UNIVERSITY’S ELECTRIC VANS HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT

Buckinghamshire New University has taken delivery of a pair of electric vans as part of its commitment to helping the environment.

The two electrically-powered Renault Kangoo vans have replaced two of the University’s existing fleet of three diesel-powered vans.

The vans will generate just 1g/km of Co2, compared to 189 g/km with the existing diesel vehicles, representing a carbon footprint saving of 1.1 tonnes per year, per van.

The University, in Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, is working to reduce its carbon footprint and is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2020. It has so far reduced its emissions by 43 per cent since 2005.

Ian Hunter, Director of Estates, said: “The use of electric cars is testament to the lead we are looking to take in the way we use alternative energy and the investment we are making in the renewable energy market.

“Bucks New University works hard to encourage our students and staff to save energy wherever they can and we also continue to review our existing operations and suppliers, to see where further energy savings can be made.”

Earlier this year, Bucks New University also installed eco-friendly solar panels on top of one of its buildings to generate electricity. The panels will generate at least 46,000 kilowatts of electricity per year. Mr Hunter said that move would also save around 11 tons of Co2 emissions per year.
In 2011, Bucks New University achieved the Carbon Trust Standard, in recognition of measuring, managing and reducing its carbon emissions by five per cent over a three-year assessment period.