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Diesel Particulate Filters and Vans

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

As you may have read in the news today, van drivers may soon find themselves having to fork out rather large expenses as a result of diesel particulate filters becoming clogged up during rather short distance journeys. Diesel particulate filters will need to be fitted to vans in order to comply with Euro 5 emissions regulations that are being implemented.

So, what is a diesel particulate filter?

A diesel particulate filter acts as a reducing agent within the exhaust system of a diesel vehicle. Most diesels will produce smoke under heavy load and thus produce a large amount of pollutants. The diesel particulate filter basically acts as a sieve to decrease the amount of pollutants that are expelled by the diesel engine. Pollutants from diesel engines are known as “particulate matter”. Of course, this is not the only pollutant, however, others are in such low volume when compared to petrol engines that they are not classed as significant.

It’s a clever little system then!

Problems

However, there are a number of problems with diesel particulate filters. Gradually they get clogged up with so much particulate matter that the engine’s efficiency reduces, along with the performance of the vehicle. Imagine breathing through a straw with cotton wool jammed up it! Tough stuff indeed. When this occurs, a diesel particulate filter needs to be replaced, which, as you will be well aware by now, is very expensive. This on top of other van costs, such as general maintenance and commercial vehicle insurance, can lead to mounting costs for van drivers.

Managing a diesel particulate filter can also be a hassle. Many companies advise owners to keep the engine above 2,500 rpm for a time period of around 20 minutes. This will enable the filter to reach its operating temperature in order to then burn off any particulate matter. This therefore stops the filter clogging up. However, this can only really be achieved on motorway journeys, and if you only travel short distances within a city or around towns then it may be the case that you will not need to venture onto a motorway. Maybe commit to taking your van on a motorway once every month in your spare time?! You should find it helps!

Good Points

There are however a number of good points regarding diesel particulate filters. They are effective, and in modern diesels, they do help to reduce emissions enough to warrant the lower tax bands. Furthermore, modern diesel engines, through significant improvements in fuel quality, calibration and quality control in production, are becoming the benchmark.

Tags: commercial van insurance, Costs, Diesel, Diesel Particulate Filter, DPF
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Choosing the Right Van for You

Monday, January 30th, 2012

If you are thinking about getting a new van, there are a few considerations to take into account. Here are a few tips from VanQuoteDirect:

Use the internet

The first step would be to scour the internet for the best vans around, you’ll soon dig up praises (or complaints) about different vehicles. The make & manufacturer of the van can be an important factor for some people. Some people can be loyal to a certain manufacturer, which is understandable if their past vans have been very reliable.

Costs

The next step would be to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Some things to consider include if you or your company afford this van, would you want a brand new van or a second hand one?

The costs of running a van can differ with everything from breakdown cover, commercial van insurance and fuel efficiency, which can be very daunting, especially if it’s the first van you’ll be buying. The figures for all new vans for sales can be found via the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) database, which tells you information regarding commercial vehicles fuel consumption.

Safety

Safety and security is another factor to think about when investing in a new van. High security can lower your insurance premiums and is vital for safeguarding your van and equipment or tools it contains.

These are just a few hints from us. Good luck with your van search and please get in touch if you have any more useful tips for us!

Tags: Buying a new van, commercial van insurance, Hints, Tips, VanQuoteDirect, vans
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Hydrogen Fuels Could be a Success for the UK

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Hydrogen powered vehicles are now looking increasingly likely, especially in the commercial vehicle sector. Hydrogen commercial vehicles would slash pollution and emissions by an incredible amount and I personally think this could be by far and away the best alternative fuel yet!

Hydrogen Project

The government has launched a new project which is intended to assess the potential of hydrogen as a fuel source, and if the project emerges to be a success then a finished hydrogen fuel product could be rolled out for 2014 onwards, and we will then quickly see more and more hydrogen powered vans on our streets amongst other hydrogen powered vehicles.

Imagine a hydrogen powered bus, for example. If one in five buses in London alone were powered by hydrogen then emissions would be reduced massively which would be fantastic news for the environment of course.

Analysis and Assessment

The government’s project is also intended to analyse the viability of developing sufficient infrastructure in order to incorporate refuelling points for hydrogen powered vehicles and to assess the economic benefits the country on the whole could gain from using the gas as an alternative fuel. It could, for a start, lower commercial vehicle insurance quotes.

Mark Prisk, Business Minister, has been commenting that the UK could become a key market for low-carbon vehicles, and he was quoted saying: “Hydrogen vehicles are increasingly being recognised as one of the viable options as we move to a lower carbon motoring future. It is vitally important that we identify what is required to make these cars a realistic proposition for UK consumers.” The difficulty it would seem is not in harnessing the fuel, but perhaps in building the correct facilities for it to be distributed nationwide.

Backing for the Project

Meanwhile, the initiative to move to commercial hydrogen vehicles has been backed by a number of gas, infrastructure and utility companies in the UK. The new initiative to launch hydrogen vehicles has been named UKH2Mobility and will also research how jobs can be created by the move into hydrogen fuels. Jerry Hardcastle, Head of Design at Nissan, has been explaining: “Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles…could represent a large segment of the UK market in the coming years.” It would indeed be brilliant if thousands of jobs were created by the new plans, especially at a time when unemployment has been on the rise!

Hydrogen fuels, it seems, will not only be a great achievement for the environment, but for the UK economy too!

Tags: Alternative Fuels, commercial vehicle insurance, Government, Hydrogen Fuel
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London Emission Rules Hit Drivers

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Commercial vehicles that were registered before October 2006, including motor caravans, lorries, horseboxes and vans will be effected by the changes to the London emission rules, which means they have to pay a fee of £100 per day to drive in Greater London, any time of the day or evening.

All these vehicles will have to fit filters that can cost up to £3,500 as well as undergoing a £32 annual inspection by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, not forgetting yearly MOT checks and the cost of commercial vehicle insurance and fuel.

The Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras covering the whole of Greater London will help enforce the low emission zone.

The cameras will identify the vehicles by cross checking with the VOSA database and confirm whether a filter has been fitted. If the daily charge has not been paid then drivers will face a £500 fine.

Improving the Air

The new low emission plans hope to improve air quality in Greater London.

Even though the plans are being supported by environmentalists, there are concerns among small businesses and voluntary groups.

Many sports clubs and church groups around London rely on minibuses, for example the London Football Association.

A spokesman said, “Transport is already one of the greatest obstacles to participation particularly in London and the low emission law will create an even bigger challenge,”

“We are working hard with teams and leagues across London to try and find ways around this, but in the current economic climate this is and will prove to be a massive struggle.”

The senior development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, Matthew Jaffa, warned the changes will have a big impact.

“Some of our members are still unsure of the changes. Many feel that their vehicles do comply with the standards but are still being told to retrofit the filters.

“It will also affect small businesses in Kent and Essex. Many have said that they will no longer be able to service London.

“In the year of the Olympics London is supposed to be open for businesses, but the opposite seems to be the case.”

The Mayor’s Director for the Environment, Kulveer Ranger, defended the zone. He said, “The Mayor wants to deliver cleaner air for London to tackle the legacy he inherited, which poses a serious health threat to many especially the most vulnerable in our city,

“The changes to the Low Emission Zone standards will broadly double the impact of the existing scheme. They will be coupled with an unprecedented wider package of measures set to be implemented at this time to improve the capital’s air quality.

“In a historic year for this city, when the eye’s of the world are focused on London, it is right that we are demanding the highest environmental standards and a higher quality of life for Londoners.”

Transport for London said that if drivers could prove that they had ordered the necessary filtering equipment before 3rd January, they would not be penalised.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, Filters, London, London low emissions zone, Pollution, van drivers
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Mini to Move into Commercial Vehicle Sector

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

It would seem that Mini is set to enter the commercial vehicle market with their compact Mini Cargo panel van offering. On the face of it the Cargo will basically be a Mini Clubman with the rear seats removed and a flat rear deck in place instead. The rear windows will also be replaced by sheet metal.

Mini’s creators, BMW, are recycling a classic idea from the 1960s when Leyland built a panel van version of the Traveller. Meanwhile, Fiat is also planning to convert their hugely popular 500 into a panel van.

Mini’s Competition

Mini’s panel van is set to launch at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and is, according to Mini, aimed at being a true, tough, little van designed to haul around heavy loads.

They have targeted competition from the Ford Transit Connect, the Citroen Berlingo, the VW Caddy and the Fiat Doblo. These small vans are proven in Europe and the UK to be very popular as compact mobility is a high priority for many, and so Mini are expecting high volumes of sales for their Cargo panel van.

Mini Cargo will be No Slouch!

The Mini Cargo is to be powered by a 1.6 litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, which is the same engine that can be found in the current Mini Cooper D, and is therefore no slouch! The Mini is therefore also aimed at being reliable, and fuel efficient.

The panel van will be fitted with a sporty six speed transmission, whilst Mini has also hinted that an automatic 2.0 litre petrol version of the Cargo is in the pipeline. I don’t know about you, but I would certainly prefer the petrol version!

History Repeating Itself

Full details are yet to be released, and with the Geneva Motor Show beginning on 8th March, those looking for a new compact van may well wait with baited breath.

When insuring your new Mini Cargo, you will of course need a commercial vehicle insurance quote rather than the standard car insurance that the other Mini vehicles will need.

It almost seems odd referring to a Mini as a commercial vehicle, but the Austin Mini Van of course ran from 1960 to 1982, and so Mini is certainly not a newcomer to the commercial vehicle market. History is once again repeating itself.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles, Mini, Mini Cargo, Panel Van
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Top Tips for Saving Money on your Van Insurance

Friday, December 30th, 2011

As the new year beckons many of us will be making new year’s resolutions, and on top of most people’s list you can probably expect to find “save more money!” Yes we would all like to save a little more money next year and save up for something special, and so we thought it would be the perfect time to give you some advice on how you can save money on your van insurance policy:

Payment

It may seem annoying at the time, but one of the main ways in which you can save on your van insurance is to pay it off all in one go. It is tempting to spread the cost over the year, but by doing this you will incur interest and end up paying a considerable amount more.

It will be a big upfront cost to pay it off in one go, but this way you will avoid the interest and the rest of the year you don’t have to worry about paying it, which will mean your month outgoings for 11 months of the year will be lower, giving you more money to save!

Excess

Another way in which you can save money on your van insurance premium is to increase the excess on the policy. The more you are willing to pay out in the event of a crash the less the insurer has to and so will give you a lower premium rate.

Of course this can be a risk as you will have to pay out in the event of a crash, but if you can stay claim free you will have saved yourself a few quid and also improved you no claims bonus in the process, which will also help reduce your insurance premium!

Security

One of the simplest ways to save money on your commercial van insurance is to make it so that it is less likely your van will be stolen, which will make it less likely that the insurer has to pay out, which means they can give you a lower premium.

It sounds obvious, but there are many easy ways of protecting your van that many people miss. Parking in a garage as opposed to on a street, adding a steering lock, having an alarm fitted or using a tracker can all prevent theft and in doing so can reduce your insurance premiums.

So there you have it, a few easy ways to protect your commercial vehicle and save some money on your van insurance in 2012.

Tags: commercial van insurance, Van Insurance Guide, Van Insurance Help, Van Insurance Tips
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Security Vans to be “Pimped” with Televisions

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

It has been announced by security firm, G4S, that future prison vans are to come equipped with televisions and DVD players. This is some surprising news that is, frankly, a little bewildering at first.

Reasons for the Scheme

The flat-screen televisions are however being introduced as part of a cunning plan to reduce the anxiety of the prisoners as they are driven between jails or to court. These are therefore no ordinary commercial vehicles, and they probably do not even come with ordinary, run of the mill, commercial vehicle insurance.

G4S have also fitted the televisions and DVD systems in an attempt to, in the long run, reduce the cost of repairing the interiors of the vehicles which are often damaged by violent, fired-up inmates.

The introduction of the technologies will also, hopefully, reduce the amount of prisoners who decide to self harm in the back of the security vans.

David Denney, G4S Director, has been explaining: “Prisoners sometimes have to be transported long distances. Many prisoners suffer from a variety of mental illnesses and disabilities including anxiety and claustrophobia. These conditions have been considered when designing our fleet of vehicles.”

Criticism

So far they are only planning to install the televisions and DVD players in two vehicles in Scotland. However, inevitably, critics have already attacked the proposed scheme.

Labour justice spokesman, Lewis Macdonald, has been quoted saying: “People will be asking whether it is the best use of public money to let prisoners watch a movie when they are going to court to be tried for serious crimes.” When put like that, it does sound a little ridiculous.

Furthermore, some charities have condemned the plan as “outrageous” and a waste of taxpayers’ money.

However, when considering the reasons giving above, it is an understandable scheme, and since it is only to be trialled in two vehicles, I think it will be interesting to see if it actually works. If it genuinely saves money in the long run as a result of a reduced amount of repairs needing to be made, which can be expensive, and it calms prisoners enabling them to remain level headed, then I say give it a chance.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, G4S, Security Vans, Van Insurance
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Vauxhall Swap Scheme Extended

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Vauxhall has announced that it will extend its scheme to allow owners of Vauxhall vans to swap their old vehicles for newer models in order to help avoid the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ). They have offered between £3,000 and £7,500 off a new Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle for all Vauxhall customers who own a van that was registered as new before 1st January 2002.

New Regulations

This is indeed a rather generous offer from Vauxhall, and it will undoubtedly be welcomed by Vauxhall owners across the UK. The prospect of having to pay full price for a new van, and a new van insurance quote, would certainly be a bit of a stressful situation for anyone, especially at the start of a New Year. Such savings are therefore likely to assist owners with their commercial van insurance payments while also reducing the initial payment on a wonderful new van.

The LEZ comes in at the start of the New Year and from 3rd January, commercial vehicles that weigh 3.5 tonnes GVW or below, that are registered as new before 1st January 2002, will have to comply with the daily LEZ charges.

Vauxhall Vans Included

The savings on the range of Vauxhall’s includes a lovely £3,000 off a brand new Corsavan, which is a very popular little van! Those that need bigger space requirements will be able to get £7,500 off the price of a new Movano when swapping an old van.

Further models that will allow owners to make great savings include the Astravan, Combo and Vivaro as well as all panel vans and chassis cabs. The Vivaro 9 Seat Combi is also included.

The discounts are running until 30th March 2012, so, if you are eligible, it might be a great idea to head down to your local Vauxhall dealer to have a look at some cracking new vans.

With so much fantastic competition out there these days, certain commercial vehicle manufacturers really are finding new ways to try to set themselves apart from the others. This could now prove to be a great marketing scheme by Vauxhall.

Tags: commercial van insurance, Vauxhall, Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles, Vauxhall Vans
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Van Prices Rising

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Manheim Remarketing has been explaining that the average wholesale used van value has increased by 2.6% from November 2010 to November 2011. This increase comes at a time when van sales have indeed been rising, and with it, now it has become evidential that the price has also increased.

Popularity Increasing

Commercial vehicles are proving more and more popular, and as we suggested in a previous blog post, that hopefully means more businesses are now making use of vans, which can only be positive at a time when the economy is in such a difficult state.

Director of Commercial Vehicles, at Manheim Remarketing, James Davis, has been quoted saying: “I have been saying for some time that the wholesale van market is robust and bucking the economic trends and here is further proof.” Yes indeed, and it is great news!

He went on to add: “No doubt the wholesale market is in its usual period of festive seasonality but it has been encouraging to see auction halls and Simulcast screens busy with active buyers throughout the country; albeit they are selective on high mileage, damaged and duplicate vehicles.”

Furthermore he stated: “The seasonal uplift for 4x4s is strong on the back of predictions of a long white winter ahead. We have not seen the usual influx of van de-fleet volume in Q4 so we should see a very brisk and buoyant January with conversion rates soaring and a very healthy start to the 2012 wholesale van market.” This all sounds very positive, and it is apparent that many families have been preparing for the winter by buying 4x4s in favour of smaller cars.

Bag a Bargain

In years gone by, the majority of buyers have chosen to wait until the New Year in order to purchase the van they want, whereas now it seems that this year it has been the exact opposite with higher numbers of people buying before the close of the year.

So during the festive and New Year period, commercial vehicle insurance companies are being kept very busy! Perhaps those hurrying to buy vans now are hoping to bag a bargain while they can, especially if prices for second hand commercial vans continue to rise!

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, sales figures, second hand vans, van sales
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Electric Transit Connect

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

On Monday we blogged about the news that the much loved, and incredibly successful, Ford Transit van was going to be built in the US as of 2013 onwards, and now, today, we bring you the news that the green Transit is to be updated for 2012. Yes that’s right, the new all electric Ford Transit is on the horizon.

The Transit Connect is primarily aimed at fleet owners who want to save on fuel and maintenance costs, and Torque News has been discussing the van after performing a road test.

No Longer a Pipedream

The original electric van was a very interesting step by Ford in their bid to become an environmentally friendly manufacturer, much like many other vehicle manufacturers these days.

The 2012 Connect will have an electric drive train, which has been designed by Azure Dynamics, which is a company with a rich history in electric vehicle design that dates back to the early 90s; a time when electric cars were a mere pipedream for a futuristic world. We are now, it seems, living in that futuristic world and electric cars are no longer a pipedream, but a reality.

Here Come the Stats

The Connect will come fitted with a Siemens AC motor, an AC controller, and a battery pack from Johnson Controls. The battery pack, Azure Dynamics has claimed, will achieve a range of 60-80 miles, which isn’t bad at all! This will however depend on how heavy the vehicle is at the time.

The commercial vehicle will take around 6-8 hours to charge and will reach 75 mph, which is more than enough when you consider that this particular van will be used in towns and cities by those who have larger fleets of vans. Of course, whilst saving owners money on their fuel, the van is also very likely to have a lower commercial vehicle insurance premium.

Alternative Fuels

With alternative fuels being developed in order to one day replace petrol and diesel it is great to see the big players focusing on producing electric vehicles alongside their petrol and diesel alternatives. Or is it? Electric vehicles do consume a huge amount of energy when being built. They also consume a huge amount of electricity once on the road, and ultimately a huge proportion of electricity is produced through the burning of fossil fuels, which causes a vast amount of pollution, and is the very resource that is running out resulting in the search for alternative fuels. Perhaps electric cars are not such a great alternative after all?

It’s certainly an interesting issue, and it would be great to hear your thoughts on it.

Tags: Alternative Fuels, commercial vehicle insurance, Diesel, electric Vans, Ford, Ford Transit, Petrol
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