Comment: Challenging times, interesting solutions

Beverley Wise, regional director for Webfleet UK and Ireland, examines van fleet perspectives on eLCV adoption, the challenges faced and explains why data insights are proving an important catalyst.

The electrification of road transport was never going to be an easy journey.

From battery range and charging infrastructure limitations to vehicle cost and speed-to-recharge concerns, the challenges faced from the get-go have been considerable.

But as the impending ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans hones into sharp focus, EV adoption has started to take off. And fleet sales, in particular, are on the rise.

To date, the passenger car market has led the way, but commercial EV adoption is now also primed to enter a phase of exponential growth.

According to Bridgestone Mobility Solutions’ new Keener to be Greener study, more than a third (36%) of van fleets plan to start overhauling their vehicles within the next 12 months, well ahead of deadline.

Encouragingly, the Department for Transport (DfT) has also set its stall out to accelerate this trend, extending the Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG) incentive scheme by two years as of March this year.

Call to arms for climate action

The environmental case for eLCVs is unequivocal, and van fleet decision-makers have been found to harbour strong motivations for electrification, with 58%, according to our study, stirred by a personal desire to protect their health, that of their family and the next generation.

Despite the positive trajectory on take-up however, operators are patently aware of the challenges faced and believe more must still be done by the powers that be.

A total of 45% have cited a lack of rapid charging infrastructure (41%) as a clear barrier to adoption, 46% highlight the lack of specialist EVs for different business uses and 35% cite prohibitive EV costs.

Consequently, for the UK’s transport sustainability targets to be met, three in five (59%) have called for greater financial support and guidance from government, while 56% have stressed a need for increased investment in transport decarbonisation and green transport initiatives.

The Government would do well to heed the industry’s voice, having enshrined in law its commitment to cut emissions by 78% by 2035, on 1990 levels, and targeting net zero by 2050.

Protecting the bottom line

As fuel prices soar, the financial case for eLCVs is also becoming ever more compelling.

Cost reduction remains a priority for 40% of van fleets over the next year, and with a lower cost per mile in fuel, and lower service, maintenance and repair costs, big savings are already being realised by those that have made the electric transition.

As things stand, almost two-thirds (63%) of van fleet decision-makers say they lack confidence in calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO) of EVs. Nonetheless, the financial benefits are writ large. Despite remaining more expensive to lease or purchase upfront than their fossil-fuelled counterparts, in most cases the TCO of the electric van powertrain is notably lower.

Data from telematics solutions such as Webfleet can play a valuable role here, helping fleets more accurately forecast TCO savings. Insights enable comparisons to be more easily made between conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) running costs and real-world EV performance, based on fleet driving patterns.

The electric fleet connected

More than a third (39%) of van fleets told us that they believed their current tech solutions were insufficient to help them manage the environmental impact of their vehicles. A total of 41%, however, are now planning to invest in telematics systems over the next 12 months.

With game-changing innovations in EV management solutions being brought to market, it is easy to understand why.

The capabilities of the latest digital tools are fast becoming a prerequisite for fleets looking to make the electric transition, enabling them to keep a lid on their operational costs while, at the same time, optimising performance and service delivery.

Fleet managers can now access information, for example, on real time battery levels, remaining driving ranges and energy usage for every electric vehicle, alongside insights into charging processes and vehicle charge levels. In addition, the location of charging points can be pinpointed by drivers, via their in-cab sat nav devices.

Furthermore, in light of the concern among more than half (57%) of van fleets about the cost impact of Clean Air Zones (CAZs), telematics systems enable geo-fence alerts to be set up around CAZs to help ensure eLCVs are utilised in the most cost-effectively way possible.

Connected fleet intelligence has long proved a valuable asset for improvements in fleet performance, it has now set to be so much more – a vital catalyst in our journey to a new e-mobility era.