Sometimes I read of big deals that put the size of our market in Ireland in perspective. One such deal happened recently when a London-based private hire company invested Stg.£30 million in a 600-strong fleet of hybrid Volkswagen Multivans (people carriers ).
Greater London based, where the population exceeds that of the total island of Ireland, these purchases will replace the last of its existing fleet of diesel people carriers.
The fleet operator in question, Addison Lee, is aiming to have its passenger fleet capable of zero emission by next spring.
This fleet already has more than 1,000 all-electric VW ID.4 cars on its fleet, and it says that it remains committed to the long-term goal of full electrification.
However, it is interesting that both the lack of right infrastructure and proper regulation are casting a shadow over its ambition. so inn addition to investing significantly in sustainable vehicles, Addison Lee is also investing in EV infrastructure in London, to guarantee access to reliable charging options. This includes an investment of over £150,000, installing ultra-rapid charging points at its main fleet hub.
