The commitment means at least 5% of its fleet must consist of electric vehicles by 2020. In addition, Chevin has also enforced a strict emissions policy on the proportion of its non-EV fleet.

Managing director Ashley Sowerby said the move to implement more ULEVs within the company forms part of Chevin’s commitment to improving the environmental performance of its own vehicles, as well as helping promote conversation on ways to reduce fleet emissions: “Our fleet is quite small, so in a sense this is a symbolic move, but it also shows our customers and others that it is possible to integrate ultra low emission vehicles into your operations.

“We have just taken delivery of our first electric vehicle – my own Tesla – and we will be making EVs available to other Chevin employees as their cars come up for replacement.

“We are gathering, everyday, real world experience of what it is like to operate EVs. These are lessons we can use to help our own fleet software customers as they also look towards adopting ULEVs,” he added.

Charging points have been installed at the company’s UK head office, partially powered by its 20kW electric roof, which has produced around 18,000kWh in the last year.

“Were all of that power available for my own car, it would equate to more than 4,400 monthly electric miles on average,” Soweby explained. “This is the kind of operational knowledge that we are keen to gain.”

The company has also implemented a restriction on CO₂ bands for all its cars – not just those running on electric. Its emissions policy requires that company cars must achieve CO₂ emissions under 119g/km and have a combined fuel consumption of more than 57mpg.

Chevin is also known for its experience helping other companies improve their environmental performance. It was among the earliest fleet management software providers to add environmental impact reporting tools to its products, to enable generation of real-world CO₂ emission reports, eco ratings and fuel analysis.