FLEET MANAGEMENT
Managing your LCV fleet – looking after your workhorse
The ‘workhorses of the fleet’, light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are purchased to create wealth. However, the reality is that many businesses lose money on their fleets through out-of-date practices. Dave Freeman, LCV specialist at Alphabet, provides food for thought on savvy LCV fleet management.
T
he last decade has seen a huge increase in corporate legislation and responsibility
for LCV operators. These developments have had an impact in three key areas of fleet management: • Vehicle choice • Operational costs • Duty of care
Vehicle choice
Vehicle selection is important for a company’s image. Vans of various shapes, sizes and stylish trims can add value. Equally, a prestige marque may support a company’s brand values, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz suggesting a quality organisation.
The choice of engines available allows
companies to match usage to the most appropriate power unit. In the world of LCVs, diesel is king and dual fuel vehicles have found little favour outside of the London congestion zone. As with all engine types, the temptation could be to take the cheapest option, but in terms of total costs this could be a mistake.
Given the right conditions, discounts on LCVs can at times be staggeringly high. LCVs tend to be part of a volume game, with manufacturers often keen to support incremental sales. This may be good news if the intention is to keep the vans for all of their useful lives, but as part
of a managed fleet it can lead to issues when trying to organise orderly bulk defleets in terms of resale value.
Operational issues
Don’t skip on linings; vehicles without ply lining are perceived to have not been as well looked- after, therefore they may not retain their value so well. Vans that have had seat covers fitted ensure the interior is better preserved, and certain levels of specification are being actively sought out by used buyers, such as side loading doors, power steering and central locking.
Again, for those looking to hold on to their
The increasing duty of care responsibilities of the fleet operator can be bewildering. Racking is a good example of this, with issues relating to fit out, weight and ease of use all having great importance when it comes to health and safety considerations – so you need to be prepared.
Driving licence checks also need to be carried out to ensure the right kinds of licences are held by the driver for the right type of vehicle. Driver risk assessments are increasingly important, thus large fleets should seriously consider driver training, as their exposure to accidents is obviously higher. Accidents in turn can have significant impacts in terms of repair costs, vehicle downtime, negative PR and potential legal action.
Ensuring drivers are familiar with their vehicle in terms of size and weight is also good practice. A simple sticker or guide can avoid costly mistakes in terms of over-ladened vehicles and width/height restrictions.
It is little wonder that with the growing complexities of managing an LCV Fleet, in terms of choice, whole-life costs and compliance means that many operators are choosing the outsourcing route to guide them through this particular labyrinth.
www.alphabet.co.uk FOR MORE INFORMATION
218 | rail technology magazine Apr/May 13
vehicles as long as possible, depreciation may seem irrelevant,
but age and
mileage may have a huge impact if careful and accurate maintenance provisions aren’t accrued.
Tyre use can be very high for hard-working vans and routine maintenance can prove extremely costly for high mileage vehicles. Remember that a van is making no money whilst off the road; therefore it is worth considering using a
budgeted courtesy van when servicing is being undertaken.
Duty of care
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