I seem to be bombarded these days, probably like all other fleet people, with constant emails delivered to my inbox seemingly every hour! The headings are very varied, and include ‘planning for electrification’, ‘how to manage a safer fleet’, ‘running a more efficient fleet’, ‘new innovations and technology’, and ‘sustainable fleets’, plus invitations to many webinars, seminars and live events. The list goes on and on!
If I was to read most of these emails, then that would be half my day gone, every day. If I attend any of the events, either online or in person, then that’s virtually all my working week taken up – and no fleet managing would get done!
I look at all the ‘experts’ presenting and giving advice at these events. Experts in maybe one, or even two aspects of the fleet industry – well, I’d like to see them juggling the daily workload we fleet managers must! With tasks such as trying to sort out servicing, minor bumps, missing keys, tyres, and courtesy cars, it is like I’m spinning plates most of the time.
Then I look at the new technology, innovations and products available for the fleet industry, that up-and-coming new and well-established companies are promoting. I look at some of them, and try and understand how their new products, apps and technology could possibly help us. Some of them, if we installed them, would create a mass walkout from our drivers, as they seem far too intrusive into their working days. Some of the latest inventions seem like clever IT bods have come up with the perfect solution to a problem that doesn’t exist!
One of our drivers was heading home in his mild hybrid diesel seven-seater., when the warning lights on the dash came on one-by-one. Then, in a very short time, the car had no lights, no power and had come to an abrupt stop. He called me (of course, I’m the first port of call!), and I told him to call the breakdown company, even though he thought that was my job, but he did eventually!
Within an hour and a half, the patrolman turned up and quickly assessed that the battery was flat – completely flat. Meanwhile, I was getting a running commentary at home, as by now it was 8pm! Trying to watch the telly and listen to the conversation between our man, the patrolman, and the TV wasn’t easy, but I stuck at it. In conclusion, the car wasn’t going anywhere, as this car’s charging system had failed big time. In fairness to the roadside assistance executive, he did offer to put on the spare battery he carries in the van, but couldn’t guarantee it would get our driver the eighteen miles back to his house.
Anyway, new battery fitted, the car fired up no problem, and the patrolman offered to follow the non-charging vehicle to the destination, to make sure he got home. And our driver was very grateful to the man for his help, thoughtfulness and professionalism.
The next morning this mild hybrid was recovered from our driver’s house – but with great difficulty as the battery was completely flat again! Even the central locking didn’t work! It was taken to the local franchised dealer for them to sort out, and as I write this the car is still there, having not been even looked at yet! It turns out, they are inundated with work, repairs, servicing and warranty claims. Getting jobs done, that’s another story – maybe some of those experts can help with that?
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