British Gas is adding a further 2,000 Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans to its fleet.
The new vans follow an initial order for 1,000 Vivaro-e vans last summer, with all 3,000 vans set to be on the road by next year.
Engineers can volunteer to take an electric van during the rollout, but the company says it is prioritising high pollution areas. Chargers will be installed at engineers’ homes.
British Gas owner Centrica has announced plans to electrify its 12,000-strong operational fleet by 2025, in addition to its 1,500-strong company car fleet.
Centrica chief executive Chris O‘Shea 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.”
Vauxhall Motors managing director Paul Wilcox said: “I am delighted that British Gas has added to its initial order of fully-electric Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans that now represents the largest electric vehicle order for a commercial fleet in the UK.
“The strength of the quantity of orders for our all-electric van demonstrates that the Vivaro-e can contribute towards the transition towards low emissions vehicles whilst improving air quality.”
