Openreach said it has deployed its 7,000th electric van as part of an ongoing effort to electrify its fleet of approximately 23,000 vehicles across the United Kingdom.
The company said the rollout has focused on ensuring battery-electric vans can meet the operational demands of engineers maintaining and expanding Openreach’s full-fibre broadband network in both urban and rural areas.
Judy O’Keefe, director of fleet at Openreach, described the latest deployment milestone as significant but said the company’s transition strategy has centered on practical operational requirements rather than symbolic electrification goals.
“That’s why our move away from diesel hasn’t been about making a statement. It’s been about making it work,” O’Keefe said.
“Electric vehicles need to make sense for the business and the people using them every day.”
According to Openreach, engineers use the vans to transport tools and equipment while servicing broadband infrastructure across a wide range of operating environments, from city centers to remote rural locations.
The company said it has relied on operational data such as mileage patterns, route analysis and employee feedback to determine which electric vans are suitable for different engineering roles.
Openreach added that employee engagement has played an important role during the transition as drivers adapt to charging schedules and revised trip planning requirements.
Charging infrastructure remains one of the main challenges associated with scaling electric commercial fleets, the company said.
To support the rollout, Openreach has installed more than 4,000 charging points at employee homes and operational facilities.
The company has also introduced shared and reservable charging stations at depots for employees who do not have access to home charging infrastructure.
In addition, Openreach said it is testing cross-pavement charging systems with selected engineers to evaluate safety and usability for residential charging scenarios.
“One of the clearest lessons we’ve learned is that charging is where fleet electrification either works or doesn’t,” O’Keefe said.
Openreach did not disclose a timeline for fully electrifying its fleet.
