A local MP has seen Dawsongroup’s new solar-powered microgrid in action in Bletchley, following a multi-million pound investment by the firm.
Callum Anderson MP, Member of Parliament for Buckingham and Bletchley, saw the microgrid investment, which is driving the electrification of its 12,500-strong UK light commercial vehicle fleet.
Dawsongroup, a long-established Bletchley-based business and a member of the BVRLA, is aiming to be at the forefront of fleet decarbonisation, offering electric vehicle (EV) hire and support to businesses across the UK.
During the visit, the MP was also given a full tour of the new clean energy charging facility at the company’s Dawson Road depot and learned about the innovative technology now powering its operations.
At the heart of the site is a powerful 262kWp solar array, 300kWh of battery storage and 34 EV charge points, forming a fully integrated clean energy microgrid. This system enables the depot to generate and store renewable energy on-site, overcoming the site’s restricted grid capacity and providing smart, sustainable charging for the EV fleet. The facility also feeds surplus electricity back into the local grid and is expected to save up to 65 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
The microgrid intelligently balances solar, battery and grid usage to deliver cost and energy efficiency for Dawsongroup. It acts as a live demonstration of how clean power and smart technology can underpin the UK’s shift to electric transport, the firm said.
As part of the visit, Mr Anderson also heard about the wider challenges facing the sector, including pressures on electric van affordability, regulation, charging infrastructure, and the used EV market.
Callum Anderson, MP for Buckingham and Bletchley said:
“Technologically advanced projects like this are exactly why our patch is the UK’s beating heart of innovation. It’s fantastic to see a local business like Dawsongroup not only investing in clean, future-focused technology but also setting a real example for the rest of the fleet sector. We sit at the epicentre of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, and our Government is making sure that Bletchley and its surrounds will be at the forefront of growth in the decades to come.”
Sarah Gray, Head of ZEV Strategy and Development at Dawsongroup vans, said:
“We’re so pleased to welcome our local MP at such an exciting time for the business. The launch of our microgrid is a key milestone in our wider decarbonisation strategy and demonstrates the real-world benefits of pairing innovation with infrastructure.
“We’re proud to support customers in making the switch to EVs, and to showcase what the future of fleet operations can look like.”
Catherine Bowen, Head of Decarbonisation and Future Mobility at the BVRLA, said:
“Meetings such as this are a valuable way to highlight the critical role that BVRLA members play both as part of their local community, as well as in driving a cleaner, greener road network across the UK. Dawsongroup is a great example of a company that is innovating its own operations in tandem with supporting its partners in reducing emissions. The Microgrid shows others what can be done.
“Being able to demonstrate it to local political figures brings it to life and opens up a discussion of what can be possible when industry ambition meets political support.”
Image courtesy of Dawsongroup
