Boots UK is introducing five electric Renault Kangoo ZE electric vans to deliver prescriptions in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Based at the Boots UK site in Beeston, they are the first electric vans to be operated by the company and, if successful, the pilot will be expanded to other areas in the UK.

The adoption of the vehicles has been supported by Nottingham City Transport’s ultra-low emission vehicle scheme by helping to create charging stations on the Boots site.

Each Kangoo is fitted with Lightfoot Technology which provides live, in-cab coaching to help drivers improve both fuel efficiency and safety.

Eddie Storr, head of supply chain pharmacy at Boots UK, said: “Running more than 9,500 routes a week with a van fleet of 900, we are continually looking at ways to improve both the efficiency of our service and its environmental impact.

“Over the past six months, we have achieved significant mileage reductions through better route planning and the next step on our journey is to reduce our carbon footprint is to introduce zero emission delivery vehicles.

“Following the launch in Nottingham, we are looking at locations around the country to expand our electric fleet.”

Adrian Bremner, head of safety, environment and Governance at Boots UK, added: “Care of the environment has always been ingrained into our business thinking, but has never been more prominent that it is now.

“Reducing our vehicle air emissions and climate change impact through the new electric vans is an excellent example of Boots demonstrating its commitment to this important agenda and we look forward to learning from their use.”

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