British Gas runs UK’s largest electric commercial vehicle trial

British Gas is piloting 28 Nissan electric vans throughout the winter to determine the future viability of 100% electric vehicle technology as part of its 13,000 home service vans fleet.


The pilot is being conducted nationwide from November 2013 until April 2014 to assess how the vans perform in winter conditions during typical British Gas home services daily usage patterns.

British Gas general manager fleet, Colin Marriott, said: “We’re committed to leading the industry in reducing the amount of carbon and other harmful tail pipe emissions emitted by our 13,000 strong vehicle fleet.

“This trial, the largest of its kind in the UK, is a great opportunity for us to understand how the Nissan e-NV200 vans perform during the winter as we move towards our goal of having at least 10% of our fleet running on electricity by 2015”.

Gateshead College has delivered all of the training to the British Gas drivers to ensure they are fully briefed in how to “drive and live with the 100% electric Nissan e-NV200”.

All 28 vans have been provided with a British Gas home charging point and access cards to public infrastructure to keep the vehicles charged up.

Nissan GB managing director, Jim Wright, said: “Our engineers will take the feedback of the British Gas drivers to ensure we launch a vehicle perfectly suited to British road and business conditions.

“With an expected harsh winter ahead, the 28 Nissan e-NV200s will be delivering home services around the country, demonstrating how strongly the 100% electric van can perform for large fleets with challenging daily routines,” added Wright.

Leigh Stringer

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