Switzerland: SPIE deploys a new fleet of electric vehicles and moves ahead with its energy transition

Bern, 30 August 2023 – With its commitment to facing up to the current climate challenges, SPIE Switzerland, a Swiss subsidiary of the SPIE Group, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, plans to cut its CO₂ emissions by 25% by 2025 thanks to its new fleet of electric vehicles.

As a key player in the green economy, SPIE pursues an ambitious environmental policy in order to contribute to the fight against climate change. In particular, the Group has committed to reducing its direct emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 25% between the reference year 2019 and 2025. SPIE Switzerland is committed to achieving this goal. The company began this process by systematically introducing an environment-centric approach at most of its sites, which has already led to a 45% reduction in CO₂ missions from its operations. SPIE Switzerland continued its commitment with the renewal of its vehicle fleet at the beginning of the year: electric vehicles now make up half of the fleet. This new fleet will make it possible to save 538 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2025, which will enable SPIE Switzerland to hit the Group’s target of cutting CO₂ emissions by 25% in 2024. Harmful emissions of fine particles and NOx will also be significantly reduced. 

Following an in-depth analysis and a search for the best sustainable solution for the vehicle fleet, Julien Pamelard, Fleet Manager at SPIE Switzerland, said: “It took time, but it was worth it: the car manufacturers helped us to assess the best possible eco-friendly solution, taking into account all the aspects that interest us.” The first part of the electric vehicle fleet was delivered in April in Germany. The final delivery of Citroën Berlingo Elektro, Renault Megan E-Tech and BMW iX3 vehicles then took place in Geneva on 11 May 2023. The new vehicles will be used both on worksites and for the activities of ICT⁽¹⁾ engineers.

“SPIE is particularly active in the development of energy efficiency services and is supporting its customers through the ecological transition. It is therefore natural for the company to lead by example. The introduction of a new fleet in Switzerland confirms this responsible commitment to the environment and we are very proud of it,” said Pierre Savoy, Managing Director of SPIE Switzerland.

Arval is responsible for the “full service leasing” of these vehicles: “ARVAL is supporting and assisting SPIE in its environmentally responsible commitment by ensuring the comprehensive management of these vehicles. With a 10% share of the electric vehicle in its fleet, Arval is a proven specialist in the management of electric vehicle fleets,” explained Yannick Broccard, Romandy Manager for Arval (Switzerland) SA.

“We are delighted that SPIE has opted for sustainable mobility and the Citroën Berlingo for its commercial vehicles. We are convinced that this model meets SPIE’s requirements perfectly,” said Alexandre Farago, Manager of Citroën Emil Frey SA in Geneva. Paul de Courtois, CEO of BMW Switzerland, also welcomes the future partnership: “This BMW fleet is the ideal choice for SPIE to achieve its ecological transition goals. We hope that all SPIE employees have safe and enjoyable journeys, without generating emissions.”

Beyond economic performance alone, SPIE aims to contribute to a more sustainable, responsible and inclusive world. By becoming part of the solution, SPIE has made ambitious and quantified commitments, which are formalised in its Corporate Social Responsibility roadmap. The Group shares its CSR indicators with all its stakeholders in its integrated annual report to enable them to monitor its social, environmental and societal performance.

⁽¹⁾ Abbreviation for "Information and Communication Technologies"