Fleet briefs: Latest from Engine, CLM, DriveTech, Eric Wright and Fleet Financial

Engenie joins Octopus roaming charge point network

Engenie has joined Octopus Energy’s new roaming service, the Electric Juice Network, giving electric vehicles (EVs) access to Engenie’s 100 rapid charging locations, including London’s first rapid charging hub.

Engenie launched the hub in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), at Stratford International Station car park in 2019. 

Drivers can pay with their Octopus Energy account across both Engenie and Chargy charge point networks, with all costs appearing on a single bill.

Further networks are expected to be added to the roaming service, which Octopus says offers a solution to the problem of having to pay different providers separately via different cards or apps.

Engenie’s CEO, Ian Johnston, said: “Whilst Engenie will always offer tap-and-go payment on our rapid chargers, connecting our network to Electric Juice gives customers the added benefit of being able to pay for their charging on their home electricity bill.

“We believe this is a crucial step towards providing a totally seamless experience for EV drivers that allows them to choose the best way for them to access and pay for charging.”

The service is open to all drivers whether they are already one of Octopus Energy’s 1.5 million customers or not.

CLM helps Centre Parcs scale-up food delivery fleet

CLM has helped Centre Parcs adapt to ‘new norm’ with a 60-strong fleet of electric mopeds delivering food to the holiday firm’s lodges.   

As a business, Center Parcs has been working determinedly towards a target of zero emissions, and it says the mopeds help build on this goal while helping it adapt to the coronavirus social distancing rules.

CLM was able to support Center Parcs throughout the process, from specifying and sourcing the mopeds, through to organising driver training.

Andy Short, commercial director at CLM, explained: “We have had a close relationship with Center Parcs, managing its fleet since 2007 and have always worked closely together on developing and refining the fleet policy.

“With Center Parcs’ target to achieve zero emissions from its fleet, we were delighted to be able to source the 60 electric mopeds needed.”

New DriveTech online modules launched for 2020

DriveTech, part of the AA, has refreshed and improved its online risk assessment, and expanded the range of online e-learning modules significantly.

Its e-learning modules have been expanded from an original 12 to 24 different, each running to approximately 10 minutes in length. There is the further addition of 72 further micro-modules for follow on ‘bitesize’ refreshers.

Leo Taylor, head of product solutions at DriveTech, explained: “These e-learning modules are assigned according to the outcome of an employees’ driver risk assessment.

“This ensures that the learning intervention is tailored to the driver’s needs based on the answers they gave, rather than applying a blanket approach, and is considerate of their time too.

“The modules are visual and interactive, using gamification techniques to make them more memorable and easier to apply in practice.”

The 24-strong topic areas covered in the new e-learning modules include: fitness to drive; vehicle safety checks; winter driving, dealing with collisions, and loading your vehicle safely.

Eric Wright Group expands electric fleet

Eric Wright Group has taken delivery of 10 Kia e-Niro cars and five Model 3 Tesla cars this week, and has further orders placed for 10 electric vehicles (EVs) which are due to arrive later this summer.

The company is transitioning its entire fleet to electric/low emission vehicles.  Last year, 20% of the 170 cars which the business leases were hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure EV and the company intends to increase this to 60% by 2025. 

A number of businesses within the Group have also been trialling electric commercial vehicles to identify whether a switch to commercial electric vehicles is also possible.

Group managing director Jeremy Hartley said: “We are committed to operating our business in a wholly responsible way to preserve the world in which we live.  That includes driving down carbon emissions within the fleet and doing everything possible across the business to mitigate our impact on the environment.” 

Founded in 1923, the Eric Wright Group is a property and construction company that develops, builds and maintains the UK’s infrastructure. 

Photo caption: from left to right, Steve Openshaw, group fleet and transport manager, Eric Wright Group, Sue McGuigan, group fleet controller, Eric Wright Group, and Tracy McGrath, business sales coordinator, Bolton Kia

Fleet Financial launches Emotive

Fleet Financial’s website is now carrying a section called Emotive to help drivers to navigate some of the key considerations when making the switch to an electric or hybrid company car.

Belfast-based Fleet Financial says it has seen a huge shift in sales and has responded to demand with its new Emotive offering.

Damian Campbell, head of corporate sales at Fleet Financial, explained: “Since the government announced its intention to overhaul the benefit-in-kind system from April 2020, our shift in sales has been quite dramatic; towards the end of 2019, our orderbook was 25-30% electric or hybrid and now it’s almost half.

“Emotive helps companies to navigate towards the adoption of electric vehicles and hybrids. As with anything new, customers have lots of questions before making the commitment. Drivers need to explore the practicalities of owning and running an electric or hybrid vehicle, as well as understanding the financial and environmental benefits.”