Menzies Distribution has launched the first three electric vehicles into its Scottish delivery fleet as part of wider plans to roll out an electric fleet across its national network.
The move brings the total number of the logistics firm's electric fleet to 120. Menzies claims to have the UK’s largest all electric vehicle fleet as well as the largest commercial charging infrastructure in the UK through its subsidiary, Gnewt.
The three vans, which are Nissan eNV-200s with a Voltia conversion, will operate from Oban serving routes across West Scotland and have a ‘real world’ range of around 120 miles.
Menzies said it aims to eventually use renewable energy across its entire charging operation.
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The addition of the latest electric vans follows Gnewt's announcement that it has delivered its 10 millionth parcel emission free, which Menzies Distribution said has saved an estimated 2.3m kg of CO2 compared to diesel delivery vehicles.
Adam Smith, group commercial director at Menzies Distribution, said: “We are delighted to introduce our first electric vehicles into our Scottish delivery fleet. We currently have more than 120 electric vehicles delivering parcels, with a particular concentration in London, and we are looking to take the lessons we have learned from running one of the largest all-electric fleets in the UK and roll out across the country.
“Through Gnewt by Menzies Distribution, our electric vans have already delivered more than 10 million parcels emission free and we look to significantly increase that volume in 2020 as part of our green fleet strategy to introduce electric vans, powered by renewable energy to our UK depots.”
According to the SMMT, sales of electric vans rose to 3,204 in 2019 - just 1% of the total light van market last year. The top five electric vans were the Nissan NV200, Renault Kangoo and Kangoo Maxi, Peugeot Partner and LDV V80.
