Fleet briefs: Latest industry news from Geotab, Osprey, Athlon and Flowbird

Geotab and Driving for Better Business partner to promote driver safety

Geotab has announced a new partnership with the National Highway’s Driving for Better Business (DfBB) campaign.

Together with Driving for Better Business, Geotab aims to raise awareness about the importance of driver safety and help businesses across the transport industry improve their safety practices. 

David Savage, vice-president UK & Ireland at Geotab, said: “Safety is a critical focus for us, and we are thrilled to partner with Driving for Better Business to support them in this endeavour.

“Our mission for safety aligns perfectly with Driving for Better Business's efforts to create a safer driving culture across the transport industry, and we’re excited to see how we can work together to achieve this common goal."

Anne-Marie Penny, National Highways lead for Driving for Better Business, added: "Being a DfBB partner means sharing our vision and Geotab certainly does that.

“They are invested in improving the safety of those who drive for work and empower employers to manage this better. I'm hugely excited about the knowledge and good practice that we can share with our networks to make the roads safer for all."

The partnership will include the sharing of resources, expertise, support and thought leadership for promoting safety within the logistics and fleet sector.  

Osprey electric vehicle charge point installations increase

Osprey has switched on 142 new rapid electric vehicle (EV) charge points in just 10 weeks this year, the same number as it installed in the whole of 2022.

Another 50 chargers will be installed and made live in April and Osprey expects to continue roll-out at pace to reach more than 1,000 new charge points by the end of 2023.

Ian Johnston, the CEO of Osprey Charging Network, said: "Our focus is to continue to expand but also provide a high quality of experience for EV drivers all over the country.

“Over the next two years we will invest over £100million expanding our nationwide public charging network, establishing the much-needed national infrastructure that drivers can trust and rely on.”

Osprey is now the fourth largest rapid charging network with chargers across the UK, with a focus on meeting growing charging demand through 4+ charger hubs that maximise availability and speed.

Osprey is now the fourth largest GB-wide public rapid charging network with 536 rapid chargers nationwide.

Athlon partners with Diode to support switch to electric vehicles

Athlon UK has teamed up with Diode, a specialist in digital sales journeys, to provide a tool to support fleet managers and drivers.

Diode will be providing the technology behind Athlon’s EVReadyTool – a customer journey mapping tool.

Athlon says that the tool provides an “intuitive” digital journey for businesses and their drivers, to find out if an electric vehicle is a feasible option for each driver in their fleet – financially and practically.

Richard Dainty, head of marketing and sales support at Athlon UK, said: “The biggest barrier to EV adoption is knowledge and perceived suitability. The EVReadyTool removes both of these barriers by providing personalised insight based on the drivers precise driving routines and requirements.”

Flowbird installs chargers for Waitrose employees

Flowbird UK has installed the first electric vehicle (EV) charge point hub for Waitrose employees at the retailer’s main distribution centre in Bracknell.

The move sees Flowbird collaborating with electric charge point manufacturer Easee to design, install and commission 14 22kW EV rapid charge points at Waitrose’s 114,000 sq ft main warehouse and distribution depot.

The hub will deliver EV charging for the local workforce via the Flowbird app, providing staff - known as ‘partners’ - exclusive use of the charging facilities.

The charge point rollout at Bracknell is anticipated to be the first of all Waitrose depots to adopt the initiative.

Jackie Hewson, alternative fuel implementation manager at Waitrose, said: “It enables partners to affordably and easily charge vehicles while back in the office working and reducing its environmental impact and carbon footprint.”