Robert Austin, Sector Lead for UK Power Networks Services, discusses the challenges of zero-emission fleets, including balancing a resilient energy supply, meeting capacity requirements and sustainability pressures
As the UK government works towards zero-emission fleets with both cars and vans by 2050, and a new petrol and diesel car ban in 2030, logistics companies and fleet operators face increasing pressure to move towards electric vehicles.
When running zero-emission fleets of electric vehicles, reliable and resilient charging is essential to avoid the risk of vehicle downtime and charging should not affect other on-site equipment and operations.
Logistics companies and fleet operators must plan their electric vehicle adoption to ensure it is future proofed. They will eventually reduce the costs of operating their fleets.
An expert in distributed energy solutions
UK Power Networks Services is an expert in distributed energy solutions and power distribution, delivering energy technology consulting, asset financing, major project delivery, design and build, operations and maintenance, and asset management.
Our business is uniquely placed to support the development of your electric vehicle strategy or your transition from fossil-based technology towards the electrification of your entire fleet.
That includes optimising your existing assets, integrating electric vehicle charging infrastructure and delivering commercial benefits. We provide an end-to-end integrated solution, from initial feasibility studies to design, build, smart operation, and ongoing maintenance.
Our world-class engineers serve industries such as airports, rail, defence, water, logistics and zero-emission fleets, manufacturing, ports, local and central government, and commercial buildings – exposing us to the broadest range of different operational environments.
Our high-profile public and private sector clients with critical infrastructure in complex environments, trust us to deliver safe, reliable and innovative energy solutions – allowing them to concentrate on their core business.
We have a proud 50-year history, and our current portfolio includes a number of the UK’s major airports, High Speed 1, Network Rail, London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, EDF (Hinkley Point C), Ministry of Defence, Felixstowe Port, UPS and Canary Wharf.
EV chargers for Yorkshire Water
UK Power Network Services has recently been appointed to install up to 1,000 EV chargers for Yorkshire Water. We will install an integrated operations, maintenance, and management solution for hundreds of chargers over the next five years as the water provider pivots towards zero-emission fleets.
We are a vendor agnostic CPO (Charge Point Operator). This allows us to select the most appropriate hardware and software by leveraging our supply chain frameworks to tailor end-to-end solutions to individual clients’ requirements like Yorkshire Water.
Our experts will install chargers at Yorkshire Water employees’ homes and the utilities’ sites across its areas. The system will bring together all aspects of EV charging, including installation, operation, maintenance, and management: making it simple and efficient for the utility to continue its ambitious sustainability plans.
Staff drivers can charge at home, at work, on the go, and public chargers. Fleet managers can access a centralised digital platform of their zero-emission fleets to monitor and manage operations. UK Power Networks Services will also provide a 24/7 support line for all drivers and a team of experts to proactively maintain the chargers.
Achieving the carbon net zero target by 2030
The move forms part of Yorkshire Water’s carbon net zero target by 2030. Among a range of initiatives over the next ten years, the company plans to install renewables, lower overall energy use, and switch its entire fleet of vans and cars to electric by 2030.
We are committed to assisting Yorkshire Water to achieve its sustainability targets. We often receive enquiries asking how a large vehicle fleet can electrify in a matter of years. This project proves that with strong collaborative partnerships, the right strategy and expertise – “it can be done.”
It’s, therefore, fitting to leave the last word Nicola Shaw, CEO at Yorkshire Water, who says: “We have committed to achieving net zero operational emissions by 2030, and part of that ambition includes transitioning all our vehicles to zero or ultra-low emissions.
Working with UK Power Networks Services to develop the supporting infrastructure for all our light commercial vehicles to be electric-powered is an important step to making that a reality. It will allow our teams to use electric vehicles to their full potential.” (1)
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