National Highways is deploying 51 Toyota bZ4X electric SUVs on its fleet, supporting its work to go net zero.

The company, responsible for operating, maintaining and improving England’s motorways and major A-roads, is deploying the fully electric SUVs as daily transport for its team of inspectors.

Andy Butterfield, National Highways’ operations customer service director, said: “Modernising our fleet with 51 state-of-the-art bZ4X will not only reduce our emissions but also ensure that journeys are smooth and reliable.

“We operate more than 1,300 vehicles, so introducing new EVs helps accelerate our journey to net zero.”

National Highways is working to go net zero for its emissions by 2030, with a commitment that its non-traffic officer vehicles will be 100% electric by 2027, and its traffic officer fleet by 2030.

“This is a huge step towards that commitment. We will continue to invest in green and electric vehicles as the technology becomes available, meeting the Government’s Road to Zero strategy,” Butterfield added.

The new Toyotas, supplied through the fleet team at Steven Eagell Toyota, will be used daily by Operational Highways Inspectors to assess the UK’s strategic road network, identifying and reporting defects for repair and restoration.

Neil Broad, general manager One Toyota Fleet Services said: “In choosing which vehicles to use, National Highways priority was not simply to adopt electric power. It also needed to be certain that the vehicles would be reliable, day in and day out. That’s where bZ4X fits the bill perfectly, benefiting both from Toyota’s leadership in electrified technologies and its proven reputation for delivering quality, durability and reliability.”