British Gas orders 2,000 electric vans in big upgrade

British Gas has ordered 2,000 electric vans, in one of the biggest such upgrades by a UK company so far. 

The energy provider said that after buying the Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans, 3,000 of its 12,000-strong fleet will be all-electric. 

Parent company Centrica has vowed to make all of its vehicles electric by 2025, as part of efforts to tackle climate change. 

Running out of gas: The energy provider said that after buying the Vauxhall Vivaro-e vans, 3,000 of its 12,000-strong fleet will be all-electric

British Gas runs the UK’s third-biggest van fleet and its purchase will boost calls for the Vivaro-e – which is made in France – to be built in Britain. 

BT-owned Openreach last year called on Vauxhall to make the vans at its plant in Luton, where it already makes the diesel Vivaro. 

Openreach said it wanted to band together with Centrica and Royal Mail to support the business case. 

Yesterday Centrica boss Chris O’Shea said: ‘Fully electrifying our fleet will make a big difference.’