EV fleets on the rise, report finds

A report has found that most fleet managers increased or maintained the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in their fleet.

The bi-annual Future of Transport research, which surveys 100 UK fleet managers operating more than 100 vehicles, reveals they expect to have purely electric fleets within an average of four years, down from seven years in the previous survey.

The majority (86 per cent) said they had maintained or increased the number of EVs in their fleet over the previous 12 months, up from 66 per cent from the previous report. 

Almost two-thirds of fleet managers are more likely to improve their EV offering after the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate delay, and more than half believe policy makers are doing enough to convince businesses to switch.
 
They are also planning to reach full electrification earlier despite the government’s delay to the ZEV mandate, which now requires all new cars to be zero emissions by 2035.

The report suggested an increase in confidence regarding government policy, and found that the proportion of fleet managers that agree policy makers are doing enough to enable the universal uptake of EVs among businesses has increased to 57 per cent, from 46 per cent in the previous research.

However, barriers to adoption endure and fleet managers feel that additional government support would allow them to invest in EVs with greater confidence.

The availability of second-hand vehicles, charging times, charging point availability, the logistics of installing charging points at home and poor engagement from staff were the top five factors preventing businesses from switching or investing further. 

The report was produced by fleet management and funding specialist Lex Autolease, part of Lloyds Banking Group.

Nick Williams, managing director at Lex Autolease, said more and more businesses are adopting "cleaner and greener" vehicles despite significant changes to government policy. 

"This is largely because they are unwavering on their own commitments," he added. 

"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."

Williams said: "A rapid and fair charging infrastructure roll-out, an enduring commitment to the ZEV mandate, clarity on Benefit in Kind rates beyond 2028, better information for would-be EV drivers and a new national battery strategy must be the top priorities.”