Blakedale Adds Electric Vehicles to Traffic Fleet

Blakedale, a prominent traffic management and specialist vehicle supplier, is paving the way for a greener future by expanding its hire fleet with the addition of 3.5-tonne Impact Protection Vehicles (IPVs) and a range of electric vehicles. These new additions are specifically tailored to meet the evolving needs of the highways industry.

The 3.5-tonne IPVs have been specially designed for use in inner-city roadwork environments, offering a lightweight option that can be easily fitted to most 3.5-tonne LCV chassis cabs. These vehicles feature a crash cushion that can handle collision speeds of up to 43mph, ensuring the safety of both road workers and passing motorists.

Additionally, Blakedale has introduced 4.25-tonne Ford E-Transit traffic management vehicles into its fleet. These vehicles are built to a high specification and come equipped with either a tail-lift or an LP13 light board. With a range of 196 miles and a payload capacity of 1.4 tonnes, these electric vehicles are available for demonstration to customers who are considering making the switch to electrification.

These innovative E-Transits are believed to be the first 4.25-tonne EVs designed specifically for traffic management purposes, showcasing Blakedale’s commitment to spearheading sustainable solutions within the industry.

Following its acquisition by Northgate in July 2022, Blakedale has ramped up its investment in its hire fleet as part of the Drive to Zero initiative. This initiative aligns with Northgate’s group-wide efforts to provide customers with comprehensive solutions that support their transition towards zero emissions.

Blakedale’s expansion into electric vehicles doesn’t stop there. The company has also added traffic management specification Renault Kangoo E-Tech and Mercedes eVito vans to its fleet, offering an impressive range of approximately 185 miles on a single charge. Furthermore, Blakedale has introduced VW ID.3s to its traffic safety cars hire fleet, complementing the existing petrol, diesel, and hybrid options.

Managing Director of Blakedale, Jon Taylor, expressed enthusiasm about the positive response from the traffic management sector towards the new EV additions. Many companies are eager to explore how electric vehicles can be integrated into their fleets, and Blakedale’s offer of demo vehicles for evaluation provides a practical way for operators to assess the benefits before making long-term commitments.

“The Kangoo E-Tech, E-Transit and Traffic Safety Cars cater to the needs of operators at the lighter end of the weight range, while we continue to explore the best options for customers looking to reduce emissions in larger vehicles,” Taylor explained.

Not only is Blakedale supporting its customers in their journey towards sustainability, but the company is also taking steps to reduce its own in-house emissions. Half of Blakedale’s company car fleet is now electric, with the remaining vehicles being hybrids. Furthermore, the company has introduced two electric vans to its nationwide mobile service fleet, demonstrating its commitment to leading by example in the transition to a greener future.