Nottingham City Council has deployed five wheelchair-accessible electric vehicles supplied by Courtside Conversions as part of its work to cut emissions while also cutting costs.
The contract for the LDV EV80 minibuses was awarded following a tender that identified the LWB High Roof Panel van gave the best range and available on the market, and also sees a further 11 EVs in the pipeline.
Used to provide emission-free transport for the councils’ high-dependency Special Educational Needs (SEN) passengers, the five new minibuses join three that are already in service from Courtside Conversions and meeting requirements, according to the council.
The minibuses feature eight passenger seats, which can be removed to create space for three wheelchair passengers. The conversion has been configured to cut weight and maximise payload – with the help of lightweight flooring and seating system – while investing in measures that do not significantly affect the 12-volt vehicle battery usage.
Andrew Smith from Nottingham city Council said the vehicles will provide significant savings on fuel and maintenance over their lifespan.
He added: “The EV80 minibuses have already impressed our drivers with the smooth powerful delivery from the electric motor, which coupled with the automatic gearbox is delivering a smoother, quieter ride for their passengers and themselves along with making the job of negotiating busy urban areas easier.”
Emmie Roberts, sales and marketing manager, Courtside Conversions, added: “Courtside’s new EV80 minibus will appeal to many companies and organisations that take environmental protection seriously. The electric minibus can actively contribute to an organisation’s efforts of becoming more socially responsible. It will also contribute to the commitments of government agencies to reduce carbon emissions both locally and nationally. The EV80 will be a serious contender for those looking to make a tangible, positive and visible impact on the environment in which we live and work.”
Work is also currently in progress on 11 more LDV EV80 3.5T cage tippers built for Nottingham City Council’s Street Scene Operation.
