Speedy is deploying a further 150 new electric vans on its fleet under an £8.25m investment.
The investment forms part of the firm’s target for more than half of its 1,100 strong commercial fleet to be electric or hybrid by 2025, and a fully low-carbon fleet by 2030.
The national construction equipment hire and services provider already runs a number of electric vehicles, including Maxus eDeliver 3 eLCVs, and is ramping up deployment in line with its roadmap to become a net-zero business and its work to help contractors reduce their supply chain emissions.
It’s ordered 100 x 4.25-tonne single-chassis cab Ford E-Transit models and 50 x 3.5 tonne E-Transit vans, which will be distributed across its UK-wide network to replace internal combustion engine-powered (ICE) vehicles within the fleet. The move will cut up to 1,280 tonnes of CO2e per year from its commercial fleet emissions; equivalent to that absorbed by 7,700 trees per year.
Chris Dempsey, managing director – operational support at Speedy, said: “Transforming our fleet with low- and zero-carbon models is crucial to leading the hire industry’s journey towards decarbonisation and aligns with our strategy of decarbonising our property network and expanding our low-emission Eco tools and equipment range.
“Our strategy supports our customer’s sustainability objectives as they strive to deliver projects with minimal environmental impact, of which site deliveries play a vital role. This significant investment in new electric vehicles demonstrates our commitment in helping our customers achieve these aims.”
The new electric Fords will come on stream from October, building on Ford’s longstanding preferred vehicle supplier partnership with Speedy.
Adam Harkin, Ford of Britain & Ireland head of national fleet accounts, said: “We are delighted to continue that partnership as the company accelerates its move to a zero-carbon future and transitions to electric alternatives for its fleet. As Speedy invests in electric vehicles, Ford looks forward to working together to find further opportunities to maximise the productivity and sustainability of its delivery fleet through our integrated Ford Pro solutions.”
Speedy has already electrified its company car choice list; 100% of models available to colleagues are now ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) and four in five of its company cars will be ULEVs by the end of the year based on its current orders. It’s also rolling out electric vehicle charging points across its 200-strong network of service centres for colleague and customer use.
Its sustainability roadmap has also saw the business introduce a fully electric powered access delivery truck into its fleet in December 2021 and it’s been fuelling its HGVs and tankers with low carbon hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) since last summer to reduce emissions.
