KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD) set to complete full fleet electrification by year-end – four years ahead of schedule with support from DriveElectric
KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD), responsible for operating and maintaining the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network in London, is transitioning its entire car and van fleet to an EV fleet with the help of DriveElectric, a pioneering electric vehicle (EV) leasing company, and Ford.
KeolisAmey Docklands, responsible for operating and maintaining the Docklands Light Railway network in London, is transitioning its entire car and van fleet to EVs
EV fleet will be fully operational by the end of 2025, four years ahead of the deadline, with help from DriveElectric
All vehicles – including variants that have traditionally been challenging to electrify – supplied by Ford
KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD), responsible for operating and maintaining the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network in London, is transitioning its entire car and van fleet to an EV fleet with the help of DriveElectric, a pioneering electric vehicle (EV) leasing company, and Ford.
A new eight-year contract with Transport for London (TfL) started in April 2025, with a target from TfL to go fully electric within five years from this date. The entire fleet will be fully electric by the end of December 2025.
A legacy petrol and diesel fleet with demanding operational needs has been replaced with 39 electric vans and 6 electric cars, including specialist vehicles that have typically been challenging to electrify, such as vans with tail lifts and flatbeds.
All vehicles have been supplied by one manufacturer, Ford, with the fleet being comprised of Puma Gen-E cars, E-Tourneo minibuses, and E-Transit and E-Transit Custom vans, including variants with double cabs, tail lifts, dropside flatbeds, racking, shelving and ladder racks. Partnering with Ford as a single manufacturer has enabled the deployment of Ford Pro telematics, providing real-time insights that enhance visibility, efficiency and fleet performance.
Richard Graham, Managing Director, KeolisAmey Docklands, comments: “Delivering a fully electric fleet over four years ahead of schedule is a testament to our team’s commitment and the strength of our partnerships with Ford and DriveElectric. We’re proud to champion sustainability, operational excellence and community wellbeing in East London.”
The transition to an electric fleet has delivered significant operational cost savings on fuel and maintenance, creating opportunities to reinvest those savings into future carbon reduction initiatives. With zero tailpipe emissions, the new fleet is also helping to improve air quality for staff and local communities in East London.
Tom Page, General Manager, Docklands Light Railway Limited (DLRL), adds: “We’re delighted to see KeolisAmey Docklands deliver this ambitious EV fleet transformation. The project demonstrates the impact of close collaboration between DLRL, KAD, and our industry partners. By working together, we’re driving real progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for London’s transport network.”
DriveElectric supplied short-term electric vehicle rentals to maintain business continuity during the transition period. KAD has looked into decentralised, clean energy infrastructure across two grid-constrained London locations, including solar powered chargers and battery storage at the Beckton depot, enhancing resilience to energy market volatility.
Liam Bone, Regional Fleet Business Manager, Ford of Britain and Ireland, says: “This project shows the strength of collaboration. By working closely with DriveElectric, we’ve delivered a fleet solution made up of our freshest-ever line up that supports KeolisAmey Docklands’ transition to zero emission vehicles, combining Ford’s product capability and versatility with DriveElectric’s expertise.” The transition to electric vehicles is aligned with KAD’s Net Zero ambitions, creating a fit-for-purpose and sustainable fleet for the future. This achievement also directly supports the Mayor of London’s Clean Air and Net Zero targets, setting a new benchmark for sustainable fleet management in the light rail sector.
Adam Kemp, Sales Director, DriveElectric, concludes: “This was a complex project, and finding the right product to meet demanding operational needs required real expertise. That’s where DriveElectric makes the difference. By partnering with Ford, we delivered the right solution and managed every stage of the transition with precision. The outcome is a fleet that keeps critical infrastructure moving, improves visibility through Ford Pro telematics, reduces downtime, and supports the customer’s sustainability goals.”
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Editors Notes
About DriveElectric
DriveElectric is a UK-based company that supports the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) by providing impartial leasing and fleet management services for businesses and personal drivers. Established in 2008, the company offers a wide range of EVs, home charging solutions, and expert advice to help customers navigate their journey to Net Zero. DriveElectric also develops innovative projects that make EV adoption easier and advocate for sustainable transport. DriveElectric is powered by Jurni Leasing, a leading independent vehicle leasing, fleet management, and maintenance broker, recognised for its commitment to customer service and cutting-edge technology solutions. With a focus on innovation and customer value, Jurni provides a wide range of services tailored to the vehicle leasing needs of businesses and individual customers across the UK.
About KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD) KeolisAmey Docklands is a joint venture between Keolis (70%) and Amey (30%). It has operated the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) since 2014 and, in April 2025, began a new eight-year contract with Transport for London (TfL) to operate and maintain the network. Over the past decade, KAD has delivered more than one billion passenger journeys on the DLR, consistently achieving some of the highest customer satisfaction scores across TfL services. The new contract places a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer experience, with targets for lift and escalator availability, ticketing reliability, and passenger information. KAD employs over 900 colleagues dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, and people-focused services across the DLR.
For further information, please contact:
DriveElectric
Gemma Pearson – Marketing Manager
gemma.pearson@drive-electric.co.uk
Adam Kemp – Director
adam.kemp@drive-electric.co.uk
Media contact for DriveElectric
Paul Clarke, Automotive Comms
paul.clarke@automotivecomms.co.uk
M: 07866 770029
Jurni
Matt Schembri – Head of Group Marketing
KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD)
Anna Scepetilnikova - Community and Stakeholder Communications Manager