Blakedale extends traffic management hire fleet to include EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) and additional 3.5-tonne impact protection vehicles (IPVs) have been added by Blakedale to its hire fleet.

The 3.5-tonne IPVs were developed for use in inner-city roadwork environments and can be fitted to most 3.5-tonne LCV chassis cabs.

The IPV’s lightweight design incorporates a crash cushion capable of dealing with collision speeds up to 43mph.

The traffic management and specialist vehicle supplier has also added 4.25 tonne Ford e-Transit traffic management vehicles to its 700-strong fleet, which are fitted with either a tail lift or an LP13 light board.

Available as demonstrators for evaluation as part of customers’ electrification journey, the e-Transit offers 196 miles of range and 1.4 tonnes of payload.

They have already been evaluated by several traffic management providers to help them understand how EVs can fit into their fleet mix.

These are believed to be the first 4.25t EVs designed and built in traffic management specification as Blakedale continues to invest in its hire fleet of nearly 700-vehicles as part of its Drive to Zero initiative.

This forms part of Northgate’s group-wide initiative of providing customers with a full suite of solutions that support their transition towards zero emissions.

Blakedale’s EV expansion also includes traffic management specification Renault e-Kangoo and Mercedes e-Vito vans that have a range of approximately 185 miles.

It has also added some VW ID3s to its Traffic Safety Cars hire fleet which also include petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains.

Blakedale’s MD Jon Taylor said: “The traffic management sector has responded very positively to the EVs we have added to our fleet.

“Many companies are curious as to how EVs can be accommodated in their current fleet and what better way than being able to evaluate them for a few weeks before making a long-term commitment.

“The e-Kangoo, e-Transit and Traffic Safety Cars cover off most operators’ needs at the lighter end of the weight range while we continue to look into the best options for customers to reduce their emissions at 18-tonnes.”

In addition, Blakedale is in the process of reducing its own emissions with 50% of its company car fleet now electric and the rest hybrid, as well as onboarding two electric vans to its nationwide mobile service fleet.