To coincide with transport day at COP26 in Glasgow, Virgin Media O2 has unveiled the first of its new EVs, as it works to transition its entire fleet to electric by 2030.
The business is also committed to supporting the rollout of EV charging infrastructure nationwide, offering free charging points to its fleet drivers. It will continue to deploy charging points alongside its fixed and mobile network rollout across the UK.
Virgin Media O2 has ordered 280 new Vauxhall e-Vivaros to carry out service and install visits at customers’ homes. The company pledged to continuously review its fleet and look to transition to BEVs as quickly as possible.
Drivers of Virgin Media O2’s fleet will also be offered charging points in their own homes as part of the move. This aims to enable drivers to charge new electric vans overnight and contribute to a cleaner future for UK transport. Virgin Media O2 already offers EV charging for employees at its Slough, Reading and Hammersmith office sites.
Tracey Herald, head of corporate responsibility and sustainability at Virgin Media O2, said: “With a fleet of 4,300 vehicles visiting millions of homes and businesses every year, we have a responsibility to swap to cleaner, more sustainable alternatives as soon as possible. I’m proud that we’re introducing the first EVs to our fleet, and giving our valued field engineers access to the charge points they need to keep moving.”
Since 2020, Virgin Media has been working with Liberty Charge, a joint venture between Virgin Media O2 joint owner Liberty Global & Zouk Capital, to install EV charging points alongside its existing infrastructure and ongoing network build programme.
Liberty Charge and Virgin Media O2 are continuing to work together to assess where they can follow a ‘dig once’ strategy – deploying fixed and mobile solutions at the same time as EV charging infrastructure. As well as streamlining the installation process and making it more convenient for all, this helps create the foundations for the smart-city networks of the future, according to the collaboration.
Herald added: “The only way to encourage businesses and the public to make the switch to EVs in time for the UK’s 2050 net zero target is by making vehicle charging points widely available and accessible to all. We’re eagerly anticipating the government’s EV strategy and plans for wider infrastructure rollout, and together with Liberty Charge, we’re committed to using our expanding national network and street furniture to help put charging points where they need to be – and drive the UK towards net zero.”
