Northgate Vehicle Hire launches fleet electrification programme

Northgate has launched a fleet electrification programme called Drive to Zero to help fleet customers transition to electric LCVs.

Neil McCrossan, Northgate Vehicle Hire’s sales and marketing director, explained that, in line with the Government’s deadline for the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales ending in 2030, Northgate has been committed to ensuring that it is able to fully support customers in advance of the change.

“We understand that for businesses, a lack of interruption is key while undergoing any fleet transition, and electrification is no different,” he said.

“We have launched Drive to Zero in order to make this transition as seamless and efficient as possible.”

Drive to Zero comprises five key elements, including a thorough fleet analysis assessing EV suitability for transition.

Through the interrogation of telematics data, Northgate will build a complete understanding of vehicles, their movements, distances travelled and journey times, which gives an understanding of which vehicles can be immediately switched to electric power without issue and which ones will come on-stream as higher range electric LCVs are launched over the coming years by OEMs.

They can then offer vehicles on trial to fleets prior to a longer-term commitment.

Vehicle choice is key for successful fleet management and Northgate works closely with OEMs to continually add to an industry leading range of electric LCVs, it said.

From final mile solutions such as the Renault Zoe commercial hatchback, through to mid-sized panel vans such as the latest Peugeot eExpert, Mercedes Benz e-Vito or even the larger Mercedes Benz e-Sprinter, Northgate offers a 12 months-plus rental option.

As servicing and maintenance remain a key consideration for EVs, Northgate says it has invested heavily in its workshops and 47-strong branch network, ensuring that trained EV technicians are employed across the country.

In order to aid driver training around best practice for EVs, Northgate also has a full suite of EV training modules available to help address challenges and help drivers adopt new driving techniques to optimise EV range.

Free to all its EV customers, the suite of learning modules aims to help drivers up-skill with ease on all manner of subjects from EV driving best practice, to charging, and a host of other ‘how to’ topics in between.

Since the provision of suitable charging infrastructure is a crucial step to ensuring a smooth transition for any business, Northgate is also working with EV charging installation experts, ChargedEV, part of the Redde Northgate group, to ensure that whether a customer needs to consider workplace charging, home charging or even public charging facilities, the best possible solution can be found.

It can also help and support with major infrastructure planning which involves working with local energy suppliers to install and futureproof a company’s charging needs.

Finally, Northgate’s team of independent EV fleet specialists are available to help fleets develop and implement robust transition plans, bespoke for each customer, it said.

The proposition is designed to let fleets focus on their core business, while Northgate focuses on running their vehicles.

> Interested in comparing electric vehicle data? Check out our EV tool.

> Interested in ensuring the efficient use of EVs. Check out our dedicated editorial sections: Insight & policy | EV news | Charging & infrastructure | Costs & incentives | Benefit-in-kind | EV case studies | EV road tests

> EVs by range

> EVs by their efficiency

> Rapid charging EVs

> EVs by price: lowest to highest