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2030 deadline is the number one fleet concern

EV adoption is fast reaching a state of ‘business as usual’ in the vast majority of cases. It is van fleets that are going to find moving away from internal combustion engines (ICE) much more of a challenge, with issues ranging from vehicle availability to charging accessibility and more. Businesses operating light commercial vehicles are faced with balancing their desire to operate more sustainable fleets, against cost and operational efficiency.
shaun sadlier
Shaun Sadlier

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25 May 2022

THE pressures of working towards the 2030 zero-emissions vehicle production deadline is the number one concern for fleet decision makers when examining the challenges they face over the next five years.

According to Arval Mobility Observatory’s latest Barometer, 43% of respondents mentioned the 2030 deadline as their top challenge, followed by a lack of road infrastructure causing congestion (28%) and the introduction of stricter Clean Air Zones in urban areas (26%) within the top three challenges faced.

Shaun Sadlier, Head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “Clearly, businesses see the transition to their fleets becoming zero emission – which for the overwhelming majority will mean the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) – as by far the biggest transport challenge they face.

“Our interpretation is that the progression to EV operations is now quite clearly mapped out for most, something that the research shows to be true across organisations of all sizes, but the process of implementation is still very much seen as a considerable undertaking.”

Sadlier pointed out that there were really two different sets of tasks to complete in terms of the EV transition, with different and separate obstacles to overcome for car and van operators.

“For operators, EV adoption is fast reaching a state of ‘business as usual’ in the vast majority of cases. It is van fleets that are going to find moving away from internal combustion engines (ICE) much more of a challenge, with issues ranging from vehicle availability to charging accessibility and more. Businesses operating light commercial vehicles are faced with balancing their desire to operate more sustainable fleets, against cost and operational efficiency.”

Looking at other factors listed in the research, he noted that there was a definite shift towards concerns over operational considerations, rather than business transport policy issues.

“Congestion remains an area of worry, with traffic returning to levels comparable with pre-pandemic times. Also, Clean Air Zones are seen as a quite significant challenge, although this matter can generally be resolved in the short-term by switching low emission vehicles into low emission areas, while in the medium term this will disappear thanks to the transition to EVs.

“Managerial challenges that have fallen away include increased vehicle taxation, which is less of an issue thanks to low taxation for EVs, and flexible working, which is now a permanent feature in most workplaces where it is practical. Finally, interest in mobility solutions has perhaps become less immediate as the threat of Covid has receded – in our view, it is likely that fleet managers are strategically aware of this solution, but are taking more time and support to consider their approaches, which may continue without any government intervention to spark a faster implementation.”

Arval Mobility Observatory carries out its authoritative research of key trends in the fleet and mobility sectors every year. The 2022 Barometer talked to fleet decision makers in 26 countries and the figures shown here cover UK responses to this section of the survey.

What are the main challenges facing fleets in the next five years?

Total    Fewer than    10-99          100-999     More than
10 employees employees employees 1,000 employees
%        %                   %                %               %

Implementation of 2030.     43       44                  51              38                40

zero emissions deadline

Lack of road infrastructure 28        28                 36               32                18
causing congestion

Introduction of stricter        26        33                 16               26                25

Clean Air Zones
Increased vehicle taxation 20       12                  15               27                28
for driver and company

Impact of flexible working 15        16                  10               12.                21

Implementing full mobility  7         3                    6                 10                  8
solutions

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Chris Wright

Chris Wright

Chris Wright has been covering the automotive industry nationally and internationally for 30 years. Following spells with consumer titles he became News Editor of Automotive Management (AM), Editor of Automotive International, International Editor for Detroit-based Automotive News, and Editor of Dealer Update. He has also co-authored several FT Management Reports and contributes regularly to Justauto.com

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