UK fleets demand wider EV choices
The electrification of UK fleets is being held up by a lack of light commercial vehicle options, according to new research.
FleetCheck found that while there were a variety of electric vans on the market, members complained that other types of electric commercial vehicles were either limited or unavailable.
Peter Golding, CEO, said: “It is understandable manufacturers have concentrated on panel vans in their initial phases of electric vehicle production because they form the backbone of many of the largest fleets. Presumably the original plan was that other models would follow but because the rate of adoption has been much more sluggish than envisaged, they are holding back.
“Our view is this strategy is now acting as a further brake on electrification. We know some panel van fleets are resisting EVs because of range and payload issues but equally, there are other businesses who want to electrify but the vehicles they want just aren’t available.”
Little choice
He continued: “We’re now in a position where there are one or two models available in some of these sectors, such as the new Isuzu pick-up, but there is little or no real choice, and so fleets that want to push forward with electrification are forced to stay with diesel vehicles. The availability of EV chassis cabs is helping because it opens the door to conversions but even here, progress is slow.
“It seems to us that by switching resources into offering new vehicle types that work well as EVs, rather than continuing to push those that sometimes don’t, manufacturers could help to bring new momentum to the market. They should be picking the low hanging fruit first.
“It is clear that new approaches will be needed from both legislators and manufacturers to bring new impetus to the market.”
