Four Nissan LEAFs have been delivered to electricity and gas firm National Grid as part of a four-year/40,000-mile lease contract.
The electric cars will act as a pool car fleet for National Grid staff who are delivering a project over the next eight years to construct tunnels that will house a new high voltage electric cabling network for the city of London.
The vehicles, which were chosen after trials against a selection of rival hybrid cars, will be used to transport National Grid inspectors between tunnel shaft sites in and around London.
Paul de Jong, safety and sustainability manager for National Grid said: “We are always keen to look at new ways of working to operate in a more sustainable manner, including the way that staff and materials are transported. We wanted to see whether electric vehicles would be suitable for getting around already congested areas in London."
Staff opted for the LEAF’s five-door practicality, ride and comfort, while exemption from the congestion charge and low running costs were key considerations for the procurement and fleet teams.
“The LEAF is the first EV to join our 2,600 strong car fleet and has already won favour with the staff that will be using the car around the clock,” David Morse, National Grid’s fleet operations manager added.
Electric charging points are already in place at National Grid sites in Willesden and Hackney to ensure each LEAF is powered and ready for work.
Hitachi Capital has provided the funding for the four vehicles, while Inchcape Fleet Management will manage all other elements of the cars, including servicing and maintenance.
More than 32km of tunnels will be dug over the coming years to assist National Grid in modernising London’s electricity infrastructure. Each tunnel will be 3m to 4m in diameter and will be constructed between 20m and 60m below ground. Once the project is complete, National Grid engineers will be able to inspect and maintain the electricity network around the clock without any disruption to London’s drivers, workers or residents.
