KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD) is set to fully electrify its car and van fleet by the year-end – four years ahead of schedule.

KAD, responsible for operating and maintaining the Docklands Light Railway network in London, is transitioning its entire car and van fleet to EVs with help from DriveElectric.

Its plans have been spurred by a new eight-year contract with Transport for London (TfL) that started in April 2025, with a target from TfL to go fully electric within five years from this date. The entire fleet will be fully electric by the end of December 2025.

A legacy petrol and diesel fleet with demanding operational needs has been replaced with 39 electric vans and six electric cars, including specialist vehicles that have typically been challenging to electrify, such as vans with tail-lifts and flatbeds.

All vehicles have been supplied by Ford and include Puma Gen-E cars, E-Tourneo minibuses and E-Transit and E-Transit Custom vans, featuring variants with double cabs, tail-lifts, dropside flatbeds, racking, shelving and ladder racks. The solus deal with Ford has enabled the deployment of Ford Pro telematics, providing real-time insights that enhance visibility, efficiency and fleet performance.

The transition to electric vehicles aligns with KAD’s net zero ambitions, creating a fit-for-purpose and sustainable fleet for the future while helping to improve air quality for staff and local communities in East London. It’s also delivering significant operational cost savings on fuel and maintenance, creating opportunities to reinvest those savings into future carbon reduction initiatives.

Richard Graham, managing director, KeolisAmey Docklands, said: “Delivering a fully electric fleet over four years ahead of schedule is a testament to our team’s commitment and the strength of our partnerships with Ford and DriveElectric. We’re proud to champion sustainability, operational excellence and community wellbeing in East London.”

Liam Bone, regional fleet business manager, Ford of Britain and Ireland, said the project shows the strength of collaboration.

“By working closely with DriveElectric, we’ve delivered a fleet solution made up of our freshest-ever line up that supports KeolisAmey Docklands’ transition to zero-emission vehicles, combining Ford’s product capability and versatility with DriveElectric’s expertise.”

DriveElectric supplied short-term electric vehicle rentals to maintain business continuity during the transition period. KAD has also explored decentralised, clean energy infrastructure across two grid-constrained London locations, including solar-powered chargers and battery storage at the Beckton depot, enhancing resilience to energy market volatility.

Adam Kemp, sales director at DriveElectric, finished up: “This was a complex project, and finding the right product to meet demanding operational needs required real expertise. That’s where DriveElectric makes the difference. By partnering with Ford, we delivered the right solution and managed every stage of the transition with precision. The outcome is a fleet that keeps critical infrastructure moving, improves visibility through Ford Pro telematics, reduces downtime, and supports the customer’s sustainability goals.”