Pro Installer February 2015 - Issue 23 | Page 44

44 FEBRUARY 2015 PRO INSTALLER PRO MOTORING www.proinstaller.co.uk Bevan racks up another Type Approval ‘first’ West Midlands bodybuilder Bevan Group has underlined its leadership in the field of European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval by becoming the first company to secure accreditation for external glass racks (frails) fitted to panel vans. The breakthrough follows months of negotiation with VCA, the Department for Transport agency responsible for confirming type approvals to all automotive European Community Directives and other regulations. It means that vans fitted by Bevan with racks manufactured at the Merseyside production facility of Supertrucks, the glass transport solutions specialist which it acquired in 2014, can be automatically accorded Whole Type Vehicle Type Approval under the enhancement scheme. Previously, such vehicles have had to be submitted to the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) tests. But as well as adding cost, this process can result in delivery delays – often extending to several weeks – before the van can be registered and put to work. Bevan Group was also the first UK bodybuilder to secure European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval certification for its Pick up the PRO Installer, FREE, from one of over 600 trade counters. vehicle bodies. The Halesowen-based manufacturer secured this status as long ago as March 2009 – the deadline by which all categories of commercial vehicle must meet Type Approval standards by 29 October 2014. Since then it has been authorised to build an unlimited number of bodies of the same type and sell them, provided they have met conformity of production requirements, without further inspections. Bevan Group’s Operations Director Lee Dimmock confirms: “Having audited all of our systems, as well as Supertrucks’ products, VCA has now cleared Bevan to produce groups of vehicles fitted with glass racks, which will comply with current Type Approval regulations. The potential advantage in terms of reduced lead times i s huge.” on the road is not the one that was registered, and this can cause problems further down the line,” says Lee. “Responsible operators ‘some glass carriers have been exploiting a loophole in the regulations by purchasing and registering unmodified vans’ Lee says some glass carriers have been exploiting a loophole in the regulations by purchasing and registering unmodified vans, then having them fitted retrospectively with external racks. “But that means the vehicle which eventually goes prefer to do things properly and ensure that their vans are fully finished, and approved, with quality racking systems and other features such as additional lighting already in place, prior to registration.” The European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approv- al regulations are designed to ensure that new light commercial vehicles meet environmental, safety and security standards. Supertrucks Manager Dave Hill adds: “We have modified significantly the design of our frails to the requirements of the approval scheme, while maintaining the superior quality of the equipment. Our racks and other glass-carrying systems are widely acknowledged to be the finest in the industry, and are already exported into a number of European countries. The fact that we can produce and Bevan can now fit our systems here in the UK is a further step forward for the two businesses.” Electric Vehicle Industry Revs Up NAPIT Training has released an electric vehicle training taster video to the industry for the benefit of any tradesperson who is considering a move into this promising technology. Regular positive news within the industry suggests a likely rise in popularity for electric vehicles and thus a probable increase in charging point installation work. 2013 saw sales of electric vehicles double within the European Union. Should growth continue at this rate, by 2020 we could see almost 500,000 sold and by 2030 more than two million, this would account for 15% of all new car sales. ‘Plug-in Grant of up to £5,000’ ADF PLASTICS LTD New models should encourage this growth in the UK. Also, electric vehicle pioneer Tesla Motors has opened its second UK store and service centre, with further facilities to come. It’s not only the country’s manufacturers who are showing increased faith in green motors; the Government has announced that ministers will soon be driven to official appointments in electric cars. The Government’s Go Ultra Low campaign makes EVs a more financially attractive option for consumers by offering a ‘Plug-in Grant’ of up to £5,000 to cover 25% of an electric car and up to £8,000 for an electric van. Charge point costs may also be alleviated with a grant to cover up to 75%, capped at £1,000. If you’re interested in getting involved in this growing industry, view NAPIT Training’s electric vehicle charging point installation taster video at www.youtube. com/watch?v=h6fZVNFjfew&feature=youtu.be