Bunzl and Sodexo's electric vehicle

The London Assembly's recent report on Air Quality stated that air quality in the city is the worst in the UK and amongst the worst in Europe for airborne particles (particulate matter PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – which affect health and quality of life. • Government estimates suggest that air pollution may have contributed to around 1,000 premature deaths in London each year, but experts at a recent Environment Committee believe this is an underestimate and figures show this could be closer to 3,000 deaths. • The vehicle is manufactured by Smith Electric and can travel up to 130 miles per day. • A days charging cost is 10% of the cost of fuel used by a conventional vehicle covering the same distance. • The motor has 19 moving parts, whilst a diesel engine has 180. • Silent running, so quieter on the streets and no noise pollution. • Driving an electric vehicle is less stressful for the driver as it is so easy to drive. • It takes approximately 8 hours to charge from 0-100%. • Top speed of up to 50mph. • The vehicle is fully zero emission, which means zero tailpipe pollution: No PM10s, no nitrogen oxide, no carbon monoxide and no carbon dioxide. • The vehicle contains components that are 100% recyclable. • Accelerates from 0-30mph much quicker than a diesel vehicle. The vehicle was officially launched by Jim Haywood, Director of Environment Impact at Business in the Community (BITC), alongside Michelle Hanson, Commercial Director Sodexo UK and Ireland, and Max Harris, Operations & Regional Sales Director at Bunzl Catering Supplies. Harris said: "We are delighted to unveil our first electric vehicle to service the catering and hospitality industry in London and feel proud to be the first UK distributor within our sector to do so. Our environmental strategy is multifaceted. "Our objective is to further reduce our environmental impact and look for new ways to improve our performance and therefore reduce our carbon footprint. We are committed to switching to electric light goods vehicles for distribution in urban areas." Hanson added: "We are pleased to be the first company in our sector to take part in this initiative. Investing in this vehicle is part of our wider commitment to sustainability. Increasingly, this is about engaging with our supply chain partners as the complexity of environmental challenges means that action is most effective when consistent across businesses."