Businesses need to adopt structured policies matching alternative fuel vehicles to the right person and purpose in order to give them a “fair chance” to integrate into fleets successfully, says FleetCheck.
The fleet management software specialist says that so far AFV adoption has quite often been haphazard and that some fleets have already become wary of emerging technologies as a result.
Peter Golding, managing director at FleetCheck, said, “We are already seeing this with plug-in hybrids. Some fleets have started using them, often at the behest of drivers looking to minimise taxation, and found that they do not work well in common fleet applications, such as for regular long journeys where electric power is barely used.
“We have even come across instances where plug-ins have been allocated to drivers who do not have driveways at home, so cannot charge the vehicles, which makes little sense at all.
“These possibilities become even more acute with EVs, which remain only suitable for quite specilialised fleet applications at present. There are many, many potential pitfalls.”
Fleets needed to create structured policies that enabled them to carefully match driver and vehicle to their job needs and personal circumstances, Peter added, in order to maximise the benefits of AFVs.
Running out of power mid-journey is the top worry for prospective electric vehicle buyers – but most drivers could take a full week of normal trips without recharging.
That’s according to research by DrivingElectric.com, the independent consumer advice website on electric vehicles and the study into British driving habits shows most drivers cover fewer miles over seven days than many typical electric cars can manage on one single charge.