TNT to Launch World's Largest Electric Vehicle Fleet
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 05.16.08
We’ve already reported on moves by the Australian arm of TNT to incorporate biodiesel hybrid trucks into their fleet, and now we hear that not only does the company's British arm already have 50 electric vans on its fleet, but is adding a further 100. The new feet, which will apparently be the largest zero emissions fleet in the world (and yes, we know 'zero emissions' depends very much on the energy source used to charge them), will be replacing diesel vehicles over the next year and a half. If initial trials of these and other electric vehicles prove successful, there are plans to roll them out across Europe. Peter Bakker, CEO of TNT, had this to say:
“We are living in times of great change and the launch of the fleet represents a critical component in what we are striving for—to make TNT the first zero emissions express and mail company. Global warming is the biggest issue the world is now facing. As a transportation company TNT contributes to this problem, which is why we are constantly looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. State-of-the-art electric vehicles are a great alternative to those that use fossil fuels, especially in urban areas”
With retailer Tesco also beefing up its electric vehicle delivery fleet, it seems like major things are a-foot in the UK at least for the electric vehicle market. The trucks themselves will be manufactured by Smith Electric Vehicles - the same folks who brought us the Smith Ampere, an electric version of the Ford Transit.
::TNT::via Green Car Congress::
