Facilities management company Pinnacle Group has begun electrifying its van fleet with support from its fleet management provider Fleet Alliance.
An initial 33 Nissan e-NV200 electric vans are joining the fleet, as the first stage of an eventual plan for nearly 500 vehicles to be switched from diesel to electric power, with a smaller order of Citroen e-Berlingo vans set to follow, and further orders shortly to be placed for more electric vans this year.
Every fleet vehicle due for renewal and every new fleet vehicle will now be considered for EV replacement, using metrics in line with recommendations from Fleet Alliance, although some specialist vehicles may not currently be suitable.
Pinnacle group procurement manager Sarah Russell said: “Some months ago we put together an internal, cross-functional team to work on ‘Project Electrify’ with a vision to transition to an all-electric fleet.
“This initial tranche of new Nissan e-NV200s is the fruition of the first part of that plan, which also includes setting up charging infrastructure at a number of our locations, with the greatest number at our Tulse Hill depot where five dual charge points are due to be installed in the new year.
“Fleet Alliance has played a key role for us in helping identify the most suitable models available and ensuring they are fit for purpose, given the current constraints that are operating in the vehicle supply market.”
The e-NV200s are on contract hire, funded through Fleet Alliance’s tendering strategy, and will be operated on four-year/68,000-mile cycles.
Drivers will be provided with electric charge cards, while those who park their vehicles at home overnight will also be able to opt for home chargers.
Russell added: “Fleet Alliance has recommended four-year operating cycles, rather than the three years we currently operate our diesel vehicles on, because of the lower maintenance and operating costs of the EVs, which we are happy to follow as this will allow us to fully capture the carbon saving.”
