November/December 2021

Vehicles
ELECTRIC FUTURE FOR TRADES?
For further vehicles, tools & workwear updates visit www.total-installer.co.uk
£46M VEHICLE
TOOL THEFTS
More than eight in 10 tradespeople (83%) either own or would like to invest in an electric
vehicle in the future, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance. This is
significantly more than the motoring public – just 54% of whom either own or wish to switch to
an electric model.
Tradespeople who want to make the switch are more interested in the practical benefits of electric
vehicles than those outside the sector. Of those who either own or want to purchase an electric vehicle,
more than one in five (21%) would do so because of cost savings on fuel.
Despite increasing awareness of an impending climate change catastrophe, only 15% want to switch
to an electric vehicle because it is better for the environment. This is fewer than the public at large, of
whom nearly one quarter (23%) would own an electric vehicle because they’re more sustainable.
The news follows the Government announcing that it is investing £620 million in grants for electric
vehicle and street charging points, as part of its ambition to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Tradespeople are also more optimistic about the availability of charging infrastructure than the general
population. Over half (53%) expect this to be commonplace within five years, which is significantly
higher than the proportion among the public (30%).
Despite this, tradespeople still have some concerns about electric vehicles, including limited driving
ranges, upfront costs and choice of models currently available.
Almost half (43%) of tradespeople did not know that vans were available via Government-backed
support for buying an electric vehicle, such as the Plug-In Car Grant, despite more than one in five
(22%) having heard of it.
Jonny McHugh, van business manager at Direct Line, said: “Sustainability is becoming increasingly
important to people – and businesses – and the Government is responding. There is widespread
recognition that electric vehicles have a critical role to play in reducing carbon emissions. It’s promising
to see that tradespeople are leading the way, with our research showing that they’re more likely to own
or are more willing to buy an electric vehicle in future.
www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/van-insurance/knowledge-centre/running-your-van
More than £46 million worth of tools have
been reported as stolen from vehicles
in the UK since the easing of lockdown in
April 2021.
This equates to £245,893 stolen every
day, according to an analysis of data from
UK police forces by Direct Line business
insurance.
Tradespeople are bearing the brunt, with
nearly four in 10 (38%) having fallen victim
to tool theft in the past, separate research
by the insurer revealed.
On average, it is estimated that it would
take them a full working week (4.9 days)
to replace the equipment, potentially
preventing them from carrying out jobs and
hitting them hard in the pocket.
Despite the threat, over half of
tradespeople (56%) leave tools in a vehicle
overnight.
Measures taken by tradespeople to protect
their tools and livelihoods from thieves
include:
• Keeping tools in a property/garage
overnight (30%)
• Keeping tools out of sight when they
are stored (28%)
• Fitting an alarm on their
vehicle (25%)
• Installing van CCTV or
dash cam (22%
• Parking their vans in a safe and
sensible space to deter potential
thieves (21%)
NEW SAFECLAMP LINE INCREASES CAPACITY AT RHINO
Van accessory manufacturer, Rhino Products, has expanded its production capacity by adding two new lines at its
Ellesmere Port facility. The new lines are dedicated to the manufacture of the SafeClamp ladder clamping system.
Rhino Products says it continuously invests in its infrastructure and personnel to meet customer demand for
its high-quality commercial vehicle accessories. Forming the latest round of investment, the addition of two new
SafeClamp production lines has doubled production from 500 to 1,000 pairs a day. The SafeClamp is a one touch
ladder clamping system – which Rhino says is five times quicker than traditional screw down ladder clamps –
featuring a composite beam structure and stainless-steel anchor hook. www.rhinoproducts.co.uk
72 T I NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST