Volkswagen and British Gas continue it's partnership with a further 1000 Caddy Vans added to the fleet.

• British Gas turns again to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to renew its fleet
• 1,000 new Caddy 4 models to be supplied this year
• New three year contract will see over 8,000 Caddy Maxi vans supplied
• Whole life costs and aftercare package key to securing deal

The nation’s leading energy supplier, British Gas, has once again turned to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to renew its fleet, as part of the company’s planned vehicle replacement programme. The new three year contract will see the energy company become one of the first fleets in the UK to take delivery of Volkswagen’s new Caddy 4 model.

Over 8,000 Caddy Maxi vans will take to the roads in the iconic British Gas livery, comprising this year over 1,000 new Caddy 4 models. Compact yet remarkably capable, the Caddy Maxi’s fantastic drivability and ample load carrying capacity ensured it remained the number one choice for British Gas.

British Gas helps to keep the nation’s homes stay warm, working and safe, and the service provider wanted a manufacturer that could match its reliability. With city-friendly dimensions and a car-like drive, the most compact vehicle in the Volkswagen range was the ideal choice for British Gas engineers. 

The common-rail diesel engine of the Caddy Maxi will also help reduce the carbon footprint of the business due to its low CO₂emissions.

The new three year deal was awarded to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles thanks to the quality of vehicles and aftersales support already received by British Gas, which currently runs 8,500 Caddy models. With a sizeable, well-used fleet, whole life costs were essential to securing the new contract.

Converted to British Gas specification by Bri-stor, the fleet will be supported in the long term by Volkswagen’s extensive aftersales program. Engineers will be able to access any of the 71 Volkswagen Van Centres across the country for regular servicing to help reduce vehicle downtime, and ensure the business continues to run smoothly.

Colin Marriott, Fleet Manager at British Gas, commented: “In order to provide a fantastic service to our customers, we depend on our fleet to travel the length and breadth of the country. 

It was the reliability of Volkswagen’s engineering and aftercare support that was once again a key factor when it came to renewing the fleet, and we look forward to taking delivery of the vehicles.”

Chris Black, Head of Fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, commented: “Securing a new three year deal with British Gas is a great success, and testament to the quality of the Caddy model and excellent service provided by the Volkswagen Van Centre network.

“British Gas will be one of the first fleets in the UK to take delivery of the new Caddy 4. We continue to work extremely closely with the team from British Gas and were extremely pleased that representatives from the company were able to visit the factory recently to see the first of their Caddy 4 models roll off the line, painted in their distinctive blue colour.”

Nissan Accepts two awards at the prestigious Greenfleet Awards 2014

Nissan, the global market leader in electric vehicles, is celebrating a memorable double win after picking up two of the top honours at the prestigious Greenfleet Awards 2014 in Warwickshire.

The first success came as the trailblazing e-NV200 100 per cent electric van – a vehicle capable of helping fleet van operators slash both carbon emissions and whole-life costs – was named Industry Innovation of the Year.

The evening soon got even better as the brand also receiIved the Outstanding Achievement award, in partnership with British Gas and Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions, for its hugely successful tri-party pilot of the e-NV200 on the British Gas fleet.

Presenting the award for Industry Innovation, the Greenfleet judges noted the ‘rarely-seen levels of anticipation’ that had surrounded the launch of the e-NV200 and said the model would lead a revolution in UK fleets.

Colin Boyton, Sales and Marketing Manager at Greenfleet Events, said: “The e-NV200 is a fantastic vehicle and I truly believe it will shape the eCV market from here on.”

The potential to inspire industry-wide change was also the deciding factor in the judges’ decision in the Outstanding Achievement award.

The three-way partnership project saw British Gas pilot 28 Nissan e-NV200 vans throughout the winter to determine the future viability of 100% electric vehicle technology as part of its 13,000 home service vans fleet. The project was a huge success and led to British Gas placing an order for 100 vehicles.

Colin Boyton, said:  “This project stands out from the crowd and is exactly what the fleet sector needed, in terms of proving EV viability. We hope that in awarding the project this accolade that others will sit-up and take notice, and if they achieve a fraction of what has been achieved here, it will be all the more worthwhile.”

Collecting Nissan’s honours from Awards host, Quentin Wilson, Nissan Motor GB Corporate Sales Director, Barry Beeston, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see the e-NV200 being honoured in this way.

“The e-NV200 is a model with the potential to transform fleets, with running costs of just two pence per mile contributing to significantly reduced whole life costs, not to mention the environmental benefits.”

Nissan changes the face of European business.

Pioneering e-NV200 all-electric van and an innovative marketing programme are helping businesses to be more profitable and efficient

• e-NV200 is already electrifying businesses across in Europe
• e4Business programme aimed at SMEs
• New engines and new technology for NV400
• Greater safety and more equipment for Navara pick-up

Thanks to its range of versatile, practical and innovative models, Nissan is cementing its position as a global player in the LCV industry with more than one million LCVs sold consistently during the last three years.  Following the recent launch of e-NV200 in Europe, the company’s game-changing 100 percent electric van will re-write the light commercial vehicle rulebook.

Marrying elements from two award-winning vehicles – Nissan LEAF and Nissan NV200 – e-NV200 delivers not only zero emission mobility but also a guaranteed reduction in operating costs.

Capable of accessing all current and future clean air zones in our towns and cities, it is estimated that it has the potential to reduce operational costs by up to 40 percent, compared to a conventional diesel-powered vehicle.

This benefit to company profits has already been appreciated by a number of large fleet operators, including British Gas who has already ordered 100 e-NV200s.

And there are more fleet owners ready to join them. In Europe, almost a third of van users never drive more than 120kms in a business day.

This means that at least 200,000 diesel vans each year could be replaced with quiet and comfortable electric van, charging the vehicle once a day either at home or at the depot.

By doing so, they would be part of a revolution that is definitively changing the make-up of the LCV market.

The ground-breaking e-NV200 takes centre stage on Nissan’s stand at the 65^th Hannover Motor Show (23 September to 2 October), where it is joined by a possible glimpse of Nissan’s electric future: e-NV200 Concept for VIP Shuttle.

Although a concept at the moment, the VIP Shuttle builds on the qualities that have made e-NV200 a class leader. With just leather bound seats – two in the front and two ‘Club Class’ chairs in the passenger compartment – luxury and refinement are of the highest level and perfectly match the supreme quietness and ride quality of the standard e-NV200.

This VIP Shuttle also previews a genuine innovation: the Smart Rearview Mirror. The world’s first windscreen mounted LCD monitor, the mirror projects images of the area behind the vehicle supplied by a rear-mounted high resolution camera. It gives the driver a clear view from inside the vehicle regardless of whether a load is obscuring the rear windows or not.

Nissan’s LCV news is not restricted to electric vehicles, however. The Hannover stand also plays host to the latest NV400 featuring a range of efficient new twin turbo diesel engines offering more performance and lower fuel consumption.

The vast range – it includes front- and rear-wheel drive versions, three wheelbase options, four different lengths and three different heights – also features new advanced technologies offering greater comfort and safety. Refinements include the introduction of Hill Start Assist, DAB radios, Stop & Start and regenerative braking.

There are also a number of important changes to the respected Nissan Navara pick-up, with alloy wheels and added safety provided by VDC now standard across the board.

A new variant has also been introduced which marries the fuel saving and lower emissions benefits of a 144hp version of the trusted 2.5 dCi diesel engine with greater levels of comfort and equipment that come with SE specification.

Nissan is also launching a new business initiative at the Hannover Show. Called e4Business, the innovative scheme is designed to help Europe’s small and medium enterprises make more of a marketing impact to grow their businesses.

A unique marketing platform, e4Business will allow companies to take care of their day-to-day business leaving Nissan to spearhead (and fund) the marketing effort of their behalf.

Another element of the scheme incorporates an opportunity for forward-thinking companies to pitch their business or start-up proposals to a panel of Nissan experts. The best idea will win not just a full promotional campaign devised and funded by Nissan but also a brand new e-NV200 for the business.

“Like e-NV200, e4Business is innovative and exciting. Both will help businesses keep their costs as low as possible.

“Thanks to much lower maintenance charges and dramatically reduced fuel bills, e-NV200 will make a major contribution to a company’s bottom line while, via e4Business, Nissan will be picking up their marketing and promotional costs.

“Whichever way you look at it, Nissan is changing the way business operate,” said Ponz Pandikuthira, Director of Light Commercial Vehicles in Europe.

Nissan's LEAF added to growing list of cars on the motability scheme

• 100% electric UK-built LEAF joins Motability Scheme
• Available from just £999 Advance Payment
• Free 16Amp Home Charging Unit installation by British Gas

The new Nissan LEAF has become the first 100% electric vehicle to join the Motability Scheme, allowing the scheme’s 620,000 current users the opportunity to explore zero emission motoring.*

The new UK-built LEAF is now available from just £999 Advance Payment (AP). For £1,299 AP customers can upgrade to the Acenta model featuring Nissan’s CARWINGS telematics system as well as useful features such as auto lights and wipers, cruise control and a colour reversing camera. At the top of the range, Tekna grade adds BOSE audio, 360° Around View Monitor and leather heated seats and is available for £1,999 AP.

Whichever LEAF model customers ultimately choose, they can look forward to waving goodbye to petrol stations and saying hello to instantaneous power delivery and a peaceful driving experience. A full charge on the LEAF gives up to 124 miles range and costs from around £2 (depending upon time of day and tariff) meaning that over a distance of 10,000 miles drivers can expect to save around £1,000 that would otherwise have been spent on the forecourt.

What’s more, British Gas is currently offering a 16Amp data-enabled Home Charging Unit (HCU) which will charge LEAF from empty to full in 8 hours.

Having been designed as a purpose-built electric vehicle from the ground up, the neat packaging of its lithium-ion batteries means there is no compromise on boot space; in fact, with 370 litres on Visia and Acenta grades it has more luggage space than a Ford Focus.

Nissan cars are a popular choice on the Motability Scheme with a range well suited to a variety of mobility needs. The introduction of the new LEAF brings something fresh and innovative to the scheme’s existing customers, combining the practicality of a normal medium hatchback with running costs that are a fraction of the price of a petrol or diesel car of its size.

The Motability Scheme is directed and overseen by Motability, a national charity, and enables those people receiving the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement to lease a vehicle through the scheme.

As a Motability Premier Partner, each of Nissan’s 200 plus dealerships has a minimum of two trained Motability sales and aftersales specialists who will use their Motability Scheme experience with Juke, Micra, Note, NV200 Combi, Qashqai and Qashqai+2 to discuss options with interested customers.

Jon Pollock, Nissan GB sales director said: “We’re proud that the Nissan LEAF has delivered another first ahead of its rivals to become the first 100% electric car on the Motability Scheme. With a starting Advance Payment of just £999 and Motability Scheme specialists at each of our dealerships, getting behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and enjoying low running costs has never been easier.”

Renault welcomes extra funding for Charging points in the UK

Renault UK welcomes the additional government funding for electric vehicle charge points with the announcement of the winning bids for additional points to be installed by dozens of local authorities, NHS Trusts and train operators.

Renault’s latest electric vehicle, the ZOE supermini, has just gone on sale in the UK with its owners already enjoying the benefit of a free domestic charge point, supplied and installed by British Gas.

Purchasers also save up to £5,000 on the price of their electric car from the government’s Plug-In Grant.  ZOE answers the comment that EVs can be expensive with a starting price from just £13,995, after the grant, equivalent to the price of a diesel supermini, and becomes yet another incentive to make the switch to electric and ‘Drive the change’.

Whilst Renault believes that around 90% of charging will take place at home, Renault’s electric vehicle customers will also benefit from the additional peace of mind that the improved public infrastructure provides.

Commenting on its latest initiative, Renault UK’s Ben Fletcher, Electric Vehicle Product Manager, said, “The two most common preconceptions of electric vehicles are an expensive purchase price and lack of public opportunity to charge.  ZOE’s pricing puts the first point to rest, and this latest announcement, on top of the established highly developed network of public charging points, answers the second and allows customers to buy EV with complete confidence“

Renault is the only manufacturer today with a range of four electric vehicles on sale and, together with its Alliance partner Nissan, has already sold 100,000 EVs across the globe. ZOE, spearheads Renault’s four-strong Z.E. range of 100 per cent electric vehicles and is stylish, affordable and practical – perfect for households whether they’re commuting, doing supermarket and school runs, or even doing moderate distances. ZOE’s official NEDC range is 130 miles, the longest of any EV, with a real-world range of around 90 miles in temperate conditions or 60 in cold weather.