Southampton City Council has taken delivery of 24 Renault Kangoo electric vans to support longer-term plans on going greener.
As part of its recently revealed Green City Plan 2030, which also includes a strategy for a non-charging Clean Air Zone, the council is planning for 90% of its fleet to be zero-emission by 2030.
Supporting this goal, the new Renault vans will be used by a variety of essential services including Neighbourhood Wardens and Waste Operations teams, replacing existing diesel vans, without impacting operations.
The Kangoo Z.E.33 were identified as the best fit for requirements by formal tender via the public sector framework and include one crew van as well as a mix of panel vans and longer maxi panel body styles.
The council has also opted for optional heat pump, which works as part of the air conditioning system, and heats or cools down the vehicle without affecting driving range. SCC has also fitted towbars that enable it carry small trailers to help with the vital upkeep of the city’s 49 parks, over 1,100 hectares of open space and cemeteries.
Councillor Steve Leggett, Cabinet Member for Green City and Place, commented: “We are leading the way with our Fleet Modernisation Plan, as part of this we are adding the 24 new electric Renault Kangoo vans to our fleet. As well as helping us reduce emissions, our green energy tariff will mean we are also reducing our carbon footprint. The Renault vans’ increased battery range offered by this latest generation means our services are not interrupted to accommodate charging needs.”
Groupe Renault UK managing director Vincent Tourette added that the manufacturer is seeing a significant increase in the uptake of Renault electric vehicles by the public sector.
“Groupe Renault have been manufacturing electric vans since 2011, and this proven technology allows our business customers to confidently switch to EVs without any concern that protecting their local environment will not be to the detriment of their operational capacity,” he continued.
