Case Study: How ditching vans boosted Vorboss productivity by 60%
A Vorboss technician takes the CityLab workshop to a customer connection site.
Background
Vorboss is on a mission to build London’s most advanced fibre network, providing businesses with faster, more reliable connectivity. But deploying fibre in one of the world’s busiest cities is no small feat. The company’s installation teams navigate congested streets, restricted parking, and stringent environmental regulations on a daily basis.
When it came to upgrading their field operations, Vorboss was searching for a smarter, cleaner, and more efficient alternative to traditional vans.
The Challenge
Traffic & Congestion: London drivers lose over 100 hours per year to congestion, costing billions in productivity.
Parking & Access: Field teams faced frequent parking fines and wasted time searching for legal spaces.
Sustainability Goals: Vorboss wanted to cut emissions and align its operations with London’s ambitious Net Zero targets.
Operational Efficiency: Equipment had to be transported securely while enabling technicians to work effectively on-site.
The Solution: CityLab Workshop
CityLab Designs provided Vorboss with the CityLab Workshop — a zero-emission, semi-enclosed mobile workshop built on an e-cargo quad chassis.
Key features include:
Secure, weather-protected workspace for tools and equipment
Low running costs (~£0.02/km) compared to petrol or EV vans
Access to bike lanes and pedestrian zones, bypassing traffic bottlenecks
Implementation
Vorboss deployed the CityLab Workshop across its London fibre installation teams. The units were customised with branded livery and fitted internally to store and transport fibre installation tools securely.
Results
Faster job completion: Teams reached customers quicker by avoiding congestion and parking delays, resulting in up to 60% efficiency gains in completion times.
Reduced downtime: Parking at the job site reduced downtime by 30%.
Cost savings: Eliminated congestion charges and reduced fuel/charging costs.
Improved sustainability: Zero tailpipe emissions helped Vorboss meet environmental commitments.
Technician satisfaction: Operators reported the CityLab Workshop was more comfortable and less stressful than working from a traditional van in the city.
Looking Ahead
With the success of the initial rollout, Vorboss is exploring additional CityLab Workshops to expand coverage and improve network deployment speed. The collaboration demonstrates how rethinking urban mobility can deliver tangible business, environmental, and employee benefits.