Energy Saving Trust to work with Schneider Electric to develop a roadmap on how electric vehicles can be the driving force behind powerful savings
Schneider Electric and 19 other organisations across England have pledged to lead the way in tackling emissions from road vehicles after being selected to take part in the Energy Saving Trust’s Plugged-in Fleets initiative, in partnership with EDF Energy.
Schneider Electric continues to play an integral role in the drive towards EV adoption in the UK. Only recently, the company was involved in the national roll out of the UK’s very first rapid charging infrastructure, located at the Clacket Lane Services operated by Road Chef and to be rolled out across the country.As part of the ‘Plugged-in’ scheme – which is funded by Transport for London (TfL) and Department for Transport (DfT) – Schneider Electric will receive free guidance on how electric vehicles can add value to their organisation and a strategic plan for the introduction of the vehicles into their fleet.
Experts from Energy Saving Trust and EDF Energy will undertake analysis on Schneider Electric’s fleet to identify where electric vehicles could best be used by the organisation.
The initiative has three key aims:
• To provide a tailored report for each participating fleet, showing how electric vehicles could fit into and benefit their organisation.
• To offer wider practical advice for all business fleets: our findings and case studies from the initiative will be published in a final report.
• To enable fleet decision makers to purchase and use electric vehicles where they work best.
David Greaves, at Schneider Electric, added, ‘As a business committed to championing the drive towards EV adoption, we strongly believe in practising what we preach and are thrilled to be part of this pioneering initiative. While for some time the move towards EV has seemed a rather distant vision, it is visionary schemes such as this which will help make EV ownership a tangible reality for the UK.’
Caroline Watson of the Energy Saving Trust added, ‘Our recent Plugged-in Fleets report has shown that organisations can save money now when selectively introducing electric vehicles within their fleets and our Fleet Advice team can provide practical and impartial recommendations to help companies achieve this.
‘Schneider Electric and the 19 other selected companies, are committed to supporting the environment by building a greener fleet and we look forward to helping make this a reality.’
Nick Fairholme, director responsible for Source London at TfL said, ‘We are pleased to be able to support Schneider Electric should they wish to introduce further electric vehicles to their fleet. Source London is well on its way to providing the 1,300 charge points across London by 2013 to enable companies to increase the take up of electric vehicles, changing the shape of London, and delivering cleaner air for the capital.’
Transport Minister Norman Baker said, ‘Electric vehicles are an essential part of the low carbon revolution and I am pleased that we have been able to work with the Energy Saving Trust’s on its new ‘plugged-in’ electric vehicles scheme. ’The number of electric vehicles on the market is growing all the time and fleets are already leading the way with adoption of these new technologies – this scheme will make that easier by giving fleet managers the information they need to pick the right vehicle for their business.’
For practical advice and best practice updates visit: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Transport/Business/Fleet-advice/Fleet-Briefing
