Switching to electrical autos (EV) is likely one of the methods we may also help the UK meet its web zero targets, and as a part of the transfer to decarbonise its fleet consistent with the SSE Group’s EV100 dedication, Scottish and Southern Electrical energy Networks (SSEN) has been trialling the Nissan ENV200 electrical van with workers throughout a wide range of roles and areas.

If this trial interval is profitable, the EVs might be rolled out extra broadly throughout SSEN, so in addition to serving communities throughout the north of Scotland and central southern England, the vans will even be serving to the UK’s drive in the direction of its inexperienced targets on the identical time.

One among SSEN’s EV triallists is Ken Locke from the Inverness Tree-cutting workforce.

“I received the van in February, a couple of month earlier than lockdown.  The day it was delivered was additionally the primary time I’d ever been inside an EV, far much less pushed one, so I used to be actually excited to be collaborating on this trial.”

The autos might be intently monitored to permit a greater understanding of EV-specific elements together with: vary anxiousness for folks whose job entails driving all day, the benefit of house charging, the provision of speedy charge factors, and general efficiency in difficult and distant circumstances; all of those classes make Ken a super triallist, as his job takes him to a few of the most distant areas the nation has to supply.

The vary from a full cost on the Nissan ENV200 is 160 miles, which appears lots, however if you consider that Ken is a part of the tree-cutting workforce that covers the Highlands and Islands (and all of the distant and mountainous pictures that this conjures up), you quickly realise that 160 miles can be utilized up faster than first thought.

Ken says that working along with his Nissan is similar to a standard car,  however it may be weird with out the noise, including:

“The velocity is just like my earlier van, however it does choose up faster as there isn’t a lag between pedal and engine, and an actual plus is that the space for storing is best within the Nissan.

You additionally must be aware of what we’d historically name “Mpg” however within the case of the EV is “Mpc” (Miles per Cost), as elements corresponding to loaded weight, exterior temperature, inner gadgets corresponding to heating/air conditioning, Bluetooth connection, even wind route can all impact mileage.”

Though he’s been based mostly at house and never understanding of the Inverness depot throughout lockdown, the response from Ken’s colleagues within the early days of the trial was a constructive one. When out on the highway as a part of his tree-cutting function, Ken says there’s additionally been a number of curious feedback from clients with Ken blissful to share his experiences and exhibit in new van.