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ULEZ
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ULEZ, New Charges & Changes to Drive Air Pollution Down
ULEZ, New Charges & Changes to Drive Air Pollution Down https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ulez-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Plans, legislation changes, and charges are stepping up a gear in London as Mayor Sadiq Kahn has revealed new proposals for the ongoing improvement to air quality and emissions standards across London. The Toxin Charge already in force is to be replaced on 8th April 2019, by the ULEZ – Ultra Low Emissions Zone – a clean air zone monitored 24/7 across the capital’s existing Congestion Charge Zone.

This new charge will affect a far wider range of vehicles than the current restrictions – for example, two-wheel vehicles are to be included – and vehicles not meeting the ULEZ standards will be charged £12.50 per day to drive into the Zone.

ULEZ phase 1

The ULEZ standards are proposed as follows:
• Euro 3 for motorcycles & mopeds
• Euro 4 for petrol cars, vans & minibuses
• Euro 6 for diesel cars, vans & minibuses
• Euro VI for lorries, buses & coaches.

As a guide, nearly all petrol vehicles manufactured since 2005 will be ULEZ compliant; your V5C (vehicle registration document) will give information on your vehicle’s Euro emission standard.

Check your vehicle now on the TFL website: click here.

ULEZ – Phase 2

Restrictions will be tightened across a wider range of heavy vehicles from October 2020, and, as a further drive towards cleaner air in the capital, Kahn has announced that the ULEZ will be extended outwards as far as the North and South Circulars by October 25th, 2021.

ULEZ phase 2

Full details can be found here – including information on transition discounts for residents of the areas being incorporated.

The new measures are predicted to affect over 100,000 cars, 35,000 vans and 3,000 lorries every day. Critics say it will be the final straw for small businesses. But for the 100,000+ Londoners who will no longer live in areas where the air they breathe exceeds the legal limits for pollution, it’s a vital move forward. Further data shows over 9,000 Londoners die prematurely each year as a direct result of air pollution, and that it creates a £3.7billion drain on London’s economy – there’s a clear and necessary drive towards cleaner air.

Drivers should note that the ULEZ charge will be in addition to the existing weekday Congestion Charge (7am – 6pm Monday to Friday; two-wheeled vehicles are not affected ) as well as the LEZ (Low Emission Zone) charge for heavy diesel vehicles.

Full details on the various charges applicable when driving in London can be found here.

Ban on New Petrol and Diesel Engines

Further acceleration to air quality improvements were announced this week as talks between Sadiq Kahn and a number of leaders from major cities across the UK focused on the government’s proposed 2040 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles. They motion to bring the ban forward ten years to 2030.

It remains unclear whether this includes Hybrid engines too, but further details on this ‘Road to Zero’ initiative are due to be released soon.

“Banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, providing support to deliver Clean Air Zones in cities and introducing a national vehicle renewal scheme will dramatically improve our air quality and our health.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

The Diesel Debate

Not surprisingly, there remains much confusion over the diesel/petrol debate in the aftermath of Dieselgate – but manufacturers are working hard to ensure modern diesel engines are as clean if not cleaner than petrol equivalents. This is certainly the case in terms of their lower CO2 emissions. The sector faces a perhaps unfairly accelerated decline, especially across Europe where tax hikes and clampdowns on diesel vehicles are gaining traction – but the greater fuel economy and pulling-power of diesel engines can’t be disputed.

Take Our Advice

If you’re looking for a new vehicle, come and talk to us about your requirements. With changing legislations, charges, and accessibility into London (and soon other city centres) choosing the right vehicle has never been more important, particularly when driving for business. Leasing is the future-proof solution – it makes the very best sense for minimising your emissions, as well as your outgoings – all with minimum commitment.

We can offer new and nearly-new vehicles available on a range of contracts from short-term to four-year deals, so call our team on 01753 851561 – we’ll help get you moving… and keep you moving!

For more background, read our previous post on The T-Charge, Toxin Taxes, and Diesel Engines.

T-Tax
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The T-Charge, Toxin Taxes, and Diesel Engines
The T-Charge, Toxin Taxes, and Diesel Engines https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/T-Tax-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Hot on the heels of the new Crit’Air Emissions scheme for driving in Paris (see our recent blog post for details), and after news of elevated parking rates for diesel vehicles in some London Boroughs, the UK has taken recent vehicle emissions data and made plans to further penalise drivers of the most polluting vehicles during peak hours.

“The air in London is lethal and I will not stand by and do nothing.”

Sadiq Kahn, Mayor of London

“Despite the hype in the media, we should keep in mind that the modern Euro6 Diesel engines with their Catalytic Converters, Diesel Particulate, AdBlue technology and attractively low CO2 are much cleaner than the old diesel engines and are not being targeted with the T-Charge.”

Peter Fletcher, Account Manager at WVL

In the turbulent wake of Dieselgate, the emissions scandal seeded by significant discrepancies in test-conditions emissions versus real-world-driving emissions, the UK has also received a ‘final warning’ from the European Commission for breaching air pollution limits. In one street in London, air pollution levels were measured at the annual limit in just the first week of 2017. And with 40,000 premature deaths caused each year from long-term exposure – over 9,000 of those in London at the last count – action is swiftly being taken.

Recent independent analyses have yielded data which turns the tables on the petrol vs diesel debate. Previously, the key marker was the amount of CO2 generated (a ‘greenhouse gas’ implicated in global warming). On that front, diesel burns more cleanly that petrol, emitting around 20% less CO2 per km than petrol, hence the government’s tax breaks to encourage the sales of diesel engines in 1998. In fact, back in 1990, diesels represented just 6.4% of the vehicles on the road; by 2015, every other vehicle was a diesel. The data, however, overlooked other serious pollutants and real-world analyses has shown diesels to produce 4x the levels of Nitrous Oxides (NOx) as petrol, and 22x the levels of sooty particulates. Policy is changing as a direct result – but not just for diesels, for older petrol engines too.

Emissions testing

The T-Charge

A ‘Toxicity Charge’ will come into force 23rd October, 2017 in London where drivers with pre-Euro4 diesel and petrol engines will face a £10 daily fee on top of the existing £11.50 Congestion Charge in order to drive in the that zone 7am–6pm weekdays; that’s £21.50 per day.

Use this checker to see if your vehicle will be affected: www.tfl.gov.uk/emissions-surcharge

This will be superseded in April 2019 when central London becomes an Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) with daily charges ranging between £3–£12.50 dependent on your vehicle model’s emissions in a bid to reduce London’s NOx emissions by 50% by 2020. Diesel cars over four years old in 2019 and petrol cars over 13 years old will face the charge 24 hours a day, year-round (in addition to the existing Congestion Charge during weekday hours), in a bid to cut air pollution whilst buses, coaches and HGVs could face charges of £100 per day to operate in the ULEZ. Plans thereafter exist to extend the ULEZ to the North and South Circulars after 2021.

Sadiq Kahn and Anne Hidalgo, the Mayors of London and Paris respectively, are launching the ‘Cleaner Vehicle Checker’ website this autumn where independently assessed, real-world emissions data will be published. This will give consumers and fleet managers crucial information when considering a new vehicle in light of ULEZ fines and restrictions, and it’s hoped this new transparency will incentivise manufacturers to reduce their vehicles’ emissions long ahead of the EU ‘real-world driving emissions’ standards deadline in 2021.

“By having ‘on the road’ testing I believe we will help Londoners make an informed choice and incentivise manufacturers to build cleaner vehicles sooner. The toxicity of the air in London and many other big cities is an outrage and schemes of [this] type have the potential to make a massive difference to the quality of air we all breathe… [London] will have the toughest emissions standard of any world city.”

Sadiq Kahn, Mayor of London

“Every motorist who uses the capital’s roads needs to be ready for some pretty big changes that are coming up as London acts to cut harmful emissions which will either hit drivers in the pocket or force them to rethink their choice of vehicle.”

Nick Lyes, RAC

Country-wide

Low Emission Zone signOther polluted cities across England will also face the new restrictions with Toxin Taxes up to £20 per day, or even bans for the heaviest polluters during peak times. These measures are planned for up to ten more town centres, another 25 more where commercial diesels will be the targets, along with increased parking fees in at least 15 towns and cities. The finer details are yet to be worked out, but Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom has suggested the rules for each location will be written on a case-by-case basis and will announce outline measures imminently.

What about Diesels?

Diesel engines are being hardest hit; there are 11.9 million on the road in the UK and a scrappage scheme has been suggested but remains in debate as the £2billion cost has been deemed too high. Nevertheless, Theresa May has said she is conscious of past governments encouraging people to buy diesel cars and that this would be taken into account in plans made, but it does remain likely that pre-September 2015 (Euro6) diesel cars will be devalued at resale as a result.

Diesel cars aren’t the only emitters of problem NOx and particulates – nearly a quarter comes from coal and other energy plants, and cargo ships too: fifteen of the largest pump out more oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur than all the world’s cars combined. And even Electric vehicles with their heavier battery packs have been shown to wear their tyres faster and release more rubber-derived particulates.

Manufacturers are quick to point out that Diesel will still have a place, perhaps moreso in vehicles and developing countries, but given the R&D costs involved, those engines will likely render smaller consumer models as uneconomic purchases. That said, with the advances made already in achieving Euro6 standards, diesel is very much still in the running and manufacturers are standing by it.

“It’s a pity diesel got so much miscredit in the past two years, because we all desperately needed to achieve our goals. It can be a really clean engine, and the new diesels really are. And it can also be, and is, the most efficient combustion engine in terms of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. But I think social acceptance of the diesel is going down, and that the ban from city centres of diesels is bad for consumer confidence. So I see diesel penetration is going to decline.”

Karl-Thomas Newmann, Opel/Vauxhall

“You get high mileage, you get huge torque, but it will get more expensive and it will probably mean in the entry-level cars there will be a shift from diesel to gasoline. But it is still a great engine, and with the addition of after-treatment it will be very clean. Our Euro6 diesels are the best cars you can buy in the industry when it comes to emissions. Diesel is not at its end.”

Herbert Diess, Volkswagen

The Way Forward

Advances in technology are enabling engines to be made more efficient – both petrol and diesel, and with hybrid and all-electric vehicles becoming more mainstream and affordable, drivers have an array of options to consider when making a vehicle choice. Vehicle purchases are significant investments, and with technology moving so fast, it’s getting hard to future-proof that investment.

Now, more than ever, Leasing is the ideal option when considering a new vehicle as it affords you complete flexibility. Motoring doesn’t need to involve the long-term commitment of ownership: trying to select a model now which will still suit you – and not be hit with emissions taxes – in another ten years time.

WVL offer vehicle lease contracts from 1 month to 4 years. Call us on 01753 851561 to discuss the perfect vehicle for your requirements.

Information correct at the time of publication.

Changes to Car Tax from 1st April 2017
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Road Tax Reform: new prices from 1st April 2017
Road Tax Reform: new prices from 1st April 2017 https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/VED-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Announced in July this year, the Treasury has revised the current Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) payments for vehicles registered 1st April 2017 onwards to account for the growing number of tax-exempt cars being purchased – the current system, according to Osborne, being unsustainable.

Under the new rules, only Zero Emissions vehicles will remain tax exempt. If your chosen vehicle is emits 1g CO2/km or more, a one-off tax charge will apply to its first year based on a 13-band CO2 emissions based scale ranging from £10 to a staggering £2,000. Then, year 2 onwards, a flat annual rate of £140 will apply.

New VED system – for cars registered from April 1st, 2017
Emissions (g CO2/km) Year 1 rate Standard rate thereafter *
0 £0 £0
1–50 £10 £140
51–75 £25 £140
76–90 £100 £140
91–100 £120 £140
101-110 £140 £140
111–130 £160 £140
131–150 £200 £140
151–170 £500 £140
171–190 £800 £140
191–225 £1,200 £140
226–255 £1,700 £140
over 255 £2,000 £140
* Cars costing over £40,000 pay a £310 supplement in years 2 to 6

It seems that over 60% of vehicles which currently pay zero tax in their first year of ownership will likely see their costs rise.

Furthermore, if your vehicle costs over £40,000, an additional £310 supplement will be payable for five years once the Standard Rate kicks in, i.e. years 2 to 6.

Vehicles registered before 1st April 2017 will be taxed under the old system, i.e. on a scale ranging from £0 – £1,100 based solely on CO2 emissions.

Whilst these new payments will be earmarked solely for road repairs, maintenance and improvements – the first time since the 1930s, many are disappointed that the new rates may disincentivise manufacturers to produce low emissions vehicles as they strive for zero emissions.

How will current models fare?

AutoExpress have published an enlightening list highlighting the highest and lowest proportional increases. Surprisingly, certain Peugeot 208, Ford C-Max, Lexus IS300h and VW Passat models all suffer 950% increases in road tax over 3 years – from £40 to £420. At the other end of the scale, the SEAT Alhambra increases around 10% from £435 to £480 and the Ford Mondeo EcoBoost by 23% from £390 to £480, again, over a 3 year ownership period from new.

Seeing how the elevated tax for first year ownership is likely to cost us all more for the vast majority of vehicles, once again, leasing comes into its own with those initial outlays and losses (depreciation) associated with driving a brand new vehicle, being reworked into affordable, fixed, monthly payments.

Talk to us at WVL about your vehicle requirements, the new road tax implications, and how we can help you drive your choice of vehicle at the best possible price.

WVL's month-long Test Drive Event
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#TestDriveYourBestDrive 2016 – the Results are in!
#TestDriveYourBestDrive 2016 – the Results are in! https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/TDYBD-results-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

The start of September marks the end of our month-long test drive event – from the early days of #SmallCarWeek through to the grand scale of #7SeaterWeek – our forecourt has been what feels like an Olympic-scale arena for this first-of-a-kind showcase of motoring might!  Now a time for reflection on proceedings, did Windsor Vehicle Leasing also strike gold? It’s a firm ‘YES’ as far as we’re concerned.

Firstly, we’re extremely grateful to all the manufacturers who have provided vehicles for the event – Audi, BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mahindra, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo. The collaboration has been much appreciated and the key-for-key swaps worked seamlessly. It showed the strength of our relationships and the confidence all the manufacturers have in their brands. No-one is afraid to stand comparison with anyone else. There seemed to be a consensus that what we were doing was a great idea, with more than one manufacturer pointing out that they couldn’t understand why no-one had come up with this concept before.

We would also like to thank the customers, existing and potential, who made the effort to come along and do the test drives. Hopefully they found the unique opportunity to compare brands and technologies worthwhile. In some instances, it was enough for visitors to sit in the cars; get that feeling which no amount of online research can replace.

WVL Test Drive event Small Car Week

WVL Test Drive Event, week 2 - Family Saloon Week

We’re aware that WVL may not necessarily see the direct benefits of this unique event, though it can only be a positive that we had so many visitors and enquiries. It was our intention to shake the tree during the traditionally quiet month of August and if the fruit fell elsewhere, then the industry was still the winner. It’s a bonus that we have quoted for and won business as a result.

The event was publicised through the local press and via social media across our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts where each individual car’s arrival was posted online. If some of the puns which accompanied the postings were excruciating, please allow for wordplay fatigue by Week 4! Nevertheless, good old footfall played a key part in us getting as many bookings as we did. Our position on Clarence Road usually guarantees interest from passing customers and there’s nothing like a line of new, gleaming cars to catch people’s attention.

WVL Test Drive Event, week 3 - SUV Week

WVL Test Drive Event, week 4 - 7-Seater Week

There’s no doubt, weeks three and four – the SUV and 7-seater weeks – provoked huge interest, as well as testing our forecourt organisation and parking skills. However, all four weeks, including small cars and family saloons, provided excellent opportunities, both for customers and the staff of WVL to familiarise themselves with the very latest models and technology, meaning Windsor Vehicle Leasing can continue to provide the most comprehensive and tailored customer experience.

There seemed to be a consensus that what we were doing was a great idea, with more than one manufacturer pointing out that they couldn’t understand why no-one had come up with this concept before.

It’s fair to say, the vehicles supplied showed that nowadays, there’s not really such a thing as a bad car. Probably the area of greatest change and progress is the on-board technology. Time in a vehicle is important. It would be easy to become a nervous wreck without exposure to and proficiency in the safety systems, including lane control, collision alerts and integrated braking systems. Even knowing how to start a car these days can be an adventure, though it’s always simple enough once you know! Interestingly, no-one seemed inclined to try the self-parking modes! Seems we still like control!

Of course the selection of vehicles not only gave many of our visitors the opportunity to have a fresh look at classic models, but also a first close-up look at relatively new technologies such as hybrids and electric cars.

For us at WVL, there was the bonus of a visit from a sporting icon. As you may have seen in our posts on the day, West Indian legend Gordon Greenidge, one of the finest opening batsmen of all time, took the opportunity to come by. Just for a while, the gleaming cars were outshone and talk of the off-drive replaced the test drive!

It is our firm intention to repeat this event in the future. Of course, others may try to do so in the meantime… but we’ll always know we were first!

If you’ve spotted something in the line-ups above, or would like a quote on a particular vehicle, please get in touch. Our Configurator allows you to spec-up a vehicle to your exact requirements, though we’d be happy to offer advice and suggestions if you’re at all unsure. Either way, try our online Quote Form, email us at [email protected], LiveChat with one of our leasing experts using the tab at the bottom of the screen, or simply call us on 01753 851 561, and let’s talk leasing!

Test Drive your Best Drive this August at WVL
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The Ultimate Test Drive Event at WVL this August!
The Ultimate Test Drive Event at WVL this August! https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/TDYBD-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

This August at WVL, we’re hosting an unmissable motoring event! We’ve invited over 20 of the leading manufacturers to provide their latest, greatest vehicles for you to drive in what can only be described as the ultimate test drive event!

Test Drive Your Best Drive

This August at WVL: Test Drive your Best Drive – over 50 vehicles, from over 20 manufacturers over 4 themed weeks.

WVL have always put excellent customer service and insightful advice at the top of the list when it comes to winning and maintaining long term customers. Our event acknowledges that when a customer is in the market for a new vehicle, they’re faced with having to visit countless different dealerships, trying to coordinate test drives between them all, and having to remember all the facts and figures about each vehicle – not to mention how the look and feel of one compares to another. We also understand that brand-specific sales staff are of course obliged to favour their own when customers ask comparative questions.

What’s missing in the usual process?

Customers rarely – if ever – have the opportunity to compare different manufacturers’ vehicles side-by-side, test drive them back-to-back, and to gain objective advice and opinion about the pros and cons of each from truly impartial experts.

And that’s why, this August, we’re hosting this multi-marque, near-‘Olympic’-scale test drive event!

Each week we’ll focus on a particular category of vehicle, starting with Small Cars on the 1st August, on to Family Saloons, SUVs and 7-Seaters, week on week. Customers will be able to view and drive their choice of vehicles from our Windsor Showroom and gain a unbeatable opportunity to pitch them head-to-head.

4 Themed Weeks

Leasing Experts

Don’t forget, we’re leasing specialists and with a savvy team well-versed in how best to make the most of any motoring budget, we’re here to help you find the perfect vehicle for the ideal monthly payment.

Leasing is the smart, depreciation-beating way to drive a new car, and our month-long event this August gives you access to a full range of makes and models – and the very best deals – all under one roof here at WVL.

Book now!

We’re taking bookings already to ensure we can guarantee customers’ choice of vehicles and ample appointment time, so please register your interest now!

Click through to wvl.co.uk/testdrive for a full listing of all the vehicles available each week. Spot your favourites, complete the enquiry form, and book your test drives today!

Click through to full details

WVL featured in Fleet News
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WVL – Featured in this month’s Fleet News
WVL – Featured in this month’s Fleet News https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/FN-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

We’re thrilled to have been featured in this month’s edition of the leading industry publication, ‘Fleet News‘. Sarah Tooze interviewed our chairman and owner, Philip Newton, about how he’s brought his past experience in retail to the fore here at WVL, and how it ensures our unique selling points keep us competitive against the big players in the lease industry. Read the article below for a great insight into WVL’s key strengths and our firm focus on delivering the very best in customer service.

APPLYING RETAIL PRINCIPLES TO THE LEASING INDUSTRY

Putting the customer first is Philip Newton’s priority – which he learned at Perfume Shop. Sarah Tooze reports

Smaller leasing companies must have a point of difference in order to win fleet managers away from the major providers. That’s the view of Philip Newton, chairman and owner of Windsor Vehicle Leasing (WVL).

Newton founded WVL in 1976, but spent 20 years outside the leasing industry, chiefly at the Perfume Shop. He grew it from a single store in 1991 to more than 100 stores by the time it was sold in 2005.

Newton subsequently returned to WVL, bringing with him a retailer’s perspective – his management team “roll their eyes every now and again when I say ‘when I was at Perfume Shop…’”, Newton says.

The key lesson he applies to WVL is that the customer is paramount. “You could have all the fancy ideas in the world, but if you’re not making an offer that has a point of difference and that appeals to the customer then you’re dead in the water,” Newton says.

“It’s essential for a business of our type and our size because we’re a smaller operator. There is room in the market for us but we have to get our offer right. And it has to be sufficiently different from what the big boys offer.”

Newton believes WVL “ought to be able to offer a better service” because “you can talk to the manager here, you don’t have to go through a number of dependents”.

WVL’s key point of difference is that it has a showroom from which it retails around 95% of returned vehicles. It also acquires about 10-15% of its fleet at auction, and has offered flexible leasing for the past five years. Newton believes that these aspects could see WVL climb to 25th spot in the FN50 in the next five years (up from 47 last year). In the short-term he has a more modest aim: to grow the fleet from 1,396 to 1,500 vehicles in the next year to 18 months. “I have learned that once you start winning it’s easier to win big,” Newton says. “But do it all in bite-size chunks so everyone can digest it, everyone can understand what you’re doing and where you are going.”

At the moment, Newton is looking for the business to grow organically rather than through acquisitions – but “maybe ask me in 12 months’ time and I’ll give you a different answer”, he says. “What I do know from my corporate past is that only one in three acquisitions works. That all comes down to the timing as far as the acquirer is concerned and whether he is absolutely ready to make such a move. And I’m not sure that we would be.”

Organic growth was the approach Newton took at the Perfume Shop.

“When I developed Perfume Shop I only ever opened 10 shops a year,” he says. “That sounds quite a lot but it wasn’t because I had the money to open 30 and there were 30 out there. We were much more focused on growing the business organically, growing the sales from the existing branches. There is much better return if you maximise your existing assets rather than go and buy new ones.”

Newton knows it is essential to have the right team in place. WVL has 22 staff, a number of whom are long-serving employees (managing director Philip Smith and account managers Peter Fletcher and Alan Robinson can all claim 15-plus years at the business, while sales director Allun Wilkins retired in March after 46 years), but it has recently created a new business development manager role and has plans to grow its account manager team.

WVL currently has 198 customers who typically have a fleet size of up 25 vehicles.

“Just from purchasing power and money interest rates, we wouldn’t be competitive for the big corporates,” Newton says. “That’s where the big boys will beat us hands down. But what we can do is provide alternatives. We’ll be really flexible with our customers. We’ll also take a chance on some customers that maybe don’t have the financial strength that the vehicles that they require demand. What we might want to do under those circumstances is dictate the fleet that they have so that we reduce our risk by managing the vehicle types and models to ensure that, if they do come back to us early, then we can move them on.”

When a vehicle is returned, WVL assesses whether it could be usefully re-leased on a short-term or medium-term basis to another customer, or whether it is a good proposition for its retail site.

Around 300 to 350 vehicles are returned to WVL each year and are generally between two and four years old.

Given that Lex Autolease has closed its retail sites in Coventry and Oldbury, and has outsourced the remaining elements of its vehicle remarketing operation to BCA, how does WVL make its retail site successful?

“Lex is a colossus,” Newton says. “Our account managers have responsibility for a vehicle from cradle to grave. They have a personal interest in that individual vehicle, so we can make decisions that Lex couldn’t make.”

He adds: “If one of the big leasing companies has a lease go wrong within three months or six months they have nowhere to store the car, they have no other use for the car so it has to go to the auction.

“We think that is fantastic because we can then buy those. We don’t buy on the same scale as they do, so if we get six to 10 cars back we can manage them. If Lex got 60-100 cars back on the same ratio they couldn’t manage them because space costs you so much money these days.”

WVL purchases anything up to 12 months old.

“There are some customers that may want a specific type of car but can’t afford the new version because of the depreciation hit,” Newton says. “We can buy them a new-used model and we can provide a much more competitive offer as a consequence.”

WVL also uses its own cash resource to spot buy.

“We might buy 10, 20 or 30 vehicles that are new at significant discount where we can offer real value to our customer,” Newton says. “That’s exactly what we used to do at Perfume Shop. A third of our product was always deeply discounted and a third of all of our offer at WVL eventually will provide the same opportunity.”

If I had a start-up business I would absolutely want to lease – it’s budget-proof”

Flexi-leasing (anything from a month to 12 months) offers “a clear market opportunity”, according to Newton, as it suits companies that have a six-month contract or who have employees on short-term contracts.

Currently, WVL has 150 vehicles on flexi-lease but expects this number to grow to 300 within 18 months as it has the facilities to cope with vehicles being “on churn all the time”, Newton says.

His other growth opportunity lies in convincing more SMEs to lease. “If I had a start-up business, I would absolutely want to lease simply because it’s budget-proof,” he says. “If you give the right information from the outset then you absolutely know what your vehicles are going to cost you.”

DAMAGE CHARGES NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Leasing companies should not “rub their hands in glee” when they get big excess mileage charges or end-of-contract damage charges, according to Philip Newton. “It’s negative for the industry because someone with an excess mileage or damage charge is not going to come back to the lessor and they’ll have a bad taste in their mouth about the industry,” he says.

“We’re flexible enough to look at the customer: how long have they been with us, are they going to stay with us? If someone has abused the vehicle, they’ve thrown the keys back us and we’re never going to see them again, we’ll have a completely different view to someone that brings the car in, there is damage but we could get it repaired at much lesser cost than the customer could.”

First published in Fleet News, June 9–22, 2016. Reproduced with permission.

Click below to download a PDF of the article or see online at FleetNews.co.uk:

Fleet News: Spotlight - Windsor vehicle leasing

ULEV grants to change March 2016
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Charging more — beat the plug-in car grant deadline and save £5,000
Charging more — beat the plug-in car grant deadline and save £5,000 https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ULEV-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Are you considering having an electric vehicle? If so, you have until 29th February to maximise the potential savings!

While the government has pledged support to Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) till 2020, the grant for plug-in cars will reduce from its current level of £5,000 from 1st March 2016.

However, if your car is ordered by 29th February, you will still qualify for the full £5,000 grant, as long as delivery is within the next 9 months.

From 29th February, there will be 3 categories of grant, defined by range and CO2 emissions, unlike the current flat structure for all car ULEVs with emissions below 75g/km. This means the grant could reduce to £2,500 (e.g. if the ULEV car has emissions of 0g/km and a range of 10-69 miles). Furthermore, vehicles costing over £60,000 will no longer be eligible for the grant.

To match, there are three types of ULEV, defined as you’d expect, by their power source:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

  • Power: fuelled solely by electricity provided by a rechargeable battery.
  • Tailpipe emissions: zero
  • Example cars: BMW i3, Nissan LEAF, Renault ZOE, Volkswagen e-Golf and e-Up!
  • Example vans: Nissan e-NV200, Nissan e-NV200 Combi and Renault Kangoo Van ZE

Plug-in-Hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)

  • Power: these supplement their battery with a combustion engine. They have more limited electric range, and the combustion engine drives the wheels at higher speeds and when the battery is depleted.
  • Tailpipe emissions: around 40-50g/km CO2
  • Example cars: Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, BMW i8, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Volkswagen Golf GTE
  • Example vans: Mitsubishi Outlander 4Work

Extended Range Electric Vehicles (E-REVs)

  • Power: having the benefits of a PHEV but promising greater efficiency via a larger capacity battery plus a combustion engine to recharge the battery once exhausted.
  • Tailpipe emissions: around 20-30g/km CO2
  • Examples include: BMW i3 with optional range-extender and the Toyota Prius Plug-in

Holding charge… holding value?

Key drivers for leasing these vehicles are firstly the initial purchase price – generally more than the marque’s combustion engine version… but also the depreciation.

Electric-only vehicles fare worst with 3yr/36,000 mile resale values averaging around just 17% of the initial cost – reflecting a lack of confidence in used purchases, and revealing a hidden factor which ups the overall cost of ownership when bought from new.

The real performers are the Petrol/Electric Hybrids – the latest data from CAP showing them to outperform traditional fuel cars and thus being the smart, green choice in every sense.

SUV:46.6%
Petrol/electric hybrid:39.3%
Diesel:38.9%
Petrol:38.3%
Electric:17.1%
3yr/36,000 mile residuals

Combine that with the financial benefits of a ULEV:

  • Fuel costs as low as 3p per mile
  • Low Benefit In Kind (BIK) rates (good for company drivers)
  • Exemption from Congestion Charge
  • Exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (Car Tax)

…and you really can drive with your head as well as your heart!

Purchase or Lease?

Given lease costs are based on a vehicle’s depreciation, the better it holds its value, the lower the lease payments. And, given the higher initial purchase prices of these vanguard vehicles, leasing makes sense every which way – these vehicles are as economical on your wallet as they are on fuel.

If you’d like to discuss this further, or for advice on sourcing ULEVs, call us on 01753 851561, send us an enquiry online here, or try our Configurator, and spec up your ideal ULEV lease car or van.

Remember, if you place your order before the end of this month, you’ll benefit from the full £5,000 government grant. Demand for vehicles and grant applications is already heavy, so if you’re interested, do get in touch!

Further reading:Full details of the new grant changes
Full list of vehicles eligible for the grant
Learn more about ULEVs here

Autonomous Emergency Braking
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AEB – safely the best innovation since the seat belt
AEB – safely the best innovation since the seat belt https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/aeb-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Buzzwords at the moment in the autotrade, and top of the savvy motorist’s wishlist, AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) is claimed to be the most significant development in car safety since the invention of the seatbelt. Read on to learn more about this remarkable new technology, its projected impacts, and the new award which every manufacturer now wants to win.

What is AEB?

AEB is a new technology using sensors, radar, lasers or cameras to detect objects ahead of the vehicle to help prevent collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians or hazards. It’s designed to alert the driver to an impending crash, and if required, to apply the brakes autonomously to bring the vehicle to a stop before impact.

Safety first and foremost

With the potential to save 1,100 lives and 122,860 casualties over the next ten years, according to Thatcham Research, this technology is not only here to stay, it could revolutionise motoring. In fact, Thatcham recommend that consumers and fleet operators should only consider new cars fitted with AEB as standard – it really is a game-changer.

How does it work?

autonomous emergency braking

  1. Detectors monitor the road ahead
  2. Distance to object is constantly calculated
  3. If the time-to-object falls below safe limits…
  4. …Audio/visual warnings try to alert the driver
  5. If warnings go unheeded, the vehicle will brake itself in order to stop before collision or minimise impact, depending on speed and conditions.

The different systems

There are a number of variants of the system currently in place, based on the speed of travel with different marques & models offering just one, or a combination of them:

• Low Speed City – the system works at lower speeds, generally 20mph or less, to avoid or mitigate accidents such as one car running into the back of another in typical urban driving. Over three quarters of collisions occur in this speed range, with whiplash a common result. Sensitive to other vehicles’ reflectivity, pedestrians or other objects are unlikely to be detected.
• Advanced Higher Speed System – using radar to scan further ahead enables the system to work at higher speeds and audio/visual warning systems may also be integrated.
• Pedestrian Detection – aided by a camera, these systems can detect pedestrians and cyclists.

For a full list of which models carry which systems, see here.

WhatCar?’s new Safety Award

WhatCar Car Of The Year Safety Award 2016New for 2015, WhatCar? introduced the ‘Safety’ category to their much-respected Car Of The Year awards to reward manufacturers for their efforts in helping improve road safety. It’s also a reflection on how many of us are including safety features as a key factor when choosing a new vehicle.

WhatCar? appointed Thatcham Research to help with the judging. Experts at evaluating vehicles for safety, security and crash repairability, Thatcham are the UK’s only accredited Euro NCAP crash test centre.

They based their rankings on three main categories:
• Protection: All must have a 5-star Euro NCAP rating;
• Technology: AEB should be standard fit on at least one trim level across the range, and the finer points of the car’s features and innovations were assessed;
• Availability: Safety shouldn’t come at a premium, and a weighting was applied to reward good value for money.

The Safety Award has fast become the ‘one to win’ – so how did the contenders fare in the 2016 line-up…

The 2016 Winners

1st place: Volvo XC90
2nd place: Honda Jazz
3rd place: Toyota Avensis

Our Pick

From a business/fleet perspective, this year’s Safety Award winners include a clear winner for us here at WVL: the fantastic Toyota Avensis. Packed with the very latest safety innovations – including AEB across the range and lane departure warning, it received high praise by WhatCar? for its very high level of protection at reasonable price. This fantastic vehicle is our first choice for the business motorist.


 
Plus, scoring a full 5 stars in the EuroNCAP ratings rivalling the Jaguar XF and EX, the Avensis is a real all-rounder in performance, style, value for money and safety.
 

“People who regularly drive long distances as part of their work are exposed a greater risk of being involved in an accident. Therefore, those who are responsible for choosing company or fleet cars need to ensure that, as well as being comfortable, economical and reliable, the cars being driven by their employees also provide high levels of safety.”

Thatcham Research

Try for yourself

WVL have Saloon and Estate Business Editions in stock now – perfect for your fleet – call 01753 851561 to book your test drive in one of the safest vehicles on the road!

Avensis Business Edition Touring Sports for leaseAvensis Business Edition Saloon for lease

AdBlue
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Going Green with AdBlue
Going Green with AdBlue https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/adblue-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

With all the recent focus on vehicle emissions, we thought it worth flagging something of a positive in the industry: an eco innovation which isn’t yet commonplace but is gaining ground and has the potential to significantly reduce pollution from diesel engines: AdBlue.

Positive Reaction

Based on simple chemistry, AdBlue is a high purity urea solution which, when combined with the harmful nitrous oxides in the vehicle exhaust gases, reacts to convert around 90% of them to harmless nitrogen and water vapour. It actually enables manufacturers to take a legitimate shortcut to make their diesel engines comply with Euro-6 emission regulations which came into force 1st January 2015 to improve air quality.

Injecting AdBlue

Introduced initially in larger commercial vehicles, we’re now seeing the system being a feature in the latest diesel cars and vans.

Whilst it may be just an additive, vehicles do require a new form of exhaust incorporating the new Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, plus a dedicated tank for adding the solution. It’s therefore not something which can be retrofittable, but is a feature worth looking out for when selecting a new vehicle.

Keep topped up

AdBlue is, as the name suggests, a blue additive, and it’s vital that you keep it topped up just as you would your oil or washer fluid. When your AdBlue falls to a certain level – 3 litres in Mercedes cars, for example – vehicles are equipped with a warning system to advise you to refill. The engine management computer may also limit performance as a further precaution, and to encourage you to take action.

AdBlue warning sign

Refilling AdBlue

If you run out, the vehicle won’t start, so it’s crucial to keep tabs as any damage caused won’t be covered by your warranty. It’s important that fleet managers understand the responsibilities of correctly maintaining AdBlue-equipped vehicles, particularly with the variable service intervals common these days, and that employees are aware of the consequences should they ignore the warnings when levels get low.

A number of manufacturers, e.g. Mercedes, will refill your AdBlue during services, but top-ups between services may be needed depending on the size of the tank plus mileage, vehicle load, driving style and road conditions. Consumption rates are quoted as 4–5% of diesel use.

In cars, the filler will generally be next to the fuel filler, though sometimes they are to be found in obscure places like under a seat in the C4 Picasso. Commercial vehicles tend to have fillers in the engine bays, and are able to top up at a large number of filling stations across the country as they may need to do so as often as every week – see this interactive map or download a handy app for Android or iOS.

Interactive AdBlue map

Since the nozzle won’t fit cars, topping up smaller vehicles either requires going back to a dealership or ordering online – you can even get it from Amazon!

Availability

So far, the system can be found in Mercedes’ ‘BlueTEC’ range, the BMW 5 Series and X5 range, Audi and Volkswagen in their TDI models, and Vauxhall in some Insignia, Zafira Tourer and Cascada models. Other marques have also started to introduce the technology including Citroën, DAF, Ford, GM/Opel, Hyundai, Iveco, Mazda, Peugeot, Renault, Scania, Toyota and Volvo.

AdBlue will, according to BMW, soon be a household name.

As emissions rules and control measures become increasingly stricter, it’s good to know there are safe and inexpensive technologies available to reduce the pollution derived from our vehicles. Whilst some may consider it an inconvenience to have another consumable to monitor, it’s a small price to pay to keep our vehicles motoring, and their dangerous pollutants minimised.

If you’d like more information about adding AdBlue-equipped vehicles to your fleet, contact us and we’ll be happy to advise on current options and deals.

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Smoking in Vehicles – new rules from 1st October 2015
Smoking in Vehicles – new rules from 1st October 2015 https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/smoking-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

From the 1st October 2015 it will be illegal to smoke in a private vehicle when there are children present. This is new legislation to protect children and young people from the dangers of secondhand smoke (SHS).

The law will apply initially to England and Wales, but the governments of Scotland and Northern Ireland may soon implement similar regulations. If a driver or another passenger is caught smoking alongside an under-18-year-old, both the driver and the smoker are liable for a £50 fine. (The law doesn’t apply if the driver is 17 years old and alone in the car, or in a convertible with the roof fully down.)

Business Drivers

It has been illegal to smoke in vehicles used for paid or voluntary work purposes that more than one person uses since 2007 and mandatory to display a ‘No Smoking’ sign inside. The responsibility of ensuring the vehicle is smoke-free rests on the driver, or any person with management responsibilities for the vehicle.

The signage must display:

  • wording that the vehicle is no-smoking and that it is an offence to smoke there or knowingly permit smoking;
  • the international ‘No Smoking’ symbol;
  • whom to complain to if smoking is observed.

Failure to display adequate signage will result in a £200 fine, and failure to prevent smoking in a smoke-free vehicle will result in a £2,500 fine.

English law does not apply to company vehicles with a sole driver and no other employees permitted to use it – i.e. a ‘perk’ vehicle, even for business use providing your employer agrees – but remember that the new under-18 law does still apply.

If you are in any doubt as to your requirements and liabilities regarding smoking in your business lease vehicle, please contact us for advice specific to your situation.

Background to the new law

The risks of smoking whilst driving are well recognised: smokers having an increased risk of being involved in a crash – one study even showing that smoking almost doubled car death risk; it’s a clear hazard. Combine this with the long established health risks of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), or passive smoking, and how children are particularly susceptible, this new ruling takes all these factors into account to protect the interests of minors in cars, and is supported by some particularly sobering statistics.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) give four key reasons why smoking in cars can cause harm:
• direct harm to the smoker from inhaling
• harm to the vehicle occupants from inhaling SHS
• potential harm that children may perceive smoking to be normal adult behaviour
• potential harm to driver, passengers and other road users from the driver’s temporary loss of control when lighting up or extinguishing.

Smoke in the Cabin

Levels of SHS in cars can be extremely high due to the enclosed space of a vehicle’s cabin, with levels reaching far higher than those found in buildings.

Smoking a single cigarette in a car with the windows closed can produce a level of SHS 11 times higher than in an average (smoking-permitted) bar, according to a Canadian study, who also found the levels of smoke-derived ‘fine respiratory particles’ to be 15 times the US Environment Protection Agency’s ‘hazardous’ rating.

You’d think that opening a window would help, but across a range of ventilation conditions, including with the fan on high, the level of SHS still exceeded that found in any other small, enclosed space. Even driving with the window open and the cigarette held at the opening when the driver is not puffing creates a SHS level two-thirds that of a smoky bar.

Health risks

Due to the levels of carcinogens in smoke, there is no safe level of exposure. SHS’s immediate effects include eye and throat irritation, headache, cough, dizziness, nausea, decline in lung function in asthmatics, even triggering heart attacks in those with cardio-vascular disease, through to longer-term increased risk of stroke, lung cancer, lung disease and coronary heart disease.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of SHS. Exposure increases the risk of cot death, glue ear, asthma, and meningitis. It can cause wheezing and increased risk of respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia, and of course, cancer. The British Medical Association’s Board of Science concluded there was no safe level of exposure for children, with adverse effects felt at low levels of exposure. Many have argued that, not being fully autonomous, children are unable to act to protect their own interests, hence the law is now stepping in.

Public opinion

There has been growing public support for a ban on smoking in cars with children present – in 2014 a YouGov poll of over 12,000 adults in Great Britain found 77% were in favour of a ban in cars carrying children under 18 years of age… and 63% of those in agreement were themselves smokers. 46% in fact were in favour of banning smoking in all cars.

So, whilst it’s already against the law to smoke in a work vehicle, as from 1st October 2015 please be aware that it will also be illegal to smoke in a vehicle where children under 18 are present (unless you’re a 17-year-old lone driver or in a roof-down convertible).

Full details of the studies and statistics mentioned above can be found in the ASH factsheet: Smoking in cars, February 2015.

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