BT Group has deployed the first electric vans in a record-breaking 3,500-plus order that will create the largest electric commercial fleet in the UK.

The new vans – sourced through Holman – will further decarbonise the communications giant’s fleet, driving its plans to become a net zero business by 2031.

The major electric van order, which has already drawn praise from Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, will see the Ford, Stellantis, Toyota and Renault electric vans deployed over the next two years, growing BT Group’s EV fleet to nearly 8,000 vehicles; the largest in the UK.

Notably, the expanded electrification of the fleet has also seen a transformation in approach, moving from one where a suitable driver was paired with an electric van to one where vans are now paired to roles.

Holman has played an instrumental role in this, helping with vehicle trials and tests, then specifying and sourcing the vehicles, managing the funding and overseeing the delivery of them to engineers, while ensuring infrastructure is available.

Holman managing director Nick Caller said: “Our team has been instrumental through the procurement and wider supply chain activity, helping to appoint the right suppliers and providing products best suited for BT’s operational needs. These new vehicles coming on to fleet only further reinforce BT’s commitment to become net zero.”

The initial batch includes hundreds of Toyota Proace Electric and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric vans, as well as Vauxhall Combo Electrics; designated for the Openreach fleet.

With such a variety of vehicles needed, Holman has managed the funding of the vans, drawn from a panel of suppliers to ensure that pricing, specification, quality and costs are consistent. Holman will also oversee the defleeting of the existing ICE vans, preparing them for sale and managing remarketing channels.

Most of the vans are planned to run on a seven-year fleet lifecycle – illustrating the confidence in the new electric models to fulfil their roles successfully – and Holman will also monitor and control the service, maintenance and repair of the fleet to ensure minimum downtime and cost.

Holman has also put a handover programme in place, with a number of designated locations to provide engineers with familiarisation training on electric van usage.

Holman’s customer success director Nimesh Chauhan said: “It’s been our task to ensure that when these vans start work, everything is in place for them to succeed and for drivers to have everything they need so there is no drop-off in operational capability.”

It’s the latest development in Holman’s partnership with BT Group – one of the largest fleet management deals in history. The contract began on 30 September 2023, supporting the operation of more than 37,000 vehicles from a new office in Birmingham, with hundreds of new employees and an expanded repair network of more than 2,000 sites.

Despite the massive logistical challenge of gearing up for the contract, the partnership saw Holman identify cost efficiencies of more than £1.8m in the first 12 months.

Working with the BT Group team to evaluate anticipated costs based on age and mileage profiles, Holman is also helping them to make decisions to move, terminate and replace vehicles accordingly.

Chauhan said: “BT Group’s footprint is vast, covering the breadth of the UK, which is why we’re working at grassroots level with vehicle users in every corner of the country to make sure that we continue to innovate, and meet their ever-changing needs.

“The exciting thing is we are only at the start of the journey, providing ever better support to the drivers and working to decarbonise and electrify the fleet over the next few years.”