Brighton & Hove’s hugely successful BTN BikeShare scheme is adding a new vehicle to its fleet this week.
A fully electric redistribution vehicle will replace a van to move BikeShare bikes around the city. It means the scheme will further reduce its carbon footprint by cutting down on toxic emissions.
The new vehicle is an LDV EV80 from the Rivervale dealership in Victoria Road, Portslade.
The purchase of the new electric vehicle is the first major step for the BikeShare scheme from changes agreed at last November’s meeting of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) committee.
The electric vehicle will used to move the BTN BikeShare fleet around the city, ensuring hubs all have bikes available. It will also be used to pick up bikes for servicing or repair.
It will travel more than 60 miles a day around the city, 7 days a week.
Chair of the ETS committee Amy Heley said: “This is a great step forward for the brilliant BTN BikeShare scheme.
“Being able to have a fully electric vehicle moving bikes around the city means cutting toxic emissions further and supporting us towards our goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.
“BTN BikeShare continues to go from strength to strength, will more than three million miles now travelled actively and sustainably around the city. It’s a hugely exciting time for the scheme and I look forward to seeing more in the future.”
Vince Pemberton, Chief Operating Officer Rivervale Cars Ltd said: “As a business, Rivervale is extremely proud to be working with Brighton & Hove City Council as it embarks on the road to being carbon neutral by 2030.
“We know the council is working hard to reduce emissions from its fleet and this new BTN BikeShare vehicle is another step in the right direction.”
