Centrica is supporting the ambitious electrification plans of ABB UK, which has committed to electrify its UK fleet by 2025.

Global technology giant ABB announced late 2020 that it’s planning to convert its 500-strong UK company car fleet to electric vehicles by 2025; electrification targets for other countries are also planned.

The move comes after ABB UK identified that business mileage was the second highest contributor to carbon emissions in 2019. Once the switch to an all-electric fleet is completed, the company estimates its carbon footprint could be reduced by around 20%.

To support its plans, Centrica – British Gas parent company – will install a package of charging banks, aftersales services and infrastructure planning across the homes of ABB employees.

ABB is a Centrica preferred supplier of AC home charging hardware, and ABB Terra charging hardware will be used exclusively for the project.

“To ensure ABB colleagues are able to charge cost effectively, we’ve begun to roll out ABB Terra home charging points to company car drivers,” said Jorge Pikunic, managing director of Centrica Business Solutions.

“Many organisations that have a home-based workforce are looking to transition to EV. We are providing answers to the question of what happens when engineers, company car, and delivery drivers need to charge their company vehicle at home, at the workplace, or on the road.”

David Hughes, ABB UK country managing director, said: “As part of our plans to achieve carbon neutrality in our own operations by 2030, we are committed to transitioning our company car fleet to all-electric fleet by 2025. With over 500 cars, this is a substantial investment and commitment to a sustainable future. Having an experienced partner on the journey like Centrica will ensure we get there as quickly as possible.”