Car sharing network Zipcar is trialling 10 petrol-powered Volkswagen Transporters in London.
Car-sharing network Zipcar has added 10 petrol-powered Volkswagen Transporter vans to its London-based fleet.
The 10 new Transporter models, all T28 Trendline panel vans with a 2.0-litre TSI 150 PS engine and manual gearbox, will be available to hire from Zipcar’s London-based fleet locations. They join the 400+ diesel-powered vans currently on offer to those who need a vehicle on a flexible basis, from an hour to a day or more.
The new vans will be operated on a year-long trial in the capital, as part of a move to re-introduce petrol power to the van market.
Commenting on the petrol van pilot, Jonathan Hampson, General Manager of Zipcar UK, said:
“The Mayor of London recently outlined plans to actively reduce the use of diesel in the capital. We have already completed the removal of diesel from our car fleet, and whilst this is significantly more complex in the commercial vehicle market, we’re delighted to partner with Volkswagen to continue with this process.
The vans have been wrapped with a special livery which makes it clear that they aren’t diesel — including a graphic reminder on the fuel flap.
Changes are coming
Petrol power was once commonplace on vans, but the torque and efficiency of modern turbo-diesels means that petrol engines have more or less disappeared from the European van market since the early 1990s. But in the face of concerns about diesel pollution and the unsuitability of DPF-fitted vans for low-mileage operation, manufacturers are starting to reverse this situation.
Commenting on the shifting market, VW Commercial Vehicles Head of Marketing Sarah Cox said:
“The van market is currently dominated by diesel, but we know that customers are aware of changes to legislation and looking for other options.”
“They’re scanning the market for guidance on what will be right for their fleets not just today or tomorrow, but in three or five years’ time. We’re pleased to be able to offer customers, in collaboration with Zipcar, the chance to try something new.
Zipcar is owned by car rental giant Avis Budget, so it has significant purchasing power and access to major corporate hire customers. Feedback from this trial could well result in petrol vans gaining a larger presence in daily van rental fleets over the next few years.
One potential advantage is that they’re cheaper to buy. As we reported in July, the new petrol-powered models are around £1,000 than equivalent diesel models. Although fuel consumption will be higher and residual values are — for now — less certain, petrol already makes a lot of sense for low mileage drivers in my opinon.
Given the strong performance of the latest generation of petrol turbo engines, I expect to see a lot more petrol vans on the road in the next 3-5 years.