On the 1st November 2021, E-Van Guru celebrates its first year in business. In honour of this milestone, the business has launched a programme dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to migrate to zero-emission vehicle fleets. The programme includes free training, and on-demand help and advice.
E-Van Guru was launched on the 1st November 2020, amid a global pandemic, however, curfews, rules of six and UK-wide lockdowns have not stopped this new business start-up flourishing.
Created by Brian Bachelor, undeniably one of the UK’s leading experts on electric commercial vehicle fleets, the business is now a team of four, and has seen major successes in just 12 months, including a shortlisting for ‘most promising start-up’ at the national Electric Vehicle Innovation & excellence awards 2021.
With over 30 years’ experience in the commercial vehicle industry, and an advocate for electric vehicle fleets since 2014, Brian had become increasingly frustrated by the speed of transition, and the barriers to take-up. He decided to be a catalyst for change by creating a brand independent start-up business, working in collaboration with partners including vehicle manufacturers, dealerships, charging infrastructure and connectivity software suppliers, vehicle converters and finance companies, ensuring fleet operators can now get the complete ‘electric’ solution.
Brian Bachelor Managing Director of E-Van Guru, explained:
‘If you search the Internet, you will find lots of articles which offer advice to vehicle fleet managers about how to migrate to a zero-emission vehicle fleet. The good ones are packed with sensible advice about auditing your fleet, selecting your vehicles and charging infrastructure, and managing the transition. And whilst these articles are good at highlighting the benefits of an all-electric fleet, they also highlight the complexity of the task ahead without offering an end-to-end solution, this is what E-Van Guru was created to deliver.’
From the outset E-Van Guru secured sales support contracts with Brindley Group, Dynamo Motor Company and Vantage Vehicle Conversions. In addition, to signing up consultancy and training contracts with Mercedes-Benz Vans UK and Innovation Automotive (with distribution rights for DFSK and Skywell electric vans), only months later. In addition, E-Van Guru has spearheaded two exciting new product developments – the Maxus e Deliver 3 L1 H2 (high roof) panel van and the wheelchair access project, based on the Mercedes e Vito Tourer.
Brian Bachelor, Managing Director continued:
‘Forming working partnerships with manufacturers, vehicle dealerships and converters has been an important part of our first year, however, it’s our work with fleet operators that has been really encouraging.
Most of the UK’s largest companies are well along their electrification journey, with BP, BT, Direct Line Group, Royal Mail, Scottish Power, Severn Trent and Tesco joining forces to form the Electric Vehicle Fleet Accelerator (EVFA) pledging to convert their fleets to electric vehicles by 2030.
E-Van Guru will continue to work with fleet operators to make the transition to an electric fleet much earlier, supporting organisations to meet their sustainability commitments, whilst delivering clear fuel and maintenance cost savings, and the ability to operate in clean air zones (CAZ) across the UK, without financial penalties.
We are delighted to be working with the Wates Group, one of the largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK. However, in our experience it’s SME’s that are finding the transitions most challenging as they don’t have the internal resources and expertise to oversee the transition, and this is where E-Van Guru can really help – right from building the business case to vehicle sourcing and driver training.’
As part of its first birthday celebrations E-Van launched a programme dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to migrate to zero-emission vehicle fleets. The programme includes a series of webinars, the first taking place on 2nd November, supported by on-demand help and advice. You can sign up for the webinar here.
To find out more about E-Van Guru download our brochure here. https://e-van-guru.co.uk/downloads/e-van-guru-brochure.pdf