With eight UK offices and a ninth in the UAE, Stride Treglown is the tenth largest British architecture practice and has an ongoing programme to reduce its environmental impact. It has reduced its carbon footprint by 40% since 2009, and the Cardiff practice is carbon-neutral, based in the first office in the UK to achieve a BREEAM ‘outstanding’ score.

The ZOE replaces a Ford Fiesta pool car and was chosen for its size, cost and battery leasing option, as well as for its ability to demonstrate the company’s environmental credentials. Primarily used for local meetings, it also regularly travels to the Bath and Cardiff offices, and staff are holding an unofficial competition to see who can drive the furthest on one charge.

John Wright, board director – office and workplace, said: “At the moment our Bristol office is the only one that has a company vehicle, although we do also have an electric bicycle for trips around the city.

“However, as other offices grow, and travelling to work by alternatives to car increase, we may need to provide similar vehicles at other offices. And we would definitely be looking at these being electric.”