TNT says it's first batch of Smith Electric Newtons have been such a success that it will consider taking on more alternatively-fuelled vehicles in the future.
Following a £7m order earlier this year for 100 battery-powered 7.5-tonne Newton delivery trucks (MT 15 May), TNT has nearly 50 electric vehicles already in service, with the remainder set to join once the capital expenditure has been approved.
Steve Davis, TNT national engineering manager, tells MT that the success is partly down to having vehicles that drivers could adapt to straight away. "It was important we had something that was driver-sensitive to help the transition and the Newtons have been well received.
"In fact, drivers have commented that they feel less fatigued at the end of the day due to low noise and no gear-changing."
He also advises companies looking at buying this type of vehicle, to determine what their needs are first. "Understand what your vehicles do now, and what electric can do in comparison," he says. "Fuelling is a big issue as these vehicles need to be left overnight, and if you plan to run multiple vehicles, having enough charging points to accommodate them is important.