Driving change for good – for Big Issue vendors, staff and the planet

Big Issue Group has announced this week that we’re going greener thanks to our exciting new three-year partnership deal with Citroën, which will see us update our delivery vans with new all-electric vehicles.

Our first EV to join our 16-strong fleet is our bright, bold Citroën ë-Berlingo Van, which is now on the road in South West England.

It’s perfect for Hattie Greenyer and the team based in our offices in Bristol and Bath. Frontline staff there cover a big area, from Somerset, through Wiltshire and across to Swindon. And they need to be able to regularly catch up with vendors in more remote locations, as well as niftily hitting the busiest city pitches to make sure everyone has plenty of stock to sell.

Big Issue frontline teams across Britain cover 350,000 miles annually, transporting more than two million magazines to 3,300 vendors in a year all across Britain – from Ullapool through Newcastle, to Lowestoft, London and Birmingham, and over to Penzance and Fishguard.

And we will gradually be introducing Citroën’s range of cleaner, efficient and cheaper to run EVs.

With zero tailpipe emissions, our new EV fleet will be exempt from most congestion and low-emission zone charges, which are rapidly being introduced across the UK. So our staff can zip through busy urban centres without worrying about extra costs.

It also means Big Issue Group can be confident that we are actively tackling our carbon emissions, while satnav makes it simpler and more streamlined to take the quickest routes avoiding hold-ups, meaning we can reach more vendors, more smoothly.

The generous and versatile loadspace volume of the ë-Berlingo Van range – up to 4.4m3 in XL length – offers plenty of room for magazines. And its rapid charge capability can reach up to 80 per cent battery capacity within 30 minutes* at rapid power charge stations.

We will soon be adding a Citroën ë-Dispatch to our fleet, designed for companies that need to make longer runs or numerous deliveries in urban areas. It is also equipped for rapid charging, with a combined driving range of up to 196 miles – truly giving power to the people!

It maximises versatility and adaptability, with Moduwork® features to create longer storage space, and a Cab Crew version for choosing between transporting people and loading. It is available in 1.9m and 1.94m heights, making car park access easier, and is fitted with 16 driving assistance systems, making it safer and easier for our staff to drive.

Meanwhile, the ë-Relay has an even longer range of up to 154 miles, and is available in three lengths allowing a maximum loading height of 1.93m, and has the capability to carry up to 1100kg.

You can find out more about the Citroën EV van range at: business.citroen.co.uk

And, while Citroën’s all-electric vans are making deliveries cleaner, greener and cheaper, at the opposite end of their range is the Ami, an innovative vehicle for short, city trips.

An affordable urban mobility solution, priced from £7,695 on the road (including VAT) – or a super-affordable £19.99 per month – the Ami is ensuring electric vehicles are accessible to all, whatever the budget.

It is a small but powerful choice in the fight against climate change. Citroën has built concern for the environment in to the Ami’s DNA: every inch of it is 100 per cent recyclable, while the battery is 85 per cent recoverable.

Ami is an alternative to urban public transport. Made for inner city travel, it is safe and cost-effective, featuring a top speed of 28 mph and a healthy range of 46 miles.

Ami is ideal for nipping around town thanks to its ultra-compact size at just 2.41m in length, with a super-tight turning circle of 7.2m. It benefits from Citroën’s clever design touches throughout, with storage areas tucked away for a surprising amount of space.

Drivers have plenty of fun and easy options for adding a bit of pop to their Ami, with colour packs in orange, blue or grey, and two additional special edition models – the Pop and Vibe – for extra style points!

Search Citroën Ami to find out more.

*Between 15-80% of the vehicle’s charge in 30 mins from a 100kW charger