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Wiltshire Council
Case study

Wiltshire Council’s fleet strategy

Creating a decarbonisation strategy to help Wiltshire Council grow its zero emission fleet

Key points

  • Wiltshire Council needed a charging strategy to grow its zero emission fleet. 
  • We carried out a fleet review, using data to create strategic and achievable plans. 
  • The council is now on a clear path to a zero emission fleet, with over 150 electric vehicles. 

Background

Our fleet advice and consultancy team has been working with Wiltshire Council to provide in-depth advice and the tools to decarbonise its fleet. This has helped Wiltshire to significantly reduce its fleet emissions. 

We carried out an initial fleet review in 2020. Wiltshire Council used this as a basis for its fleet strategy. It then began a successful programme of replacing its old fleet and phasing in electric vehicles. By late 2023, it had introduced over 50 electric vehicles.  

Challenge

To sustainably grow its zero emission fleet, Wiltshire Council needed a practical and effective charging strategy. This meant considering: 

  • Multiple grid connections of varying sizes with limited capacity. 
  • A newly sourced 100-vehicle special educational needs minibus fleet. 
  • The need for depot upgrades and relocations. 
  • The need to plan for zero emission waste collections.  

Solution

To support this, we carried out a new fleet review for Wiltshire Council. This took into account detailed fleet data from telematics installed after the initial review. The new fleet review needed to bring together the complex geography of the council’s fleet operations and grid power demands. 

We analysed all segments of Wiltshire Council’s fleet. This involved quantifying energy requirements at council locations, alongside where vehicles need to be stationed. We used this data to develop the next step of upgrading its fleet to electric vehicles. 

Using half-hourly data analysis and vehicle telematics, we’ve ensured Wiltshire’s strategy and electrification plans are effective, achievable and proportionate to its growth. This will create significant savings for the council, which can be invested in decarbonising other areas of the fleet ahead of schedule. 

Results

Wiltshire Council is now on a clear path to a zero emission fleet. It has the confidence to buy and install the correct fleet infrastructure, based on our independent analysis rather than being influenced by fleet supplier sales teams. By late 2024 it had over 150 electric vehicles in its fleet.

Energy Saving Trust's support and advice has been vital in delivering a new fleet strategy, to meet the council’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030. Adrian Hampton Head of Highway Operations at Wiltshire Council

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Last updated: 10 October 2024