The boss of a city-wide delivery business says van makers have been let down with demand for electric models in Britain.
Ex-Cardiff University student Tristan Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Packfleet is the Ex-VP of Marketing at Monzo, and set up the forward-thinking parcel delivery company with electrification at the forefront. He was speaking after Arrival said it’s slashing 800 jobs at its British ev start up business because of the vehicles slow take up and will instead expand in America.
Packfleet run an all-EV fleet from their base in London, with every van being charged by renewable energy. It delivers for over 170 business across London, and uses technology similar to the that used by Deliveroo and Uber Eats to optimise delivery routes and reduce their carbon emissions.
On the news, Tristan Thomas (above), CEO and co-founder of Packfleet said, “Arrival’s shift to the US comes as a real blow to the UK’s electric vehicle manufacturing industry. It’s a shame to be losing our EV capabilities here in the UK, especially at a time when we need to be accelerating the green transition.
“With the expansion of the ULEZ on the horizon and the sale of new ICE vehicles set to be banned by 2030, the UK is in desperate need of electric vehicles – especially vans.
“Electric vans are in short supply. Logistics businesses across the country are competing to get their hands on new vehicles, and that presents a great opportunity for British-led EV manufacturers to capitalise upon.
“Courier companies are currently reliant on shipping vehicles in from abroad, and the industry would benefit hugely from a strong set of UK-based manufacturers.
“All-electric fleets will become ther norm in the next few years, and we need a manufacturing sector to keep pace and match demand.”
