Categories
Archive
Recent posts
Recent comments

Top Tips for Green Van Driving

pradmin , Posted on 3. September 2010, 05:35
If you spend a lot of time on the road then making some simple changes to the way you drive could save you money. Not only that, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment as well. What’s in it for you?By becoming a ‘green’ van driver you’ll benefit from:
  • Reduced fuel consumption and costs
  • A van in better condition – which means savings on van maintenance
  • The knowledge that by reducing your CO2 emissions you’re making the environment a better place to live
How to do itSo, how do you actually go about making the changes which will save you money and protect the environment? We’ve put together some tips to set you off in the right direction.Gears. Make sure you’re driving in the correct gear. By doing so you’ll save on fuel.Relax. If you drive while stressed out you’re likely to drive more erratically and use more fuel.Excess weight. Only drive with what you need on board. Carrying excess weight uses lots of fuel.Engine off. If you’re going to be stationary for more than a couple of minutes then switch your engine off.Numbers game. Try and group jobs together to avoid making unnecessary journeys.Van maintenance. Keeping your van in good condition, especially making sure the engine is tuned will not only improve your van’s performance but keep fuel consumption down.Air conditioning off or used sparingly. Air con may keep you cool but it eats fuel.Nose to nose. Where possible avoid the rush hour and congested areas. Consider delaying your journey or starting out earlier to avoid busy times.Drag. Keep your windows up where possible. Driving with the windows down increases drag and that means more fuel is used.Revving. Avoid revving the engine while you’re waiting at traffic lights as it uses fuel unnecessarily and damages the engine.Inflation. Make sure your tyre pressures are as they should be. If they’re out you could be using 3% more fuel than necessary.Va va Voom. Avoid harsh acceleration and braking. By becoming a smooth driver you’ll reduce your fuel consumption.Electrics. Only use what you need as electrical devices guzzle fuel.Reduce your speed. The faster you go, the more fuel you use. So, apart from sticking to speed limits, keep your speed down. By driving at 50 mph rather than 70 mph you could be using up to 30% less fuel.By incorporating these simple tips into your daily van driving routine should see reductions in your fuel consumption and maintenance costs. Why not see how much you could save on your van insurance too?Don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back for doing the right thing for the environment too.Get top tips for Green van driving in the UK and cheap van insurance quotes with Direct Line.  

 

Be the first to rate this post

  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Tags:
Category: Van
E-mail   |     |   Comments (0)   |   Trackback

What you need to know about the Congestion Charge

pradmin , Posted on 3. September 2010, 05:30

Driving in London in a van can be a tricky business in itself but it now also comes at a price following the introduction of the congestion charge in 2003. Whether you’re a London van driver looking to refresh your knowledge or a regional van driver heading into the big smoke wanting to familiarise yourself with how the charge will affect you then this overview of the congestion charge should come in handy.

How does it work?

Cameras read the number plates of vehicles entering, driving within and exiting the congestion charge area and are checked against the database. If you haven’t paid, the registered vehicle keeper will receive a penalty charge notice. Failure to pay the penalty charge could result in further enforcement action being taken.

Who does it affect?

The congestion charge applies to vehicles driven within the charging zone during designated charging times.

Where does it apply?

The charge applies to areas within Central London as shown here: www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncharge/whereandwhen/assets/DetailMapECCZ.pdf

How much is it?

The standard congestion charge varies depending on when you pay. Visit the　TFL　website for latest charges.

As highlighted below, discounts and exemptions are also applicable in certain circumstances.

Discounts

Eligible residents will receive a 90% discount. You will need to register to qualify.

The following will receive a 100% discount. You will need to register to qualify.

· Blue Badge holders.

· Accredited breakdown.

· Alternative fuel vehicles.

· Electrically propelled vehicles.

· Vehicles with nine or more seats.

· Motor tricycles.

· Roadside recovery vehicles.

Exemptions

The following vehicles are exempt and you are not required to register to qualify.

· Two wheeled motorbikes (and sidecars), mopeds and bicycles.

· Black cabs licensed with the Public Carriage Office (PCO).

· Mini cabs licensed with the PCO.

· Emergency Service vehicles - for example ambulances/fire engines.

· NHS vehicles that are exempt from road tax.

· Vehicles used by the disabled that are exempt from vehicle excise duty (road tax) under the 'disabled' class.

· Vehicles for more than one disabled person (for example Dial-A-Ride) exempt from road tax.

· Public transport vehicles with nine or more seats that are listed within the taxation classes Buses or Reduced Pollution Buses.

Reductions

Reductions may be available for those who wish to pay the congestion charge in advance and for fleets of vehicles.

Refunds

If your future travel plans change after you have paid the congestion charge, then you can apply for a refund. You won’t, however, be able to claim a refund for unused days in the past or single or weekly pre-payments.

When does it apply?

Charging times

0700–1800 Monday to Friday.

Non-charging times and days

· 1800–0700.

· Weekends.

· English Bank holidays.

· Designated non-charging days.

· Charging days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (inclusive).

Where and when can you pay?

You can pay for the congestion charge up to 90 days in advance. There are various ways in which you can do this such as online, by post, by text message, over the phone, via an automated telephone service and in designated shops.

To find out the latest information on the congestion charge, visit the　TFL　website: We hope that you have an enjoyable and safe journey when in Central London. Before you set off, don’t forget to make sure that you have suitable　van insurance.

To find out more information about cheap van insurance and news on congestion charges visit http://www.directline.com.

Be the first to rate this post

  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Tags:
Category: car insurance
E-mail   |     |   Comments (0)   |   Trackback

Tops tips when buying Vans

pradmin , Posted on 3. September 2010, 05:25

If you’re looking to get your hands on a new van then there are a few things you’ll need to consider to ensure that you get what you want, get what you need and, most importantly, get what you can afford. We’ve put together some tips which we hope will enable you to achieve just that.

Budget

Wants and needs may be more exciting than thinking about budget but really any starting point when you set out to buy a new van has to be working out what you can actually afford. It may sound dull but it’s better than struggling to make ends meet.

Considerations

Do you have any savings that could be used towards your new van?

Will you have to borrow money? If so, can you afford to make the monthly repayments? To work out how much you can comfortably borrow consider using an online loan calculator. What other costs will be involved in running the particular vehicle you’re after? Think: road tax, van insurance, fuel, maintenance, breakdown cover.

What type of van do you need and want?

Needs

Knowing what kind of van you need will not only narrow down the great van hunt (potentially saving you time and money) but it will also help determine your budget. Answering the questions below should enable you to establish what you really need.

Considerations

How regularly will the van be used?

What and who do you need to transport?

Where do you travel?

What is the environmental impact of running the van?

Are issues such as speed and power steering relevant?

What safety and security features (e.g. air bags, security devices, etc.) do you require?

How will the van be affected by depreciation?

What is the van’s reliability reputation?

Wants

Making a list of ‘wants’ will narrow your search down further but be aware that those little ‘extras’ could increase the cost of your van and the fussier you are, the longer it could take to get the van you’re after. Compromise may be in order! But, if your van is your workhorse then it’s essential that it meets your criteria. If you want any modifications (e.g. signage, refrigeration) made to your van then make sure you tell your van insurance provider as some modifications could invalidate your insurance.

Considerations

What extras do you want in your van?

What modifications do you want to make?

Buying a new vehicle can be a daunting task but hopefully by setting a budget and being clear on what you need and want from your van will make your van purchasing journey a smooth one.

Once you’ve found the van of your dreams don’t forget to get all the paperwork in order – vehicle registration, tax and van insurance – so you can take to the road. Happy searching!

 

Be the first to rate this post

  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Tags:
Category:
E-mail   |     |   Comments (0)   |   Trackback