Lyreco has added 50 Ford E-Transits to its existing electric fleet with the support of a £2.3m investment.

Lyreco’s 50-strong fleet of Ford E-Transit join the 17 Renault Master Z.E eLCVs already in operation

The electric vans join the 17 Renault Master Z.E eLCVs already on its fleet, taking the total operation to 67 vehicles.

Launched this year, the E-Transit provides a range of up to 197 miles WLTP with up to 1,758kg payload; enabling Lyreco to use EVs for a much wider range of its deliveries than before.

As a result, Lyreco is planning to deploy its EV fleet across 13 of the firm’s 24 Regional Distribution Centres across the UK, in areas including Dartford, Edinburgh, Manchester and Oxford. This supports companies plans to comply with legislation concerning vehicle emissions ahead of time.

The vans at the Lyreco National Distribution Centre site in Telford will be charged by electricity generated by Lyreco’s own renewable energy solar panel-powered charging stations. The business has invested more than £124k in charging infrastructure across the Regional Distribution Centre network to ensure that vehicles are charged taking advantage of REGO (Renewal Energy Guaranteed Origin) electricity.

Plans are currently being put in place to install charging stations at Lyreco’s remaining sites in 2023.

The acquisition of the new vehicles is part of Lyreco’s goal to become completely carbon neutral by 2030. It also meets the firm’s Clean Van Commitment; a corporate pledge to move to zero tailpipe emission vans by 2028.

Lyreco has already reduced fuel consumption per delivery by over 31% since 2013; the result of route optimisation, fleet improvements and through more efficient driving, supported by telematics tech provided by Lytx.

It’s also consolidated customer orders, reducing overall deliveries, with particular attention paid to ‘the last mile’; often the most polluting aspect of the supply chain.

Peter Gojka, building services manager at Lyreco, said: “The acceleration to electrify our fleet has been driven by our desire to embrace sustainable change and demonstrate commitment to moving away from diesel.

“In making this significant investment to our infrastructure we are playing an active role in reducing the environmental impact of delivery transport while safeguarding the planet, our customers and our business.

“There will come a point when businesses are forced to change. Our aim is to lead the charge and we have paid great attention to how our new electric delivery vehicles can bring the greatest benefits to our customers and our operations right now.”