Our commitment to a low-carbon and efficient fleet

At Bouygues Energies & Services 10% of our commercial fleet are now electric vehicles. Our average CO2 generated per km stood at 162.3g in January this year, compared to our January 2019 figure of 238.7g, a figure we hope will reduce significantly over time. Reducing carbon emissions makes a lot of sense for us, not only to reduce our environmental impacts but also to reduce costs.

Our vehicles are used by our teams in mobile engineering, grounds and window cleaning, street lighting teams and for the work we do up and down Britain’s motorways and major trunk roads. Our aim is to have many more electric vehicles and as the range of larger electric vehicles increases so will our fleet.

We choose electric vehicles because as well as having a very low carbon footprint they do not emit any other pollutants and this is particularly important when we are working in areas of poor air quality.

In addition, we now have the capability in-house to install any vehicle charging requirements ourselves, from fast to ultra-rapid. This is efficient and cost effective both for our fleet and our clients’ vehicles.

Enabling more efficient driving

All our vehicles have the latest in-vehicle telemetry.  Telemetry gives us information about a vehicle or driver's performance by collecting data from sensors within the vehicle. This helps us to direct the best-placed vehicles to each job and to avoid traffic jams. We can also monitor driver performance; harsh braking, rapid acceleration and fuel efficiency, so that we can help all drivers to be more efficient.

We support this further with training, teaching our drivers not only how to drive more efficiently but also more safely, which is vital when crews are on the road so much. In addition the telemetry helps identify which drivers might need improvement in specific areas.

Additional benefits include reduced levels of stress, because electric vehicles are easier to drive in slow moving traffic, and reduced maintenance costs as vehicles that are well-driven have reduced wear and tear.

Reducing environmental and social impacts

Our traditional diesel fleet, like others, was responsible for large levels of CO2 emissions and noxious tailpipe emissions.  A switch to electric vehicles addresses both of these issues and can also help to reduce levels of noise nuisance if our crews are working in residential streets. Improved logistics also reduce our overall mileage, again helping reduce Carbon emissions.Performance

Real-time vehicle telemetry allows us to respond more quickly to emergencies and call-outs, making sure the right vehicle attends the job. This means more time working and less time on the road, as well as reducing fuel costs and emissions.

Improved vehicle efficiency also reduces fuel usage and electric vehicles avoid most congestion and parking charges. Best of all, our crews are less tired and stressed.

Defensive driving techniques can help our staff to stay safe and to drive more efficiently.  There are also indications that levels of tiredness and stress are also reduced.

Helping to tackle air pollution is of wider benefit to society, especially in urban areas where traffic contributes to poor levels of air quality.

It’s simple - electric vehicles are better for us and better for the environment.