The journey to net zero for fleets requires greater collaboration between industry and government, Etrux has warned.
Speaking in the wake of last month’s CV Show, Gerard Galvin, managing director of the vehicle conversion specialist, said fleet and transport managers need much-greater support as the sector continues to battle the cost of transitioning to electric vehicles, alongside concerns over charging infrastructure and the lack of government support.
Etrux debuted its Ford E-Transit Welfare conversion and its E-Transit Trizone van at the show – and Galvin said there was keen interest in the sector to move to an electric vehicle fleet, but major obstacles remained.
“We had a large number of companies visiting our stand at the CV Show this year and through various discussions, it became apparent that as an industry, we are standing at a crossroads. Many fleet operators and transport managers are keen to move towards an electric vehicle fleet but in order to achieve this, there is a greater need for industry innovation, collaboration and government support in terms of funding and investment in the necessary infrastructure.
“As an industry, we are under no illusion that the net zero target is looming and is no longer a distant goal but an immediate necessity and yet from our conversations it is clear that fleet managers, OEMs and leasing companies, are all still grappling with the sheer cost of investing in the transition from diesel to electric fleets.”
Despite the costs of overheads, Etrux says organisations are becoming better informed about their needs and the energy requirements necessary for the transition, which is prompting many to re-evaluate their business models, operational practices, investment and ESG strategies.
“All this, coupled with apprehension from leasing and financial institutions about funding electric vehicles, highlights the need for greater collaborative solutions across the industry, especially from government representatives. Achieving and exceeding the robust zero emissions target requires a concerted effort from both industry and government at local and national levels across the country.”
Etrux also said its conversations at the NEC with OEMs and leasing companies seeking conversion partners underlined the lack of vehicle conversion capacity that is still present throughout the UK and Ireland.
“At Etrux, we work across a myriad of sectors, including construction, utilities, film and television, medical and perishable goods delivery services, and our Ford E-Transit Welfare and Ford E-Transit Trizone vehicles offer tailored solutions to meet our customers’ needs.”
Galvin added: “Navigating the journey to net zero certainly will not be an easy road. There are going to be challenges along the way, but it will be an opportune time for the sector if industry and government can work together fully.
“The journey to net zero can only be hailed a success if fleet operators and transport managers receive full support – not just from companies such as Etrux – but from all levels of industry and government in terms of funding and investment in infrastructure. This partnership is essential to secure a more sustainable future for our industry and for our planet.”
