Leasing broker Fleet Alliance has won a tender process to supply a conservation charity with new electric vans, as more fleet owners move away from conventionally fuelled vehicles.
The Glasgow firm will deliver four zero emission Citroen e-Dispatch M 1000 vans to The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), which will be used to move volunteers and materials to conservation projects from its bases in Stirling, Glasgow, Leeds and London.
The 75kWh Crew Van Enterprise Pro Auto models upgrade TCV’s existing fleet of 75 diesel-powered light commercial vehicles and several minibuses, representing the first EV investment since the charity was founded in 1959. If the trial proves successful, then the charity will look closely at replacing more of its vehicles with electric models.
TCV’s investment represents an increase in electric van ownership in 2022, with SMMT forecasting fully electric vehicles to rise to a market share of 6.4% of new van registrations this year.
Katherine Hutt, Finance Manager at TCV, which operates about 50 conservation projects across the UK, said: “Fleet Alliance has been really helpful in sourcing this initial batch of four electric vans and providing positive financial arrangements that have been really beneficial to our cashflow – which, due to its multi-source nature, can be rather complex.
“They have provided valuable advice and assistance in all aspects of running EVs, including battery range and installing the most appropriate chargers at our various sites from where they will be operated.”
Fleet Alliance CEO, Andy Bruce, added: “We will provide the necessary advice and support to ensure that the transition to electrification meets their ambitions and plays a key role in helping them achieve their conservation and net zero carbon aspirations.”
