Electric van firm clinches £7m green vehicles deal

May 13 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

ELECTRIC van maker Tanfield has revealed a £7m deal to deliver the largest fleet of zero emission vehicles in the world.

The Washington-based company has signed a deal with global distribution firm TNT for the delivery of 100 zero emission, 7.35-tonne electric vehicles.

The deal will see 50 vehicles operating out of TNT’s UK sites, which include Durham, with other Tanfield vehicles currently being piloted in the Netherlands with a view to rolling them out across Europe.

The deal is the latest major boost for rapidly-growing Tanfield which last month reported a 310% climb in annual profits for 2007. Tanfield chairman Darren Kell said: “Our vehicles answer the most pressing questions facing urban road transport today, namely rising fuel costs, concern over greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

“TNT was the first company to deploy our commercial electric vehicles and remains a world leader with this fleet investment.

“Our growing relationship with TNT underlines the significant cost savings and environmental benefits that our vehicles provide for major fleet operators.”

Yesterday’s fleet launch was endorsed by Minister of State for the Environment Phil Woolas who urged other businesses to follow the green example set by TNT.

He said: “This investment is exactly the type of commitment we need from the private sector in the fight against climate change and I encourage other businesses to take similar steps in identifying positive ways to minimise their CO2 emissions.”

According to TNT, it costs around £40-a-week to power a zero emission vehicle compared to £200 for a diesel-driven vehicle.

Tom Bell, managing director of TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, said: “This is a huge step forward for our fleet in both environmental as well as economical terms.”

Tanfield, which hopes to create 300 new jobs at its North East headquarters this year on the back of exponential growth, is currently working alongside black-cab maker Manganese Bronze Holdings to develop the world’s first zero emissions taxi cab.