- Tyres: The path of least resistance
- ETRUX receives Ford Pro Convertor status
- The Logistics Organisation adds to van fleet with Vanaways
- Northgate launches micromobility service
- Progress being made on shared EV charging, AFP reports
- Medisort electrifying van fleet with Bedeo
- ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: Taking a shortcut to reduce commercial vehicle emissions
- The What Van? Road Test: Ford Ranger Raptor
- Speakers announced for Commercial Vehicle Show
- Check new vehicle registration details are correct, AFP tells fleets
BT tests electric vans
Date: Monday, November 29, 2010
BT has began testing electric vans as part of its drive to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by 2020.
Engineers at Openreach, which maintains BT’s nationwide telecommunications network, are trialing two vans in Milton Keynes, which is in the vanguard of piloting charging points for electric vehicles, and two at Openreach’s Stratford telephone exchange - close to the 2012 Olympic site in east London.
BT’s fleet management division worked with Allied Electric and Smith Electric Vehicles, which respectively converted two Peugeot Boxer and two Ford Transit vans to run on zero emission technology.
The vehicles are being put through their paces to determine their suitability for engineers’ work patterns, battery life and energy usage. If successful, BT plans to roll out electric vans more widely across its 23,400-strong fleet.
The vans on test have a restricted top speed of 70mph and can cover up to 100 miles between battery charges – comfortably exceeding the average 60 to 65 miles covered by an Openreach van on a daily basis.
View The WhatVan Digital Edition
