A recent report has highlighted a significant uptick in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) among fleet managers in the UK.
The bi-annual Future of Transport research, surveying 100 UK fleet managers overseeing more than 100 vehicles, indicates a notable increase in the number of EVs within their fleets. Fleet managers now anticipate achieving purely electric fleets within an average of four years, a decrease from the previous projection of seven years.
According to the report, the majority (86%) of fleet managers reported either maintaining or expanding their EV fleet over the past 12 months, a notable increase from the previous survey’s figure of 66%. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of fleet managers expressed a heightened inclination to enhance their EV offerings following the delay in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. More than half of the respondents believe that policymakers are taking adequate measures to encourage businesses to transition to EVs.
Despite the government’s postponement of the ZEV mandate, which now requires all new cars to be zero emissions by 2035, fleet managers are accelerating their plans for full electrification.
Denise Beedell, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK, commented on the report’s findings, emphasizing the positive trend towards achieving 100% electric fleets. However, she also highlighted the challenges that remain for fleet operators, underscoring the importance of initiatives like the Zero Emission Van Plan campaign, aimed at addressing obstacles to meeting sustainability targets.
The report, conducted by Lex Autolease, a fleet management and funding specialist within Lloyds Banking Group, reflects a growing trend among businesses towards adopting environmentally friendly vehicles. Nick Williams, managing director at Lex Autolease, noted that despite changes in government policy, businesses remain steadfast in their commitment to sustainability, with the transition to electric vehicles contributing to progress towards sustainability targets and enhancing their competitiveness.
