CV Focus

British Gas is genuinely at the forefront of vehicle technology. Having started its electric vehicle (EV) journey in 2014, it’s already got 10% of its 10,000-strong UK van fleet as EVs.

What’s more, as an EV100 signatory it has pledged to be totally zero-carbon by 2030.

Can it achieve this? Matt Eisenegger puts this question to British Gas Head of Fleet Steve Winter, who explains what needs to be done, and the challenges that are ahead.

As he starts to take delivery of 1,000 Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans (the UK’s largest single EV order to date) he explains how his fleet management team of six has risen to this challenge.

With British Gas’ engineers’ vans all home-based, the tricky questions of home charging, how the energy is paid for and reimbursed and the need for on-call engineers to always have their van ready and available have been answered. 

Steve explains how they’ve done this, and also how to deal with unexpected events, driven as a result of changes by local and national politicians to policy. And, that sometimes these policy changes don’t even have anything to do with transport, yet have unintended knock-on consequences.

He also reveals the ‘unseen’ positive aspects of EVs’ total cost of ownership (TCO), which mean that British Gas is seeing around £800-1,000 per year TCO savings per EV.

He also addresses some of the wider problems that have yet to be tackled - from the limited range of vehicles available, to public infrastructure payment methods and how to heat the vans’ drivers.

Now, with six years and two-million EV miles under the fleet’s belt, Steve is one of the most experienced EV fleet operators in the UK, meaning that this episode is packed with useful tips and pointers - not least on where we might be in 10 years’ time…

While electric is starting to take over in urban deliveries, diesel still has a long-term future in heavy trucks, so what are the policy levers that government can pull to make it even greener?

One that is simple to implement, requires no infrastructure investment and can be used today is (HVO) hydrotreated vegetable oil, hears CV Focus presenter Matt Eisenegger.

Very environmentally friendly, HVO is a form of solar power (via plants) and all from truly sustainable products. Crucially, it’s not plants specifically grown for fuel.

Compatible in all diesel engines, even older ones without modification, HVO has an immediate effect cleaning up emissions.

It can be mixed with mineral diesel, so there’s no need for separate tanks in your depot or vehicles. There is no detriment to fuel economy; in urban operation HVO can slightly improve it.

There are clear advantages for operators, the UK economy, climate and clean air.  So what’s the catch?

As DAF Trucks Marketing Manager Phil Moon explains, it’s all down to the government to make it more popular.

A vehicle engineering specialist, having completed a degree in Automotive Engineering & Design at Loughborough University, Phil Moon initially worked in truck operations before joining Foden (like DAF, Paccar-owned).

There he developed an in-depth understanding of vehicle engineering and then applied it to future vehicle design by moving into a product marketing role, moving across to DAF in 2005.

As a result, he’s able to explain to us in clear terms everything an operator needs to know about HVO. 

He also talks about the next developments in diesel engine technology, required by law to take effect in five and 10 years’ time, that will cut emissions and fuel consumption.

“You need to start now. Don’t wait. The early you start the better.” That’s the verdict on electromobility from Carlos Rodrigues, MD Renault Trucks UK.

In an exclusive CV Focus podcast, he talks with Matt Eisenegger about why COVID-19 is not an excuse to take your foot off the pedal with the renewal of your fleet and move to electric vans and trucks.

One of Carlos’ key focuses is to drive the brand’s electromobility journey, with full-electric Renault Trucks from 3.1T to 26T now a reality. 

For Carlos, making the decarbonisation of road transport sustainable is the only way to achieve the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

With a finance background, Carlos knows that the equation will not be easy to solve, but believes that already there are enough components to solve part of it and begin the journey towards a fossil-free road industry. 

“The deciders of tomorrow on carbon and climate change do matter; you should be on the front foot now,” he points out, observing that demand is already coming to operators from customers for clean vehicles.

On cost, he notes that some sectors such as waste are already competitive with diesel - and way better in environmental terms.

“You have to re-think your business and the way you do things,” he adds.

For those concerned about much publicised issues of grid capacity, he reveals that “more often than not, operators already have enough power into their building.”

And, unless you’re planning to double-shift your vehicle, then the charging infrastructure investment is not more than £2,500. And that’s before you factor in the reduced running and maintenance costs of battery-electrics.

The switch is easiest to make for smaller operators, especially in the van sector and he sets out the path for how to convert your fleet, without over-committing, but putting you in a position where you can make reasoned buying decisions.

He also talks about Renault’s 10-year promise on battery life, while looking longer term at what’s in the pipeline for long-haul.

 

He has more than 15 years’ experience in the automotive sector, all spent within the Volvo Group. 

Starting as an Internal Auditor, Carlos gained a deep understanding of the commercial business. 

In 2009 he relocated to Spain where he successfully reshaped Renault Trucks’ wholly-owned operations during the financial crisis. 

Carlos then moved to Sweden where he held various Vice-President roles on the financial side of the organisation and then in 2016, he relocated to the UK to become the Volvo Group UK & IE Chief Financial Officer.

He was appointed as MD Renault Trucks UK in October 2018.

Having lived in four different countries, Carlos also fluently speaks four languages. He holds two Master Degrees in Finance and Business Administration. 

Doing what’s best for the customer - not the manufacturer - might seem a slightly unorthodox way of doing things, but that’s normal business for Steve Bridge, MD of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK.

But then Steve Bridge isn’t your normal van MD who is chained to a desk, having just spent a day with a delivery driver to remind himself of what life at the front line is really like.

And, rather than gaining insights purely through sales - which during lockdown saw the Sprinter as Britain’s best selling vehicle, beating even cars - Steve also runs a ‘business barometer’ to keep ahead of trends asking the views of 2,000 van drivers, owners and operators.

As someone who witnessed the big switch from petrol to diesel vans in the early 1980s, he looks at the new ‘big switch’ to electric. Is it going to be as hard as some suggest?

In a wide-ranging discussion with Matt Eisenegger, he also explains why ‘white-van man’ is much more than the stereotypical “owner of lane 3 on a motorway” - but a modern-day hero who puts food on your table, provides emergency medical treatment and fixes your broken-down vehicle.

Steve sets out how this challenges everything from delivery methods to the digitisation of shopping and why diesel is no longer needed for vans in cities.