Independent private boarding school, Bradfield College, has partnered with leasing company Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) Fleet to transition its fleet to an all-electric solution, as part of a wider sustainability vision.
Bradfield College, founded in 1850, is one of the UK’s leading co-educational boarding and day schools for 13- to 18-year-olds. Located in Reading, it has 820 pupils, spread across 12 houses.
The school has a clear sustainability vision, with transport being an important strategic focus. Having partnered with VWFS Fleet since 2019, the college is now committed to a gradual electric transition for its fleet, reinforcing its commitment to a greener future.
Supporting a green vision
Toby Ellis, Procurement Manager at Bradfield College, has led the collaboration with VWFS Fleet, transforming the school’s transport solution.
“We have a mixed-use fleet to support the different needs of the school. This includes 24 commercial vehicles, which our maintenance team of plumbers, electricians and carpenters use, as well as several minibuses and cars,” explains Toby.
“As part of the college’s sustainability vision, we needed to address the role of transport, and how best to move away from diesel- and petrol-powered vehicles and embrace the advantages of electric. By tapping into VWFS Fleet’s expertise and working closely with our account manager, Hallam Smith, I’m delighted to say we’re making excellent progress.”
Bradfield College opted for a gradual fleet transition, so it could balance budgets and vehicle need with wider sustainability targets.
“While the strategic vision to move to a more sustainable transport solution is clear, we had to make sure this didn’t impact the fleet’s performance,” adds Toby. “After speaking with VWFS Fleet, who assessed our vehicles’ individual requirements, we identified a key opportunity to transition our maintenance fleet over to electric – which is where we started our transition journey”
Looking to the future
With 24 commercial maintenance vehicles now fully-electric, Toby is keen to continue the partnership with VWFS Fleet and the gradual transition across the rest of the fleet.
This will now focus on the small fleet of cars, as well as the minibuses used to ferry Bradfield’s pupils to outside engagements, such as sporting events and other trips. Both of these areas are now being examined to find a sustainable, yet cost-effective, solution.
Toby concludes: “I’m really happy with how I’ve been closely supported by Hallam and the team at VWFS Fleet as we move through our fleet transition journey. Hallam is always proactive in putting forward new suggestions and improvements, which is incredibly valued.
“With the maintenance fleet now fully operating with electric vehicles, we will now turn our attention to our minibus and car fleets and decide together on the most appropriate time to switch, so that it delivers tangible cost and performance benefits for us. I expect this to start taking place over the next year or so.”
Bradfield College’s drive to deliver a sustainable future is well underway, with transport at the centre of the many aspects it’s addressing. With the support of VWFS Fleet, the college has transformed its maintenance fleet, resulting in lower emissions, cost effective leasing and the foundation for the total transformation of all its transportation requirements.