Fleet briefs: Latest from BCA, Arnold Clark, Volkswagen and SWARCO

British Car Auctions (BCA) is launching a new Retail Ready digital sales channel exclusively for trade customers.

The channel will host vehicles prepared cosmetically and mechanically to a new industry retail standard devised and delivered by BCA.

BCA’s trade customers can retail the vehicles directly themselves or, if they are contracted cinch partners, list and sell Retail Ready vehicles through the cinch retail eCommerce platform.

Vehicles will be available to buy 24/7 with the channel launching October 1. Additional sale events to include live online auctions will follow.

Arnold Clark announces partnership with Trakm8

Arnold Clark has announced a new partnership with Trakm8.

The newly-forged relationship will enable Arnold Clark to offer Trakm8’s telematics and vehicle camera solutions, as an added value proposition to its contract hire and leasing customers.

The company says the decision to partner with Trakm8 was led by consumer demand for a more intuitive, data driven telematics offering.

Jim Blair, operations manager at Arnold Clark Vehicle Management, said: “Our new partnership with Trakm8 is an exciting step forward that will help us deliver a pro-active diagnostic and fleet management service to our clients.”

Octopus Energy launches partnership with Volkswagen

Octopus Energy has announced a strategic partnership with Volkswagen Group.

The deal encourages VW customers to reduce carbon emissions and electric vehicle (EV) running costs by switching their home electricity and gas supply to the green energy provider.

Volkswagen will be offering customers in the UK who move to Octopus Energy’s renewable tariffs and purchase an EV a credit of up £90 to their energy account.

Greg Jackson, CEO and founder of Octopus Energy, said: “Tackling climate change means focusing on the biggest polluters, so switching transportation from dirty fossil fuels to clean green power has to be top of the agenda.”

SWARCO eVolt supports East Lothian Council

SWARCO has installed 18 charging stations at a new Charging Hub at Wallyford Park & Choose (Bus/Rail), for East Lothian Council.

The new hub features 18 charging stations, including 2 of SWARCO eVolt’s 150kW high power chargers to cater for both destination and journey charging.

East Lothian Council has installed 83 publicly accessible charging points, across the region, which is set to reach 100 by the end of 2020.

Ryan Robertson, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure officer at East Lothian Council, said: “We are fully committed to providing the residents and businesses of East Lothian with more access to essential and reliable charging infrastructure.”