THE all-electric Nissan e-NV200 van has graduated with flying colours to become one of the most popular new vehicle choices for university fleets in the UK.
The multi award-winning van, which costs from just two pence per mile to run and offers zero emissions mobility whilst driving, is now in service on the fleets at more than 20 of the nation’s leading academic institutions.
University of Birmingham was the first the first fleet operator in the country to take delivery of the model when it added two to its fleet in 2014.
Since then, the University has added four more and the e-NV200 has moved to the top of the of the list for universities and colleges the length and breadth of the UK.
e-NV200s are now in service at universities including Bath, Brighton, Coventry, Dundee, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leicester, Leeds, Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan, Newcastle, Oxford, Sheffield, St Andrews, Swansea, the University of Central Lancashire and the University of Wales.
In addition, a number of other universities across the UK are currently trialling the e-NV200 as they explore the environmental and financial benefits it could have for their fleets.
In most cases, the vans are being used to deliver mail and other items across university campuses.
Monica Guise, Sustainable Logistics Manager at University of Birmingham, said: “The impact these vehicles have had on our fleet is very impressive.
“We have experienced a substantial reduction in fuel costs and maintenance bills as the vehicles’ downtime has been greatly reduced.”
She added: “Drivers who were sceptical originally are now eager to drive the Nissans as their reputation spreads across campus.
“I am delighted to say that choosing the e-NV200 is one of the best fleet decisions we have made.”
Alistair Black, Bedellus at University of St Andrews where the e-NV200 is being used for mail deliveries, said: “We added the e-NV200 to our fleet back in February 2015. Our decision was driven in part by a desire to reduce running costs but also by the university’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions.”
He continued: “The Nissan e-NV200 is totally fit for purpose and meets our needs perfectly. It’s used as a postal vehicle delivering mail across campus, covering about 50 miles a day, mostly in and around the town.
“The reaction to the vehicle has been fantastic and one of the best reactions we’ve had has come from one of our staff who says it’s the best van he’s ever driven.”
At Swansea University meanwhile, the e-NV200 Combi has been introduced as part of a broader commitment to sustainability and is operated as a pool vehicle, available on a booking system, by the information services and systems team.
As part of a seven-strong EV fleet, which also includes four Nissan LEAFs, the e-NV200 has proved a popular choice thanks to its size, flexibility and car-like driving dynamics.
Nigel Morris from the information services and systems team at Swansea University said: “Our EV fleet has already been a big success, cutting our carbon emissions by 4.5 metric tons and saving around several thousand pounds in fuel so far.
“The e-NV200 has made a terrific contribution to those figures as it’s proved so popular with staff. It’s a big vehicle that’s got lots of space for cargo or people but it’s very easy to drive.”
