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Europcar has bolstered its electric vehicle (EH) fleet after making the biggest ever UK order of the Renault ZOE, ordering 55 of the fully electric cars for use in the delivery and collection of hire vehicles.

The EVs will be used by Europcar employees to deliver rental vehicles to customers and have been selected in an effort to contribute towards the company’s commitment to reduce vehicle emissions while introducing customers to new technologies.

Europcar has set a target of ensuring 5% of its fleet is electric by 2020, requiring 2,250 EVs to be incorporated into the 45,000-strong fleet if it remains at current levels.

The Renault ZOEs will also provide support to E-Club Car, an all-electric car club that Europcar has a majority stake in.

A number of car clubs and fleet operators transitioning to EVs has risen considerably in recent times, with fleet purchases making up a considerable proportion of EV sales. Speaking to sister title Inside Clean Energy last month, Polly Welch, head of Go Ultra Low, said: ““Fleet purchase now 72% of new EVs…that covers people driving them for deliveries but a large number of that is company cars as well and they are using them for personal purposes as well as business.”

“All sorts of companies are supporting their employees in driving EVs whether that’s from installing charge points in their company car parks through to offering them as company cars. Businesses are probably at the forefront of the move towards EVs. -CleanEnergyNews