LDV helps Nottingham go green with wheelchair accessible EVs

LDV has partnered with Courtside Conversions to provide five wheelchair accessible electric vehicles (EVs) to Nottingham Council.

A further 11 EVs are expected to joing the Council's fleet in the future.

Courtside Conversions is one of the first converters in the UK to offer a lightweight conversion on the electric LDV EV80 and has been selected by Nottingham Council to supply the council with the five electric minibuses.

Andrew Smith from Nottingham Council said: “Nottingham City Council ran a tender in early 2019 to procure five EV Wheelchair accessible minibuses and the LDV EV80 LWB High Roof Panel van was identified as giving the best range and payload available on the market and ideal for this type of conversion.

“The five buses ordered are in addition to three already delivered from Courtside Conversions, which are in service and are delivering all that was required of them.

“New minibuses are a welcome addition to our fleet, these vehicles are providing emission free transport for our high dependency Special Educational Needs (SEN) passengers.

“The EV80 minibuses have already impressed our drivers with the smooth powerful delivery from the electric motor, which coupled with the automatic gearbox is delivering a smoother, quieter ride for their passengers and themselves along with making the job of negotiating busy urban areas easier.”

Devon-based Courtside Conversions Ltd have been specialising in the conversion of vans into minibuses for over 20 years, with the company being selected by local authorities, community transport, education, charitable organisations and social services.

The EV80 features 8 seats plus the driver with the option to remove eight seats to create space for three wheelchair passengers.

Mark Barrett, general manager LDV UK and Ireland, said; “More and more fleet buyers are moving from fuel-dependent engines to hybrids and pure-electric models as companies move towards a greener business model.

“It’s great to see Nottingham Council make this investment as it is an investment in the future of the planet.”

Last year, Milk & More expanded its fleet of electric vehicles to more than 500, with the addition of 159 new LDV EV80 models.