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 

(Left to Right) Carlos Rodrigues, Managing Director of Renault Trucks UK and Ireland; Nigel Baxter, Managing Director of Vertellus; Nicholas Beatty, Founder Director at Zenobē

(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.

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 16-18T 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 at 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 40,000 km 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 120 kW fast charging solution that includes a 160 kWh 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 60 kW 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 44T, 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