Riverside’s electric car use is charging ahead

Published by Roisin Rowley-Smith for Riverside in Environment and also in Housing

Colleagues at Riverside are helping to reduce their impact on the environment with the use of an electric car to travel between offices in Merseyside.

Merseyside MP, Louise Ellman, chair of the Commons Transport Committee and supporter of the development of the electric car industry, took a trip to Riverside’s head office in Speke to take a closer look at the zero emission Nissan Leaf. 

The car is fully electric and has a 100 mile range from a single charge, making it an ideal choice for short journeys around Merseyside. 

Riverside’s divisional director, Neil Townsend, said:  “Our electric pool car is helping us cut down on carbon emissions from multiple car journeys and save money in fuel expenses.  The initial cost of the car and the charge point is offset by savings on fuel and road tax.”

The carbon emissions from the Leaf are zero, compared to 129 for a petrol vehicle of a similar size.  Riverside has also saved over £1,500 in fuel expenses since May.  

Louise Ellman said: “I congratulate Riverside on this initiative.  This will reduce harmful emissions at the same time as achieving value for money.”

The pilot of the electric car has been so successful that plans are underway to test a Vauxhall Ampera electric hybrid for longer journeys.