Fleet briefs: Latest from Paua, VRA, Applied Driving, GripHero and Targa Telematics

Paua partnership to optimise routes and EV charging

Paua has announced a partnership with Optimize, formerly The Algorithm People, to offer a fleet solution to help transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

The new service incorporates vehicle routing, scheduling, and charging infrastructure across the fleet.

Niall Riddell, chief executive officer (CEO) at Paua, said: “This partnership is a demonstration of how we are evolving our offer to meet current and future customer demand.

“Increasingly customers are looking for integrated solutions bringing together their EV duty cycles with visibility of the charging infrastructure across the whole of the fleet. Optimize are ahead of the game in this respect and we are already in discussions with several key customers to unlock the potential the service offers.”

“Working with Paua has enabled us to take a holistic approach to EV optimisation and charging points,” said Optimize CEO Colin Ferguson.

“This will bring significant benefits for customers giving them confidence the vehicles are being used in the most efficiency way, while giving the fleet owners and drivers the peace of mind regarding range and battery performance.”

Applied Driving partners with the Institute of Highway Engineers

Applied Driving has teamed up with the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) to help improve health and safety for those working on the road network.

The provider of driver safety and performance management solutions has become an IHE Professional Development Partner, continuing to share best practices and help raise standards across the highways sector.

“This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference within the highways industry by promoting road safety and engaging with those responsible for constructing and maintaining our roads, explains Dr Jim Golby, chairman at Applied Driving.

“Our aim is to work closely with IHE members and other Professional Development Partners to establish new ways of communicating guidance on fleet and driver risk.”

Steve Spender, CEO of the IHE, said: “Applied Driving has been supporting us for some time, so it is fantastic to formalise our relationship and make them an important part of our Professional Development Partnership.

“The IHE is looking forward to involving them in several initiatives next year, and we have already invited their team to present at our branches across the UK on road-based employee safety.”

Drivers urged to ‘glove up’ at pumps 

Drivers are being urged to wear refuelling gloves at the pump to avoid getting - or passing on - flu, Strep A, and what the World Health Organisation (WHO) is describing as the most transmissible Covid variant yet, XBB.1.5, known as ‘the Kraken’.

The call follows research which shows that even in late 2020, 5% of all fuel pump handles had less transmissible variants of Covid-19 present on their surfaces; equivalent to at least one contaminated fuel nozzle at every single fuel station in the UK.

With more virulent variants of Covid circulating, including XBB.1.5, that figure is likely to be higher.

Oliver Yeo, inventor of GripHero, said: “We know that transmissible variants of Covid as well as seasonal flu, and Strep A are spreading across the UK rapidly.

“One of the highest transmission points is fuel pump handles, as drivers that fail to wear gloves can swiftly pass on and pick up transmissible illness from other drivers that have coughed or sneezed on their hands and then held the fuel pump.

“You only have to look at drivers in traffic to see how frequently they touch their face, rub their eyes, or eat food on the go.

“That creates a direct path for flu, Covid and other illness if gloves aren’t used. It’s one place that a mask just won’t help.”

Targa Telematics joins the UN Global Compact

Targa Telematics has joined the United Nations Global Compact (UN Global Compact), an initiative to develop, implement and adopt sustainable and corporate social responsibility policies. 

By signing the agreement, Targa Telematics said it strengthens its commitment to integrate core principles related to respecting human rights, work standards, environmental protection and fighting corruption to its strategy and daily operations.

Nicola De Mattia, CEO of Targa Telematics, said: “The decision to join the United Nations Global Compact program is part of a larger framework of choices that drive us towards a more sustainable, inclusive, people-centric company model, promoting a culture of corporate citizenship. 

"It was quite natural to join this project, since we have always adopted certain principles, which are the basis of our values, knowing that significant goals for the community can be achieved only with the contribution of many.”

The company said it is contributing through its sustainable development projects, providing clients with guidance to implement next-generation mobility solutions.

Remarketing the ageing vehicle parc subject of January VRA meeting

How the remarketing sector handles the challenges of an ageing vehicle parc is the subject of this month’s (January) Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) member meeting.

The meeting being held at the Derby premises of motor industry legal firm Geldards on January 25, will look at what the sector needs to do to make older vehicles as appealing as possible to used car and van buyers.

Speakers will include Derren Martin of Cap HPI, who will look at the factors causing the vehicle parc to age; Jon Butler of Geldards will examine the legal implications of selling older vehicles; James Hopkins of ASKE Consulting will detail the latest trends in vehicle preparation and reconditioning; and Lee Coomber of Assurant will report on trends in warranties and wider dealer propositions. 

Philip Nothard, chair, VRA, said: “Constricted new vehicle supply since the pandemic began has had quite a dramatic effect on the age of the average vehicle on UK roads.

"This obviously feeds through into the used car and van market and, as a result, buyers are being asked to pay more for older stock, a trend that looks set to continue to develop for some time to come. 

“This obviously presents challenges for remarketing in ensuring that the choices placed in front of consumers remain appealing and meet their requirements in terms of condition, reliability and the overall retail proposition

"At this meeting, we’ll be hearing from a variety of experts to find out more about what is happening within our sector to meet these needs and what more could be done. It promises to be a fascinating session.”