Mitie has boosted its pledge to ensure 20 percent of its small van and car fleet is electric within the next two years.

The company has signed the Clean Van Commitment, a coalition of 16 major UK fleet operators which has promised to deploy 2,400 electric vans by 2020 and to replace 18,000 diesel vans with electric ones by 2028.

This announcement comes after Mitie launched its electric fleet strategy last month to help fight against climate change and air pollution.

Chris Large, Senior Partner at environment charity Global Action Plan, which is behind the Clean Van Commitment, said: "Hardly a day passes without more evidence of the profound damage air pollution is having on the nation's physical and mental health, especially that of the most vulnerable. The Clean Van Commitment is paving the way for the UK's 4 million vans to become zero emission and significantly improve the air we all breathe."

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Simon King, Fleet and Procurement Director, Mitie, added: "Recent climate change reports have warned that there are just 12 years left to limit climate change catastrophe so we all need to act now. Whilst we are pioneering the introduction of electric small vans and cars in our sector, we also need a viable option for larger vehicles too. We're keen to drive a wider effort to make all vans on UK roads zero emission."

Mitie has also been recognised as a Go Ultra Low company, which is jointly run by Government and vehicle manufacturers, and has 160 signatories.

The company, which runs over 3,500 compact vans and cars, will run over 700 EVs by the end of 2020.

(CM/MH)