Electric vans arrive in Michelin Services and Solutions fleet

With the delivery of 17 Vauxhall Combo vans, Michelin has completed the first phase of its electric vehicle (EV) transition programme in the van fleet that its Services and Solutions division operates in the UK. The electric vans, supplied on a four-year lease and featuring a Michelin livery that emphasises the company’s sustainability commitments, are part of “ambitious” plans to electrify the division’s 54-strong fleet by 2026.

“The introduction of electric vans is an important milestone for our division and aligns with Michelin’s whole environmental ethos as we constantly strive to reduce our CO2 emissions,” says Alastair Cameron, national operations manager – services and solutions at Michelin. “Deployed on the passenger transport side of the business, the electric vans will be used by our tyre technicians who visit multiple sites every day, but who are classed as low-mileage city drivers.”

Cameron says drivers of the vans, which offer a range of up to 175 miles, will be “our ambassadors for the transition to EVs, encouraging colleagues to join the programme,” which Michelin will expand next year. Drivers will cover business mileage with an electric fuel card, whilst the Services and Solutions division has put in place a system for them to efficiently reclaim home charging costs.

The electric vans will be used by tyre technicians who visit multiple sites every day, but who are classed as low-mileage city drivers.

Smooth switch from diesel to electric

By utilising the Michelin Connected Fleet portfolio, parent company Michelin reduced the number of harsh driving events across its Services and Solutions van fleet last year, cutting fuel costs through improved driver behaviour. Michelin is drawing upon the portfolio’s EV transition tools to smoothen the switch from diesel to electric, with a focus on driver ability to home charge, plus assessment of battery range issues.

“With the Connected Fleet tools, we now have the ability to monitor how our electric vans are being utilised in terms of charging, so we can carefully manage the battery life and range and advise our drivers accordingly,” Cameron adds.

80% range within half an hour

The Vauxhall Combo electric vans each have a high-energy density 50kWh 18-module battery that can charge from empty up to 80 per cent of maximum range in less than 30 minutes using a 100kW fast charger. The battery can also be fully charged at home in just 7.5 hours using a home wallbox.

Michelin Services and Solutions is taking steps to further improve driver safety in the Vauxhall Combo vans by installing the same fleet management technologies it deploys for end-user fleets, including forward and rear-facing cameras.