Thames Water has gone out to tender with an AMP7/8 contract for electric/alternative fuel vehicles, charging infrastructure and telematics worth an estimated £189.5 million.

The water company is looking to transition its fleet across to zero emission options, such as Electric Vehicles (EV) or Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) to meet its carbon net zero target by 2030 and keep up with market changes.

To enable the transition, Thames Water also needs to consider the infrastructure required to keep the vehicles moving, and the systems needed to ensure its operations can continue to run smoothly with minimal impact to customer service and downtime.

The utility intends to award framework agreements for the provision of the vehicles, charging infrastructure and telematics, as well as the services and support required to guide it through the decarbonisation journey. 

Estimated total value of the contract excluding VAT is £189,500,000

The contract is being tendered in the following Lots:

Lot 1 - Electric & Alternative Fuel Vehicles (£158,000,000)

Covers the supply of any of the following: site utility vehicles, small vans, medium vans, large vans, and 4x4s. The primary focus will be on Electric Vehicle options, but Alternative Fuel Vehicles will be considered where EV options are limited. Suppliers will be expected to supply/deliver the vehicles with warranty included, and all vehicles will be purchased outright.

Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 3 years with options to extend up to a maximum duration of 8 years

Lot 2a - Home Charging Infrastructure (£1,500,000)

Lot 2b - supply, installation and maintenance of chargers at selected Thames Water sites. (£10,000,000)

Lot 2c - Public Network Charge Card (£17,000,000)

Covers the supply of charge cards that allow Thames Water drivers to access and use the public charging network, and managing payments for the electricity cost to charge on the public network where applicable.

Lot 3 – Telematics (£3,000,000)

Covers provision of a appropriate telematics solution to maximise the efficiency and effective management of Thames Water’s fleet to ensure frontline operations can continue to deliver for customers. Scope includes the supply, installation, maintenance and management of a telematics solution to pull together all required data/insights i.e. vehicle utilisation, vehicle charge level/mileage range, when it is on charge, visibility of available site/public chargers.

Thames Water envisages that the contract will be awarded for an initial term of 3 years with options to extend up to a maximum duration of 8 years.

The water company is looking to appoint up to 15 suppliers to the framework agreement.

Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 6 April 2023 – click here to access the tender documentation.