Cognac maker Jas Hennessy & Co, which is headquartered in Cognac, France, has taken delivery from Renault of 45 electric vehicles (23 ZOEs and 22 Kangoo Z.E.s).

“For many years now, Jas Hennessy & Co has been actively working to reduce its environmental impact. Conscious of its need to set an example, the company made a commitment to follow a rigorous environmental program, which complements its actions and those of its employees on a daily basis,” Marc Sorin, operations manager for Jas Hennessy & Co. “This approach was recognized more than 20 years ago when Hennessy & Co was granted ISO 14001 certification, which enabled it to become the first certified wines and spirits business. More recently, the company invested in a solar-powered electric boat, allowing our visitors to cross the Charente to reach our ageing cellars.”

Intended for workers traveling between the company’s sites, these electric vehicles refresh 80 percent of a fleet that until now was entirely composed of internal combustion-engined vehicles.

One hundred Jas Hennessy & Co employees underwent both theoretical and practical training, organized by Renault’s Cognac dealership, in order to familiarize them with these new electric vehicles.

Around 75 charging points have been installed at each of the firm’s major sites.

“We are delighted to be partnering Hennessy in its drive to reduce its carbon footprint. For Renault, electric vehicles are one of the answers to the environmental challenges we face, since they tick the reduced CO₂ emissions box. Increasing numbers of businesses are now incorporating electric vehicles within their fleets so as to take advantage of their numerous benefits, including those they have for staff (automatic transmission, no noise, etc.),” said Benoît Alleaume, director of Renault Special Sales.