Flying taxis and Delivery Drones

by admin_cheshire | Sep 3, 2019 | General, Industry News, Vehicle Types

Funding Fast-Tracks A New Age For Delivery and Taxi Services

New has come out this week that funding of up to £300 million is being made available to develop a range of new technologies, including flying taxis and freight-carrying drones.

The funding will be made up with £125m being provided by the Government, with the remaining £175m being supported by industry co-investment.

Further Investments in Greener Forms of Transport

In addition to this, news also emerged that five new transport research networks will receive a £5m cash injection. This is to be put towards developing cleaner forms of fuel as well as other tech innovations to help reduce emissions and improve air quality.

The new transport research networks will be led by: the University of Birmingham, the University of Leeds, the University of Durham, Cardiff University and University College London.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“From our shopping choices to planning our holidays, we rightly want to make decisions that protect the planet.

“This £300m investment will help speed up the development of greener flights, and new ways of delivering the goods we order online.

“The UK is already recognised around the world as a centre for green tech. Now we will lengthen our lead, supporting our industry and our citizens to reduce their carbon footprint.”

News of financial support for drones in the UK comes after UPS applied for certification to begin drone deliveries in America. The company intends to use drones for commercial purposes, and await a response from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

There are Endless Possibilities For Future Transport

Business secretary Andrea Leadsom says that the possibilities for new ways to transport goods and services – or to get from A to B – are “endless”.

She continued:

“This investment will help make the most of the exceptional talent and expertise we have in these industries, and ensure the UK leads the way internationally in designing and developing technology, from electric taxis to drones delivering parcels.”

The Future of Flight Challenge is delivered by UK Research and Innovation. Industry will initially focus on smaller aircraft and drones to ensure the suitability of the new technologies before developing them for larger passenger aircraft.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said:

“New technologies like electric and autonomous aircraft can help us tackle climate change, making journeys greener and working better for passengers.

“This funding will support the extraordinary talents of UK industry and academia, and demonstrate our country’s position as a world-leading transport innovator.”

The additional £5 million of funding has been awarded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Comments

How will these new technologies affect your business? Are you worried by them, or looking to embrace them? and are there any advancements you would like to see for your business. Leave us your comments below.

New – Clean-Air Zone Friendly – Mitsubishi L200 Pick-Up On Sale

by admin_cheshire | Aug 23, 2019 | General, Industry News, Legislation, Pick-ups, Vehicle Types

Following on from our recent article about the Greater Manchester Clean-Aid zone – more and more popular vehicles are getting the necessary upgrades. The latest is the ever-popular Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck which has not only been revised to offer increased safety equipment but also comes with a new Euro 6d diesel engine – compliant with the new clean-air zones.

What are the main changes with the L200?

As well as the new Euro 6d-compliant, the new L200 comes with a new 2.3-litre turbo diesel engine and a new six-speed automatic gearbox, while larger brakes all-round are fitted to the majority of the range.

Priced from £21,515 for the entry-level 4Life Club Cab variant, the L200 Series 6 also offers an increased payload of 1,080kg (up from 1,045kg-1,060kg) and gross train weight of 6,155kg, as well as an upgraded four-wheel drive system which incorporates a new ‘off road mode’ and hill descent control system.

What else is included in the new Mitsubishi L200?

Blind spot warning system with lane change assist function
Rear cross traffic alert
Forward collision mitigation
Lane departure warning
Hill start assist
Emergency stop signal
Trailer stability assist.

Styling changes include a new front-end, a 40mm raised bonnet for easier manoeuvring, LED headlamps and LED driving lights on the majority of the range, and squared off wheel arches.

Interior updates include revised seating with improved bolstering, new instrumentation, including a full-colour LCD display, and a chunkier steering wheel.

If you would like to find out more about the different finance deals available on the new Mitsubishi L200 Pickup then feel free to contact us – or give us a call on 01543 229722.

New Aston Martin “Volante Vision” Aims to Bring Luxury Personal Air Mobility

by admin_cheshire | Aug 12, 2019 | General, Industry News, Legislation, Vans, Vehicle Types

Nearly all the old Sci-fi movies saw flying cars as an absolute shoe-in by now. Despite this, reality has always to seemed to ensure that flying cars cannot be made remotely practical.

Recently the new Aston Martin “Volante Vision” concept emerged – which is actually a light aircraft rather than a “flying car” – and despite some pretty nifty realistic looking images – it is still hard to see past it being nothing more than something for James Bond movie – or a one-off play-thing for some bored multi-multi-Billionaire rather than “the future of personal transport”.

How realistic is it?

But… Aston Martin are taking it seriously. They have worked with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Rolls-Royce plc (the air engine company, not the car-making division) to look at a way of making this the future of “luxury personal air mobility”.

It is a concept designed for every-day use. For urban areas it features vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities,similar to a Hawker Harrier “jump” jet – technology that has actually been around since the 1960’s.

In true Aston Martin fashion – it’s green too, albeit in the sense that it is conceived with hybrid power, combining an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, for inter-city rather than inter-continental travel.

Will It Take Off? (Pardon The Pun!)

This isn’t the first concept like this – and it won’t be the last. Getting the technology right so that it is practical (and affordable) are the main obstacles to overcome. However – you think about any piece of technology and the same could be said of those – from personal computers and video players to the Electric Car – and we’re still only part of the way there with that with what can be achieved!

So in our opinion, we think it’s inevitable something like the Aston Martin Volante Vision will become a reality – and possibly for the mainstream. With the names getting involved in this project, you would also have to say it is probably only a couple of decades away too.

Do you think this is the future – or is it just a fantasy pipeline best left to James Bond movies? Leave your comments below.

Is Your Vehicle Exempt From The Upcoming Manchester Clean Air Zone Charge?

by admin_cheshire | Aug 7, 2019 | General, Industry News, Legislation, Vans, Vehicle Types

What Is The GM Clean Air Zone?

Most major cities up and down the UK are looking ways of becoming greener and cutting emissions. Manchester is one of them.

This means if you, or your company are making regular visits in to the upcoming Clean Air Zone you could be liable to a daily charge which is currently touted as;

Buses, coaches and HGVs – £100 (from 2021)
Taxis and private hire vehicles – £7.50 (from 2021)
Vans and minibuses – £7.50 (from 2023)

If the daily penalty is not paid, a PCN payment of £120 is proposed which would be in addition to the original daily penalty.

This could obviously have a significant impact on a small business – particularly if you have a few vehicles regularly travelling into the zone.

How To Find Out If Your Vehicles Are Compliant

We have found a tool where you can quickly establish if your vehicle is compliant or not. If you click on the button below you will be taken to the vehicle checker section of the Clean Air Greater Manchester website.

If you find out your vehicles AREN’T compliant, then if you come back to us, fill in the form below and we will contact you to advise what your options are.

VEHICLE CHECKER

If your vehicles are liable for the charge, fill in the form below...

Government Say There Will Be No Company Car Tax on Electric Cars

by admin_cheshire | Jul 10, 2019 | Electric Cars, General, Industry News, Vehicle Types

Excellent News (At Last!) For Company Car Drivers

Company car drivers choosing a pure electric vehicle will pay no benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax in 2020/21 the Governement revealed this week.

After the long-awaited review of WLTP and vehicle taxes, The HM Treasury has shelved the previously published BIK rates for 2020/21.

There are two new BIK tables for company car drivers; a table for those driving a company car registered after April 6, 2020, and one for those driving a company car registered before April 6, 2020 (see below).

Table 1 of BIK company car tax Table 2 of BIK company car tax

How The Changes Will Be Implemented.

For cars first registered from April 6, 2020, most company car tax rates will be reduced by two percentage points.

Company car drivers who have Electric vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions will be taxed at 0% – paying no BIK tax at all.

Furthermore, the zero percentage rate is also extended to company car drivers in pure electric vehicles registered prior to April 6, 2020, who were already looking forward to a much reduced rate of 2% for 2020/21.

For company cars registered from April 6, 2020, with emissions from 1-50g/km and a pure electric mile vehicle with a range of 130 miles or more – the zero percentage rate will also apply.

Will There Be Increases?

In both these cases, in 2021/22 they will increase to 1% and then 2% in 2022/23.

For pure electric company cars registered before April 6, 2020, will also increase to 1% and 2% in subsequent years, 2021/22 and 2022/23.

However, company cars registered before April 6, 2020, with emissions from 1-50g/km and a pure electric mile range of 130 miles or more attract a 2% BIK rate in 2020/21 and stay the same for the two subsequent tax years.

From 2023/24, fleets will have one BIK tax table again as the rates are realigned.

What The Government Has Said

“by providing clarity of future the appropriate percentages, businesses will have the ability to make more informed decisions about how they make the transition to zero emission fleets”.

“Appropriate percentages beyond 2022-23 remain under review and will be announced at future fiscal events.

“The Government aims to announce appropriate percentages at least two years ahead of implementation to provide certainty for employers, employees and fleet operators.”

So what does this all really mean to the company car driver?

We are being told that by 2040 you won’t be able to buy a new combustion engine car which is why there seems to have been an explosion of electric vehicles in both full totally electric or hybrid form and this will continue to grow in numbers. So the choice is getting better and the incentives from the government are increasing.

It is time to switch and as a company offering company cars as part of their package do you understand how it can help reduce cost and create a better carbon footprint.

Most companies and their drivers that we speak to don’t really understand what is the best way forward and lets be honest it is a complicated process.

How To Make The Switch

We are very interested in talking to companies who want to look at this in more detail and explore the possibilities of making the change. If you would like to find out more about this then complete the details below and we’ll give you a call. Or email us for more details.

Towing Work Trailers? Are You Breaking The Law?

by admin_cheshire | Jul 2, 2019 | Electric Cars, General, Industry News

Fleet Operators Warned About Towing Trailers.

Fleet operators and drivers are being warned by the License Bureau to ensure they understand the law relating to towing loads.

There are around 4,000 reported incidents a year involving all forms of trailers, according to the Bureau and they say it is crucial operators do not fall foul of the law.

The Licensing Bureau say that the actual date on which an individual passed their test – and the trailer they are towing – seems to be the cause of most of the confusion

What Are The Rules?

Drivers passing their test on or after January 1, 1997, will have a Category B licence. This means they can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) with up to eight passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).

These drivers can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not more than 3,500kg.

If however, a driver has a Category BE licence they can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg with a trailer. The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on the licence. If the date is: before 19 January 2013, they can tow any size trailer; on or after 19 January 2013, they can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg.

Malcolm Maycock, managing director of Licence Bureau, said:

“This is a complex area due to the different variations in licences and their respective entitlements. It’s also an area that arguably bypasses many businesses, as well as individuals, due to working age demographics and a legacy understanding.

“However, chances are that this area is at its most prolific right now as the transitional licence demographic takes on driving and towing responsibilities.”

The Implications For Your Business

The licence offence for the driver carries a minimum fine of £100 and three penalty points. From a company viewpoint however, the damage can have wider implications, as compliance is compromised and insurance invalidated.

Maycock goes on to say;

“Ultimately, the responsibility for ensuring any work-related journey meets compliance standards is that of the fleet or human resource manager.

“Quite simply they need to make sure licence checks are carried out correctly, drivers are aware of what they can and cannot drive, and operational procedures are developed to suit.”

Ensuring You Comply

To minimise the risk – the License Bureau has given the following checkpoints to help Fleet Managers and companies ensure they are complying:

Treat everyone as not entitled to drive until you have confirmed they are.
Identify which vehicles are fitted with tow bars – this needs to include company cars where the towing is outside the workplace for pleasure such as caravans and horseboxes. They are still your vehicles.
Confirm who will drive as you are possibly allowing non-employees to drive them when not at work.
Invest in training. Any driver towing a trailer needs training as this is a tool of work and unless they have passed B+E after 1997 will not have had any.
Ensure the driver has current competence in towing.
Check if the trailer in question, when being used commercially, has any secure load issues.
Risk assess the vehicle. The vehicle manual will specify the maximum trailer weights.
Risk assess the trailer and ensure the weight is suitable for the vehicle.
Risk assess the drivers against the vehicle/trailer combination.

Does your company regularly tow trailers? Are you now unsure as to whether you comply? Would you need help actioning these points? If so, call us on 07971 865102 or email us for more details.

Call - 0161 243 0299

matt@cheshirefleetsolutions.com

Flying taxis and Delivery Drones

Funding Fast-Tracks A New Age For Delivery and Taxi Services

Further Investments in Greener Forms of Transport