Author: Kara McCullough

COMMERCIAL vehicle specialist ETRUX and electric vehicle pioneers Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) have announced their collaboration on an exciting new project which will revolutionise the adoption of electric light vehicles by fleet managers across the UK and Europe and the release of an engineered prototype at the CV Show next month at the NEC Birmingham.

Ronan Hamill, CEO of JANS Group, of which ETRUX is a subsidiary, and Neil Yates CEO of WEVC, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to a business relationship which will see WEVC’s unique light vehicle platforms adapted by ETRUX into a range of offerings for the commercial vehicle market.

“This is a turning point for commercial vehicles.” Ronan Hamill said. “This MOU signifies a business partnership which has the potential to change the electric light vehicle commercial market.

“ETRUX will adapt WEVC’s platform into a ground-breaking and truly viable range of electric vehicle alternatives for fleet managers. I have no doubt that our partnership with WEVC will help speed the transition of commercial light vehicles from diesel fuelled to zero carbon.”

A SMMT (Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders) recent report stated that the total LCV market is also set to grow this year. Amplified by green fleet investment, and with 321,000 van registrations targeted, amounting to an uplift of 13.9% – a market value of more than £13 billion, will see a £1.5 billion increase on 2022.

Neil Yates continued “We are delighted to be working with ETRUX, a company which offers the engineering skills, innovative materials and depth of understanding that will deliver an outstanding range of electric commercial vehicles to the market. This is an exciting time for WEVC as we take the first steps in seeing our electric vehicle platform eCV1 adapted for widespread commercial use.”

Watt Electric Vehicle Company unveiled their innovative electric light commercial vehicle platform (codenamed eCV1) in February 2023. The MOU between ETRUX and WEVC was signed in March and is an arrangement between the two companies. It will see the WECV’s eCV1 platform adapted by ETRUX into a range of transport and leisure vehicles over the next number of years.

The first prototype borne out of this exciting partnership will be revealed at the ETRUX stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2023, which takes place at the NEC 18-20 April.

Gerard Galvin, managing director of ETRUX, said; “We’ve been working on a number of exciting projects, and we are delighted to have signed the MoU with WEVC as we can see this vehicle being a huge commercial success. I’m very pleased to see the construction of an electric light commercial vehicle for a variety of commercial transport applications. Our ETRUX team, including our engineers, are working very hard to deliver a working engineered prototype for the CV Show next month. I look forward to seeing the results of that and a strong and enduring partnership with WEVC.”

ETRUX will be located at stand 5D88, Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC Birmingham. For more information visit etrux.co.uk.

GOVERNMENT bodies must work with industry in order to reach targets set by the Climate Change Committee (CCC). That’s according to Gerard Galvin, Managing Director of ETRUX, commercial vehicle specialists that assist organisations transition their fleets to zero carbon.

Gerard Galvin said: “Public sector organisations and agencies must fully engage with the private sector if we are to push forward with legislated net-zero targets. Time is of the essence, and we must be ambitious in our plans and policies. The challenge to reach our net-zero target is significant but working together we have a much better chance of meeting these ambitious goals.”

His comments come in response to the Climate Change Committee’s recent report (issued 2 March) stating essential new policy requirements are needed in order to meet the 2030 and 2040 interim targets and, ultimately, reach net-zero goals.

In 2022, Northern Ireland legislated a legal target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The CCC’s report highlighted the risk of missing these targets even if the radical actions they have recommended are adopted. One of the requirements mentioned in the updated ‘Balanced Pathway’ document was that all new car and van sales will be zero-emission within ten years.

Gerard Galvin, Managing Director of ETRUX, responded: “The next few years are vital in making the leap to zero-emission vehicles, but there needs to be a more concerted effort by everyone and a top-down policy to support the transition if we are to meet the requirement for all new car and van sales to be zero-emission by the first half of 2030s.”

Gerard Galvin’s statement coincides with the UK’s Decarbonising Transport Week, which sees experts, policy makers, industry leaders and politicians coming together to discuss solutions in the transition to a low carbon transport network.

The Commercial Vehicle Show is the largest and most comprehensive road freight transport, distribution and logistics event in the UK.

For operators it is the annual meeting place to network, and for sector suppliers it is the ultimate event to showcase your brand and products to a huge audience of prospective customers.

ETRUX will be on hand with its Sales Team and Engineers to discuss conversions, vehicle leasing, and how we can help you make the transition to alternative fuels with our Evolve Program in order to meet the 2030 government deadline.

For companies moving goods which require a constantly controlled temperature, the Cool Chain Sector will feature a range of refrigerated vehicles and bodywork, side by side with the latest fridge units, monitoring equipment and other products specific to cool chain operations.

The 2023 Commercial Vehicle Show will take place on the 18th – 20th April.

Our stand will be in Hall 5, Stand 5D88

We look forward to seeing you!

Time is running out to claim the super-deduction offering 130% first-year tax relief. The super-deduction was designed to help incorporated businesses finance expansion after the coronavirus pandemic and to help drive growth.

The super-deduction tax break was introduced on 1 April 2021 and allows businesses to deduct 130% of the cost of any qualifying investment on most new plant and equipment investments that would ordinarily qualify for 18% main rate Writing Down Allowances (WDAs). This means that for every £1 a business invests, they can reduce their tax bill by up to 25p. The temporary tax relief applies on qualifying capital asset investments until 31 March 2023.

In addition, an enhanced first year allowance of 50% on qualifying special rate assets also applies to expenditure within the same period. This includes most new plant and machinery investments that would ordinarily qualify for 6% special rate Writing Down Allowances.

The super-deduction can only be claimed by companies. This means that self-employed traders are unable to benefit. However, they could benefit from the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) for investments of up to £1 million. The AIA allows for a 100% tax deduction on qualifying expenditure on plant and machinery. The temporary limit of £1 million will also remain in place until 31 March 2023 before reverting to the usual £200,000 limit.

How can we help?

We have vehicles that we can invoice and deliver to you before the March deadline helping you avail to the government’s scheme. If you have a requirement, please get in touch by calling our Antrim Sales Team on 028 9433 6539

THE team at ETRUX, a company specialising in vehicle conversions, rental and leasing under the Jans Group, have put their knowledge and skills towards a very worthy cause recently, by converting bespoke vehicles to assist Lagan Search and Rescue (LSAR) during their rescue operations.

Specialising in acute water rescue and offering a lifeboat service for the River Lagan and Belfast Lough and a national flood response unit the control vehicle and water rescue unit was completed a few weeks ago and will be “instrumental” to the team going forward.

The new control vehicle and water rescue unit comes fully equipped with all the necessary kit required by the volunteers including a welfare area, a drying room, 360 degree LED scene lighting, an expedition rack, a telescopic communications system and emergency service markings and lights. Additionally, ETRUX completed a minibus with a complimentary rack, camera systems and scene lighting to ensure that the LSAR fleet was fully aligned.

Noel Keenan from LSAR claims the team is “delighted” with the new vehicles and they will be “invaluable” when it comes to future search and rescue operations.

“LSAR volunteers work in extremely demanding circumstances, often having to compete with very challenging conditions,” explained Noel.

“We pride ourselves on helping to keep the Belfast community safe and part of doing that is ensuring our volunteers have the most up-to-date equipment, which is why we’ve now added a control vehicle and water rescue unit to our fleet.

“The team at ETRUX couldn’t have been more helpful, they embraced the design brief and made  valuable recommendations throughout the project.  We are delighted with how the vehicles turned out, which we know will be instrumental in future search and rescue operations.”

Speaking about the project, Gareth Pinkerton, Lead Engineer at ETRUX added: “The volunteers at LSAR carry out fantastic work and we were so pleased to be able to work alongside them for this very worthwhile project.

“The converted vehicles will hopefully make a big difference to the team when they’re out on-site performing rescue operations.

“As specialists in vehicle conversions, the ETRUX staff was able to use their expert skills to ensure that the LSAR volunteers would have everything they required and that the vehicle would meet and indeed exceed their expectations.

“On behalf of the team at ETRUX, we are so proud to have been able to contribute – albeit in a small way – to this extremely worthy organisation.”

To find out more about the work of ETRUX visit: www.etrux.co.uk and for more information on LSAR visit: www.laganrescue.org.