Flooring distributor Volante and sister company John Palmer Carpets have taken on an electric truck and two electric vans, alongside two diesel vehicles, on contract hire through a partnership with Vertellus.
The partnership includes an electric Renault Trucks D16 E-Tech rigid, secured on a 5-year contract hire agreement following a successful trial through the Vertellus EV Discovery Programme.
This is alongside two Renault Trucks D16 diesel rigids and two Renault Trucks Master E-Tech electric vans.
The fleet is further complemented by an existing Renault Trucks D16 diesel rigid operated by John Palmer Carpets.
From its Chessington site, Volante operates a fleet of HGVs and LCVs delivering carpets, carpet tiles, vinyl flooring, adhesives, underlays and accessories to customers across the UK. Vehicles typically complete between 10 and 20 deliveries per day, with routes varying according to demand, serving construction sites, hospitals, universities, commercial premises and residential customers across London and the South East.
By taking a dual energy approach, Volante can maintain its operational flexibility while gaining valuable hands-on experience with electric vehicle technology. Having successfully trialled and integrated the Renault Trucks E-Tech vehicles into its delivery operation, the business has developed a clearer understanding of where electrification can support its routes, customers and future sustainability ambitions, providing a strong foundation for future fleet planning.
The partnership began through Vertellus' EV Discovery Programme, which enabled Volante to trial a Renault Trucks E-Tech D in live customer operations. Designed to de-risk fleet decarbonisation, the 12-month programme provides operators with real-world operational data and expert support, helping them understand where electric vehicles can deliver genuine operational and commercial value before making longer-term fleet investment decisions.
As part of the trial, Vertellus worked closely with Volante to analyse route profiles, payload requirements and delivery patterns across its operation. Vertellus worked with Volante and the bodybuilder to specify a bespoke half-box, half-curtainsider body incorporating tail-lift access, providing the flexibility required for deliveries to construction sites, kerbside locations, commercial premises and residential customers.
Following the success of the trial, Volante elected to retain the vehicle under a long-term contract hire agreement and subsequently expanded its fleet package to include additional electric vans alongside new diesel rigids.
Ricardo Calaca, General Manager, Sales, Operations and Distribution at Volante, said: "When we first engaged with Vertellus, our priority was finding the right fleet solution for our business. The EV Discovery Programme gave us an opportunity to understand how electric vehicles could work within our operation, but just as importantly it helped us evaluate our wider fleet requirements.
"What impressed us was Vertellus' consultative approach. Rather than pushing a particular technology, they took the time to understand our routes, payloads, delivery schedules and operational challenges before recommending the right solution. The result is a fleet package that gives us the best of both worlds. Our diesel vehicles continue to provide the flexibility and capability our operation depends on every day, while the electric vehicles allow us to explore lower-carbon transport solutions in areas where they make operational sense.
"Having a trusted partner that understands both technologies and can support us with funding, fleet management and ongoing operational advice has been invaluable."
