Winchester Cathedral has invested in its first all-electric truck as part of a drive to reduce its carbon footprint and to improve sustainability.
A generous grant from the Friends of Winchester Cathedral has funded the investment in an Alke ATX320E truck. Fully battery-powered, the ATX320E is a lightweight, compact vehicle that is capable both on and off road with a versatile flatbed design, which has already proved its worth amongst the Cathedral Works Department.
As well as being used by the Gardeners to carry out vital work to maintain the Cathedral estate, the truck has also been used by the Carpenters to complete fencing repairs offsite and the Stonemasons who have collected supplies locally.
Designed to be used in the hardest and most demanding conditions, Alke’ electric vehicles combine silence and zero pollution to a real working capacity. Powered by renewable energy, the 900 year-old Cathedral’s new truck provides a range of 46 miles on a single charge, with no emissions or air pollution.
Patrick Green, Head Gardener at Winchester Cathedral said: “Wow, in such a short space of time, what a difference our new electric truck has made to the working lives of everyone in the Cathedral Works Department. It is quiet, clean and very energy efficient, and we are extremely grateful to the Friends of Winchester Cathedral for their support in procuring this vehicle, which will play its part in reducing the Cathedral’s carbon footprint for many years to come.”
The Chairman of the Friends, Bruce Parker, says they’re delighted to have been able to contribute to this project. “I know many of our environmentally-aware members will be particularly pleased with the eco-benefits of the truck’s design.”
In 2019, Winchester Cathedral achieved a Silver Eco Church Award for taking steps in encouraging an environmentally friendly approach in its ministry and operations, as a place of worship and as a key tourist destination.
