Sky, a leading media and entertainment company, has taken a step towards achieving its goal of being net zero carbon by 2030 by purchasing 11 new electric panel vans from Mercedes-Benz. The company selected the latest eVito van with a 66kWH battery and rapid DC charging for its range of 162 miles and versatility. The electric vehicles will be used by engineers to service TV and broadband customers across the UK.
Bott, a Leicestershire-based firm, converted all 11 vehicles to include the bespoke racking and telematics systems required by Sky, along with impressive graphic wraps that are recognisable to the public. Dealer Midlands Truck & Van assisted Sky in making the purchase.
See also: Mercedes-Benz eVito gets upgrade of the electric drivetrain
The acquisition is in line with Sky Zero’s mission to reduce its and its suppliers’ carbon emissions by at least 50% over the next seven years while encouraging people to “#GoZero.” Lorraine McNiven, Fleet Operations Manager at Sky, said that the eVito was the ideal vehicle for the company’s engineers, and there was no need to compromise when taking a greener path. The van’s size and specifications make it a perfect workspace for engineers once customised to Sky’s needs by Bott, and Sky can trust in Mercedes-Benz’s manufacturing quality.
According to Rob Hannam, Head of Fleet at Unipart Logistics, which works with Sky as a repair and customer service partner, there are few electric panel vans on the market, and even fewer are suitable for carrying the equipment engineers need to fix problems quickly, making the eVito the obvious choice. Hannam believes the engineers will enjoy the vehicle’s excellent handling and comfort while reducing Sky’s carbon footprint.
See also: Mercedes Benz receives order for 450 eVito electric vans from Northgate and Quickpac
Carol Kirk, Vans Fleet Business Manager, Midlands and South at Mercedes-Benz UK, expressed her delight that Sky had chosen the eVito, saying it was the perfect combination of practicality, range, and zero emissions. She said the new model was popular with businesses of all sizes, and there seemed to be very little the eVito couldn’t handle.
Kirk praised Midlands Truck & Van for supporting the purchase and preparing and delivering the vehicles for conversion to Bott, with a full handover to Sky’s engineers that included an in-depth product overview, charging guides, and driving style tips. This vital service would provide Sky engineers with valuable education into the world of electric mobility and all the features and benefits the eVito has to offer.
