UK Businesses on a charge as 84% plug-in at the depot

The automotive industry is undergoing a huge transformation as we move from internal combustion to an electrified future. Light Commercial Vehicles are also making the jump, but how are businesses charging their vans? A recent FleetNews survey revealed that over 51% of participants were still relying upon public charging.

 

Many businesses are already adopting electric vehicles to meet green targets with one in ten surveyed planning to be running EVs or Plug-in Hybrids exclusively by 2025 - a full 5 years before the planned 2035 ban on the sale of combustion engines. An additional 46% will make the switch before 2035.

 

One of the biggest questions on the minds of fleets looking to go electric is where to charge vehicles. The UK’s public charger network is evolving fast, but technical issues and availability can be a worry, especially for electric commercial vehicles on a tight schedule. Of those surveyed, 50.94% made use of public chargers and are sometimes at the mercy of their condition. However, 84.91% bolstered this or exclusively used chargers at a depot.

 

There are big advantages to having the means to charge vehicles back at base or at an employee’s home. Starting the day with 100% battery means less time is spent plugged in during the day, and the operator is less reliant on public infrastructure. Through Northgate and sister company ChargedEV, we offer a great range of solutions for charging at home and work. Be it wall-mounted units, or sometimes more convenient floor-mounted charging points, getting your own charging solution is simple. You’ll be provided with a dedicated account manager from day one, taking care of everything from guiding you through the process and even organising any groundwork required for installation.

 

If this seems daunting, we’ve produced some guides on the things you need to consider.

 

There are many benefits to electrifying LCV fleets. Not only is the lack of tailpipe emissions good for the environment, but the cost savings also speak for themselves. It costs roughly a third to power an electric vehicle versus conventional fossil fuels – although some gains have been diminished due to the rising cost of electricity. Servicing is cheaper and less frequent thanks to EVs utilising fewer consumable items and fluids. As the adoption of LCV EVs has grown, operators are also finding that these vehicles are more dependable, leading to less downtime and a reduction in ‘spare’ vehicles required on larger fleets.

 

Northgate Vehicle Hire already offers a range of electrified vans to customers looking to make the switch from combustion to EV. A series of flexible plans ranging from 3 months to 48 months means there’s a way into an electric LCV for every business. Northgate can also take care of any specific vehicle requirements such as livery application or racking.