Fleet managers main concern is transition to zero-emission vans

Working towards the 2030 zero-emissions vehicle deadline is the number one concern for fleet decision makers, according to mobility research and information organisation Arval Mobility Observatory.

Its 2022 annual Fleet and Mobility Barometer report found the top three challenges for fleet operators to be the 2030 ban on internal combustion engine vehicles (43%), congestion (28%) and the introduction of stricter Clean Air Zones (26%).

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 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.”

The analysis identifies two different sets of tasks in terms of the EV transition, with different and separate obstacles to overcome for car and van operators.

Sadlier commented, “For car operators, EV adoption is fast reaching a state of ‘business as usual’, but van fleets are going to find moving away from internal combustion engines 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.”