Conservation charity, The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), is switching to an all-electric fleet under the guidance of Fleet Alliance.
The Doncaster-based charity operates a fleet of 75 vans of various sizes, all powered by diesel.
Due to the nature of its conservation activities and the fact that many of its vehicles are operating in Clean Air Zones and facing penalties for not being ultra-low emission, the charity decided to explore the options around switching to electric vehicles (EVs).
Having secured funding from its partners, which include local authorities, trusts and charitable foundations, TCV went out to the market and selected Fleet Alliance for help and guidance in competitively sourcing the most appropriate models.
An initial batch of four Citroen Dispatch e-Dispatch vans are being delivered to four sites around the country – Stirling, Glasgow, Leeds and London – so that local teams can test the practicalities of running EVs. If the initial batch of four EVs proves successful, then TCV will switch more of its vans to electric power as they come up for replacement.
TCV finance manager, Katherine Hutt, 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.
“More than that, they have also 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.
“If this trial proves successful, then we will look closely at replacing more of our vehicles to electric power.”
Using teams of employees and volunteers from 10 offices around the UK, TCV runs community conservation projects designed to “connect people to the green spaces that form a vital part of any healthy, happy community”.
The charity currently has about 50 conservation projects in place across the UK, including local parks and community gardens, nature reserves, sites of special scientific interest, schools, hospital grounds, waterways, wetlands and woodlands around the country.
Andy Bruce, Fleet Alliance CEO, added: “Like many of our customers, TCV has begun its journey to, ultimately, an all-electric fleet which is very much in accord with its own mission of helping conserve the environment for future generations.
“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.”
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Matt has been an automotive journalist for eight years. As senior staff writer he is responsible for the automotive content on Fleet News and also contributes to Automotive Management. Prior to this, Matt worked in the automotive industry for 10 years.
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