 million funding for research into the zero-emission market to develop greener vehicles and help improve vehicle charging technology.

The funding, made available through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and delivered through Innovate UK, will see £10m for a new Zero Emission Vehicle Innovation Competition.

It will invite applicants to bid for project funding to support advancements in both battery electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as charging infrastructure.

OLEV is also providing £2m to UK small and medium businesses to support their research into zero-emission vehicles in areas such as battery technology, which could be used by major vehicle manufacturers in future electric vehicle production.

The funding, says the Government, will help these businesses to drive local economic growth through research and development projects in areas including charging infrastructure and zero emission vehicles, which could in turn create over 6,000 skilled jobs.

Shapps concluded: “We’re supporting small businesses to develop the transport tech of the future through a multi-million pound investment, ensuring that UK businesses remain at the forefront of low carbon innovation and research.’’  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

Smart motorway technology may be under fire, but Highways England bosses are standing by their policy of placing variable speed limits on sections of the motorway.

The variable speed limit is signalled on the overhead gantries, advising motorists of a changing speed limit from the standard 70mph. While many drivers believe that the signals are only an advisory message, thousands of drivers will suggest otherwise after a five junction stretch of the M1 brought in £6.2m in fines.

Now, one of the UK’s leading motoring publications, Auto Express, has revealed that there is a grace period in effect to lower your speed when the variable speed comes into action.

More than 60,000 speeding tickets have been issued between junction 30 and 35a on the M1 in Yorkshire, demonstrating that getting done for speeding on the motorway is no longer a myth.

With speed cameras re-calibrating to meet the new limit, it is important to note the government agency’s advice to get your speed in line.

Speaking to Auto Express, Highways England said: “Following a change in the speed displayed by signals there is a 60-second grace period before HADECS3 cameras start enforcement, giving time for drivers to adapt to the new mandatory speed limit, especially when speed limits are reduced due to slow-moving or queuing traffic up ahead.”

The national speed limit is 70mph, but the speed can be adjusted to 60, 50 or even 40mph if deemed necessary by Highways England. And it is worth noting also that motorists can be caught on camera even if the 70mph is in place. By Graham Hill thanks to Auto Express

Official guidelines say recovery firms should “not rely on a red X closure sign” when helping broken-down vehicles.

Recovery firms are not allowed to stop and help motorists whose vehicles have broken down on smart motorway lanes that have been closed with ‘red X’ signs.

Instead, staff from firms like the AA, Green Flag and RAC must wait for police or Highways England vehicles to physically close the lane or tow the vehicle to a refuge area, according to official guidance.

The ‘best practice guidelines’ from the Survive Group – formed of senior police officers, Highways England and all major recovery firms – says breakdown operatives should “Never work in a live lane of a motorway lane unless the lane has been closed by a Police vehicle, HE [Highways England] Traffic Officer vehicle or Impact Protection Vehicle…Do not rely on a red X closure sign.”

The recommendations mean the organisations involved in drafting the guidelines consider closed lanes on all-lane-running smart motorways too dangerous a place for breakdown operatives to work, even when red X signs on overhead gantries have informed motorists they must use other lanes.

While it is illegal to drive in closed ‘red X’ lanes, 180,000 drivers received warning letters in the 18 months between 2017 and summer 2018 for the offence – which is now enforced by cameras and results in three penalty points and a £100 fine.

The revelation that breakdown firms are not allowed to stop in ‘red X’ lanes is the latest in a slew of controversies related to smart motorways. In September last year accident data revealed the number of fatal motorway collisions increased by a fifth in 2018 compared to 2017.

A damning report written for Highways England and unearthed by the AA, meanwhile, found breaking down in the live lane of a smart motorway during off-peak hours is 216 per cent more dangerous than doing so on a conventional motorway.

Proponents of smart motorways – which are a cost-effective way of increasing traffic capacity compared to expanding or building new roads – highlight that motorways remain the safest type of road in the country, and also cite evidence that smart motorways are safer than conventional motorways in other respects.

That hasn’t stopped Transport Secretary Grant Shapps ordering an investigation into the roads, however, having told MPs: “we know people are dying on smart motorways”.

Edmund King, president of the AA, which has long campaigned against smart motorways, said: “Being stuck in a live lane is incredibly dangerous. The official advice is keep your seat belt and hazard lights on and dial 999.

“It is not safe for breakdown organisations to recover vehicles unless the lane is closed and has a physical presence sat behind the casualty vehicle. This is either the Police with blue flashing lights or Highways England Traffic Officers with red flashing lights.

“This highlights the severity of breaking down in a live lane and further emphasises our calls for double the number of Emergency Refuge Areas. Providing drivers with more places of relative safety would reduce the risk of vehicles being stuck in a lane of fast moving traffic.”

A spokesperson for Highways England said: “The Transport Secretary has asked the Department for Transport to carry out, at pace, an evidence stocktake to gather the facts about smart motorway safety. We are committed to safety and are supporting the Department in its work on this.  By Graham Hill Thanks To TheSurvive Group & AutoExpress

The Government has granted a seven-month extension to drivers whose photocard driving licence expires between the start of February and the end of August.

The move aims help those drivers who might have had problems getting a suitable photo taken during the Covid-19 outbreak or have otherwise struggled to contact the reduced Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) service.

Normally drivers are required to renew their photocard licence every 10 years, and bus and lorry drivers every five years.

Licence Check general manager, Terry Hiles, said: “This move is a welcome initiative at this very difficult time as it gives drivers more time to renew their photocard licences.”

The extension will be automatically applied to drivers with a photocard licence due to expire due to expire between February 1 and August 31, 2020. A renewal reminder will be sent before the seven-month period ends by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).

However, Hiles explained: “The DVLA will not be automatically updating those driver records which should have been renewed between February and August with the new extension details and will continue to show the existing expiry date currently held on the driving licence on its own system.”

The DVLA will only update its records once drivers have made an application to renew their licence once the end of the seven-month extension period has been reached.

As a result, Hiles says that the extension will not be shown on any of the DVLA’s enquiry services, such as the View/Share service which drivers can currently use to check their own licence details are accurate, and which they can use to generate a unique code by which employers or third parties, such as daily rental companies, can check drivers’ licences for validity.

Licence Check told Fleet News it has taken steps to ensure that customers of its cloud-based DAVIS system will be provided with the extended date for all driver records in the qualifying period.

“This will reflect the correct legally applicable date, but it does mean we will be out of step with the information held by the DVLA as its driver records will not have been changed,” said Hiles.

“Our primary concern is to avoid false alerts and unnecessary checking for our customers, especially where customers have set the service to conduct additional checks upon expiration dates.We don’t want to flag up urgent warnings to customers when there is no reason to do so.”

Licence Check customers will also be automatically notified of pending photocard expirations for their drivers in advance of the new renewal date, and any automatic rechecks will be made on the revised date as normal.

With around 41 million category B driving licences for passenger cars and 8 million provisional licences in circulation, the new ruling could affect many business drivers who will now be able to drive for an additional seven months on what would have otherwise been an invalid licence.

The penalty for drivers who drive without the correct photocard licence, which should be renewed every 10 years to take into account changes in appearance, is a fine of up to £1,000.

The new extension does not extend to the driver’s actual entitlement to drive a vehicle – through age, medical condition or as a vocational driver – which will need to renewed in the normal way to allow continued driving. For vocational drivers, such as HGV or PSV drivers, this is every five years.

DVLA chief executive, Julie Lennard, said: “This extension will make it easier for drivers who need to update their photocard licence with a new photograph. This means as long as they have a valid licence, drivers will be able to continue to make essential journeys.

“The extension is automatic so drivers do not need to do anything and will be sent a reminder to renew their photocard before the extension ends.”

A car (Group 1) licence generally remains in force until the driver reaches 70, unless revoked or surrendered.

At aged 70 the driver must renew their entitlement to drive every three years if they wish to continue to hold a valid licence.

Bus and lorry (Group 2) licence holders aged 45 and over are required to renew their entitlement to drive every five years.

Holders of short- term medical licences will also need to renew their entitlement to drive. The seven-month extension does not apply to renewal of entitlement to drive.

The DVLA’s online services to renew your driving licence and replace a driving licence are available for those drivers who need to renew their entitlement to drive or replace a lost or stolen licence. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

A £120,000 Range Rover Autobiography was stolen from a supermarket carpark in Walthamstow, London, in just 80 seconds by thieves taking advantage of weaknesses in the keyless entry system.

Keyless car thefts are increasingly common, as criminal groups reverse-engineer the latest manufacturer security tech to steal valuable vehicles quickly and discreetly.

The vehicle was recovered by the Metropolitan Police within 12 hours, thanks to the fitment of a tracking device.

Clive Wain, head of Police liaison for Tracker, said: “It is believed that this vehicle was stolen by professional criminals who followed the owner to the supermarket from her home, waiting for an opportunity to steal the prestige model.

“At home, the valuable car was always well protected on the driveway, with a wheel clamp fitted and a van parked across the driveway entrance to prevent any chance of theft. CCTV footage of the supermarket carpark clearly shows the thieves breaking into the car and driving away in less than two minutes, in an undisputable case of organised crime and keyless car theft.”

The car’s owner, Mrs Syuleyman, initially did not believe the car would ever be recovered. She said: “I know the risk of theft is high for such a valuable car, particularly as it has had some additional modifications.

That is why we always protect the car so carefully when it is parked at home. I never imagined it could be stolen so quickly and easily from a public carpark while I was shopping a few metres away.

In 2019, 92% of the cars Tracker recovered were taken without using the keys, up from 88% in 2018 and 26% higher than four years earlier.

Wain continued: “When Mrs Syuleyman’s car was recovered, it appeared that the thieves had searched it for tracking devices before leaving it parked unaccompanied to see if the police would track its whereabouts. 

Because the Tracker device was professionally installed, the thieves  were unable to find it, leaving the police to quickly  track its location. Without a Tracker installed, it is unlikely this story would have had a happy ending.”  B y Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News.

The Government is consulting on the adoption of new EU type approval legislation, which gives authorities enhanced powers of scrutiny over manufacturers and test agencies.

The consultation period began on June 1 2020 and will run until June 26 2020.

Following the dieselgate scandal, where it was revealed that some manufacturers had installed devices that enable cars to defeat emissions testing procedures in order to provide lower tailpipe emissions, the UK and other European countries worked together to strengthen the regulatory framework.

This resulted in the introduction of the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test.

Concurrently with these developments, new regulatory framework was developed to improve wider aspects of the functioning of the type approval system, such as market surveillance and enforcement, giving authorities enhanced powers of scrutiny over manufacturers and test agencies.

A number of important measures were adopted as Regulation (EU) 2018/858, which the Government proposes to bring into effect in the UK.

It will provide the Vehicle Certification Agency with enhanced powers of scrutiny over manufacturers and give the DVSA enhanced powers by enabling it to issue civil penalties for non-compliance with type approval regulations.

This consultation also contains a proposal that where new passenger vehicles (cars and buses) are fitted with a radio, that radio must be capable of receiving digital radio stations, in line with the European Electronic Communications Code. This is not part of the type approval system but simply applies to all new passenger vehicles placed on the market after 21 December 2020.

The (currently draft) regulations are required to ensure the UK fulfils its obligations under the EU Withdrawal Agreement to transpose EU law into domestic statute until the end of the Transition Period. This obligation will expire at the end of the Transition Period, on 31 December 2020. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by MoneySuperMarket has revealed that more than 3m (3,025,345) cars and vans had their MOT extended since March 30.

Broken down by EU class, that is 2,788,594 passenger vehicles and 236,751 light goods up to 3000kg – roughly 65,000 cars per day. MoneySuperMarket predicts there could be another 1m cars with MOT extensions by June 1.

MOTs are automatically being extended by six months if it was due to expire on or after March 30 and if its eligible. However, it has recently been updated on May 27, that a MOT extension will no longer apply if you take your vehicle for a MOT and it fails. Your vehicle will need to be fixed and pass its MOT before you can use it again.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) highlights that safety remains its top priority and drivers are at risk of prosecution if found to be driving unsafe vehicles. Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition and garages remain open for essential repair work.

Car servicing and repair company, Kwik Fit, has said it expects to see a significant demand in MOT requests post the six-month extension period, as current trends suggest that most drivers will wait until the MOT extension is over before arranging for their MOT to be completed.

As a result, there will be a significant demand for MOT tests in October, November and towards the end of 2020, putting pressure on capacity, the company says.

According to statistics provided by MoneySuperMarket, of all MOTs due this year, 18% were due in April and May. Data based on drivers using the MoneySuperMarket car monitor, showed that October is expected to be the busiest month as 15% of all MOTs are due in within the month.

However, Kwik Fit says it is taking measures to increasing capacity at more than 500 MOT test centres across the UK and would encourage drivers to book the MOT in advance of the extended due date, especially if the vehicle is being used more regularly during that time.

Kwik Fit estimates that 25% of fleet drivers who could have deferred their MOT have still had a test on their vehicle. However, most drivers it would have expected during the weeks since the introduction of the MOT extension have chosen not to visit, due to the restrictions in place for lockdown.

New research by Kwik Fit also revealed that almost 1.1 million unroadworthy vehicles are set to return to the roads as lockdown begins to ease. An estimated 1,096,000 vehicles which would have received a six-month extension, would have failed a test with dangerous or major defects had they undergone a MOT.

Dan Joyce, fleet director at Kwik Fit, said: “Of the fleet vehicles which received an automatic extension, our experience tells us that around one in five would have failed a test if they had received one.

“Therefore, our on-going message to drivers whom have been using their vehicle or will now start to use their vehicle again whilst lockdown restriction are eased over the coming weeks and months, is to consider the roadworthiness and general condition of the vehicle prior to using it again more regularly.”

Kwik Fit have continued to offer MOT slots throughout its network during the MOT extension period and says that although volumes have significantly reduced during this time, it has seen some demand for MOT’s from key workers and people using their vehicles to continue with essential journeys during lockdown.

Three quarters of a million MOT tests still carried out in April

But despite the MOT extension, three quarters of a million tests were still carried out in April, figures from Motorway.co.uk have revealed.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) made by the car selling comparison website showed that 746,157 MOTs were carried out in April 2020, down 80% on March 2020 – where 3,723,524 motorists took their vehicles for a MOT.

Perth in Central Scotland saw the biggest drop in MOTs last month, with tests down 85.7%, in comparison to March. Inverness saw 85.6% fewer MOTs in April, than in March.

More than 20,000 motorists in the Birmingham area (21,324) took their vehicles for a MOT in April, and 18,170 tests were carried out by garages in the ‘S’ postcode area (Sheffield) last month.

Alex Buttle, director at Motorway.co.uk, said: “These figures from the DVSA show that despite motorists having the opportunity to postpone their MOT test, many have chosen not to do so. There could be several reasons why; with general car maintenance, ongoing value and safety issues likely at the forefront of many drivers’ minds.

“Saying that, the number of MOTs in April was still substantially lower than March figures, and we expect to see a similarly low level of testing in May, as lockdown restrictions have only been eased slightly this month.”

Once the fuel of choice for the company car driver, diesel’s dominance among fleets has been on the wane for some time.

Its reputation tarnished and the attraction of tax-busting hybrid and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) difficult to ignore, numbers have continued to dwindle.

Industry leaders say they cannot see a way back for the embattled fuel and this is despite diesel beginning its fightback last year, when the first cars complying with the latest emissions standard began joining UK fleets.

Cars qualifying for the so-called RDE2 standard do not attract the 4% diesel company car tax surcharge, while fleets benefit from not having to pay the higher first-year rate of VED.

Shaun Sadlier, head of consultancy at Arval UK, says the savings from choosing a RDE2 diesel company car can run into “thousands of pounds” over a typical three-to-four-year lease contract.

“Fleets operating RDE2 cars also benefit from lower Class 1A NICs and first-year VED costs in comparison with a non-compliant model,” he said.

Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and BMW were among the first to offer RDE2 cars. Rob Morris, national fleet operations manager, at Mercedes-Benz, says that its RDE2-compliant engines were a “popular choice” with customers.

All Mercedes-Benz cars produced from this month (June) will meet the stricter standard.

Vauxhall has become the first volume manufacturer to offer the emissions standard across its range.

James Taylor, general sales director at Vauxhall, told Fleet News: “That means all new Vauxhalls avoid the 4% diesel surcharge on benefit-in-kind (BIK), offering savings to our customers of up to £22 and £43 per month for 20% and 40% taxpayers, compared with the same (non-compliant) models.”

STRICTER LIMITS

The on-the-road Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test was introduced alongside the new emissions testing regime, the Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), in two stages.

RDE1 was introduced in September 2017 for new car type approvals and applied to all new car registrations from September, last year. Vehicles compliant with this standard are designated Euro 6d-Temp. The stricter RDE2 standard came into force from January for new type approvals and will be applicable to all new cars, which will be labelled Euro 6d, from January 2021.

Cars certified to RDE1 (Euro 6d-Temp) must emit less than 2.1 times the Euro 6 NOx limit of 80mg/km for diesel and 60mg/km for petrol engines. This conformity factor tightens to 1.43 times for RDE2-compliant (Euro 6d) vehicles.

In 2023, it’s expected conformity factors will be removed, aligning laboratory and on-road emissions limits.

Alongside Vauxhall, other Groupe PSA brands have become RDE2-compliant, including all Citroën and DS diesel models, plus the majority of Peugeots now also meet the stricter emissions standard.

RDE2 models include all 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre BlueHDI-powered Citroëns and DSs, with manual and EAT8 automatic transmissions.

BlueHDi versions of the Peugeot 3008 and 508 have also qualified, along with the new 208 and 2008.

Martin Gurney, who is responsible for fleet and used vehicle sales for Peugeot, Citroën and DS in the UK, says Groupe PSA has been “working hard” to ensure its vehicles are compliant ahead of schedule.

He added: “These early announcements should reassure customers that we are committed to engineering clean and efficient powertrains for all drivers. The fact that most of our diesel models already meet the forthcoming RDE2 standards speaks volumes about the development that goes into our engines.”

BMW continues to add RDE2 models, while Hyundai says it will add further RDE2 engines to its line-up to join the i10, later this year.

Other manufacturers, such as Audi, Škoda, Renault and Kia, which do not currently have any RDE2 cars, say launches in the second half of the year will see compliant models come through.

But will a wider choice of cars, which avoid the 4% surcharge, be enough to halt the demise of diesel?

DIESEL’S DECLINE

The leasing industry is reporting growing interest from savvy fleets, but all admit the focus is shifting to zero emission motoring.

Figures from the Fleet News FN50 show that the proportion of diesel cars on the FN50 fleet – the UK’s top 50 leasing companies by risk fleet   size – fell from almost two-thirds (63.4%) to almost half (50.5%) in 2019.

In terms of vehicles they had ordered, the flight from diesel was still more pronounced. Almost half of the cars ordered last year were petrol (47.6%), while only two-fifths (38.8%) were diesel.

Jon Lawes, managing director of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, has seen a growing fleet interest in RDE2 diesel cars.

However, he says this is when there is a direct comparable alternative available for the model they want.

He explained: “WLTP has been responsible for the wholesale rise of CO2, irrespective of RDE categorisation, and, therefore, we’ve seen a continued negative shift in perception of diesel vehicles.”

WLTP CO2 values for company cars registered after April 6, which are typically higher than those derived from the old emissions testing regime for comparable vehicles, are now used for tax purposes.

Their use has coincided with a new company car tax regime to try to take account of the hike in emissions, which also includes a new zero percentage rate for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

PLUG-IN INCENTIVES

Lawes says he expects a “continuing overall decline” in diesel market share as more fleets opt for plug-in hybrid or BEV alternatives.

However, he did offer a glimmer of hope for diesel powertrains. “We expect RDE2 models will cause this decline to plateau as this will provide a favourable cost-effective option for some sectors and drivers.”

David Bushnell, principal consult-ant at Alphabet (GB), said: “For those high mileage drivers, where diesel is still probably the number one choice for fleets, the selection of an RDE2 vehicle will clearly make sense in terms of personal taxation and national insurance costs.

“It’s also an existing technology that many drivers are comfortable using. But, even here, we’re seeing mild hybrid technology coming in to reduce drivetrains’ CO2 output.”

However, he says the “clear additional tax benefits” for choosing plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, revealed in the Budget, will prove hard to ignore.

Chris Chandler, principal consultant at Lex Autolease, has seen a similar trend. He said: “The cost savings and environmental benefits of a plug-in hybrid or full electric alternative are more attractive at the moment.

“The main question we’re being asked by fleets on a daily basis is how they can start – or accelerate – their transition along the ‘Road to Zero’.

“The availability of RDE2 vehicles and how to optimise diesel fleets seems to be far lower down fleet managers’ agendas.”

GROWING INTEREST

Chandler’s comments appear to be backed up by the results of a recent Energy Saving Trust survey.

It revealed that one-in-three UK fleet managers expect half of their company car fleet to be electric by 2025, and seven-in-10 fleet managers are preparing to buy an electric car within two years.

Matthew Walters, head of consultancy and customer data services at LeasePlan UK, said: “From our conversations with fleet managers, it’s evident WLTP is still the main consideration when it comes to compliance-related tax savings and how this impacts the vehicle selection process.”

He expects sales of internal combustion vehicles (ICEs) to fall as electric vehicles become more available and increasingly affordable.

Lex Autolease has seen a significant increase in demand for plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles over the past 12 months, especially since the 0% BIK tax announcement.

Chandler says a “good awareness” of wholelife costs in the market is driving the shift towards low and zero-emission driving.

He said: “Rather than pay 25-30% tax on a RDE2-compliant diesel vehicle, company car drivers seem to be more focused on taking advantage of the tax benefits of plug-in hybrid and pure electric cars.”

As a result, the UK’s largest vehicle leasing company, Lex Autolease, says it doesn’t anticipate increased availability and understanding of RDE2-compliant models will significantly slow the decline of diesel.

Chandler added: “RDE2-compliant models will simply account for a growing proportion of the existing diesel market.”  By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News

New research by Kwik Fit has revealed that almost 1.1 million unroadworthy vehicles are set to return to the roads as lockdown begins to ease.

The research found that an estimated 1,096,000 vehicles which would have received a six-month MOT extension, would have failed a test with dangerous or major defects had they undergone a MOT.

Of these unroadworthy vehicles, it is estimated that some 316,000 would have dangerous defects, while the remaining 780,000 vehicles would fail with major defects.

The research also found that only 24% of vehicles that were originally due a MOT test has been tested since March 30, where vehicles were provided an automatic six-month extension to its expiry date.

49% of drivers who have received, or are due to receive a MOT extension, will go to the end of that period without getting their car tested.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “It has been interesting to see that many drivers have still had their car MOTed despite receiving an extension, because they want the reassurance a test provides.

“The extension has been very helpful to drivers during the lockdown, but as Covid-19 prevention measures begin to ease, we urge the government to remove the automatic extension in order to prevent dangerous and illegal cars taking to the roads unchecked.”

Kwik Fit analysed the latest Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) data, along with its own statistics.

Kwik Fit says that many drivers will be knowingly driving an unsafe vehicle, as 8% of those who will wait for the end of the extension to get their vehicle tested, said they will do so as they believe there is something wrong with their vehicle and do not want to risk it failing. One in five drivers are waiting to the end of the extension to save money.

Griggs said: “Our research found that the most common reason people were giving for going to the end of the extension without a test was that they ‘knew their car was safe’. Unfortunately, our experience shows that many people who think their car is safe are driving a vehicle with dangerous or major defects – the physical MOT test is a vital way to help ensure the safety of those drivers, and the other road users around them.”

Most drivers (71%) would like the government to end the MOT extension now. A third of drivers (31%) in Kwik Fit’s study said they want the extension to be stopped immediately, with a further 19% saying when traffic gets to a quarter of normal levels and 20% saying when it gets to half the usual volume. Government data shows that traffic returned to 50% of normal levels on May 15.

Fewer than one in five drivers (18%) think that the government should keep the MOT extension in place until vehicle use gets back to previous levels. Those who have had their car tested, or will do so, despite receiving an extension, are more than twice as likely to believe that the extension should be stopped immediately, compared to those who will not get their car tested until the end of  extension period (42% compared to 20%).

Kwik Fit’s research found that those who have had their car tested, irrespective of the extension, have been driving more miles under lockdown than the average (27.2 miles compared to 20.4 miles). Kwik Fit says this could indicate that those drivers needing to make more journeys value the peace of mind a MOT provides regarding their car’s condition.

The law requires vehicle owners to keep their vehicles roadworthy, even if they have received a MOT extension.

Kwik Fit advises that any driver concerned about the condition of their car shouldn’t wait for their next MOT, they can visit a Kwik Fit centre for a vehicle safety check. By Graham Hill thanks to Fleet News