Slough Borough Council, like many other local authories in the UK is on to Journey to Clean Air, as part of its Low Emissions Strategy to improve air quality for people living in the area. As part of programme the council has purchased three Electric cars for staff to use.
The Renault ZOE supermini was chosen as the first electric Pool Car because of its outstanding range, low running costs and positive feedback from staff following a test drive. The ZOE, fitted with the new Z.E.40 battery, has a range of 250 miles (using the NEDC calculation), which translates to a real-world range of around 186 miles.
The three cars are ZOE Dynamique iNav models, sourced through Renault Croydon. The mid range model is well equipped with 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation; climate control, electric windows and cruise control with speed limiter. Slough Borough Council has also added the optional rear-view parking camera. The Dynamique iNav model is available £28,270 before the UK Government plug-in car grant, which is currently set at £4,500. All i ZOE cars include the purchase cost of the battery, thus not requiring a monthly battery leasing fee.
The pool car scheme is part of the Slough’s wider Fleet Challenge programme, providing more environmentally friendly solutions for staff travel to meetings, site inspections and client visits, and decarbonising the council’s fleet. This will not only reduce the effect of their travel on air quality, but also save the council money by reducing business mileage claims costs.
Cllr Sohail Munawar, Leader of Slough Borough Council said:
“The Fleet Challenge is just one of the ways we are making a difference to our communities and our environment. By introducing a pool of both ultra-low emissions Electric Cars and e-bikes, we are moving towards that goal.
Forty staff tried the Renault ZOE and the feedback was excellent. They found it easy to drive and the controls clear and simple to understand. The charging lead is easy to connect and the range the car offers makes it ideal as a pool car.
We want to be an exemplary organisation as we work towards decarbonising our fleet and to set an example to the many businesses in the borough. The introduction of these pool cars is an important step in delivering the council’s Low Emissions Strategy.”
The ZOE was named a Game Changer at the Autocar Awards 2017 because of its class leading electric range. It has been awarded the title of What Car?’s ‘Best Electric Car’ in 2017 and the ‘Best Electric Car under £20,000’ for the past four years and Best Ultra Low Emission Vehicle at the Fleet World Honours 2017. The ZOE was also named a Which? ‘Best Buy’ in August 2016.
The post Slough Council adds electric cars to pool car fleet appeared first on driveEV.
