BT Group Leads UK with Largest Electric Vehicle Fleet
The BT Group has announced a landmark order for approximately 3,500 EVs, marking the UK's largest-ever commercial EV fleet purchase. The initiative strengthens BT Group's commitment to sustainability and supports the development of the nation's broadband and mobile networks.
With the completion of this latest order by 2026, BT Group will operate nearly 8,000 EVs, establishing itself as the owner of the largest EV fleet in the UK. The move aligns with the company's target to achieve net-zero emissions by March 2031.
Driving sustainability across operations
BT Group, which includes Openreach, manages over 27,000 vehicles across its operations, making it the UK's second-largest commercial vehicle fleet.
Currently, the company operates around 4,300 EVs, with the new order forming part of a broader delivery of 6,000 vehicles, more than half of which will be electric.
These vehicles will enable engineers to efficiently build and maintain next-generation mobile and broadband networks, including the UK's largest full-fibre broadband network. Openreach engineers are already building connectivity to more than 16 million homes and businesses and aim to reach 25 million premises by the end of 2026.
BT engineers are responsible for maintaining more than 19,500 mobile masts for EE's mobile network and managing 5,600 telephone exchanges across the UK.
Commitment to carbon reduction
Simon Lowth, Group Chief Financial Officer at BT highlighted the significance of this EV order: "By integrating yet more electric vehicles into our operations, we are taking another significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint and supporting the UK's transition to a greener future.
"As we extend our full fibre build from 16 million homes and businesses today to 25 million by the end of 2026, having the most efficient, sustainable EVs will give our engineers the edge as they connect customers at pace to our next-generation networks. Our modern fleet will help us to be more efficient and deliver a better service for our customers."
Government support for decarbonisation
The initiative has garnered praise from the government.
Lilian Greenwood, the Future of Roads Minister, highlighted the importance of business contributions to the EV transition: "Businesses have a crucial role to play in driving the transition to electric cars and vans.
"That's why it's fantastic to see that BT Group have made the most of our plug-in van grant to order 3,500 new EVs – which means they will have the largest electric commercial fleet in the UK.
"We want to help more businesses decarbonise their operations, and we've extended our plug-in van grant with £120m funding to help roll out more zero-emission vans on our roads – part of our US$2.83 billion to support industry and consumers switch to EVs and make the transition a success."
Collaboration with leading manufacturers
Four major manufacturers, Ford, Stellantis, Toyota and Renault, will fulfil the EV order over the next two years.
By design, the vehicles provide engineers with modern, efficient tools to support their work in advancing connectivity and sustainability across the UK.
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