UK fleet intentions to adopt electrified vehicles have risen rapidly in the last 12 months, in particular for plug-in hybrids.

More than half (53%) of UK businesses say that they are already running battery electric vehicles or plan to do so in the next three years – up from 41% in 2019

Research carried out for the 2020 Arval Mobility Observatory report in the UK found more than half (53%) of UK businesses say that they are already running battery electric vehicles or plan to do so in the next three years – up from 41% in 2019.

When it comes to plug-in hybrids, the figures were 63% now against 46% last year – the largest increase seen for any type of EV – rising to 64% and 53% in 2019 for hybrids.

Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “These results show just how much additional impetus now exists behind the adoption of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hybrids among UK fleets at this moment compared to just 12 months ago.

“We have been saying for some time that 2020 would very much be the year during which electric power takes off for fleets and these findings show that fleets agree with those sentiments. There has been a very noticeable acceleration.”

Sadlier added that the tax incentives now available for company car drivers, especially the 0% Benefit-in-Kind rate for the 2020-21 tax year for battery electric vehicles was a major attraction, along with a dramatic expansion in the choice of EVs available, especially among battery electric vehicles. And the charging infrastructure across the UK is growing all the time, although there is still work to be done.

He also highlighted how many businesses have said they’re now planning to move straight from petrol and diesel cars to battery electric alternatives; previously both types of hybrid were seen as providing a transitional technology.

“Instead, the perceived hurdles to battery electric adoption have reduced to a point where they can meet the needs of a wide variety of drivers, while it has become recognised that hybrids and plug-in hybrids have their own applications,” Sadlier continued.

“Indeed, a lot of the work currently being carried out at Arval is helping businesses to create new choice lists that provide drivers with relevant options for all the main types of power.”