Fleet briefs: Latest from Venson, Fleet Alliance, TTC, E-Training World, Motormax and Trakm8

Venson launches free white paper to navigate latest fuel technologies

Venson Automotive Solutions is urging fleet managers currently adapting to the electric vehicle transition, not to shut the door on hydrogen.

In its latest free white paper - ‘The Big Hydrogen Question’ - Venson suggests that the rise of carbon-neutral, green hydrogen, could be a gamechanger, one which fleet managers would be wise to keep a check on.

Simon Staton, client management director at Venson Automotive Solutions, said: “While hydrogen cars are not ready for widespread fleet use, our research indicates that, for UK fleet operators, the simultaneous ramping up of investment in both hydrogen vehicle technologies and our refuelling network, will soon make fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) a more appealing option.

“Mixed fleets, including those with heavier vehicles, should certainly keep watch on this. Additionally, eFuels will look set to gain a foothold through admixing.”

Venson research four years ago identified high costs, limited nationwide infrastructure, and reliance on fossil fuels in production as the key barriers to widespread adoption of hydrogen in the UK.

New research illustrates increasing commitment by manufacturers to the development of hydrogen and e-fuel vehicles.

Staton concluded: “While BEVs dominate the passenger car market, in the HGV market, where diesel still holds pole position, hydrogen fuel cell is rapidly advancing, and could soon be challenging for the lead."

Tesla tops the sales charts at Fleet Alliance

Electric cars have hit a record market share in the order banks Fleet Alliance, with the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y topping the charts.

In the first five months of 2024, more than three-quarters (77%) of Fleet Alliance vehicle orders have been for electrified vehicles, with pure electric cars accounting for 42% and hybrids 35% - the highest market share for both model types to date.

The Tesla Model 3 topped the charts with the Model Y in second place.

“There is little surprise that EVs dominate our order books,” said Fleet Alliance CEO, Andy Bruce, “as they combine advantageous tax breaks with a sustainable solution for fleet managers, whether as company cars or through EV salary sacrifice provision.”

Top 10 electric cars year to date

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model Y

MG4

BMW I4

Audi Q4

Mercedes EQA

Cupra Born

Mercedes EQB

Skoda Enyaq

Polestar 2

Source: Fleet Alliance

TTC launches new drug-driving workshop

TTC has launched a new online workshop to help businesses proactively educate employees on the risks of drug-driving, both recreational and prescribed.

The workshop aims to increase 'conscious awareness' amongst those who drive for work and/or operate workplace machinery, of the impact and consequences of taking drugs.

National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) arrest data following a campaign of roadside testing in December 2023, showed that in England and Wales 48.5% of drug tests were positive, while 9.5% of breath tests for alcohol were positive.

Andy Wheeler, training product manager at TTC, said: “With an estimated 14 million fleet drivers, including grey fleet, on the UK's roads today, this could represent a staggering 675,000 employees that may be drug-driving, unintentionally or otherwise.”

The three-and-half-hour workshop explores their effects on driving and the use of machinery as well as covering common signs of drug use, police powers to stop drug-driving including roadside testing, and the law relating to drug-driving.

New AI collaboration to improve fleet safety 

A new artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration aims to improve fleet safety through enhanced driving monitoring and training. 

Motormax has teamed up with Solera to distribute the SmartDrive video and safety platform. 

Solera’s SmartDrive combines AI-enabled video safety, advanced analytics, telematics, and compliance apps into a single box. 

The cloud-based platform provides a complete overview of fleet safety as the solution’s AI understands and monitors driver behaviour, plus the road conditions and provides guidance to improve driver skills.

In the case of a road incident, the technology provides evidence instantly. 

Jog Lall, business development director, Solera, said: “We believe SmartDrive is essential in taking fleet safety to the next level while enhancing operational efficiency thanks to advanced scheduling tools and intelligent route planning.”

SmartDrive is part of Solera’s Fleet Solutions, a digital hub helping fleets to operate safely and efficiently.

James Haycock, co-founder and director of Motormax, said: “We are delighted to be representing Solera and strongly feel both companies share business values and perspectives on bringing pioneering new technology to the industry.”

New driver distraction training module from E-Training World

E-Training World has launched a new training module highlighting the dangers of distracted driving.

About 2,500 accidents each year are caused by distractions inside the vehicle. The most common cause of distracted driving is the driver using a mobile phone.

However, other causes of distraction include reading printed materials, fiddling with the sat nav or in-car infotainment system, eating and drinking, or even smoking and vaping.

Jonathan Mosley, sales and marketing director at E-Training World, said: “If a driver has their eyes off the road for just six seconds at 30 mph, the vehicle will have travelled over 80 metres, which is why it is so important to remain focused, on the road, rather than anything else.”

The new training module uses high-definition in-vehicle and roadside footage to genuinely replicate the on-road experience. It highlights the wide range of driver distractions, raising awareness of their dangers and training drivers in how to avoid them.

Trakm8 Partners with CA Cars

Trakm8 has announced a new three-year partnership with Commercial Associates, trading as CA Cars.

The collaboration aims to enhance the monitoring of vehicle health and tracking of vehicle mileage for CA Cars' extensive fleet of dual-controlled vehicles supplied to driving instructors and their schools across the UK.  

Established in 1986, CA Cars is a family-owned business that supplies vehicles for contract hire and sale to driving instructors.

It employs Trakm8's C430 devices, which offer vehicle health monitoring through the "Connectedcare" solution.

Integrated with the Insight Business Platform, Trakm8 says it has delivered a solution tailored to meet CA Cars' specific needs, including accurate odometer readings directly from vehicle dashboards and proactive vehicle health monitoring.

Dave Reynolds, developer at CA Cars, said: “We previously trialled another telematics company, but their data wasn’t as in-depth as what Trakm8 could supply.

“During the trial, we intentionally created faults in the vehicle, and Trakm8’s system identified them immediately.

“The true odometer readings provide improved visibility of mileage across our fleet, which is highly beneficial.”

Joe Heidari, fleet and optimisation sales director at Trakm8, added: “This collaboration exemplifies how our solutions can meet the specific needs of fleets of all sizes.”