It’s a little known fact, Hailsham has its own electric vehicle builder which has an aim of helping the country to become carbon neutral.
Nestled in a small industrial unit in Lower Dicker, the JLC Group relocated from its large premises in Manor Royal, Crawley to the site near Hailsham, getting away from the ‘claustrophobic’ atmosphere to enjoy a more rural life, whilst building a range of electric vehicles for a manner of uses and industries.
JLC Group is a multi-disciplined UK engineering company designing, installing and maintaining specialist systems and hardware, ranging from blast-enhanced automated security systems and access control systems, to aviation ground power.
One of the company’s current range of vehicles include a unique looking van called the ‘Orca’. It has a load capacity of up to 1000kg and can be adapted for city couriers, airports, seaports, local authorities, distribution centres or warehouses. The vehicles are assembled on-site, providing jobs and experience to young apprentices from local colleges.
To prove the versatility of the Orca is the team from JLC who recently completed the London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally and in fact crossed the line first. They started on the banks of the River Thames and finished on Brighton Beach. With a maximum range of 125 miles to a full charge, the Orca completed the challenge with ease.
Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, recently visited the company to learn more about its products. She commented: “I was pleased to learn more about the fantastic innovative work JLC Group are doing to make essential transport at commercial hubs emission-free whilst providing vital experience and jobs for young Wealden engineers. Looking after our environment is one my top priorities in Wealden and nationwide.’
She added: “It is vital that we work towards making our transport means cleaner and greener and I am proud that Wealden-based companies are leading the initiative. Earlier this year, I supported the Zero Carbon Tour of the UK’s first fully electric coach launched by a Wadhurst-born company, and I look forward to working with JLC on making transport at our key infrastructure hubs such as airports and seaports greener.”
Tony Hayes, Managing Director of JLC Group Ltd said: “We were delighted to host Nusrat Ghani at our headquarters recently, where we demonstrated to her the vast range of products and services that we can offer, not just to Wealden businesses, but nationwide. Our recent recruitment drive included the employment of apprentices from the local area, and we are working with the local College to upskill and create future employment opportunities internally following a rigorous training package. Ongoing works with local airports and travel infrastructure continues for our service customers, and we are keen to assist Nusrat moving forwards to
support local businesses working towards a net-zero future.”
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