ITV rolls out eco-friendly news gathering vehicles

ITV is replacing its news gathering vehicles with a ‘world-class’ fleet of eco-friendly, plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The battery-powered vehicles, which will cover live breaking regional and national news across the UK, are being built and supplied by NEP Connect as part of a five-year, multi-million-pound deal with ITV News.

14 of the 16 vehicles in the fleet are plug-in hybrids, providing up to 35 miles of zero-emission driving, using a 13.6 kWh battery that can be charged with mains electricity.

Each vehicle has two external plug-in charging points to support the vehicle’s zero-emission driving and to charge the onboard battery power system.

Each vehicle is equipped with 3, 4 and 5G bonded mobile broadband, wifi, and satellite internet systems ensuring high bandwidth connectivity at any location.  

All broadcasting systems in the vehicles are fully automated and can be operated by an individual multi-skilled crew member if necessary, enabling ITV to limit crew numbers, especially as the pandemic continues.

The fleet will be among the largest of its kind covering breaking news in the world.

David Meynell, managing director, NEP Connect, said: “We are thrilled to have secured this significant multi-million, multi-year contract with ITV and to continue our great relationship with them, which goes back many years. We are also proud of the final design and the exceptional environmental credentials of this new fleet. We have some fabulous innovative and forward-thinking engineers and that has allowed us to design and agree upon these impressive, highly specified, and environmentally friendly fleet of hybrid vehicles.  

“In addition, we have agreed that where there is an option of electric or hybrid plug-in vehicles and power for any future projects, we will pursue that option and continue our journey to net zero. We are confident this is the greenest, most eco-friendly fleet in the world for breaking news and we’re really excited to embark in this latest chapter with the exceptional teams at ITV and ITN.”

Paul Stevenson, director of technology and technical operations, ITV News, adds: “ITV is looking forward to its continued established relationship with NEP in providing a renewed fleet of production live vehicles to serve our regional and national news services. It uses some exciting new technology, and presented live production continues to be a cornerstone of our news service.”

Jon Roberts, ITN director of technology, production and innovation, said: “ITN has been pleased to work closely with ITV and NEP in the design of this next generation of our live production fleet. A reliable, easily deployable and well-integrated field presentation solution is a critical capability across our business, and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with NEP to deliver on that.”