Woods Foodservice is now driving electric and cutting business costs with the help of 12 refrigerated Ford E-Transit L4s.
Supplied by Progreen, the sustainable vehicle hire and alternative fuels division of Prohire, the vans support Woods’ mission to become the UK’s leading net zero contributor foodservice company by 2030.
The business is already working to replace its entire Euro 6 fleet with electric vehicles by the end of the 2025 financial year, building on its investment in fully electric company cars.
Its first wave of electric vans, which have been designed and managed through the production process by Progreen, will operate within London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
The vans are equipped with solar panels on the roof, reducing the energy required for charging. Each vehicle offers multi-temperature storage, including chilled, ambient and frozen compartments, enhancing Woods’ delivery capabilities while minimising its environmental impact.
Progreen has fitted Geotab telematics across all 12 vehicles to give real-time insights for efficiency and cost savings. By monitoring vehicle performance and driver behaviour, Woods can optimise operations, reduce costs and track CO2 savings.
Wayne Gregory, operations manager at Woods Foodservice, said: “Since receiving our new bespoke multi-temperature van design, we’ve seen a significant boost in efficiency. Being able to deliver chilled, frozen, ambient and fresh produce, all in one vehicle, has streamlined our operations. The real game-changer, though, is doing it all with electric vans – cutting our diesel fuel usage by 35%.
“The addition of solar panels on the roof has been a great solution to one of our biggest concerns. They help reduce the strain on the batteries when running freezer units, minimising the impact on the van’s range.”
Michelle Miles, head of Progreen, said: “This is the ideal solution for Woods Foodservice and we’re thrilled to support them in their mission to become the UK’s leading net zero contributor foodservice company by 2030.”
