Fleet profile Steve Openshaw, group fleet and transport manager Eric Wright Group


The property and construction company’s head of group fleet and transport tells Rachel Boagey about the long-term goals and day-to-day challenges of operating a diverse fleet.


I


Right: Steve Openshaw, group fleet and transport manager Eric Wright Group.


Below: Of the Eric Wright Group's 500-strong fleet, just 17 diesels and 4 petrols remain, with the rest a mix of mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric.


n an industry where progress often inches forward, The Eric Wright Group is breaking ground – not just in construction, but in the electrification


of its fleet.


The 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.


Openshaw is an enthusiastic early adopter of electric vehicles, having previously driven multiple EVs as his personal cars. Before his current Polestar 2, he was driving a BMW i3 range-extender, in which he covered 48,000 miles using only 30 litres of fuel. Openshaw humorously recalls being dubbed an "electronaut" by BMW.


His first-hand experience and passion for EVs served as a persuasive example for Eric Wright's fleet of drivers, showcasing


that a range of approximately 120 miles was manageable. This is notably lower than the majority of EVs available today, prompting the fleet to become early adopters too. "We're well on our way down the electrification route with our Eric Wright car fleet," Openshaw says with a smile. The fleet comprises 500 vehicles, with 150 designated as vans, while the remaining 290 consist of a blend of company cars and cash allowance vehicles. Since those early days, the EV range and selection has increased significantly, allowing for the fleet to continue its adoption of the alternative fuel. Now, of the 500 vehicles, only 17 diesels and 4 petrols remain, the rest of which are mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric. In 2022, the Group made headlines by delivering its hundredth electric fleet vehicle.


“We can offer an electric car in every grade we have now,” notes Openshaw. “Initially, they were only offered to drivers of senior grade or premium vehicles, but now we are able to provide a decent electric car in the junior grade too, it’s great,” he adds. When questioned about the challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles at an early stage, Openshaw attributed the dispelling of initial doubts to the impact of Benefit-In- Kind taxation. He states, "BIK eliminated range anxiety. Previously, concerns were raised about coping with limited mileage, but perceptions quickly changed when individuals recognised the tax benefits."


According to Openshaw, the fleet drivers embraced electric vehicles positively. He acknowledges that certain challenges persist for some individuals, particularly those residing in locations where electric charging infrastructure may not be readily available, possibly due to rental living arrangements. To address such concerns, the fleet continues to provide powertrain alternatives, such as mild hybrids. He explains that the challenge isn't so much the batteries in electric vehicles anymore; it's the charging network that remains a concern. “Although not as formidable as when I initially started on my electric journey, establishing a functional charging infrastructure in a challenging environment was the primary goal. The idea was


20 | March 2024 | www.businesscar.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53