Vertellus introduces groundbreaking electric commercial vehicle Discovery Programme to accelerate take-up of BEV by operators

– Market-leading EV Discovery Programme, through 3-way partnership between Vertellus, Renault Trucks and Zenobē, delivers a turn-key sustainable option to operators –

(Wednesday, November 9, 2022) As part of its commitment to support businesses in accelerating a seamless transition to an electric vehicle fleet, Vertellus, an innovative new commercial vehicle contract hire company with a difference, has unveiled its EV Discovery Programme.

Designed to encourage, inspire and support the introduction of electric vehicles into fleets and onto UK roads, while also providing a full in-life support service, the groundbreaking EV Discovery Programme signals a serious intent by Vertellus to actively support customer’s low carbon agenda and decarbonisation journey.

Initially introducing 30 electric vehicles from 16-18 tonnes with box, curtainsider and fridge bodies, these ready-to-operate vehicles are delivered to customers with a temporary charging solution, which can be installed on site at the vehicle base. Zenobē, the EV fleet and battery storage specialist, will be providing a DC 60 kW solution that includes its bespoke software to manage the eTruck charging. It will also provide a 24/7 helpline and a performance guarantee.

Nigel Baxter, Managing Director of Vertellus, said: “We understand that when it comes to switching to an EV contract hire fleet there is so much more for the business to think about than with a diesel vehicle, which is why we have designed the Discovery Programme to remove the complexity and hassle out of your energy transition, so operators can accelerate the process of reducing the carbon footprint of their fleets”

“Introducing EVs across an entire fleet is likely to happen in stages, however, the Vertellus EV Discovery Programme solution identifies operations and sectors where this technology can work for businesses and provides operators with an opportunity to hire the electric vehicles, and therefore test the technology, in their own day-to-day environment.”

The Vertellus EV Discovery offer is a three-month programme based on usage, with customers contracting a minimum of 3,000 kWh per month – equivalent to circa 40,000km per annum. Pricing for box and curtainsider vehicles is £1.50/kWh and for refrigerator vehicles it is £1.90/kWh, with this cost including all expected standard full contract hire services.

In addition to this, the cost includes the charging infrastructure meaning that customers only then pay their energy provider for the electricity they use. For customers with more demanding usage requirements, Vertellus, in partnership with Zenobē, can upgrade the charging infrastructure to a DC 120kW fast charging solution that includes a 160kWh battery storage, designed to allow the double shifting of vehicles.

Carlos Rodrigues, Managing Director of Renault Trucks UK and Ireland, added: “Renault Trucks are delighted to be partnering with Vertellus to help deliver our ambition for a more sustainable future. Our product offering is very strong and in partnership with Vertellus and Zenobē we are providing customers with a ready-to-use solution. Vertellus delivers the first real BEV Equipment as a Service (EaaS), backed by more than 60 network locations and an infrastructure of highly qualified technicians, all ready to serve customers.

“The Discovery Programme will help fleets throughout the UK achieve a significant reduction in carbon emissions and we look forward to working with Vertellus and supporting companies in taking the necessary steps to adopting electric vehicles.”

Alongside the personalised EV consultancy and market-leading vehicle options, the Discovery Programme is also supported by a comprehensive and complete charging solution provided by Zenobē. With operations in the UK, Australasia and Europe, Zenobē supports around 25% of the UK EV bus sector and has circa 50 fleet electrification projects live or in process.

Following an initial consultation to establish customer requirements, Zenobē will supply the charging solution to power the vehicles through the 60kW or 120kW chargers with optional additional battery storage.

Nicholas Beatty, Founder Director at Zenobē, said, “We’re delighted to have been chosen to embark on this journey of decarbonisation alongside Vertellus. The commercial vehicle industry faces several unique challenges and, from our work supporting the electrification of around 50 fleets globally, we understand operator concerns around fleet running costs and demand exceeding local power constraints – and that these factors can deter operators from making the switch”.

“However, with the correct power procurement strategy combined with the use of Zenobē’s smart charging software, these barriers can be overcome. Through our partnership with Vertellus and the EV Discovery Programme we are committed to finding long-term solutions that are truly beneficial for the customer and the environment.”

Vertellus provides businesses of all sizes with an independent end-to-end consultancy service, bringing together a network of partners to provide insight, strategy and flexibility in order to help businesses unlock this opportunity and ensure the fleet is powered, compliant and economical. 

With an overall vehicle portfolio of over 3,500 vehicles from 2.7 to 44 tonnes, Vertellus is backed by over 100 years of knowledge and experience from the Renault Trucks network, an unmatched nationwide network of more than 60 approved partner locations, market-leading service partners in Zenobē and bodybuilding partners SB Components and Solomons to provide support on every stage of the journey to a greener future. 

For more information about Vertellus, please visit www.vertellus.co.uk

ENDS

About Zenobē Energy Ltd. (Zenobē):

Zenobē is an international EV fleet and battery storage specialist, headquartered in the UK with operations in Europe and Australasia. It has c.235MW of contracted storage assets and 1.6GW in development in the UK which equates to c.25% market share forecast by 2026, around 25% market share of the UK EV bus sector and c.580 electric vehicles on the road globally. The company is the largest owner and operator of EV buses in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. 

The company’s pioneering battery storage offering enables power grid operators to provide clean, secure and affordable power, accelerating the global transition to Net Zero energy systems. Zenobē’s fleet solution is driving the adoption of electric vehicles and reducing emissions from the transport and logistics sectors. Its ETaaS (Electric Transport-as-a-Service) solution provides fleet operators and local authorities with a full solution for a pay-per-month fee including charging infrastructure, battery replacement and award-winning software. Zenobē is also a leader in repurposing EV batteries after their first life, providing incremental power solutions to large business and the film and events industries.

For more information, please visit  www.zenobe.com

About Renault Trucks 

1. Building on a legacy of more than a century of innovative French truck know-how, Renault Trucks supplies transport professionals with a range of vehicles (from 2.8 to 120t) and services appropriate for distribution, construction and long-distance transport. 
2. Renault Trucks vehicles are sturdy and reliable with low fuel consumption which enables them to deliver greater productivity and control operating costs. Renault Trucks distributes and maintains its vehicles via a network comprising more than 1,400 service outlets worldwide. The design and assembly of Renault Trucks vehicles, as well as the production of most components, is carried out in France.

For more information, please visit   www.renault-trucks.co.uk

Media Contact

Tim Franklin

E: tim@frankmedia.co.uk

T: 07703043126