Fair play to Speedy for putting its money where its corporate mouth is, especially in pursuit of its enironmental targets - the company has just spent £8.25 million buying 150 new electric vans, in a move that could cut up to 1280 tonnes of CO2e per year from its commercial fleet emissions.

The investment forms part of the firm’s target for more than half of its 1100 strong commercial fleet to be electric or hybrid by 2025, and for a fully low-carbon fleet by 2030.

The initiative is a major step in Speedy’s roadmap to becoming a net-zero business, and aims to help contractors reduce their supply chain emissions through zero-carbon equipment delivery, while protecting the environment in the communities the hire provider operates in.

Speedy's investment includes 100 4.25 tonne single chassis cab Ford E-Transit models and 50 3.5 tonne E-Transit vans, which will be distributed across its UK-wide network to replace internal combustion engine vehicles within the fleet.

Chris Dempsey, Managing Director – Operational Support at Speedy, said: “Transforming our fleet with low and zero carbon models is crucial to leading the hire industry’s journey towards decarbonisation, and aligns with our strategy of decarbonising our property network and expanding our low-emission ECO tools and equipment range.

“Our strategy supports our customer’s sustainability objectives as they strive to deliver projects with minimal environmental impact, of which site deliveries play a vital role. This significant investment in new electric vehicles demonstrates our commitment in helping our customers achieve these aims.”

The Ford E-Transit trial vehicle will be in operation at Speedy in July, with the 150 strong fleet coming on stream from October. The van investment follows Speedy overhauling its company car list, with 100% of models available to colleagues now being ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV). Four in five of its company cars will be ULEVs by the end of the year based on its current orders. Since the summer last year, Speedy has also fuelled its HGVs and tankers with HVO to further reduce emissions.

www.speedyservices.com