AfMA Fleetdrive Issue 18 | Page 20

ROAD RESTRAINT Young British drivers could be banned from the road at night under plans to improve safety, the Department for Transport has announced. Figures show that around 20 per cent of young drivers are involved in an accident during their first year behind the wheel, and ministers are considering introducing a graduated licence system for new drivers. The scheme could feature a series of restrictions, such as a minimum learning period, not driving at night and not driving with passengers under a certain age. The road safety minister, Michael Ellis, said: “We have some of the safest roads in the world, but we are always looking at ways to make them safer.” “We want to explore in greater detail how graduated driver licensing, or aspects of it, can help new drivers to stay safe and reduce the number of people killed or injured on our roads.” 20 ISSUE 18 2019 / WWW.AFMA.NET.AU COMPETITIVE CHARGING MOBILITY MOVEMENT The food retail chain SPAR has announced that they will begin building EV charging infrastructure across their 500 locations throughout Hungary. Known as the APM (Accessible People Mover), Toyota has developed a mobility vehicle designed expressly for use at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The first installation was done by NKM, who installed 66 charging points at 17 high traffic locations in the country. Throughout the Games, the vehicles will transport as many people as possible to events and venues, including athletes and staff related to the Games as well as all types of visitors with accessibility needs such as the elderly, people with impairments, pregnant women, and families with small children, among others. While Hungary still features a total of around 6,000 electric vehicles on the roads, the grocery chain is taking the initiative by setting up a charging network before the demand sets in. Initially, the charging services will also be offered free of charge to shoppers, which will likely net them a big sympathy bonus from EV drivers with immediate effect. The charging stations are provided by EVBox through its partner NKM. EVBox is operational in over 55 countries worldwide and belongs to French power company Engie. It is also anticipated that part of the fleet of APMs will be used to support relief activities at events/venues during summer. During the Games, Toyota will employ approximately 200 APMs to support the transportation of visitors and staff around various facilities, including places where events or competitions are held and non-event official sites such as the Olympic Village.