Wessex Garages helps Bron Afon with 100 per cent electric van

8:44 am, May 26, 2015

Simon Richardson, business fleet sales specialist at Wessex Garages, Alec Travillian, electrical vehicle specialist at Wessex Garages and David Smith, logistics manager at Bron Afon Community Housing, with the electric vehicle

A CAR dealership in Cardiff has helped a social enterprise try out a new eco-friendly 100 per cent electric van to see how it could benefit its organisation.

Wessex Garages has provided the Nissan e-NV200 to Bron Afon Community Housing in Cwmbran to help enhance its green credentials.

Alec Travillian, electrical vehicle specialist at Wessex Garages on Hadfield Road, said: ‘The Nissan e-NV200 is the most economical, commercial vehicle ever produced. It has been designed to be quiet, quick, comfortable, clean and cost-efficient for businesses.

‘We’re delighted Bron Afon has chosen to try the e-NV200 and we think it will be overwhelmed by the benefits to its business.’

Electric vehicles have grown in popularity as more people and businesses find them a viable option. Wessex Garages says electricity is cheaper to run on a per-mile basis than petrol and as all-electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than their petrol or diesel counterparts they will need less frequent servicing too.

Another bonus of the all-electric e-NV200 is there is no road tax to pay and the van is exempt from the London congestion charge.

Bron Afon is a social enterprise that is run by staff and members. David Smith, logistics manager at Bron Afon Community Housing, said: ‘At Bron Afon we’re keen to look at ways we can be more environmentally friendly. We decided it was time to try out an electric vehicle and the e-NV200 was the most environmentally-friendly, mass-produced van on the market so it was an easy choice.

‘As the e-NV200 is a zero emissions vehicle there is no CO2 pollution to worry about and we will also be benefiting from its lower running costs as there will be no need for fuel or oil changes.

‘In addition to saving money with the low running costs, I think we will also be saving time, because our drivers will never need to stop at the petrol station. We can just charge up overnight. Our waste recycle centre will be using the van everyday so it will be seen all over Torfaen.’

Wessex Garages is a privately owned company that has outlets in Bristol, Cardiff, Gloucester and Newport. It specialises in new and used car sales across South Wales and the South West.

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