Electric charge? It’s in the post

The University of Bedfordshire has installed its first post at its campus in Luton town centre. They can be used by students and staff.

There are plans for another two to be installed in the coming months, one at the Church Street car park to the rear of Park Square, along with one at the Bedford campus.

The university has also taken delivery of its first first electric van, a Renault Kangoo ZE. The van, along with a larger model, the ZE Maxi, will be used daily by its facilities and estates department.

University Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said: “This is the right thing to be doing. It’s a great initiative to reduce our carbon footprint but it’s also vital for the university to help us move up the Green League table. Sustainability is one of the factors that potential students consider when choosing a university and it’s positive that we are trying to reduce our carbon emissions.”

Adam Higgin, the university head of environmental sustainability said electricity has considerably less carbon dioxide emissions per mile than a diesel equivalent van.

The vans can drive distances of up to 80 miles on a single charge and they take around four hours to fully recharge. They are capable of motorway speeds, but they have been limited to a maximum of 56mph for fuel efficiency, and to enable extended range on a single charge.