GREENFLEET Awards 2024 review

Last month, GREENFLEET hosted its 20^th annual awards ceremony celebrating electric vehicle (EV) pioneers, industry champions, and revolutionary fleet operators making waves in the green automotive field.

This year’s awards show took place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 5^th December 2024 and recognised achievements made across the EV sector, celebrating innovation, leadership, and commitment to a more sustainable future.

Kindly sponsored by Drax Electric Vehicles, the GREENFLEET Awards were hosted by comedian Gary Delaney, following a drinks reception, courtesy of Maxus.

Amongst the winners were pioneering fleet operators that have risen to the environmental challenge, as well as the companies and vehicle manufacturers that help them. There was individual recognition too, with fleet manager awards, together with the coveted EV Champions - which are now in their 11th year.

Here’s our review of the GREENFLEET Awards 2024:

GREENFLEET Award for Industry Innovation: IVECO 50kW ePTO

GREENFLEET presented their award for Industry Innovation to IVECO 50kW ePTO for its unrivalled ePTO capabilities. The IVECO eDaily can power items ranging from large refrigeration units, waste compactors, and even life-saving emergency equipment. The new MY24 IVECO eDaily delivers even more capability, raising ePTO power from 15kW to a class-dominating 50kW! Powering the ePTO, and the vehicle itself, is the eDaily’s unique modular battery system that allows operators to upgrade or downgrade the number of batteries based on their requirements.

IT Innovation Award: Bridgestone Mobility Solutions / Webfleet

The award for IT Innovation went to Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, through its fleet management platform Webfleet, which continues to help fleets with their electric vehicle journey through solutions such as its EV Services Platform, EV Transition Tool, EV Charger Monitoring Solution and AI Assistant. Such pioneering developments are driving sustainable transport for a wide range of fleets, from Mitchells of Mansfield, Kilnbridge and PHL Group, to Riverford and Keith Elkington Transport.

Fleet and Workplace Charging Provider of the Year: Evolt Charging

Evolt Charging won the award for Fleet and Workplace Charging Provider of the Year thanks to their work with Merthyr Tydfil Council, where it designed and installed EV charging infrastructure bays across 70 per cent of the Council’s parking bays. This infrastructure includes dynamic load management technology to optimise power distribution between 150kW DC rapid chargers and 22kW AC units. Dynamic load management systems balance power distribution between the charging units, which reduces energy costs while maximising efficiency.

Public and On-street Charging Provider of the Year: Instavolt

The winner of the Public and On-Street Charging Provider of the Year was InstaVolt and its popular introduction of Time of Day Pricing for customers who are signed up to the app. The off-peak pricing initiative allows motorists to take advantage of cheaper electricity. Drivers can now charge for 54p per kWh, between the hours of 10pm and 6am, across InstaVolt’s network of more than 1,700 rapid chargers. InstaVolt sources 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy sources and has now introduced large battery storage.

Alternative Fuel Provider of the Year: Certas Energy

GREENFLEET’S Alternative Fuel Provider of the Year award was given to Certas Energy through their commitment to supplying HVO made from renewable raw materials and sustainable waste, which help fleets such as Royal Mail decarbonise their heavy-duty vehicles. It has recently acquired Green Biofuels to strengthen its position and enable it to offer tailored solutions, including fuel cards, tank storage, and telemetry.

Leasing Company of the Year (Up to 20,000 vehicles): Octopus Electric Vehicles

Winning the award for Leasing Company of the Year (Up to 20,00 vehicles), Octopus Electric Vehicles is recognised for its tech-powered electric vehicle only salary sacrifice scheme. The company enjoys a 98 per cent retention rate for customers and a 4.8-star Trustpilot rating. In 2024, it launched its EV saver home tariff, meaning drivers who lease a car from Octopus get access to their own unique home energy tariff, giving them an even cheaper overnight charging rate and even more savings to charge their car at home.

Leasing Company of the Year (Over 20,000 vehicles): Ayvens

The award for Leasing Company of the Year for Over 20,000 Vehicles went to Ayvens for their work empowering customers to optimise the pace of their EV transition, following the merger of LeasePlan and ALD Automotive. Its EV consultancy is helping clients transition to EVs through strategic guidance, sustainability-focused annual reviews, and free assessments. It also offers salary sacrifice and has recently relaunched schemes for Virgin Media and Barclays. Ayens can also support workplace charging.

Mobility Provider of the Year: Europcar Mobility Group UK

Europcar Mobility Group UK won the Mobility Provider of the Year award for its significant investment in its fleet and infrastructure. The company has installed over 300 EV charge points across the UK network and has increased the proportion of its PHEV and BEV car fleet, which his above the industry average according to a BVRLA report.

EV Manufacturer of the Year: MG Motor UK

The EV Manufacturer Award of the Year was awarded to MG Motor UK. Its accessible and high-quality options for both consumers and fleets stood out against competitors. MG has experienced rapid growth, expanding from 10,000 vehicle sales annually to nearly 90,000, with a year-on-year fleet sales growth of 105.3 per cent compared to 2023. The MG ZS EV is a prime example of the brand’s commitment to offering value-driven, highly capable vehicles, with the Long Range version featuring a 73 kWh battery that delivers up to 273 miles on a single charge.

GREENFLEET Vehicle of the Year: BMW i5

Beating its competitors for the GREENFLEET Vehicle of the Year award is the BMW i5, which is available as either a Saloon or Touring and marks an electrifying new era for businesses. It benefits from rewarding driving dynamic and an all-electric performance with a range of up to 357 miles for the saloon and up to 343 miles for the Touring. With four trim levels available, there’s a model for everyone.

Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year: Tesla

Enjoying significant success in the UK fleet market, Tesla took home the prize for Fleet Car Manufacturer of the Year. The Tesla Model Y achieved the largest number of registrations in the fleet market during 2023. The Model Y was also the fifth best-selling car overall, and in March this year, the company reached the milestone of 200,000 vehicles delivered to customers. This means one in five BEVS on UK roads is a Tesla. Meanwhile, its Business Portal provides visibility for fleet managers and leasing partners.

LCV Manufacturer of the Year: Maxus

The LCV Manufacturer of the Year award went to Maxus, recognising its versatile range of electric light commercial vehicles which offer innovation, efficiency, and value for money. MAXUS’ diverse portfolio of electric vehicles includes the eDELIVER, eDELIVER 3, eDELIVER 5, eDELIVER 7, and eDELIVER 9 models, a strategic line up that ensures there’s a MAXUS EV to suit every fleet and business. What’s more, for those not yet ready for electric, MAXUS offers HVO fuel-compliant diesel variants on some models.

HGV Manufacturer of the Year: Daimler Trucks UK

Daimler Trucks UK won the HGV Manufacturer of the Year award, adding to their proud history of producing highly efficient diesel trucks or those that run on electric fuels. The new MY24 IVECO S-Way range has been empowered with the new XC13 engine with an increase in power matched by a 10 per cent increase in efficiency on equivalent models. The introduction of the new 500hp Natural Gas variant offers class-leading power for a biogas vehicle. In the eHGV market, the IVECO S-eWay tractor unit boast an impressive 310 mile range.

Private Sector Car Fleet of the Year: OVO

GREENFLEET awarded the Private Sector Car Fleet of the Year award to OVO, whose electrification journey started in early 2020 with no electric cars and only a few EV vans. By October 2024, OVO’s car fleet is an impressive 97 per cent electric. With only three IEC cars remaining, it is on track to achieving its 100 per cent EV target for 2025. OVO also launched a salary sacrifice scheme that provides all employees access to electric vehicles, as well as driver policy that advocates for sustainable travel.

Private Sector Commercial Fleet of the Year: Mitie

This award was presented to Mitie for its impressive feet of 2,009 electric vans in its fleet and for demonstrating innovation in electrifying other areas. An example of this was the redesign of its water tanks that are used to clean bus shelters. The fleet team worked to develop a smaller tank and review its processes to allow refilling during the day, resulting in an EV being able to be used. Mitie is also recognised for its new initiative of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to help monitor safety and compliance.

Private Sector Fleet Manager of the Year: Aaron Powell, Speedy Hire

Aaron Powell of Speedy Hire was awarded the Private Sector Fleet Manager of the Year for his substantial progress in reducing Speedy’s carbon emissions through measures that include the transition to electric and hybrid vehicles, the installation of solar panels on the roads and cabs of its EV fleet, and the introduction of the industry’s first 27-tonne fully electric plant-bodied vehicle. Speedy has also installed Defibrillators in over 300 vehicles.

Public Sector Commercial Fleet of the Year: Dundee City Council

Dundee City Council took home the Public Sector Commercial Fleet of the Year award for their varied fleet of over 700 vehicles. As it stands, 30 per cent of the fleet is electric, which is the highest composition of any Scottish Local Authority. Two of the largest depots in Dundee have recently been transformed into charging hubs, including Marchbanks, which also has a photovoltaic system along with battery storage.

Public Sector Car Fleet of the Year: Avon and Somerset Police

The winner of the Public Sector Car Fleet of the Year went to Avon and Somerset Police, which currently has 64 electric cars, which are used as neighbourhood cars, response cars, as well as general-use cars. The force has also deployed more than 165 hybrid vehicles into front line roles, including more than eighty Toyoto Corolla HEVs as response cars. In addition, Avon and Somerset Police now has 139 electric bikes used by its Neighbourhood Policing teams. Meanwhile, a newly appointed programme lead is ensuring the best possible transition to EVs.

Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year: Graham Hine, the University of Warwick

Graham Hine at the University of Warwick won the Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year award for his 30 years of fleet management involvement and his work transforming the University of Warwick’s fleet. Graham started the University’s EV Fleet Strategy in 2017 when he took on 44 Nissan ENV200s to begin replacing diesel vans. The fleet is now 72 per cent electric, and his fleet decarbonisation work has reduced fleet fuel costs by 66 per cent and service and maintenance costs by 75 per cent.

Electric Fleet Race Award, by Rightcharge: Royal Mail

A new award launched this year, the Electric Fleet Race Award gives a special recognition to the largest EV fleet within the Electric Fleet Race, launched by Rightcharge at the start of 2024 to offer a monthly insight into the organisations leading the way in terms of electric vehicle numbers of fleet. This award was presented to Royal Mail in recognition of its impressive electric van fleet of around 5,000 vehicles.

GREENFLEET Award for Outstanding Achievement

The GREENFLEET Award for Outstanding Achievement goes to an organisation or individual that has been championing the decarbonisation agenda for years and has made excellent progress in reducing the environmental impact of their fleet, or have shown great innovation in transport decarbonisation.

This year, the award was presented to EV adventurers Chris and Julie Ramsay for their Pole to Pole expedition, which saw them travel a mammoth 21,000 miles from the North to the South Pole in an electric Nissan Ariya. A world-first, the adventure pushed the capabilities of their electric vehicle to its limits to prove to the world that EVs are more than capable of long and demanding journeys.

EV Champions Awards

The EV Champions Awards, presented to individuals working in the fleet, transport, and automotive industries, recognise those who have championed electric vehicle uptake, are passionate about the cause, and are happy to share their experience and passion with others. This year is the 11^th year of celebrating individual EV champions.

The champions, announced at the ceremony were: Fraser Crichton of Dundee City Council, Kirsty Pendleton of the AA (Business Services), Aaron Powell of Speedy Hire, Naomi Jane Nye of Drax Electric Vehicles, Chris Chandler of Lex Autolease, and Melanie Shufflebotham of Zapmap.

The 2025 GREENFLEET Awards will continue to recognise the inspirational work of the fleet sector in decarbonising its operations. Confirmed for 4 December at the Coventry Building Society Arena once again, entry is now open here.