Jonathan Murray, Managing Director of Zemo Partnership, explores the accelerating pace of vehicle electrification amid ongoing uncertainty
This is a significant moment in the decarbonisation transition as figures emerged showing that internal combustion engine vehicles accounted for less than half of global new vehicle sales in the first six months of 2026.
While there are several caveats to note here – pure battery electric vehicles still trail quite a way behind those with ICE – there’s a growing sense that a global tipping point is being passed. BEV sales rose 12% to nearly 7 million in the first half of 2026, achieving a 17% total share and passing the 16% threshold cited by some as the tipping point for mass adoption.
Globally and locally, the electric vehicle market keeps setting records, even while the rules that underpin it in the UK (the ZEV mandate) are coming under review. BEV sales in September increased by more than 36% compared with last year achieving more than 28% market share.
Encouraging news, too, as New Automotive reported that the UK's is quietly becoming an EV battery powerhouse, with the industry already supporting more than 10,000 jobs. The consultants’ report says that over £7bn has been committed across 14 major commercial battery projects, already generating £4.2 billion in turnover.
For operators, though, the situation continues to be turbulent. With diesel hitting £2 a litre as a result of the fuel crisis linked to the Middle East conflict, FleetCheck reported that more operators are exploring electric alternatives.
There was a significant announcement in Andy Burnham’s Party Conference speech where he set out plans for a new body ‘Great British Grid’ which is being set up to accelerate delivery of electricity network infrastructure. Bus and truck fleet operators, in particular, are seeing electrification projects held up because of the long queues for grid connections.
GB Grid will sit within Great British Energy, while the 14 licensed distribution network operators keep their current roles. GB Grid has a big challenge; Ofgem estimates that £70bn of grid investment is needed between 2025 and 2031, and the National Audit Office is warning that the number of projects waiting to connect has grown significantly. It’s clear that there’s growing demand for electric vehicles, across all sectors of road transport, but one of the biggest remaining barriers – especially for fleets – is the need to modernise our electricity infrastructure and make adequate grid connections available whenever and wherever they’re needed. Let’s hope that GB Grid will make a significant difference to this challenge.
Like the UK’s electric car sector, there are signs that the e-van market is gathering pace, though van sales remain below ZEV Mandate targets. There are stirrings of progress in the UK truck sector too; ICCT’s latest report on the global picture for heavy duty vehicles (trucks and buses) shows dramatic progress in electrification, particularly in the truck sector in China.
Demand for electric vehicles is no doubt being stimulated by the growing range of models available – of cars, in particular - at different, and attractive, price points.
It’s certainly a challenge for all of us - and fleet managers in particular – to keep up with rapid developments and ‘stay on the ball’.
Zemo's Moving to Zero event in Swansea on November 4th will focus on choosing the right commercial vehicle technology pathway and will offer a good opportunity for CV fleet managers to keep up with developments in this rapidly changing environment.
