MOTORING


AA calls on fleet industry to provide more SME guidance


Businesses and SMEs set to be affected by upcoming emissions reduction targets deserve more fleet industry support to stay ahead of coming regulatory and legislative changes, says the AA’s fleet and SME division. As of 23 October, vehicles


driving through central London must now meet minimum exhaust emission standards or pay a £10 emissions fee as part of the Toxicity Charge, or T-charge, in addition to a daily congestion charge. Between 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, it will now cost businesses £21.50 to drive each pre-Euro 4 vehicle in their fleets into London, which are typically diesel and petrol models registered before 2006. The change is expected to affect


10,000 pre-2006 vehicles, with the AA calling for the automotive industry to increase its support for its SME customers. Almost 95% of fleets are


FACTFILE MODEL: BMW X6 4.0d xDrive PRICE: £62,020


PERFORMANCE: Top Speed: 155mph 0-60 mph: 5.8 seconds CO2 EMISSIONS: 183g/km FUEL CONSUMPTION: 40.9mpg


doesn’t wallow uncomfortably through corners. In fact, its road-holding is exemplary, giving the driver great confidence on twisty roads and comfort on motorways. As you’d expect from BMW,


the cabin is extremely well- appointed and what changes have been made are quite subtle. It feels plush and looks very much like its popular X5 sibling, which is no bad thing. The seats are really supportive and you can easily find a comfortable driving position. And it’s really well equipped


- standard kit is comprehensive, with the highlight being the widescreen ‘sat-nav’ system. If you feel the need to look


at the options list there is only one box to tick – M Sport. This brings larger 20in alloys, a smart wider body kit and


adaptive suspension to the outside of the car, while on the inside it adds a thick multi- function steering wheel, widescreen iDrive system, heated front seats and plusher (Dakota) leather upholstery. There’s plenty of room for


two sets of golf clubs in the boot without needing to fold any of the 40:20:40 split rear seat, but I was asked several times whether the raked rear end made the back seat uncomfortable for taller passengers. It’s true, the headroom is


slightly curtailed but the notion that tall adults might not be able to travel in comfort in the back was quickly dispelled once the doubters were seated. The X6 really does live up to


its SUV billing – it’s big and brash and is a bit of a show- off… but pound-for-pound it’s far better value than its rivals.


business network December 2017/January 2018 65


currently made up of diesel or petrol-fuelled vehicles. However, in five years’ time, 63% of SMEs and businesses expect to be using alternative fuels to power their business vehicles, according to the second annual Operational Fleet Insight report produced collaboratively by the AA and BT’s Fleet Solutions. As the industry moves towards


greater electrification, the report found SMEs are increasingly worried that manufacturers aren’t always treating them as a priority


when it comes to advice and support due to their small fleet size. The lack of expert fleet knowledge that often exists within small businesses means only 26% of SME fleet managers and decision-makers say their role involves focusing on long-term fleet strategy, such as a switchover to alternative fuels, compared with an already low average of 29% across all sectors. Stuart Thomas, Head of Fleet


Services and SME at the AA, said: “As emissions reduction becomes a focus for the UK’s large cities, businesses are under pressure to futureproof their fleets to ensure they comply with any future targets. Fleet managers feel required to investigate alternative fuel sources but may not have enough information to make strategic decisions, or feel supported by the industry to take an informed step forward. “Small businesses which will be


affected are likely to be hit hard by the introduction of the T-charge, which almost doubles the cost of driving a vehicle through London during peak hours. Fleets are the backbone of British business and need more guidance to help them make the most of the upcoming EV revolution. We urge the automotive industry to provide the support businesses require to help them to anticipate upcoming legislation and reduce costs.”


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