Swisscom Embraces Sustainability: Orders 1200 New Electric Vehicles

Swisscom Takes a Major Step Toward Sustainable Mobility – the Swiss telecommunications company, is taking a major step toward sustainable mobility by electrifying its entire passenger vehicle fleet by early 2025. Astara is partnering in this transition, supplying more than 1,200 Hyundai electric vehicles.

The electrification of private transport is gaining momentum in Switzerland, including among businesses. One reason is that mobility is one of the largest sources of corporate CO₂ emissions, prompting many companies to accelerate their transition to electric mobility. It is considered a key component in reducing carbon emissions. Swisscom is moving particularly quickly. The telecommunications giant aims to halve the direct CO₂ emissions of its vehicle fleet by 2025 and eliminate them entirely by 2030. As part of this strategy, the company is replacing all of its passenger cars—more than 1,200 vehicles in total. Swisscom has ordered 1,099 battery-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 models and 116 Hyundai Kona Electric vehicles, which will primarily be used by its subsidiary cablex, a leading network infrastructure company.

Largest Electric Fleet Delivery to Date

Switching such a large portion of a fleet to electric vehicles in one step is an ambitious undertaking. To carry out this mega-project, Swisscom selected Astara, one of Switzerland’s largest automotive importers.

According to Beate Martin, Director B2B & Used Cars at Astara Central Europe, the Swisscom order represents the largest electric fleet ever supplied by the company in Europe. "It is a flagship project, and I am proud that Swisscom chose Hyundai and Astara," Martin says. She describes Swisscom as a pioneer in its commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions."This strategy aligns perfectly with Astara’s efforts to make a meaningful contribution to climate protection."Martin emphasizes that Swisscom’s choice was no coincidence:"With Hyundai and our other brands at Astara Switzerland, we are the ideal partner for the electrification of corporate fleets."

Reliable Delivery Times and Suitable Vehicles

Astara benefits from secured production capacities and reliable delivery schedules. In addition, Hyundai’s electric models meet Swisscom’s requirements exceptionally well."The selected models offer ranges of around 500 kilometers according to the WLTP standard and are technologically state-of-the-art thanks to their 800-volt charging technology," Martin explains.

This is particularly important because many fleet drivers cannot charge their vehicles at home and therefore rely on public charging stations. In such cases, charging speed becomes a crucial factor. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 also offers a spacious luggage compartment. Thanks to its adjustable rear seats, it can accommodate everything that was previously transported in the company’s station wagons. All-wheel drive was another important consideration. Around 200 Swisscom fleet vehicles must be equipped with 4×4 capability because employees frequently travel to remote regions throughout Switzerland.

An Order with Strong Symbolic Impact

With electric vehicles from Astara’s portfolio, Swisscom is well equipped to support its employees on their daily journeys across the country.

For Youcef Benachour, Commercial Director at Astara Switzerland, Swisscom’s decisive commitment to electric mobility sends a powerful message.

"It is important that large, leading companies such as Swisscom set an example in sustainable mobility."

Ceremonial Vehicle Handover (from left to right): Marc Dolder, Head of Procurement at Swisscom; Francesco Castelletti, CEO of cablex; Saskia Günther, Sustainability Manager at Swisscom; as well as Beate Martin, Director B2B & Used Cars; Youcef Benachour, Commercial Director; and Marco Monaco, Head of Key Account Management at Astara Switzerland.