Case Studies: Successful Transitions to Electric Fleets

Successful transitions to electric fleets are taking place. The UK Electric Fleets Coalition (UKEFC) states in their 2023 Policy Paper, published in November 2023, that fleets are leading the transition to zero emissions. The EV fleet transition in the UK is rapid, despite several challenges, when you consider that the government announced their zero emissions commitment in November 2020, less than four years ago. 

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Authority (BVRLA), in their January 2024 Leasing Outlook, states that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) account for 47% of all new business contract hire (BCH) cars. Whether directly owned or BCH, the transition to an EV fleet is real. At Maxus, we are excited about the hassle-free rental service coming soon through our Maxus Rental option. Let us look at electric fleet transitions in the UK, including two case studies. 

Key Benefits of an EV Fleet Transition

Are you unsure about the benefits of an EV fleet transition? The electric vehicle market is becoming increasingly competitive, which is just one of the many advantages your business will enjoy when you transition. Other key benefits include:

Government incentives. The government offers several grants, including the plug-in van grant and electric vehicle infrastructure grant for staff and fleets.

Clean air zone charges. Does your fleet travel in the city? Your company does not pay clean air zone charges with an EV fleet van. 

Lower maintenance costs. Electric vans have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, reducing maintenance costs. 

Reduced carbon emissions. Your customers’ air quality improves, and your business fleet helps to combat climate change. 

Challenges in the Switch to Electric Fleets  

There are some challenges when businesses switch to an electric fleet, as is clear in the UKEFC 2023 Policy Paper. Some of the main challenges mentioned in the paper include the lack of public charging infrastructure when EV drivers take their fleet vehicles home and a request for more depot charging infrastructure support. 

Other general challenges companies experience include integrating electric vans into a diverse fleet, total cost of ownership (TCO), energy price increases, and electric van battery range and performance. Many fleet drivers have extensive driving experience, but driving an electric commercial van is different so current drivers may need some re-education to aid a smoother transition to electrical vehicles and vans. 

Learning From Real-World Transitions to EV Fleets in the UK  

What can we learn from companies about real-world electric fleet migration? Let’s look at Defra Property Group and DPD UK. In 2023, a facilities management and professional services company hosted a briefing with private and public sector industry leaders on the challenges of electrifying their vehicle fleet. A Programme Manager for Defra Property Group suggests companies should identify the charging infrastructure type their intended EV fleet requires before purchasing vehicles.
The DPD fleet of approximately 10,000 ICE and EV vehicles includes many Maxus eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9 vans. Their Vision 2025 pledge requires the parcel delivery company to be 100% electrical by 2030. It needs workplace, depot, and home charging infrastructure for its Owner Driver Franchises (ODFs) to reach this target, which is currently its greatest challenge. 

 Best Practices for Electric Fleet Migration 

The best decision your company can make, other than migrating to an electric Maxus fleet, is to engage with employees on the EV transition as soon as possible. An EV fleet brings new processes and new technologies requiring retraining. Provide training to ensure employees understand the difference between EVs and ICE vehicles and train them to drive EVs efficiently and safely. Most people are uncomfortable with change, and you need employee buy-in to make your electric fleet transition successful.

Choose Maxus electric vans for your fleet. Our conversion range gives you flexibility, while our Intelligence Onboard system shares live data to manage your fleet’s performance. We also offer nationwide service and repairs. Add your company to the businesses making successful transitions to electric fleets. Contact Maxus today!