Wienerberger EV transition commences
Company begins electric vehicle charging point installations across all factories and offices
WIENERBERGER have commenced an installation programme to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging points at all UK factories and offices by the end of 2022. Alongside encouraging the use of digital meetings, the provision of charging units supports Wienerberger’s intention to reduce emissions from business travel.
The company also announced the addition of electric vehicles to the company car fleet in March 2022, following a decision last year to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from the fleet. Wienerberger plan to invite all company car users to order either a full electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) by the end of 2023. Once complete, this switch could save around 500 tonnes of CO2e per year, compared with 2019 levels.
The EV charging points will allow company car users to access zero-emission fuel via Wienerberger’s renewable electricity tariff. Charging points will be installed in two phases throughout 2022, with completion at all factories and offices expected before the end of the year.
Finance director Paul Stevenson explained: ‘We recognized the need to improve our charging infrastructure at office and factory locations as we continue the rollout of electric company cars and we’re proud to be reducing emissions from our company car fleet in this way.
‘Access to EVs will not only reduce emissions from business travel, it could also reduce the impact of commuting and personal travel in company cars. We encourage company car drivers to switch to a renewable energy tariff or install renewables at home where it is practical to do.’
Stephanie Palmer, head of sustainability at Wienerberger, added: ‘Our Roadmap to 2030 features actions that enable Wienerberger to move beyond how we operate today, which is essential because there is a great deal to do in order to become a net-zero emission business. The migration to EVs is one such action, and we will continue to invest in our people, facilities, and processes to help achieve our decarbonization targets.’
The transition to an electric company car fleet is part of Wienerberger’s sustainability Roadmap to 2030. This year the business also plans to calculate its baseline for Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and publish the company’s first Social Value Statement.
