Liam Nicholas

HGV market holds steady as rigid uptake rises - UK new heavy vehicle market grows 2.6% in Q2 as overall uptake stabilises following bumper 2023. - Rigid demand rises 9.7% and takes greater share of registrations as market continues to normalise. - Zero emission truck uptake rises 30.0% in the quarter but still only 0.6% market share. https://lnkd.in/e_4A89RT

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🚗☀️The summer holidays are here which means the vehicle rental industry is booming, but so are car thefts. Figures from the ONS show that 350 vehicles are stolen everyday. https://lnkd.in/emfT7rkH Prohire Companion offers a solution. 🌟 📍Live location: Keep tabs on every vehicle in your fleet at all times 🚨Alerts: Stay informed about the activity of your vehicles ⚙️Optimise operations: Prohire Companion is a simple solution that increases the efficiency of your business by protecting your fleet from theft. Choose Prohire Software and take control of your fleet like never before! 🚀 #ProhireCompanion #VehicleRental #VehicleTracking #Efficiency #FleetManagement

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5,000 Fleet Packs Winter Packs Supplied in Just 4 Weeks! 🚨 Don’t let this be your customer or driver. Last year, UK roads faced: 🚗 1.9 million vehicle breakdowns, often due to cold-weather issues. ⚠️ 1,624 fatalities—with 45% involving car occupants. The message is clear: Preparation saves lives. At Fleet Packs, we’re proud to supply Winter Driving Safety Packs tailored to keep drivers safe. Packed with essentials like: ✅ High-visibility vests ✅ Jump leads ✅ De-icing tools ✅ Emergency blankets And more!! Our kits are designed to handle the toughest winter conditions. Not only can you protect your drivers and customers, but you can also turn these packs into a valuable revenue stream by offering to your existing customers. 🛠️ Winter is Coming—Are Your Drivers and Customers Ready? 👉 Get in touch to learn more. Together, let’s make UK roads safer this winter. #RoadSafety #WinterReady #FleetSolutions

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Half of UK van drivers admit to overloading their vehicle Almost half (48%) of UK van drivers admitted that they overloaded their vans last year*, according to a survey by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK. This figure is despite 89% of drivers claiming to know the legal weight restriction for their light commercial vehicle (LCV). Overloading your vehicle by as much as 30% of its gross vehicle weight could lead to a fine of up to £300, meaning the nation’s van drivers are risking a combined £703 million in penalties. Anything above 30% overloaded and offenders may even be issued with a court summons and a custodial sentence in the most serious cases. The survey found that 66% of young people (aged 18-24) had driven their van overloaded in the year, followed by 63% of over 65 year olds. Additionally, the survey showed that carpenters are the tradespeople most likely to overload their vans (63%); closely followed by builders (60%), electricians (55%) and painter decorators (55%). Overloading penalties In the UK, the maximum gross vehicle weight for an LCV is 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg), rising to 4.25 tonnes (4,250kg) for an alternatively-fuelled vehicle, with the driver licence derogation. Percentage overweight (of gross vehicle weight) Penalty charge 5 – 9.99%, £100 fine 10 – 14.99%, £200 fine 15 – 29.99%, £300 fine Over 30%, Court summons A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) spokesperson said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their vehicle is safe to drive. They should make sure they know the maximum permitted gross vehicle weight and limits on each axle of their vehicle. For a cost effective reliable solution visit www.smartweigh.co.uk or call 01603 485153

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This weeks Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Transport News Brief, Buses zooming to decarbonisation but trucks are lagging Today SMMT published its new heavy vehicle registration figures for quarter three with 2,367 new buses and another 10,839 HGVs hitting UK roads between July and September. It is a mixed picture for each, with one performing well and the other yet to pick up speed. Demand for new buses, coaches and minibuses was up a stonking 36.1% in Q3 compared with last year, with fleet renewal rising for an amazing year and half. There was growth in every segment and the strongest uptake was with new minibuses and single deckers, up 38.4% and 36.4% to 1,486 and 461 units respectively. Deliveries of new double deckers also rose, by a very respectable 28.4% to 420 units. Britain is blessed with a number of the world’s very best manufacturers in this sector, and with 14 different cutting-edge zero emission bus (ZEB) models from a wide range of brands now available to UK businesses, it is fantastic that demand for them rose by almost half (48.0%) to 484 units last quarter. The result? In the first nine months of the year, ZEBs made up a fifth (20.9%) of all fleet renewal, totalling 1,230 vehicles. But such an amount would not have been possible without government funding such as the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) and Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge (ScotZEB) schemes. Many operators have tight margins which can be a big barrier for decarbonisation. Turning our attention SMMT’s new HGV registration figures, the Q3 market declined by 6.0% compared to a strong quarter last year, and following economic uncertainty during the first half of 2024 when operators would have placed new orders. It’s very positive therefore that overall uptake is still above pre-pandemic levels. We also have reasons to be optimistic about zero emission truck uptake because the UK has the second biggest market for them by volume in Europe. But it’s a concern that registrations almost halved in Q3, -47.1% below 2023 with a market share of 0.5%, down from 0.8% last year. Operators continue to face significant barriers to making the switch on a larger scale, such as a Plug-in Truck Grant which does not give access to every vehicle on the new HGV market, as well as an absence of public and shared hub chargepoints. Addressing these two issues would begin to make a difference. Overall for the new heavy vehicle markets, 2024 has been a highly competitive year and with Christmas and New Year on the horizon, manufacturers will be pulling out all the stops to get existing orders delivered and into the hands of operators. Looking further ahead, the Commercial Vehicle Show on 29 April-1 May will be a key opportunity for OEMs looking to showcase their latest products, and operators seeking fresh expertise on how to maximise the benefits of fleet renewal. With registrations now open, you can sign up here.

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💬 Budget 2024: What It Means for Motorists As part of Talk Money Week, let’s break down what the latest budget means for drivers: 🔹 Fuel Duty Freeze – Fuel duty remains frozen until 2028, helping drivers manage running costs. This means EVs will stay significantly cheaper to operate (especially if you can charge at home). 🔹 EV Benefits Hold Steady – Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax on EVs is also frozen, making EVs a financially smart choice for salary sacrifice schemes. However, while green tech investment is up, the need for improved street charging infrastructure remains. 🔹 Salary Sacrifice Options – With rising National Insurance for employers, salary sacrifice options (for cars and pensions) become an even better choice to support both businesses and drivers. 👉 Want to learn more? Check out our blog for a deeper dive on Budget 2024’s impact on motorists https://lnkd.in/e8i2igCx #TalkMoneyWeek #Budget2024 #EVBenefits #FleetEvolution #MotoristSavings

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Breaking news: 📢 Year-on-Year KSI Figures Increase – Urgent Action Needed to Address Growing Tyre Safety Crisis The Department for Transport has released the latest “Reported Road Casualties Great Britain”, annual report for 2023. While there is a trend for a reduction in road casualties, the report details a concerning and significant increase in Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) casualties linked to tyre-related incidents The year-on-year increase highlights a growing problem on our roads, underscoring the urgent need for stronger action to address tyre safety. The 2023 figures document a (29%) rise in KSI casualties compared to 2022 (from 147 to 190), the highest number of casualties due to tyre defects since 2018. This increase suggests that despite ongoing efforts, tyre safety remains a significant issue, and more needs to be done to prevent avoidable deaths and injuries. Shockingly, this figure is on par with mobile phone-related casualties. Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, stated, “These figures are a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to tyre safety. The increase in KSI casualties is deeply troubling and demonstrates that current efforts in both supporting road users to check their tyres, but also that reporting measures are not sufficient to reflect the scale of the issue, which we know from our own research is vast. We must act now to prevent further tragedies on our roads. “The increase in tyre-related KSI’s is a call to action to raise the level of debate and understanding of the impact of dangerous and unroadworthy tyres. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to hit the nation's pockets hard TyreSafe will continue to campaign to see drivers and riders understand how they can reduce their risks of an incident. Now is the time for Government to address this growing trend with more focus on tackling the rise in tyre-related vehicle defects, focus on improving compliance levels in this area and launch a THINK! campaign to raise societal awareness of this dangerous trend.” To learn more and read TyreSafe's full response click here. https://lnkd.in/estvhZ3a

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Government stands firm on its ZEV Mandate electric car sales expectations Under the ZEV mandate, automakers must ensure 22% of cars and 10% of vans sold in 2024 are fully electric, with penalties of £15,000 per vehicle for non-compliance. However, some manufacturers argue these targets could undermine the competitiveness of the UK automotive sector. https://lnkd.in/eqVP4Uu7

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⚠️⚠️1 in 4 vehicles has a DANGEROUS defect ⚠️⚠️ Based on figures released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), in 2023, 1 in 4 vehicles failed their MOTs, many with dangerous defects (1). Worryingly, 29% of those vehicles had dangerous brake defects, 25% failed due to reflectors and electrical equipment and 19% failed due to suspension issues. Vehicle defects can contribute to a collision occuring or may even be the direct cause, but without knowing about the defects in the first place, how can you quantify their effect on the collision and potential outcome? As an example, where the anti-lock brake element of a vehicles braking system isn't working, it may deny a driver the opportunity to steer away from a collision, rather than simply trying to avoid the collision by braking alone. Driven Forensics have been forensically inspecting vehicles for around seven years, in which time, we have inspected pedal cycles, motorcycles, cars, light commercials, minibuses, buses, coaches, large goods vehicles and trailers. We provide a national inspection service. Once instructed, we can make all the necessary arrangements, complete the vehicle inspection, capture high quality images of the vehicle as well as any defects identified and provide a report that is suitable for your needs. This can be as simple as an email or as complex as a Court compliant vehicle inspection report. We can prepare reports for both criminal and civil proceedings. t. 0113 534 8708 | e. [email protected] (1) - https://lnkd.in/ec-UC2gs

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The simplicity of EV has been brought home to me this week, a friend has a VW Tiguan that alledegely suffered total engine failure although the dealer has been carrying out further tests which disprove this theory. However I'm sure had the vehicle been electric the problem would have been much easier to diagnose and far less stressful for all parties concerned. I was born in an era where the Ford side valve and BMC A series petrol ICE's were king, these engines were simple to fix, not very refined and drunk a pint of oil every 3,000 miles. Over the years they have become far more refined, much more efficient and use far less oil, but has the ICE had its day? I think so. We're at a crossroads I think, whilst we have a good number of EV drivers who embrace their daily drive, many who find hybrids a better option and still many who still hate the idea of anything not ICE. As I work in the CV sector I'm finding ICE faults and failure much more common and some German manufacturers whos vans used to appear bomb proof are far less so, for me the jury's out !!

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📈Significant hike in car part prices according to epyx Ltd. data, reported by Fleet News this week. Prices have risen by 35% in the past 4 years with the biggest increase seen in headlamp bulbs – up 45% and clutches up 40%. Important for fleets to be aware when planning SMR budgets 👇 #WeDo #FleetManagement #Uptime #automotive https://lnkd.in/eYGhSuTV

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#Volkswagen Transporter [74 Plate Delivery Mileage] Marshall Exclusive Offer. Available from £347.10 a month, £5,796 Customer Deposit³, £1,000 Marshall Deposit Contribution*, £1,000 Deposit Contribution¹ & 8.8% APR Representative† on Solutions Personal Contract Plan. Discover offer > https://lnkd.in/eSCcMBDx Marshall Motor Group Limited is a credit-broker not a lender. Finance is subject to status. Terms & Conditions apply. We may receive a finance commission from the lender for arranging finance for you. For further information on our commission arrangements please see our Finance Commission Disclosure Statement https://lnkd.in/eRvajMRc REPRESENTATIVE FINANCE EXAMPLE: Drive Away today in a new T6.1 Transporter T28 SWB 2.0TDI 110ps HIGHLINE from £347.10 a month on Solutions PCP. Representative example based on a 49 month, 10,000 mile per annum Solutions Personal Contract Plan agreement†: Transporter T28 SWB Diesel 2.0 TDI 110^^. Duration: 49 months. 48 monthly payments of: £347.10. Deposit contribution 1: £1,000.00. Marshall exclusive deposit contribution*: £1,000.00. Customer deposit 3: £5,796.00. On the road retail cash price: £34,776.00. Optional final payment: £18,225.00. Total amount of credit: £26,980.00. Total amount payable: £42,691.80. Option to purchase fee^: £10.00. Representative APR: 8.8% APR. Rate of interest: 8.84% Fixed. Excess mileage charge (inc VAT): 7.2p per mile.​ †With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. Ordered by 31/10/24 T&Cs apply. Indemnities may be required. Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Car Insurance is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited. At the end of the agreement there are three options: i) pay the optional final payment and own the vehicle; ii) return the vehicle: subject to excess mileage and fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. 18s+. Subject to availability and status. T&Cs apply. Ordered by 31/10/24 from participating Marshall Volkswagen Retailers. Indemnities may be required. Subject to changes in vehicle or equipment prices. Not available in conjunction with any other finance offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Accurate at time of publication 10/24. Freepost Volkswagen Financial Services. ^^ Based on 74 plate delivery mileage vehicle. ^Payable at the end of your agreement. 1 £1,000 towards your deposit when purchased on Solutions PCP. * £1,000 towards your deposit when purchased on Solutions PCP. 2 Payable with first payment. 3 Payable with first payment. 4 Service Plan covers first two consecutive services limited to 1 x Oil Service and 1 x Oil and Inspection Service and 1 x Pollen Filter replacement. Excludes electric vehicles, Amarok and California model range.

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Is the UK bus sector on the fast track to recovery? According to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)'s Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, the sector’s impressive 61.7% rise in new vehicle registrations marks its fifth consecutive quarter of growth. With government initiatives and a surge in zero-emission buses, the industry is steering towards a greener future. #PublicTransport #NetZero #UKGrowth

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Speed Limiters for Young Drivers: A Crucial Safety Measure In recent years, the alarming rate of #highspeed #accidents involving young drivers has prompted discussions on effective measures to curb this trend. One promising solution gaining traction is the implementation of #speedlimiters in vehicles driven by young motorists. Speed limiters, devices designed to restrict the maximum speed of a vehicle, present a pragmatic approach to enhancing #roadsafety and reducing #fatalities among novice drivers. The Problem Young drivers, often characterised by their limited driving experience and propensity for risk-taking, are disproportionately represented in high-speed accidents. Statistics reveal that this demographic is more likely to be involved in severe crashes, with #excessive #speed being a significant contributing factor. The combination of inexperience and a tendency to overestimate their driving abilities can lead to disastrous consequences on the road. How Speed Limiters Work Speed limiters function by capping the #maximum #speed a vehicle can achieve. This is achieved through various technologies, including #GPS-based systems and mechanical devices that control the fuel injection or throttle. By setting a predefined speed limit, typically around 70 mph (112 km/h), speed limiters ensure that young drivers cannot exceed safe speeds, thereby reducing the risk of high-speed collisions. Benefits Enhanced Safety - The primary benefit of speed limiters is the significant reduction in the likelihood of high-speed accidents. By preventing vehicles from exceeding safe speed thresholds, speed limiters help young drivers maintain control, especially in challenging driving conditions. Reduced Fatalities and Injuries - Lower speeds result in less severe impacts in the event of a collision. This translates to fewer fatalities and injuries, alleviating the emotional and financial burden on families and healthcare systems. Promoting Safe Driving Habits - Speed limiters encourage young drivers to adopt safer driving habits. Over time, these habits become ingrained, leading to a generation of more responsible and cautious motorists. Environmental Impact - Driving at controlled speeds can lead to improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Speed limiters thus contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting eco-friendly driving practices. Challenges and Considerations While the benefits are clear, the implementation of speed limiters is not without challenges. By implementing speed limiters, society can take a significant step towards protecting its youngest and most vulnerable drivers, ensuring that the joy of driving does not come at the cost of lives. What are your thoughts? #RoadSafety #YoungDrivers #SafeDriving #ReduceAccidents #TeenDriverSafety #SaveLives #DrivingResponsibly #VehicleSafety #SpeedControl #InexperiencedDrivers #TrafficSafety #HighSpeedRisks #DriveSafe #SafetyFirst #RoadAwareness #AccidentPrevention #SafetyMeasures

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According to figures released by motor industry association SMMT new heavy vehicle registration figures for quarter three included 10,839 HGVs hitting UK roads between July and September. There is optimism about zero-emission truck uptake because the UK has the second biggest market for them by volume in Europe. But registrations almost halved in Q3, -47.1% below 2023 with a market share of 0.5%, down from 0.8% last year. The SMMT reports that operators continue to face significant barriers to making the switch on a larger scale, such as a Plug-in Truck Grant which does not give access to every vehicle on the new HGV market, as well as an absence of public and shared hub chargepoints. Addressing these two issues would begin to make a difference. Read the full details https://lnkd.in/eCbm3ptM

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If you missed the ‘Understanding how to transition to EVs’ event on 21 May in Cheshire, there were some really interesting takeaways, here are some quick highlights: TRANSITIONING TO AN EV FACTORY Dianne Miller   Ellesmere Port Plant Director   Stellantis The Stellantis plant at Ellesmere Port is transitioning to an EV factory as part of a £130 million investment. The site traditionally manufactured Vauxhall cars such as the Astra, but has now switched to building electric vans, and it’s the company’s first all-electric vehicle factory in the UK, and in the world. Batteries for the electric vans are assembled at the site, by highly trained employees in a new £27 million battery assembly shop. Stellantis has its own ship bringing parts to the factory, which docks just three miles away from the plant – and electric tugs are soon due to help the components get delivered all the way to the factory. This means that planes and 400 truck trailers are no longer needed to transport parts. With help from its own renewable energy generation, the factory – which is due to celebrate its 60-year anniversary on 12 June – is due to be carbon neutral by 2027. There are also plans for an ‘Electric Streets’ project. Dianne said that it’s disappointing that the end of sale date for new petrol and diesel cars and vans has been delayed from 2030 to 2035, but Stellantis will be moving ahead with its electrification plans for 2030 regardless. MOVING TO A NET ZERO ELECTRICITY NETWORK   Rachel Shorney   Strategic Optimisation Team Manager   SP Energy Networks Rachel Shorney explained how SP Energy Networks is investing in the network to support the UK’s move to net zero. The headline is that businesses should share their decarbonisation plans as early as possible to ensure that the SP Energy Networks can plan for and accommodate their energy requirements for the future. Significant projects can have long lead times, worsened by global events that are creating supply chain issues. To connect a new EV charging hub, a new transformer may be needed. Due to demand globally, with all countries moving towards net zero, and developments such as the war in Ukraine, the lead time to source and install a new transformer has risen from around two and a half years to five years, and is currently around six to seven years. Costs have also risen; a new primary substation is now likely to cost around £2-£3 million, and to take 2-3 years to build. Rachel suggested that the move to net zero offers wide-ranging career opportunities for anyone due to enter the jobs market in the coming years. How businesses can reduce their carbon emissions If you’re a business, then you’ll need to reduce your carbon emissions – either by leading on this yourself, or by being forced down this route by your customers at some stage... Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eqmsQmkY

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