Newcastle University has boosted its fleet by acquiring two Goupil G4s from utility vehicle supplier and manufacturer, Bradshaw Electric Vehicles.
The University’s ground maintenance teams has taken the all-electric vehicles which will help them manage and maintain the campus’ green spaces throughout the calendar year.
In order to facilitate this, both vehicles have been customised with a cage tipper attachment.
The Goupil G4 has an operational range of up to 101 miles, a 1200kg payload and a maximum speed of 31mph.
It features a cabin with both left and right hand drive options.
Newcastle University is aiming to reach Net Zero by 2030, and the decision to purchase the Goupil G4s has come at a time where the institution is accelerating its sustainability pledges.
Having previously used another van to embark on its ground maintenance work – which did not comply with the city’s recently introduced Low Emission Zone – the need to find a compliant solution to avoid costly charges was also a key in the decision-making process for the University.
Tom Vasey, Grounds Manager at Newcastle University said, “While we trialled a number of different vehicle options, once we came across Bradshaw’s Goupil range we felt that it ticked several boxes and more.
“Its compact size and low speed meant that our groundskeepers could seamlessly navigate through the pedestrianised areas of the campus without endangering pedestrians and its aesthetic was unanimously preferred by our team members.
“As the University has ambitious aims of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, we also wanted to find a solution that helped contribute towards this all-important goal through procuring a vehicle which was emission free.”
