Islington Council has acquired six zero-emission Renault Zoe EVs to be used by the Voids team within the council’s housing property services division.
This follows the upgrading of the council’s fleet charging infrastructure and is part of its wider aim to switch more of its 500 vehicles to electric.
According to the council, the Zoe was chosen due to its 245-mile range, value and flexible charging options. With the 50kW DC rapid charge option, 90 miles of charge can be restored in 30 minutes.
The vehicles were procured via The Procurement Partnership Limited (TPPL) framework agreement.
As well as being zero-emission and near silent, the vehicle’s fully automatic transmission makes it suitable for negotiating heavy traffic, said the council.
The EVs will be of a standard specification that includes automatic windscreen wipers and lights, rear parking sensors, automatic climate control, electric mirrors and windows, navigation with 7-inch touchscreen and six speakers, and 100% recycled fabric seat upholstery.
Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “Islington Council is committed to making its fleet greener, as part of its continuing efforts to clean the air that local people breathe and to help achieve its goal of creating a net zero carbon Islington by 2030.
“The use of the Renault Zoe by our Voids team will help to achieve this goal, ensuring that the team are able to travel around the borough in an environmentally-friendly way. The team visits all kinds of locations across the borough, and the convenient size of the Zoe has proved to be hugely beneficial, ensuring that operatives can park easily.
“The Voids team has also been complimentary of the ride, range and navigation system within the vehicle.”
Islington Council recently joined a collective of London boroughs campaigning for cleaner air in the capital by encouraging drivers to switch off their engines when stationary.
