Fleets still face major challenges with van electrification despite action to address problems, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has reported.
Warning that the fleet sector as a whole will enter a “tougher” period of electrification in 2024, Paul Hollick, AFP chair, said the switch to electric vans remains hugely problematic.
“Some fleets in some applications are adopting electric vans without any problems but they are almost certainly in the minority. Ultimately, while things are improving, the range and payload of the available models just doesn’t meet the needs of most operators, while the charging infrastructure is not yet in a place to offset these disadvantages,” he outlined.
“The operational compromises required to overcome these issues are considerable, and some of our members have currently paused their commercial vehicle electrification as a result.”
Hollick added that while electric fleet cars were becoming the norm – particularly for drivers with space for their own off-road chargers into EVs – fleets running commercial vehicles were being hit by a long list of issues.
“For example, there is still a general absence of pickups, 4x4s and other specialist vehicles in the EV sector, towing capacity is uncertain, insurance costs are rising very rapidly and are sometimes prohibitive, and there are still no easy charging solutions for people living in terraced houses or apartments.”
Earlier this year, the association warned that fleets were hitting a range of operational issues – range, payload, charging infrastructure and more – which meant replacing existing diesel vehicles directly with electric equivalents was not yet practical.
And in the face of such barriers, fleets are returning to tried-and-tested emissions reductions approaches, working to slash CO2 in their existing diesel vehicles to meet corporate ESG targets, rather than adopt more electric vehicles.
Other challenges across the fleet sector include the used market for EVs – and Hollick urged operators to work in conjunction with the remarketing sector.
“The drop in EV values seen in the last year has made dealers understandably wary while confidence among at least some consumers has been shaken by the Government’s 2035 move and a steady stream of EV-bashing stories in some sections of the media.
“Also, we’re in a situation where fleets arguably have too many of the ‘wrong’ EVs for the used market. There is a surfeit of prestige saloons and SUVs around, and a shortage of bread-and-butter family hatchbacks. This has, to some extent, been a reflection of the kind of EVs available to buy so far, but it does lead to supply distortions.”
The AFP stressed that fleet managers were working hard to overcome all of these challenges – and showing a high degree of drive and ingenuity.
“There is no doubt that this phase of electrification is tougher and there are no easy answers to any of the problems that are being encountered. However, we’re seeing many kinds of new best practice ideas being developed and shared across the AFP that are having an impact. It is one of those moments when being a member of the organisation brings maximum benefits.”
