Futuristic green deliveries
December 1st 2007 Furthering the green travel plan it
launched in 2004, Croydon-based
Futures Supplies has now
ordered a specialised 3.5t electric
delivery van.The Edison vehicle is
housed in a Ford Transit body shell, has a top speed of 50 mph,
a range of 120 miles but has a CO2 saving of 40 per cent
compared to its diesel equivalent. It emits zero exhaust
pollution, zero noise pollution and has recyclable components.
In line with Futures multiple award-winning environmental
policy, the vehicle will be run on electricity from 100 per cent
renewable sources such as hydro-electricity, wind or solar
power. Futures says this means it leaves no carbon footprint
from emissions.
While the van is significantly more expensive to buy than its
diesel counterpart, lifetime costs are said to bee more cost
effective: electricity costs a fraction of diesel; fewer moving
parts (four in this case) compared to
over 1,000 in a diesel vehicle's drive train
keeps maintenance minimum, and in
London, not paying the congestion
charge saves around £2,000 per year per
vehicle.
The company also runs hybrid vehicles in its fleet, has four
pool bikes for its workforce (some of whom pictured above)
and encourages lift sharing. More articles from Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd: | 
