Toyota Auris Hybrid Drives Into EvoEnergy Pool
Toyota Auris Hybrid hatchbacks are expected to shine in their latest fleet role, as pool cars for field staff employed by nationwide solar-power specialist EvoEnergy. Seven of the British built T4 models emitting just 89g/km of CO2 have already been delivered, with another five expected to follow.
EvoEnergy, which designs, supplies and installs solar PV systems for domestic, commercial and public-sector customers, was launched just over four years ago, but the vehicles currently used by its staff have until now been obtained on a specific-needs basis. The Toyota Auris Hybrids will be used mainly by the company’s sale staff and by project managers making site visits.
“Our aim is to facilitate everyone to benefit from green solar energy and, in line with that objective, we are trying to limit our environmental impact across our business, especially when we go out on the road,” says EvoEnergy’s CEO, Dr Kevin Hard. “We decided that the Auris Hybrid would provide us with the best mix of size, comfort and efficiency.”
EvoEnergy’s decision is also supporting local manufacture. The company’s head office is located at Attenborough in Nottinghamshire, and the five-door, five-seat hatchbacks are built at Toyota’s Burnaston plant, less than 18 miles away. Arrangements were made for EvoEnergy to collect the cars from the manufacturing plant and meet with Deputy Managing Director, Tony Walker. The Auris is the first Toyota hybrid to be made in Europe and the vehicles are being supplied through Trevor Bailey Fleet Sales Manager at Inchcape Toyota Derby, one of 100 Toyota Business Centres around the UK.
Five of the initial batch of signwritten cars will be used from EvoEnergy’s head office, with the others based in Bristol and Halifax. The company also has regional offices in Cornwall and London. The vehicles are expected to average 30,000 miles annually over their three-year contract-hire period. Funding is through Toyota Financial Services and Fleet Hire.
The Auris Hybrid is the only petrol-electric full hybrid car in its class. With CO2 emissions on EvoEnergy’s chosen models of only 89g/km, there is no road tax to pay, and the official combined-circuit fuel consumption figure is more than 74mpg. The model has a low group 13E insurance rating, a car tax benefit-in-kind rating of 10 per cent, and qualifies for a 100per cent corporation tax write-down in the first year.
Standard features include single-zone climate control air-conditioning, continuously variable transmission, LED running and rear lights, USB/Aux in-connection, ECO Drive monitor and push-button start.
ENDS
