Arval helps Vodafone go all-EV by 2026

ARVAL UK is helping Vodafone UK to fully electrify its almost 1,000-strong car fleet a year ahead of the company’s original schedule.

The technology communications giant originally adopted a strategy in 2019 to switch entirely to electric cars as part of a Vodafone Group-wide commitment to reach net zero emissions across its operations by the end of this decade.

The plan called for the car fleet to become zero emissions by 2027 but, working with its partner, Arval UK, this deadline will be met 12 months early.

The transition project was created by Vodafone UK working in conjunction with Arval. Initially, EVs were introduced to the fleet in 2019, supported by a range of ride and drive events and webinars designed to brief employees on their advantages. Petrol and diesel cars were removed from choice lists altogether in 2021 and PHEVs followed in 2023.

Huw Mellor, Business Manager at Arval UK (left), said: “Vodafone’s corporate decision to achieve net zero emissions has been one of the most rewarding partnerships with which we’ve been involved in recent years. The speed with which full electrification has been achieved is undeniably impressive and we are very pleased to have made our contribution to this project.”

Craig Login, Property Contract Manager at Vodafone UK, said: “We have been pursuing a determined electrification strategy for our car fleet, driven by both our overall corporate environmental objectives and demands from drivers for zero emissions options.

“In 2020, just 16% of our cars were battery electric vehicles and 29% PHEVs. Next year, we’ll be operating 100% EVs and 0% PHEVs. This dramatic shift towards net zero emissions is, we believe, quite an achievement.”

“The role played by Arval UK in educating our drivers about BEVs – covering factors such as taxation, charging and range – has been a crucial element. We couldn’t have made this transition happen so quickly unless we won the support of our staff.”

Craig Login, Property Contract Manager at Vodafone UK Tweet

Arval UK also created an EV salary sacrifice scheme in 2023, launched with a series of ride and drive events, as part of Vodafone UK’s commitment to net zero emissions. Last month, the 300th vehicle under this initiative was delivered and Vodafone UK now offers high power charging facilities across all of its office locations.

Craig added “With the help of Arval UK, we adopted a very structured approach to electrification, looking at everything from detailed whole life cost modelling through to regularly meeting with manufacturers to ensure the latest electric cars meeting our needs were available.