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Vans ·

Openreach goes electric and orders 270 Vivaro-e vans

One of the UK’s largest fleet operators, Openreach, has placed an order of 270 fully electric Vivaro-e vans and 9 Corsa-e cars. Openreach has also called for the government to legislate to make all new van and car sales to be full-electric by 2030. Key points: Openreach, one of the country’s largest fleet operators, has placed an order of 270 fully electric Vivaro-e vans and 9 Corsa-e cars Vivaro-e available with two battery sizes comes with up to a 205-mile operational range. Corsa-e can achieve up to 209 miles on a single charge Openreach operates a fleet of around 27,000…

10 August 2020 2:44 pm·

Environment ·

Major milestone for Ultra Low Emission Zone as installation of new infrastructure gets underway

London has come a step closer to expanding the world’s-first Ultra Low Emission Zone with the installation of the first new cameras. The Ultra Low Emission Zone currently covers the same area as the Congestion Charge Zone and the new cameras will enable it to expand up to the North and South Circular in October 2021 – spreading the benefits of cleaner air across the city. Thousands of deaths in the capital each year are attributed to poor air quality, while emerging evidence suggests there is a link between pollution, higher rates of infection and a worse recovery from coronavirus. The…

7 August 2020 6:46 am·

Cities & Towns ·

‘Tap & Cap’ arrives in Southampton heralding city’s travel revolution

Unlimited travel and always the best fare, as contactless ‘Tap & Cap’ arrives in Southampton on all First City Red services from today (6 August 2020) The deployment in Southampton is the largest conurbation to date to use the system. Reducing boarding times and fuss-free travel, the new system also accepts Express Mode for Apple Pay, so customers can pay for their fare by just tapping their iPhone or Apple watch. This is another COVID-related safety upgrade as First continues to encourage passengers to use cashless payment and “only use cash as a last resort.” While capacity still remains restricted…

6 August 2020 6:28 am·

Environment ·

Asset funder provides sustainable finance solutions for diesel-free refrigeration

First Asset Finance has teamed-up with Hultsteins, the Swedish and British hydraulic refrigeration manufacturer, to provide bespoke funding solutions for operators using Hultsteins’ diesel-free systems. With over 40 years of experience in providing leasing and finance support across a wide range of transport sectors, First Asset Finance is uniquely positioned to work with temperature-controlled operators attempting to balance environmental obligations with the increased running costs expected when the long-standing rebate on red diesel for the sector is withdrawn in under two years’ time. FAF Director, Martin Vodden explains: “From an environmental standpoint the Euro 6 emissions standard is clearly a…

4 August 2020 4:48 pm·

Innovation ·

Carrier Transicold launches three new refrigeration units in the UK and Ireland

Carrier Transicold is introducing three new transport refrigeration units into the UK and Ireland, delivering significant operational and environmental benefits for truck, trailer and light commercial vehicle fleets. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. The new models include the first PIEK-certified version of its flagship Vector® HE 19 (High Efficiency) trailer unit, which will now operate below 60 decibels, the equivalent of normal conversation, in either a mono or multi-temperature configuration. “Our new PIEK-compliant Vector HE…