A SURREY retailer is getting with the times as it uses Nissan’s all-electric van as a modern way of delivering newspapers.
Damian and Kerry Whyte have bought two e-NV200s from Motorline Nissan Crawley to help them reach 600 homes every day across several villages.
They swapped their old diesel vans in favour of the award-winning pure electric Nissan van – which costs an average of 2p a mile to run – in a bid to save money. They are also committed to reducing their carbon footprint.
The electric vans are also being used by the husband-and-wife team – who own Hazelbank Stores and Shamley Green Stores, near Cranleigh – to deliver fresh fruit, vegetables and bakery goods to customers.
Damian said: “We’ve got a massive newspaper round covering both stores so we travel a lot of miles.
“It’s a modern way of delivering papers and a very cost-effective one. They are a huge money saver but the other thought behind getting them is the environmental factor. We are quite active in promoting a greener way of living, which includes having solar panels, which brings down the cost of running the vans even more. So the e-NV200 totally fits in with our lifestyle.”
As well as the cheaper running costs and emissions, the e-NV200 has low maintenance costs – £1,200 lower than a conventional diesel van over four years.
And the unique driving experience of the e-NV200, means the Whytes will feel less fatigue due to the lack of engine vibration in the cabin.
Damian said: “We used to buy really cheap diesel vans. But we found we were spending more maintaining them than if we took a new electric vehicle.”
Kerry added: “As well as delivering and collecting stock, we also use the vans for running between our stores. They are so quiet and comfortable to drive, but at the same time they are very fast – it makes you like driving again.”
Therese Wynn-Davies, Innovation Specialist at Motorline Nissan Crawley, in Gatwick Road, said: “More and more businesses like the one run by Damian and Kerry have discovered the amazing cost savings of using electric vans instead of the traditional diesel-powered vehicles. It is saving them a fortune.”