Portsmouth Naval Base has taken delivery of a fleet of 48 electric vans as part of an initiative to create a more energy-efficient naval base.
The Nissan e-NV200 Combi vans will join another 59 diesel vehicles as part of a 107-vehicle order by BAE Systems, which manages the base on behalf of the Royal Navy. 26 charging points have also been installed and 28 parking bays have been specially designated for the vans.
BAE Systems hopes that the electric vans will reduce CO2 emissions from the base’s vehicle fleet by around 40%. BAE claims that the conversion of more than a third of their vehicle fleet to e-NV200 Combis will save £360,000 in fuel and other costs.
Nissan quotes an official range of 106 miles for the e-NV200 Combi – although real-world figures will be substantially less – and a full recharge time of three hours from the dedicated rapid charging points.
In addition to the electric vans, the Royal Navy’s NAVYfit Loan Bike Scheme is being introduced at Portsmouth Naval Base. Modelled on the so-called “Boris Bike” scheme in London, it will initially feature 15 bikes and three docking stations. Expansion in the summer will see the scheme double to include a further 15 bikes and two additional docking stations.
