EV laundry service

This story first appeared in the June issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

A new electric laundry vehicle is on the road servicing four Bupa Villages & Aged Care Christchurch care homes.

The laundry team’s LDV-EV80 Cargo van with 200km range (unladen) collects about two tonnes of washing daily from the four homes around the city.

Working seven days, that equals 728 tonnes of washing annually.

The electric vehicle was funded through a $136,675 grant from the Government’s low emission vehicles contestable fund to help Bupa replace three diesel laundry service vehicles, including two in Auckland.

“The vehicle is really easy to drive and is so quiet too,” Bupa laundry services manager Michele Wessing says.

“We just charge it up and we’re on the road.

There’s obviously lots of stops on our laundry run each day, so it’s great to have something sturdy and reliable that doesn’t make much noise or disturb residents.

“I’m proud of the dedication shown by the Christchurch laundry team and the way in which they’ve adapted so quickly to this new technology.”

The new van has a 56kWh battery and is charged on site at the laundry team’s Bupa Cashmere View Care Home, having both AC and DC compatible charging.

Significant savings in fuel, oil, maintenance and more are expected, along with no road user charges.