Virgin Media O2 has unveiled its first electric van as a first step towards moving its 4,300-strong fleet to EVs by 2030.

Virgin Media O2 has placed an initial order for 280 Vauxhall e-Vivaros as a first step towards moving its 4,300-strong fleet to EVs by 2030

Unveiled to coincide with Transport Day at COP26 in Glasgow, it’s part of an initial order of 280 Vauxhall e-Vivaros that will be joined by other fully electric vans as soon as possible.

The Vauxhall vans will carry out service and install visits at customers’ homes nationwide and are being supported by plans to install charging points at all the firm’s fleet drivers’ homes.

Tracey Herald, head of corporate responsibility & sustainability at Virgin Media O2, said: “With a fleet of 4,300 vehicles visiting millions of homes and businesses every year, we have a responsibility to swap to cleaner, more sustainable alternatives as soon as possible. I’m proud that we’re introducing the first EVs to our fleet, and giving our valued field engineers access to the charge points they need to keep moving.”

The business already offers EV charging for employees at its Slough, Reading and Hammersmith office sites and as part of the move to EVs, all Virgin Media’s electric vehicle drivers will also be offered charging points in their own homes.

Virgin Media is also working to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle infrastructure across the UK. Since 2020, it’s partnered with Liberty Charge – a joint venture between Zouk Capital and Virgin Media O2 joint owner Liberty Global –  to install EV charging points alongside its existing infrastructure and ongoing network build programme.

Its ‘dig once’ approach with Liberty Charge deploys charging points at the same time as fixed and mobile networks, streamlining the installation process.

Neil Isaacson, CEO of Liberty Charge, explained: “At Liberty Charge, our goal is to tackle the chronic under-supply of easily-accessible on-street charging in the UK and help councils meet the very clear public need of the millions of households who need reliable, cost-effective EV charge points close to their home.

“As our delivery partner, Virgin Media O2 is instrumental to this goal – deploying the infrastructure required and working with local authorities to overcome any delivery obstacles faced.

“And it doesn’t stop there: by the end of the year, our Charging Network will be operational in six local authorities, with more than 500 sockets open to the public and with many, many more to come in 2022.”

Virgin Media O2 is also putting its digital capabilities to support development of 5G-connected vehicles, in partnership with the Smart Mobility Living Lab. The vehicles cut carbon by allowing for reduced idling, as well as route planning to avoid the most polluted and congested areas. They also enable smarter driving patterns such as lower acceleration rates and platooning.

As part of its trials, O2 has converted two Renault Twizy electric cars into connected autonomous vehicles, fitted with LIDAR sensors, to allow autonomous driving as well as remote control at slow speeds. One of these test vehicles is on display at COP26.