Utility metering specialist SMS has taken delivery of more than 170 Peugeot Boxer, Expert and Partner vans, which will be used by engineers across the company’s various divisions.

The deal includes 140 Experts – Peugeot’s medium panel van - which have been fitted with racking, shelving and equipment to carry ‘smart’ gas and electricity meters, and related equipment for SMS’ team of dual fuel meter installation engineers.

Choosing the new Peugeot vans has helped SMS to make a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of its vehicle fleet. Emissions start from 137g/km for Expert standard models, while Partner has CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km.

The vehicles have all been supplied through Peugeot Dealer Robins and Day Sheffield North and fitted out by local conversion specialists.

Speaking about the new SMS Expert fleet, Yvonne Cannon, fleet installations manager, said: “The conversion was designed following extensive planning and consulting with the SMS installation engineers and operations managers.

“The installation includes anti-slip flooring to ensure safety in all weathers and motion-sensor-activated interior lighting in the vehicle load space.”

SMS’ new Peugeot Partner fleet will be used by the company’s electrical I&C (Industrial & Commercial) engineers who install meters at business premises.

The SMS I&C department is responsible for the electricity metering of larger consumption customers. This can be anything from a corner shop through to a steel foundry using thousands of kilowatt-hours of electricity each day. The work can range from replacing an old electricity meter to installing a brand-new supply.

The order includes five Boxer panel vans which will be used by engineers involved in installing larger gas meters at Industrial and commercial premises.

The conversion work carried out for these vehicles includes racking suitable to carry the larger metering equipment needed at these sites, along with a work bench, inverter and hand cleaning equipment. All large industrial meters are strapped to the floor with a rail track type system and have quick release binding straps.

The Peugeot vans will be used by all I&C engineers to attend sites across the country. The Peugeot fleet will carry the necessary tools, testing and safety equipment, along with the meters and consumable items.

“The SMS engineers have a demanding job to do and they need a reliable and flexible van fleet to help them do it,” said Groupe PSA UK fleet director Martin Gurney.

“With our supplying Dealer Robins and Day Sheffield North and our conversion partners, we have been able to help SMS reduce their carbon footprint through their new Peugeot van fleet, which provides a mix of vehicles that will help them carry out their specialised work and to meet the government target of offering smart meters to all 26 million UK homes by 2020.”