National Grid helps develop new 4x4 utility EV

A new fully electric 4x4 utility vehicle is joining our transport fleet after a collaborative project with Skoda and vehicle conversion company Strongs.

The partnership has resulted in Skoda’s road car, the Enyaq, being converted into a light commercial vehicle (LCV) with all-terrain capability.

The Enyaq is an important step in addressing the challenge of having a clean fuel vehicle that can deliver the performance needed by engineering crews working in demanding conditions.

High-strength, low-weight plastic materials have been used to ensure the vehicle combines rigorous safety with maximum driving range. As well as a lightweight bulkhead, the Enyaq has been adapted to provide the stowage needed for specialist equipment used by the electricity distribution network operator’s engineers.

We’ll be taking delivery of 70 Enyaqs initially and each will remove 241g/km of CO2e or 4,820t CO2e per year from NGED’s fleet, the equivalent of planting around 200 trees to offset the CO2 emitted.

Chris Mayell, NGED Transport Manager, said: “We have one of the largest fleets in the UK and this vehicle represents an important milestone in its transformation, as well as our commitment to net zero. Thank you to all those involved in making this happen.

“Working with Strongs, we identified the potential of the Enyaq and started thinking creatively about turning it into a fully electric vehicle that meets operational needs for certain job roles, while reducing emissions in the communities we serve.”

Simon Gregory, Strongs Director, said: “There were no off-the-shelf solutions within the commercial motor trade that could fulfil this demanding and environmentally challenging list of requirements.

“NGED had to look outside their normal route to market to be able to facilitate their operational requirements. The NGED team were outstanding in enabling us to develop type approval on this unique product and we hope it will continue to find new opportunities for easing one of the biggest challenges in the industry.”

Amy Nash, Skoda Area Fleet Manager for the South West and South Wales, said: “Skoda UK were delighted to be offered the opportunity to collaborate on this exciting new venture. Seeing things differently and finding solutions is something we pride ourselves on and working with NGED to provide a 4x4 EV utility vehicle solution, which is tricky to find in the current market, goes to show how challenging the norm can have brilliant results.

“We are really proud of the work all parties have put in to make this a reality and look forward to seeing how these specially prepared vehicles deliver in their new role.”

Strongs worked closely with Skoda and the DVSA to ensure the Enyaqs’ conversion complied with all relevant standards to allow it to be registered as an LCV, an important consideration as passenger cars and LCVs are subject to different taxation rules.

As part of our corporate commitment to reach net zero by 2050, we are moving towards all our vehicles being run on cleaner fuel sources.

Currently we operate more than 300 fully electric commercial vans and 600 electric company cars. Recently an additional 56 electric Nissan Leaf cars joined the NGED fleet.