Electric vehicles: Overcoming obstacles to implementation

Fleets report fuel use fell by as much as 38% during the lockdown period as staff worked from home, and business trips were put on hold.

However, since lockdown measures have eased, grey fleet mileage has doubled for some fleets as employees have turned away from public transport and instead are using their own cars.

Others report that drivers due to change their cars are eager to sort out the replacement; they aren’t looking to opt out. The focus for them is getting into an electric car, rather than seeking a mobility budget, because of the zero per cent BIK.

Lower mileage is also bringing electric vehicles into the scope of more employees.

The biggest challenge remains those people who do not have suitable homes for charging an electric vehicle. Nevertheless, the latest EVs still offer an opportunity, with range on a full charge of 200 to 300 miles.

It means, said one fleet, that they can drive the car all week and only have to charge once, which would be at the office.

Training is essential on an EV, teaching drivers about regenerative braking, charging and pre-conditioning. “Their concerns are real, but the reality doesn’t prevent the transition,” said one fleet.

Usable range needs to be a minimum of 200 miles in the real word for cars. Vans pose a different issue with nowhere near enough choice to have mileage-based criteria.

> The above was shared with Fleet News at the July meeting of the Fleet200 Executive Club.

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