The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) and Energy Saving Trust have released a white paper that highlights potential annual savings for fleet managers adopting electric vehicles (EVs).
Titled “Electrifying the fleet. A practical resource for fleet managers”, the document was developed by the REA’s HGV and Commercial Fleet Working Group and offers step-by-step guidance for electrifying fleets, demonstrating the efficiency and financial benefits.
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This white paper reveals that fleet managers could annually save approximately £1,500 ($1,951) per light commercial vehicle (LCV) when driving 15,000 miles and charging at the depot or home.
For rigid heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) covering the same mileage, the savings could be around £3,500 a year. These savings are possible because EVs require only 25-30% of the energy compared to their diesel counterparts for the same performance.
The UK Government has set a target for new van sales to be zero emissions by certain percentages leading up to 100% by 2035. HGVs must follow suit by 2040.
To support these targets, the government offers Plug-in Grants to help offset the initial costs of electrification.
Smart charging is highlighted as a key benefit, allowing fleet managers to charge vehicles during off-peak times to reduce costs. The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 will also ensure 99% reliability for public charge points of 50kW or more.
The potential for depot sharing is discussed, with the whitepaper suggesting that this could reduce the need for public HGV charging infrastructure.
Energy Saving Trust senior programme manager Nick Harvey said: “Electrifying fleets not only contributes to a more sustainable future but also offers potential financial benefits.
“These estimated savings support the economic viability of transitioning to electric vehicles and the efficiency gains that can be realised. We are proud to support this initiative, providing fleet managers with the insights they need to make informed, cost-effective fleet decarbonisation decisions.”
