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Sale of Alternative Fuel Vehicles Would Be Boosted By EFG’s Survey Suggests

Sale of Alternative Fuel Vehicles Would Be Boosted By EFG’s Survey Suggests

by | Feb 7, 2019 | Alternative Fuel Vehicles, General, Legislation, Vehicle Finance

Government Loans Proposed To Speed Up Sales of Alternative Fuel Vehicles.

A loan guarantee scheme has been proposed to the UK Government to help boost the number of electric and hybrid vehicles sold.

The specialist lender Paragon’s The Motor Finance Team feels that an Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) could help the increase the sales of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) after its compiled research showing sales of AFV’s are being held up by a limited amount of finance options.

The latest findings from Paragon’s Headlight Survey for Autumn/Winter 2018-19 found that nearly three quarters of brokers expected an increase in both hybrid and electric car sales in the coming six month.

The report also highlighted that a quarter of brokers said they were having difficulty organising finance for electric cars.

What is the issue? And how would an EFG Help?

Electric cars constantly being updated due to the technology involved. This means there is a huge amount of risk in terms of valuation and complaints regarding the iniveitable new technology “teething” issues.

An Enterprise Finance Guarantee by the Government would mean that lenders could take a view on where residual value would be. The would mean the Government would stand the loss beyond that.

Julian Rance, director of motor finance at Paragon, said:

“AFVs are clearly growing in popularity as 72% of brokers said they dealt with electric cars on a quarterly or more frequent basis. This throws open the question on how much quicker electric car sales and development would grow if funders could get more comfortable with this type of vehicle at a time when manufacturers are still improving the technology and battery life.

“What we need is the Government to step up to the plate when it comes to electric cars and the pollution agenda.

“If it is serious about outlawing the sales of new cars or vans powered solely by a petrol or diesel engine from 2040 as part of its Road to Zero strategy, then the Government also needs to help fund AFV vehicles through a scheme like an Enterprise Finance Guarantee.

“Lenders need some form of financial guarantee for these cars and we are happy to take risks, but only to a certain point. This partial guarantee could make a real difference.”

Enterprise Finance Guarantee loans have been used in the past to help small businesses as part of a Government scheme in the UK. Could this be the answer here?

How We Can Help

If you are looking to switch to alternative fuel vehicles for your fleet then we want to hear from you. Feel free to drop us a line on;  07971 865102 , email us for more a callback, or leave your comments below.

Should A Tachograph Be Fitted In a 3.5t Van?

Should A Tachograph Be Fitted In a 3.5t Van?

by | Feb 6, 2019 | General, Legislation, Vans

Are You – Or Your 3.5t Van Drivers – Breaking The Law?

Next time you walk past a 3.5-tonne gvw van with a trailer, if you have a look inside and see if a tachograph is fitted. If there isn’t then the chances are the van you are looking at is more than likely breaking the law.

It is reckoned that of all the vans on UK roads with towbars fitted, astonishingly less than 1% have a tachograph and this is a potentially massive issue.

The rules regarding Tachograph’s are pretty straightforward.  However, many operators are not aware of – or wilfully ignoring – the law regarding tachographs – and in particular – who is allowed to drive vehicles with trailers.

This is a surprising fact bearing in mind the legal consequences in the event of a crash.

Exceptions to the rule

The law states that the weight of the trailer is  added to the gross vehicle weight of the van to determine the true weight.

So, put into context, if the van has a gvw of 3.5 tonnes and it’s towing a two-tonne trailer, the vehicle effectively weighs 5.5 tonnes and must have a tachograph. This also means that an O-licence is required to operate it too.

There are exceptions to this rule and the main two that may apply to Fleet Van readers are:

  • If the vehicle is not being used for hire and reward
  • If the vehicle doesn’t travel more than 50km (33 miles) from its base.

Responsibility of Van Fleet Operators

If Van Fleet Operators don’t adequately check drivers’ licences’ then they can be in trouble for this too.

As it stands, staff who passed their tests before January 1, 1997, will be allowed to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes gvw on their ordinary licences.  Anyone passing after that date are limited to 3.5 tonnes.

Therefore, if a 3.5-tonne van has a trailer fitted, anyone passing their test after January 1 1997 won’t be entitled to drive.

The regulations stipulating which drivers are qualified to tow trailers were amended in 1997 so that anyone who passed their driving test since requires a Category B or BE entitlement.

Further changes to the rules from January 13, 2013, restricted the weight that drivers qualified after 1997 can tow without a separate qualification.

How We Can Help

If you would like to clarify your circumstances or find out more about how this could affect your business, feel free to drop us a line on;  07971 865102 , email us for more a callback, or leave your comments below.

MP Jailed For Speeding is Warning To Fleet Drivers

MP Jailed For Speeding is Warning To Fleet Drivers

by | Feb 4, 2019 | General, Legislation

Warning for Car and Van Drivers After MP Jailed for Lying About Speeding Charge.

Company car and van drivers have been warned that telling a ‘white lie’ to avoid points on their licence is one of the “most serious offences”.
Despite the risks involved, a national law firm says that more people caught with motoring offences are choosing to ask a family member or friend to take the points on their behalf – particularly where it can have an impact on a job.

In a recent article in Fleet News, Paul Loughlin, a solicitor at Stephensons, said:

“Sadly, deliberate deception of speeding offences is becoming increasingly common. From my own experience, I often receive calls from drivers who initially suggest telling a ‘white lie’, where they can get their spouse or a family member to take the points in an effort to avoid accumulating more on their licence or receiving a driving ban.”

MP Jailed For Lying to Police

The warning comes after Peterborough MP, Fiona Onasanya, was jailed after she lied to police over a speeding ticket.

Onasanya who is also a solicitor, as well as an MP, denied being the driver of her Nissan Micra when it was clocked being driven at 41mph in a 30mph zone, in July 2017.

In addition to speeding, Onasanya was texting as well, the Old Bailey was told.

Irrespective of Onasanya’s position and status, the fact she was sentenced to three months last week following a re-trial shows that Judge’s are happy to throw the book at these offences, regardless of “status”. Onasanya stated that she intends to appeal against her conviction.

Her brother Festus was jailed for 10 months for his involvement, after pleading guilty to the same charge.

Not Worth The Risk

Loughlin said:

“In this case, had Miss Onasanya entered a guilty plea and took full responsibility for the driving offence, it’s likely the court would have imposed a more lenient penalty, with greater reference and consideration given to the impact a custodial sentence could have on the management of her multiple sclerosis.

 

“This sentence, like that of Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce in 2013, can be seen as a clear message to the public that obstructing public justice or perverting the course of justice, no matter what your standing in society, is always among the most serious of offences.”

The reality for car and van drivers is that whatever impact a motoring offence on your job, it is not worth the risk to you, or your family and friends in taking this kind of action.