Plug-in cars account for more than half of Fleet Alliance orders in 2021

Fleet Alliance’s order books finished last year with a record number of electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

In line with the rapidly growing movement towards EVs, ahead of the Government’s ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine cars and vans by 2030, the Glasgow-based leasing and fleet management specialist has seen plug-in models account for 52% of all new car orders in the last 12 months.

Andy Bruce (pictured), Fleet Alliance CEO, said: “It is very apparent that the switch to electric vehicles is accelerating with ever-increasing numbers of both corporate and retail buyers ordering EVs. We are seeing rapid growth in EV orders, especially in recent months, and expect this to continue throughout this year.”

In the company’s corporate business, some 59% of new car orders last year were for plug-in models, with pure electric variants accounting for 26% of the total.

“Meanwhile, 29% of our personal orders were for EVs and PHEVs throughout 2021, and this trend accelerated towards the end of the year with the last month seeing 28% of all personal new car orders being for pure EVs alone – from just 7% last January,” Bruce added.

He took over the helm of Fleet Alliance last August, while managing director Martin Brown moved up to chair in a more strategic role, as the company set its sights on a new phase of expansion. 

Bruce said: “Aside from the obvious tax advantages to corporate customers, I strongly sense that companies are fully embracing EVs as part of their wider ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) agenda.

“Similarly, for retail customers, and this could well be influenced by the COP26 climate conference in November, there appears to be a growing desire to play their part in helping the planet on a personal level."