Edwin James Group has taken delivery of its first electric vans amid work to convert the whole light commercial fleet to electric power.

The new ë-Berlingos are being put to the test by engineers

Working in partnership with fleet management specialist Fleet Alliance, the multi-disciplinary engineering services business is now running the Citroën ë-Berlingos as part of a pilot scheme that should see the van fleet go fully electric by 2027, beating the UK’s 2030 ICE phase-out.

Edwin James Group has an ongoing Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) commitment to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025 and net zero by 2030.

The group runs a national fleet of 250 vehicles – 230 vans and 20 cars – from 16 offices and service centres throughout the UK, with a head office in Uddingston, Glasgow.

The transition to electric power has already begun and the company car fleet is now all-electric with a number of makers represented, including Tesla, Volkswagen, Škoda and Kia.

The new ë-Berlingos are the first electric vans to join the fleet and are being put to the test by engineers as the group assesses the requirements needed to electrify its entire van fleet.

Corporate services director Mark Longley explained the process and the thinking behind the pilot project, which he hoped would be concluded by the end of the year.

“Some 84% of our carbon footprint comes from our fleet so that is where most of our carbon reduction efforts are being focused.

“All our vans are fitted with trackers, courtesy of Fleet Alliance, so we know the mileages and the driving patterns that we carry out on a daily basis. What we are analysing now is when and where we can reliably make the switch to electric vans based on the available charging infrastructure and work patterns we perform.”

He added: “Not all our vans are parked up in depots, some are taken home overnight by our engineers. We are looking at the ramifications of home charging but that isn’t straightforward as some of our engineers don’t have access to driveways.

The vans are leased for four years and the group is looking to change around 70 vehicles a year as leases come to an end.

“By 2027, the whole light commercial fleet should be electric which is in line with where we want to be from a carbon reduction viewpoint,” added Longley.

Fleet Alliance manages the Edwin James fleet on an outsourced basis, providing vehicle procurement and conversions, leasing solutions and accident management services.

CEO Andy Bruce said the group was to be applauded for the electrification efforts it had already taken and its desire to switch its entire light commercial fleet to electric at the earliest possible date, while thoroughly analysing and understanding the issues surrounding the switch.

“We are seeing growing numbers of our customers looking to go down an electric route in line with their ESG timetables. Some transitions are easier than others, while some need careful thought and detailed planning to make them happen,” he added.