Wilson James, the Essex-based UK security, construction logistics and aviation services group, has added its first electric truck to its fleet, a 26-tonne DAF XD Electric rigid supplied by Fraikin on a five-year full-service contract hire agreement.

The truck replaces a similar diesel vehicle and carries construction materials from the company’s consolidation centre to projects across the Heathrow airport estate.

Wilson James is privately owned, employs more than 5,000 people and reports turnover of £350 million. Fraikin is a French commercial vehicle rental and fleet management group headquartered in Colombes, with turnover of €1 billion in 2023 and branches across 10 European countries including the UK.

The structural driver is Wilson James’s drive to reduce emissions across its business. Fraikin ran an operational audit of the operation before the truck was chosen, assessing payload demands, shift patterns, annual mileage and charging infrastructure.

The contract covers all servicing, repairs, road fund licensing, regular safety inspections, annual MOT testing, tyre management, roadside assistance and 24/7, 365 customer support.

Marta Horawska, HLI operations lead manager at Wilson James, said, “Reducing emissions across our business is a key priority. Introducing this electric HGV is another practical step towards that goal. By utilising Fraikin’s industry expertise and alternative-fuel experience, with our understanding of what we need as a business we’ve been able to introduce a vehicle that supports our sustainability ambitions while continuing to meet daily demands as part of a busy logistics fleet.”

Wilson James also uses Fraikin’s MySmartFleet connected technologies, including real-time data on distance travelled, driving efficiency and driver behaviour, as well as predictive maintenance scheduling.

Mark Bunker, regional sales manager at Fraikin, said, “We look forward to continuing to support the business as it develops its EV fleet, whilst helping to meet any sustainability ambitions it sets in the years ahead.”

For the sector, the deployment shows contract hire providers supporting operators’ first electric trucks with audits, servicing and telematics rather than vehicle supply alone.

Source: Fleet News / Wilson James / Pubrio