Port of Southampton deploys first EVs
Associated British Ports has deployed 13 electric vehicles at the Port of Southampton, in a move aimed at improving local air quality in the city.
The Port of Southampton EV fleet replaces diesel cars and vans.
Southampton is one of 37 areas of the UK which exceeded the EU’s 2010 nitrogen dioxide limits in 2015, and DEFRA mapping shows the areas of lowest air quality are around the port and the neighbouring A33. Compliance is not expected until 2022.
The newcomers comprise 10 Nissan e-NV200 vans, and three Nissan LEAFs, supplied by West Way Nissan. These will replace diesel cars and vans and be used by staff on site.
Port director, Alastair Welch, said: “The introduction of these vehicles to our fleet will not only contribute to improvements in local air quality but will also reduce running costs.
“We plan to monitor the performance of the vehicles going forward to allow us to track environmental improvements. I hope we are able to replace an increasing number of vehicles in our fleet with electric or hybrid equivalents in the coming years as the available technology develops.”
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Alex Grant
Trained on Cardiff University’s renowned Postgraduate Diploma in Motor Magazine Journalism, Alex is an award-winning motoring journalist with ten years’ experience across B2B and consumer titles. A life-long car enthusiast with a fascination for new technology and future drivetrains, he joined Fleet World in April 2011, contributing across the magazine and website portfolio and editing the EV Fleet World Website.
