A Nottingham-based printing firm is taking advantage of zero emission-and near zero cost-motoring thanks to a fleet of no less than six Nissan Leaf electric cars.
With a huge solar panel array on the 43,000 square foot roof of RCS Printers Plc the cars can largely recharge using clean, renewable energy harvested for free.
The company purchased the fleet of electric cars from Lightcliffe Nissan Halifax for use by its 120 strong staff including the firm’s director Michael Todd.
Charging the Leaf fleet is easy too, thanks to the installation of a ABB rapid charger on site, that can recharge a car’s battery to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes. It is the first rapid charger of its kind purchased and installed by a private company in the UK.
“The environment forms a key part of our company ethos and our fleet of Nissan Leafs build on our vision of becoming the UK’s most environmentally friendly printer,” explained Todd.
“The Leaf is the first practical five door, five seat EV on the UK market and our staff have embraced all aspects of the car which is why we kept adding them to our fleet.”
RCS offers staff access to an electric car in return for a small salary sacrifice each month. In return staff get to drive the Leafs and because of its zero emissions status are not liable for any Benefit in Kind taxation, effectively providing them with free transport.
RCS Plc is benefiting financially from the use of the electric models – as well as the Leafs being liable for zero road tax and the company qualifying for 100 per cent first year capital allowances, Todd’s solar panels and other energy reduction strategies have reduced his company’s monthly fuel bills by a massive 65 per cent – from £11,000 to £3,500.
