Lack of on-street EV charging remains barrier for fleets looking to introduce electric vans

Data for the report was gathered by surveying businesses about electric van adoption. The study showed 91% of companies would need to use on-street public charging to recharge their vehicles. Just over one fifth of operators said a lack of on-street charging was a key barrier preventing them from switching to an electric fleet. 

Of those surveyed, 84% had at least one electric van. For companies that don’t currently have an electric van, 90% said they are planning to introduce one within the next year. The reliance on public charging is underlined by 81% of businesses saying it would be problematic to install EV charging at their depots.

The research found most don’t think it would be practical to have an all-electric fleet any earlier than late 2028. Looking further ahead, 90% of operators in the study plan to have fully electric fleets before 2035. 

Eurig Druce, group managing director, Stellantis UK, said: “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.”