MANCHESTER Metropolitan University has added five Nissan electric vehicles to its fleet, saving thousands of pounds a year on running costs and further boosting its reputation as one of the greenest universities in the UK.
The university – currently ranked as the third greenest in Britain – has taken three Nissan e-NV200 panel vans, which are being used for deliveries around its two campuses, and two Nissan LEAF pool cars.
Already, fuel costs have been slashed by around 80 percent and carbon emissions are down an estimated eight percent. The introduction of the EVs has been so successful, the remaining 18 vehicles on the university’s fleet will be replaced by electric alternatives when they come up for renewal.
This has been helped by the university’s fantastic charging infrastructure that incorporates 24 charging points across its Manchester and Crewe campuses, including two rapid chargers, which have been installed with support from Transport for Greater Manchester.
Jason Smith, Transport Co-ordinator for Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “The reaction to the new electric vehicles has been fantastic and in the few months we’ve had them we haven’t had a single issue.
“As an organisation we are always striving to improve our environmental performance and our Nissan EVs are already making a significant contribution to that. But the savings on fuel alone make moving towards an EV fleet a real no brainer.”
He added: “Previously the average age of our fleet was eight-and-a-half years and so the drivers have really noticed the massive difference in terms of the spec.
“As more of our vehicles come up for renewal and wherever it’s possible for them to be electric, they will be.”
