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15 May 2006 The Royal Parks' Green Fleet The Royal Parks Britain's most cherished public spaces will soon be even quieter and greener, thanks to a fleet of the latest zero emission vehicles. The Royal Parks, an exemplar in environmental sustainability, insisted on 'green fleet' management in its new maintenance contracts, and leading facilities management company Enterprise Plc invested around �300,000 in battery powered vans, supplied by UK manufacturer Smith Electric Vehicles, in order to secure the contract. This means vital maintenance work and estates management around Royal Parks such as Regent's Park and Hyde Park will now be carried out in almost silent and "zero emission" Smith vehicles. Kevin Harkin, business development manager for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "We are proud that Smith vehicles are working to improve the environment and amenities in some of the nation's most prized parks." The Royal Parks fleet includes three Smith Faraday trucks, which incorporate pioneering battery and motor technology, offering hugely improved performance over traditional electric vehicles. Faraday can travel up to 50mph and cover up to 120 miles between battery charges. Mr Harkin said: "Faraday is as comfortable operating on city roads as it is in low speed environments such as the Royal Parks. It is not only practically silent and zero emission, but is also far cheaper to run and maintain than a diesel equivalent."There is enormous potential for Smith Electric Vehicles in urban environments - particularly London - where our vehicles are exempt from the Congestion Charge." The Royal Parks, responsible for maintenance and management of eight internationally renowned Parks across London, has won awards for its pioneering policy on environmentally friendly vehicles. So when it comes to awarding parks maintenance contracts, the agency sets clear requirements and considers the most environmentally friendly solutions. Leading facilities management company Enterprise Plc won the contract after including Smith Electric Vehicles in its bid. Mark Camley, Chief Executive of The Royal Parks said: "We are delighted to have Smith Electrical Vehicles in our fleet. "Sustainability is a key priority for us and I hope other organisations follow our lead and start thinking about how they can demand excellence and innovation from their contractors." "The Royal Parks and Enterprise Plc are among the most enlightened organisations in the country in terms of their environmental policies," Mr Harkin said. "Through high profile clients such as these, we are proving that electric vehicles are both cleaner and more cost-effective than diesel vans," Mr Camley said. Source: The Royal Parks For further information contact: The Royal Parks Press Office T: 020 7298 2128 E: press@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk Editor's notes: Millions of Londoners and tourists visit the eight Royal Parks for free each year. The 5,000 acres of carefully conserved historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park (with Primrose Hill), Richmond Park and St James's Park. The Royal Parks has a "Green Housekeeping Committee", which looks at how to reduce the impact it has on the local and wider environment. The Royal Parks won the GreenFleet Best Practice Award at the 2005 GreenFleet Awards on September 22, 2005. The awards recognise how the Royal Parks is making the most of existing technologies and fuels in order to reduce carbon emissions from its fleet vehicles. |
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