Category: Fleet News

As of summer 2021, the UK is transitioning from E5 petrol to E10. This change will not impact drivers of diesel vehicles, but will affect users of petrol.

What is E10 fuel?

This petrol contains 10% renewable ethanol, as opposed to E5 which only contains 5%.

All petrol cars made after 2011 are compatible with the newer fuel, and most vehicles made before that will also be compatible. You can check if your vehicle is compatible with E10 on the government website.  Classic cars are not likely to be compatible with this fuel, so it is worth checking before filling up!

If you have been filling your vehicle with E10, but go to fill up at a station where only E5 is available, it is safe to mix the two. They are very similar substances, but one contains more ethanol than the other.

The UK is actually a late adopter of E10. It has been rolled out in many EU countries such as France and Germany, and the US also uses it to fuel their  vehicles.

In fact, E10 is now the reference fuel that new cars are tested with when measuring emissions and performance.

E5 E10 fuel differences

The main difference between E5 and E10 unleaded fuel is their ethanol content. E5 contains up to 5% ethanol, while E10 contains up to 10%. The higher ethanol content in E10 makes it a more eco-friendly option, reducing carbon emissions.

Is E5 or E10 fuel more efficient?

Statistically, this newer petrol can reduce fuel economy. Compared to E5, you’ll see a 1% reduction in efficiency. It’s worth being aware of this, but it shouldn’t impact your fuel costs too much.

How long does E10 fuel last?

If your fleet does a lot of miles, this 1% could add up over months and years. It’s worth getting hold of a fuel card to counter-act this extra cost. You could even save up to 10p per litre.

You should also be aware that if your drivers are prone to harsh accelerating and braking, or if your vehicle is not maintained well enough, your fuel economy could be greatly reduced with this newer fuel.

 

Does E10 fuel damage engines? E10 petrol additives can help

E10 petrol, with up to 10% ethanol, is eco-friendly but can be more corrosive, potentially affecting older vehicles not designed for it. If your fleet vehicle isn’t compatible, you must use E5 super unleaded, which is pricier. 

To protect your engine and ensure reliable starts after periods of storage, using an additive like STA-BIL E10 Ethanol & Fuel Stabilizer can be beneficial. This product prevents fuel degradation, corrosion, and gum formation, making it particularly useful for fleet vehicles not regularly used. 

E10 petrol price – is it more expensive than E5?

E10 petrol won’t be more expensive than the E5 unleaded fuel it replaces. However, for drivers of fleet vehicles that can’t use E10, the cost of filling up will rise because they’ll need to switch to super unleaded fuel, which will continue to be E5.

Why has this change been made?

Since E10 uses 10% renewable ethanol, less fossil fuels are required. This will make a big difference towards reducing the country’s CO2 emissions.

According to the government, switching to this newer fuel will cut the country’s CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year. This is the equivalent of removing all the cars in North Yorkshire!

Whilst E10 does reduce our carbon emissions, it does not do much to improve air quality and public health.

What else is the country doing to reduce emissions?

The change to a petrol with fewer fossil fuels is just one of the many steps the government is taking to lower the overall carbon emissions of the transport industry.

Petrol and Diesel car ban

We will see fewer and fewer fossil fuel-burning cars on the road as we approach this ban. In conjunction with the introduction of lower-emissionfuel, this will help to push our emissions down even further.

When is the ban on petrol and diesel cars?

In 2030, the government will be banning the sale and production of petrol and diesel cars. They, of course, won’t be outlawed straight away. You can still buy a new petrol car in 2029 and get a few years of use out of it.

What is a low emission zone?

Low emissions zones, or LEZ, are areas where the local council has decided to limit access to vehicles that do not meet certain requirements.

Vehicles must meet an emission standard to drive through an LEZ freely. Otherwise, they will have to pay a charge.

These zones achieve two things. Firstly, they keep drivers out of areas with high congestion which reduces air pollution; this is a great benefit to public health. Secondly, those who need to drive in these zones will consider acquiring a vehicle that meets the emission standard. For example, they might look into purchasing an electric vehicle, as they do not emit harmful greenhouse gases.

How to pay low emission zone?

For a petrol car to drive in the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London, for example, it must achieve a Euro 4 minimum emission standard. If it does not, the driver must pay a daily charge of £12.50 to enter.

To pay for driving in a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), you typically need to visit the official website of the city or region operating the LEZ, such as Transport for London (TfL) for London’s LEZ. You can pay online by entering your vehicle’s registration details and paying the applicable charge. Some areas may also allow payment via mobile apps or over the phone. Make sure to pay within the required timeframe to avoid fines. 

For specific instructions, check the relevant local authority’s website.

 

What is EV?

EV stands for electric vehicle. These vehicles are powered by electric motors and batteries rather than internal combustion engines. They are known for their potential to reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

How long do EV batteries last?

Electric car battery life is a significant consideration for many drivers when deciding whether to switch to an electric vehicle. 

The battery experiences cycles of “discharge” during driving and “charge” when plugged in, which over time can affect its capacity. As a result, the range of the vehicle and the frequency of required charging sessions can decrease. 

Most manufacturers offer a battery warranty of five to eight years, but advancements in technology suggest that modern electric car batteries are expected to last between 10 to 20 years before needing replacement. 

This extended lifespan is largely due to ongoing improvements in battery technology, which continue to enhance the durability and efficiency of electric vehicle batteries.

EV charger grants

The government also offers grants to those considering purchasing an electric vehicle. When deciding on their next vehicle, drivers might consider this, as they could potentially pay less than they would for an ICE vehicle.

The plug-in vehicle grant will pay for 35% of a vehicle’s purchase price, up to a maximum of £2,500.

 

How can Fuel Card Services help with E10 fuel costs?

There are many upcoming changes to our roads, so it’s often difficult for fleet managers to know when they are making the best decisions for their businesses.

With help from Fuel Card Services, you can rest assured that you are keeping costs as low as possible. We can help you find the right fuel card for your business, and our additional fleet management services can help you increase productivity and cut costs even further – get in touch today!

An increase in vehicle crime earlier this year has been attributed to a rise of keyless car theft. Figures from the National Police Chiefs’ Council show that there was a 3.1% increase in vehicle related crime in May and June of 2021.

Car theft has been much lower than it was in the 1990s, which saw 36 of every 1000 car owning households being a victim of vehicle related crime.

So how are thieves exploiting this new technology, and could your vehicles be at risk?

What is keyless entry?

Whilst cars still need keys (in some form) to open, they no longer need to be inserted into the car, or have their button pushed. Keyless entry means that there is less fumbling around trying to find your keys in your bag or pocket.

When you put your hand on the handle, the car will send out a signal. That signal will be received by your keys and sent back, telling the car it is safe to unlock. As long as your keys are on your person or in your bag, they will have no issue sending the signal to your car.

The same goes for ignition. Many cars simply have a “start” button. When pressed, the same signal will be sent out. If your keys are in range, the car will start.

Some cars even use this feature for the boot. Drivers can wave foot under the base of the car to open it; this is great when loading items as you don’t have to drop anything to open the compartment.

How are thieves exploiting keyless entry?

Whilst many drivers have been enjoying this new technology, so have thieves. If car owners no longer need to physically use their keys to open their vehicle, this also provides new opportunities for thieves.

By using relay technology, they are able to trick vehicles into opening. This works by standing by a house and using a device that picks up the signal from the car keys, which are often left near the front doors of a house. The device then relays the signal from the keys to the car. The car will then be unlocked, as it is receiving the signal that tells it the keys are close by.

This method of theft usually requires two people – one to stand by the house with the relay device, and another to open the vehicle.

Tips for keyless car theft prevention

Firstly, it’s important to note that vehicles using keyless entry do not lock or turn off when the key goes out of range. This is to avoid complications with battery life – if the key fob’s battery died whilst driving, the vehicle would assume it is just out of range, so you wouldn’t want it to turn the engine off and lock the doors in this instance!

So, it is important that you double check your vehicle is actually locked when you leave it unattended. A survey found that many drivers were unaware of this.

Storing your keys as far away from the vehicle as possible is a great way to prevent keyless car theft. The key fobs typically have a range between 5 to 20 metres. If you need to park on the street, consider parking a little further away from your home. This will keep your key fobs out of range of the vehicle.

Of course, this may not be possible. If your keys must be stored within that range, there is another option. You can store your keys in a blocking pouch. This is a container with a metallic lining that stops the fob from transmitting. Even if your key was stored right by your front door, the thieves’ relay device would not receive a signal.

Other tips to prevent theft include installing car alarms, not leaving valuable items visible in the vehicle and using a wheel locking mechanism.

How can Fuel Card Services help?

With Tele-Gence, our smart telematics service, you’ll gain an added level of security for your vehicles. With notifications of out-of-hours movement and alerts when your trackers are disconnected, you’ll know instantly if your vehicles are being tampered with. For fleets, this is a great comfort, especially if your vehicles are being left at the workplace overnight.

Get in touch today and see what we could do for you.

Motorways make up 13% of roads in the UK, with many drivers travelling on them multiple times per week. Which motorway is the safest to drive on in the UK, and which ones might be worth avoiding?

Are UK roads safe?

Whilst it is interesting to understand which roads are statistically the safest, it’s generally understood that the UK is a very safe place to drive.

Figures from the ACEA reveal that the UK is the second safest place to drive in Europe! Per million inhabitants, the UK has 28 road traffic deaths. Sweden is the only European country that is safer, with 25 deaths per million inhabitants.

Thankfully, the number of road traffic deaths have fallen drastically since the early 2000s. The EU unfortunately saw 54,900 road related fatalities in 2001, but this figure has more than halved since then.

Thing like mandatory speed limiters should make driving even safer in the coming years. However, most road traffic accidents are linked to some form of human error.

Which motorway is the safest in the UK?

Despite the high speeds and high volume of traffic, motorways are considered to be the safest roads in the UK.

New drivers are often anxious about driving on them, simply because they are not taught how to do so during lessons. In fact, a large number of drivers plan their routes so that they avoid motorways, even if the drive will be longer.

However, drivers around the East Midlands area might be pleased to know that the M42 is considered to be the safest UK motorway.

This stretch of road runs from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire to Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, circling the underside of Birmingham.

The M42 is a relatively simple stretch of road, and is around 40 miles long. This is quite short compared to the M6, which is the longest motorway in the UK, stretching over 230 miles from the Midlands to the border of Scotland.

Interestingly, some sources site the M621 as being an equally safe stretch of motorway. However, another source argues that it is a hotspot for accidents. The worst stretch of this road is between J2 and J2a in Leeds.

Which motorway is the most dangerous?

At the other end of the scale, there are certain stretches of motorway that account for a large number of accidents and fatalities.

Between 2007 and 2016, the M25 saw 7,673 accidents reported, with 80 deaths occurring as a result.

The M1 on the other hand had fewer accidents with 7,617 reported during the same time period. However, it is the deadlier of the two motorways. 154 fatalities were reported as a result of these accidents.

The M6 saw 160 deaths during that time period, which arguably makes it the most dangerous motorway in the UK. However, since it is the longest, it may just be that there is more room for error along the 230 mile road.

Do smart motorways make driving safer?

First introduced in 2006, a smart motorway aims to reduce congestion. It does this by using applying speed limits when there is a high volume of traffic, or using the hard shoulder as another lane.

Certain motorways have scrapped their hard shoulders in place of a permanent extra lane. Others still operate with the gantry signs dictating whether the lane can be used for driving or not.

Statistically, a smart motorway is actually safer than a normal one, perhaps because of the increased capacity they offer.

However, accidents over recent years have sparked serious debate over their safety. It’s argued that removing the hard shoulder causes a great deal of accidents.

In one instance, two drivers pulled over to exchange insurance details after a minor collision. However, the hard shoulder was being used as an extra lane. A lorry driver using said lane failed to see the obstruction, which resulted in a fatal collision.

A survey by the RAC shows that nearly 70% of drivers believe the removal of hard shoulders to be unsafe. However, it could just be a case of taking the time to become used to this new feature on our roads. After all, drivers are familiar with the hard shoulder, and it might just take some time for drivers to adjust.

Keeping your vehicles well maintained is key to motorway safety

Even if you were driving on the safest motorway in the UK, having a poorly maintained vehicle will still increase your chances of breaking down or having an accident.

Drivers of HGVs must do walkaround checks of their vehicle before every journey. By doing so, they are ensuring their vehicle is in good condition and driving it won’t put other road users in danger.

With MyService.Expert, we make vehicle maintenance easy and painless. You’ll get access to pre-negotiated rates with thousands of nationwide dealers and garages. You also can manage your maintenance from the online portal, as well as set reminders and alerts so you never forget when you’re vehicles need a service.

Get in touch with Fuel Card Services today, and see how we can keep your costs low and your drivers safe!

The last two years have seen Brexit and the pandemic transform many aspects of life in the UK, and the transportation industry is no exception.

It would be ideal to analyse the current state of the transportation and haulage industries and determine which factors are a result of Brexit, and which are a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this is very difficult to do.

Brexit officially happened on the 31^st January 2020. The first UK lockdown was announced on the 23^rd March 2020.

So, as you can imagine, the transportation industry has been affected simultaneously by these two events.

Something that has been massively impacted by both Brexit and the pandemic is the growing shortage or HGV drivers.

Why is there a driver shortage?

There was already a shortage of drivers hitting the transportation industry before Brexit or the pandemic had happened. Older drivers are reaching retirement age, whilst younger drivers are becoming harder to find. However, the situation has deteriorated in the past two years.

UK lockdowns meant that tests had to be postponed. Logistics UK estimates that there is a backlog of 45,000 lorry driving tests. Now lockdowns have eased, these tests should be able to get underway. The DVSA also announced that they hope to see test pass rates from 1,150 per week to 2000 per week by allocating additional staff and overtime.

Others attribute a huge loss of drivers to Brexit. Around 25,000 European drivers from the returned to their homes after the referendum announced that the UK would be leaving the EU. This could be due to fear or confusion about post-Brexit rules on immigration.

The new rules regarding work visas makes it difficult to recruit EU drivers quickly. Richard Burnett of the RHA has asked that short-term visas be allocated to foreign drivers so that the transportation industry has access to more drivers sooner rather than later.

Have vehicle sales been impacted?

70% of all cars sold in the UK are first imported from Europe. When the UK left the EU, it was expected that our ability to import would be impacted.

2020 saw a 29% decrease in car sales compared to 2019. However, this statistic can of course be attributed to the pandemic as well. Fewer people were driving or considering purchasing new vehicles when they had less need to leave their homes.

It was also expected that car prices would increase due to changes to importation procedure. However, this has been avoided. The UK government struck a trade deal with the EU towards the end of 2020. This deal prevented a 10% tariff being applied to cars and car parts imported from Europe.

Is driving in the EU any different?

There has been some confusion amongst drivers as to whether they need to carry a green card whilst driving in the EU.

A green card is proof from your insurer that your vehicle is ensured. It is needed in various countries around the world.

The EU have announced that drivers of UK-registered vehicles will not need a green card. This is especially useful for road hauliers; fleet managers can spend time less time worrying about whether their drivers have the correct documents. All UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third party cover to drive in the EU and various other countries.

On a similar note, drivers don’t need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in the EU as long as they have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK. However, it’s always worth checking the requirements to drive in each country on your route to avoid any further complications.

Previously, vehicles required a GB sticker if the number plate doesn’t already display the GB logo. However, this is set to become obsolete. From September 2021, the old sticker will be replaced with the new UK sticker. Whilst this may not be a direct result of Brexit, the decision is theorised to have been made to include Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, but not Great Britain.

Why are some UK hauliers considering moving to the EU?

According to a survey by Haulage Exchange, over half of British haulage firms are making or considering an operations move to the EU.

The surveyed companies state that they have experienced longer border waiting times, and many said they spend longer doing admin before crossing into the EU. The survey also found that 69% of hauliers think Brexit has caused them to lose business, whilst 19% dealt with the delays and increased admin time by simply not doing business with EU companies.

The transportation industry in the UK is facing many changes as a result of both the pandemic and Brexit. Whether you are part of the businesses experiencing difficulties during this time, or part of the 6% who have seen no impact since Brexit happened, you should be considering how your fleet can be saving money.

Get in touch with Fuel Card Services today and see how we could help you save time and money. Our branded fuel cards and range of fleet management solutions are designed to get your fleets running at maximum efficiency.

Every business wants to be profitable, to not overspend on acquiring assets, and to have their employees feel safe and supported. Grey fleets could be one good way of ticking all these boxes at the same time, however whether or not this is true can vary from business to business.

In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of grey fleets; first explaining what they are before sharing our tips on how to manage them.

What is a grey fleet?

A grey fleet describes fleet vehicles that are owned by a company’s employees and driven for businesses purposes, as opposed to when vehicles that are used for business activity are owned by the business as assets.

While this might not seem a huge distinction given that businesses typically compensate drivers who use their own vehicles, there are many legal and technical considerations to factor in when determining whether to use a grey fleet.

The latest Benefit-in-Kind HMRC data indicates that there around 870,000 company car drivers in 2018-19, which was in fact a whopping 30,000 drop on the previous year. Conversely, more and more grey fleets are being used, which you may well recognise on the roads from brands such as Uber.

When might you use a grey fleet?

If you’re deciding against offering company cars to your employees, as many businesses do, then one popular reason for this could be because you instead offer a monthly cash allowance to your drivers that matches or improves upon the financial position they would be in if using a company car. Whether this is the case can vary from business to business.

Typically, fleet operators will rely on the Advisory Fuel Rates (AFR) to calculate what costs would be paid on company car fuel, and consider this alongside relevant taxes to come to a decision on whether to purchase and utilise company vehicles.

It’s important also that the use of the vehicles is considered. Driving a personal car to the post office for business use is, legally speaking, very different to doing it for personal use. So, which way should fleet operators swing?

Grey fleet cars: are they a good idea?

How, then, do you know whether using a grey fleet is a good move for your business? Well, as a rough rule of thumb, using grey fleet cars is often most beneficial if your business does not have a high business mileage. Let’s dive into exactly why:

The pros of using a grey fleet

The obvious pro associated with using a grey fleet is that it’s potentially much cheaper than using company cars. The process of purchasing new company vehicles, maintaining those few vehicles, and acquiring the relevant insurance, can become extremely costly.

If your drivers are only making a handful of trips each month, then the chances are that it’ll be significantly cheaper to simply reimburse them for their fuel and maintenance expenses than it would be to move them over to using company cars as standard.

That said, to maximise this cost benefit and ensure that your drivers are only being reimbursed for business miles, it’s essential to have proper vehicle tracking in place. This is necessary, also, to make an assessment of whether a grey fleet model is right for you. For more help with tracking your fleet, view our MileageCount service.

The cons of using a grey fleet

So, grey fleets can help you save money. It’s important, though, that employers are mindful of the fact that there are legal processes required to facilitate a grey fleet – it isn’t just a case of drivers being entirely responsible for their own safety.

As an employer, the Government’s Health and Safety Executive body decrees that you have a ‘responsibility to take all reasonable steps to manage risks’ posed to employees while driving for business purposes – in a similar fashion to how you would in an office workspace.

Consequently, employers typically have to implement a safety policy, and often work this into their contractual relationship with grey fleet drivers. This applies even if the drivers are subcontracted. As an employer, you’ll need to check:

• Whether drivers’ vehicles are properly compliant with tax and MOT laws.
• Whether drivers are fit and able to drive physically and mentally.
• Whether drivers’ vehicles are properly insured for business use.
• Whether employee driving licences are valid. This includes checking licences if your drivers hail from a foreign country.

It’s worth noting that European driving licences are typically valid for three years in the UK before a UK license is required, whereas this only applies for one year for countries outside of Europe.

Grey fleet management tips

If you’ve made a decision to explore the option of using a grey fleet a little further, or if you’re dead set on rolling a grey fleet policy out, check out our tips first.

1. If you’re thinking about paying drivers monthly in cash as opposed to having them use company vehicles, you may want to set some hard rules for the business around what type of vehicles can be used. After all, you wouldn’t want to be paying to have cars with poor fuel economy used regularly. It may, then, be useful to specify the vehicle age, total mileage, and size (how many doors?).
2. Ensure all of your employees’ vehicles are properly insured for business use. There are subclasses of business insurance that can vary depending on the frequency with which vehicles are used, and on their projected mileage, but it’s quite possible that your drivers are not covered for business use, and may need to upgrade their insurance policy in suit. Many fleet operators compensate this additional cost.
3. Set a duty of care policy to outline exactly how you’ll look after your drivers while they’re operating grey fleet cars.
4. Set professional standards by which drivers must abide by, even when using their personal vehicles for business use. After all, those drivers are representatives of your organisation during work hours, and so you’ll want them to promote positive company values as much as possible.

We hope our insights have helped you get to grips with using a grey fleet. Be sure to check on the latest regulations around this fleet model as safety and tax laws tend to evolve and change every few years.

How could Fuel Card Services help?

At Fuel Card Services, we specialise in supporting fleets across the country – grey or otherwise. Our range of advanced fleet services can help fleet managers with everything from servicing and maintenance to advanced telematics and tracking vehicle mileage. We also offer:

• MileageCount – an intelligent, automated system for accurately reporting mileage claims.
• DriversClub – our fast and free fuel-finder app that helps your drivers quickly locate their nearest fuel pump.
• Expert – An app for helping with conducting and logging daily vehicle safety checks.

If you’re serious about making efficiencies within your fleet operation, then contact our friendly experts to see how we can support you. Did we mention that we’re also the UK’s largest independent provider of fuel cards that can help you cut costs on every mile?