Category: News

Ford have just revealed the new Transit Smart Energy Concept – a one-of-a-kind 10-seater minibus that is helping the company explore solutions for maximising the energy efficiency and driving range of future electrified vehicles.

Delivering 150 km (93 miles) driving range from a 4-hour charge, and developed by engineers at Ford’s Merkenich Technical Centre, Germany, the concept uses a Ford Transit chassis fitted with the same battery-electric drivetrain technology as the StreetScooter WORK XL, supported by energy-saving and energy-generating innovations.

Many organisations will need to be aware that with Britain due to leave the EU, there will be changes to the permissions granted to drive abroad after 29th March 2019. As a leading supplier of school and specialist minibuses, Red Kite feel it is important to understand these significant changes, should the situation arise for overseas driving.

The EU protocol currently in force allows us to drive in EEA countries without restrictions to licencing or insurance. The EU Commissioners have agreed in principle to replicate the current system, but this will only be confirmed as part of the wider exit arrangement, not in the short term. If there is no transition agreement with the [...]

To help improve air quality, an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be in place in central London from 8 April 2019. Most vehicles including cars, vans and minibuses will need to meet new, tighter exhaust emission standards (ULEZ standards) or pay a daily charge to travel within the area of the ULEZ. From 25 October 2021, the ULEZ area will be expanded to include the inner London area bounded by the North and South Circular.

Vehicles included are:

Small vans (weighing up to and including 1.205 tonnes unladen weight)
Larger vans, 4X4 light utility vehicles, motorised horseboxes, pickups (over 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross [...]

A question many organisations are currently contemplating in this rapidly changing economic climate. Since 1982 Red Kite have been at the forefront of designing, manufacturing and servicing minibuses throughout Great Britain, so with over 37 years’ experience within the industry, are well placed to answer the question.

February 2019 will see the leading vehicle manufacturers increasing their UK minibus prices. After recent negotiations with all the major minibus manufacturers, we now have confirmation of talk of yet further increase scheduled within the coming 12 months, plus a strong indication that customer delivery times will see a significant increase because of general changes within the industry (currently 2-4 weeks from date of order for a brand new minibus).

For buyers [...]

Delivered to their door earlier this week, Northease Manor School, Sussex will be travelling in style, comfort and safety for the next academic year thanks to Katie Humphrey who won the use of a brand new Peugeot Expert Minibus from national supplier, Red Kite.

Red Kite’s annual ‘Lucky Six’ competition was held at the ISBA Conference in Brighton this year. Now in its thirteenth year, the competition provides participants with the opportunity to win a free minibus for their school for a year on one throw of six dice. The winner is the player who either throws or gets closest to throwing six, sixes

This year the initial highest score was thrown by Clayfield College from Australia! – Unfortunately for them (and our delivery driver) the winners must be a UK based school or college. So the next highest scorers were deemed the winners and this was approved by the ISBA. Our congratulations go to North Ease Manor School, East Sussex. Delivery will take place on 30th August 2018, so watch this space.

Minibus owners and operators including Schools, Academies, Colleges and Universities should be preparing for the introduction of an Emissions Surcharge, known as the ‘T-Charge,’ in central London which aims to discourage the use of older, more polluting vehicles.

The charge, which is an additional daily £10 charge on top of what drivers will already pay to enter the Congestion Charge Zone, comes into effect from 23 October 2017, and applies to petrol and diesel vehicles which fall below the Euro 4 emission standard.

Euro 4 stipulates that vehicles must emit no more than 0.08g/km of NOx for petrol vehicles or 0.25g/km for diesel to achieve the standard. This will essentially mean that cars, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs built prior to 2005 will be subject to a charge of more than £20 per day to enter the centre of London. 9+ seater vehicles that are currently registered for a discount or are exempt from [...]

This week Red Kite delivered a new purpose built Red Kite Peugeot Boxer Minibus to The Royal Marines in Portsmouth. The 17 Seat Minibus weighing in at 4.1 tonnes was handed over under the shadow of the Royal Navy’s latest addition to the fleet, HMS Queen Elizabeth. The new Aircraft Carrier will come into service in a couple of years and weighs in at just over 65,000 tonnes and has a crew of 700.

As well as general duties the new minibus will be used as a family welfare vehicle for outings and trips. A big thank you to Chief Petty Officer Andy Vercoe and his team in seeing [...]

This week Red Kite delivered a beautifully liveried new Ford Transit Minibus to The Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG) in North Yorkshire. The specially adapted 11 Seat Minibus with roof rack, will be used by the RDG as a family welfare vehicle for the many outings and daytrips to the beautiful Yorkshire countryside being planned.

A big thank you to Captain Jason Davis and his team in seeing this long awaited project through to completion and we look forward to the odd postcard on your travels.

Mike Crane, managing director from LV=Broker, delivered the minibus to Charlton Farm.

He said: “We’re honoured to be able to support a charity which provides such an invaluable service to children and local families when they need it most.

“The work Children’s Hospice South West does is incredible and we’re really happy that we’ve been able to help them.”

The minibus, which was designed and built by Red Kite, will be used for a variety of activities, including the sibling team, which looks after the brothers and sisters of children being treated by the hospice.

A CHSW spokesman said: “Many of these children can feel left out and don’t often get the chance [...]