Last updated on November 25th, 2019 at 10:34 am
The sound of an ice cream truck rolling into your neighbourhood is one of the earliest and most evocative memories for most of us. As soon as we heard that clanging tune, we'd be off to tax our parents for whatever spare cash they had – then run down to join the queue. Mackie’s of Scotland have come together with Nissan to help create an initiative called ‘Sky to Scoop', aiming to deliver a zero-emission experience for the next generation of playground-goers. WhichEV fondly remembers the '99' and the ‘Mivvi', while checking out the tech specs and stated environmental goals.
While the music will be familiar, so will the constant rumble of the diesel generator and the smell that the back of the van gave off. Half close your eyes, and you can almost see the flecks of ‘soot' stuck on the back of the white van. Both of which will be eliminated with Nissan and Mackie's new approach.
The two company's goals seem perfectly aligned with this project.
The concept van combines a zero-emission drivetrain, second-life battery storage and renewable solar energy generation – whilst Mackie’s ice cream is produced at its family-owned dairy farm, using renewable wind and solar energy.
Judges at this year’s Energy Awards 2019 were so impressed with this all-electric, zero-emission, sustainably-powered ‘Sky to Scoop’ ice cream van campaign that they gave it both the ‘Energy Efficient Partnership of the Year’ and ‘Innovation of the Year: Technology’ awards.
Karin Hayhow, marketing director at Mackie’s of Scotland, said “It’s our aim to be the greenest company in the UK. Our business is already 80% powered by renewable energy and we’re always looking for new ways to expand this into every corner of the business“.
Frank Oldfield, energy services manager at Nissan Motor GB Ltd. commented, “We are extremely proud that our ‘Sky to Scoop’, and its innovative use of energy to solve a real-life problem, has been recognised at these prestigious awards. This unique project was a working demonstration of how Nissan Intelligent Mobility can help us create cleaner environments and move toward a better world for everyone”.
The real challenge was to keep the ice cream cold, whilst the van is parked, without leaving the driver stranded after one delivery.
The on-board ice cream equipment is powered by Nissan Energy Roam, a portable power pack that uses lithium-ion cells recovered from early first-generation Nissan electric vehicles. This provides a sustainable second-life for Nissan EV batteries.
We love seeing this kind of project taking shape. Many islands around Scotland have embraced alternative energy strategies and we salute Nissan's effort to get engaged in new market segments.