A new micromobility programme, which offers a range of electric vehicles (EVs), including electric utility vehicles and eCargo bikes, has been launched by Northgate Vehicle Hire.

The new offering for fleets is in response to what it describes as a growing need for emissions-free, flexible electric options to sit alongside more traditional commercial vehicles.

It says that from business or educational campuses to industrial or military sites and municipal parks and gardens, micromobility vehicles can offer high efficiency, a high payload and low running costs to fleets and can be integrated with light commercial vehicles (LCVs) as part of a larger rental fleet.

Brett Hilliard, group partnerships director at Redde Northgate, said: “Many of our customers have started to operate vehicles of this type to support lower carbon operations, but with minimal opportunities to rent until now.

“By launching a range of micromobility solutions under our standard rental agreements, we can offer our customers access not only to the vehicles, but also our fully inclusive service and maintenance support.

“Our rental solution also removes both the capex burden and the worry of residual value risk in what is a new segment for many customers.”

Northgate’s micromobility provision is supported by a number of carefully selected partners to ensure that a wide variety of vehicles is available, it says.

Hilliard continued: “These smaller vehicles will complement our range of LCVs and eLCVs, offering specialised and efficient tools to operators under the same flexible contracts as any other Northgate vehicle.

“As our customers’ needs evolve, so too will our rental proposition, ensuring that we continue to support customers in imaginative ways regarding their mobility needs.”

Managed as part of Northgate’s fleet electrification programme, Drive to Zero, the new range of micromobility EVs has already been available for customers to test drive during across Northgate’s nationwide EV Roadshow days.

Launched in 2023, the programme has proved a huge success and has resulted in more than 60 businesses starting on their fleet electrification journeys, and prompting an 86% year-on-year increase in eLCVs on Northgate’s fleet.

“We are proud to launch this latest addition to our range of electrified fleet mobility solutions, and to helping our customers operate in the most efficient, flexible and sustainable manner possible,” said Melanie Creedy, Northgate’s EV business development manager. “With micromobility there are big possibilities.”