The fleet will initially comprise of 50 I-PACEs, with the option to add a further 150 cars in the next 12 months.
They will support up to 1,000 electric vehicle journeys to and from Heathrow each day – saving over eight tonnes of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions each year.
To support the service, WeKnowGroup will be installing a dedicated charging hub at Heathrow, which will be the largest in the UK.
The all-electric I-PACE, designed by Jaguar Land Rover in the UK, carries a 90kWh lithium-ion battery and capable of a range of 298 miles.
Heathrow executive director, Emma Gilthorpe, said: “We are thrilled to be working with two British companies on this landmark initiative to support more sustainable transportation choices for our passengers.
“We will not compromise on our commitments to the environment and our local community and we remain focussed on addressing the impact road vehicles have on air quality on the roads around the airport.
“These I-PACEs are the latest in a long line of initiatives we are taking to ensure that we do not force a choice between the economy and the environment – and that we can deliver benefits for both.”
Heathrow already has one of the largest corporate electric vehicle fleets in the UK, with the highest density of charging infrastructure in Europe, and is taking further action to promote the take-up of electric vehicles in and around the airport.
This includes a year-on-year increase in more electric vehicle charging points through a £5 million investment, the trial of electric buses for airside passengers and plans for an ultra-low emission zone airside.
WeKnowGroup chief executive, Peter Buchanan, said: “This is a significant step change in our successful, decades-long relationship with Heathrow where we operate arrivals desks in all terminals, to assist thousands of travellers every year.
“We provide transport as well as a broad range of other services including entertainment, hotel rooms, tours, attractions and telecoms products.
“Today’s agreement also extends our deep, long-standing relationship with Jaguar which has allowed us to proudly claim that we run the largest chauffeured executive Jaguar fleet in the UK.“
Jaguar Land Rover UK managing director Jeremy Hicks added: “What we have created in the Jaguar I-PACE is utterly revolutionary; a desirable, luxurious and state-of-the-art electric vehicle that’s practical for genuine everyday use, including the tough life of an airport luxury chauffeur car.
“We have had huge interest and positivity from our customers worldwide. We’re also delighted that this endorsement extends to some of the biggest corporations on the planet.
“Through our partnership with Waymo (formerly Google self-driving car project) and this latest deal with Heathrow and WeKnowGroup, we’re excited to be bringing the electric future to more people than ever before.”
A TravelWeekly release || May 09, 2018 |||
