| Eric Wright Group
Building a path to sustainability
Steve Openshaw, head of Group Fleet and Transport, tells Rachel Boagey about the long-
I
n an industry where progress often inches forward, Te Eric Wright Group is breaking ground – not just in
construction but also in the electrification of its fleet.
Te company’s dedication to
environmental stewardship and sustainability not only emphasises its commitment to advocating for positive environmental outcomes but also establishes a groundbreaking benchmark for the construction sector. At the helm of the fleet is Steve Openshaw, a seasoned professional with a career tracing back to the 1980s. He initiated his journey as a mechanic handling construction equipment, steadily advancing through various management roles before joining the fleet at Eric Wright 17 years ago. Essentially, anything with an engine and wheels falls within his realm of expertise.
Electrifying van fleets presents unique challenges, says Openshaw. “Unlike companies such as Royal Mail and last-
mile delivery services, which benefit from depot-based operations, many companies, like ours, rely on take-home vans that don’t return to a central depot.” To tackle this, the group is collaborating
with professional bodies like the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) and British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) to explore solutions for on-street charging where these vans are parked. Te fleet is also working with BP Pulse to install dedicated charge points at managed locations, ensuring vans can charge when needed, without requiring drivers to charge at home, which could inconvenience their use of personal vehicles. Te company has conducted an analysis of dwell times and journeys, and has found that a portion of the van fleet is now ready to transition to electric vehicles, provided the necessary infrastructure is in place. However, Openshaw explains the process is lengthy, involving numerous stakeholders and navigating various hurdles and committees. “Te challenge lies in convincing
Eric Wright explored partnering with PB Pulse
Steve Openshaw
stakeholders that this transition is the right move. We aim to facilitate this shift and support others on their electrification journey,” he notes. When it comes to infrastructure, Openshaw believes it is crucial to consider who the charging solutions are targeting and how they will be used. “We debated installing a 50kW or larger charger in partnership with BP Pulse. However, the costs are significant, and the charger would need to be public, especially given our proximity to motorways, which aligns with their strategic focus.”
Hydrogen for heavier vehicles Openshaw expressed his view that hydrogen holds greater promise for heavy vehicles – a category absent from Eric Wright’s vehicle line-up. “For larger vans, particularly those around the 3.5-tonne mark, a shift towards hydrogen power seems inevitable,” he states. While battery power works well for vehicles up to 2.0-tonnes, heavier vehicles are more likely to benefit from hydrogen fuel in the long term, offering a more viable solution for their energy needs.
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