Northgate to help van fleets go electric with new Drive to Zero initiative

Northgate has launched a comprehensive fleet electrification programme that will help van fleets go electric with a full suite of solutions.

Northgate’s new Drive to Zero scheme comprises five key elements designed to ensure a seamless transition to electric for all businesses

The Drive to Zero scheme comprises five key elements designed to ensure a seamless transition to electric for all businesses.

The initiative starts with a thorough fleet analysis to assess EV suitability for transition. This uses telematics data to build a complete understanding of vehicles and usage, showing which can be immediately switched to electric power without impacting the business. Northgate can then offer electric vehicles on trial to fleets prior to a longer-term commitment.

Vehicle choice is a key focus and Northgate offers a 12months+ rental option with a range of eLCVs, from the Renault Zoe commercial hatchback, through to mid-sized panel vans such as the latest Peugeot e-Expert and Mercedes Benz e-Vito or the Mercedes e-Sprinter.

The business has also invested heavily in servicing and maintenance for electric vehicles, ensuring that trained EV technicians are employed across the country in its workshops and 47-strong branch network.

The firm has also addressed the issues around driver training and best practice for EVs with a full suite of EV training modules. These are free to all its EV customers and cover a broad suite of learning modules to help drivers up-skill.

Northgate can also help with the provision of suitable charging infrastructure by working with the EV charging installation experts at ChargedEV, part of the Redde Northgate Plc group, to ensure that best possible solution on everything from workplace charging, home charging or even public charging facilities.

Finally, Northgate’s team of independent EV fleet specialists are available to help fleets develop and implement robust transition plans, bespoke for each customer. The proposition is designed to let fleets focus on their core business, whilst Northgate focuses on running their vehicles.

The new solution continues Northgate’s existing transformation into a specialist B2B customer-centric LCV mobility provider.

Neil McCrossan, sales and marketing director, said: “In line with the Government’s deadline for internal combustion vehicle sales ending in 2030, Northgate has been committed to ensuring that our customers are fully supported by us in advance of this. We understand that for businesses, a lack of interruption is key while undergoing any fleet transition, and electrification is no different. We have launched Drive to Zero in order to make this transition as seamless and efficient as possible.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.