Fleet profile
Above: Fisher explains that over the next two to three years, the fleet’s move to electric vehicles will be much more prevalent.
making sure customers are satisfied. The fleet and compliance manager sits next to Fisher in the office and makes sure all MOTs and maintenance is up to date and that the Group is communicating with customers when this needs to be done.
Fisher explains: “We make sure everyone is three months in advance otherwise we’d end up with vehicles that are not meant to be on the road. Our CARE ethos is making sure customers are safe on the road and the same goes for other road users, which often gets forgotten. Making sure everyone is happy with the service is a vital part of our company and it’s felt by the staff too – six weeks into the job and I’m still smiling, he says.”
especially the vehicles the fleet offers for hire to give customers options.
But the move to electric is not an overnight change, explains Fisher. “We’re dipping our toes in with electric vehicles,” he tells us. “I’ve been on fleets previously where we’ve made a big move to EVs and fitted charging points at homes but still find the country isn’t ready yet. If drivers get caught out on the road somewhere, they could be waiting for hours to charge up.”
Fisher explains that over the next two to three years, the fleet’s move to electric vehicles will be much more prevalent as they want to provide the option to their customers if that’s what they’re looking for. He says, “ULEVs
“ULEVs and clean air zones are going to ramp up the charging capabilities out on the road.”
Powering up for electrification Many of the drivers on the Herd fleet are already in electric and hybrid cars and vans, with an order of Renault Arkanas arriving on the fleet in the coming weeks. Fisher would like to see the drivers who aren’t in electric or hybrid vehicles move into them soon too, and plans to set them up with home chargers in addition to the chargers that already exist at the office to make the transition easier. He is also actively looking for new partnerships with manufacturers of electric vehicles to continue to improve his fleet’s environmental impact,
22 | May 2023 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
and clean air zones are going to ramp up the charging capabilities out on the road, even in less-connected areas and those fleets based outside of London like ourselves.” “We have some customers in rural parts of Wales, for example, and in those areas it’s hard to even find a petrol station, let alone a charging point.” Unlike some fleet professionals, Fisher doesn’t rule out the potential of hydrogen. “Many of our customers will need to charge their vehicles quickly due to the nature of their jobs but there are no rapid chargers where they work, so until then, I predict their vehicles will
need to continue to be diesel, hybrid or I even see hydrogen working for them.” Fisher explains that the potential for hydrogen is something he wants to explore in this role. “Hydrogen vehicles have previously been too expensive, but a lot more companies are trialling them and bringing them to market. The benefits are they’re quicker to refuel and the fuel can be pumped through the existing gas lines,” he says.
Plans for expansion
In his new role, Fisher helps to support the Group’s expansion of franchises across the UK, while supporting his team and ensuring they have the support they need. “I’m looking for partnerships with businesses that can help us build an all-round solution for our customers, from electric cars to charge points and even a salary sacrifice scheme,” he says. “There are many places I want to push us forwards and connect the maintenance management and fleet systems side of things to help make life easier for people and I’m in a great team to make that possible.”
He also envisions creating new processes and training to offer the Group’s staff a broad range of education to achieve the highest professional competence in their operations. “I’ve put many people through the Association of Fleet Professionals training courses in previous roles, so I’m keen on doing that here to help staff improve their knowledge, know what’s going on in the industry, and make good connections,” says Fisher. “We’re so good at what we do and have so many customers who trust us, so we’re keen to raise our profile and become known even more in the industry.”
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