Miele is phasing out diesel: 840 electric vans for maintenance in Europe
Miele has ordered 840 electric Volkswagen Transporter vans for its service fleet in Europe, with deliveries spread out between 2026 and 2027. The European tender covering that two-year period allocated 440 vehicles solely to Germany: just over half of the total.
In the customer service department for sales technicians, almost all of the 420 staff members will switch to fully electric battery-powered vans. This is the department with the highest vehicle usage, as technicians travel many kilometers each day between repairs on household appliances and professional machinery.
Miele’s new electric fleet: 840 Volkswagen vans for European service
In the commercial logistics division, the transition is nearly complete: the department now has nearly 100% electric vehicles. In the family-oriented customer service segment, the shift is progressing gradually, with electric vehicles accounting for around 30% currently, and this figure will rise as older vehicles are phased out of service.
Volkswagen Transporter Elettrico for Miele’s Fleet
Photo by: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
The new Transporters will come equipped with Sortimo-designed interiors, intended for transporting tools and spare parts. Rebecca Steinhage, head of Human Resources and Institutional Affairs at Miele, ties this choice to the group’s sustainability strategy: service vans are on the road every day, making them a direct tool for reducing CO₂ emissions from the company’s vehicle fleet.
Sustainability goals and emission reduction through fleet electrification
The vehicle’s weight affects fuel consumption just as much as the engine type, especially when an electric vehicle operates throughout the day. That’s why the Transporters are fitted with Sortimo’s lightweight shelving systems, designed to carry tools and spare parts without unnecessarily increasing the van’s weight.
Volkswagen Electric Transporter for Miele’s Fleet
Photo by: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
The specifications of the new vehicles are based on the experience gained from Miele’s existing fleet, which has long included Volkswagen ID. Buzz vehicles as well. Real-world range, charging times, and daily fuel consumption, along with feedback from technicians, guided the technical decisions for the new generation of vehicles. Lars Krause, member of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ board of management for sales and marketing, describes this order as confirmation of a collaboration that has already been underway.
The electric drive simplifies stop-and-go driving in urban traffic, a common situation for those who provide door-to-door services. The preheating of the cabin, which can be activated while the van is still connected to the charging station, allows technicians to start working with a warm cabin on the coldest days.
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Photo gallery: Volkswagen Transporter electric for MIele’s fleet
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Source: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles