Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate has taken delivery of its first refrigerated electric vehicles in partnership with Prohire.

The refrigerated electric vehicles have been supplied through ProGreen

The vehicles have been supplied through ProGreen, Prohire’s sustainable vehicle hire and alternative fuels division, and will support the North Yorkshire-based family firm with its transition from diesel to electric vehicles.

Bettys, the business behind Yorkshire Tea, Taylors of Harrogate and Bettys Café Tea Rooms, is switching to EVs as part of its decarbonisation strategy.

ProGreen has delivered two electric vans in collaboration with Bespoke Bodies, which built the vehicle bodies.

The bespoke, all-electric temperature-controlled vans, designed for Bettys Craft Bakery, will not only reduce emissions, but will improve operations too.

The new vans feature a tail-lift to safely and efficiently lower the trolleys containing all of the trays of cakes, pastries and treats, in one go. Previously each individual tray needed to be removed one at a time by the bakers.

The on-brand livery that features on the two new electric vans has been designed by the Bettys marketing team.

Additionally, ProGreen has delivered a brand-new electric van to the Cone Exchange, Bettys & Taylors flagship community project which collects waste from local businesses, raising funds that are then donated to local charities. ProGreen initially provided the van free of charge as an in-kind donation.

All three vehicles are fitted with telematics, providing remote fault diagnosis, tracking, accident detention and driver behaviour analysis, and allowing ProGreen to monitor the vehicles, deliver optimum performance, prevent critical failure, and report on CO2 savings.

ProGreen has also delivered training for the drivers covering the vehicle’s features and technology, how to load them, and health and safety.

Paul Farr, Bettys product director, said: “From the outset, Prohire took time to understand our specific needs, particularly the importance of maintaining our product quality during transit, and we are pleased to now see these bespoke vehicles out and about in Yorkshire. Our family business has a long commitment to protecting our planet, and these new vehicles are a positive next step in our approach to reducing our impact on the environment.”

Michelle Miles, head of ProGreen, said: “From the start of the relationship with Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, we have worked with key stakeholders to understand their fleet needs and have delivered a bespoke solution. The new electric vehicles support their sustainability strategy as well as streamlining operations.

“I’m extremely proud to see the vehicles on the road and look forward to continuing to support Bettys & Taylors Group fleet ESG strategy.”