Green delivery firm Gnewt Cargo has extended its electric vehicle fleet with 15 zero-emission Voltia vans based on the Nissan e-NV200 as it trials the increased capacity and efficiency provided by the vehicles.
The Gnewt vehicles are being run as part of the ‘Low Emission Freight Trial’ match funded by Innovate UK – earlier this year Gnewt won a share of the £20m funding – with Gnewt to provide analysis of the vans over an 18-month cycle although the vans will be run for longer.
The Voltia van takes the original e-NV200 and converts it to meet the needs of urban LCV delivery firms with extended cargo space offering either 6m3 or 8m3 along with walk-in door access, a 600kg payload and a three-year warranty. It also offers a driving range of 106 miles, with a new model fitted with Nissan’s larger 40Kw battery now also available to order and offering a 173-mile range.
The Gnewt vans comprise the 8m3 format with the multi-drop delivery firm also looking at the possibility of increasing the fleet with longer-range Nissans.
Sam Clarke, founder of Gnewt Cargo, said: “Gnewt has been delivering in London for over eight years using all electric vans and the Voltia will be a very welcome addition to our fleet. The added cargo space will allow us to better organise each van and load more per trip, therefore making fewer visits to and from the depot each day. The walk-in rear door access will be a great benefit for our drivers. Overall, the vehicles will increase our effectiveness and efficiency. We’re delighted to be leading the way in innovative operations courtesy of the Voltia design.”
In total, Gnewt runs 100 electric vans on its fleet, comprising standard Nissan e-NV200s along with Renault Kangoo Z.E. models. The firm is also adding a further four eDucato vans shortly from Turkish converter BD Auto, which provide the practicality of a large cargo van with a full electric drivetrain.
