British Gas has partnered with Osprey Charging to simplify the charging process for its fleet drivers.
It gives British Gas engineers direct access to Osprey’s nationwide network of over 300 rapid charging station in the UK, as well as centralised fleet billing with engineers able to pay for charging their vehicles using one electric fuel card.
The partnership has been made possible thanks to direct technical interoperability between Osprey’s proprietary software platform, and British Gas’ own fleet management system, allowing fleet charging costs to be automatically and centrally accounted for.
British Gas has around 9,000 vehicles, making it one of the biggest fleet operators in the country, and is currently working towards electrifying its entire fleet.
“It is essential that we support our engineering team with not just an accessible network of charging points, but a method of paying for charging that is hassle free,” said James Rooney, fleet engineering and innovation manager at British Gas.
“We know that around seven in ten of our drivers don’t have access to home charging and partnerships such as this will help to provide the confidence required that making the switch to electric is achievable.”
The partnerships follows on from British Gas teaming up with the RAC to offer electric vehicle (EV) charger installation as well as a bespoke electricity tariff to vehicle leasing customers in 2021.
Engineers will also have access to the 150 high power EV charging hubs Osprey is planning to deliver by 2024, as part of a £75 million investment programme announced in September.
The charging network operator has signed a number of roaming partnerships in recent years, including with Paua, NewMotion – now renamed Shell Recharge Solutions – and Octopus Energy’s Electric Juice network expanding the number of chargepoints available to its customers.
“We are thrilled that British Gas has chosen to partner with Osprey to unlock further EV adoption and lead the transition to the future of transport,” said Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging.
“Our market-leading commercial and fleet roaming capabilities provide even more EV drivers with the ultimate charging experience via access to our nationwide, reliable and open rapid charger network.”
