Hull-based Head-on Electrical has taken a positive stride towards switching its entire van fleet to clean, green battery power. The successful UK contractor runs a fleet of 12 vans, each racked to carry tools, cabling and other components used by its electricians to take on assignments for a wide range of commercial and domestic clients, including the installation of electric vehicle (EV) recharging points.
Head-on Electrical was established in 2009 by brothers Tony and James Fethon and now employs a team of 35 colleagues, who work across Hull and the East of Yorkshire.
The company boasts accreditation from the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) and offers a range of services, from issuing Electrical Safety Certificates to partial and full rewires for domestic and commercial properties of any size. Plus, the company also provides electric vehicle charging points as an approved installer for the EV Chargers UK brand.
Tony Fethon, Head-on Electrical, said: “Given that an increasing amount of our work is in the provision of charging infrastructure to help customers switch over to electric vehicles, it makes obvious sense for us to be running battery-powered vans on our own fleet.
“This Mercedes-Benz eVito is the first of many, and is already proving to be a great mobile advertisement for our company as well as a highly effective and efficient performer.”
“Moving to electric transportation will be a major step forward in our strategic goal to reduce the impact of our activities on the local environment as much as possible and make the company as sustainable as it can be. We see this as part of our responsibility to care for the community in which we all live and work.”
Paul Sinclair, Senior Electrician, said: “I’d never driven an electric vehicle before but making the transition was no problem at all. Our local retailer gave me a thorough introduction to all the controls and functions and it felt like second nature in no time at all.
“Now I love driving the eVito – it’s much smoother and quieter than a diesel van, and with full torque available from a standstill the performance feels effortless.”
It’s good to see a company transition to electric vehicles and enjoy all the advantages that zero emissions light commercial vehicles (LCVs) offer. This includes lower running rates, less maintenance and the ability to enter zero emissions zones.
The L2 long-bodied eVito, which was supplied in showroom condition, was actually a used vehicle, albeit one with just 500 miles on the clock.
Fethon added: “The availability of a used model made this green option even more accessible. Like any operator, we’re keen to keep our total cost of vehicle operation as low as possible.
“The two-year ServiceCare package that we opted to buy upfront means running costs will be easily predictable and our own charging point supported by a solar panel helps to minimise topping-up costs.
“All of which means the eVito makes financial as well as environmental sense. Now we’re looking forward to adding more, as soon as possible.”
