UK businesses are speeding past government targets towards electric vehicles
A survey of more than 500 business leaders from across the UK reveals their commitment to the electric vehicle revolution, with many have gone electric already and even more planning to convert fleets to low emission options.
The survey by Survation for the business campaign group London First finds that 30% of those with a fleet of company-owned vehicles have already begun using electric vehicles, while 46% have active plans to make the transition and a further 16% have begun to discuss it.
For those who have not yet made the switch, 50% think they will have transitioned within five years and a third (35%) think it will be within two years, well ahead of the ban on the sale of petrol, diesel, or hybrid cars in 2035.
However, when thinking about barriers to successfully making the switch, business leaders said that a lack of infrastructure, such as charge points, was the biggest issue (49%), with cost following close behind (45%), as well as low availability of electric vehicles, cited by a third (34%).
With 59% of new vehicle registrations in the UK last year for fleet vehicles, London First highlighted the important role of commercial drivers in helping meeting national goals for electric vehicles and, within the capital, the Mayor’s aim of making London a Net Zero city by 2030. It called for action to ensure investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and ensuring it is in places where those who use the road most, like commercial drivers, can make best use of it.
Adam Tyndall, Programme Director for Transport at London First, said: “Businesses are looking to the future and are ready to play their part in transforming how the nation’s vehicles run. The Government needs to set out an ambitious and targeted plan to make sure firms considering building electric vehicle infrastructure can do so with confidence.
“Getting more fleet vehicles to go green will play a key role in improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions. It’s critical that the people managing those vehicles get clarity about the rules, charge point network and support available to them as they make the jump to greener vehicles.”
