Northgate Vehicle Hire focuses its energy on charging infrastructure
Northgate Vehicle Hire has continued its own journey towards electrification by ensuring over half of its branches will be fully electrified in the next 12 months. This is in addition to every branch already having trained EV technicians on site.
In the last year, 15 of its busiest branches have been made ready for EV fleets, with appropriate charging facilities put in place thanks to the installation of 51 charging sockets. With further branches due for electrification in the next 12 months, almost 50% of Northgate’s branches will be fully capable of serving an EV fleet ahead of the mass adoption of EV vehicles in UK.
Falling within the wider Drive to Zero initiative, Northgate has focused its energy on installing a full charging infrastructure and charging provisions across its own branches, via its charging partner, ChargedEV in order to make its electrification journey as smooth and efficient as possible for customers.
“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 our customers in any way we can,” said Neil McCrossan, Northgate Vehicle Hire’s sales and marketing director.
Since the provision of suitable charging infrastructure is a crucial step to ensuring a smooth transition for any business, Northgate partnered with leading EV charging installation experts, ChargedEV, part of the Redde Northgate plc group. As a fully independent and brand-agnostic supplier and installer of charging facilities and equipment, ChargedEV is able to ensure that every customer receives a bespoke package to meet their exact requirements.
ChargedEV specialises in fitting charging facilities whether for workplace charging, home charging or even public charging, the best possible solution is guaranteed. It can also help and support with major infrastructure planning, working with local authorities and energy suppliers to install and futureproof a customer’s charging needs.
Northgate works closely with OEMs to continually add to an industry-leading range of electric LCVs to its available fleet. From final mile solutions such as the Renault Zoe commercial hatchback, through to mid-sized panel vans such as the latest Peugeot eExpert, Mercedes Benz e-Vito or even the larger Mercedes Benz e-Sprinter, Northgate offers a leading proposition within 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 2–3-year period before they can fully electrify their fleets, but the earlier the process begins, the easier it will be.”
Northgate continues to invest in its electric van fleet and is running trials with several operators to get drivers behind the wheel of these vehicles. Fleets such as QEST and the Home Utility Group have already trialled eLCVs as an initial step towards electrification. Before any fleet analysis or suitability studies are carried out, the loan of a trial e-LCV can allow a business to understand immediately how such a vehicle would fit into its fleet.
