SUPERMARKET chain Sainsbury’s is putting more environmentally-friendly vans – designed and built in the North-East – on the streets of London.

Sainsbury’s now has the largest fleet of new technology electric delivery vans in Britain after its latest order for 50 vans from Smith Electric Vehicles, part of the Washington-based Tanfield Group.

Sainsbury’s Online uses the Smith Edison vans for home shopping delivery in London and has worked with Smith Electric Vehicles since 2006.

Jat Sahota, Sainsbury’s head of corporate responsibility, said: “Showing respect for the environment is one of our key values, which is why we have just placed an order for 50 brand new electric vans.

“This will allow us to deliver to the majority of our customers in central London in an environmentally responsible way.

“We believe this to be the largest order of its kind by a UK retailer. We are committed to using electric vehicles wherever possible, so customers can expect to see more and more of our ‘little green vans’ appearing on roads across the UK over the coming months and years.”

Sainsbury’s Online is among seven companies working with London Mayor Boris Johnson to encourage wider takeup of commercial electric vehicles in the Greater London Authority (GLA).

Councillor Johnson plans to make London the electric vehicle capital of Europe by pledging to deliver 25,000 charging points to form an integrated network across London by 2015; add 1,000 electric vehicles to the GLA fleet; and guarantee to retain the congestion charge exemption for electric vehicles.