Case study - Energy Saving Trust

Case study
Electric vans
Center Parcs
Environmentally-focused short break holiday operator Center Parcs has
integrated electric vehicles into its fleet as part of the drive to reduce its transport
carbon footprint.
Center Parcs has four UK holiday villages – Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire,
Longleat in Wiltshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk, and Whinfell Forest in Cumbria
– each typically covering 400 acres and providing guests with high quality
accommodation in fully equipped villas, apartments and holiday lodges.
Guests walk or cycle around the villages, which are located in picturesque forests,
and they have an expectation that Center Parcs will be environmentally-friendly.
The organisation is already a low energy user in terms of running its own sewage
plants, recycling its water and water farming, but its ‘green’ transport ambitions
have historically been foiled by zero-tailpipe emission electric vehicle technology
not meeting its operational requirements. However, technological advances mean
that 22 Aixam and three Modec electric vehicles have now joined Center Parcs’
138-strong light commercial vehicle fleet and the figure will increase.
Simultaneously, Center Parcs has worked with fleet management partner CLM and
the Energy Saving Trust to ‘green’ its 58-strong company car fleet and replace almost
100 ageing petrol and diesel-engined vans with new low-emission diesel models.
Electric vehicles
Eighteen per cent of the Center Parcs’ LCV fleet is now composed of Aixam
Mega Multi Trucks and Modec electric vans. The vehicles are located at three
villages. However, at Longleat and the planned new flagship village at Woburn,
which is due to open in 2010/11, hilly terrain makes the existing electric van
technology unsuitable.
Mr Henderson, Center Parcs’ UK Project Manager, Operations explained: “We want
our villages, and particularly the new Woburn Village, to be as low emission as
possible to support our brand values. We want to talk to any vehicle providers who
have robust low or zero emission vehicles that will meet our operational needs and
drive down our carbon footprint.” As a result, Center Parcs continues to research
and monitor low emission technology in preparation for fleet specifications for the
new village and opportunities at Longleat.
Mike Henderson said: “Wherever we can, we will use electric vehicles as long as
they are fit for purpose.”
The comprehensive overhaul of the entire Center Parcs’ fleet started when the
Energy Saving Trust completed a Green Fleet Review of existing operations, and
CLM was appointed to source, manage and dispose of all vehicles. All petrolengined and diesel LCVs on the fleet have now been replaced with new low
emission Euro4-compliant diesel engined Ford Transit Connect and Mercedes Vito
models. In the future they are expected to be replaced by more electric vehicles.
Investment in a green future
Center Parcs has invested about £2 million in introducing new low emission diesel
and zero emission electric vehicles to its fleet. The company expects operating costs
across replacement cycles of up to five years to reduce by up to 20 per cent achieving
significant carbon footprint reductions.
Mr Henderson said: “We believe in investing in the future and our guests demand
that we are innovative in meeting our environmental obligations.”
“We believe in investing
in the future and our
guests demand that we are
innovative in meeting our
environmental obligations.”
Mike Henderson
UK Project Manager,
Operations Center Parcs
While Center Parcs’ ‘green credentials’ are long-established, it is only recently that
vehicle technology has caught up with its aspirations. After a false start several
years ago because the vans were not ‘fit-for-purpose’, Center Parcs staff were
understandably apprehensive about the new electric vehicle scheme.
However, said Mr Henderson: “We involved staff in vehicle trials and asked them
to help design the vehicles to ensure they did the job expected of them. We then
held driving familiarisation courses. Now employees would drive nothing else.”
“By investing in technology we are reducing our carbon footprint and reinforcing to
guests that they have made the ‘right choice’ in holidaying in villages surrounded by
trees and animals. Guests used to complain about the vehicles. But we have listened
to their views and acted because electric vehicles are now a viable proposition.”
“We explain to guests why vehicles are essential and through careful selection we
are trying to be as environmentally-friendly as possible and are at the cutting-edge
of technology with our use of electric vehicles.”
Expert advice essential
Center Parcs has worked hand-in-hand with experts at the Energy Saving Trust and
CLM to implement its low emission vehicle strategy and Mr Henderson said: “It is
vital that other like-minded organisations get professional help and guidance.
“The support of both organisations has been invaluable and our business will only
benefit. Low and zero emission vehicles are the future for fleets if they want to
improve operating efficiencies.”
But, he added: “To achieve low carbon ambitions, companies must have buy-in
from the top to drive the programme. We have that at Center Parcs and introducing
electric vehicles paves the way for an even greener future. But it is only the start
of our low carbon journey, which continues to evolve as we also educate our
employees and our guests about how they too can reduce their carbon footprint.”
Fact file
Company name
Center Parcs
Key contact
Mike Henderson, UK Project
Manager, Operations
Fleet profile
138 LCVs, including 25 electric vehicles;
58 company cars
Business
Short break holiday operator
Locations
Four purpose-built villages – Sherwood
Forest, Nottinghamshire; Longleat
Forest, Wiltshire; Elveden Forest, Suffolk;
and Whinfell Forest, Cumbria. A fifth
village is planned at Woburn.
Need some help and have
50 fleet vehicles or more?
A newly devised 58-vehicle company car scheme has been designed by CLM to
include fuel as part of total operating cost criteria – the previous policy was based
around car P11d values with no benchmark on fuel efficiency or emissions.
The Energy Saving Trust offers free
Green Fleet Reviews that are funded
by the Department for Transport, to
organisations with 50 or more fleet
vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. The review
is conducted by experts and reports
on your carbon footprint as well as
providing tailored recommendations
to reduce fleet carbon emissions and
save money.
In addition, depending on grade, employees are encouraged to select diesel
vehicles below two benchmark CO2 figures – 135 g/km for grades 4–5 and
150 g/km for grades 1–3.
To find out more visit
energysavingtrust.org.uk/
fleet or call 0845 602 1425
Greening the company car fleet
Staff opting for a company car below their respective benchmark CO2 figure are
rewarded with a ‘green bonus’ – a £500 lump sum payment. As a result of the
policy changes, fleet emissions have already dropped by around 8.5 per cent to
an average of 153 g/km with commensurate fuel savings due to vehicles having
improved MPG.
In the future, as vehicle manufacturers increase their output of low emission
models the company car policy will be ratcheted up to further encourage take-up
of carbon-friendly models.
Company car drivers are also encouraged to car share with employees, receiving
an additional mileage reimbursement incentive.
Energy Saving Trust, 21 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BP, Tel 0845 602 1425, energysavingtrust.org.uk
TE610 © Energy Saving Trust June 2009. E&OE.
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