Fleet decision-makers expect electric to be the dominant powertrain within three years, according to research from the latest Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer.
Just half (50%) of vans and a little over a quarter (28%) of UK company cars are predicted to be petrol or diesel power alone by 2025, it says.
Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “Looking three years ahead takes us to 2025 and, by that point in time, the research shows that fleet operators expect electrified vehicles to dominate their fleets.
“The numbers show the anticipated rapidity of the decline of 100% petrol and diesel powered vehicles.
“This view is remarkably consistent across companies of all sizes according to our data – from those with fewer than 10 employees to those with more than 1,000 – and there is an absolute expectation that electrification will happen at speed and across all vehicle types.”
However, Sadlier says it’s worth underlining that these findings are forecasts rather than fact and may be “overoptimistic” in the case of vans, where there are issues around supply and model choice, as well as cost and operational challenges.
“Bearing in mind this situation, the speed of change may in fact take longer than the next three years,” he added.
“Our view is that the data should perhaps instead be viewed less as an outright prediction and more as an indication of the commitment of fleet operators to electrification, which, in the light of the results seen here, cannot be doubted and if we can resolve issues such as the supply and charging of electric vehicles it is likely the transition will take place sooner rather than later.”
The UK results are also ahead of 19 other European countries surveyed – where the number of cars using petrol or diesel is expected to be 52% and vans 64%.
In your opinion, what percentage of your fleet will be either petrol or diesel in three years? (excluding hybrid vehicles)
| Total |
Fewer than 10 employees |
10-99 employees | 100-999 employees | More than 1,000 employees | |
| Cars | |||||
| UK | 28% | 26% | 30% | 29% | 29% |
| Europe | 52% | 51% | 55% | 53% | 52% |
| Vans | |||||
| UK | 50% | 53% | 58% | 41% | 52% |
| Europe | 64% | 64% | 68% | 62% | 63% |
> Interested in comparing electric vehicle data? Check out our EV tool.
> Interested in ensuring the efficient use of EVs. Check out our dedicated editorial sections: Insight & policy | EV news | Charging & infrastructure | Costs & incentives | Benefit-in-kind | EV case studies | EV road tests
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Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
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