THE leasing and mobility provider Arval says fleets are getting the low tax, zero emission message loud and clear.
Over the last 12 months to the end of June, Arval says its electric vehicle (EV) fleet has more than doubled, as businesses recognise the double benefits of low driver company car taxation and improved environmental business performance.
Reporting a 102% growth from 11,225 to 22,630 units, Arval says that EVs now represent 12.2% of its total fleet – up from 6.4% year-on-year.
The total figure breaks down into a 98% increase in the number of electric cars to 21,639 and a 249% rise in electric light commercial vehicles to 991, as
eLCVs begin to hit the market.
Joel Lund (pictured right), Commercial Director, Arval UK said:
During the last couple of years we have concentrated heavily on promoting the advantages of EVs to existing and new fleet customers. We are now beginning to see the results in terms of absolute numbers.
Our consultancy team has worked hard at constructing both mainstream fleet and salary sacrifice schemes that meet the needs of employers and employees, helping them to transition to electrification in a manner that maximises benefits and minimises disruption.
Despite availability challenges, we have been successful at opening up our choice of manufacturers, securing supply of several major models and are currently registering percentages of electric cars and vans far in advance of the SMMT’s ‘true fleet’ figures.
We are finding that when fleets and drivers make the decision to electrify, they generally want to do so within a relatively short timescale and being able to provide vehicles within a reasonable timeframe is a significant advantage. We’ve also been advising them to open up their choice lists in a structured fashion to make the most of available supply.
This desire to electrify quickly is especially apparent when it comes to drivers who want to reduce their benefit-in-kind taxation levels at a time when the increased cost of living is a major concern.
Joel pointed out that penetration for electric light commercial vehicles currently trailed electric cars by some distance but that this situation was expected to change in the next couple of years.
You can see from our figures that the picture for electric vans is similar to the electric car market around five years ago. However, the introduction of some new and impressive models should help to change this situation quite rapidly, as well as a growing understanding of how to use electric vans operationally in a manner that maximises their benefits.
In a year or two, we expect to see a completely different picture as more commercial vehicle fleets start on the journey to electrification.
Van Fleet Electrification
For more information on electrifying your van fleet, read Why SME Van Fleets Should Go EV