Bristol-headquartered mechanical, electrical and renewables contractor UES is electrifying its fleet as part of its journey towards coveted B Corp accreditation – with city-based specialist motor leasing firm Vanaways in the driving seat.
UES, founded in 1986, provides commercial and industrial heating, plumbing, electrical and renewable services to customers across the South West and Wales. 
Its clients include building contractor Sisk, bus operator First and the 10-school Olympus Academy Trust.
It is working with Vanaways to replace its diesel vehicles with 12 electric cars and vans, beginning with those used by its dedicated project team.
Subject to successful integration, it will then extend its electric fleet to vehicles used by its team of rapid response engineers.
Under managing director Adam Griffiths, pictured, right, with Vanaways business development manager Nick Kew, it is aiming for B Corp certification in recognition of its governance, employment standards, community outreach, environmental values and customer service levels of a business.
Success would make it the only engineering services contractor in the South West to achieve B Corp status.
Electrification of the UES fleet has begun with the leasing of a new Nissan Townstar Tekna EV, which will be driven by one of the company’s youngest project team.
Vanaways business development manager Nick Kew said: “It makes sense for any company involved in the installation of renewable energy systems to be as eco-friendly as possible, so we’re delighted to be able to help Adam and UES with the journey towards B Corp certification.
“Adam’s engineers quite rightly want to know that their vehicles are going to be fit for purpose and can cover the mileage they need.”
He said incorporating electric vehicles into a fleet can require some different ways of thinking - such as taking charging needs into account – while not impacting operatives’ ability to do their work.
“We know there’s a balance to strike between productivity and sustainability, so we’re here to help business owners consider all the necessary factors and find a fleet solution which works best for them and their customers,” Nick added.
“Meanwhile, manufacturers are beginning to recognise the importance of appropriate pricing, to ensure that electric vehicles are affordable to the mass market.
“And battery technology is improving all the time. So, for many companies, now is a good time to get into electric vehicles.”
Adam said: “This is our first toe dipped into the water, moving across to see what the electric vehicle offering can do to improve our carbon footprint.
“We’re excited to see if it’s something we can roll out across the rest of the fleet as and when our contract renewals come up.
“As part of a supply chain, and with our own suppliers and subcontractors, we need to be aware of the sustainability of all the products and companies we work with. So we’re aligning ourselves with companies that have a similar ethos.
“For any business, these are all major decisions. So being able to tap into Nick’s knowledge base is great – indeed, we wouldn’t be able to be here without it.
“Having a vehicle partner on board who has our best interests at heart is really important.
“There’s a lot to consider and the technology is changing rapidly. So we’ll see how things go and by the time of our next B Corp assessment we hope to have made significant progress.”
The partnership is the latest in a series of strategic arrangements secured this year by Vanaways, including with Essex-based Artura Consultancy under which Vanaways’ customers will receive priority access to the 130 sites it manages across the UK, Veriforce CHAS, the UK’s leading provider of risk prevention, compliance and supply chain services for contractors, and Fleetmaxx Solutions, which provides fuel cards that can be used at more than 3,500 filling stations across the country.
Vanaways works with a large network of suppliers across the UK, offering free delivery with a digitalised sales process which enables quick fulfilment of the customer’s fleet needs.
The firm is undergoing major growth, having moved to new offices in Ham Green last year, and is on track to sell more than 6,000 vehicles this year.
Around 100 businesses in the Bristol area are now B Corps, making it second only to London and reflecting the West of England’s standing as a leading hub for businesses promoting an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.
Firms in the area to attain B Corp status recently include menstrual products firm Grace & Green, accountants Albert Goodman and Archus, an international infrastructure specialist with a mission to shape the future of healthcare.
They have joined a diverse group of B Corps businesses in and around Bristol ranging from Business West, the region’s largest business group which also runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce, to workplace technology provider Amba, tea brand Pukka Herbs and financial planning firm Paradigm Norton.
