06-Dec-2006
The UK's leading express delivery operator has today taken a major step forward in its efforts to make the planet greener and cleaner.
TNT Express, in partnership with Smith Electric Vehicles, has unveiled the world's first high performance 7.5-tonne zero emission electric vehicle, due to go into service in London, operating from the company's depot in Barking.
The TNT Express Services vehicle, 'Newton' model, will be the first ever in its class that can compete with its diesel equivalent - but without the polluting effects of 'controlled' (i.e. nitrogen oxide and particulate matter) and CO2 emissions.
Zero tolerance - (l-r) Ian Pearson, Minister for Climate Change & The Environment, with Peter Bakker CEO of TNT and Tom Bell Managing Director, TNT Express Services at the launch of the world's first high performance 7.5 tonne zero emissions electric vehicle
If the green trial proves successful, TNT will consider adding 200 other zero emission vehicles to its fleet to serve in other urban locations in the UK. This would result in significantly reduced controlled and CO2 emissions and consolidate TNT's position at the top of the 'green league' in the transportation sector.
TNT has well established 'green' credentials having recorded an overall rating of 84 out of a possible 100, on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, the highest recorded score in the Industrial Transportation category in 2006.
Peter Bakker, TNT CEO, said: "We are living in times of great change and the launch of this vehicle represents what TNT is striving for in the 21st Century - to be the cleanest, greenest express, mail and logistics company on the planet.
"Global warming is the biggest issue the world is facing today. As a transportation company TNT contributes to this problem. That is why we are constantly looking for ways in which to minimise our CO2 emissions. State-of-the-art electrical vehicles, like the Newton, are a very good alternative to vehicles using fossil fuel, especially in urban areas.
"We have every confidence in the technology and, if everything goes to plan it could well pave the way for many, many more similar vehicles for TNT throughout the world."
Ian Pearson MP, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, speaking at today's launch of the zero emissions vehicle at the Guildhall, London said: "I welcome TNT's commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and this initiative to begin moving away from carbon intensive transport. It is an interesting new development in alternatively-fuelled transport for the road-haulage sector and I hope to see it extended throughout the TNT fleet.
"The road transport sector is a major contributor to the UK's carbon emissions and I would encourage other manufacturers to look at alternative technologies to fossil fuels in order for the road transport sector to reduce its carbon footprint."
Delivering on the green agenda - The world's first zero emissions, high performance electronic vehicle goes through its paces with TNT Express
The Newton is powered by four large 'Zebra' 278v batteries positioned on the underside of the truck that can propel the vehicle up to 50mph. Fully charged, the vehicle has a range of 130 miles. It can be re-charged on board or through domestic mains or a standard three-phase socket.
As well as being zero emission, the Newton's body panels are built from an ultra light, state-of-the-art fully recyclable composite material manufactured by Omnia. This substantially reduces body weight and increases the payload capacity of 4,000kg.
The decision to use the zero emission unit came after months of detailed research and analysis focusing on the environmental and cost benefits of the vehicle. Despite deriving 15% of all its electricity requirements from renewable sources, TNT is also seeking to implement a carbon emissions offsetting arrangement in respect of the ground-breaking vehicle, further evidence of the company's commitment to the preservation of the environment in which it operates.
Tom Bell, Managing Director of the UK's leading business-to-business express operator, TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, said: "This is a huge step forward for our fleet. Not only is this one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles on the market, there are also potential significant cost savings in the long-term.
"This vehicle is exempt from the London congestion charge - approximately £1,750 a year - incurs no road tax and is battery-driven. It costs just £25 a week to recharge the battery as opposed to £110 spent on fuel for a diesel vehicle."
Smith Electric Vehicles is the world's largest manufacturer of road-going commercial electric vehicles.
Based in North East England, it is the market leader in new technology electric vans and trucks, manufacturing a full range of commercial battery-powered vehicles, from minibuses and vans through to large goods vehicles.
Darren Kell, Chief Executive of the AIM-listed Tanfield Group Plc, which owns Smith, said: "We are delighted to have supplied the world's first 7.5 tonne high performance electric vehicles to a client as prestigious as TNT and we are confident that the vehicles benefits, in terms of operating cost, efficiency and environmental cleanliness, will pave the way for the adoption of the Newton in cities and urban centres worldwide."