Cleaner and more efficient vehicles for Campus Services

The two Renault Kangoo ZE vans will be used by the Mail Room and Print Services, when making deliveries across the Exeter campuses.

The vans are among the first 100 per cent electric vehicles to be released by a mainstream vehicle manufacturer. Conveniently the vehicles will be charged on the Streatham Campus overnight, via the two points which are located within the Queen’s car park and at the Old Library. It takes between 6-8 hours and cost £3.00 to charge each vehicle, once fully charged the vehicles have a range of 85 miles.

The Campus Services Carbon Management Group (CSCMG) made the decision to purchase the vehicles after considering the environmental benefits. There were initial concerns that the vehicles may not be suitable for such a hilly campus. However ,the Kangoo's Regenerative breaking system allows the vehicle to top up the battery charge when travelling downhill. The group are also working towards other sustainable alternatives in support of the University’s aim to reduce carbon consumption by two per cent per annum by 2020 and by 80 per cent overall by 2050.

Robert Pitchford, Transport Manager, and member of the CSCMG commented: “We are delighted with the new vehicles, they are just as powerful as our older vans, but are much smoother and quieter to drive. It will take a little time for our drivers to get used to the new system, but anything we can do to reduce our carbon emissions is a step in the right direction.”

Campus Services are looking at ways to introduce more efficient vehicles in the future. Specifically the team are looking for a sustainable van that would be able to reach the Tremough Campus (105 miles away). The technology for electric vehicles is improving but it is thought that the way ahead is to look at Hybrid vans, which are currently only available as cars. Mainstream manufacturers are however planning to introduce hybrid vans in the next few years.