Network Rail has added 25 electric vans to its road fleet and installed its first dedicated EV charging points as part of a new trial.
The changes are part of Network Rail’s Project Zero, which involves the transition to an 100% ultra-low emission road fleet by 2035, alongside the UK Department for Transport’s (DfT) wider electrification targets for 2027.
Six dedicated charging points have been installed at Network Rail’s Swindon depot to support the fleet, with a further three added to its Bristol site. This infrastructure is intended to help the mobilisation of engineers 24/7 to perform maintenance and repairs across the rail network.
Network Rail has teamed up with Novuna Vehicle Solutions to deliver the charging infrastructure, building on a current contract worth £136m for Novuna’s oversight and management of its road fleet.
Novuna offers an end-to-end decarbonisation solution designed to ease the switch to EVs with bespoke transition plans. For Network Rail, this included a feasibility assessment at depot sites to determine their suitability for EV charging.
Willie Crawford, head of road fleet at Network Rail, said: “Project Zero is a significant undertaking for Network Rail, as we progress further on our electrification journey.
“Installation of charging points at our Swindon and Bristol depots supported by a fleet of fully electric vans with further installations to follow at a number of additional sites significantly enhances our mobility capability to service the rail network through our ever expanding zero-emission fleet.
“Building on our established working partnership which has seen the delivery of an efficient and cost effective ‘one-stop shop’ solution provided by Novuna Vehicle Solutions for several years, these designated depot transformations are addressing our business requirements as we make the transition toward a fully EV fleet over the next five years.
“Driving improved cost and environmental efficiencies across Network Rail through Project Zero is fundamental as we continue on our journey towards becoming a truly sustainable railway.”
The installation of further charging points is planned for depots in Cardiff, Derby, Doncaster, Glasgow, Newcastle, Sandwell & Dudley and Shrewsbury.
