Bedford, UK: Movianto is trialling an electric Mercedes-Benz van.
Movianto designed and manages the distribution system for Covid-19 vaccines and has handled around 89 million vaccine doses distributing these from dedicated warehouses to treatment centres, sometimes requring temperatures of -75°C.
Movianto also stores and deliverers routine child vaccinations and the seasonal flu vaccine.
To handle this volume, Movianto uses 120 temperature-controlled vans and a 100 uninsulated vehicles with and additional 25 vans on short-term hire to provide flexibility. All are Mercedes-Benz Sprinters.
Mervyn McIntyre, head of fleet, Movianto said: “The Sprinter is the most durable product in its class, with the best support and warranty package. The vehicles are very well built, highly cost-effective to operate and backed by a network of dealers who are commercial vehicle specialists. They understand the requirements of businesses like ours, and are happy to carry out any servicing work outside normal hours – to suit our schedules, not their own.”
“This trial is helping us to understand how electric distribution vehicles can fit into our fleet, what attributes they offer and any operational issues they might present,” McIntyre said.
Movianto is not alone – more than 60% of small to medium-sized companies are actively considering switching to electric vehicles this year, according to research commissioned by Mercedes-Benz Vans UK.
“As with any battery-powered vehicle there’s a limit to its range but the electric driveline also brings advantages in other areas. The van is very smooth, easy to drive in traffic and its near-silent driveline is much less likely to disturb customers or their neighbours when making deliveries,” McIntyre said.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Sprinter is powered by a 114hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. It can travel up to 95 miles on a single charge. The vehicle is based on the medium length, high roof Sprinter giving it 11m3 load volume; identical to that of the diesel-engined, front-wheel drive version.
