M&H Carriers expands last-mile electric delivery fleet

M&H Carriers has expanded the reach of its last-mile electric delivery fleet in the Scottish Highlands.

The business has introduced a MAN eTGE van to its fleet, operating from its Fort William satellite depot – joining nine others providing last-mile deliveries in Inverness and Elgin.

The firm was the first to introduce electric vehicles to its fleet in the Highlands in 2021, and has now spread these vehicles across three sites to provide further geographic EV coverage.

Managing director Fraser MacLean said: “The response to our electric vans has been fantastic, and we’re delighted to be expanding the area in which we can provide clean, green deliveries to our customers.

“The health and wellbeing of the communities we live and work in is of paramount importance to us as a business and this is a very real commitment to improving the level of service we offer.

“Operationally, the electric vans have exceeded our expectations and – as range and technology improves – we are fully committed to EVs becoming a much bigger part of our operation.”

M&H Carriers’ last-mile electrification in the north of Scotland prompted Mr MacLean to be invited to speak at last year’s global environmental conference COP26 on sustainability and carbon footprint reduction for SMEs.

He added: “Across the distribution and logistics sector, there are real conversations that need to happen about climate change and the role fleets play in it. While the technology isn’t there yet for full fleet electrification, there are very real steps we can take to reduce our impact on the environment – especially as the public’s reliance on online shopping and home deliveries increases.

“Many will cite initial outlay or infrastructure as a barrier to electrification, however we have proved that it is possible to introduce EVs in some of the remotest parts of the UK. And we’re looking at how we can expand this into more of our urban delivery areas, too.

“So, really, there’s no excuse for other businesses not to follow suit.”

Each MAN eTGC provides a range of up to 80 miles per charge, allowing M&H Carriers’ drivers to traverse the Highland roads with ease on their daily deliveries.