Sodexo introduces new environmentally-friendly electric vehicles to AstraZeneca

Sodexo has taken delivery of four new electric vehicles as part of a programme to reduce its fuel consumption and carbon footprint. The Renault Kangoo vehicles, which are noise and C02 emissions-free, are designed to transport staff and equipment around sites, in an environmentally-friendly manner. They have been leased from supply chain partners Renault Retail Group UK. They will service AstraZeneca sites in Alderley Park and Macclesfield, both in Cheshire, where Sodexo provides on-site services. The introduction of the vehicles supports Sodexo’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its sustainability strategy to 2020, the Better Tomorrow Plan, and is in line with AstraZeneca’s own environmental policies. Sodexo, currently operates a mixed fleet of more than 1000 road registered vehicles around the UK & Ireland and is introducing electric vehicles to help protect the environment, reduce fuel costs and to provide a better service to its customers. There are now 18 full electric vehicles across the whole business. Trials carried out by Sodexo at Aldershot Garrison and the Defence School of Transport last year, showed that replacing traditional diesel-powered vehicles with electric equivalents saw a 90 per cent reduction in fuel costs; carbon emissions were reduced to zero; savings were made on road tax and exhaust fumes were eliminated from the clients’ premises. The new electric vehicles were handed over to account manager, John Greenhalgh, at AstraZeneca’s Alderley Park site in Cheshire, by Bob Hickin, fleet specialist for Renault Retail Group UK. John Ruiz-Molina, national transport manager, Sodexo, said: “I am delighted by the enthusiastic reception that the electric vehicles have received. Electric vehicles will play an important role in helping Sodexo to achieve its goals under the Better Tomorrow Plan, Sodexo’s sustainability strategy to 2020. “By working with the business in the UK & Ireland we can hopefully encourage more contracts to embrace Electric vehicle technology which will have a positive impact on the environment and demonstrate to our many clients, Sodexo’s commitment in reducing its carbon footprint across the entire business.”