Fleet Electrification

Fuel prices have hit an eight-year high after consistent price rises in the last 9 months, according to the latest RAC figures. As the global economy continues to open demand will outstrip supply, drive up wholesale fuel prices and hit haulier and courier margins. Does this finally mean that alternative fuels are the only way forward to maintain profit margins in an industry renowned for its tight operating margins.

The most prominent alternative is obviously electric. We are seeing companies investing huge amounts into their electrical fleet. DPD are leading the way with an order with Maxus LDV for 750 of their eDeliver vans. This will take DPD to over 1,700 EV’s on the road by the end of 2021. The Maxus eDeliver 3 and 9 offers workable ranges between 150 and 200 miles between charges. This appears to be the only viable solution on the market currently while the main manufacturers catch up with operating ranges that can work in the real world and provide the ability for the more expensive vehicle to be optimised to carry out as many deliveries as possible.

Commitments from industry leaders to the Clean Van Commitment include, Engie, Tesco, Anglian Water, Mitie, Siemens, Novus Environmental to name a few. This commits the signatories to replace a proportion of their van fleet with electric vehicles by 2020 and to electrify their entire fleets by 2028.

Hyrdogen is the other alternative to provide greener vehicles to the van fleet industry. With extended ranges, and without compromising on payload hydrogen looks like a strong alternative. However, the development of the technology and the infrastructure to support and sizeable fleets means that currently this is not a viable option for most fleets. Currently there are only 17 hydrogen refilling stations compared to 15,000 EV chargers and over 8,000 fuel stations (excluding private bulk fuel holdings).

Here at Bertle Fisher we are working with leading companies to help electrify their fleets. Assisting them with vehicle design and charging infrastructure within their businesses. One of our biggest undertakings is the design and commissioning of a bespoke refrigerated box body on a Maxus eDeliver 3 LWB chassis, the first of its kind in the UK. We will be updating everyone with a release of this build on completion with our client.

If you require any assistance or advise on how to electrify your fleet or how to hybridise your fleet by using electric vehicles where possible then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.