Telecommunications giant Orange has finalised a three-year partnership with French fleet-electrification startup Nelson, deploying simulation software to transition its domestic commercial fleet to zero-emission vehicles.
The collaboration forms part of Orange’s broader “Trust the Future” corporate strategy, which targets a 45% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2030, ahead of a legally binding Net Zero Carbon goal by 2040. The deployment will focus heavily on accelerating the electrification of the group’s 5,500 mobile utility vehicles across France.
Under the terms of the agreement, Orange will utilise the Nelson Electrify platform, a “digital twin” system that constructs a virtual replica of the firm’s logistical network. By cross-referencing fuel card transactions with real-world telematics data and historical route information, the software determines which conventional combustion-engine utility vehicles can be replaced with battery-electric alternatives without undermining operational efficiency.
The integration aims to increase the share of electric commercial vehicle orders within Orange’s fleet from 17% in 2025 to 40% by the end of 2026, positioning the firm to hit its target of a 100% electric fleet by 2030.
Whilst passenger car electrification remains relatively straightforward for corporate fleets, commercial utility vehicles present unique engineering and logistical hurdles. Field engineering teams must guarantee service continuity during technical interventions, meaning vehicle down-time for battery charging must be precisely mapped against daily workflow requirements.
The commercial roll-out follows an extensive pilot scheme conducted in the south-west of France, where the simulation software was tested to identify ideal charging windows and driving ranges for active service technicians.
Alexandre Nepveu, Director of the Orange Vehicle Fleet, stated that the implementation provides the company with the visibility required to transform its operations without compromising on-site productivity. He noted that relying on precise route data and robust simulation allowed the technical department to integrate the software directly into the procurement processes managed by the regional vehicle management offices.
