British EV manufacturer Arrival Automotive UK Limited is the latest company confirmed to appear at this month’s Great British Fleet Event, where it will provide attendees with a wealth of advice on going electric.

David Watts, Arrival Automotive UK Limited’s commercial manager (UK & Ireland)

The business is a pioneer in zero-emission mobility solutions, supported by its unique new method of design and production of affordable electric vehicles by local microfactories.

Its groundbreaking electric van starts a trial phase this summer and goes into production in Q3 2022, bringing “outstanding TCO and robust design”, while its Arrival Car follows shortly after, designed to meet the needs of ride-hailing drivers. A pure electric bus will also launch, using the same technology.

At the Great British Fleet Event, taking place on 29 March 2022 at the Novotel London West, David Watts, Arrival Automotive UK Limited’s commercial manager (UK & Ireland), will explore how the last two years has seen a sudden surge in interest and appetite for EVs from both fleet operators and drivers alike and the subsequent requirement for the fleet industry to respond to this demand for information.

With many in the fleet industry only having limited or no experience in this area, best practice advice on the subject can be at times misleading, inaccurate or out of date.

But attendees at the show will be able to find out from David Watts about areas where the typical messaging to date does not constitute best practice or certainly does not provide a positive framework in which to begin the transition to an all-electric fleet. From areas such as driver suitability and company car policies, through to workplace charging and the challenges facing eLCV operators, Watts will discuss the approaches fleets should be using and how this ensure they are at the vanguard of EV adoption.

It’s an area where Watts is pre-eminent; an experienced fleet industry professional specialising in safe, green and efficient fleet management, he’s worked across the fleet industry for 25 years, including at several different leasing and daily rental companies, as well as the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and Zurich Insurance.

This includes 15 years at the forefront of fleet electrification, after having originally developed the Plugged-in Fleets Initiative whilst at the EST for the Department for Transport and the former Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV, now OZEV).

As a fleet consultant, he’s also helped hundreds of organisations develop robust environmental fleet strategies to support carbon reduction objectives, including the effective transition to and adoption of plug-in vehicles.

Watts is also a member of the EV Working Group for the BVRLA and the EV committee for the Association of Fleet Professionals.

His talk at the Great British Fleet Event is one of a number of engaging, inspiring and insightful sessions being run as part of the Masterclass sessions in the morning. These run alongside the bustling exhibition section, which will provide valuable networking opportunities for fleets following the two years’ hiatus from the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the iconic Great British Fleet Awards taking place in the afternoon will showcase the leading fleet managers, service firms and vehicle manufacturers.

For more details about the Great British Fleet Event on 29 March 2022, click here. Registrations are also open online.

To find out more about Arrival, click here.