Reesink e-Vehicles helps Radley College reduce environmental footprint
The UK requires the education sector to play its role in positively responding to climate change, and Radley College in Oxfordshire is demonstrating one easy way to do that with STAR EV and distributor Reesink e-Vehicles.
According to the UK Government, the Department of Education has an important role to play in all aspects of sustainability, but the area in which there is the most work to do is reducing its environmental footprint, particularly in the drive to achieve net zero.
One very easy way to do that is to consider electric power when replacing the utility vehicles required for grounds and green space maintenance in schools, colleges and universities.
Radley College is a prestigious Oxfordshire boys school and Adam King, head of grounds, and his team are responsible for maintaining 30 hectares of grounds and gardens. When the time came to replace its fleet of utility vehicles Adam made the decision to go electric as part of the college’s sustainability plans to become carbon neutral in the next few years.
Adam chose STAR EV’s Capella Work Machines stating the lithium-ion energy source as the key reason for choosing one of the latest brands to the UK market. He says: “Making this commitment to a fleet of all-electric utility vehicles is part of the estate’s plans to become more sustainable. While new to the market, what caught our attention with the STAR EV range were the Lithium-ion batteries. Other brands have lead acid and that’s just not as favourable when it comes to longevity and charging.”
The Capella Work Machine, of which Radley College has bought eight, is powered by a 48v 5Kw motor and comes with a high powered 10Kw lithium-ion battery charged via an on-board Lester charger. Users can opportunistically charge and can expect a good 60 miles per charge. Plus there’s no need to worry about power drifting away as there’s a constant amount delivered throughout the discharge.
Adam references the machines’ 670kgs payload as another key reason for choosing the Capellas, he says: “These machines will be used for transporting waste or litter and landscape materials around, carrying lawnmowers, and assisting in heavier workloads with fencing projects and hard landscaping with slabs and all sorts in the back. The payload capacity means we know we can load them up and get on with it.”
The Capella Work Machines are designed to work quietly, safely and efficiently, which is perfect for an educational setting, says Dave French, sales manager for STAR EV distributor, Reesink e-Vehicles. He continues: “The primary focus of any school, college or university is to create an environment that’s sufficient for learning, so providing vehicles to grounds management teams that are able to tiptoe around the site without disturbing the students while they work is paramount.”
Adam concludes: “These machines are good value and support our ethos for future-proofing the purchases we make and getting the best out of everything. We’re really pleased to have them on board our journey to carbon neutrality.”
To learn more about how STAR EV can help keep your school grounds cleaner and greener, contact Reesink e-Vehicles by calling 01480 226800
