Decades of meeting customers’ fleet mobility needs has shown that when it comes to the process of transitioning to an electric future, supportive solutions are needed across the whole spectrum of fleet management to ensure that business needs are understood and met.
Over the last few years, Northgate has continued its transformation into a specialist B2B customer-centric LCV mobility provider, and as part of this it has been building the foundations for its own electrification journey, alongside those of its customers.
Fleet analysis
From the very beginning of the journey, Northgate has worked with EV industry experts to ensure that it can
support businesses in the right way, which begins with a thorough assessment of a company fleet and its suitability
for electrification. The evolution in technology means it’s important that whole life costs are considered, from the outset. From initial capital outlay, through to EV running costs versus ICE and residual values for both. Northgate can provide clear visibility to its customers on the total cost of ownership for electric LCVs, including regional ULEZ charge calculations.
Through the interrogation of telematics or driver journey data, Northgate can build a complete understanding of vehicles, their movements, distances travelled and journey times, which allows customers to understand which vehicles can be immediately switched to electric without any other considerations and which ones are more suited once the availability of higher range electric LCVs are launched over the coming years by OEMs.
A wide choice of E-LCVs for all needs
Vehicle choice plays a major part in fleet electrification, and Northgate works closely with existing and emerging OEMs to continually add to our industry-leading range of electric LCVs. From small vans such as Renault Kangoo e-Techs, through to midsized panel vans such as the latest Peugeot e-Expert and Mercedes Benz e-Vito or even the larger Mercedes Benz e-Sprinter; we can meet your needs. Northgate is already offering the leading proposition within its 12months+ and flexible rental options.
Technology is evolving rapidly, so being able to change over to the latest models as technology improves is an important consideration for fleets. Northgate’s flexible hire packages provide the opportunity to change vehicles as technology evolves without being stuck in long-term, inflexible contracts, as well as encouraging fleets to run EVs as part of structured test programmes over multiple months.
Servicing and maintenance remain key considerations when running EVs, so Northgate has invested heavily in its fully equipped workshops and 68-strong branch network, ensuring that trained EV technicians are employed across the country.
Charging infrastructure provision
The provision of suitable charging infrastructure is a crucial step to ensuring a smooth transition for any business. Northgate works with Charged EV, leading experts in EV charging and also part of ZIGUP, to ensure that the best possible solution is found for each customer, from workplace charging and home charging to public charging facilities. It can also help and support with major infrastructure planning which involves working with local energy suppliers to install and futureproof a company’s charging needs.
With more than 55,000 domestic charge points and 3,000 commercial, workplace and fleet projects completed, ChargedEV’s specialist engineers will advise customers on every step of the electrification journey. No matter the size of fleet, Northgate’s extensive range of charging solutions are both hardware and energy agnostic, to fit bespoke needs.
Even better, once up and running, Northgate has teamed up with the fuel card provider Allstar Business Solutions to provide customers with a combined fuel and electric chargecard
that can access one of the largest public charging networks including 85% of motorway charging sites.
Electric vehicle and home charging bundle
If you’re looking to make your switch to EVs a hassle-free experience for both you and your drivers, we have you covered. Our market-leading package includes an all-in-one electric vehicle and home charging bundle available on 12months+ hires.
Driver training
From Northgate’s extensive research and live on-road testing, the change to an electric power train can seem a daunting one, and so it has a full suite of EV e-learning modules available to help address this challenge and help drivers adopt new driving techniques to optimise EV range.
Free to all its EV customers, the broad suite of e-learning modules can help drivers up-skill with ease on all manner of subjects from EV driving best practice to charging, and a host of other ‘how to’ topics in between. Northgate’s aim is to help companies allay any potential anxieties for drivers, while improving driver safety and overall fleet efficiency.
Developing a robust transition plan that works for your business
Our proposition is designed to let fleets focus on their business, whilst Northgate focuses on running their vehicles. With rental services and a flexible approach not available to those who choose traditional contract hire finance.
Northgate’s focus is very much on a customers’ transition to EVs, working with the support of a team of proven experts to assess every customer’s needs including infrastructure, energy and billing and combining these with the most suitable flexible rental package available. With these plans in place, Northgate customers know they can rely on its dependability and flexibility. This ensures that while technology is evolving, it can support more companies than ever to deliver their own Drive to Zero emissions.
Find out more at northgatevehiclehire.co.uk/drive-to-zero or call us on 0330 108 1952
