Fleets of all sizes will need support through a potential “sudden 2020 influx” of electric vehicles that is likely to create a vacuum of expertise, says FleetCheck.
The fleet software specialist says that the new zero per cent benefit-in-kind tax rate, the availability of a wider range of models and the momentum created by the Government’s 2035 announcement are all creating a dramatic upsurge in enthusiasm.
“Certainly, by Q3 of this year, it is possible to envisage a situation where large numbers of employees are creating genuine pressure to be allowed to choose an EV as their company car and expecting their employer to respond by offering a range of viable choices.
“Right on cue, answering this demand this will be the arrival of a whole raft of new models that sit within the mainstream fleet market such as the VW ID.3 that have genuine showroom appeal and appear to be practical for large numbers of fleet drivers.
“It all creates excellent conditions for EVs to start appearing in fleets in much, much more substantial numbers provided manufacturer supply questions can be answered.”
Another business warning of company complacency is Arval and they said that fleets should consider rapidly bringing forward their plans to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) following the Government’s commitment to end new petrol, diesel and hybrid car and van sales by 2035.
The company says that, for those operating on a four-year replacement cycle, the deadline is effectively now only three changeovers away, making the adoption of structured transition plans towards the deadline much more pertinent and timely.
Arval Consultant, David Watts, said, “The Government has made two changes that should have a direct impact on how fleets plan their EV transition. One is to move the date for stopping petrol and diesel adoption much closer, the other is to include hybrids.
“The latter point is perhaps the most important. Many fleets were operating on the assumption that the ongoing availability of hybrids would give them more time to make the transition to full battery electric vehicles. Now that will happen much sooner.”
