Mitie aims for 2,021 electric vehicles in 2021

Mitie is marking the first anniversary of Plan Zero – its commitment to reach net zero operational carbon emissions by 2025 – by setting a series of new sustainability pledges for 2021.

This includes ramping up its electric vehicle roll out, as it plans have at least 2,021 pure electric vehicles (EVs) in its fleet by the end of 2021.

This is more than a quarter (28%) of the entire fleet of 7,100 vehicles, including large and specialist vehicles, as well as cars and vans that joined the business following the Interserve FM acquisition. This target builds on Mitie’s previous target of 717 EVs by 2020, which it achieved three months ahead of schedule. The business will also continue to trial electric solutions for its specialist fleet, such as the electric gritter launched by Mitie Landscapes in February 2021.

Other measures within the company include reducing annual energy use across its office estate by 100,000 kWh in 2021; introducing new bins, which don’t require plastic bin liners, and is committing to net zero Scope 3 emissions (covering its supply chain, employee commuting and working from home) by 2035.

Mitie will also continue to pilot new systems to improve sustainability across its business. Solutions set for a trial in 2021 include installing tap attachments that are able to reduce water use by up to 98%, as well as ‘hive’ robot vacuums which are up to 62.5% more energy efficient. These, and other, technologies, will be trialled at a small number of sites to assess whether they are suitable to be rolled out across all of Mitie’s offices.  

Simon King, Director of Sustainability and Social Value, Mitie, said: “From creating the UK’s leading electric vehicle fleet and switching our offices to renewable energy, to launching the first zero emission landscaping services and planting 2,000m2 of wildflowers, Mitie has made great progress in the first year since we launched our net zero commitment. However, continuing to push ourselves further, faster, has always been the ethos of Plan Zero. By setting these new targets we’re putting our words into action and helping Mitie, and our customers, become sustainable, sooner.”