Vertellus contract hire has strengthened its relationship with flooring distributor Volante and sister company John Palmer Carpets through a new five-vehicle agreement combining diesel and electric Renault Trucks commercial vehicles.

The OEM-backed contract hire and fleet management specialist has supplied a mixed fleet tailored to the operators’ delivery requirements, following a successful electric vehicle trial carried out through the Vertellus EV Discovery Programme.

The agreement reflects a growing trend among operators adopting mixed-energy fleets, using electric vehicles where routes are suitable while retaining diesel trucks for applications that demand greater flexibility.

Mixed fleet supports varied delivery operation

The new Vertellus contract hire package includes a Renault Trucks D16 E-Tech electric rigid truck, secured on a five-year contract hire agreement after completing a year-long operational trial.

The fleet also comprises:

  • Two Renault Trucks D16 diesel rigids
  • Two Renault Trucks Master E-Tech electric vans

Each vehicle has entered service on a five-year contract hire agreement.

The fleet complements an existing Renault Trucks D16 diesel rigid already operated by John Palmer Carpets.

Based at its Chessington headquarters, Volante delivers carpets, vinyl flooring, carpet tiles, adhesives, underlays and accessories across London and the South East. Vehicles typically complete between 10 and 20 deliveries each day, serving construction sites, hospitals, universities, commercial premises and residential customers.

EV trial helped shape fleet strategy

The partnership began through the Vertellus EV Discovery Programme, which gave Volante the opportunity to operate a Renault Trucks E-Tech D in day-to-day customer deliveries before committing to long-term investment.

The 12-month programme is designed to help operators assess the operational and commercial suitability of electric trucks using real-world fleet data.

During the trial, Vertellus analysed Volante’s delivery routes, payloads and operating patterns before working alongside the chosen bodybuilder to specify a bespoke body.

The vehicle features a half-box, half-curtainsider body with a tail-lift, allowing it to handle deliveries to construction sites, kerbside locations, commercial premises and residential addresses.

Following the successful trial, Volante retained the electric truck and expanded the agreement to include additional electric vans alongside new diesel rigids.

Choosing the right technology

Rhian Burrell, Managing Director of Vertellus, said the project demonstrated that fleet decisions should be based on operational requirements rather than a single technology.

“Our focus is always on helping customers find the right vehicle solution for their operation, whether that’s diesel, electric or a combination of both,” she said.

“This partnership is a great example of how fleet decisions should be driven by operational requirements.”

Burrell said combining diesel and electric vehicles within one fleet allows businesses to maintain operational flexibility while gaining practical experience of lower-emission transport.

“Volante and John Palmer Carpets operate in a fast-moving environment where reliability, uptime and flexibility are critical. By combining diesel and electric vehicles within a single fleet strategy, we’ve been able to provide a solution that supports their operational needs while giving them the confidence to explore opportunities for decarbonisation.”

Consultative approach praised

Ricardo Calaca, General Manager, Sales, Operations and Distribution at Volante, said the company valued Vertellus’ consultative approach.

“When we first engaged with Vertellus, our priority was finding the right fleet solution for our business. The EV Discovery Programme gave us an opportunity to understand how electric vehicles could work within our operation, but just as importantly it helped us evaluate our wider fleet requirements.”

Rather than promoting one powertrain over another, Calaca said Vertellus focused on understanding how the business operates before recommending a solution.

“What impressed us was Vertellus’ consultative approach. Rather than pushing a particular technology, they took the time to understand our routes, payloads, delivery schedules and operational challenges before recommending the right solution.”

He added that the resulting fleet package provides the flexibility needed for everyday operations while allowing the company to explore lower-carbon transport where it makes commercial sense.

Supporting long-term fleet planning

As an OEM-backed fleet provider, Vertellus supports operators throughout the vehicle lifecycle, offering consultancy, vehicle specification, funding, maintenance, compliance management and operational support.

The business has access to more than 3,500 commercial vehicles ranging from 2.7 to 44 tonnes, supported by a nationwide network of more than 60 approved partner locations and over 1,000 OEM-trained technicians.

Burrell said many operators are still developing their long-term decarbonisation strategies.

“Many operators are still working out what their future fleet strategy looks like. The reality is that for most businesses, it won’t be a choice between diesel or electric overnight. It will be about finding the right balance based on operational requirements.”

She concluded: “Our role is to provide the expertise, support and vehicle solutions that allow customers to make informed decisions with confidence. Whether they operate diesel, electric or mixed fleets, Vertellus is here to help them keep moving.”

More Information

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