Opinion


Traversing the hills and valleys of switching to an electric fleet


Mark Newberry, Commercial Director and Sustainability spokesperson at Europcar Mobility Group UK examines some of the challenges facing business travel and fleet managers who are trying to shift to zero.


023 has proved to be a significant year so far in the world of electrified vehicles (EVs). It started with the SMMT reporting that new car sales of Battery EVs had outnumbered petrol sales in December, increasing 52.5% year-on- year. In contrast, electric car battery project ‘Britishvolt’ went into administration, UK car manufacturing numbers remain low, and investment in charging infrastructure does not seem to be stretching far enough to put an end to growing grumbles and queues at charging points.


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Ongoing challenges with the public vehicle charging infrastructure have fuelled the mainstream media’s apparent disdain for electric vehicles and their green potential. It is an uncomfortable question, but have they got a point? What is needed to shift the dial to help businesses see that EVs are a real, efficient option?


Public charging challenges A recent government report on public electric vehicle charge points revealed that the charging network has grown by 31% in the past year, showing undeniable progress. And there are some amazing organisations leading the charge (pardon the pun) and heavily investing in the network. But while it may not have ground to a halt on the hard shoulder of progress, it may appear to be taking the slow lane while EV sales overtake in the middle lane. After all, the network has grown 31%, while new EV sales rose 52.5% in the same period. A snapshot poll commissioned by Europcar


confidence in switching to zero emissions vehicles, it is essential that more chargers overall are made available, especially rapid chargers, and that reliability is dramatically improved. But in the short term, for those fortunate enough to have off-road parking and a range long enough for their regular journeys, charging at home is a good solution and successfully supports the transition to sustainable mobility.


“The [charging] network has grown 31%, while new EV sales rose 52.5%...”


Mobility Group UK at the start of 2023 found that 59% of motorists currently prefer to charge at home; 23% at an office and 18% ‘on the go’. This not only underlines the convenience issues that currently exist, but also the costs. Indeed, recent RAC research suggested that the cost of rapid-charging an electric car using a public charging network had increased by about 50% in the past eight months. It found that those who charged at home were still getting “great value” despite rising energy costs.


For motorists – and employers – to have Discovery is key


The other issue is discovery. Right now there remains real uncertainty about performance and impact on business productivity of all-electric vehicles. The best way to shift that caution is to make it possible for businesses and their drivers to experience electric in real-world conditions – before they make a long-term financial commitment. Many manufacturers and dealer groups are offering test drives. And mobility companies like Europcar offer longer ‘try before you buy’ experiences.


Of course there are still challenges with the supply chain, driver nervousness, high vehicle prices, lack of charging infrastructure, to name but a few, making it understandable why so many business fleets are not fully ready to make a wholesale shift to zero emissions. But there is a real willingness for change. At Europcar we are seeing our own company car drivers sign up to the change with 75% of orders for company car vehicles being EV and 15% hybrid. The average CO2 for this fleet is 17g, compared to 114g 12 months ago. And it’s important not to ignore the tax benefits to employers and more importantly to employees with huge reductions in company car tax, as well as the regular fuel cost reductions. Yes, electricity may be more expensive than it was a year ago, but it is still providing a significant cost saving all round. And, let’s not forget and perhaps most importantly of all...


Now’s the time for Business Travel and Fleet Managers to act. It’s time to capitalise on the offers of help to gain understanding. It’s time to build confidence in electric mobility. It’s time to learn where adjustments will need to be made to operational models. It’s time to embrace green mobility.


Because if not now, when. And if not you, then who.


www.businesscar.co.uk | May 2023 | 19


Above:


Mark Newberry, who discusses what is needed to help businesses see that EVs are a real, efficient option for them.


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