The British Modecs will be based at UPS’s Camden depot, well within the London Low Emission Zone. The van that was tested averaged 18 miles a day and consumed 25 per cent of the battery’s full charge during the course of operations in north-west, east and central London.

UPS is no stranger to electric vans. It was operating them in New York as long ago as the 1930s.

Elsewhere, tool and equipment hire specialist Speedy Hire has acquired six more Modecs, bringing the total it has in service to 10. The latest acquisitions will operate out of sites at Heathrow and Manchester.