UK Energy Companies to Switch to EV Fleets by 2030

As the UK pushes to meet its climate change targets, British energy companies have announced plans to transition to eco-friendly fleets by 2030. British Gas and SSE, two of the 'Big Six' energy companies dominating the UK market, have pledged to fast-track the transition towards greener vehicles and replace all current vans in their fleets with electric models by 2030.

The move was sparked by a petition organised by non-profit organisation Climate Group, which called on British energy companies to eliminate petrol and diesel vehicles from fleets within the next decade. This puts British Gas and SSE 10 years ahead of current government plans to ban the sale of all new combustion engine vehicles by 2040.

British Gas and SSE set to invest in 16,000 EVs

Under the pledge, British Gas will replace all 12,500 of its current petrol and diesel powered vans with electric models. The company operates Britain's third largest fleet of commercial vehicles, which means the move will have a significant impact on cleaning up UK roads and minimising air pollution. SSE, which operates the seventh biggest fleet of commercial cars in the country, will also switch all 3,500 of its vehicles to electric models.

47 other companies from around the world have joined British Gas and SSE in the pledge, with Climate Group asserting it will see more than two million petrol and diesel vehicles removed from global roads by 2030. “These companies are sending a clear message that the direction of travel for transport is electric, inspiring their staff and customers to follow," says Helen Clarkson, chief executive at Climate Group. "Every major business must do the same."

A commitment to low carbon infrastructure

Brian McLaren, a Director of Group Change at SSE, says joining the pledge reflects the company's commitment to “deliver low carbon infrastructure in a sustainable way”. He adds that “decarbonisation is at the heart of what we do" and says that if the UK plans to meet its net zero emission targets, making a nationwide switch to low-carbon emission vehicles essential.

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