- As a 2035 ban on the sale of new ICE-powered vans in the UK gets closer, Vauxhall has published a report on the country’s current state of electric van adoption.
- The report, which can be downloaded here, highlights the feelings of companies already operating electric fleets, and reviews current barriers to widespread electric van adoption.
- In the report, Vauxhall has called on a boost to accessible and residential-located public charging infrastructure.
Vauxhall delves into the UK’s electric van adoption
The report follows on from Vauxhall’s main Electric Streets report last year, which focused more specifically on EV charging infrastructure for passenger cars. With Vauxhall already offering an all-electric variant of every light commercial vehicle in its portfolio, and the brand accounting for approximately 20% of all electric vans currently on UK roads, the brand is already heavily invested in the electric revolution.
This new publication reveals several key facts surrounding electric van adoption. Nationwide, 84% of businesses have at least some electric vans within their fleet – but broken down by regions, there is disparity. In the South West, for instance, 26% of company fleets had no electric vans at all. Meanwhile, 39% of businesses across the country were confident that they could switch to a fully-electric fleet as soon as next year.
The most crucial barrier uncovered was charging. In the report, 81% of businesses said that it would be ‘problematic’ to install EV chargers at the company base. In companies with electric vans, an average of 21% were charged overnight on streets near the driver’s home, and 90% of fleets said drivers would be dependent on on-street charging if their fleets went fully-electric. Combine that with the fact that 40% of UK households that do not have access to off-street parking, and the need for more public street charging becomes ever more clear.
Concluding the report, Vauxhall has called on a boost to widespread on-street charging solutions, to facilitate mass adoption of electric vans. With on-street charging infrastructure growing, that reality is getting closer, but it’s clear that more work needs to be done.
Eurig Druce, Group Managing Director at Stellantis UK, commented:
“The findings of the Vauxhall Electric Van Adoption Report highlight the growing reliance of UK businesses on residential EV charging infrastructure to make the electric transition.
As one of the UK’s oldest established vehicle manufacturers, we aim to support British businesses to experience all the benefits that EVs offer through our wide electric van range. Charging at home or work is incredibly convenient, and the charging network on Britain’s major roads is improving at a very rapid pace, however, to ensure fleet operators are comfortable moving to electric, councils need to work with charge point operators to install charge points on residential roads that need it most.
Through our ongoing Electric Streets of Britain campaign, we continue to invite residents, businesses and fleet operators to register their on-street charging needs. This information is then passed to local authorities for them to make more informed decisions on where to install new chargers.
Last year, research we conducted with CENEX demonstrated that only 19% of all households who need it are close to a public charge point. It is only when this figure increases that businesses and fleet operators will feel confident in their transition towards electrification.”
