The Big Issue Group (BIG) is adopting a fleet of 16 fully electric Citroën vans as part of a three-year partnership.

The ë-Berlingo and ë-Dispatch vans will support the distribution of The Big Issue magazine across the UK

The ë-Berlingo and ë-Dispatch vans will support the distribution of The Big Issue magazine across the UK, supporting the group’s aims to make its delivery process more sustainable and to tackle its carbon emissions. Its fleet transports over two million magazines to 3,300 vendors in a year, covering over 350,000 miles annually across the UK.

The Citroën eLCVs will initially be used in towns and cities including Bournemouth, Bristol, Bath, Norwich and Newcastle, with more vans to be added to the fleet over the next three years.

The partnership comes as many cities across the UK introduce low-emission zones.

Russell Blackman, Big Issue Group managing director of commercial, said: “Citroën’s market-leading approach to innovation and affordability of electric vehicles is the exact reason why they are the ideal partner to work with Big Issue Group. Our partnership will allow us to make even greater strides in the support and services we provide for the most marginalised across the country. In cities and remote, rural locations, we will be able to respond quickly when our vendors need us the most.”

The ë-Berlingo Van offers load volumes up to 4.4m3 and payloads up to 803kg, while delivering a zero-emission range of up to 171 miles (WLTP). The ë-Dispatch offers up to 205 miles of range (WLTP) and provides operators with a payload of up to 1,004kg. Both vehicles support up to 100kW rapid (DC) charging, with a 0-80% charge taking just 30 minutes.

Eurig Druce, Citroën UK’s managing director, commented: “BIG is a fantastic organisation that has been working to improve people’s lives for over 30 years by providing work opportunities – a hand up, not a handout is a philosophy we can definitely get behind. I can’t wait to see these vans out on the road, being used as sustainable electric workhorses in support of the Big Issue workforce.”

A special edition of The Big Issue magazine – covering the Citroën and Big Issue Group partnership – is out now and can be bought from local vendors or via subscription here.