Tool manufacturer and construction solutions specialist Hilti is replacing more than 200 cars on its UK fleet with EVs under plans to become carbon-neutral by 2023.  

Hilti conducted a thorough appraisal of electric vehicles, concluding the Kia e-Niro ‘4+’ met all its criteria

In its latest rollout of electric vehicles, the firm is using the Kia e-Niro to replace its current diesel estate car, following extensive research of the marketplace. Specified in ‘4+’ designation, the e-Niro models have a 282-mile WLTP range from their 64kWh battery – more than double the 111-mile average daily mileage that a Hilti employee travels. All drivers will also get a home charge point installed free-of-charge too.   

The latest vehicles are part of Hilti’s ongoing switch to EVs. It replaced 35% of its current fleet with eco models by the end of 2021 and is targeting 50% by the end of 2022 and 100% by 2024. It’s also going electric on its 300-strong van fleet.   

The change to EVs across the business is expected to reduce total global emissions by some 48% and, according to head of finance and sustainability Annette Boren, is indicative of how the company approaches sustainability efforts in general.  

She explained: “All of our sustainability efforts are ultimately to benefit the wider environment rather than us as a business. Our target of carbon neutrality is to ensure we are in line with global efforts to tackle climate change, but we have long focused on sustainability efforts in all areas of our business, with initiatives like our tool recycling scheme.”  

Boren added: “Choosing Kia was a strategic choice as we are confident their EV pipeline is strong enough to support us through further rollouts in the future.”  

John Hargreaves, general manager for fleet and remarketing at Kia UK, said the deal showed how seamlessly Kia’s electric cars can fit into a busy fleet with exacting requirements.   

“With a reassuring 282-mile range from just one charge, a practical interior and a big boot, the e-Niro ‘4+’ alleviates many of the typical concerns fleets have when going electric. Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard across the whole range, great residual values and low total cost of ownership add to the attraction.”