Vertellus, a new commercial vehicle contract hire firm, has launched its EV Discovery Programme to assist operators with adoption of carbon zero vehicles.
Hot on the heels of Volta Trucks announcing its leasing rates for the Volta Zero, Vertellus, the new commercial vehicle contract hire business owned by Renault Trucks dealers (60%) and Renault Trucks (40%), has announced a new short-term rate, including fuel, starting at £4,500 for a box-bodied truck. The innovative EV Discovery Programme, will assist operators in their journey to carbon zero road freight by offering a three-month all-in entry rate to get them started.
Initially delivering 30 electric vehicles from 16-18t GVW with box, curtainsider, and fridge bodies, these ready-to-operate vehicles will be offered with a temporary charging solution, provided by Zenobe, that can be deployed on-site at the vehicle base. A DC 60kW system that includes proprietary software to oversee charging will be provided and Zenobe will also offer a 24-hour helpdesk and a performance guarantee.
“We understand when it comes to switching to an EV contract hire fleet there is so much more for the business to think about than with a diesel vehicle, which is why we have designed the Discovery Programme to remove the complexity and hassle out of your energy transition, so operators can accelerate the process of reducing the carbon footprint of their fleets” said, Nigel Baxter, Managing Director at Vertellus.
Carlos Rodrigues, Managing Director of Renault Trucks UK and Ireland, added: “Renault Trucks are delighted to be partnering with Vertellus to help deliver our ambition for a more sustainable future. Our product offering is very strong and in partnership with Vertellus and Zenobē we are providing customers with a ready-to-use solution. Vertellus delivers the first real BEV Equipment as a Service, backed by more than 60 network locations and an infrastructure of highly qualified technicians, all ready to serve customers.
“Introducing EVs across an entire fleet is likely to happen in stages, however, the Vertellus EV Discovery Programme solution identifies operations and sectors where this technology can work for businesses and provides operators with an opportunity to hire the electric vehicles, and therefore test the technology, in their own day-to-day environment.”
The Vertellus EV Discovery offer is a three-month usage-based programme in which consumers must contract a minimum of 3,000kWh per month - equivalent to about 40,000km per year. Box and curtainsider vehicles are priced at £1.50/kWh, whereas refrigerator vehicles are priced at £1.90/kWh, with all expected usual complete contract hire services included.
Furthermore, the cost covers the charging infrastructure, which means clients only pay their energy supplier for the electricity they use beyond the 3,000 kWh minimum. For clients with more stringent use needs, Vertellus, in collaboration with Zenobe, may expand the charging infrastructure to a DC 120 kW fast charging system with a 160 kWh battery storage, allowing for vehicle double shifting.
