Citroen has announced a three-year partnership with Big Issue Group (BIG) – one of the UK’s biggest social enterprises. The deal will see the Big Issue Group adopt a fleet of all-electric Citroen e-Berlingo Vans and e-Dispatch vans to support the distribution of The Big Issue magazine across the UK.

A total of 16 fully electric Citroën vans will join the BIG fleet and help distribute more than two million magazines to 3,300 vendors annually. The organisation’s current fleet covers more than 350,000 miles across the UK in a typical year.

The vans will initially be used in towns and cities including Bournemouth, Bristol, Bath, Norwich and Newcastle, with more vans to be added to the fleet over the next three years. The partnership comes as many cities across the UK introduce low-emission zones, making the use of fully electric vans even more beneficial for all types of fleets and businesses.

Citroen e-Berlingo Van offers load volumes up to 4.4 cubic metres and payloads up to 803kg. With a 50kWh battery and a 136hp electric motor, it has a WLTP range of up to 171 miles. The larger e-Dispatch offers up to 205 miles of range and provides operators with a payload of up to 1,004kg. Both models support up to 100kW rapid DC charging, with a 0-80% charge taking around 30 minutes.

Big Issue Group is a social enterprise that aims to benefit the individuals, communities and organisations it works with. The Group consists of several different entities, including Big Issue Media, which publishes The Big Issue magazine – an award-winning weekly entertainment and current affairs magazine that supports homeless and vulnerably housed people across the UK. Vendors buy the magazines for £1.50 each and sell them to the public for £3, keeping the difference. In this way, the magazine provides individuals with the means to earn a legitimate income. 

A total of 16 fully electric Citroën vans will join the BIG fleet and help distribute more than two million magazines to 3,300 vendors annually