A LEADING farm-to-door fresh produce delivery business is using Nissan’s 100% electric e-NV200 van to drive its growth organically.
East Coast Organics delivers veg boxes straight from its 120-acre farm in Pencaitland, East Lothian, to over a thousand homes and restaurants in and around Edinburgh.
It has replaced two aging diesels with Nissan e-NV200s which fit neatly with the organic and all-natural ethos of the business.
The vans, which were supplied by local dealer Alex F Noble & Son Nissan, each cover around 80 miles a day, taking in 90 drops and, with running costs of just two pence per mile, are helping the business make significant savings.
As an added benefit, the models – which already attract attention thanks to their near-silent running – wear a striking bright yellow livery which is helping to attract new customers for the business.
Managing Director Mike Callender said: “We’d been looking at electric vehicles for a while and the e-NV200 is the first that’s really fitted our needs.
“Our aim has always been to deliver fresh, quality produce at an affordable price and, as fuel was one of our biggest overheads, going electric will help keep our prices down.
“As they’re emission-free they also fit perfectly with the environmental ethos at the core of our business – we grow everything without herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and artificial fertilisers as we believe it makes for a better, healthier product that’s better for the planet.”
Based on the Nissan NV200 – International Van of the Year 2010 – and utilising the proven technology of the record breaking Nissan LEAF, the new e-NV200 costs just two pence per mile to run.
In addition to low running costs and emissions, users will also benefit from low maintenance costs that make for unrivalled total cost of ownership – £1,200 lower than a conventional diesel van over four years – and an unbeatable proposition for businesses large and small thanks to the unique driving experience of the e-NV200, drivers will feel less fatigued due to the lack of engine vibration in the cabin.
Meanwhile, the model, which is priced from £13,568 in panel van form (incorporating PiVG) offers a class-leading 4.2m3 capacity and an impressive 703kg payload.
For more information about East Coast Organics visit www.eastcoastorganics.co.uk
