Alphabet research finds low fleet EV takeup

Study shows that nearly a third of UK fleets are currently operating with 25% or less of electric vehicles (EVs), and one in 10 have no EVs at all
Almost a third of UK fleet managers believe it will take up to a decade for mandatory fleet emissions reporting to lead to a reduction in carbon emissions
Fleet managers in London and the East Midlands most optimistic that tighter legislation will bring about the change(s) needed

DESPITE the sustainability benefits of EVs, business mobility provider Alphabet (GB) says that nearly a third (30%) of UK fleets are currently operating with 25% or less of electric vehicles, with 11% confirming they have no EVs at all.

This is the third set of results from research commissioned by Alphabet, released in the run-up to Net Zero Week (5-11 July). The research featured the views of 202 professionals working as fleet managers, or who had control of fleet responsibilities within their business.

While delivery services and retailers are leading the charge when it comes to having 25-50% and 50-75%, respectively, of their fleet that is electric, many other sectors continue to fall behind in EV adoption, it says.

Almost a third (30%) of UK fleet managers believe it will take up to 10 years for mandatory fleet emissions reporting to lead to a reduction in carbon emissions in the automotive sector.

A regional disparity shows. Fleet managers across all sectors in London (72.9%) and the East Midlands (70%) are the most optimistic that tighter legislation will bring about the change(s) needed. But those in the southwest and southeast of England are the least optimistic, at 25% and 23.8% respectively.

In response to the findings, Caroline Sandall Mansergh, Consultancy and Channel Development Manager at Alphabet (GB), said: “Our latest findings highlight the real challenges facing fleet managers today, as they navigate the transition to electrification. While some sectors are leading the way, there is still a huge amount of work needed to support other companies, and their drivers, to reduce their vehicle emissions.

“The need for clear, actionable strategies to transition to greener fleets must take priority if we are to reduce UK vehicle carbon emissions in a timely and effective manner.”

Alphabet offers an array of fleet management tools and solutions, such as the recently launched Carbon Manager. The web-based platform serves as an end-to-end sustainability management resource, empowering fleet operators to manage their vehicles’ net zero journey.

Alphabet (GB)’s full research will be published in July in a white paper entitled ‘Emissions Reporting: The Biggest Challenge Facing Fleet Decision-Makers in 2025’.