No up-front infrastructure costs with Macquarie-backed charging-as-a-service model

Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group (GIG) has launched a new electric vehicle infrastructure business for operators of electric commercial vehicles.

The new business, Fleete, uses a charging-as-a-service model to help operators of buses, trucks and vans transition to electric vehicles.

Fleete describes itself as “a one-stop-shop, taking care of the entire installation, management, and financing of charging infrastructure, with no up-front costs.” The business offers a “technology-driven, flexible service that puts the customer at the centre, utilising the latest charging infrastructure that can scale as their EV fleet grows.”

Mark Dooley, Global Head of Green Investment Group, said, “The mass transition to electric vehicles is now inevitable, the only question is how quickly it will happen. GIG is here to make that transition happen as fast as possible and we see commercial fleets as an opportunity for significant near-term decarbonisation impact. By establishing Fleete, we aim to accelerate the EV transition by making it easy for operators to reap the benefits of going electric immediately, while supporting the delivery of a smart, flexible, low-carbon energy system.”

Dan Bentham, CEO of Fleete, added, “Through a monthly subscription with no upfront costs, we are putting clients at ease as they transition to electric vehicles. All of this wrapped up in our over-arching digital platform. Achieving this can only be done in a smart, connected way with a single point of service for our clients.”

The business will provide charging infrastructure solutions for three types of location:

• Working with clients to deploy charging in large scale depots where vehicles are parked overnight.

• For smaller clients, Fleete will build hybrid hubs, working with an anchor client to develop a charging infrastructure hub in cities, in locations like trading estates or car parks, that can be used by multiple fleets, with vehicles of all sizes, such as taxis and light commercial vehicles.

• Intercity chargers – supporting truck and coach fleets by building rapid chargers close to motorways

As part of its service, Fleete will advise on layout, design, build and operation of all types of sites – as well as electric vehicle choice.