How are they doing it? Well they have just bought their first plug-in hybrid vehicle to help reduce the emissions which they produce and so reduce their carbon footprint.
Eagle Couriers are Scotland’s largest independent courier business and with sustainability at its core they have used electric bikes since 2012 and they recycle tyres, oil and the pallets used each year.
Now they have tried out electric vehicles but found that the full electric vehicles did not work for them as well as the hybrid which they have now purchased. They have acquired a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV just month after meeting with the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf to discuss how electric vehicles could be used by Scottish businesses.
Throughout Eagle Couriers’ many trials the vehicles have not yet met with the demands of the fast-paced business, burdened by lengthy charging times and limited range.
The recently purchased Mitsubishi Outlander PHEC has a 33-mile electric range as well as up to 166 miles per gallon combined range – able to switch back to petrol for longer journeys often required by couriers.
Fiona Deas, Co-Director with Bathgate headquartered Eagle Couriers, said: “We’ve always been very aware of our responsibility as a courier firm with a comparatively large number of vehicles.
“For us however, the new technology simply had to make business-sense, which was the core of our discussions with Mr Yousaf earlier this year.
“While full-electric vehicles still don’t have the range or fast enough charging to meet the demands of the business, we are getting incrementally closer.
“This investment in the plug-in hybrid however gets us that bit nearer to our dream of moving from diesel or petrol dependent vehicles.”
Jerry Stewart, Co-Director at Eagle Couriers, said: “Considering the environment in the day to day running of the business in one of Eagle Couriers’ core philosophies.
“Having a fleet full of pure electric vehicles is our dream, but it is one that will take some time to get to.
“Our drivers can travel great distances in a day and pure electric vehicles simply don’t have the range. They also require charging, which takes a minimum of 30 minutes and charging stations are still sparse in many areas of the country.”
Following his visit to the firm in June, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, said: “I am encouraged by Eagle Couriers’ green ethos and its desire to add more low carbon vehicles to its growing fleet in the future.
“The Scottish Government is committed to meeting its ambitious climate change targets so that Scotland’s people and environment can be freed from harmful vehicle emissions and breathe cleaner air by 2050.
“We continue to work with our partners to encourage the introduction of incentives such as allowing electric vehicles in bus lanes or offering them free parking through the Energy Saving Trust.”
Eagle Couriers is Scotland’s leading courier firm with more than 32 years’ experience.
More information about the company can be found at www.eaglecouriers.co.uk
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