LKQ Euro Car Parts has launched an electric vehicle (EV) trial on the Isle of Wight as part of its ongoing commitment to decarbonisation.
The trial will see an electric Vauxhall Vivaro and an electric Renault Kangoo join the island’s fleet for 6 months, with 2 charge points installed to power them.
The Isle of Wight was chosen for the trial following a review of LKQ Euro Car Parts’ national fleet, taking into account charge point infrastructure, to identify branches with vans whose typical mileage is suited to the range and capability of an EV.
Vehicles on the island typically cover approximately 70 miles per day, making it the ideal location from which to test and learn from new technology.
Vauxhall and Renault have sent digital training resources to the LKQ Euro Car Parts team on the Isle of Wight, for drivers to complete before starting the trial. The team will then monitor how the vehicles are performing throughout the 6 months, with a view to ultimately electrifying the remainder of the island’s fleet and increasing the number of charge points.
Tony Shearer, Director of Branch Operations Excellence at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said:
“Moving our commercial fleet of around 2,800 vehicles to EVs isn’t going to happen overnight, but battery technology and charging infrastructure are improving all the time.
“Our plan is to make the transition as and when EVs can seamlessly move into job roles that previously belonged to petrol and diesel vehicles, so that our commitment to reducing emissions comes to life with no impact on the effectiveness of our operation – and with no changes to the service levels our customers expect.
Article continues below this advertisement “Our size, scale and commitment to logistics excellence means we can get parts to every area of the UK on the same day, and in most cases, within the hour. We recognise that as market leader, we have a big role to play in pioneering the adoption of the latest vehicle technology on our fleet, which over time, could make a big contribution to the country’s net zero ambitions.”
As battery-powered vehicles become increasingly common on our roads – with hybrids already present in the independent aftermarket, and EVs to follow – LKQ Euro Car Parts is urging garages to invest in the skills and resources they need to service and repair them.
Great, other than the fact that from build to scrap a larger electric vehicle has a carbon footprint 35 to 45 per cent higher than a similar petrol model. EVs are an enviromental dead end.
If you’re including lifetime fuel, your assertion is incorrect. And if fuel (electricity) is from renewable sources, and even allowing for their own lifetime footprint, it’s even more incorrect.
Or perhaps you know of some low-carbon petrol?
And exactly how much of our electricity is produced from renewable sources? Not very much, I suspect.
Carefull now ,you must repeat the mantra of the climate change believer sheep or risk being battered to death by a vegan lamb shank .
Wrong. EV’s create far less pollution.
Yet more destruction of the countryside to find the lithium for their batteries. I thought they claimed electric vehicles were non polluting? And now they are thinking of mining the oceans for it. Bye bye animals
Excellent Company to purchase your vehicle parts from.
Being only 23 miles wide, the Island is an ideal place for an EV trial, as the vehicles should be able to get from one side to the other without running out of juice and having to be plugged in again. If you can find a charging point available that is.
Spoke to a chap that has a Golf EV. Charges it at home (for me and others not an option, sadly) He spends a few pounds a week no charging. Has not been to a petrol station for two years. Servicing is very cheap, nothing to service.
70 miles a day!! i’m a delivery driver and do 120 + miles a day on the iow how would one of those electric vehicles fare doing that !!
Very easily. And for the driver quite and clean.
Stick to my trusty 30 year old diesel defender thanks .much more fun .
Yes, F everyone else. Fill our lungs up with your pollution so YOU can have fun.