Tool hire company develops eco-vans in bid to beat congestion charge and cut carbon emissions

Speedy Hire has announced that it is adding eco vehicles which are electric, silent and emit no CO2 to its fleet.

The company has ordered four of the vehicles for use in London but is expecting to roll them out more generally in London and elsewhere if they prove a success.

Speedy Hire was involved in the design of the new vehicles, which are being developed by Modec, and it claims to be the first tool and equipment hire business to use electric vehicles for deliveries.

Ian Leonard, Speedy Hire’s head of transport, said: “It makes good commercial sense for companies to consider the impact they make on the environment.

“The introduction of measures such as the congestion charge provide incentives for businesses such as ourselves to look at alternatives to traditional means to making deliveries.”