Nottingham City Council has ordered two Smith Edison all-electric panel vans from Smith Electric Vehicles.

Based on the Ford Transit chassis, Edison has a top speed of 50mph and a range of 80-100 miles on a full charge of its Lithium-Ion batteries.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for transport and area working at Nottingham City Council, said: "The vehicles will operate city-wide, providing added environmental benefits in city parks and open spaces.

“They will also have added value on the city's night shift, due to the reduction in engine noise and - along with our recent purchase of electric buses for the centrelink service - will contribute to our aim to reduce our fleet carbon emissions."

One of the new electric vans is to operate within the council’s park ranger service, in and around all the city’s parks and open spaces.

The second van will operate as a pool vehicle within fleet management, until it can be placed in an operational area as a replacement for a conventionally-powered vehicle.

The Edison vans, purchased in line with the council’s corporate fleet replacement programme, will run alongside the two existing electric pool cars to support and promote Nottingham City Council's commitment to reducing carbon emissions from fleet vehicles, both locally and nationally.

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