Ford Fleet Management (FFM) has partnered with Mitie Plan Zero’s transport consultants to help its customers decarbonise their fleets and switch to electric vehicles.

Services include seamless implementation of EVs of any brand into the fleet and cost-effective rollout of charging infrastructure

The partnership combines both teams’ expertise in operational electric vehicle adoption and EV charging infrastructure planning plus wider decarbonisation capabilities, such as solar, battery storage and grid upgrades.

Customers can opt into a clearly defined end-to-end EV fleet strategy. This will include seamless implementation of electric cars and vans from any brand into the fleet and cost-effective rollout of charging infrastructure whilst ensuring that operational efficiency is maintained.

FFM’s head of sales Stuart Williams said: “We realise that the adoption of BEVs into operational fleets is complex and it’s not just about the vehicle. There are so many different stakeholders and facets involved that it is difficult to see the wood for the trees. This way of working together is unique in the fleet industry, and it enables the customer to access consultancy that can give them a clear path and strategy to how they can create and deliver a net zero fleet and beyond”.

FFM is already actively working with its customer base to understand their net zero aspirations and strategy and the new tie-up means they can now benefit from Mitie Plan Zero’s approach. This uses customer operational fleet vehicle data to provide bespoke visualisation tools which deliver an insight into the fleet energy and EV infrastructure requirements to ensure that the fleet operation service levels are maintained as the transition to EV takes place.

These data visualisation tools are said to have a proven track record in providing greater clarity around approaches to electrification and include dwell time analysis; ease of electrification;  visualising decarbonisation; software and hardware; workplace charging infrastructure and employee commute emissions.

Services and solutions have also been developed for mission-critical fleets – operated by many of FFM’s customers – ensuring service levels aren’t compromised in the EV transition.

Mitie has supported many of its customers to roll out EVs across fleets and can also draw on its own experience of electrifying its fleet. It recently deployed its 4,000th EV with 60% of its own fleet now electric.

Matt Dale, head of transport consultancy & e-Mobility, Mitie Plan Zero, said: “We are proud to work with FFM who are taking a proactive approach to engaging with their customers to ensure they have a clear and robust strategy to enable a smoother transition to electric. This collaboration gives FFM customers access to our EV and decarbonisation experience, to help them achieve their net zero goals in a cost-effective and right first-time manner.”