The vans are delivering health supplies, mail and samples across hospital and community sites in Northumberland and north Tyneside – and the transport saving is being reinvested into patient care, says the Trust.
It also expects the vans to cut carbon emissions by 59 tonnes per year – a major boost to its environmental commitment – and the Trust has won a sustainability achievement award from the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management for this project.
Northumbria Healthcare’s Michael Taylor, who manages its fleet, says: “We approached Nissan and put the e-NV200 on trial. The results were so positive, with significant savings on the cost of diesel, that we decided to add 13 to our fleet. We’re delighted that what we’ve done has been recognised on the national stage.”
The vans each cover up to 110 miles a day. They can be recharged from zero to 80% in half an hour, using rapid chargers installed at the Trust’s sites.
Taylor adds: “We’ve been very impressed by the performance of the e-NV200 and it’s definitely helped to change perceptions of electric vehicles among our staff.
“Due to its success we will be looking at how we can expand its use across the Trust.”