Friday May 3, 2019
McGee has future-proofed its business after becoming the first construction company in the UK to introduce LDV’s EV80 to its fleet of vans.
Founded by Tom McGee in 1959, the family business celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Since then, the company has grown to incorporate decontamination, asbestos removal, demolition, piling, civil engineering, construction, and recycling services. The company was recently named Contractor of the Year (£25m+ turnover) 2019 at the Construction News Specialists Award.
The EV80 is the first electric van that McGee has invested in. The company also has a policy which enables employees to select vehicles from electric or hybrid manufacturers, which has been in place since 2014 and illustrates the team’s commitment to going green.
LDV’s EV80 is the first in a new generation of cleaner, alternative fuel vehicles and offers energy efficiency, stronger power, and an enhanced eco-friendly performance. It is the first electric vehicle launched as part of the LDV’s range of commercial vehicles.
Launched in 2016, the EV80 boasts a 120-mile range on a single charge thanks to the high-capacity lithium battery which can be fully charged in less than 90 minutes.
Ideal for city driving, the EV80 is already being used by delivery and utility companies, together with selected city councils all over the UK.
For drivers, the EV80 features Digital Intelligent CVT, which adjusts the torque and output power of the motor under different conditions to create a smoother driving experience.
Managing Director, Brian McGee is a strong advocate of greener motoring and drives an electric Tesla. He spoke about how the company is thrilled to be able to work with LDV as they have filled a major gap in the LCV all-electric market:
“For McGee, introducing the EV80 all-electric van is the next step in our continued commitment to investing in our fleet and reducing our environmental footprint. The construction industry can play a significant role in improving air quality in London through the introduction of electric or hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions, and we are pleased to be leading the way with this initiative. The new vehicle will be operating across Westminster and the City of London from the end of April as we continue to exceed the high standards our clients expect.”
Mark Barrett, general manager LDV UK & Ireland said; “It’s great to see companies like McGee pave the way in their industry to a greener future. More and more fleet buyers and van drivers are moving from fuel-dependent engines to hybrids and pure-electric models. It’s not just a positive decision that affects their business and green credentials, it’s about the wider picture – the future of the planet.”
Currently, LDV is one of very few Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in the UK that can arrange immediate delivery of a large size EV van, EV panel van, minibus, chassis cab and crew variant, regardless of order number.
The EV80 is part of the Go Ultra Low grant scheme, a government initiative to encourage drivers to switch to low emissions vehicles. Business owners can take advantage of an £8,000 grant towards a brand-new EV80 van or Chassis cab variant and nullify hefty congestion charges, road fund licence, and carbon emissions.
For more information on LDV’s electric vehicles visit www.myldv.co.uk.