Mitie has ordered 655 electric Vivaro-e vans as it continues to transition its fleet to electric power.

The first Vivaro-e has already been delivered and takes Mitie to the landmark of 1,000 electric vehicles on its fleet.

The van will be used by a Mitie frontline engineer and has been specially fitted-out to ensure it can carry all the equipment needed while minimising weight, to help maximise the battery’s range.

While Mitie began its electric vehicle transition in mid-2019, this was with a focus on cars and small vans, as there was no viable alternative for its large diesel vans with an adequate range to manage the heavy load often carried by mobile engineering teams, it says.

Simon King, director of sustainability and social value at Mitie, explained: “When we began our EV journey 18 months ago we thought switching our big vans would be one of our biggest challenges.

“However, with Vauxhall helping us overcome this hurdle, we’re very pleased to be marking our milestone 1,000th zero emission vehicle with the delivery of this Vivaro-e. 

“With over 600 more set to join our fleet this year, we’re making great progress towards our target of 2,021 EVs in 2021 and helping even more Mitie fleet drivers switch to electric.”

Mitie ordered the 75kWh battery vans with a split of standard L1 and long L2 wheelbase versions. Capable of up to 205 miles from a single charge, these Vivaro-e vans support up to 100kW rapid charging with an 80% charge taking 45 minutes.

Payload is up to 1226kg and the Vivaro-e is capable of towing up to one tonne. The vans are also exempt from current congestion and ultra-low emissions charges, and also benefit-in-kind taxation at 60% of the standard van rate.

Paul Willcox, managing director of Vauxhall, congratulated Mitie on passing one thousand EVs. “At Vauxhall we are proud that they have chosen our award-winning, all-electric Vivaro-e van, and joined a growing number of pioneering firms in Britain who want to have no compromise in the capability of their vehicle fleet but also want to improve their environmental impact and lower their running costs,” he said.

Mitie said that it will have more than 2,000 pure EVs on its fleet by the end of 2021, according to a recent latest sustainability pledge. 

The business launched its Plan Zero strategy a year ago, outlining its commitment to reach net zero operational carbon emissions by 2025. 

A series of new pledges has been confirmed for 2021, including a promise to convert more than a quarter of its fleet to EVs.

Last year, Mitie set a target of 717 EVs by 2020, which it achieved three months ahead of schedule.

The Vauxhall fleet deal with Mitie comes after British Gas signed a deal for a further 2,000 Vivaro-e electric vans from Vauxhall. 

Centrica, owner of British Gas, has committed to electrify its 12,000 strong operational fleet by 2025, five years earlier than originally planned, as part of its commitment to become a net zero organisation.

The 2,000-vehicle order was in addition to the 1,000 electric vans British Gas purchased last summer. All 3,000 electric vehicles will be on the road by 2022.