Fleet briefs: Latest news from Fleet Alliance, Fleet Check, Shoreham Vehicle Auctions, Runyourfleet, Epyx, Aston Barclay and Kinto

Fleet Alliance upgrades e-Fleet driver app as EVs continue to grow

Fleet Alliance has upgraded its driver app with added functionality within its fleet management platform, e-Fleet, to recognise the growing numbers of electric cars on its fleet.

The e-Fleet app is personalised for each driver, irrespective of the vehicle funder, and contains all the support information a driver might need for their vehicle, as well as allowing company car and salary sacrifice car drivers to order a new or replacement vehicle and carry out a host of essential tasks.

From January to end of June, Fleet Alliance says that more than three-quarters (77%) of new vehicle orders have been BEVs (42%) and HEVs (35%), the highest market share for both model types the company has recorded to date

Fleet Alliance CEO, Andy Bruce, said: “The e-Fleet app is fleet management for drivers on the move, conveniently accessible from mobile phone, tablet or PC.”

Amongst a host of driver support services, the e-Fleet driver app allows drivers to submit a regular vehicle inspection report at any interval designated by their employer. They can also input business and personal mileage and log all essential business trips.

In addition, fleet managers can send out push out notifications to drivers for regular fleet management tasks to ensure they are being carried out as well as addressing health and safety and duty of care issues.

Kinto appoints Aston Barclay as remarketing partner

Kinto UK has appointed Aston Barclay as an additional remarketing partner.

The agreement will see vehicles from Kinto feature at its launch Wakefield fleet sale, at 9:45 on Friday, August 2, with a secondary launch at Westbury on Tuesday, August 6, at the 10am fleet sale.

The vehicles will be part of the fleet sale events, with the anticipated stock averaging £15,000 across a range of vehicle types, including LCVs and EVs.

Blaine Colston, general manager for vehicle operations at Kinto, said: “It is important to us to work with partners that share our customer-first approach, and we feel the team at Aston Barclay will ensure that every customer touchpoint with a Kinto vehicle is a quality one.”

Nick Thompson, chief customer officer at Aston Barclay, added: “We know that stock from such a respected brand like Kinto UK will be very well received by our buyer base, and we look forward to working closely with the team to drive performance and conversion.”

Fatigue added to fit-to-drive declaration by Fleet Check

Fatigue is being added by Fleet Check to the employee fit-to-drive declaration included in the company’s daily vehicle walkaround safety app.

The fleet software specialist says that there is increasing concern about the dangers of tired drivers among employers and a desire to include it in risk management policies.

The fit-to-drive declaration covers factors including the current health of drivers and any medication they are taking.

It is normally included in the Fleet Check app as part of the daily walkaround check that drivers undertake on their vehicles, before getting behind the wheel.

Peter Golding, founder and managing director at Fleet Check, said: “Obviously, a declaration of this kind is not perfect, but it does raise the subject of whether you should be driving in your current state, and emphasises that your employer takes fatigue seriously as a subject.

“That means that if you’re in a situation where you really haven’t slept much for whatever reason, you can raise it with your employer and be taken seriously. For many fleets, that feels like a step forward.”

Epyx sees large influx of new manufacturers

Epyx is reporting a large influx of new motor manufacturers to its core service, maintenance and repair (SMR) platform.

1link Service Network is used by fleets totalling more than four million cars, vans and trucks to manage their SMR processes, working with thousands of franchise dealers, independent garages and fast fits.

Greg Tucker, head of OEM and dealer management at Epyx, said that five manufacturers - BYD, GWM, SSanyong/KGM, Omoda and Seres – had been added to the platform during the last year, and that conversations were ongoing with several more who were interested in joining.

“In a typical year for 1link, we may have one or two new manufacturers come on board, so this is very much a unique moment and one that is creating quite specific pressures in meeting fleet needs when it comes to SMR.”

Tucker explained that the process of adding manufacturers to 1link involved key tasks such as drawing new repair data from independent experts in order to assess the likely cost and time needed to complete SMR jobs, as well as individually recruiting franchise dealers for each new entrant to the platform.

“Creating the right data and adding it to the platform takes time but so far, we are pleased to say that we have been able to provide an SMR infrastructure on 1link for the vast majority of these new manufacturers and fleets using their vehicles in a timely manner,” he added.

SVA adopts owl sculpture to raise funds for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice

Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (SVA) has signed up to adopt an owl sculpture as part of the Big Hoot art trail, which was launched in Chichester and Arundel on July 10.

The bird is called ‘Owl you need is love’ and has been decorated by Welsh artist Emma Everett whose work is inspired by the colours and sounds of nature.

It will be one of 30 large sculptures setting up home on the Big Hoot art trail until the September 1 and will represent the Arundel leg of the display.

SVA currently has the 1.5m owl on display at its Lancing-based car auction site during the summer to introduce to its customers and staff to celebrate this great family fun event.

All the large owls will be auctioned at the end of the summer to raise money for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice based in Arundel.

 SVA has had a relationship with Chestnut Tree House for the past 14 years, raising £300,000 during that period through hosting annual charity car and van auctions.

SVA’s MD and Chestnut Tree House patron, Alex Wright, said: “The hospice provides a hugely valuable service to children and their families in East and West Sussex and South East and we look forward to being home to an owl during the summer.”

Fleet management CEO welcomed by King Charles III at Windsor Castle reception

Steve Whitmarsh, chief executive officer of Henley-in-Arden based Multifleet Vehicle Management, which trades as Runyourfleet, met King Charles at a ceremony for winners of The King’s Award for Enterprise at Windsor Castle.

The invitation came after Runyourfleet was recognised for its innovation in developing its online platform for fleet management.

Runyourfleet launched the platform in 2021 and was one of only 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise, and just one of 59 businesses to be recognised for innovation.

Whitmarsh said: “We were very honoured to meet King Charles III and he took time to talk to as many people as possible, showing great interest in their businesses and the innovations they had introduced.

“It was a fabulous event and it was great to soak up the atmosphere of the official drinks reception in such an historic setting. The event ran from 6pm to 7.30pm but we arrived as early as possible just to view Windsor Castle and its interior.”

Runyourfleet, based in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, now has a customer base of over 1,200 businesses across the UK, providing fleet management services for more than 32,000 vehicles.