Recently, our business had the pleasure of hosting an extraordinary event – a visit from two unique electric cars that are making waves in the automotive industry. The ORA Funky Cat and the BYD Atto 3, both hailing from China, showcased their impressive features and capabilities, leaving us intrigued about the future of electric vehicles.

ORA Funky Cat: A Bizarre Name with a Promising Performance

The ORA Funky Cat, an electric hatchback, defies conventions with its peculiar yet captivating name. As a part of the ORA sub-brand by the Chinese automotive giant Great Wall Motors (GWM), known for its specialization in electric vehicles, the Funky Cat sets its sights on challenging the small electric car market with its whimsical identity.

In China, this quirky car was originally sold as the Good Cat, but for its European debut, it embraced the ‘Funky’ moniker. The European and Chinese versions boast remarkable similarities, with just a few software tweaks setting them apart. Capitalising on China’s significant share of global electric car sales, ORA seems poised to make a grand entrance into the European EV market.

Presently, the lineup features the ORA Funky Cat First Edition, equipped with a 45.4kWh usable battery, providing an official range of 193 miles on a single charge. Its front-wheel-drive system, propelled by a 170bhp electric motor, accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 8.3 seconds – a decent performance but not the swiftest among electric cars. However, the future holds promises of sportier trims with zippier performance and larger batteries for enhanced range.

BYD Atto 3: A Fresh Contender in the Electric SUV Arena

The BYD Atto 3 introduces itself as a newcomer in the electric SUV segment, representing the brand’s debut in the UK. Emerging from the stables of BYD, a Chinese company founded as a battery manufacturer in 1995, this vehicle now stands as a symbol of the company’s remarkable growth, diversifying its offerings from buses to cars.

Exclusively an electric car with front-wheel drive, the Atto 3 houses a 60kWh usable capacity battery, boasting an impressive WLTP combined range of 260 miles. Its battery’s maximum charging rate of 88kW enables rapid charging, replenishing from 10% to 80% in approximately 45 minutes – a commendable feat akin to the Kia Niro EV and VW ID.3.

Unlike budget alternatives, the Atto 3 exudes luxury, boasting a plush interior laden with cutting-edge technology. It presents a competitive price point, rivalling the Niro EV, while also challenging higher-end options such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Skoda Enyaq iV, as well as smaller electric models like the Cupra Born and the ID 3.

A Glimpse into the Future: Evaluating the Potential

The visit of these two remarkable electric vehicles has left us pondering their future in the automotive market. With ORA’s unique and bold approach, the Funky Cat’s success hinges on its ability to charm European consumers. As the EV market continues to grow, the Funky Cat may very well find its place among the best small electric cars, representing an appealing option for eco-conscious drivers.

On the other hand, the BYD Atto 3 enters the competitive arena of electric SUVs, banking on BYD’s long-standing expertise in the industry. With a strong focus on luxury and performance, it endeavours to carve a niche for itself, presenting an enticing alternative to both mid-range and high-end electric SUV models.

In Conclusion: A Journey into the Electrified Future

The ORA Funky Cat and BYD Atto 3 have graced us with their presence, unveiling their remarkable features and aspirations. As we embrace the electrified future of transportation, these vehicles stand as symbols of innovation and progress within the electric vehicle landscape.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ian Mcconnell from Mercedes South-West for facilitating this memorable experience. Their contribution to this event allowed us to witness firsthand the advancements in electric vehicle technology and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

To read more of our vehicle reviews click here.

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Russell, a kind-hearted individual, extended an invitation to Elliot to participate in his Santa Scramble golf event, just before Elliot’s ninth birthday in 2014. Little did they know that this introduction to golf would forever change Elliot’s life.

The impact of chemotherapy treatments rendered Elliot unable to partake in contact sports such as football or rugby. However, it was on the golf course that Elliot found solace and passion. He quickly fell in love with the game, realising that it offered him a unique opportunity to engage in physical activity while accommodating his condition.

Supported by his unwavering determination and the unwavering support of his family, friends, and fellow members of the club, Elliot embarked on an incredible journey. Despite the challenges he faced, he committed himself wholeheartedly to the game of golf. Day after day, he honed his skills, pushed his boundaries, and persevered through adversity.

Through sheer hard work and a resilient spirit, Elliot has achieved remarkable progress. His dedication to the sport, coupled with the unwavering support of those around him, has propelled him to new heights. Elliot’s story serves as a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the transformative nature of sports.

Today, Elliot’s journey continues to inspire and motivate others, reminding us all that with unwavering determination and the support of a caring community, one can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. Elliot’s story stands as a shining example of courage, perseverance, and the triumph of the human spirit.

We at Agility Fleet have heard his story and are inspired by this young man’s resilience and tenacity. We have supported Elliot by gifting some Titleist Pro V1 golf balls for him to use and would urge you to sponsor him too!

Join us in supporting Elliot’s golf journey by becoming a sponsor. Help cover the costs of coaching, equipment, tournament fees, and travel expenses, and gain exposure through logo placement on clothing/equipment and Elliot’s popular Instagram account.

If you would like to get involved with sponsoring Elliot then please get in touch with Droitwich golf club on: 01905 774344

The post Introducing Elliot Jones: Junior Golfing Ace appeared first on Agility Fleet.

You may be thinking “What is a VE103B document?” Well, let us explain, it is a legal document which provides proof that a person has permission to take a leased vehicle out of the UK. It is required by law for drivers who wish to take their vehicle abroad, and without it, drivers may face penalties or fines in the country they are visiting. The document contains important information about the vehicle, including the make, model, registration number, and lease agreement details. It also includes the driver’s name, address, and driving license details.

The VE103B document is issued by your leasing company or fleet management provider, such as Agility Fleet, and is valid for up to 12 months. It can take up to 10 working days to process, so it’s important to plan ahead and allow enough time to obtain the document before leaving the UK.

Drivers must carry the VE103B document with them when driving abroad, as it may be requested by authorities or border officials. Failure to produce the document when requested could result in penalties or fines.

Overall, the VE103B document is essential for anyone planning on driving a leased vehicle in a different country. It ensures that drivers have the necessary permission and documentation to legally take the vehicle out of the UK and can help prevent any issues or problems when travelling abroad.

To ensure that you are fully compliant call one of our helpful team today on 01527 571605 to request your VE103B document

The post What to remember when traveling abroad this Easter – VE103B document appeared first on Agility Fleet.

But firstly, what is a fully maintained vehicle contract?

A fully maintained vehicle contract is a type of agreement that covers all aspects of vehicle maintenance and repairs. With this type of contract, the leasing company is responsible for routine maintenance, repairs, and replacements. The customer pays a fixed monthly fee for the use of the vehicle and all associated maintenance costs. Here are some of the key benefits of fully maintained vehicle contracts:

• Reduced administrative burden

Managing a fleet of vehicles requires a significant amount of time and administrative effort. With a fully maintained vehicle contract, the burden of routine maintenance, repairs, and servicing sits with the appointed fleet management company. This frees up time for you to focus on other important aspects of your business.

• Predictable costs

Fully maintained vehicle contracts include all costs associated with vehicle maintenance, including routine maintenance, repairs, and servicing. This means you clearly understand your fleet’s operating costs, making budgeting and forecasting much easier.

• Improved reliability and uptime

Regular maintenance and servicing can help keep your fleet of vehicles in top condition, reducing the risk of breakdowns and unplanned downtime. This can help ensure that your business operations run smoothly, with minimal interruptions.

• Access to expert advice

Leasing and fleet management companies have extensive experience in managing fleets of vehicles. This means that they can provide expert advice on vehicle selection, maintenance schedules, and other aspects of fleet management. This can help you optimize your fleet operations and reduce costs.

Conclusion

Managing a fleet can be a significant challenge in today’s competitive business environment. However, with a fully maintained vehicle contract, you can streamline your fleet management processes and reduce costs while keeping your vehicles in top working condition. The benefits of a fully maintained vehicle contract are clear from predictable costs to improved vehicle performance. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business with your leasing and maintenance needs.

The post Fully Maintained Vehicle Contracts: The Benefits for Your Business appeared first on Agility Fleet.

Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research chief research strategy officer said “This is something for which carmakers should be applauded, and we are pleased so many are continuing to prioritise motorist and vulnerable road user safety – especially during times of great technological and economic disruption.”

The winner was chosen from a shortlist of 10 cars, see the finalists below:

The post Tesla Model Y is awarded the safest car of 2023 appeared first on Agility Fleet.

Here are our top 5 tips for safe driving in the winter weather:

1. Watch out for low sun

Keep the interior and exterior of your windscreen clear from mist and smears as this can help reduce being dazzled by the sun. Make sure you always have a pair of sunglasses to hand and use the sun visor to assist you. If the sun is too bright, slow down safely and promptly or find a safe place to stop.

2. Check your bulbs

Remember to check all your lights and not just your head lights,  including break lights, fog lights, front/back indicators and number plate lights.  The UK can be deceiving and our winter weather may also throw in some fog, so better to be safe than sorry.

3. Watch your tyre tread and pressure

Check your tyre tread and pressure regularly, especially before a long journey. The recommended minimum before replacing tyres for winter is 4mm (source: Continental Tyres).

If your tyre tread is on, or approaching, the 4mm level we recommend replacing before the cold weather takes hold.

Did you know the RAC recommend an overall minimum of 3mm tread depth for tyre replacement whatever the conditions, as stopping distances dramatically increase once on or below 3mm? They also reported the stopping distance between 3mm and 1.6mm (the legal minimum) can increase by as much as 44% when breaking in wet conditions.

4. Undertake general car maintenance

Check the battery, oil, filters and wiper blades for any repairs/replacements or top ups. All of these should be checked on a monthly basis to avoid running out mid journey.

Air filters are usually replaced every 6 months so if yours haven’t been replaced in a while it may be worth thinking about changing them.

5. Don’t panic

If you breakdown, remember to stay calm and wait in a safe place away from the road and vehicle.

Winter temperatures can dramatically vary so think about packing extra clothing, a high-visibility jacket or blankets in the boot just in case.

Before exiting the vehicle, put your coat on (preferably a reflective jacket), warning lights/hazards and exit the vehicle from the curb side door so not to expose yourself to passing traffic. Wait at a safe distance for roadside assistance.

The post Winter Driving: Our Top 5 Tips appeared first on Agility Fleet.

Fleet maintenance basically comprises the processes taken to ensure your business’s vehicles are fit for purpose; safe, reliable, operational and road worthy. Fleet maintenance is important because it has many benefits, including reduced downtime and cost control.

Your vehicles will need regular servicing and maintenance, which inevitably means downtime. That is why knowing your fleet is critical. Being aware of when the vehicles are due an MOT or service booking and planning ahead for downtime helps minimise interruption. With an effective fleet maintenance package in place, you will have complete peace of mind that your vehicles are properly maintained throughout their lease with limited time off the road.

Recent research has shown the impact poor fleet maintenance has had on our roads and on our drivers. Statistics from AA Approved Garages show that defective and poorly maintained vehicles played a contributory factor in more than 1,700 road casualties last year, up 7% compared to 2020, with defective brakes causing 750 casualties, including 10 fatalities.

Also, with the rise in the cost of living 18% of grey fleet motorists surveyed by Startline Motor Finance said they would put off replacing tyres, and 22% would delay servicing.

With this in mind, how would you ensure your drivers, including any grey fleet drivers are maintaining their vehicles as part of your duty of care?

Let us pose to you some questions:

• How do you manage your fleet maintenance currently?
• When was the last time you reviewed your contracts and handbooks?
• Have you issued a driver handbook to your grey fleet and fleet drivers?
• Did you know your grey fleet drivers can contact us for advice and maintenance bookings as well?

Fleet maintenance is crucial to your drivers safety and your ‘Duty of Care’ obligations. There are multiple benefits to fleet maintenance and effective fleet management. Below, we touch on the top 3 benefits and reasons as to why fleet maintenance is important.

1. Reduce costs

Our fleet maintenance package is provided at a fixed cost throughout your vehicle term, allowing you to spread your motoring costs and budget, and most importantly help you to control your costs.

Using our fleet maintenance software you can manage your reporting, monitor your vehicles and set reminders, giving you a complete inventory of your fleet, and saving you money and time on time-consuming paper-based tasks.

2. Reduce downtime

By knowing your fleet and when servicing or maintenance repairs are planned for, you can schedule shifts around this time. With pre-planning, you can also schedule a replacement vehicle to cover the period, reducing downtime and benefiting the running of your business.

3. Mitigating risk and improving compliance

As a business you are legally required to ensure your vehicles are fit for purpose and safe to be on the road, which is why fleet maintenance is crucial. As part of your ‘Duty of Care’ obligations fleet maintenance can ensure  you meet certain safety standards therefore reducing the risk of accidents caused by poorly maintained vehicles whilst also protecting your drivers’ health and happiness.

Agility Fleet offers a robust Fleet Maintenance package. Included within this is a breakdown package with roadside assistance, servicing, repairs, technical support and more. To find out more please contact our team on 01527 571605.

The post What is fleet maintenance? appeared first on Agility Fleet.

The driver training we offer consists of a driver risk assessment followed by e-modules. This can also be combined with a behavioural workshop or individualised on-the-road coaching, allowing you to implement a highly effective fleet safety solution.

As a result of completing these courses, drivers can learn techniques to navigate traffic and look ahead to assess situations on the road, therefore avoiding the most common types of crashes. We take a look at the top 5 benefits to driver training:

1 . Safer and more skilled drivers

Thousands of people are killed and thousands more injured in ‘on-the-job’ crashes each year. This is why the most important benefit to driver training is that it saves lives.

According to the National Statistics: Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2021 an estimated 27,450 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties in 2021. The good news is that most crashes are preventable with the right training, as this will ultimately reduce the number of road fatalities.

The driver training programme is designed to upskill drivers and improve driving techniques and mentality. Developing driver awareness and anticipation whilst on the road can help your drivers to identify and avoid potential risks, therefore, protecting themselves and your business.

2 . Driver training saves money

By providing driver training you can help your business save time and money. Having skilled, trained drivers on the road will significantly reduce the time spent off the road as a result of accidents and collisions, not forgetting the effects this also might have on any lost business.

Skilled drivers will have better awareness and anticipation skills.

3 . Reduced operating and fuel costs

Aside from maintaining your fleet through regular servicing, MOTs and periodic checks, driver training can help reduce your fleet costs. Trained drivers are more likely to; adhere to speed limits, stop driving aggressively, and achieve better fuel economy helping to reduce emissions and wear and tear. All these factors can have a significant effect on your fuel and operating costs.

By learning and implementing better driving techniques your drivers will be able to travel further for longer whilst also being safer.

4 . Ensures compliance and protection

Health and safety law applies to work activities on the road in the same way as it does to all work activities. You need to manage the risks to drivers as part of your health and safety arrangements.

Effective management of work-related road safety helps reduce risk. No matter what size your organisation is, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires you to manage health and safety effectively. Driver training will help your business stay compliant by ensuring your drivers are up to date with their training and development.

Driver handbooks are also a beneficial document for both your business and your drivers as they outline important information including the safe driving practices your business expects.

5 . More satisfied and happier employees

By providing your employees with driver training, you are making your staff feel valued and thought of within the workplace. It shows you care about their safety and want to nurture their skills and careers.  This, in turn, helps to improve staff retention.

Increased overall job satisfaction will ultimately reduce driver turnover, and employees will have less stress and be more comfortable on the road as they have learnt how to tackle unique challenges they are faced with during their day job.

Contact us

If you would like to find out more about our driver training e-modules, behavioural workshops, on-the-road coaching or driver handbooks, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch and find out how we can help your business today.

The post Top 5 benefits to driver training appeared first on Agility Fleet.

Researching what you need to know about changing your vehicle or fleet over to fully electric can be daunting and time-consuming. To help with this, we have compiled useful information to help you decide to see if transitioning over to electric vehicles (EVs) is right for you or your business.

Which vehicle will best meet my fleet needs?

In this guide we will walk you through the benefits of the five main alternative fuel types, but also drawbacks, giving you a much bigger picture from costs, tax incentives and driving experience. To download the guide click here.

Electric vehicle reviews

We have compiled video and written reviews of some of the most popular electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), giving you impartial advice on what we liked and didn’t like:

• Genesis GV60
• Cupra Formentor
• Cupra Born
• Hyundai IONIQ5
• VW Multivan
• BMW 5-Series
• Volvo XC40 Recharge

Blogs and other information

• Fleet managers’ confidence in the electrification of their fleets and charging costs – This blog gives an unbiased view of a recent survey conducted by BP Pulse, on the increasing confidence fleet managers have in electrifying their fleets. It also discusses the charging costs when using the public charging network and how you can find the best charging solutions for your fleet when out on the road. To read the full blog click here.
• Electric vehicle jargon buster – As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s quite a bit of jargon surrounding electric vehicles (EVs). This blog is designed to bust that jargon and give you the terms you need to know to conduct your research effortlessly. To read the full blog click here.
• Electrify your fleet – An entire webpage dedicated to electric vehicles, charging points and PHEV’s. Take a look at the page here.

Looking for more information?

If you want to find out more about the possibility of transitioning your fleet or part of your fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) then speak to our knowledgeable friendly sales team, who will discuss your requirements and thoughts with you to give impartial advice. Simply give them a call on 01527 571 605 or email info@agilityfleet.com.

The post Your one stop shop for everything EV appeared first on Agility Fleet.

Kia went all out with the setting at the 15^th century hall for the event, which really added an element of luxury with the old vs. the future. Kia is currently the leader in the fleet market when it comes to registrations, mainly due to the hybrid and electric options they currently offer, giving customers the benefits of cheaper BIK compared to other vehicles and manufacturers. Another big help is that Kia can provide the stock compared to other manufacturers.

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