Mitie’s ongoing rollout of electric vehicle is going down a storm with drivers although charge point infrastructure remains an issue for large numbers.
The facilities management and professional services company has been pushing ahead with extensive plans for EVs and its latest research, carried out just over a year after beginning mass EV deployment, shows that drivers have been very receptive to the move.
The results found 91% of Mitie’s EV drivers said they’re glad they switched and that drivers would encourage more people to follow in their footsteps, with around nine in 10 saying that they would recommend switching to their friends and family (89%) and colleagues (92%).
When asked what they like about their EV, drivers said financial savings came top of the list (with 24% of responses), closely followed by reducing their impact on the environment (22%). The benefits of the car itself are also popular, with the vehicles’ technology features (16%) and an improved driving experience (15%) rounding off the top four favourite aspects of switching to an EV.
On the subject of anything they disliked anything about their electric vehicles, half (48%) of EV drivers highlighted that issues with public charging, such as a lack of charge points in areas where there’s no off-street parking and problems finding rapid chargers, were a concern. But a fifth (22%) of EV drivers still said that there’s nothing they dislike about their electric vehicle.
The firm’s experiences should prove encouraging for other fleets looking to go electric. Mitie has committed to switching 20% of its car and small van fleet to electric vehicles by 2020 and the rest of its fleet by 2025.
To support companies wanting to make the switch to electric vehicles – and to share its EV expertise – Mitie has also launched its EV Fleet Transition Service.
But it’s also continuing its calls for the Government to play its part and drive the charging infrastructure.
Simon King, director of sustainability and social value, Mitie, said: “What these findings demonstrate once again is that charge point availability remains a barrier for many. With charging infrastructure receiving just a fraction of the investment that is spent on our road network, we now need a national approach with more investment from Government and local authorities – especially for communal and on-street parking.
“With our ambitious fleet transition plan ahead, these findings will be key for us to not only accelerate our own EV strategy, but also share expertise and guidance to help even more businesses that are looking to make the switch.”
