Fleets find EV transition “smoother than anticipated”

Fleet operators have found that switching to electric vehicles (EVs) has resulted in less disruption than initially expected.

Research by AX has revealed that fleet managers of businesses yet to start their EV transition were expecting "significant disruption" to vehicle incident management processes as a result of electrification. However, those who had already begun the process of EV adoption said they had experienced less of an effect.

To inform its white paper, Fleet EV Adoption 2022: Are UK businesses adapting to the accelerated electric vehicle revolution?, AX surveyed 151 UK fleet managers to uncover the prevailing attitudes towards EV adoption within the sector.

The report found that more than half (52%) of non-EV fleet managers said they anticipated an increase in vehicle downtime due to accidents with the introduction of EVs into their fleet. In contrast, just 24% of EV fleet managers said that they had realised that increase.

The study also showed that 44% of non-EV fleet managers expected an increase in cost of maintenance. Only 20% of fleet managers that had already started EV uptake said the cost of maintenance had risen, however.

AX said the discrepancy between the expected effects of the EV transition on vehicle incident management suggests there remains uncertainty among UK businesses on how electrification will affect them. A third of UK businesses (34%) surveyed by AX have yet to start the process.

Scott Hamilton-Cooper, managing director of AX Automotive, said: “According to our survey, businesses that are yet to electrify their fleets are noticeably nervous about implementing changes. Despite the accelerated rate of EV uptake, there are still myths perpetuating that are hampering its progress – as our report suggests.

“There is clearly a significant discrepancy between the expectation and reality of electrification. Yet, the discrepancy we have identified in our white paper suggests that if businesses are fully informed of how the switch to electric is likely to affect them, then their EV transition journey will be smoother than anticipated.”

In November 2021, AX launched AX Motor Assist to provide a new, technology-driven end-to-end accident management service for fleet and leasing companies and their customers. The specialists at AX can orchestrate the fast delivery of a suitable replacement vehicle, both ICE and EV, while ensuring every claim takes the most economical route through the process.

To download and read in full the AX white paper, Fleet EV Adoption 2022: Are UK businesses adapting to the accelerated electric vehicle revolution?, please click here.