The vehicle is one of five Renault Kangoo ZE Vans provided to energy giant E.ON to help reduce CO2 emissions across the company’s fleet.
Based at E.ON’s Kingswinford site in the West Midlands, the vehicles will be used by the company’s meter reading division on a daily basis for journeys of up to 50 miles.
E.ON introduced electric vehicles into its fleet after using telematics to analyse driving patterns and usage. The results showed that meter readers completed several short local journeys using conventional vans, which could be undertaken using an electric vehicle.
Lorna McAtear, E.ON’s commercial vehicle manager, said: ‘E.ON is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by continually evaluating all travel-related activities. A key element of this strategy is the introduction of more sustainable and environmentally friendly vehicles into our fleet.
‘By analysing driver usage patterns we were able to identify those activities that could be carried out using electric vehicles. The feedback we received from our drivers during the trial phase was very positive and we look forward to assessing how these vehicles will perform once they become fully operational.’
The announcement comes as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders announces that plug-in sales growth is outstripping the total UK market
The association’s figures show that plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle sales are up 70.7% year on year for the first seven months of 2013 as the UK car market recorded its 17th consecutive growth month in July.
Commenting on the benefits of EVs, Chris Chandler, senior consultant, from Lex Autolease, said: ‘Electric vehicles such as the Renault Kangoo are perfectly suited to the type of short journeys identified by E.ON. Replacing conventional transport for electric vehicles on journeys of this kind can produce noticeable cost and environmental benefits. We have a long-standing relationship with E.ON and look forward to working in partnership with them to provide additional sustainable transport solutions.’
