Hilti GB moves closer towards CO2 targets with rollout of green vehicles

Global professional tool manufacturer and construction solutions company Hilti has begun its latest rollout of electric vehicles, replacing more than 200 cars across the UK with electric models.

As part of this move the Kia e-Niro ‘4+’ was selected as the electric vehicle of choice to replace Hilti’s current diesel estate car. The Kia vehicles are zero emissions (76% less CO₂ when factoring in current energy supply emissions) and represent an important step towards the company’s broader targets of becoming carbon neutral by 2023. The change to EVs across the business is expected to reduce Hilti’s total global emissions by some 48%.

With Hilti employees in the UK driving an average of 111 miles per day, with some up to as many as 250 miles, extensive internal research was undertaken to ensure the new vehicle would be fit for purpose.

As well as extensive internal polling, Hilti also looked at other factors including the EV innovation pipeline offered by each car brand to guarantee the availability of vehicles in other rollouts, reliability and safety, and available financial benefits for staff. The chosen Kia will require less than one charge per day for the average Hilti employee, and as part of the rollout all employees are to be supplied with a charging station at their home, free of charge.

Those who are unable to charge the Kia e-Niro ‘4+’ at home are to be provided with a Toyota Corolla ST 1.8 Icon Tech Self-Charging Hybrid, which emits 23% less CO₂ than Hilti’s current diesel-powered fleet cars.

Hilti replaced 35% of its current fleet with eco models by the end of 2021 and is targeting 50% by the end of 2022, and the entirety of the fleet by 2024. As well as cars, Hilti has a fleet of some 300 vans with plans to also replace these with electric vans.

Commenting on the rollout, Hilti’s Head of Finance and Head of Sustainability, Annette Boren, said the focus on the broader benefits of electric vehicles is indicative of how Hilti approaches sustainability efforts in general.

Elaborating she said, “All of our sustainability efforts are ultimately to benefit the wider environment rather than us as a business. Our target of carbon neutrality is to ensure we are in line with global efforts to tackle climate change, but we have long focused on sustainability efforts in all areas of our business, with initiatives like our tool recycling scheme. Choosing Kia was a strategic choice as we are confident their EV pipeline is strong enough to support us through further rollouts in the future.”

John Hargreaves, General Manager for Fleet and Remarketing at Kia UK Limited, added: “This is yet another great example of how seamlessly Kia’s electric cars can fit into a busy fleet with exacting requirements. With a reassuring 282-mile range from just one charge, a practical interior and a big boot, the e-Niro ‘4+’ alleviates many of the typical concerns fleets have when going electric. Kia’s seven-year/100,000 mile warranty as standard across the whole range, great residual values and low total cost of ownership add to the attraction.”