• British Gas has ordered 2,000 of the new all-electric Vivaro-e van for its engineers
• This represents the largest electric vehicle order for a commercial fleet in the UK and adds to the 1,000 purchased last summer

The Opel sister company Vauxhall announced today that it has received an order for 2,000 new all-electric Vivaro-e vans from British Gas. In addition to the 1,000 purchased last summer, the Vauxhall purchase represents the largest commercial BEV (battery electric vehicle) order in the UK to date. All 3,000 electric vehicles will be on the road by 2022.

Centrica, owner of British Gas, has committed to electrify its 12,000 strong fleet by 2025 – five years earlier than originally planned – and will be making further orders with Vauxhall for electric vehicles as soon as they are available.

Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, said: “We are leading from the front by not only lowering emissions for our customers and our communities, but by lowering our own emissions, and by increasing the speed at which we do this. Fully electrifying our fleet will make a big difference.

“At the same time, we are d working with motor manufacturers such as Vauxhall on services and solutions for their EV customers such as charge points, infrastructure and innovative EV tariffs with cheaper charging at night and free EV miles.”

Paul Willcox, Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors, said: “I am delighted that British Gas has added to its initial order of fully-electric Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans that now represents the largest electric vehicle order for a commercial fleet in the UK. As the oldest British vehicle Brand since 1903, I want to thank British Gas, a fellow British business, for their loyalty and trust in Vauxhall.

“The strength of the quantity of orders for our all-electric van demonstrates that the Vauxhall Vivaro-e can contribute towards the transition towards low emissions vehicles whilst improving air quality.”