A BAKERY in Germany has been able to go 100% carbon neutral for the first time thanks to its new Nissan e-NV200 electric van fleet.
Deliveries from Ihr Bäcker Schüren, which employs 200 people across 18 branches, cost next to nothing thanks to free fuel from its solar panels.
In 2010, Roland M Schüren converted his bakery to reduce its CO2 emissions by 91 per cent and save nearly 50 per cent on energy. In 2013 he renovated the building further to achieve “plus-energy” building status. Use of solar panels on the bakery’s roof allows the business to operate with 100 per cent renewable energy.
With more than 10,000 bread rolls to deliver each day the only thing missing was a fleet of electric vans. So Schüren, a master baker and graduate in business administration, bought three Nissan e-NV200 vans, which combine the class-leading load space of the NV200 with the Nissan LEAF – the world’s best-selling electric car. The e-NV200 offers a range of up to 170 kilometres per charge, emits no pollutants and is virtually silent.
“The three e-NV200s fit perfectly into our sustainable approach,” says Mr Schüren. “We produce more electricity than we consume in the bakery and this can then be used to power our electric vehicle charging stations. The cars have also caused a stir amongst our customers. Passers-by cross the street to see the vehicles and our charging points up close.”
The pioneering bakery is a member of the innovative Nissan e4Business programme, which helps small and medium-size businesses across Europe to maximise their potential and keep their costs as low as possible, introducing them to the benefits of incorporating Nissan electric vehicles into their company fleets and business models.
The aim of the bakery is to work 100 per cent CO2-free. Thanks to the car’s unique bi-directional charging capabilities, in the near future Mr Schüren hopes to store electricity overnight using the vehicle batteries. Energy will then be readily available in the daytime when the bakery experiences peaks in demand. In this way, the van will offer a sustainable energy source while ensuring transport is completely emissions-free.
To ensure all customers receive orders on time, Nissan has installed a CHAdeMO quick charging station on the premises for the three vehicles. Delivery driver Nacer Boussouf is enthusiastic. “It’s just a relaxed drive and it is much quieter, even in busy traffic. I will deliver in the morning from Düsseldorf, return to base for a half-hour quick charge then on to the tour of Wuppertal. We take the electric vehicles out three times a day without releasing a gram of CO2,” he said.
Ihr Bäcker Schüren is one of the latest businesses to join the growing electric vehicle revolution across Europe by adding Nissan EVs to its fleet. The Nissan LEAF and e-NV200 are currently being used by companies all over Europe for a diverse range of uses in every environment, from small coastal towns such as St Austell to bustling port cities such as Rotterdam.
