Tag Archives: electric vehicles

Business, Business Investment, Business News, EVs and Automotive News

FleetEV achieves highest rank on Welsh Government EV framework

Cardiff-based electric vehicle (EV) specialist FleetEV has secured top spot on the Welsh Government Commercial Delivery (WGCD) framework for electric vehicle provision, reinforcing Wales’ commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.

The WGCD framework provides over 200 Welsh public sector organisations with a compliant and streamlined path to electrifying their fleets. This includes access to specialist vehicles such as tippers and bespoke conversions.

In 2023, fragmented purchasing by individual authorities highlighted the need for consolidation, leading organisations to unite their procurement efforts. FleetEV emerged as the sole supplier, delivering improved procurement terms, substantial cost savings, and reduced lead times. Over the past 18 months, FleetEV has achieved direct savings of over £1.2 million, along with generating an impressive £1.9 million in social value. This collaborative procurement effort was recognised with two prestigious national awards, underscoring its innovation and effectiveness.

Under the renewed framework, FleetEV once again achieved top rankings across both Lot One and Lot Two, positioning it to deliver under a Framework with a potential value of £45 million over the next three years. FleetEV’s comprehensive bilingual service includes electric cars, vans, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, electric minibuses, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) up to 7.2 tonnes, and a variety of custom conversions.

Jarrad Morris, CEO and Founder of FleetEV, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to maintain our leading position on this framework, particularly given the significant outcomes we’ve delivered over the past 18 months. Achieving a perfect score for both quality and price reinforces our reputation as Wales’ most trusted and competitive EV supplier.”

Complementing FleetEV’s vehicle provision, its sister company, PLUG Charging, supports critical EV infrastructure developments throughout Wales. PLUG Charging delivers robust on-street and depot charging solutions, effectively facilitating electrification for homeowners and public sector fleets alike.

“Our comprehensive, brand-agnostic approach ensures each public sector organisation receives tailored combinations of vehicles and charging infrastructure, precisely aligned to their operational requirements and sustainability objectives,” added Morris.

FleetEV specialises in delivering practical, efficient, and cost-effective transitions to electric vehicles, offering comprehensive leasing options, salary sacrifice schemes, and bespoke fleet solutions to both public and private sector organisations.

Business, EVs and Automotive News, Tech, Technology, Transport, Transport Tech

FleetEV launch new salary sacrifice platform

Leading electric vehicle (EV) specialist, FleetEV, has launched an in-house technology platform specifically designed to support salary sacrifice schemes for SMEs and the public sector.

Offering a flexible, tax-efficient way for workforces to make the switch, FleetEV specialises in everything electric including comprehensive leasing and fleet solutions tailored to diverse client needs.

From a financial perspective, salary sacrifice schemes provide tax efficiencies for all involved, as employers can take advantage of National Insurance (NI) savings, while employees benefit from reduced income tax and NI contributions.

One of the standout features of FleetEV’s new platform is its ability to provide real-time, accurate quotes using tax code and salary information, rather than relying on estimates, ensuring employees know exactly what they are committing to, eliminating any financial uncertainty. Employers, too, can trust the integrity of the platform, knowing that there will be no unexpected financial discrepancies.

Additionally, the platform can be ‘white labelled’, allowing businesses to brand the platform as their own. This not only builds trust among employees but allows easy integration into each company’s existing HR or benefits infrastructure.

The technology also automates key processes, minimising the administrative burden on employers and allowing them to focus on their core operations.

Jarrad Morris, CEO and Founder at FleetEV, said: “Our new salary sacrifice platform is intuitive, efficient, and designed with simplicity in mind, making it easy for businesses to adopt and manage.

“In contrast to generic leasing solutions, our proprietary platform offers a seamless, fully managed experience tailored to the unique needs of salary sacrifice. By removing upfront costs and incorporating essentials like insurance, maintenance, and breakdown cover, it simplifies and enhances the transition to electric vehicles for any business.

“By adopting our platform, businesses can streamline their benefits management while simultaneously supporting their sustainability goals.”

 

FleetEV’s salary sacrifice platform is highly flexible and can be adapted to suit a business’ needs as they grow. For more information visit www.fleetev.com

Business, Climate, EVs and Automotive News, Sustainability

Staff want electric vehicle options from employers

FleetEV is urging firms to act now to meet their employees’ growing demand for electric vehicles, highlighting the importance of technology-driven solutions in streamlining the process.

Research from Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) found that while 48 percent of employees want a salary sacrifice scheme for EV vehicles, less than a third (32 percent) of employers actually offer it.

Salary sacrifice schemes remove any upfront costs for purchasing an EV and typically include insurance, maintenance and breakdown cover, making it an easy way of transitioning to an EV for many.

From a financial perspective, schemes provide tax efficiencies for all involved, as employers can take advantage of National Insurance (NI) savings, while employees benefit from reduced income tax and NI contributions.

Factoring in substantial government incentives and lower BiK (Benefit-in-Kind) rates for electric vehicles, this initiative becomes an attractive alternative to traditional car ownership.

Responding to this interest for those looking for a more economical transport option is Cardiff-based FleetEV, who has launched its advanced in-house technology platform specifically designed to support salary sacrifice schemes for SMEs and the public sector. In contrast to generic leasing solutions, FleetEV’s platform offers a seamless, fully managed experience tailored to the unique needs of salary sacrifice.

Offering a flexible, tax-efficient way for workforces to make the switch, FleetEV specialises in everything electric including comprehensive leasing and fleet solutions tailored to diverse client needs.

Jarrad Morris, CEO and Founder at FleetEV, said: “Following the findings that even more staff are wanting EV salary sacrifice schemes than ever before, our new in house proprietary salary sacrifice platform is intuitive, efficient, and designed with simplicity in mind, making it easy for businesses to adopt and manage.

“This ensures that employees know exactly what they are committing to, eliminating any financial uncertainty. Employers, too, can trust the integrity of the platform, knowing that there will be no unexpected financial discrepancies.”

The VWFS survey of 2,000 UK employees also found that 79 percent said it was important to work for a sustainable business, suggesting that the demand for EV salary sacrifice is not just about the finances. In addition, 33 percent said it was the most attractive eco-friendly workplace benefit.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has also said that the cost-of-living crisis, allied to the ‘sticker shock’ of new lease rentals being much more expensive than the cars they replace, is driving a change in the way fleets approach funding. They have seen the salary sacrifice fleet increase by 63% year-on-year.

Jarrad said: “For employers, our platform offers a competitive edge. It strengthens your brand’s commitment to sustainability, something increasingly vital for attracting and retaining top talent. Implementing a salary sacrifice platform allows businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, making tangible contributions to environmental goals.

“The cost savings, combined with the environmental benefits, make it an attractive and sustainable option for both businesses and their employees whilst simultaneously supporting sustainability goals.”

FleetEV’s salary sacrifice platform is highly flexible, offering a range of contract terms to suit different business needs and can be adapted as a company grows. For more information visit www.fleetev.com

Business

FleetEV earns quadruple certification

Cardiff-based electric vehicle (EV) provider FleetEV is celebrating after receiving three highly respected ISO accreditations, alongside their Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

The business is now fully ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 27001 accredited, demonstrating their commitment to quality, the environment and protecting customer data, ensuring that all customers and partners are confident when working with FleetEV.

The ISO 9001 accreditation means FleetEV is globally recognised for their quality management, having implemented effective processes and recruited and trained high-quality staff to deliver impeccable products and services. ISO 14001 recognises their dedication to environmental improvement and creating a sustainable future, whilst ISO 27001 highlights the business’s commitment to data security, alongside Cyber Essentials Plus.

Cyber Essentials is a government-backed certification scheme, designed to set a strong security baseline and help businesses operate securely online. The Plus accreditation assures public sector, business, and individual clients that their data is handled with the highest level of security.

Jarrad Morris, CEO and Founder at FleetEV, said: “At FleetEV, we recognise the critical importance of safeguarding the data of our clients and partners. Achieving three ISO accreditations alongside Cyber Essentials Plus certification demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards for our clients.

“These latest accolades exemplify our commitment to delivering trust and innovation across every service we provide and allow us to continue being a market leader by maintaining best practises in an ever evolving industry.”

FleetEV focuses on making the switch to EVs practical and efficient through comprehensive leasing, salary sacrifice, and fleet solutions tailored to diverse client needs, across public and private sectors.

News

Demand for EV technicians surges in tandem with rise in automotive students at Welsh college

HYBRID and electric vehicle courses experienced a surge in new learners.

The programmes are among a wide range of Engineering and Automotive qualifications to experience a rise in numbers at Coleg Cambria Deeside this academic year.

Carl Black, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Deeside, revealed several cohorts – including the Level 2 Diploma in Engineering – had almost doubled.

“Across the board we have seen an increase, notably Engineering but also in Automotive, both in further education and on the apprenticeships side,” said Carl.

“There is a lot of demand in these sectors, notably in repair services and manufacturing, and we are well placed to help meet that demand with the experience and facilities we have here at the college.”

The Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Repair 2 and 3 qualifications have been particularly successful, with hundreds of learners joining Cambria over the last three years, as well as the Level 4 Award in Diagnosis and Rectification of Faults in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, a more comprehensive qualification launched 12 months ago.

The Institute of the Motor Industry’s (IMI) latest EV TechSafe certification data showed that 58,800 technicians are now qualified to work on electric vehicles (EVs), representing 24% of the UK automotive workforce.

Based on the forecasted increase in EVs on UK roads, the IMI is currently predicting a shortfall of 3,000 technicians by 2031, and 16,000 by 2035.

Lecturer Charles Jones says the number of learners will steadily rise to help address that issue, and more technicians are returning to the sector after switching careers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A lot of garages are looking to apprentices and placing full-time workers with us to develop these skills,” he said.

“We are trying to get as many into placements as we can across the region, which gives them real-life experience in a working environment, meaning they will be ‘job-ready’ on leaving the college and entering the trade – they will have all the tools they need.

“We are also encouraging more girls into the sector and seeing a rise in female learners in engineering and automotive, which is heartening and a step in the right direction.”

Carl added: “The facilities and technology here are first class and up to the most modern industry standards, which is a major USP for us.

“We are always forging new partnerships and looking to push the envelope so we can continue to help train and prepare the next generation of engineers and skilled automotive workers and close that skills gap, in north east Wales and beyond.”

For more news and information on the wide range of courses and qualifications available at Coleg Cambria, visit the website: www.cambria.ac.uk.

Acquisitions & Partnerships, Environment, EVs and Automotive News, Sustainability, Transport

FleetEV provides top bakery with electric vehicle

Two local businesses have teamed up to help improve sustainability in Cardiff – whilst delivering artisan breads and pastries at the same time.

Bakery and boulangerie Ground, which opened its flagship Pontcanna site three years ago, now has a new addition on the menu – an electric vehicle (EV) provided by fellow city business FleetEV.

Mindful of racking up the miles with deliveries across South Wales and beyond, the bakery turned to leading electric specialist FleetEV, based at The Maltings, for an environmentally friendly van, just in time to mark Wales Climate Week (November 11-16).

FleetEV Founder and CEO Jarrad Morris said: “We are thrilled to provide an electric vehicle which perfectly suits Ground’s busy everyday business needs whilst reducing the impact on our environment.

“Our team has been super busy this Wales Climate Week helping businesses and individuals to make the switch to electric. It really is great to see so many people excited about creating a greener, cleaner and more sustainable future for all.”

Amy Hudson, Ground Manager, said: “Being able to make sustainable choices has always been of importance to us at Ground. When the options are available to choose solutions for our small business that better protect our environment, we do so.

“We committed from the start to always delivering to our shops and wholesale customers in electric vehicles and have worked hard to expand with this in mind. It’s exciting to now grow our electric fleet, allowing us to sustainably service even more customers with fresh baked goods each day across Cardiff and beyond.”

Ground is owned by Pembrokeshire-born chef Tom Simmons, the youngest contestant to reach the quarter finals of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2011, and his partner Lois. In addition to Pontcanna, Ground has coffee houses in Canton, Penarth and Cowbridge plus a unit at its production base in Sully.

FleetEV offers comprehensive leasing, salary sacrifice and fleet solutions tailored to diverse client needs across public and private sectors. For more information visit www.FleetEV.com

EVs and Automotive News

FleetEV celebrates national contract win

Cardiff-based FleetEV is celebrating after being awarded a place on the Halton Housing Fleet Procurement Framework, managed by MUFG Corporate Markets, a division of MUFG Pension & Market Services (formerly Link Group).

FleetEV is an electric vehicle (EV) services provider that focuses on helping organisations transition to electric vehicles through comprehensive leasing, salary sacrifice, and fleet solutions tailored to diverse client needs.

The company has been awarded a place on three lots of the national framework: passenger cars, light commercial vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes, and light commercial vehicle conversions. The framework is valued at £450 million and can be used by any public sector body in the UK, opening up significant growth opportunities for the Cardiff-based business.

Jarrad Morris, CEO and Founder FleetEV, said: “We’re so pleased to have been awarded a place on the Halton Housing Fleet Procurement Framework, managed by MUFG Corporate Markets, especially on three separate lots. We feel passionately about changing the face of EVs across the country and are so pleased to take our brand nationwide through this framework. We look forward to engaging with the public sector through the framework, helping them adapt to EVs in a simple way.”

 

Darrell Slevin, Director and Head of Asset Finance Advisory at MUFG Corporate Markets, a division of MUFG Pension & Market Services (formerly Link Group), said: “We are delighted to welcome FleetEV onto the Halton Housing Outright Purchase Framework. Being on three lots will enable them to deliver a wide range of vehicles covering the public sector’s electric light commercial vehicle requirements throughout the UK.

“We wish them every success and look forward to working alongside them to deliver best value into the public sector.”

Awards, News, Sustainability

myenergi awarded EcoVadis bronze medal for sustainability

Eco-smart home energy technology manufacturer myenergi has been awarded an EcoVadis bronze medal for its commitment to setting the standards in sustainable best practice. The prestigious accolade places the Stallingborough-based company within the top 35% of all companies assessed by the framework within the past 12 months.

EcoVadis is one of the world’s largest providers of business sustainability ratings, boasting a global network of more than 130,000 rated companies. Its certifications recognise and reward companies that go above and beyond to embrace sustainable practices.

The accreditation process requires businesses to submit documentation, examples and references for multiple sustainability proof points, with performance assessed against a bespoke methodology. myenergi scored well across each of the four performance themes analysed – environment; labour and human rights; ethics; and sustainable procurement.

Emma Brigginshaw, head of sustainability and ethics at myenergi, commented: “Being recognised by EcoVadis is a clear demonstration of our commitment to embracing sustainable best practice across the business. It affirms the robustness of our management systems and performance of our production processes.

“But while a positive endorsement of our work to date, this certification is just the start. As a leader in the design and manufacture of eco-smart home energy technologies, we’re committed to holding ourselves to account and really leading the way when it comes to setting the industry standards.

“We’re therefore already working hard in the background on numerous initiatives to further improve our environmental performance, each of which will be announced in due course. This bronze medal is a really valuable yardstick to fully understand where we’re already scoring highly, as Well as the areas that need additional focus moving forward.”

Best known for developing zappi, the world’s first solar-compatible electric vehicle charger, myenergi is a global leader in the home energy technology sector. The business manufactures a wide range of pioneering energy management devices, including the eddi power diverter and libbi battery storage system. Since its founding in 2016, the business has sold more than 600,000 units globally, while opening subsidiaries in Australia, Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland along the way.

For more information about myenergi and its latest range of eco-smart home energy tech, visit www.myenergi.com.

Driving, News

Coventry-Based Electric Car Subscription Business Nominated for EV Advocate of the Year

Car Subscription Business Nominated by Automotive Management

Coventry-based electric car subscription company EZOO have recently announced their nomination for the prestigious EV Advocate of the Year award by Automotive Management.

“We are honoured to be recognised for our dedication to advancing electric vehicle adoption,” stated Lash Saranna, Co-Founder & CEO of EZOO. “To be nominated alongside industry leaders like Volkswagen UK, Nissan UK, Devonshire Motor Company, and Luscombe’s is truly humbling.”

The AM Awards ceremony is set for Thursday, May 2nd, at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge in London.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, Lash remarked, “Our journey began in 2015 when we acquired the first Tesla Model X, and we realised the huge potential of electric vehicles, igniting a passion that hasn’t diminished to this day.”

Acknowledging the challenges of persuading consumers to embrace electric mobility, Lash added, “We encountered scepticism and resistance. To address this, we pioneered a unique approach – offering consumers the opportunity to experience electric cars firsthand through our unique monthly subscription service.”

Despite launching during the Covid Lockdown, EZOO has swiftly expanded its electric vehicle fleet and operational footprint, recently reporting that their vehicles are now travelling more than one million miles a year.

“Our intuitive online platform enables individuals and businesses to select, lease, and have electric cars delivered directly to their doorstep,” Lash explains.

Looking to the future, Lash expressed gratitude for the nomination and optimism for what lies ahead. “This recognition bolsters our commitment to advancing electric vehicle adoption and pushes us to continue our journey towards becoming a Net Zero business,” he affirmed. “We’re excited to see what the future holds for both our company and the EV industry.”

Find Out More About EZOO’s Nomination

News

Ford Credit announces its 2 MILLIONTH customer milestone

Ford Credit, the financial services arm of Ford Motor Company, has announced that it has reached the 2 million customer milestone for its industry-leading flexible Options product in the UK.

In recognition of reaching this customer milestone, Ford Credit celebrated by awarding the first 30 customers past the 2 million mark a refund on the first monthly payment of their finance package.

As the first automotive finance company to offer flexible Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) products in the UK nearly 30 years ago, Ford Credit has a long history of supporting customers with its innovative car financing products and services, particularly during challenging times.

Looking ahead, as the nation battles the cost-of-living crisis, the business expects to remain at the forefront of consumer car finance, providing drivers with much-needed flexibility and support to meet their ever-changing needs.

Help in times of need 

With customers always a top priority, Ford Credit already offers various modes of support to help vulnerable customers regardless of the situation, including offering payment extensions and holidays, and reduced payment options for customers in need.

However, the business is doubling down on its efforts to help customers keep their vehicles and stay on the road as many navigate potential changes to their financial situation over the coming months.

Ford Credit is currently trialling a number of solutions aimed at offering customers greater flexibility, including allowing them to change their mileage allowance should their situation or needs change. The business also recently introduced a new option for customers as part of its flexible Options product, enabling them to keep their vehicle (under a new finance contract) until they are ready to buy it, trade it in for a new car or hand it back to the business.

The product continues to evolve and disrupt with a new option recently introduced to enable customers to retain their vehicle (under a new finance contract) until they are ready to buy it, trade it in for a new car or hand it back.

Flexibility and support 

Beyond these initiatives, the business will also be doubling down on its core pillars of flexibility, personalisation and customer focus to maintain the highest level of service throughout this period.

A big learning from the pandemic was the importance of having multiple touchpoints for customers to speak with someone about their financing needs during challenging times. This is a key advantage of Ford Credit’s omnichannel experience, bringing together its store-led partner network with its online ‘Shop & Buy’ platform.

The business also works closely with individual customers to understand their personal financial situation, as well as analysing broader driver data on developing trends, to ensure its products are always as targeted and tailored as possible to meet their needs. Again, this approach will prove invaluable to many drivers as they face ongoing uncertainty over the coming months.

Finally, the business will continue to focus on providing customers with the flexibility required to meet their changing needs throughout this crisis, as evidenced during the pandemic when it introduced a range of frameworks and new finance solutions to respond rapidly to changing customer requirements and evolving trends.

Commenting, Carlos Treadway, CEO of Ford Credit Europe, said: 

“Customers are changing. The way they want to buy cars and engage with the company has changed – it’s more direct, online and personalised. But we know customers. We’ve been doing this for a number of years, supporting over two million customers through the good times and bad. There are lots of other companies that can do what we do but there’s not companies that know Ford customers like we do. We’ve always focused on having a deep relationship with customers but we’re even more dialled in now to really finding those moments that matter for them and supporting them through any changes.”