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Fleet owners going electric

With petrol prices set to rise even higher in January, when the government plans to add another 3p a litre to fuel duty, fleet managers are increasingly investigating the possibilities of going electric.

While this may once have been a public relations exercise, the focus is now switching to the money-saving potential of electric/hybrid vehicles, and those arranging Staveley Head fleet insurance may wish to look again at the new options available to them.

The variety of electric vehicles (EVs) on offer has increased dramatically as the technology has become more sophisticated, and fleet operators can now find alternative vehicles to fulfil a wider range of roles.

Tightening budgets mean managers are often under pressure to demonstrate that they are getting more for their money, and many are now investigating whether hybrids offer a lower total cost of ownership.

According to BusinessCar, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders recently published data showing that fleet operators are leading the way in EV uptake. More than two-thirds of the 910 vehicles bought under the government’s £5,000 EV subsidy were purchased for fleets, and this trend is expected to continue as the technology develops.

DOT Expects Fleets to Increase Electric Vehicle Purchase

"We see every reason for this trend to be maintained as more eligible cars come to market," the website reports a Department for Transport spokesperson as saying. "They will further stimulate interest in the sector so it will grow."

Save with Electric or Hybrid Vehicles

How much money managers can save by going electric, and whether they should opt for full electric or a hybrid solution, depends on how the fleet is used. Speaking to Environmental Leader, XL Hybrids president Tod Hynes said fleets that typically drive more than 75 miles a day in urban or suburban environments are more suited to hybrid vehicles, which also offer lower up-front costs due to lower capacity batteries.

Many vehicle providers offer pilot schemes to give managers a better idea of the kinds of cost savings they can make and how their businesses will be affected by the switch to alternative fuel. The £300 million budget for the government’s EV subsidy lasts until the end of this Parliament, so early adopters will be rewarded for choosing vehicles that generate less than 75g/km of CO2.

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