- Government announces plan to bring forward ban on sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles to 2030
- Cadent already in the fast lane with growing fleet of zero emission vehicles
- Cadent plans to have 1,000 zero emission vehicles across its network by 2026
Earlier this year Cadent embarked on its journey to a greener future when it took delivery of its first batch of zero emission vehicles to enable gas engineers to respond to emergencies across its North London network pollution free. The London network was chosen due to the availability of refuelling stations and charging points.
The first wave of vehicles included five hydrogen fuelled cars manufactured bu Hyundai. These cars have a range of almost 400 miles, ideal for emergencies across the capital and beyond and whose only emission is water.
The new cars have been bought as part of Cadent’s commitment to net zero and are the first step on its ambition to have 1000 zero emission vehicles across all its networks by 2026. This ambition also provides a unique opportunity to encourage the development and supply of a new product, hydrogen vans into the UK market.
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement James Harrison, Director of Cadent’s North London network said: “I am hugely encouraged by the Prime Minister’s announcement today.
“The hydrogen economy is crucial to reaching our net zero target and it’s great to see the Government endorsing hydrogen as a cleaner and greener solution for heating homes.
“We’ve already started implementing positive changes throughout Cadent, including the introduction of new hydrogen fuelled cars to our North London network earlier this year.”
Cadent Fleet Specialist, Dominic Stephens, said: “The hydrogen fuel cell cars are a first for Cadent and represent a major step forward in working to achieving our environmental goals. In tandem with this we’re also working to develop a range of other transport technologies to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Cadent Sustainable Transport Manager David Jones said: “By investing in hydrogen vehicles we’re not only being good stewards of the environment but we’re also demonstrating the viability of gas as a future fuel source for transport which is entirely consistent with our own hydrogen strategy.”
Cadent is rolling out the zero emission vehicles across all its networks with demonstration vehicles being trialled in the North West and Eastern networks. Cadent’s expanding green fleet also includes Iveco repair CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vans in the North West and West Midlands network.
For the movement of large items Cadent has also worked to develop a fleet of biomethane trucks. These vehicles significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help improve air quality. The trucks are also cheaper to run, generating savings of around 38 per cent compared to diesel.
Cadent plans to acquire more zero emission vehicles, as it works towards its 2026 goals.