Allan Gibbons

The @DVSA recently published the results for commercial vehicle fleet compliance for 2020 to 2022. The report summarises the roadworthiness and traffic compliance of HGVs and trailers and GB registered public service vehicles. It makes interesting reading and is a great reminder for you to book a place on Back Academy's next management of effective maintenance training session on 2 May. #training #compliance #hgv #psv https://lnkd.in/eH_ZqMf4

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The @DVSA recently published the results for commercial vehicle fleet compliance for 2020 to 2022. The report summarises the roadworthiness and traffic compliance of HGVs and trailers and GB registered public service vehicles. It makes interesting reading and is a great reminder for you to book a place on Back Academy's next management of effective maintenance training session on 2 May. #training #compliance #hgv #psv https://lnkd.in/eTFPRXpR

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This week’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Transport News Brief lead comment, Rising new van uptake but the pressure is on Last month was the busiest October for the new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market in three years, according to SMMT’s latest figures, with 2.4% growth and almost 27,000 vans, pickups and 4x4s joining UK roads. Demand was also at its greenest in 2024, with electric van deliveries rising for the first time in five months, up 61.8% to 2,263 units. Fleets opting to decarbonise should be celebrated, but too few are in comparison with the UK’s mandated levels this year, with EVs representing just 5.6% of all new LCV registrations since January – a considerable distance behind our 10% ambition. It is a concern as manufacturers have made big investments to grow the choice of EVs for fleets, with more than 30 exciting and competitive models. It was welcome and necessary that the Plug-in Van Grant will continue to be available in the next financial year but, evidently, further intervention is going to be needed. Every lever will need to be pulled, especially with the mandate for EV sales planned to rise to 16% of the market next year. Fleet operators need to be confident that going electric is operationally viable but chargepoint infrastructure, certainly that which is suited to the specific needs of vans, is lacking, and remains a worry for operators that want to decarbonise. Among the actions needed is regulatory review to treat all zero emission vans equally and safely – from MOT testing and drivers’ hours to tachograph and speed limiter rules – to avoid discouraging investment. It was positive this issue was raised by Sarah Edwards MP at the House of Commons last week with Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh stating that review, initiated by the previous government, is being continued. It was disappointing for the pickup sector, though, that government is not reflecting HMRC’s decision on double cab taxation in February and will, from April 2025, treat those with a payload above one tonne as cars for capital allowances and benefits in kind. It is set to put the future of new pickup market at serious risk, heaping costs on industries which depend on these vehicles, including farming, construction, utilities and the self-employed. In a tough environment for businesses to invest, it needs to be easier and not harder for operators to replace old vehicles in their fleets, which is the quickest path to decarbonising road transport.

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The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has released an updated Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, (available at https://lnkd.in/dXKmr3Q). This guide outlines regulations, requirements, and best practices for commercial vehicle maintenance in Great Britain. From April 2025, all safety inspections are expected to include a laden brake performance assessment. New sections cover topics such as risk assessment for omitting a laden brake test, acceptable reasons for omission, and examples of laden brake testing and risk assessment.

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🚖 New Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Stats from DfT! The Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom has released the latest statistics on taxis and private hire vehicles in England and Wales. This report highlights important trends, including changes in vehicle numbers and licensing. 📉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eXFcMDiD 👉 Follow us here - Ground Transport Group

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A used car dealership has been fined more than £1600 after blaming #GDPR for their inability to identify a driver who had allegedly committed a traffic offence. The firm ended up being charged with failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle when required. I don't automatically take this at face value. Perhaps they honestly believe that data protection prevents the disclosure (they're wrong) or maybe the company's owners would prefer to pay a fine than a person get points or a prosecution individually. I remember when a certain football team near me kept getting stung because they just didn't know who was speeding in one of the club's vehicles. In a way, it doesn't matter what the truth is. One thing that hampers data protection's reputation is that so many people don't understand it. Another thing that holds it back is that it's a convenient cover for avoiding something you don't want to do. But whatever lies behind it, this story is nonsense. QUICK ADVERT: I am running my 'Data Demand' course about requests for personal data from third parties in July. I may talk about this story, but I have plenty of other practical examples to share. Link in the comments. https://lnkd.in/eVjkEpmS

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🚚 Call for new government to look again at ZEV mandate 🚚 The new government should re-examine the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate for vans, according to fleet software company FleetCheck. Managing director Peter Golding believes a range of difficulties facing LCV fleets, including the discrepancy between the capabilities of the vehicles on offer and the needs of fleets, will make the targets difficult to meet. However, Mark Barrett of Harris Maxus says that any delay in the roll out of the ZEV mandate could slow momentum in the transition to electrification. Read more online: https://lnkd.in/eicb34X5 🔔 Click our follow button to see regular van and fleet industry news and insights, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter 🔔 #WhatVan #evs #electricvans #zevmandate

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Lexus partners with Tracker to enhance vehicle security 12 September 2024 Lexus is strengthening the anti-theft measures in its vehicles in a ground-breaking new partnership with security specialist Tracker Network (UK). As an additional safeguard, compatible Lexus models can be fitted with a sophisticated Tracker S7 device, free of charge. This device is accredited by Thatcham Research, the UK’s automotive risk intelligence organisation, and approved by insurers. In the event of the vehicle being stolen, the Tracker will be activated, significantly increasing the chances of it being recovered and returned to its owner. The benefit also extends to Lexus Approved Used vehicles, with all suitable cars being given a security upgrade with the Tracker technology. As a second layer of protection, customers can download the Tracker smartphone app, providing a host of additional features, including setting a geofence alert. This automatically warns the owner if their vehicle is detected travelling beyond pre-set locations. Customers can contact Lexus Stockport to enquire if their vehicle would benefit from the fitment. Alternatively, they will be informed of the option when their vehicle is undergoing service, maintenance or repair. The Tracker devices will be supplied and fitted free of charge, inclusive of a three-year subscription. The latest Lexus models have sophisticated built-in security measures as standard, so are not included in the Tracker initiative. Again, any customer seeking confirmation of their vehicle’s status should contact Lexus Stockport. https://lnkd.in/eudeJENk

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When selling your van, providing a comprehensive vehicle history report can significantly enhance buyer confidence and facilitate a smoother transaction. A vehicle history report offers potential buyers valuable insights into the van’s past, helping them make an informed decision. Read our blog to know more! #vehiclehistory #vehicle #potentialbuyers #sellmyvan #sellyourvan #buyers #sellers #usedvan #blog #vanforce

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DVLA Announces New Tax Rules for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Learn about the DVLA's new vehicle tax regulations, impacting electric and hybrid cars from April 2025. Barnsley and South Yorkshire drivers, stay informed! https://lnkd.in/eSaiVwpx #ElectricVehicles #VED2025 #BarnsleyDrivers #SouthYorkshire #HybridCars #CarTax

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Van market records best first half since 2021 🚗 The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market declined -4.5% to 33,066 units in June, ending a record-equalling 17 month growth run, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).1 Despite the fall, the market has remained robust in the first half of the year – up by 4.5% with some 177,620 new vans, pickups and 4x4s registered in 2024, the best performance since 2021. The scale of June’s decline is, in part, artificially inflated compared with 2023 – which saw the best June performance for four years as the industry met pent-up demand following COVID. Demand varied across segments, with registrations of vans weighing more than 2.0 to 2.5 tonnes up by 14.0% to 7,169 units and those weighing less than or equal to 2.0 tonnes up 58.7% to 806. Vehicles weighing above 2.5 tonnes up to 3.5 tonnes, however, which account for two thirds of the market, fell -8.3% to 21,677 units. Pick-up and 4×4 registrations also declined in the month, by -18.1% and -20.3% respectively. Deliveries of battery electric vans (BEVs) fell for a third month this year, down -16.8% on June last year to 1,476 units.4 As a result, in the year to date, BEVs account for just 4.7% of all new light van registrations compared with 5.2% for the same period last year. With manufacturers mandated to ensure zero emission vehicles comprise a minimum of 10% of their new van registrations this year, market share heading in the opposite direction is a cause for concern. Manufacturers are working hard to deliver growing numbers of zero emission models to Britain’s roads, through new model launches and attractive offers to inspire the demand of every type of driver, but all stakeholders must play their part to deliver the market transition needed... Click to Continue Reading - https://lnkd.in/e3wJf_gq #VanMarket #LCVSales #CommercialVehicles #VanSales #MarketTrends #AutomotiveIndustry #SMMT #ElectricVans #VehicleRegistrations #TransportNews #FleetManagement #AutoSales #ZeroEmissions #ElectricVehicles #UKAutomotive #MarketPerformance #LightCommercialVehicles #AutoTrends #VanIndustry

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