8th Dec 2011 - 00:00
Abstract
Sodexo Defence has taken delivery of its first four electric utility vehicles as part of a programme to reduce its fuel consumption and carbon footprint.
The vehicles, leased from supply chain partners Goupil and Locators, are all Sodexo branded and each one has a message saying: "This electric vehicle is part of the Sodexo Better Tomorrow Plan" on the rear door. The Better Tomorrow Plan is the company's award-winning sustainability strategy to 2020.
The introduction of the electric vehicles supports the Better Tomorrow Plan's commitment to reduce Sodexo's carbon footprint, and its commitment to work with suppliers to achieve sustainable development ambitions.
Sodexo Defence, which provides high quality support services on military bases, currently operates a mixed fleet of more than 200 vehicles around the UK and is introducing electric vehicles, which are CO2 emissions-free and noise-free, to help protect the environment, reduce costs and to provide a better service to its customers. An audit of the entire fleet is currently underway to see where more electric vehicles could be introduced.
Trials, at Aldershot Garrison and the Defence School of Transport earlier this year, showed that replacing traditional diesel-powered vehicles with electric equivalents saw a 90% reduction in diesel costs; carbon emissions were reduced to zero; maintenance costs were more than halved and significant savings were made on both road tax and insurance costs; as well as eliminating exhaust fumes from the clients' premises.
The vehicles will be used for cleaning and laundry services. Two will go to Project Allenby/Connaught where Sodexo Defence provides catering, retail, leisure facilities and cleaning services to more than 18,700 military personnel in garrisons across Salisbury Plain and Aldershot.
One will go to the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield, East Yorkshire, and the final vehicle will go to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey.
The vehicles were handed over to Sodexo Defence logistics director, Phil Carter at the company's head office in Aldershot by Goupil's export director and export area manager for the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, Tristan Durivault and Yassine Kerroumi and John Griffiths, business development manager for Locators.
Carter, who is leading the initiative, said: "I am delighted by the enthusiastic reception the electric utility vehicles have received from the business. We are already developing an electric retail vehicle. They offer huge savings in both cost to the business and the environment and our clients are delighted with them."