
NGC Logistics is the first European company to take delivery of the Renault 3.1-tonne Master ZE Red EDITION panel van. The company is also the first Amazon Delivery Service Partner in the UK to put an electric van on the road.
Powered by a 57kW electric engine with a 33kWh lithium-ion battery and automatic gearbox, the electric Renault Masters have a 120km range after charging for 30 minutes, and are charged overnight at NGC’s depots.
The West-Bromwich-based firm’s decision to buy into electric vans stems from customer demand, explained operations director, Kevin Savage.
“This investment into electric vans is entirely led by our customers; with Amazon clearly stating their intention to become carbon neutral and consumers becoming more aware of their impact on climate change,” he said.
Supplied by Renault Trucks distributer, Allports, NGC’s regional manager, Ranjeet Singh, said the company went for the Masters because it “has a long-standing relationship with Allports, having started our journey with them to build our fleet and we have received excellent support throughout
Supplied by Renault Trucks distributer, Allports, Savage stated that the Master ZEs were able to get on the road ahead of Black Friday: “We decided not only to invest in electric vehicles, but also to set ourselves the challenging deadline of a Black Friday launch to market.”
All the vans have been supplied with a four-year repair and maintenance contract, and Savage hopes that after the four years, NGC’s Master ZE’s running costs will break even when compared to their diesel predecessors. The electric Renault Master dimensions are also identical to the diesel versions which will ensure the productivity is maintained.