Electric fleet: Latest from E.On, Select Car Leasing, Fastned, Veolia, Hive, Liquid Fleet, Hypervolt, ChargePlace Scotland and Zapmap

E.On offers Select Car Leasing EV customers ‘free’ charging  

E.On Next and Select Car Leasing have announced a new partnership to offer customers free electric vehicle (EV) charging miles in the form of a £134 energy credit. 

By charging from 12am to 7am, during E.On Next Drive’s low off-peak electricity rate of 6.7p per kilowatt hour (kWh), the £134 credit could equate to 8,000 miles.
 
Julian Lennertz, chief commercial officer at E.On Next, said: “We’re working with Select Car Leasing to offer our customers another way to save money on their energy bills. 

“We want to make new energy work for everyone living in the UK as part of our transition to clean power, and to be a playmaker in this space. 

“By making electric driving more affordable we’re giving customers another great reason to make the switch from petrol or diesel.”

Mark Tongue, CEO and co-founder at Select Car Leasing, added: “EVs come with enormous benefits, helping motorists to radically reduce their fuel bills while also making a positive impact on the environment in comparison to petrol or diesel. 

“Yet, we know that convincing drivers to make the switch to EVs poses certain challenges, particularly when it comes to things like home charging and choosing the best energy supplier.

“Our fantastic new partnership with E.On Next cuts through those complications and allows consumers to choose an EV with confidence while also taking advantage of generous cost savings.”

ChargePlace Scotland integrates with Zap-Pay 

ChargePlace Scotland, Scotland’s national EV charging network, has partnered with Zapmap as a payment partner.

Zapmap app users can now use Zap-Pay, its in-app payment solution, to pay for charging across more than 2,800 charge points throughout Scotland, in addition to the tens of thousands of locations already integrated into the payment solution.

The network is managed by Evolt Charging, formerly known as Swarco Smart Charging, and encompasses charge points located from Shetland to the Scottish Borders, with new charge points installed regularly. 

Individual charge points within the network are owned by various entities, including local authorities, public bodies, charities, and private businesses that have received grants to install them. 

ChargePlace Scotland also shares a live data partnership with Zapmap, meaning that users of the Zapmap app and web map can see live status updates on its charge points. 

Chris Waldron, from Transport Scotland, said: “ChargePlace Scotland has played a significant role in the transition to zero emission vehicles over the last decade. 

“A roaming partnership with Zapmap will help us to continue on that journey towards a transport system that is sustainable, inclusive and accessible.”

Matt Lloyd, head of CPO networks at Zapmap, added: “Integrating ChargePlace Scotland’s network into Zap-Pay is a great result for both current and future EV drivers, enabling quick and easy charging throughout the country.”

Multi-million-pound investment strengthens Northern Ireland’s EV charging network

Fastned opened a new 400kW charging hub in Banbridge, in Northern Ireland, in February, complete with 12 charging bays.

A second charging hub in Antrim is being opened this month (March) with a similar offering. 

Fastned has invested more than £3 million in the purchase and development of the Banbridge and Antrim charging hubs, identifying Northern Ireland as a key growth area due to increasing demand from EV drivers. 

Currently ultra-rapid charging accounts for just 4.5% of the region’s network which totals only 687 chargers. 

Tom Hurst, UK and Ireland country director at Fastned, said: “Northern Ireland is in desperate need of reliable ultra-rapid charging infrastructure, that’s why we’re proud and excited to be opening our biggest and best charging hub in the UK, in Banbridge. 

“This hub is not only a game-changer for Northern Ireland’s EV drivers, but it marks our first step into the country. 

“We’re excited to see what’s next and to work with others to improve availability of charging infrastructure in the country.”

Liquid Fleet announces new Hypervolt EV charging partnership 

Liquid Fleet has announced a partnership with Hypervolt to support the growing needs of its customers on their electrification journey.

Hypervolt will offer a range of home charging solutions to Liquid Fleet’s customers that extend beyond a wall-mounted charger to include a range of solar panel and home storage battery options. Once installed all charging solutions can be managed by drivers via a dedicated Hypervolt app.

Currently, around 10% of Liquid Fleet’s 2,500-strong fleet are electric.

“At Liquid Fleet, we’re committed to making the EV transition as seamless as possible for our customers,” said Ismael Aumeerally, Liquid Fleet’s managing director.

“Hypervolt will use its extensive EV charging experience to support our customers to make their move to EVs as simple and straightforward as possible.”

David Woodford, Hypervolt’s head of partnerships, added: “Every EV on the road is one step closer to net-zero, so we’re delighted to partner with the Liquid Fleet team to offer a comprehensive EV solution to their customers.” 

Zapmap and Hive launch strategic partnership with free charging credit

Zapmap and Hive have launched their partnership in an effort to make at-home and on-the-road charging more accessible and affordable for drivers across the UK.

From March 20, 2025, new Hive EV customers will get a £20 credit to spend on public charging when they pay through Zapmap.

EV drivers will be able to charge at thousands of qualifying charge points across the UK using Zapmap’s payment service, paying either digitally on the app, or using a Hive Charging Card.

Longer-term, the partnership is set to explore bringing together the Hive app and Zapmap’s digital platform to offer further exciting customer benefits, including targeted end-to-end solutions for Hive customers to conveniently track their at-home and public charging within the Hive app, have multiple ways to pay for public charging, whether through the Hive app, charging cards or even via their household energy bills.

Susan Wells, director of EV at Hive, said: “Through our partnership, we’re exploring how we can bring together the Hive app and Zapmap’s digital platform to offer further exciting customer benefits. Helping drivers charge easily and save money, whilst contributing to a greener, fairer future.”

Veolia electrifies operations with new zero-emission forklifts 

Veolia Southwark has invested in four new lithium-ion battery powered forklifts used to transport compacted bales of waste from the materials recovery facility (MRF) floor into shipping containers to be transported and recycled. 

The new vehicles are fitted with a sonar mechanism which calculates their reverse trajectory, scans surroundings, and automatically slows the vehicle when obstacles are detected, making them safer to operate than previous models. 

Matthew Crane, regional manager at Veolia Southwark, said: “Our investment in four lithium-ion clamp trucks marks a significant milestone in Veolia Southwark’s journey towards ecological transformation. 

“After years of trialling different solutions, we’ve found the perfect balance between sustainability and operational efficiency. 

“These vehicles not only address the unique challenges of our MRF environment but also align with the carbon-neutrality goals we are working towards in partnership with Southwark Council.”