Mitie has achieved its target of converting 30% of its fleet to electric vehicles – three months ahead of its original March 2022 schedule.
The facilities management giant had more than 2,000 EVs on its fleet as of the end of 2021 – believed to be the UK’s largest fleet of electric vehicles – and has now increased its target to have 35% of its fleet electric by the end of Q1. Its Plan Zero commitment to eliminate carbon emissions from its power and transport also pledges to switch the rest of its vehicles to zero emission by 2025.
Mitie’s existing fleet includes electric cars, vans and even a gritter; based throughout the UK, from the Scottish highlands and islands down to the Cornish coast. Mitie also has EVs working on its contracts supporting the UK’s Overseas Territories, including Ascension Island. These vehicles save around 10,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
The business has also invested heavily in charging infrastructure, installing thousands of charge points for a broad range of its customers, as well as at employees’ homes. In November 2021, it expanded its EV charging infrastructure capabilities with the acquisition of Rock Power Connections, which will enable Mitie to deliver new high voltage electricity connections and the renewal of electrical assets up to 132kV, supporting the installation of rapid EV charge points.
Alongside the switch to EVs, the Mitie Fleet Team has put a series of measures in place to reduce the emissions of its existing petrol and diesel vehicles, such as a telematics driver behaviour system that has reduced diesel consumption by 75,000 litres and saved 19.5 tonnes of CO2 in just one year.
Mitie also continues to use its significant experience in large-scale EV rollout to support more businesses in transitioning to zero-emission fleets. Its EV transition service helps customers design and manage every aspect of their own switch to electric.
Peter Dickinson, chief of staff, Mitie, said: “Switching 30% of our fleet to electric by the end of March 2022 was already an ambitious target, so to have hit this milestone three months ahead of schedule is an incredible achievement and testament to the hard work of the Mitie Fleet Team. Pushing ourselves to go further, faster, while bringing others along with us on our journey to net zero, is a hallmark of our Plan Zero commitment.
“By creating the UK’s largest fleet of electric vehicles in just three years, we’re dedicated to sharing our first-hand expertise and learnings with our customers to help decarbonise Britain.”
