Accelerating Fleet Electrification Through a Bespoke, Data‑Led Partnership
From Range Anxiety to Readiness
Fortem has an ambitious carbon reduction plan, committing to transition 100% of its fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. With fleet operations accounting for 80% of its total operational emissions, vehicle electrification represented the most impactful and cost‑effective pathway to meeting the company’s sustainability targets.
However, the transition was not without challenges. Some drivers expressed concerns about range anxiety and the risk of running out of charge while on the road. There were also persistent misconceptions about EV reliability, charging infrastructure, and suitability for operational use.
As the sole fleet and mobility provider to Fortem, Dawsongroup vans was tasked with delivering a solution that not only enabled rapid electrification but also won driver confidence and maintained operational efficiency.
A Data‑Driven Pathway to Smarter Fleet Transition
Dawsongroup and Fortem worked in close partnership to co-create a bespoke, phased electrification strategy, designed around real-world operational data rather than assumptions.
The first step was to analyse Fortem’s fleet data. Using advanced telematics, route analysis, and driver behaviour insights, Dawsongroup assessed:
- Daily mileage and duty cycles
- Driver home‑charging potential
- Lease renewal dates across the fleet
- Use of public charging infrastructure
The analysis revealed that a one-size-fits-all rollout would not succeed. Instead, electrification needed to be delivered in stages, aligned to driver profiles, routes, regional hubs, and vehicle replacement timelines.
A Solution Built for Operational Reliability
Phased EV Rollout
Dawsongroup designed and implemented a phased electric vehicle rollout, prioritising vehicles and routes most suited to early adoption. The vehicle rollout is based on increasing electric vehicles year on year to achieve the set targets. This approach allowed Fortem to test, learn, and refine the strategy while scaling at pace.
As a result, Fortem exceeded its Year 1 target, electrifying more than 10% of its fleet while maintaining service levels.
Smart Charging Strategy
- To address driver concerns and control costs, Dawsongroup and Fortem jointly developed a hybrid charging solution:
- Primarily, public charging is used by most, and an electric EV charge card is provided to all drivers.
- Where possible, home charging is used, taking advantage of lower overnight energy tariffs.
Driver Engagement and Education
Ensuring driver confidence was critical to success, Dawsongroup implemented a comprehensive employee engagement programme, using its EV STEP, which includes:
- A bespoke EV onboarding manual issued to every driver
- Ongoing driver support and training
- Driver satisfaction surveys to gather feedback and continuously improve the rollout
To further build confidence, Dawsongroup hosted EV Open Days and familiarisation events at Fortem’s core hubs across the UK. During these sessions:
- Drivers experienced EVs firsthand in a hands-on environment
- Charging processes were demonstrated and demystified
- Questions were addressed directly
More than 250 drivers and stakeholders attended these events, significantly improving buy-in and accelerating the electric van adoption.
Flexible Leasing and Continuous Improvement
Recognising the rapidly evolving EV market, Dawsongroup provided flexible leasing solutions. As new EV models become available, Fortem can trial new vehicles, enabling continuous optimisation of the fleet as technology improves.
Wider Impact
What began as an initiative to electrify the fleet has evolved into a catalyst for broader operational improvement. The insights gained through telematics, driver engagement, and route optimisation have prompted Fortem to double down on improving efficiency across its entire operation.
Electrification has not only reduced emissions but has improved driver experience, creating a scalable model to achieve Fortem’s 2030 net-zero ambitions.
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