KeolisAmey Docklands accelerates Its EV fleet transition with DriveElectric and Ford

With support from DriveElectric and Ford, KAD is replacing its entire car and van fleet with fully electric alternatives that support performance, efficiency and sustainability goals across East London.

When KAD began its new eight-year contract with TfL in April 2025, it was set the ambitious goal of going fully electric within five years. Thanks to a coordinated approach between KAD, DriveElectric and Ford, the organisation is now on course to deliver a 100% electric fleet within just eight months.

The legacy diesel and petrol fleet — used for a wide range of demanding operational tasks — is being replaced with 39 electric vans and six electric cars, including several specialist variants that have traditionally been harder to electrify. These include vehicles with tail lifts, flatbeds, double cabs, ladder racks, racking and shelving.

All vehicles in the new fleet have been supplied by Ford, creating a unified fleet built from the latest-generation Ford Puma Gen-E, E-Tourneo, and E-Transit / E-Transit Custom models.

Partnering with a single manufacturer has enabled KAD to adopt Ford Pro telematics across the entire fleet. Real-time insights into vehicle performance, energy use and driver safety are helping teams optimise operations, reduce downtime and gain much greater visibility over day-to-day activity.

The switch to electric is already creating significant financial and environmental benefits:

• Lower running and maintenance costs
• Reduced downtime through smarter fleet insight
• Zero tailpipe emissions, improving air quality for staff and local residents
• Savings reinvested into new carbon-reduction initiatives

Tom Page, General Manager at Docklands Light Railway Limited (DLRL), adds:

“This project demonstrates the impact of close collaboration between DLRL, KAD and our industry partners. Together, we’re driving real progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for London’s transport network.”

To maintain operational continuity during the rollout, DriveElectric supplied short-term electric vehicle rentals, ensuring KAD’s teams could continue their work without disruption.

KAD also explored decentralised energy solutions across its grid-constrained sites in East London, . These measures will help increase resilience while reducing exposure to energy market volatility.

Liam Bone, Regional Fleet Business Manager at Ford, comments:

“This project shows the strength of collaboration. By working closely with DriveElectric, we delivered a fleet solution from our freshest-ever line-up that supports KeolisAmey Docklands’ move to zero-emission vehicles.”

The transition aligns closely with KAD’s Net Zero strategy and supports the Mayor of London’s clean air and emissions targets. By combining the right vehicles with the right partners and infrastructure, KAD is setting a new industry benchmark for sustainable fleet management in the light rail sector.

Adam Kemp, Sales Director at DriveElectric, concludes:

“This was a complex project, and finding the right product for demanding operational needs required real expertise. That’s where DriveElectric makes the difference. Working with Ford, we delivered the right solution and managed every stage of the transition with precision, creating a fleet that keeps critical infrastructure moving while supporting long-term sustainability goals.”