Swiss solar industry leader Helion has switched its commercial fleet to EVs with the arrival of a large consignment of Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo electric vans.

The world’s largest handover of the ID. Buzz Cargo took place this week to around 100 Helion technicians

The world’s largest handover of the ID. Buzz Cargo to around 100 Helion technicians – known as Helionauts – took place near the town of Solothurn in Switzerland this week.

The Helionauts had previously handed back their conventionally powered service vehicles and are now on the road under purely electric power, supported by the ID. Buzz Cargo’s official 265-mile (427km) WLTP range.

Helion now operates one of the largest fleets of electric commercial vehicles in Switzerland and plans to save 300 tonnes of CO2 per year by switching to the all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo.

It’s also using self-generated solar power for carbon-neutral operation of its fleet.

Noah Heynen, CEO of Helion, commented: “With the conversion of our commercial vehicle fleet to electric power, we are also driving forward the energy transition within the company. We Helionauts will tackle the corresponding challenges together. As of today, around 100 of our technicians from all over Switzerland are on the road electrically and are therefore also ambassadors for our vision and the energy transition.”

Helion set up an operational support group before the changeover to test the vehicles and identify possible challenges, streamlining their deployment.

It’s also invested in its charging infrastructure and expanded it massively at all its branches, while financing home chargers for Helionauts able to install them. The business only expects to use the public charging network in exceptional cases.

Heynen added: “Helion plans to save around 300 tonnes of CO2 per year by switching to an electric fleet. In doing so, we are making our contribution to achieving the climate goals and assuming responsibility as a company. In addition, customers benefit from even more sustainable solar systems, as Helion technicians are now all on the road with electric commercial vehicles. This further improves the carbon footprint of our products.”

Heynen advised other operators going electric to always keep an eye on the long-term goal of succeeding with the energy transition, helping to counter climate change.

Lars Krause, member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The ID. Buzz stands for sustainable mobility like no other commercial vehicle. Together with our partners, we are driving forward the energy transition in the commercial vehicle sector.”