Fleet briefs: Latest industry news from DriverCheck, Fleet Evolution, Holman, Select Car Leasing and Ev.energy

DriverCheck enables Babcock International to validate more than 9,000 drivers

Babcock International is checking the licences of more than 9,000 drivers, including a 1,000 strong grey fleet, thanks to the services provided by DriverCheck.

The Babcock UK fleet comprises 1,100 company vehicles, 50:50 cars and commercials, leased from Lex Autolease, plus a further 1,000 grey fleet cars, a burgeoning pool car fleet - where each vehicle may have up to 10 different drivers - as well as those staff who have access to rental cars for business purposes.

Babcock drivers have their licences checked at least once a year – and up to three times for those deemed a high risk with penalty points mounting up on their licence.

Ian Pinkney, fleet and mobility manager at Babcock, said: “By managing via exception reporting and onboarding most staff via e-mandate, we are able to make huge savings in time, administration and internal staff costs.

“The use of DriverCheck gives me peace of mind that we are legally compliant at all times, and that we are meeting our duty of care obligations to our staff and the wider public as driving still remains the most dangerous thing that most of us will do on a daily basis.”

By using DriverCheck services, Pinkney is able to manage the huge number of drivers via exception reporting, with regular alerts from DriverCheck highlighting any areas that require immediate attention.

Cygnet Healthcare praises Fleet Evolution for fleet service provision

Cygnet Healthcare has praised EV salary sacrifice and fleet management specialist, Fleet Evolution, for providing an array of niche fleet services to its specialist fleet of 285 vehicles.

The firm operates a multi-class fleet of outright purchased vehicles meeting several different healthcare needs, many of which have been specially adapted and converted.

These range from specially converted minibuses to multi-marque SUVs serving some 180 different locations across the country.

Fleet Evolution now provides a number of niche services including short-term hire vehicles, vehicle UK movements, condition reporting, repurposing and reconditioning and disposals.

Group fleet manager, Katharine Draper, who runs a three-strong fleet department, said that Fleet Evolution provides a number of key fleet services that are “very bespoke to our needs.”

“They have been able to provide services that have been highly customised to meet our requirements, rather than adopting a policy of one size fits all.

“Customer service is first rate, nothing is too much trouble for them and they have become a highly valued fleet management partner.  They make the running of our services’ demanding fleet requirements far more achievable.”

Fleet Evolution founder and managing director, Andrew Leech, added: “Cygnet requires a variety of specialist fleet services to meet its primary business needs.

“Because we are not constrained by a set matrix of fleet services, like some of the larger fleet management providers, we can think outside the box, and were able to come up with an assortment of services to very exactly meet their requirements.

“We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding business relationship with them.”

Ev.energy expands into public charging with Allstar partnership

EV.energy customers will be able to use a growing network of over 5,700 public charging stations across the UK from this summer.

The firm’s customers will now be able to use Allstar’s multi-brand electric charging network within the app experience.

Providers on the Allstar network include Alfa Power, Allego, ESB Energy, Hubsta, LiFe, GeniePoint, Mer, Osprey, Plug-N-Go, Source London.

The new service is a big step towards addressing the often-quoted pain point of public charging requiring a myriad of cards.

By taking an open-connection approach, Ev.energy users will be able to activate their public charging using a combination of RFID card and/or in-app experience (subject to network technology).

Nick Woolley, CEO and co-founder of Ev.energy, said: “We’re delighted to be extending Ev.energy outside the home, helping drivers simplify and save on their charging, wherever and whenever they charge.”

Laura Lancaster, VP EV sales and partnerships at Allstar Business Solutions, said: “We at Allstar Business Solutions are delighted to support Ev.energy as it strives to improve EV charging solutions for the public.

“We share the same ultimate goal in trying to make charging as convenient as possible, and by joining forces in this way, customers can benefit from more than 5,700 chargers across over 2,000 locations around the UK.”

Holman becomes a Driving for Better Business partner

Holman has joined the Driving for Better Business (DfBB) scheme as it aims to increase the focus on safety and compliance among fleets.

The move will see Holman and DfBB, which is a Government-backed National Highways scheme, collaborate on events such as driver workshops to help fleet operators get to grips with the increasingly complex world of driver and vehicle compliance.

The two will also develop new resources for fleet managers to promote good practice.

Nimesh Chauhan, director of Holman’s Service Delivery, said: “By tapping in to the DfBB’s extensive free resources we can spread the road safety word as wide as possible.

“We will work with them on a variety of projects to help fleet operators work out what they need to do to make their drivers safer and more productive.”

Simon Turner, campaign manager for Driving for Better Business, added: “Holman has a clear focus on compliance and safety across the diverse fleets it supports.

“In working in partnership with us, Holman is raising the profile of driver safety, vehicle safety and everyone’s awareness of their responsibilities and risks.

“We look forward to collaborating with Holman in future events, developing new content and resources, and promoting good practice.”

Select Car Leasing announces partnership with Egg

Select Car Leasing has agreed a partnership with Egg to become an official partner for electric vehicle (EV) charging point subscriptions.

Through the deal, Select Car Leasing customers that sign up to Egg’s £30-per-month home EV charger subscription will receive their first month free. 

The offer is available to individual customers as well as those leasing electric cars or vans through Select’s Fleet Solutions corporate division.  

Shane Pither, head of automotive innovation for Select Car Leasing, said: “Egg has the first subscription-based model on the market and by extending this service to our customers, we’re helping them realise the convenience and affordability of running an EV, particularly when charging happens at home.

Steve Springett, B2C Director at Egg, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Select Car Leasing which shares our commitment to making the switch to EVs hassle-free and affordable for drivers and fleet managers.”

Egg’s £30-per-month subscription fee includes standard installation of a 7kW fast home charging unit compatible with all makes and models of EVs, plus free maintenance call-outs within two working days.

Installation requires access to off-street parking such as a driveway or garage.