Shepherd Chartered Surveyors and Hardies Construction Services have accelerated their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by committing to invest £1 million in a new fleet of electric vehicles and office charging infrastructure in 2022.

Shepherd Chartered Surveyors and Hardies Construction Services have just taken delivery of 10 new electric BMW i4 models

The firms have just taken delivery of 10 new electric BMW i4s from Arnold Clark BMW as part of their continued push for EVs across their fleet, with a further 10 EVs due to be delivered this year.

And with over 160 surveyors working within the firms from 37 offices throughout Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, the fleet of around 150 cars covering a combined three million miles annually, is a priority for cost and tax efficiency for the partnership and its employees.

Commenting on the investment, Steven Clarke, commercial associate at Shepherd, who is also responsible for delivery of the car fleet policy said: “As a firm, we are keen to ensure we acknowledge our environmental obligations and travel in the most sustainable way possible.

“This latest investment in our vehicle fleet helps reduce our carbon footprint significantly, gives our employees a cost efficient, sustainable means of transport, and continues to align us with the environmental policies pursued by many of our clients.

“Sustainability is of huge importance to our business and ‘going electric’ helps the partnership to mitigate operating costs as well as safeguard the reliability and future of our fleet, all of which would not be possible without the engagement of our surveyors who immediately see the efficiencies and tax savings.”

Paul Dalby, business sales manager at Arnold Clark BMW, added: “As the first all-electric BMW saloon, the i4 combines the efficiency requirements for business fleet customers as well as the modern comforts and safety features required to deliver a truly outstanding driving experience for Shepherd and Hardies surveyors.

“With their latest investment in EVs, Shepherd and Hardies have once again shown themselves to be amongst our most forward-thinking clients in Scotland, which we are delighted to be able to support through the delivery of corporate fleet vehicles.”

The investment means that 75% of Shepherd and Hardies’ fleet of 150 cars is now hybrid or electric with 30% expected to be electric by end of this year. The firms’ target is for 100% of their fleet to be hybrid or electric by the end of 2023 with at least 50% of that to be electric vehicles.