A.W. Lymn Helps Nottingham ‘Go Green’ with New Electric Private Ambulances
To meet the growing demand for ‘green’ funerals, we have purchased two state-of-the-art electric private ambulances.
We have invested in the new vehicles in line with new data we have collected which shows that nearly three quarters of those surveyed in Nottingham say a sustainable funeral is important to them.
The Mercedes-Benz eVito ambulances are the first electric vehicles we have added to our fleet since we were established in 1907, as we look to provide more choice for those wanting a climate-conscious send-off for loved ones.
We first looked to introduce electric vehicles into our fleet when we took part in Nottingham City Council’s Electric Van Experience (EVE) in June 2021, a 30-day free trial designed to allow businesses to try-before-you-buy. The electric van was predominantly use for the stonemasons and ground maintenance.
Now, having enjoyed the experience, we have purchased two electric ambulances to support our 27 funeral homes throughout Nottinghamshire and South Derbyshire.
Pete Clarson, Commercial Director, said: “The way people choose to say goodbye is changing and eco-funerals are certainly growing in popularity, something we have witnessed first-hand as enquiries have increased in recent years. A lot of people are passionate about reducing their carbon footprint in life, so why should this stop when it comes to the impact they’ll leave on the planet after they have passed? We’re keen to do all we can to help people arrange funerals which have as small an impact as possible on the planet.”
In a recent survey conducted by us in Nottingham city centre to better understand the needs of the families they support, 72% of those asked felt that a sustainable funeral was important to them.
Pete added: “It’s all about offering choice, and at A.W. Lymn we pride ourselves on our commitment to doing all we can to meet each request during the funeral planning process. From natural and woodland burials to chipboard coffins and biodegradable urns, we have evolved our services over the years to ensure everyone has the send-off that meets their preferences.”
Joining our existing Mercedes-Benz Vitos, the bespoke eVito 66KWh L3 ambulances offer room for up to five deceased when doing collections from municipal hospitals, along with the flexibility to accommodate the largest American Caskets and oversized coffins.
With electric vehicles creating up to 3x less carbon dioxide than regular petrol vehicles, the transition to electric in the funeral industry could have a major impact on protecting the environment and reducing the greenhouse gas crisis[1].
Pete continued: “Our fleet plays a crucial role in the service we provide at A.W. Lymn, from our traditional or bespoke hearses to the work vans on site – we use them daily and thereby cover a lot of miles. Introducing our two new zero-emission electric ambulances is a great first step in reducing our carbon footprint.
“We are very excited about this transition and plan to continue to look for ways to introduce green initiatives in the funeral industry, starting with our first electric hearse due to join our fleet in September.”
[1] https://www.transportenvironment.org/discover/how-clean-are-electric-cars/
