British Gas has placed what it claims is the UK’s largest commercial order of electric vehicles (EVs) and has brought forward the date for electrifying its fleet.
Ahead of its preliminary financial results later this week, the company today (22 February) revealed it has ordered 2,000 new all-electric Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans and will now aim to have a fully electric fleet by 2025, five years earlier than previously planned.
Parent company Centrica, which previously ordered 1,000 of the same vehicles last summer, said it will be making further orders with Vauxhall as soon as they are available.
All 3,000 EVs will be on the road by next year. While engineers can volunteer to have the new vans during the rollout, the company is prioritising high pollution areas to help lower emissions.
Centrica has also committed to electrify its 1,500 company cars within the same timeframe.
Chris O’Shea, Centrica chief executive, said: “Everyone needs to act now to lower carbon emissions and help the UK reach net zero. We are leading from the front by not only lowering emissions for our customers and our communities, but by lowering our own emissions, and by increasing the speed at which we do this. Fully electrifying our fleet will make a big difference.
“At the same time, we are helping our customers make the switch to electric and working with motor manufacturers such as Vauxhall on services and solutions for their EV customers such as charge points, infrastructure and innovative EV tariffs with cheaper charging at night and free EV miles.”
Paul Willcox, managing director of Vauxhall Motors, said: “As with all businesses up and down the country, tradespeople rely on their van as an essential tool of their work and our 300-strong retailer network is crucial in continuing to provide support to carry British business.
“The strength of the quantity of orders for our all-electric van demonstrates that the Vauxhall Vivaro-e can contribute towards the transition towards low emissions vehicles whilst improving air quality.”