Electric vehicle manufacturer Arrival has revealed details of its Global Service Network Programme, which will provide a comprehensive repair and maintenance network for its forthcoming van and bus.

The electric Arrival Van is intended to revolutionise the commercial vehicle sector with its “outstanding total cost of ownership and robust design”

The Anglo-American firm’s electric van, revealed earlier this year, will arrive in Q3 2022 and is intended to revolutionise the commercial vehicle sector with its “outstanding total cost of ownership and robust design”. Delivery giant UPS has placed an early order for an initial 10,000 vehicles.

Arrival has already taken care of its sales model – it’s selling vehicles direct and signed up LeasePlan as its preferred operational leasing partner – and has now revealed how its Global Service Network Program will enable a repair and maintenance network.

The programme is based on Arrival’s digital Service Platform and uses the data from its vehicles and proprietary algorithms to enable existing service providers to repair and maintain its electric vans and buses.

It’s launched with four initial partners in Europe – ARC Europe Group, Kwik Fit, Rivus Fleet Solutions and ZF. In a similar vein, US servicing and maintenance will be provided by Amerit Fleet Solutions, Bridgestone, Napa Auto Parts and Valvoline.

Combined, the partners will help form the Arrival Service Network, with more than 21,000 workshops and 60,000 mobile service units across the two markets – said to ensure “exceptional service” to Arrival customers.

And Arrival will continue to add partners to the network as production ramps up.

The scheme has been conceived to utilise existing networks of technicians and workshops, ensuring scalable coverage while helping maintenance and repair companies transition to electric vehicles. This will be done by providing partners with access to repair and maintenance documentation, in-person and online training, predictive and automated diagnostics, and the distribution of spare parts.

It’s a model that the firm says will transform the fleet servicing experience.

“We’re aiming to fundamentally change the way that maintenance, service and repair is performed using in-house software to create a next-generation experience for our customers,” said Serge Sulgin, CEO of Arrival Solutions.

“The Arrival Service Platform will provide a marketplace to connect EV users with skilled and certified service providers, giving them an end-to-end solution for the newest and most advanced products in their fleet and allowing us to scale our service network quickly and on-demand to meet our customers wherever they are. It will also give our partners the opportunity to upskill their workforce for the future of mobility.”

Rivus Fleet Solutions said its tie-up with Arrival as a partner would complement its existing electric vehicle work.

Thomas Maerz, chief development officer of Rivus Fleet Solutions, commented: “We believe Arrival will be a strong player in the LCV space, with a compelling and unique offering. Our customers are eager to hear about new vehicles that are available and suitable. The customers we fleet-manage, some of the largest critical fleets in the UK, are moving to EVs at a rapid pace, therefore we are already the market and thought leaders in electric vehicles.”