SPIE UK begins fleet EV switch with 60 Nissan e-NV200s

SPIE UK has started to transition its fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) with the rollout of 60 new Nissan e-NV200 vans.

The company expects 98% of its fleet to be powered by alternative fuels by 2025, as part of a commitment across its business to reduce its impact on the environment.

The first vehicles to hit the road under SPIE's future fleet strategy are 60 Nissan e-NV200 vans, supplied by the company's long-term leasing provider ALD. SPIE says it chose the e-NV200 because it aligned with its operational requirements.

The vehicles are powered by a 40kWh battery, providing an operational range of 187 miles together with a maximum cargo capacity of more than 700kg.

Keith Atkins, head of fleet at SPIE UK, said: “The introduction of these electric vehicles is the latest step in the SPIE UK future fleet strategy and is another step that SPIE UK is taking in its transition to meet its climate goals. Throughout the process, we have ensured that not only will the rollout of alternative fuel vehicles work for our business but also our employees. Working with them to understand how we can make this change a sustainable part of their lives, as well as being a sustainable change for the planet, was incredibly important to us. We believe that the steps that we have put in place will ensure that SPIE UK will successfully play its part in a low carbon future, and we look forward to working with our partners to achieve this.”

As part of its future fleet strategy, SPIE UK launched a mobility survey to understand the specific needs of its workforce and how the vehicles would be used. With the vehicles being parked at employee’s homes, charging and renumerating employees for the associated costs was identified as a key issue. In line with this, SPIE UK has partnered with Shell Fleet Solutions and NewMotion – a member of the Shell Group - to install a home charging solution for users of the new vehicles.

As part of the solution, the smart charge points will monitor the amount of electricity being used to charge the electric vehicles (EVs). SPIE employees will be reimbursed accordingly for the costs of the EV charging.

SPIE employees can also charge on-the-go with the Shell Card, providing access to almost 8000 charge points across the UK.

Tim Laver, managing director of ALD Automotive, added: “As we edge ever closer to the Government’s 2030 deadline, which will end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, fleets need to consider how they will transition away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles over the next two or three renewal cycles.

“ALD Automotive has been SPIE’s fleet partner since 2014, and during this time we have worked with their team to begin decarbonising their fleet, taking it from 100% ICE vehicles, to a mix of ICE and plug-in hybrids. As SPIE embarks on its new fleet strategy, we’re committed to helping them transition to a zero-emission fleet and excited to support them on this journey.”

Andrea Patti, head of corporate sales UK at Nissan, said: “We are really proud of our partnership with SPIE and wholeheartedly support their efforts to decarbonise. They are, of course, doing incredibly important work to encourage and assist others to follow suit."