ADVICE & OPINION
COMMENT
MAKING THE SWITCH
Record low levels of transport during the
pandemic have had a noticeable impact on
urban air quality, and our economy needs to
look to capitalise on this shi by accelerating
the transition to electric vehicles. Meanwhile,
as businesses look to recover and learn from
the COVID-19 crisis, there is an opportunity
to review how sustainability is factored into
their future plans as both a key corporate
responsibility and for associated cost saving
benefits.
The UK’s commitment to net-zero by 2050 has
already seen businesses accelerate their transition
towards more environmentally friendly technology,
though investment in electric vehicles has been
slower o the mark.
However, in recent months, government
incentives, including the unrestricted access to
Clean Air Zones in cities across the UK for low
emission vehicles, have driven an appetite for
electric vehicles among businesses who rely on
inner-city travel to serve customers.
What should businesses consider when exploring
their EV options and are the benefits of low and
zero emission vehicles worth the investment in the
long-term?
A PHASED APPROACH
As with many fleet decisions, finding the right
vehicle depends on what job the vehicle needs
to do. For many FM services providers, there’ll be
pockets of their operation where the transition to
10 JULY 2020
electric can be made more easily, rather than by
a wholesale overnight switch away from diesel or
petrol.
For low-mileage job roles, for example, such as
supporting customers within a concentrated urban
area, electric vehicles present an opportunity
to reap savings on fuel, maintenance, repairs,
company car tax and charges for entering Clean Air
Zones.
However, firms that require drivers to cover
more miles to attend to multiple sites, involving
motorway driving, may still be better o adopting
the very latest clean diesel vehicles while the
national charging infrastructure remains under
development.
Firms should consider exactly what each vehicle
in their fleet is required for, and begin phasing
out traditionally-fuelled vehicles for electric
technology where it will fit seamlessly into their
operation. A detailed vehicle audit will make it
possible to identify where the switch could most
easily be made.
THE PLUG-IN RISE
It would be naïve to assume that moving away from
established, traditional-engine vehicles is always
straightforward. Even though electric vehicle
technology has made considerable inroads in
recent years, it remains in its infancy – something
that is reflected in relatively low adoption figures.
The most recent set of figures from the Society of
Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show
that plug-in models made up 16 per cent of total
UK new car registrations, with pure-electric models
accounding for 12 per cent . Wide-spread adoption
is still hindered somewhat by the upfront costs
of electric vehicle models, along with the limited
range and lack of charging facilities across the
UK’s road network. However, there are currently
around 60 electric models available on the UK
market which can travel more than 200-miles on a
single charge while investment in public charging
infrastructure is improving. As appetite increases
and government investment gathers pace, it’s only
a matter of time before electric vehicles become
embedded into the UK’s road network.
For utility and facilities management providers,
completing the transition to low and zeroemission
technology in line with improved
product availability and increased accessibility of
chargepoints will ensure the lowest emission and
most cost-e ective route is taken.
COST SAVINGS
As with implementing any new technology into
a business’ operation, whether costs can be kept
under control is a deciding factor. That’s why the
relatively high list price of electric vehicles can put
decision-makers o . But it’s important to look at
the bigger picture and consider the full lifespan of
the vehicle, o set against the initial upfront cost.
As the UK continues to expand its list of Clean
Air Zones, which will see vehicles with higher
Co emissions charged for entering certain cities,
adopting an electric vehicle can be a smart
investment - especially for businesses with plenty
of travel into or across cities. Monthly savings on
fuel costs alone are also worth considering as the
pound at the fuel pump can easily represent half of
a fleet’s total operational costs.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PARTNER
While there is much to consider when specifying
an e ective fleet, best practice o en comes down
to thinking ahead and taking the time to select
the right vehicle for the right job. With the right
fleet partner by their side, facilities management
providers can create a fleet that is e ective and
e icient, both for now and for the future.
A key benefit of vehicle leasing is that it gives
firms the flexibility to choose the right vehicles
for their needs, as well as access to expert advice
which helps them to do so. The relatively short
replacement cycles of a fleet – 48 months on
average – also allow for a faster transition from
traditionally-fuelled vehicles.
Electric vehicles have seen rapid advancements
over the last few years. Now, coupled with the
environmental and cost-saving benefits, it’s
becoming a question of when, not if, utility and
facilities management businesses should begin the
transition to alternatively-fuelled vehicles.
Lauren Pamma, Electrifi cation Proposition Lead at Lex Autolease,
discusses how facilities management businesses can benefi t from
switching to electric vehicles and how to start the transition