EV fleet customer case study: Winterhalter

Winterhalter is a German family-owned commercial dishwasher and glasswasher company that established its UK base in 1971. Today, the subsidiary employs 120 people, enjoys a £35m annual turnover and has become the country’s leading warewashing provider, supplying everybody from prisons to universities, hospitals to five-star hotels, as well as some of the UK’s best-known restaurant franchises including Nando’s and Wagamama.  
 
Like many of its customers juggling high interest rates, inflationary pressures, a weak foreign exchange rate and a pressing need to decarbonise operations, Winterhalter is having to pay closer attention to its cost structures and make efficiencies where possible, while still doing the right thing for the environment.  
 
Tasked with making those big decisions is David Parsons, finance director for Winterhalter UK. David sees the inherent benefits of electric vehicles to both pocket and planet and has committed to electrifying a large proportion of the working fleet. Shameless plug alert, he turned to GRIDSERVE Car Leasing to help make the switch.  
 
“Our business has always been focussed on trying to be environmentally friendly,” explains David. “Being eco-conscious is fashionable today, but it is who we are. We’ve been leading standards in our industry for more than 20 years, so it makes sense to employ the same philosophy to the vehicles we drive.” David plans to electrify three quarters of the 95-vehicle fleet. 

 
Historically, Winterhalter has bought its company vehicle fleet outright, but with the challenging economic environment plus EV technology constantly improving, the low risk levels inherent in leasing is more appealing than ever.  

The new approach is already helping Winterhalter save significant capital, which can be reinvested into developing more energy efficient products that require less water, lower temperatures and reduced power. “Our customers are continually changing and adapting to new and evolving business demands and so are we,” he says.

How does GRIDSERVE help companies like Winterhalter switch to electric? 

GRIDSERVE Car Leasing takes a consultative approach with every client to ensure a successful transition to electric vehicles. “In order to get employees on board, it’s important you understand the awareness and appetite within the business, and that may dictate the pace at which you can travel,” explains Jason Layne, Business Development Manager at GRIDSERVE.  
 
To do this, GRIDSERVE hosted a test drive event for Winterhalter employees so they could sample a variety of the latest models and ask plenty of questions before making any decision to switch. “Once people experience the smoothness and speed of an electric car, they rarely want to go back to petrol or diesel,” says Jason. Truth be told, this new world of electrification isn’t about sacrifice. You can still have the car you want, but it will most likely be faster, more comfortable and cheaper to run.    

 
Next up was ensuring Winterhalter had sufficient EV charging provision, which is critical to employee confidence. Different solutions were given to different employees, from home EV wall boxes for remote workers to depot-based charging courtesy of Mobilize for office regulars. And, of course, all drivers could benefit from the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway, our award-winning nationwide EV charging network that already covers more than 80% of motorway service areas.  

“The sales and service teams of Winterhalter are revered for their reliability and rapid response, so for electric vehicles to work, they also need fast, dependable EV charging that covers the length and breadth of the country. In this regard, our Electric Super Hubs are really changing the game,” adds Jason. 

GRIDSERVE Electric Super Hubs are now rolling out at speed across the country and feature anywhere between six and 24 of our industry-leading High Power chargers, capable of providing a maximum 350kW capacity. That’s enough for the latest electric vehicles to add 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes.

Finally, there is the practical support that GRIDSERVE continues to offer the Winterhalter staff. Fleet programmes are moving beyond the simple supply of vehicles and are about maximising business productivity, regardless of having one or one hundred vehicles. Whether that’s through reviewing utilisation rates or creating a unified billing management system that includes home charging reimbursement, it can all be supported.  

Vehicle recommendations for Winterhalter

Winterhalter wanted electric car models with a 300-mile EV range as well as strong environmental credentials, and so we picked the following:

Polestar 2 

We love how the latest 82kWh long range version of the Polestar 2 can cover 395 miles (WLTP) on a single charge, while the company is also using blockchain as a digital ledger to ensure its raw materials are ethically sourced and responsibly mined.  

SEARCH POLESTAR 2 LEASE DEALS

Tesla Model 3  

The Model 3 is one of the most popular cars on the market – and for good reason. It’s affordable, has a great range and some of the best technology out there. The Model 3 is also built sustainably thanks to Tesla’s eco-conscious Gigafactories. 

SEARCH TESLA MODEL 3 LEASE DEALS

Tesla Model Y 

For those wanting a little more space, the Model Y (the UK’s best-selling car) is ideal and in Long Range specification will comfortably do over 300 miles on a single charge. Tesla is renowned for some of the best efficiency rates, too, so you know ever kilowatt is working hard for you.  

SEARCH TESLA MODEL Y LEASE DEALS

The EV revolution is here. Is your business ready?

When you want to decarbonise your business fleet, speak to GRIDSERVE and we’ll help build a tailored EV strategy around your needs. We provide a turnkey solution involving a personalised consultation, test drive programme, plus the supply and delivery of electric vehicles with home and depot-based EV charging solutions. We’ll also take care of your diagnostic and payment needs to improve efficiency. 

Why work with GRIDSERVE? 

1. Unrivalled electric vehicle leasing and company car experience  
2. EV charging infrastructure specialists  
3. Dedicated account manager and 24/7 UK customer care support 
4. Pioneers of UK-based sustainable energy generation