Construction group ahead of schedule on EV conversion targets

Preston’s Eric Wright Group is two years ahead of schedule in meeting its electric fleet targets.

The Bamber Bridge based property company was aiming to have 60% of its leased car fleet as hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric by 2025, but is now set to meet that deadline by 2023.

To support the group’s drive to a fully electric fleet the power supply to the existing charge points at its head office on Sceptre Way is being upgraded and a further 20 charge points will be installed by next year. Thirty charging points are also being installed across its North West property portfolio.

Group fleet and transport manager, Steven Openshaw, said: “Two years ago only 20% of the fleet was EV or hybrid, but today our order bank is currently 95% electric and we’re proud that we will meet our 2025 commitments early.

“There are now far more model options available, an increased acceptance of the technology and significant benefit in kind advantages which have encouraged more people to make the switch.

“What we term ‘range anxiety’ is also being reduced as the region’s EV charging network increases and we are bolstering that by doubling the number of charge points at our offices and depots wherever we can.”

He added: “As each member of the senior management team exits their car lease contract they are converting to electric and 60% of our MDs now have electric vehicles.

“All of our employees, regardless of pay grade, can choose a battery electric option.”

He said the commercial fleet poses more of a challenge as there are fewer suitable models currently available and the fleet vehicles do not always come back to base at night to recharge so the group is undertaking a programme to see if it can add charge points at client sites and is testing a range of electric commercial vehicle options.

Group managing director, Jeremy Hartley, said: “We are constantly reviewing operational practices across the group to see where we can make changes to support our commitment to carbon reduction, including switching energy supply to a 100% renewable source.

“We set some ambitious fleet targets and are pleased to have met those early. We will continue to build on that success and introduce more changes as swiftly as we possibly can, including programmes to significantly reduce travel to and from head office and studying telematics to improve driver safety.”

He added: “As more young professionals join our business we will also see a continued change in the type of accommodation they live in, such as city centre partments, which might not have off street parking or on-site charge points.

“We need to make sure that our strategies recognise the diversity and changes in our workforce to fully enable all staff to play their part in our drive to reduce carbon consumption.”

Across the Eric Wright Group, business Maple Grove Developments is helping its portfolio tenants to install electric charging points and Applethwaite Homes is also looking at how changing points can be designed into housing developments.

At Water Park Lakeland Adventure Park, Eric Wright Charitable Trust’s community facility in Cumbria, they are looking at options for electric towing vehicles and mini buses.

In 2020 Eric Wright Group received the Gold Standard Award from Carbon Saver for successfully reducing its carbon footprint for the 11th consecutive year.

Knowsley-based property services business Liberty is also taking steps towards making its vehicle fleet all-electric as part of the firm’s wider commitment to becoming carbon neutral ahead of government deadlines.

Sam Greenwood, left, and group MD Ray Jones

Liberty’s fleet drivers can no longer order conventionally fueled cars, but have a wide selection of all-electric, plug-in-hybrid and other electrified models to choose from.

Eight cars in Liberty’s 40-strong passenger car fleet are now fully electric, with 29 plug-in-hybrid, hybrid, or mild-hybrids and only three conventionally fueled cars left in the fleet, which are soon to be replaced.

Aligned to its existing vehicle upgrade cycle, the business plans to introduce more electric vans into its 700-strong van fleet from 2023 as initial purchase costs of the vehicles continue to decrease, and their load carrying abilities increase.

Sam Greenwood, head of fleet at Liberty, said: “This move to more electric vehicles is part of our wider commitment to doing all we can to become carbon neutral and reduce our impact on the environment. We’re making great strides towards this but are ensuring we take our time and get it right.”