Nissan LEAF

RCS, a Nottinghamshire based printer, is reducing its transport emissions with fleet of six new Nissan LEAF EVs and using the new ABB rapid charger, this allows the LEAF to be charged to 80% capacity in less than 30 minutes. The company is also using solar panels and other energy reduction strategies to reduce their annual energy bill by £78k, thereby charging the LEAFs for free

“The environment forms a key part of our company ethos and our fleet of Nissan LEAFs build on our vision of becoming the UK’s most environmentally friendly printer,” explained Michael Todd, MD of RCS. “The LEAF is the first practical five door, five seat EV on the UK market and our staff have embraced all aspects of the car which is why we kept adding them to our fleet.”

New Mazda3

Fleet operators and company car drivers will benefit from financial savings when the new Mazda3 goes on UK sale early in 2012. The upgraded Mazda3 range features 16 standard models with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines (with three power outputs) and for the first time the line-up includes a Mazda3 1.6 Sport Diesel. This is the model that Mazda believes will find favour with fleet operators and company car drivers alike.

Combined CO₂ emissions are cut by up to 3.5 percent depending on model, alongside improvements in fuel consumption, mean reduced petrol and diesel bills and savings in benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for company car drivers. And of course for fleet operators this means lower Vehicle Excise Duty and National Insurance payments.

The 1.6 Sport Diesel and 1.6 Sport Nav Diesel offer competitive CO₂ emissions (115g/km), combined cycle fuel economy of 65.7mpg and a standard vehicle specification that includes a Bose audio system, heated sports seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and side skirts.

The new Mazda3 range offers a choice of six trim levels – S, TS, TS², TS² Nav, Sport and Sport Nav – as well as from launch the special edition 1.6 Tamura and 1.6D Tamura. The range has more muscular visual appeal with a new front end design, a revised rear bumper and new twist-spoke alloy wheel designs. Inside, you get new materials and colours, improved ease-of-use for the driver and a quieter cabin.

SEAT Ecomotive model

Camps International is the ethical travel company that offers a range of gap year volunteering experiences and school expeditions to areas across the world including East Africa, South East Asia and Latin America. The company has just taken delivery of a dozen SEAT Ecomotive models to add to its company car fleet, allowing them to slash their fuel bills while reducing CO2 emissions and employee tax liability.

Group Financial Controller of Camps International, Carl Palmer, said,”We were looking at all the options, but the SEAT Ecomotive range ticked all the boxes for us. We’re a carbon neutral company and we take our responsibility to the environment very seriously which is why it was very important that we opted for a clean car with low emissions. But we were also incredibly impressed with the fuel economy of the Ibiza and Leon Ecomotives, and the savings we could make by running them”.

The Leon E Ecomotive emits 99g/km CO2 emissions and returns 74.3 combined mpg while the Ibiza E Ecomotive emits even less at 92g/km and returns a fuel figure of 80.7mpg.  And of course both models will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge. SEAT contract hire on all models is on the site now.

Mazda reduces emissions

Mazda has announced that emission cuts on the Mazda6 and Mazda2 models will benefit fleets and company car drivers, with a reduced benefit-in-kind liability and a reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). The Mazda6 2.2-litre 5-door Diesel 163ps and 180ps models drop from 142g/km to 140g/km, while the 129ps model drops even further  from 138g/km to 133g/km.

On the Mazda2 1.5-litre manual petrol model, the reduction is 135g/km to 132g/km and in addition on all 1.3-litre models, the reduction is from 119g/km to 115g/km, while the 1.5-litre automatic falls from 146g/km to 145g/km.

Steve Jelliss, Mazda Fleet and Remarketing Director,said,”At a time when corporate and personal budgets are being squeezed, Mazda customers are able to benefit from cash savings through these emission cuts. The Mazda range is already well-known for its style, specification, and reliability, and this development further enhances our value for money credentials”.

Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL

The all-electric Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL van has been awarded the “Most energy efficient light commercial vehicle (in production)” at the 2011 RAC Future Car Challenge. The Vito E-CELL took part in the 60-mile route from Brighton to London and was the most efficient vehicle in its class.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is the first battery-electric van to be introduced (ex factory) by any vehicle manufacturer and its emission-free drive system is ideally suited to operation in inner-cities and other environmentally sensitive areas. With zero emissions, almost silent running and no restrictions on load capacity or payload, the Vito E-CELL looks set to be a resounding success story in the commercial vehicle sector.

BMW has been awarded the title of Industry Supplier by the Energy Savings Trust, the UK’s leading organisation to set up to try and prevent climate change by helping everybody cut carbon dioxide emissions.

This is the second year running BMW has won the award in recognition of how it has helped businesses make their fleets more efficient, sustainable and reduce carbon emissions. The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics model which was recently launched emits only 109g/km CO2 which for a car of this size is pretty impressive.

BMW models sold in 2008 with EfficientDynamics technologies fitted have also been responsible for an approximate 54,000 tonne reduction in CO2 emissions compared to pre-EfficientDynamics cars. BMW contract hire prices are available on the whole range (off the site now) if you are looking for a low CO2 vehicle.

Kia GDI engine

Kia has constructed its own Gasoline Direct Injection engine based on the new Theta II family of units that will power the next generation of Kia vehicles.

GDI lowers CO2 emissions while raising power and improving fuel economy and this new unit has been developed with Hyundai. The first engine will be a 2.4-litre four cylinder GDI engine and is expected to appear in Kia models (in the UK) by 2011.

Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games(LOCOG) has announced that BMW will become the Automotive Partner of the 2012 London Games.

BMW will provide around 4,000 vehicles which will be used to transport athletes, officials, media, LOCOG team members and other sports federation and marketing partners. As LOCOG has set challenging targets for CO2 emissions, BMW will also be providing a fleet of vehicles that meet European 6 emissions standard and also beat the average of 120 g/km CO2 target set by LOCOG.  BMW also intends to showcase electric vehicles as well.

Peugeot i0n

Peugeot has started to take reservations for its new electric car, the i0n, which goes on sales at the end of 2010. This zero emissions electric vehicle offers a range of 80 miles on a full charge and will reach 80mph.

The i0n is ideal for urban driving and Peugeot sees this electric car suiting both private, fleet and local authority users. The car develops 84bhp, has four seats and can be re-charged in six hours using a conventional mains power supply, or recharged to 80% capacity within thirty minutes on “fast charge”. 

You can register your interest now @ www.peugeot.co.uk

Corsa ecoFLEX

Vauxhall has launched their new 3-door Corsa ecoFLEX which will be available to order from January 2010. Boasting 98g/km CO2 and a combined fuel consumption of 76.3mpg this car is bound to be an attractive model for many company car drivers. Even in five-door trim the ecoFLEX achieves 99g/km.

The car is powered by a punchy 1.3 CDTi diesel engine (95PS) and uses a variable geometry turbocharger which significantly increases performance and efficiency. The car reaches 0-62mph in 12.3 seconds and has a maximum speed of 110mph (where permitted). The Corsa ecoFLEX is available in Life and Club trim only and once full pricing has been announced, we will be loading Vauxhall car leasing prices.