Citroën UK will provide 16 EV vans to Big Issue Group as part of a three-year partnership to distribute The Big Issue magazine to local vendors across the country.
Big Issue Group will adopt a fleet of all-electric Citroën ë-Berlingo Vans and ë-Dispatch vans to support the distribution of its magazine across the UK. The Group’s fleet transports over 2 million magazines to 3,300 vendors in a year, covering over 350,000 miles annually across the country.
One of the Group’s key aims is to make its delivery process more sustainable and to tackle its carbon emissions, the company stated.
Citroën’s ë-Berlingo Van and ë-Dispatch will initially be used in towns and cities including Bournemouth, Bristol, Bath, Norwich, and Newcastle, with more vans to be added to the fleet over the next three years, the company said.
“In cities and remote, rural locations, we will be able to respond quickly when our vendors need us the most. At Big Issue Group we are excited for the next three years working alongside Citroën to drive change for good,” said Russell Blackman, Big Issue Group Managing Director of Commercial.
The Citroën ë-Berlingo Van offers load volumes up to 4.4m3 and payloads up to 803kg. With a 50kWh battery and a 100kw (136hp) electric motor, it has a zero-emission range of up to 171 miles (WLTP).
The Citroën ë-Dispatch offers up to 205 miles of range (WLTP) and provides operators with a payload of up to 1,004kg. Both Citroën electric vans support up to 100kW rapid (DC) charging, with a 0-80% charge taking just 30 minutes.
Eurig Druce, Citroën UK’s Managing Director, said the company was thrilled to support Big Issue Group’s transition to electric vehicles so it can become more sustainable. “I can’t wait to see these vans out on the road, being used as sustainable electric workhorses in support of the Big Issue workforce.”
A special edition of The Big Issue magazine – covering the Citroën and Big Issue Group partnership – is out now and can be bought from your local vendor or via subscription here.