The Jaguar I-PACE, the British automaker’s inaugural all-electric vehicle, has not yet entered production, yet it has generated considerable interest, with large orders already being placed.
Jaguar secures a new order for 200 I-PACE electric SUVs to supply shuttle services at London’s Heathrow Airport, with delivery expected this summer.
Fleet operators at airports have increasingly adopted all-electric automobiles, making them a common sight for taxi companies.
BIOS-groep, a pioneering taxi firm operating at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, was an early adopter of electric vehicles, boasting the largest fleet of Tesla taxis – 167 Model S sedans – as of 2014. The company has since been upgrading its fleet with Tesla Model X SUVs.
Can a fleet of Tesla Model S vehicles be stationed at Montréal-Trudeau Airport?
Now, Heathrow Airport has teamed up with Jaguar and WeKnowGroup, a leading journey company, to build a fleet of Jaguar I-PACE SUVs.
The initial batch of 50 I-Paces is slated for delivery throughout summer 2018, with the option to add another 150 vehicles within the subsequent 12 months. This fleet is expected to facilitate up to 1,000 electric vehicle journeys daily between Heathrow and other destinations, resulting in annual savings of over eight tonnes of NOx emissions.
To accommodate its growing electric vehicle (EV) fleet, Heathrow Airport plans to install a large-scale charging station, set to become the largest of its kind in the UK once operational.
Emma Gilthorpe, government director at Heathrow, said in relation to the announcement:
“We’re delighted to partner with two esteemed British companies on this groundbreaking initiative, promoting eco-friendly transportation options for our passengers. We remain resolute in our commitment to the environment and local community, unwaveringly focused on mitigating the negative impact of highway vehicles on air quality across airport roads.” As part of our commitment to balancing environmental responsibility with economic viability, these I-PACE models represent the latest effort to ensure that neither the planet nor the financial sector is sacrificed in the process.
The issue is largely driven by London’s ambitious clean air programme, which was prompted by severe air pollution incidents in the city.
Since its inception, they have unveiled a range of innovative transportation initiatives, including the introduction of their first fleet of long-range, all-electric double-deckers and the establishment of low-emission zones that penalize polluting vehicles through taxation.
London’s iconic black cabs have started introducing electric vehicles into their fleet to significantly reduce emissions and promote a more sustainable transportation option in the capital.
London’s 40,000 Uber drivers are set to benefit from a package designed to facilitate their transition to electric vehicles, as part of efforts to increase the number of eco-friendly cars on the city’s roads, while also speeding up the installation of charging infrastructure across town.
