Understanding of electric motoring grows among business drivers
In this issue
I’m sure time passes faster as I get older. I say this, as it doesn’t seem 12 months since I was welcoming you all to our
awards issue!
After just over three years in the editor’s chair, I think the awards are my favourite part of the editorial schedule. Again, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my part in the judging, and it has proved to be a humbling experience, too.
I’m pleased to tell you all that the judging process for our independent panel went smoothly. Again, we were impressed by the quantity and quality of all the entries, so I thank all the judges for their professionalism, and congratulate all the winners.
All those present might have been there to celebrate the award winners, but I know many attending used our event to catch up with friends and colleagues. So, I’d like to thank our team for producing what I think was our best event yet. I’d also like to thank our sponsors, who make it possible to produce such a highly regarded dinner.
We had 350 attend in person, with the event held for the second time at the Hilton Bankside, London. They saw 33 trophies presented in more categories than ever, as we seek the best of the best in the fleet sector.
What I can tell you, is that we’re already working on next year’s event, and we’ll tell you more in the coming months – including when you can send us your entries. I’m looking forward to next year’s awards already!
Enjoy this issue.
Martyn Collins Business Car Editor
Results from the Europcar UK EV barometer for Quarter 2 reveal that business drivers believe the cost of EVs is still holding back 41% of businesses from switching to electric. The lack of charging infrastructure has also become a greater concern for people who drive for work. In Q2 2024, 36% of business drivers said a lack of charging options was holding back their employer from making the switch, compared to 34% in Q1.
However, more promising is the fact that businesses appear to be more confident in their EV knowledge. “It is encouraging to see that business drivers believe knowledge of EV motoring is growing amongst employers,” commented Tom Middleditch, head of electric mobility at Europcar. “It seems that the lack of charging infrastructure is still holding back a significant proportion of businesses, perhaps concerned about downtime and inefficiency during business hours. However, the UK’s public charge point network has grown by 49% in the past 12 months and is set to grow even quicker over the next year. With electric motoring being unfamiliar, a lack of knowledge around what it is really like to drive and charge an electric vehicle, and manage an electric fleet, has been a significant challenge for fleets hoping to switch to electric from the outset. Europcar is helping businesses experience EV driving in the real world, with flexible durations and a variety of makes & models available to rent.
“We have invested in resources to help inform drivers of the reality of EV driving, as well as constantly adding to our fleet to provide the widest possible choice for renters”, explained Tom Middleditch. “We also took to the road this summer to prove that driving electric is much easier than the headlines would suggest.
The key to better EV performance
“Smooth, steady and consistent driving, reading the road and anticipating the conditions ahead are key to getting better performance. It’s not actually much different to what you should consider when driving a petrol or diesel vehicle. But the pay-off in an EV is probably that much more immediately noticeable. Gentler acceleration and letting the regenerative braking do the hard work to get the energy back are also good disciplines.
“And the experience underlined just how useful it is to rent an EV for a few days, a week or more. Experience charging at different locations; learn how different chargers work as well as how much they cost. That’s something a standard test-drive is rarely going to be able to deliver. And long-term rental delivers the latest EV technology without having to make a financial commitment that might not be the right fit in the longer-term.
“Moving a business to a zero emissions strategy requires clear thinking, detailed planning and hands-on real-world experience. Our carefully designed EV solutions are future-proofing the whole mobility process and already support many organisations as well as private motorists on their sustainability journeys.”
To download the Europcar EV Knowledge Hub visit:
https://electric.europcar.co.uk
www.businesscar.co.uk | July/August 2024 | 5
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