A growing number of fleets are becoming more positive about electric vehicles, but nowhere near the numbers claimed by Cenex following recent trials.

The centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies - said that almost 90% of fleet managers taking part in its trials would consider incorporating EVs into their fleet (Fleet News, May 27).

However, only 57% of respondents to a Fleet News poll said they would follow suit, with range anxiety and cost remaining concerns.

Nevertheless, that’s an increase on a previous Fleet News poll from December 2008 where 40% of fleets were warming to the idea of EVs.

Ordnance Survey had two electric Peugeot 106 vehicles at its London offices before both were moved down to its Southampton headquarters, where one is still used for short business journeys.

“We often look at electric or hybrid vehicles with a view to adding them to our fleet,” explained Trevor Pinhorne, transport administrator at Ordnance Survey. “However, there are none that meet the cost specifications of our fleet at the moment.”

Dave Gill, finance director at JMC IT, was even more downbeat, describing EVs as ‘a cart with no horse’.

“Build some nuclear power stations, put up a lot more windfarms and then I will reconsider,” he added.

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