Our EV Journey
MCFT Branded EV Fleet
The arrival of MCFT’s first electric vans marked an exciting step in our journey to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably.
However, introducing electric vehicles into a nationwide field-service fleet requires careful planning. Our engineers travel across different regions, complete a wide range of jobs and carry the tools, parts and equipment needed to keep our customers’ kitchens running.
That is why we began with a small-scale trial. Before committing to the future growth of our EV fleet, we want to understand how electric vans perform in real working conditions and ensure they provide a positive experience for our customers and our field team.
“As a global business, MCFT always looks at how we can support our customers in the most sustainable way. As the market begins to transition to eLCVs, our new fleet of all-electric vans will not only enhance the efficiency and reliability of our service operations, but also reflect our commitment to equipping our engineers with the best tools for the job.”
David Meacock, Group Director of Engineering at MCFT
MCFT EV by Welsh coast
Listening to our engineers
Our engineers are at the centre of the trial. They understand the practical demands of delivering planned maintenance, reactive repairs and emergency support better than anyone.
We recently asked ten engineers using the Farizon SV to share their experiences. Their feedback covered range, charging, load space, driver comfort, vehicle technology and how the vans fit into their working day.
The early feedback has been encouraging:
Eight engineers said the available range generally covered their normal working day
All ten considered the load space suitable for the tools, equipment and parts they carry
Eight could see a longer-term role for electric vans within the MCFT fleet
Engineers highlighted the smooth and quiet drive, automatic operation and useful in-cab technology
Some customers have also responded positively to seeing MCFT engineers arrive in electric vehicles and to the environmental commitment this represents.
Finding where electric vans work best
The trial is helping us build a clearer picture of where electric vehicles can work most effectively within our operation.
Daily mileage, journey types, charging access and the geographical areas our engineers cover can all influence how suitable an electric van is for a particular role.
By reviewing these factors before expanding the fleet, we can make informed decisions based on real experience. This allows us to identify where electric vans can support our engineers while continuing to deliver the responsive and reliable service our customers expect.
George Smith - MCFT Fleet & Compliance manager collecting EV keys
Keeping customer service at the centre
Our environmental goals are important, but they must work alongside our commitment to customer service.
We are therefore looking beyond vehicle specifications and reviewing the complete working day. This includes the journeys our engineers make, the equipment they carry, the different types of customer visits they complete and their ability to respond when schedules change.
Our aim is to ensure that any future fleet decisions:
Support engineer safety and efficiency
Protect customer response times
Maintain our expected service standards
Help reduce the environmental impact of our operations
Continually reviewing performance and listening to our engineers allows us to learn, adapt and make responsible decisions as the trial develops.
The next stage of our journey
The small-scale trial is continuing, and our plans for the future growth of the EV fleet remain in development.
We will continue gathering engineer feedback, reviewing operational data and assessing performance across different journeys, regions and seasons. These insights will help shape the next stage of our fleet strategy.
By testing carefully before committing, we can work towards reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring our engineers remain equipped to deliver the service our customers rely on every day.
We are proud of the progress made so far and excited about the role electric vehicles could play in MCFT’s future.