Openreach has signed a deal with EV charger manufacturer myenergi to provide thousands of smart home chargers for its engineers across the UK. The agreement supports the broadband giant’s plan to electrify most of its fleet by 2031.
The partnership addresses one of the biggest barriers to fleet electrification. UK companies consistently report that lack of charging infrastructure prevents them from switching to electric vehicles.
Openreach operates the UK’s second-largest commercial vehicle fleet.
The deal gives engineers access to myenergi’s zappi smart chargers at home. These units charge at speeds up to 22kW and can integrate with solar power and off-peak tariffs for overnight charging rates as low as 7.5p per kilowatt hour.
Engineers can charge their work vans overnight and take advantage of cheaper electricity rates. This setup eliminates range anxiety and reduces operating costs.
Recent data from the Arval Mobility Observatory found that 39% of UK fleets cited lack of home charging as a major obstacle to EV adoption.
Fleet Electrification Progress
Judy O’Keefe, Openreach’s fleet director, said the company has already invested in more than 5,000 electric vans and 2,500 home chargers.
“Switching the majority of our fleet to electric by 2031 is a big challenge but this partnership is another important step – giving our engineers smart, reliable charging at home to support a greener future.”
The company has also introduced incentive programs to encourage smarter charging habits. These include behind-the-barrier access, night-time discounts and driver perks for using selected public chargepoint operators.
Myenergi CEO Andrew Clint highlighted the zappi charger’s capabilities through the company’s mobile app.
“With zappi, staff will benefit from one of the world’s smartest EV chargers – simple, intuitive and specifically designed to streamline the home charging process. Thanks to the myenergi app, you can control zappi, and the wider myenergi home energy management system (HEMS), with the touch of a button.”
Broader Electrification Goals
The myenergi partnership fits into parent company BT Group’s commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2031.
Earlier this year, BT Group placed the UK’s largest commercial EV order – 3,500 all-electric vehicles. When deliveries complete in 2026, BT will operate 8,000 EVs across its entire fleet.
The scale of Openreach’s electrification effort reflects growing momentum in the commercial vehicle sector. Large fleets are increasingly viewing electric vehicles as operationally viable rather than experimental technology.
Home charging infrastructure remains critical for fleet success. Companies that provide home chargers report higher driver satisfaction and lower operational complexity compared to those relying solely on public charging networks.
