Driving Operational Sustainability: Nurture Group’s EV Journey

At Nurture Group, sustainability is more than a long-term ambition. It’s a key consideration in how the business continues to grow, operate and deliver services nationwide.

With more than 2,000 vehicles, 120+ service hubs and over 4,500 colleagues operating across the UK, reducing fleet emissions while maintaining operational performance presents both significant opportunities and complex challenges.

As one of the UK’s largest providers of grounds maintenance, landscaping and green services, Nurture Group has continued to expand the use of electric vehicles (EVs) across its operations as part of its wider sustainability strategy and commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Today, the business operates 210 fully electric vehicles across the fleet, with EV adoption continuing to increase year-on-year.

Balancing Sustainability with Operational Delivery

Transitioning to electric vehicles is a key priority for Nurture Group, but it must sit alongside the operational realities of running a large national service business.

Maintaining excellent service levels for customers remains essential throughout the transition, particularly across operational areas requiring specialist vehicles, towing capabilities, equipment transport and nationwide coverage.

This balance between sustainability and operational performance has shaped the Group’s approach to fleet electrification.

One of the business’s most significant milestones to date has been the successful transition of its management vehicle fleet, with 96% of management cars now operating as electric or hybrid models.

At the same time, EV vans are being introduced wherever operationally viable, helping to reduce emissions while ensuring teams can continue delivering services effectively across a wide range of sectors including grounds maintenance, arboriculture, pest control, winter gritting and landscape construction.

Driver feedback has also provided valuable insight into the practical use of EVs across day-to-day operations. A Grounds Maintenance Supervisor who recently moved from a diesel van to a fully electric vehicle reported positive experiences across a variety of routes, highlighting the suitability of EVs for many operational activities while reinforcing the importance of charging access and journey planning for longer-distance travel.

Investing in Infrastructure and Long-Term Change

Supporting the transition to EVs requires more than simply replacing vehicles.

Nurture Group has continued investing in the infrastructure, systems and internal processes needed to support long-term fleet transformation, including:

More than 100 charging points installed across depots and employee homes
Renewable electricity usage across depots
Internal EV onboarding and driver support processes
EV roadshows and engagement events to support driver adoption
Dedicated sustainability and fleet collaboration to analyse operational and environmental performance

Over £250,000 has been invested to date in green infrastructure projects across operational facilities, supporting wider operational efficiency and energy transition across the business.

Nurture Group’s sustainability strategy is aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which has formally validated its near- and long-term Net Zero targets.

Alongside electrification, the business is also exploring alternative lower-carbon solutions including HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) and micromobility options where appropriate.

Delivering Progress During Rapid Growth

The Nurture Group’s EV journey has taken place during a period of substantial business growth.

Over recent years, the Group has successfully integrated more than 50 acquisitions while continuing to scale operations nationally. This has required the fleet team to manage complex integration processes involving multiple fleet policies, vehicle agreements and operational requirements across newly acquired businesses.

Despite this rapid expansion, sustainability has remained a central focus.

Nurture Group has added 210 electric vehicles to the fleet, including both company cars and commercial vehicles, as part of its ongoing electrification programme.

Strong collaboration between fleet, sustainability and operational teams has helped embed EV adoption across the business while ensuring governance, safety and operational continuity remain priorities.

This collaborative approach has also contributed towards measurable ESG and safety outcomes, including industry recognition such as Green Business of the Year UK 2025.

“Our transition to electric vehicles is a key part of our wider sustainability strategy, but it must be delivered in a way that continues to support the operational demands of a large and complex national fleet. We’re focused on making practical, data-led decisions that reduce emissions where possible, while ensuring our teams have the vehicles and support they need to deliver a consistently high level of service across the UK.”

Mohib Iqbal, Group Fleet Manager, Nurture Group

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, Nurture Group intends to continue increasing the percentage of EVs across the fleet where operationally feasible.

This includes:

Prioritising EVs for eligible vehicle replacements
Continuing investment in charging infrastructure
Expanding the use of operational EV vans
Using fleet and telematics data to support smarter decision-making
Aligning future fleet strategy with wider sustainability and carbon reduction targets

In addition, the Group is preparing for a significant fleet renewal programme this financial year, with approximately 300 commercial vehicles scheduled for replacement. This programme will continue to prioritise electric vehicles where operationally viable, supporting the ongoing transition to a lower-emission commercial fleet.

Nurture Group has also set clear long-term carbon reduction targets, aiming to reduce emissions by 42% by 2030 and 90% by 2040. These targets provide a structured roadmap for decarbonisation and guide ongoing investment in fleet electrification, infrastructure and alternative fuel solutions.

Through continued investment and collaboration, Nurture Group is evolving its fleet strategy to support operational needs today while progressively reducing environmental impact over the longer term.

“Emissions from fuel use account for approximately 50% of our overall carbon footprint, making the transition to electric and alternative fuel vehicles essential to achieving our net zero targets. Ensuring easy access to charging infrastructure is critical in reducing range anxiety and minimising operational downtime. This, combined with close collaboration between myself, the fleet team and operations, will support the effective rollout and adoption of EVs wherever feasible.”

Gordon Brownrigg, Sustainability Manager, Nurture Group