Europcar Mobility Group has introduced its first fully electric airport shuttle bus at Dublin Airport, becoming the first vehicle rental company at the airport to operate an electric service transporting customers between the terminals and its rental facility. The new shuttle is based on the Renault Master E-Tech and offers a claimed driving range of up to 460 kilometres. Europcar estimates this should allow it to complete around 80 return journeys between charges, making electric power particularly well suited to the relatively short and predictable routes covered by an airport shuttle service.
During peak periods, the new electric minibus is expected to complete approximately 24 return journeys each day, carrying an average of ten passengers per trip. It will initially operate alongside Europcar’s existing diesel shuttle fleet, with the company estimating that the introduction of the single electric vehicle could reduce its annual carbon emissions by approximately 18 tonnes.
“This is an important step in demonstrating to our customers our commitment to reducing our emissions,” said Eddie Murphy, Operations Director at Europcar Ireland. “It is also critical to managing our costs. Having seen how well the new EV minibus works at Dublin Airport, we plan to add BEV and PHEV models at other airport locations where we provide a shuttle bus service.”
Supplied by Cedar Motors, the Renault Master E-Tech electric minibus uses the latest generation electric powertrain and battery technology developed for Renault’s Master commercial vehicle range. Its low-floor design has also been configured with accessibility and passenger comfort in mind, important considerations given the combination of passengers and luggage typically carried by an airport shuttle.
Seamus Morgan, Managing Director of Cedar Motors Ltd, said the company was delighted to be involved in the project. “We are extremely proud to introduce the Renault Master E-Tech electric minibus with its innovative design derived from the award-winning Renault Master van. It is an accessible, comfortable and environmentally friendly solution for transporting Europcar customers from the airport terminal to their rental vehicle.”
The introduction forms part of Europcar’s wider efforts to reduce emissions from its own operations while also supporting Ireland’s national climate targets. Ireland is targeting a 51 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared with 2018 levels, ahead of a longer-term ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. For customers arriving at Dublin Airport, the Europcar shuttle operates between the airport terminals and the company’s rental station throughout the day. Customers can visit the Europcar rental desks in the arrivals halls of Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, with shuttle services running approximately every 15 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes between 8pm and midnight.
