British Gas has once again turned to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to renew its fleet, as part of the company’s planned vehicle replacement programme.

The new three-year contract will see the energy company become one of the first fleets in the UK to take delivery of Volkswagen’s new Caddy 4 model.

More than 8,000 Caddy Maxi vans will take to the roads in the British Gas livery, comprising this year more than 1,000 new Caddy 4 models.

The common-rail diesel engine of the Caddy Maxi aims to help reduce the carbon footprint of the business due to its low CO2 emissions. .

The new three-year deal was awarded to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles thanks to the quality of vehicles and aftersales support already received by British Gas, which currently runs 8,500 Caddy models. With a sizeable, well-used fleet, whole life costs were essential to securing the new contract.

Converted to British Gas specification by Bri-stor, the fleet will be supported in the long term by Volkswagen’s extensive aftersales program.

Engineers will be able to access any of the 71 Volkswagen Van Centres across the country for regular servicing to help reduce vehicle downtime, and ensure the business continues to run smoothly.

Colin Marriott, fleet manager at British Gas, said: “It was the reliability of Volkswagen’s engineering and aftercare support that was once again a key factor when it came to renewing the fleet, and we look forward to taking delivery of the vehicles.”

Chris Black, head of fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, continued: “British Gas will be one of the first fleets in the UK to take delivery of the new Caddy 4.

“We continue to work extremely closely with the team from British Gas and were extremely pleased that representatives from the company were able to visit the factory recently to see the first of their Caddy 4 models roll off the line, painted in their distinctive blue colour.”