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EV & Sustainability

Cross-company engagement key to LCV fleet electrification – Alphabet

Alphabet warned that electric van trials often fail due to a disconnect between users and policymakers.

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Cross-company engagement is key to successful light commercial vehicle (LCV) fleet electrification, according to Alphabet GB.

Alphabet warned that electric van trials often fail due to a disconnect between users and policymakers.

It suggested engaging operational teams in the planning stage of fleet electrification to mitigate pressures of the switch, and avoid negative feedback from unstructured electric LCV implementation.

Stuart Cunningham (pictured), head of direct sales at Alphabet GB, said that electric car drivers benefit from tax incentives and reduced running costs, while electric van drivers are often subject to inconveniences, such as planning breaks to suit recharging schedules, without a financial benefit.

Cunningham said: “Manufacturers are investing heavily in bringing cutting edge electric van technology to market and, strategically, they are an attractive option for customers.

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“Understandably, both fleet managers and company executives are focused on electrification and advancing their ESG credentials.

“However, the decision to invest in an electric van trial can often be made without the support of the wider stakeholder chain, leading to a disconnect in sentiment between the policymakers and the user base.

“For colleagues working in operations roles, the sudden arrival of electric vans can represent a threat to business continuity, rather than an enhancement to the service provided.

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“These team members are often tasked with seeking ways to mitigate risk and deliver results against tight targets. With that mindset, a diesel van typically behaves with a huge degree of predictability.

“The onus is on the automotive industry, fleet managers and business leaders to show stakeholders how electric vans can be made to work for them.

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“Successful deployments require more than a happy procurement team: representatives from each vehicle touchpoint need to be considered, heard and included on the adoption journey to achieve a strong product fit.

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“A collaborative approach to optimising the correct vehicle specification is key, as is confidence around vehicle maintenance processes and uptime support facilities.

“An ability to trial a handful of vans and adopt feedback for future orders will also help in building trust.

“I’d also encourage fleet managers to spend some time operating an eLCV ahead of deployment, so that they have first-hand understanding of the changes and challenges of switching to electric.”

Alphabet has developed a total cost of ownership (TCO) model to demonstrate the value of electrification across businesses, but called for a less quota-focused approach to electrification from OEMs, dealers and the Government.

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Cunningham said: “Critically, the industry should think about shifting attention from vehicle mandates to one of customer understanding.

“The focus on hitting quotas speaks to the pressures of corporate compliance, but fails to address the practical implementation of the vehicles.

“We need a collective approach where everyone is asking the same questions about customer pain points and deriving solutions for them.

“Of course, some of the challenges will be mitigated in time by gradual developments in product technology.

“There are lessons, too, that we can all learn from the early adopter businesses. How have they made their roll-out work? Our job is to translate these findings and support others in their electrification journey.”

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