Fleet briefs: Latest from the Algorithm People, Engineius and Trakm8

Algorithm People partnership with If Vehicles to ‘transform’ last-mile logistics

The Algorithm People and If Vehicles have signed a partnership agreement to work together to reduce costs and carbon emissions from last-mile logistics.

By bringing their technologies together, the two businesses aim to make switching to more efficient last-mile deliveries affordable and easy.

In particular, they will enable mobile transient hubs – a new logistics solution where vans or light trucks become mobile hubs, meeting much smaller, electric vehicles (EVs) on their routes to hand over parcels and goods for delivery.

Furthermore, If Vehicles will become a reseller of The Algorithm People’s route optimisation platform, My Transport Planner, and the two will collaborate on future R&D.

Colin Ferguson, CEO of The Algorithm People, said: “Our partnership with If Vehicles will enable couriers, logistics operators and home delivery companies to transition to mobile transient hubs.”

Bill Clare, CEO of If Vehicles, added: “Working with The Algorithm People, we can offer the complete package for the last-mile that not only reduces emissions but increases capacity of the whole fleet - innovative, battery-powered vehicles, novel fleet integration methods and the software to optimise their use.”

Engineius embeds Flock’s flexible fleet insurance

Engineius has selected Flock to insure the hundreds of vehicles it moves for commercial fleets every day. 

Engineius helps the UK’s largest fleets, including the AA, Hertz and Buyacar, to book, track, and manage their vehicle movements entirely online. 

Now, every vehicle in transit with Engineius will be automatically covered by a usage-based motor fleet insurance policy provided by Flock.

Calum Slowther, commercial director at Engineius said: “As the number of vehicles we move every day continues to grow, we needed an insurance partner that could scale with us.

“It’s clear Flock is that partner and their team’s commitment to safety is something that not only benefits us, but our clients as well.”

Flock’s CEO, Ed Leon Klinger, added: “Alongside protecting vehicles and drivers, we are providing Engineius with real-time safety insights to help them identify fleet risks, and optimise for safety and profitability.”

Ace Rent A Van UK eyes growth with HSBC support

London-based Ace Rent A Van UK has strengthened its fleet with the support of a six-figure asset finance facility from HSBC UK.

The facility has supported the purchase of 30 new ultra-low emission vans, to meet emission standards in the capital. With the new additions, the company now has a fleet of more than 200 self-drive vans.

Paul Verrico, company director at Ace Rent A Van UK, said: “Over the last eight-months in particular we’ve seen substantial growth across our van rentals as home delivery services have evolved and house moves have increased in line with the stamp-duty holiday.

“The new ultra-low emissions measures could have really stunted the potential growth in our business. However, HSBC UK’s support has enabled us to continue to diversify and allowed us to strengthen our fleet.”

Trakm8 strikes telematics deal with Energy Assets

Trakm8 has rolled out its RH600 integrated telematics camera across Energy Assets’ fleet of 200 vehicles, following a successful trial period.

Trakm8’s RH600 solution combines telematics data with a 4G in-cab camera system and, according to the telematics provider, can reduce accident rates by up to 39% and cut instances of speeding by 35%. 

Ben Holleyhead, fleet manager at Energy Assets, said: “The Trakm8 RH600 solution will help create a positive environmental impact via efficient route planning by not only reducing engineers’ time on the road, but also fuel used and therefore emissions.”

Holleyhead added that the feedback from drivers so far has been “overwhelmingly positive” and he is looking forward to seeing the benefits the system can deliver to the business longer term.

Lynch takes delivery of 5-star DVS Scania tippers

L Lynch Plant Hire and Haulage has taken delivery of its first Scania tippers with low height L-series cabs.

The vehicles are primarily intended for muckaway use on the High Speed Two (HS2) rail project.

Supplied by Scania (Great Britain), the trucks' low datum L-series cabs have been individually specified to achieve their Transport for London (TfL) 5-star Direct Vision Standard rating.

Stephen Bremner, Lynch fleet and health and safety director, said: “Scania’s L-series design has enabled to us to achieve the highest possible TfL Direct Vision Standard rating and support our collaborative goals of improving road safety in urban environments.”