This week’s roundup of UK fleet news goes all electric
with the release of a report into the UK government’s transport
decarbonisation strategy and study into EV fleet performance by
Alphabet.
BVRLA echoes report to hit out at UK
EV strategy
Go deeper with GlobalData
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing
Association (BVRLA) announced its support for the UK Parliament’s
Transport Select Committee’s findings on the government’s plug-in
vehicle strategy.
The report criticised the government for
altering the range of financial incentives offered for early
adopters of plug-in vehicles, and for completely removing some tax
incentives on electric vehicles (EVs) in the last budget.
The Committee said in its report it regretted
“the Treasury’s decision change the financial incentives framework
for low carbon vehicles without prior consultation” and added
“unexpected changes to these incentives risk creating instability
in the market for plug-in vehicles.”
John Lewis, chief executive of the BVRLA
described the situation two years after the policy launched as
having “a huge underspend and just a trickle of plug-in vehicle
sales.”
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataThe BVRLA suggested a range of incentives to
appeal to all EV drivers, rather than just new-car buyers. These
included; a lifetime Vehicle Excise Duty reduction or exemption,
financial assistance for domestic charge point installation, lower
company car tax rates and parking and congestion charge
exemption.
Lewis added: “Companies and drivers still have
a lot of uncertainty about this new technology and these cars
aren’t going to start selling in serious numbers until the
government undertakes a major review of its strategy and
incentives.”
EVs have place in modern fleet –
Alphabet
Fleet lessor Alphabet has concluded a study on
the benefits and shortcomings of electric driving in business
fleets.
The trial involved Matt Dillon, principal
service delivery manager at Amey Group, driving both his combustion
engine Volkswagen Passat and a Nissan Leaf EV, both fitted with a
system for logging journeys, vehicle performance, and differences
in driving style.
Initial results showed fuel costs for the Leaf
to be almost ten times cheaper, although range and refuelling or
recharging time were far better for the Passat.
Alphabet said fuel and Benefit-in-Kind (BiK)
economies should offset higher lease rental for EVs, although the
firm found this only holds true if business use accounts for at
least 40% of all mileage as at under 25% business mileage the EV
loses any cost benefit.
Dillon reacted positively to the Leaf,
covering 660 miles with an average journey of 6.5 miles and an
average speed of 25mph. The Passat notched up 1,013 miles at an
average distance of 7.8 miles and an average speed of 33.1mph.
However these statistics were a little skewed by the use of the
Passat for motorway journeys, including one long journey of 160
miles.
Dillon said the driving experience of the
Nissan was better than the VW based on “quietness,
eco-friendliness, acceleration, driver and passenger comfort”,
although it took some time to get used to. “You have to live with
the electric car andbecome an expert in its strengths and
weaknesses,” he said after the test. “Using an EV calls for a very
different mind-set.”
He concluded: “An EV would definitely work as
a second car for many drivers—or as a main car as long as they have
ready access to an alternative vehicle for longer trips.
