Leasing

Tread with Care: proposed change to minimum tyre tread depth

Tread with Care: proposed change to minimum tyre tread depth https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Tyres-featured-1.jpg 1000 600 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Calls by the tyre industry for increasing the minimum tread depth to 3mm, or even 4mm, have been met with strong resistance – surprisingly, by Michelin. They argue that their tyres are made to guarantee effectiveness right down to 1.6mm, and that premature replacement is a waste of money, harmful to the environment and potentially reduces its overall safety performance.

Keeping track

The legal limit remains at 1.6mm across the central 75% of the tyre (a threshold set by motoring experts some 25 years ago), with a recommendation by RoSPA in 2005 to replace tyres at 3mm due to their diminished performance particularly in wet conditions – as the depth decreases stopping distance in wet weather will increase.

Recent research reported by tyre retailer KwikFit has shown that 73% of our blue light services (police, fire & ambulance) change their vehicles’ tyres at a tread depth between 2.6 to 3mm, some 10% in fact change them as early as 3.1 to 4mm. This is of course encouraging, understanding how greater tread depth can reduce stopping distances in wet conditions – and KwikFit’s view was that motorists should follow their example.

Michelin however, are challenging this move with their own new research: they are in favour of not replacing tyres at 3mm, but rather waiting until they are close to the 1.6mm limit. Their study has shown no link between tread depths of 1.6mm and accident rate, and perhaps surprisingly that a premium tyre worn to this limit can perform as well as a brand new lower-performing tyre. Changing a tyre early therefore doesn’t guarantee safety and they are advising against premature replacement.

All new tyres are not equal, nor do they wear or perform in service at the same levels. Differences in casing design, tread pattern, materials and rubber compounds all affect wear and performance. Lower quality tyres which may perform well and meet standards when new, in tests, can slide 30% in performance when tread reduces to below 3 or 4mm. Higher quality tyres can perform well through to the legal limit.

They are promoting wider testing of tyres as a guide to in-life performance, rather than going by a blanket rule which may waste tyres with many more safe miles left in them.

The cost of change

Michelin commissioned Ernst & Young to investigate consumer costs and they determined that replacement at 3mm would cost EU drivers almost an extra €7bn in purchase costs and fuel consumption. It would also require an extra 128 million tyres in Europe per year, with 9m tonnes of additional CO2 released.

Furthermore, new tyres with greater tread depth are less fuel efficient than those with lower depth: ‘rolling resistance’ reduces with depth, so fuel economy will improve with wear.

They also found that a worn tyre is capable of stopping more quickly than a new tyre in dry conditions – in fact becoming safer with wear.

All Weather

Critically, when we think of tyre safety, we think of driving – and stopping – in wet weather. Michelin’s tests showed that some worn tyres can perform as well as new tyres in wet conditions.

The original MIRA (Motoring Industry Research Association) data from 2003 showed that wet stopping distances start to increase dramatically at tread depths of below 3mm. At the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, the wet stopping distance increased by 36.8% on asphalt vs 44.6% on concrete. Tyres with a 3mm tread had a 25 per cent better stopping performance than those at 1.6mm in the wet.

stopping distance vs tread depth

Michelin’s stand is one of balancing the tyre’s performance in all conditions, not just the wet, and their data clearly supports extended wear beyond the 3mm limit can be beneficial in terms of cost, fuel consumption, and safety on dry roads. That said, given the levels of rainfall we can see here in the UK, and how wet conditions are better handled with more tread depth, whether this view will stand its ground remains to be seen.

“I just can’t agree with Michelin’s stance. I’ve conducted exhaustive tests, measuring cars’ braking distances in the wet on tyres with 8, 3, and 1.6mm tread depths. The 1.6mm tyres took much longer to stop… Admittedly I wasn’t using Michelin tyres – but they were from a premium rival.”

Kim Adams, Auto Express products editor

Losing Grip

Only 1 in 8 drivers check their tyre tread depths regularly according to a KwikFit survey, showing that the majority of points issued in 2015 were to drivers with tread levels below 1.6mm. Road safety charity TyreSafe’s research found that one third of all UK tyres were illegal – either below 1.6mm tread or with other defects. Bristol’s tyres fared worse with over 46% found to be illegal, with Greater London faring best at 13.8%.

“Well maintained tyres significantly reduce the risk of being involved in an accident.”

Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe chairman

N.B. This video is dated 2011, prior to Michelin’s recent study.

Round-up

Until new guidelines are published, the 1.6mm minimum, and 3mm advisory limit will remain. The key point is to check your tyres regularly; not only is it one of the top three MOT fail items, risking 3 points and fine up to £10,000 is surely an incentive to keep a watch. The AA recommends checking more frequently when tread depth reaches 3mm, and consider replacing the tyre when it approaches 2mm. Always allow extra room for braking in wet conditions, and don’t forget to check your pressures too. Most importantly, maintaining your tyres could prevent you losing grip on the road surface or suffering a blowout – the consequences of either being potentially catastrophic.

Tyres are included with WVL’s Full Maintenance Packages!

No need to worry about the cost of replacement tyres when you lease your vehicle from WVL with a maintenance package – tyres are covered! Whilst it’s still your responsibility to monitor their wear and condition between scheduled services, the cost of replacement is fully included in the deal. Click here for details:

See our current lease deals here or call us on 01753 851561 for more information.

Visit our Showroom

Visit our Showroom https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Shopfront-scaled-1.jpg 2048 1536 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

We’d like to think all the dust has settled now following our move of premises earlier this year – we’ve certainly swept it all away and hopefully it shows! We look forward to welcoming you here. We have a history of listening to our customers; of seeing the bigger picture too – so whether you’re a start-up company, an overseas placement or a UK company where all decisions are made by global head offices, we’re happy to talk. Don’t forget, we offer short-term leasing and daily rentals too. Please pop in, take a seat and see whether our experienced team can be of assistance – or call us on 01753 851 561. You can also email at:: [email protected]

New Business Leasing

New Business Leasing https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/BMW.jpg 1280 720 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Starting a new business in the UK? Newly incorporated and need a new car or van?

Windsor Vehicle Leasing can provide you a superb platform to develop your business from the very start, with cars and vans available from ALL Manufacturers- Any Make, and Model. If you are yet to file your first year’s accounts you must be prepared to back your business with a personal guarantee and successful credit score. Contact us for a quote now and speak to our experienced team; Email: [email protected] or Call us on 01753 851 561

2 x Tesla Model 3’s in our Showroom

2 x Tesla Model 3’s in our Showroom https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/0.jpg 750 563 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

WVL are delighted to have two fantastic Tesla Model 3’s in our showroom in Datchet, to test drive or lease! We have two variants onsite at present.

  1. The Standard Range Plus Rear-Wheel Drive in Solid black with 18″ Aero Alloys and with unique Black and White Partial Premium Interior
  2. The Long Range All-Wheel Drive in Deep Blue Metallic with 19″ Sport alloys and all black premium interior, this car also features the Full Self-Driving Capability

Why not arrange a viewing or test drive and Lease your next Electric Car with WVL – 01753 851 561 Email – [email protected]

ULEZ

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.

Hand it back early

Hand It Back Early!

Hand It Back Early! https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/HIBE-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Hand It Back Early is WVL’s ultimate deal in future-proof motoring.

Choose one of our selected in-stock vehicles on a 2-year Contract Hire deal and you’ll have the option to walk away from the vehicle at 6 months, 12 months and 18 months – no catches, no penalties.

We all know how life can throw surprises at us, so we understand that committing to longer lease terms can be daunting – especially in the current financial climate. But Hand It Back Early gives you the peace of mind that should your circumstances change and you’d prefer not to keep the vehicle to the end of the contract, you can Hand It Back Early!

We’ll miss you… but we’ll understand.

See the currently available vehicles here, and call our team on 01753 851561 to talk about this fantastic opportunity.

Out of hours, please contact us online, and don’t forget, you can see and test drive these vehicles at our Windsor showroom, where you can also speak to us in person to get things moving!

The small print: Two year contracts only on Nearly New and Used vehicles in stock, with a minimum of 10,000 miles per annum based on full maintenance contract hire with a payment profile of 6+23 months. No ownership option, Contract Hire; eligibility conditions apply.

Hand it back early

WVL featured in Fleet News

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

Mercedes Ride & Drive 2016

Test Drive a Mercedes-Benz this May… and Dine Out on the Experience!

Test Drive a Mercedes-Benz this May… and Dine Out on the Experience! https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mercedes-featured-2.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

This month WVL are delighted to be hosting our second Mercedes ‘Ride & Drive’ event. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be receiving a series of absolutely stunning demonstrator models for our customers to test drive. What’s more, there’s the chance of winning a fabulous dinner for 4 people too – it’s an opportunity you’ll not want to miss!

C300h Diesel Hybrid Saloon

This week, we’ve a fantastic C300h Diesel Hybrid Saloon here on-site. The smooth transition between battery and turbo diesel has to be experienced first hand, and that combined with the level of refinement – inside and out – makes this a very desirable vehicle indeed. Available 10th-13th May only – contact us to book your test drive now!

Mercedes C300h

A180d SE

Next week we’ve the nimble A180d SE Manual which which really gives the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series a run for their money – but also pitches hard at Focus and Astra drivers to consider switching marques. Packed with features, and offering a great value drive, we’ve a manual box version here with us at WVL from the 16th-20th May.

Mercedes A180d

E220d AMG Line Saloon

Then it’s the turn of the E220d AMG Line Saloon. Heralded as one of the most important new cars of 2016, it goes head to head with BMW’s 5-series, has a boot capacity to rival the Jaguar XF and takes luxury to the next level.  Our demonstrator will be here 23rd-27th May, so be quick and book your test drive slot now!

Mercedes E220d

C220d Sport Premium Plus

Already here on-site, we’ve a fabulous C220d Sport Premium Plus Auto, packed with features and extras including active park assist and panoramic roof. Available to lease or to purchase, please call at your earliest opportunity to test drive this vehicle as we don’t expect it to be here long!

Mercedes C220d

Smart fortwo Cabriolet

And if you’re looking for something smaller, how about a Smart fortwo 1.0 71hp Passion Cabriolet? Still on-brand with our Mercedes Month (Smart being from the Daimler-Benz stable), this is a top quality, top-tech runabout with a clever new design in roof mechanism: partially retracting just like a sunroof… or folding into the boot as a full convertible. This car offers a lot of fun, features, as well as practicality, and we’ve a demonstrator in stock now until the 27th ready for you to test drive!

Smart fortwo Cabriolet

Whether you’re already a brand-loyal Mercedes driver, or are looking to sample the quality, refinement and performance the marque has to offer, do come along and test drive one of these exceptional motors. And there’s more…

Win Dinner for 4

As an added bonus, everyone who test drives our Mercedes or Smart car this month and who leaves their business card with us will be entered into a competition to win dinner for four people at Royal Windsor Racecourse’s Castle Restaurant. This is a superb restaurant and a wonderful prize worth winning! Ts&Cs apply, please ask for full details.

So if you have a test drive WVL this May, you could really dine out on the experience! Call us on 01753 851561, email [email protected] or enquire online to book your slot.

Win dinner for 4 with WVL

Terms and conditions apply: Prize subject to availability. No cash alternative will be offered. By entering this competition you are agreeing to receive promotional emails from WVL. Winner will be chosen at random on 31st May 2016. Winner will be notified in writing and by telephone on 1st June 2016. Prize applies to Monday Evening racing at Windsor Racecourse. Dinner includes 2 bottles of house wine. WVL reserve the right to change/alter prize details with no prior notice. Prize must be taken by 1st September 2016.

ULEV grants to change March 2016

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

Configure your next lease vehicle!

Configure your next lease vehicle! https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/config-featured-3.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

When it comes to cars, we’ve all got very different ideas about what makes the perfect vehicle. With this in mind, we’re excited to announce that we’ve just launched our brand new Lease Configurator.

It’s simple. Decide on the vehicle type from over 35 leading manufacturers, then the model type. Specify your chosen engine and gearbox… and then the fun begins: colour, interior, wheels, multimedia, style packs… the list goes on!

With many manufacturers now offering a choice of different materials in the cabin (dashboard, headlining, seats and so on), you can make the car as individual as you are! Every available option is listed on our new custom microsite, optimised for mobile browsing too, so you can quickly reach the spec of your dreams without complex manufacturers’ interfaces slowing your browser to a crawl.

Go on give it a try by clicking here… it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1

Choose the make and model from over 35 leading manufacturers…

2

Select from all the available factory- fitted options to truly personalise your lease vehicle.

3

Tell us about your lease requirements and we email you your quote!

Explore our configurator on your tablet too
Configure your car just as you want it.

The best thing is that you can drive the vehicle of your dreams with all the associated benefits of leasing – you simply pay an initial rental payment, followed by regular monthly payments for your chosen lease period of one to four years.

And it’s not just for cars – you can configure vans and commercial vehicles too in a special, dedicated Commercials section!

config-end

config-car config-van

So go on, make your next lease vehicle extra SPEC-ial with WVL!