Dawsongroup welcomed Buckingham and Bletchley MP Callum Anderson last month to spotlight its newly launched solar-powered microgrid in action.

During the visit, the Bletchley MP was given a full tour of the new clean energy charging facility at the company’s Dawson Road depot and learned about the technology now powering its operations.

The vehicle rental and leasing firm offers EV hire and support to businesses across the UK, and its new multi-million-pound charging innovation is driving the electrification of its 12,500-strong UK light commercial vehicle fleet.

At the heart of the site is a powerful 262kWp solar array, 300kWh of battery storage and 34 EV charge points, forming a fully integrated clean energy microgrid. This system enables the depot to generate and store renewable energy onsite, overcoming the site’s restricted grid capacity and providing smart, sustainable charging for the EV fleet. The facility also feeds surplus electricity back into the local grid and is expected to save up to 65 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

The microgrid intelligently balances solar, battery and grid usage to deliver cost and energy efficiency for Dawsongroup. The site acts as a live demonstration of how clean power and smart technology can underpin the UK’s transition to electric transport.

As part of the visit, Callum Anderson also heard about the wider challenges facing the sector, including pressures on electric van affordability, regulation, charging infrastructure and the used EV market.

Anderson said: “Technologically advanced projects like this are exactly why our patch is the UK’s beating heart of innovation. It’s fantastic to see a local business such as Dawsongroup not only investing in clean, future-focused technology but also setting a real example for the rest of the fleet sector. We sit at the epicentre of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor, and our Government is making sure that Bletchley and its surrounds will be at the forefront of growth in the decades to come.”

Sarah Gray, head of ZEV strategy and development at Dawsongroup Vans, said: “We’re so pleased to welcome our local MP at such an exciting time for the business. The launch of our microgrid is a key milestone in our wider decarbonisation strategy and demonstrates the real-world benefits of pairing innovation with infrastructure. We’re proud to support customers in making the switch to EVs, and to showcase what the future of fleet operations can look like.”