The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has announced the appointment of Catherine Hutt as business development manager responsible for electric vehicles, effective 1 September 2009. The newly created position reflects the increasing importance of low carbon technology within the UK motor industry, as the trade association moves to strengthen its standing in this emerging market.

Catherine joins SMMT from Modec, the UK-based electric commercial vehicle manufacturer, bringing with her first hand experience of electric vehicles and the issues affecting the sector. It is expected that she will lead the development of SMMT’s activities in the field, managing the newly created Electric Vehicle Group to encourage high-level industry discussion and consensus views aimed at influencing political and public attitudes towards the new technology.

Commenting, SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: “I am delighted that Catherine has joined SMMT, bringing valuable expertise in the all-important electric vehicle technology.

“The UK has a strong role to play in this growing global market and the coordinated industry approach which Catherine will focus on will help to strengthen the position of the UK automotive industry,” he continued.

Modec, based in the UK, is finalising a joint venture for the production of electric Class 2c-3 commercial vehicles with Navistar International Corporation. The all-electric delivery vehicle will be used for urban-suburban pick-up and deliveries across North, Central and South America.

By introducing the trucks it is hoped that there can be significant fuel savings – stop and go driving would typically consume a large amount of fuel.

The venture has been boosted after Navistar was awarded $39.2million to develop, validate and deploy 400 advanced battery electric delivery trucks with a 100mile range.

Currently, Modec vehicles are manufactured in Coventry where they are designed from the ground up as an electric commercial vehicle. They are available in a variety of models and can be upgraded as battery technology evolves, as well as to potentially house future fuel cell units.

According to Daniel C Ustian, the Navistar chairman, president and CEO, the all-electric delivery vehicle is a concrete example of what business and government can do when they work together. He states that the company already has many interested customers, including some of the most respected names in the industry.

The Arrive ‘N Drive at Rockingham, Tuesday 19 May, allows you to test cars that reduce CO2 emissions from company fleets.

Fleet managers are under constant pressure to reduce costs, increase safety and introduce environmental policies to cut down on CO2 and other tailpipe emissions. Until recently, environmental performance and cost reduction were phrases not often used in the same sentence. The success of events such as the GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive have gone some way to convince fleet managers and those responsible for road transport procurement that a greener fleet doesn’t mean a higher level of investment. When lifetime costs are taken into account, it can be demonstrated that green can indeed mean ‘lean’.

The GreenFleet Arrive ‘N’ Drive 09, takes place on 19 May at Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northants.

The Arrive ‘N’ Drive will feature offerings from the leading manufacturers, as well as the latest HGV’s on display.

Part of the attraction to the Arrive ‘N’ Drive is that test drivers are accompanied by ARDS (Association of Racing Drivers’ Schools) instructors, who offer tips on how to drive with fuel economy and safety in mind, and will instruct in ways to save fuel through driving style.

Attendees that wish to test drive the vehicles must attend a short briefing session before going out on the track, which details health and safety procedures and offers green driving tips. And don’t forget your driver’s licence!

Event timetable

• 8.30am Arrive ‘N’ Drive registration opens
• 9.00am Breakfast & Refreshments
• 9.15am First driver briefings take place
• 1.00pm Lunch
• 4.30pm Final track appointments to take place
• 5.00pm Event close

Companies at the Arrive ‘n’ Drive

• Aixam
• Calor Gas
• Citroën
• The Eco Power Group
• Elsbett
• Eurofrigo
• Modec
• Modul System
• RHA
• Tata Motors
• Zero Emission Vehicles

For more information

Professionals from across the public and private sectors are invited to the event, and should visit www.greenfleet.net/arrivendriveregistration to register.

Supermarket chain, M&S launches its first Modec electric delivery van this month. The custom built Modec vehicle will operate in London from December 2008.

The Modec van, which will deliver to offices and stores in London, is run solely on electricity and will save around nine tonnes of CO2 per year by replacing a traditional diesel delivery van.

Fitted with a bespoke refrigerated body, the Modec carries the same load as a standard M&S van, covers a range of over 70 miles with a maximum speed of 50 mph on one overnight charge.

Because it is an electric vehicle, it requires no road tax, MOT or tachograph and is not liable for the congestion charge.

Richard Gillies, M&S Director of Plan A, said, “We are delighted to have the Modec van on the road. We are working hard to make our vans and lorries greener as part of our 100 point Plan A ‘eco-plan’. This van is not only good for the environment – is also very quiet, which makes it ideal for deliveries in built up areas like London.”

Jamie Borwick, Modec Chairman, said:”We are delighted to see the first M&S Modec go into service. We look forward to working closely with M&S as they progress with Plan A.”

 Electric cars continue to make an impact in the metropolitan area of greater London with FedEx Express ordering 10 Modec electric commercial vehicles for use in the region.

The vehicles, which feature a large, removable battery pack and can travel up to 70 miles on a single charge, will be part of a growing fleet of more than 170 hybrid electric vehicles owned by FedEx worldwide making it the largest hybrid fleet in the transportation industry.

The company has set a target to improve the fuel efficiency of its fleet by 20 per cent by 2020. It is also committed to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its aircraft fleet by 20 per cent per available ton mile by 2020.

According to the company, the Modec vehicles were selected due to their superior performance and handling, as they are well suited to urban environments. Indeed it’s not the first time that Modec has proven popular with a delivery company, with UPS ordering 12 vans in November, six of which will become part of its UK fleet in February 2009. The remaining six will be utilised in Germany.

The Modec van includes a 102hp (76kW), 300Nm (221lb-ft) drive motor and a 50-100kWh battery pack which can be swapped out to avoid downtime while recharging.

The UK’s largest tool and equipment hire firm, Speedy Hire, has announced an expansion in its electric delivery fleet.

Since last year, the company has used four Modec-manufactured electric vans to complete deliveries in London. These new vans will bring the total up to ten vehicles and are due to be deployed at Heathrow airport and Manchester.

The vans, manufactured by Coventry based firm Modec, are powered by Lithium Ion Phosphate battery technology and promise high performance and a zero emission alternative.

Mark Turnbull, safety, health, environment and quality director for Speedy Hire said: “Over the past five years we have introduced initiatives that have enabled us to reduce our average CO² emissions by 12 per cent.

“Environmental performance is becoming a key purchasing decision for customers – not least because it now plays an important role in prequalification questionnaires. We are continually looking for new and innovative ways to help our customers reduce their impact while enhancing their bid credentials.”

Cost of diesel increase is enough to charge a Modec for a whole year…

Annual fuel costs have risen by £1,109* in the last 12 months for the average diesel van. Charging a Modec for a whole year costs just £1,050** on average… that’s less than the ADDITIONAL fuel cost and is far easier to predict thanks to stable electricity prices.

With a running cost of only 7p per mile, compared to the 29p per mile it costs to fuel an equivalent sized diesel van, the vehicles are cost effective and the stable electricity price allows fleet managers to forecast more accurately.

“We’re all aware how much pressure the transport industry is under. Rising fuel costs and strict CO2 targets only add to this pressure” comments Roger Atkins, Modec.

“During the six years of research and development invested in the Modec vehicle, we made significant advances in the technologies used and have created a commercial vehicle that offers a serious alternative to the diesel fleet. Needless to say, Modec vehicles cut emissions significantly and will not be affected by rising fuel prices.”

How the figures stack up:

* Diesel Van
2007- 98p per litre x 4.27 = £4.41 per gallon ÷ 20 (mpg) = 21p per mile x 15,000 miles = £3,241 per year
2008 – £1.28 per litre x 4.27 = £5.76 per gallon ÷ 20 (mpg) = 29p per mile x 15,000 miles = £4,350 per year
Price increase in diesel = £1,109 between 2007 and 2008

** Modec Van
Electricity – 8.5p per kWh. 1.2 miles per kWh = 7p per mile x 15,000 miles = £1,050 per year

(Figures based on 15,000 miles per annum with diesel vehicles achieving
20mpg)

Sir John Egan has been appointed to the Modec Group board. Sir John, previous chairman of Jaguar and CEO of BAA will sit alongside Kevin Morley, formerly MD of the Rover Car Group and Modec founder, Jamie Borwick, former Chairman of Manganese Bronze.
The move symbolises the common belief shared between these automotive giants that the future of commercial transport will be electric.
“Electric is an alternative automotive propulsion technology that is available today – unlike other theoretical or elusive solutions. Electric vehicles are already growing in popularity both amongst consumers and within the commercial environment, and this is a trend that will continue as fuel costs and environmental pressures escalate. It is an exciting time for electric automotive technology. Modec has already proved that its concept is viable and I’m looking forward to playing a part in the next stage of the Company’s development.” said Sir John.

Modec profile