Northgate Vehicle Hire is reinforcing its electrification plans by ensuring that over half of its branches will be fully equipped for EVs within the next 12 months.

By the end of 2023, a large number of Northgate’s branches will be fully capable of serving an EV fleet

All branches already have trained EV technicians onsite and the busiest locations have already been upgraded with EV charging facilities to serve the expanding Northgate EV fleet.

By the end of 2023, a large number of Northgate’s branches will be fully capable of serving an EV fleet ahead of their mass adoption in UK.

The firm’s focus on installing a full charging infrastructure and charging provisions across its own branches is being undertaken in partnership with ChargedEV and enhances its wider Drive to Zero initiative. This provides a full suite of solutions to help fleets go electric.

“Alongside the Government’s deadline to end the sale of internal combustion vehicles by 2030, we have been committed to supporting our customers during, and after their switch to EVs. Northgate understands the importance of a clean transition to an electric fleet and will assist its customers in any way it can,” said Neil McCrossan, Northgate Vehicle Hire’s sales and marketing director.

Northgate also continues to expand its electric LCV line-up, which includes final-mile solutions such as the Renault Zoe commercial hatchback, through to mid-sized panel vans including the latest Peugeot e-Expert and Mercedes-Benz eVito and the eSprinter large van, all available on its 12months+ rental option.

McCrossan added: “Some operators are still apprehensive about the journey to EVs but the sooner they start discussing and planning this the better – it may be a two- to three-year period before they can fully electrify their fleets, but the earlier the process begins, the easier it will be.”

The business is also running trials with several operators, including QEST and the Home Utility Group, providing electric van loan vehicles to help businesses assess the benefits of an electrified fleet for themselves.