FLEETDRIVE
Keyless Entry
Keyless technology has already
become a popular solution among
many fleet – allowing the operation of
a vehicle’s locking and ignition without
the use of a conventional, physical
key. Many car owners seem swept
away with the convenience of not
being tied to carrying a key.
In the fleet context, it often but not
exclusively involves use of a smart
phone which, acts as a digital key in
close proximity to the vehicle when
a password code is sent to the
driver’s phone via an app. The vehicle
recognises the code, activating the
locking and ignition mechanism. Staff
access cards and the like can be used
instead of smart phones.
Key things fleet managers need to
consider if investing in keyless entry
for their vehicles:
1. Are your vehicles shared between a
large amount of users?
2. How much is manual key
administration costing you?
3. Will the improved security of
keyless devices be worth the initial
pay-off?
(Source: IPWEA Fleet)
Electric vehicles
Labor wants half the new-car fleet to be electric
by 2030, while the government calls that policy
expensive and unsustainable. While Labor’s target
might seem ambitious new data is suggesting the
EV transition could finally gaining momentum in
Australia.
New figures released by the Federal Chamber of
Automotive Industries this month show that car
sales to the end of July 2019 are 7.7% down from
the previous year, a trend that is slowing but still
persistent.
However, sales of plug-in electric vehicles have
doubled to 1,572 sold from January to July in
2019 compared to just 762 in 2018 for the same
period. Hybrid sales, led by the popular Toyota
RAV4, have also surged.
“The July sales figures continue to illustrate the
tough market conditions facing the Australian
automotive industry, and the sensitive nature of the
economy over the past twelve months,” said FCAI
chief Tony Webber.
So what can be done to further fast-track a
transition? Well according to a report from the
Australia institute it’s all about government action
and persuading the general public on the positives
of EVs generally.
“Electric vehicles, like many emergent
technologies, must first convince consumers that
they are viable,” the report said.
“Australia can learn from the successes of
other governments, which have encouraged EV
adoption directly, with consumer subsidies, perks
and ongoing financial incentives, and indirectly,
with greenhouse gas reduction targets, fleet
efficiency standards and infrastructure provision.”
ISSUE 18 2019 / WWW.AFMA.NET.AU
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