News analysis Four-year plan
The average fleet is targeting full electrification in four years, research has revealed. Sean Keywood reports.
K fleet managers are expecting to be operating fully electric fleets within an average of four years, according to Lex Autolease. The leasing company surveyed 100 UK fleet managers, each operating at least 100 vehicles, for the latest edition of its bi-annual ‘Future of Transport’ report. It said the average prediction of four years to full electrification was a significant change, down from seven years with the previous survey.
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The latest research also found that 86% of fleets had maintained or increased the number of EVs they were operating over the previous 12 months, up from 66% previously. It also found that fleets had not been deterred by the UK Government’s decision to postpone its ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035, with 64% saying they were now more likely to
consider EVs or increase the number in their fleets following the delay, compared with 23% who were now less likely. Despite the delay, the percentage of fleet managers who agreed policymakers were doing enough to enable the universal uptake of EVs among businesses was found to have increased from 46% to 57%.
However, fleets were still aware of barriers to adoption, and felt that additional government support would allow them to invest in EVs with greater confidence, with the availability of second-hand vehicles, charging times, charger availability, the logistics of installing charging points at home, and poor engagement from staff their top five concerns.
When asked what policy changes they would like to see, additional investment for installing on-site charging infrastructure, funding for on-road infrastructure for home
charging, and further tax reductions for businesses based on EV adoption were the three most popular.
More than half of the fleet managers surveyed said they felt adding EVs was important for meeting their sustainability targets, while half said it helped their business’s sustainability credentials when responding to tenders, and that it was important for employee engagement and recruitment. Other factors encouraging fleet EV investment were found to include a desire to adopt new technology, and reduced noise from the vehicles.
Every single manager surveyed said they believed their fleet would become fully electric eventually.
Commenting with the release of the report, Lex Autolease managing director Nick Williams said: “Businesses continue to lead the way in the UK’s electrification
journey, remaining dedicated to the adoption of cleaner and greener vehicles despite significant changes to government policy. “This is largely because they are unwavering on their own commitments. Switching to electric is helping them to make progress towards their sustainability targets, boost their green credentials for competitive tenders and enhance their propositions for current and prospective employees. “But barriers remain, and further action is still needed to help fleet managers make long-term purchasing decisions and generate universal confidence in making the switch.
“A rapid and fair charging infrastructure roll-out, an enduring commitment to the ZEV mandate, clarity on BIK rates beyond 2028, better information for would-be EV drivers, and a new national battery strategy must be the top priorities.”
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