THE States of Jersey have taken delivery of ten electric vehicles that are now on the fleet and being used by a number of departments.
The Peugeot iOns have been leased for three years from Motor Mall, who have also provided the other petrol and diesel vehicles on the fleet, having been successful in the tendering process for a three-year contract.
Transport and Technical Services transport manager Mike Fleming explained that it was part of his role to evaluate the vehicles which are selected to go onto the States of Jersey fleet.
‘The technology on electric vehicles has now reached a level where it was appropriate to lease ten of the iOns for a three-year period to evaluate their practicality in everyday use,’ he said. ‘The claimed range is suitable for some of the roles of our pool cars, and it will be interesting to see if we can achieve the potential savings on fuel.’
Mike, who has been a mechanic for 40 years and is well known in motor sport circles, compared the switch to electric vehicles to the change from petrol to diesel engines two decades ago.
‘There was a lot of reluctance at first, as diesels were noisy and not particularly environmentally friendly, but the technology has come on so much that they are as good as petrol engines, and diesel-powered cars are even winning Le Mans.’
Mike explained that those departments who were allocated the iOns and had suitable parking spaces were having dedicated 16-amp sockets installed, with half of the ten already in place. ‘These sockets “talk to” the iOn and are only live when one is plugged in,’ he said. ‘The important thing for the driver is to get into the habit of plugging the car in at the end of a journey.’
Mike said that the iOn was a useful size and shape, and that he had been surprised by the impact it had made on his driving. ‘It is off the line quickly and is surprisingly nippy and nimble. One other thing I have noticed is that I have changed my driving style. Coming back from St Peter once, I noticed that the range had increased due to the regenerative braking as I got to the bottom of the hill. ‘The instruments show you when you are driving economically and I have found myself keeping an eye on the gauges to try and do so.’
Jacksons (CI) Operations Director Paul Kell said: ‘We are very pleased that Motor Mall was chosen for the third time to provide the States of Jersey fleet with vehicles. We’re also delighted that the Peugeot iOn has been selected as the first electrical vehicle for an extended trial.
‘It is a versatile little car, ideal for Jersey. It is a five-door hatch that is a cost-effective way into electric vehicle ownership. ‘Now that the price has come down to £15,000, it puts it on a par with a conventionally powered car, while offering the environmental and economic benefits of running an electric vehicle.’
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