Driving change in Merthyr: Ioan Vantu’s Journey to an Award-Winning EV Fleet
As part of Evolt Charging’s 15-year celebration, we’re meeting the people and organisations who are transforming transport in the UK. This time, we head to South Wales to hear from Ioan Vantu, Transport Manager for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, whose leadership has been pivotal in delivering one of our most ambitious local authority projects to date — and resulted in Evolt winning the Fleet and Workplace Charging Award in the process!
Ioan stepped into the role in September 2020, bringing experience from the pharmaceutical wholesale sector. His motivation for starting Merthyr’s EV journey early was simple:
“I think the earlier you start, the easier it is to reach the targets. By 2035 we won’t be able to purchase diesel or petrol vehicles. The earlier we start, the more we learn — and we’ve got time to correct any mistakes early.”
Ioan Vantu
That mindset has paid off. Working with Evolt Charging, Merthyr delivered a multi-site installation of 37 AC chargers and four DC units to power a fleet of around 60 vehicles. Today, 47 have already been replaced with electric models, putting the council close to 50% electrification. Staff vehicles can also be charged on-site when fleet chargers are available.
The project wasn’t without its challenges.
“The biggest challenge was not knowing the end result… how much electricity we’ d need to charge 50 vehicles at the same time, what type of chargers, how much power… It was a learning process. Thanks to Evolt Charging, things actually went very smooth.”
Ioan Vantu
The rollout
From installation to activation, timing was crucial. The team even had chargers ready before delayed pandemic-era vehicle deliveries arrived. Ioan valued the clear communication from Gemma and the Evolt team:
“We knew at all times what step in the process we were in… targets were met, and it was a great experience.”
Reliability was key when selecting a partner:
“We looked for a supplier that we know is going to be there for a long time… not a company that’s going to do a cheap job and disappear. The whole installation took close to a year — it was a long-term commitment.”
The tailored Evolt solution used dynamic load management to fully utilise on-site power, avoided costly extra connections, and provided energy reporting for the Welsh Government. Support for Welsh-language operators was also essential for council staff. Ioan appreciated the use of local contractors, boosting community benefits.
Merthyr’s EV journey highlights how the right partnership can make all the difference. By working closely with Evolt Charging — from planning and installation to ongoing support — the council turned an ambitious vision into a practical, reliable reality. Their collaboration proves that success isn’t just about technology, but about choosing partners who share your commitment and vision.
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