ABM Q4 - Flipbook - Page 85
INT ERVIEW
COOLKIT
“You really do create a physical
obstruction by the length of the vehicle,
as well as by it being full width.”
Another issue is perception. Fleet
managers can be so thinly stretched
that they do not necessarily understand
the exact requirements placed on
the vehicles. The solution is to ensure
operations are understood thoroughly
before a decision is made. This can
ensure vehicles are fit for purpose, while
also reducing unnecessary costs, by
opting for a smaller battery, or even a
smaller van.
Gatty continues: “It's fair to say that
more advantages being realised by
operators of smaller vehicles than larger
ones at this time.
“I’d start off with the real-world
assessments of how much they want to
put on it. They might think they need a
tonne payload. Well, let’s weigh a few
vans setting off from a depot. If you
find out that they're only loading 700kg
or 800kg on, and you clarify that is a
regular load, it's clear that they don't
need a van with a tonne payload.
“It gives us more room to engineer in
heavier duty equipment, to provide the
right outcome for them. It is all about
listening to what people want and trying
to apply ourselves to work out how we
can deliver a novel solution to that.”
Collaboration
CoolKit is, rightly, very proud of its OEM
approvals, which it holds with Ford,
Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Stellantis,
Volkswagen and Toyota. These are not
just a rubber-stamp on quality, they give
CoolKit the ability to work directly with
the manufacturer on technologies such
as enhanced security systems.
It hopes to release an integration,
which will allow refrigeration to be
controlled directly through vehicle
systems, for a much sleeker look and
user experience.
Gatty explains: “We've had to devise
some really ingenious locking routines
that utilise the modern complexities of
the vehicle’s own systems, and their own
programmability. Particularly with Ford –
they've got a fabulous tool for integrating
upfitters’ equipment as well.
“It's only a matter of time before
we'll be able to control the refrigeration
through the van's existing systems,
rather than having to destroy the
dashboard to fit an aftermarket
controller. It'll be as big a leap forward
as when you when you first got a TV with
a remote control.
“Some of the programming that we're
incorporating in the vehicles, to take
advantage of the investments that the
OEMs have put into them, can really make
that appealing to the fleet operator, who
can benefit in the real world. Whether
that’s being able to fit more on board,
or lower insurance premiums, for some
reason of security.
"These are all things that help fleet
operators indirectly.”
Changing operations
The past few years have seen fleets
extend contracts due to cost pressures,
vehicle availability issues, and a general
understanding that vans do not tend
to explode as soon as they go for their
first MOT.
That last part – the generally rising
level of trust in vehicle longevity – is
counterintuitive when it comes to electric
vans. Fearmongers warn that batteries
last about as long as the month of April,
but OEMs often back their batteries with
even longer warranties than the vans
themselves.
Gatty expects to
see fleets take
advantage of
this by keeping
electric vans
around for
longer.
He says:
“They have
a battery
warranty,
typically, of
eight years.
"That will
serve to →
RUPERT GATTY
Q2 2026
AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS
71
