Category Archives: Vans In Business

News and information relating to the use and function of vans by UK businesses.

Environment Agency Chooses Citroën Vans To Cut Emissions

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Citroen Berlingo Enterprise belonging to the Environment Agency

The Environment Agency has taken delivery of 31 Citroën Berlingo vans fitted with bespoke Bristor Racking Systems, Lighting Bars and other accessories

The Environment Agency (EA) has just bought 31 Citroën Berlingo HDi 90 Enterprise small vans as part of its commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of its light commercial vehicle (LCV) fleet.

Graham Patrickson, EA Fleet Operations Manager, explains:

“This latest purchase of Berlingo vans is part of the EA’s continuing drive to reduce the carbon footprint of its LCV fleet, while reducing costs and raising operational efficiency.  Not only meeting, but exceeding our green targets is at the forefront in all our vehicle selection processes – and the Berlingo Enterprise has all the green credentials required by the EA.”

The EA – an agency within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – is allocating its 31 Berlingo vans to staff involved in flood defence and maintenance work, as well as to EA specialists carrying out environmental management monitoring.

To meet individual user requirements, the EA has worked with racking specialist Bri-Stor to develop a number of internal racking layouts and equipment specifications.

Bri-Stor is fitting the Berlingos with its latest high tensile steel racking (which is up to 45% lighter than the system previously supplied to the EA), white polycarbonate load area lining and roof light bars, while the users get a choice of options, including hand wash units, tow bars, ladder racks, inverters and roof vents.

Supplied through Springfield Citroën of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the well-equipped Berlingo Enterprise vans come with air conditioning, Bluetooth® and rear park sensors as standard and have Citroën’s Trafficmaster package, which includes Smartnav satellite navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking. The EA will operate its Berlingo vans for a minimum of five years, with the maintenance out-sourced to Hitachi Capital.

B&Q Shopper Wins New Vauxhall Van In Prize Draw

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Vauxhall Combo winner Stuart Weir at B&Q Tradepoint Aberdeen

Vauxhall Combo winner Stuart Weir at B&Q Tradepoint Aberdeen

B&Q Warehouse customer Stuart Weir has won a brand new Vauxhall Combo van, thanks to a competition being run by Vauxhall and B&Q’s trade subsidiary, Tradepoint.

The brand new white Vauxhall Combo ecoFLEX 1.3CDTi (90PS) van with Start/Stop was presented to lucky winner Stuart, who is from Peterhead, at the B&Q Warehouse store in Aberdeen.

The new Combo was given away as part of a promotional campaign involving 97 days of events at 58 B&Q stores throughout the UK.

Stuart entered the prize draw during the event at the B&Q Aberdeen store where local Vauxhall retailer Peter Vardy was displaying the full range of Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles, including a new Combo similar to the one Stuart has won.

Stuart said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to have won new Vauxhall Combo and will make very good use of its versatility and capability.”

Regular B&Q customers around the UK may already be familiar with the companies van-centric brand — global rental giant Hertz operates its Hertz on Demand hourly rental scheme from more than 100 B&Q branches around the UK.

White Knight Takes Six New Iveco Daily Vans

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White Knight Laundry Services Iveco Daily

White Knight Laundry Services Iveco Daily

White Knight Laundry Services, which holds a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty The Queen as launderers and dry cleaners, has taken delivery of six new 3.5 tonne Daily panel vans, each finished in the firm’s striking new purple livery.

The Reading-based company – which has been trading for more than a century – ordered the new long wheelbase Daily 35S13 vans to replace six older Daily vehicles which have provided excellent service for the last five years.

Richard Bucksey, Transport Manager at White Knight Laundry Services, says:

“We’ve purchased Iveco Daily vans several times before; they are the perfect size for our requirements, have always been very reliable and are popular with our drivers.

The nature of our work means we must be able to reach places with limited access for commercial vehicles, particularly in the centre of London.  Despite being such a large van, the Daily’s tight turning circle and excellent all-round visibility means we haven’t found a customer’s site we can’t access yet! The Daily’s overall manoeuvrability has been a key factor in our decision to keep buying from Iveco.”

The Daily vans join a fleet totalling 30 commercial vehicles, which includes a further seven Dailys plus two 18 tonne Iveco Eurocargos. They will operate from the company’s Reading depot, servicing predominantly commercial customers, including hotels, restaurants, healthcare establishments, schools and colleges.

Each of the new Daily vans is built for easy load handling, featuring twin rear doors with a generous 1.78m opening height and offering a maximum interior height of 1.9m, which allows the driver to move about freely in the cargo area.  The rear doors can also be opened 270 degrees wide, folding back against the side of the vehicle, whilst a sliding door has been specified to provide optimal access.

Built on a 3,950mm wheelbase and with a medium height roof, the new Dailys offer 15.6m³ of loadspace and a potential payload capacity of more than 1.2 tonnes. They have been supplied by Iveco dealer Grays Truck & Van, which is conveniently located just 9 miles from the customer’s headquarters in Reading.

White Knight Laundry Services expect to keep the new vans in operation for approximately five years, with each vehicle covering up to 50,000 miles a year and on the road between five and six days a week. They have each been specified with the ‘Daily Plus’ options pack, which adds cruise control, provision for a TomTom navigation unit, heated electric mirrors and an additional storage shelf to the already comprehensive specification.

Nissan e-NV200 Electric Van Completes Winter Testing With Flying Colours

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Nissan ENV200 electric van in British Gas livery at CV Show

A pimped Nissan ENV200 electric van in British Gas livery at the 2013 CV Show

On the opening day of the Commercial Vehicle Show, British Gas has announced the conclusion of an intensive month long Nissan eNV200 test programme ahead of its plan to make a substantial proportion of its 13,000 strong LCV fleet electric by 2015.

The cold weather testing programme was conducted in and around Nissan’s Sunderland Plant and testing facility, aimed at getting feedback from various British Gas departments on the 100% electric van driving experience.

With the rising cost of filling up at the pump, the 100% electric e-NV200 promises to help reduce fleets’ running costs while also helping the environment by bringing CO2 down to zero at the point of use.

The recent test in Sunderland saw the zero emission eNV200 run part laden to recreate the conditions of its working life. With temperatures dropping to -12 °C during testing, the UK weather didn’t disappoint and neither did the e-NV200.

During the testing, British Gas engineers, members of the fleet team and part of the management board plus eight members of GMB union successfully put the e-NV200 to the test, demonstrating the pioneering van can be driven safely by staff across British Gas.

Nissan NV200 electric van British Gas trial

The original NV200 electric van that was trialled by British Gas

The company first tested the zero emission e-NV200 in 2012 when drivers praised the van for its driver comfort and generous payload.

The Nissan e-NV200 is a breakthrough zero emission compact van combining certain attributes of two award winning models, the best in class EV power train from the Leaf and the class leading cargo area within a compact body of the NV200.

Bringing electric vehicle benefits to the business world, the e-NV200 offers effective running costs, sustainability and new business opportunities for drivers, such as night time deliveries.

Colin Marriott, fleet general manager at British Gas said:

“We have been very impressed with all elements of the Nissan e-NV200. After our month long test in 2012 which went well the cold weather testing was vitally important to establish the van’s characteristics in real life working conditions. The drivers enjoyed the experience and the vehicle’s performance and reliability. We will now continue further testing in 2013 and 2014 ahead of us deciding our future fleet mix.”

Renault Master Low Loader Delivers For Masons Moving Group

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Masons Moving Group Renault Master with low floor and loading rampBarry-based international removals company, Masons Moving Group Ltd., has taken delivery of two new Renault Master 150.35 low loader Luton vans. 

The 150hp, 3.5 tonne vehicles have been specified with a low-floor luton body and fold down rear loading ramp, that negates the need for a tail lift, saving weight and speeding up loading. The new vans will be used to support the Barry-based company’s European and International removal and packing service, for businesses and homes across the UK.

Gordon Mason, owner, Masons Moving Group says:

“We had heard good things about the Renault Master and so decided to trial the vehicle. The low loader body appealed as it enables faster loading, with no need for a tail lift. The Renault Master’s payload is also impressive with enough space for larger, bulkier items. Another advantage is its tight turning circle – something that is a huge benefit when undertaking removals from residential areas and businesses in built up locations.”

“As a company, image is very important to us – the Master is a great looking vehicle which reflects the high standards of quality for which Masons Moving Group is renowned.”

Masons Moving Group Ltd. is an independent, family company that has been providing removals and storage across the country and the world for over 100 years. The company was set up in 1905 as a horse and cart operation and now, in its third generation, has grown to become an International removals business, offering home and office moves, storage and packing services. Based in South Wales, the company has depots in Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend and Swansea.

Center Parcs Takes 22 Renault Electric Vans

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Renault Kangoo Maxi Van Z.E. electric van in Center Parcs livery

Two of Center Parcs’ Renault Kangoo Maxi Van Z.E. electric vans.

Center Parcs has taken delivery of 22 new all-electric Renault Kangoo Maxi Van Z.E. models.

The new models were handed over recently at Sherwood Forest and will be used across Center Parcs’ other UK villages including, Elveden Forest, Longleat Forest and Whinfell Forest and its forthcoming fifth village, Woburn Forest, due to open Spring 2014.

The new electric vehicles form part of a fleet of 150 vehicles and will be used by the technical services and maintenance division and the “Dining-In” takeaway delivery operation which transports food and beverages to guests.

The Kangoo Van Z.E.s were chosen after a rigorous selection process, with Newark-based Center Parcs keen to ensure its vehicle fleet is as green as possible, in keeping with its overall sustainability ethos.  The Kangoo vans beat competition based on a range of factors including running costs, reliability, practicality, payload and purchase price.

Center Parcs Operations and Development Director, Paul Kent, said:

“It is important for us to ensure that Center Parcs’ commercial vehicle fleet is the most efficient and least polluting option possible. The new Kangoo Van Z.E.s take this ethos to the next level, bringing non-polluting electric vehicles to each Center Parcs village. We’re delighted to be continuing our commitment to ensure Center Parcs reduces its impact on the environment.”

Andy Heiron, Head of Electric Vehicle Programme at Renault UK, handed over the keys to the vans at Center Parcs, commenting:

“The Kangoo Van Z.E. and our electric range as a whole offer a winning combination of practicality and reliability, plus they are respectful of the environment with no tailpipe emissions at all.  We are delighted that Center Parcs have chosen our Z.E. range for their fleet requirements and know that their staff will appreciate the vans’ comfort and ergonomics.”

As I’ve pointed out several times before, electric vans make far more sense than electric cars in many cases, due to their predictable daily usage patterns and regular overnight bases, where electric charging is often easier than it would be for individuals at their homes.

Asda’s Boosts Home Delivery Fleet With 250 New Iveco Daily Units

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Iveco Daily Asda home delivery

Iveco is delivering a further 250 3.5 tonne Daily home delivery vehicles to supermarket giant Asda, as part of a total order for 700 identical light commercials placed during 2012.

Iveco is delivering a further 250 3.5 tonne Daily home delivery vehicles to supermarket giant Asda, as part of a total order for 700 identical light commercials placed during 2012.

Forty of the new vehicles will be operated from Leeds-based Asda’s state-of-the-art new Home Shopping Centre in Nottingham, which was officially opened on 19 February 2013.

This latest Daily 35S11 AGile order boosts the Asda home shopping fleet to more than 1,600 vehicles nationwide – of which 1,150 will be Dailys. Watford-based Iveco has secured 100 per cent of Asda’s home delivery fleet orders during 2011 and 2012, following a successful trial of 50 Dailys in 2010.

Sean Clifton, Asda’s Grocery Home Shopping Fleet Contract Manager, explains: “Asda conducted trials with the Daily three years ago and on the strength of its performance and projected whole life costs, we’ve been steadily growing our fleet with Iveco vehicles ever since.”

The latest Daily chassis cabs to enter service are mounted with Solomon multi-compartment refrigerated bodies and predominantly Hubbard temperature control units.  This specification allows Asda to transport a mix of ambient, chilled and frozen produce directly from Asda stores to the customer’s front door.

Commenting on the performance of the Dailys, Clifton adds: “Our home delivery operation is one of the most challenging applications for any light commercial vehicle, due to the length of each vehicle’s working day and the number of loads we carry every 24 hours.

“Despite this, the Daily is proving incredibly durable, and the introduction of the AGile automated transmission is making life easier for our drivers and helping to deliver important fuel savings which make our fleet even greener.”

The Dailys will be in operation seven days a week for four years, and will be serviced overnight by the Iveco dealer network, maximising fleet uptime.  All 700 of the Dailys ordered in 2012 will benefit from the latest interior upgrades, which include a new adjustable steering column, and an improved multi-way adjustable driver’s seat.

Each of the Asda Iveco Dailys is powered by a 2.3 litre FPT Industrial engine capable of delivering up to 106 hp between 2,700 and 3,900 rev/min, and up to 270 Nm of torque between 1,800 and 2,600 rev/min.

APC Overnight Takes Delivery of 200th Citroën Relay

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Citroën Relay in APC Overnight livery

One of Delivered’s Citroën Relays in APC Overnight livery.

APC Overnight, the UK’s largest next-day parcel delivery network, now has 200 Citroën Relay 35 L3H2 HDi 130 6-speed manual panel vans in service. The landmark 200th Relay is one of five purchased by Delivered, one of APC Overnight’s largest members, with depots at High Wycombe, Slough and Reading.

Martin Cavendish, Delivered’s Group Operations Manager, explains:

“These latest Citroëns are the first we have bought through the special APC Overnight members’ arrangement with Citroën Coventry. This allows us to buy our new Relays and operate them for four years, which is financially advantageous, saving a considerable amount of money compared with leasing or contract hiring other makes of vehicle. We have a lot of operating experience with Citroën vans and know they can cover very high mileages economically and reliably.”

During their four years’ service with Delivered, the new vans will cover some 120,000 miles. They will form part of the company’s fleet, which delivers around 3,000 parcels per day. This intensive stop/start operation can see the Relays carry out up to 100 deliveries and collections per day. Delivered is responsible for APC Overnight consignments within an area that includes West London and parts of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

Delivered’s five new Relays are to APC Overnight’s specification, with a full steel bulkhead, Bluetooth® and rear parking sensors added to the vans’ comprehensive standard specification, which includes Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking. Supplying dealer, Citroën Coventry, has also liveried all the Delivered Relays in APC Overnight’s striking colours.

APC Overnight members are independent locally-owned businesses and operate some 115 depots throughout the UK. Collectively they handle more than 1,000,000 parcels per month.

Fife Council Buys 30 Volkswagen Crafter Vans for Grounds Fleet

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Volkswagen Crafter panel vanFife Council has purchased a further 30 Volkswagen Crafter large vans, as part of its vehicle replacement programme.

Andrew Salmond, Fife Council’s Fleet Officer, cited the Crafter’s quality, towing ability and size as key factors in the decision to buy the vans, which will be used by the Council’s Parks and Countryside department as part of its ground maintenance fleet:

“The capacity and reliability of the vehicles was instrumental in the procurement process.  We have a number of vehicles in use across the region and have always been pleased with the performance of the Crafter.”

The Crafter is the largest model in the Volkswagen van range, offering load volumes from 7.5 m3 to 17 m3, payloads from 1,544 kg to 2,693 kg, and efficient BlueMotion and BlueMotion Technology engines delivering combined fuel consumption of up to 39.8 mpg and a potential range of over 650 miles.

One of Kirkcaldy-based Fife Council’s requirements is that it is suitable for towing — presumably small plant trailers and the like. As a rear-wheel drive model (it’s based on the Sprinter platform), the Crafter should perform well as a towing vehicle, offering superior traction and stability when compared to front-wheel drive models.

Retail prices for the Crafter range start from £21,050 (plus VAT), or from £309 a month (plus VAT and initial rental) with the current contract hire and finance lease offer, including a £1,000 initial rental contribution from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Finance.  The Crafter range includes panel and window vans, single or double chassis cabs, and tipper or dropside bodies.

Network Rail’s New Iveco Daily 4x4s Corner Like They’re on Rails…

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Iveco Daily 4x4 Road Rail Vehicle

One of Network Rail’s new Iveco Daily 4×4 Road Rail Vehicles.

Network Rail is adding 29 Iveco Daily 4×4 Road Rail Vehicles (RRV) to its support fleet. Each vehicle has been specially adapted by Burton on Trent-based LH Access Technology to operate not only on-road and off-road, but also on the railways.

Network Rail’s responsibility for maintaining the majority of the UK’s rail network — which is used by 800 million passengers every year — means that these vehicles, which can drive on both roads and railway lines, will save time by enabling teams to drive straight onto the track, speeding up the time taken to get from an access point to the actual worksite.

In turn, this helps to reduce the time crews are on-site and means essential repairs cause less disruption to rail passengers.

The 5.5 tonne Daily 55S17DW chassis crew cabs will be used for carrying crew and materials directly to site for general maintenance activities. A flexible bodywork structure allows each vehicle to be adapted for a series of possible applications, with options including a crane and a cable drum dispenser.

Prior to entering service, the first Daily 4×4 was put through a rigorous 100 hours of testing to ensure its complete reliability on a section of test track in Nottinghamshire. This saw the Daily operated backwards and forwards, up and down the track continually, checking every component was functioning as expected.  The customer then carried out detailed compliance testing to ensure the vehicle could safely navigate over switches and crosses, over high check rails, down gradients, as well as being able to easily get on and off the track. The testing phase also included braking trials on the rails in both dry and wet conditions, to ensure the vehicle is fully fit for purpose.

Equipped with a factory-built crew cab, the Daily 4×4 can accommodate a driver and two crew in the front, and a further four crew in the rear section of the cabin, with each seat featuring a full headrest.  The cab roof is also fitted with a series of floodlights to meet the requirements for conducting track inspections.

The Daily 4x4s have been supplied through Sheffield-based Iveco dealer Sherwood Truck & Van and are powered by a 3.0 litre FPT Industrial engine, capable of producing up to 170 hp between 2,990 and 3,500 rev/min, and up to 400 Nm of torque between 1,250 and 2,990 rev/min, driven through a six speed synchromesh gearbox.