Best in Class
The EV Fleet World Great British Fleet Awards 2026 – an integral part of the Great British Fleet Event – recognised the very best electric cars, vans and innovations on the market. Here are the winners for 2026...
INNOVATION AWARDS
INNOVATION IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES
WINNER > Volteum
By providing the digital ‘brain’ for the Royal Mail, Volteum’s Electric Fleet Operations platform proved that AI can manage the UK’s most complex EV transitions. The platform dynamically adjusts routes based on live weather, payload, and grid constraints, delivering a 10% boost in vehicle uptime. For turning range anxiety into a manageable data point and ensuring mission-critical logistics remain reliable at scale, Volteum is our category winner.
INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY
WINNER > Holman
Achieving a phenomenal 94.5% predictive accuracy, Holman’s AI Vehicle Replacement tool identifies the exact moment an asset moves from ‘reliable’ to ‘risk.’ By analysing thousands of real-world maintenance cases, it saved National Highways nearly 1,000 off-road days and £430,000 in a single year. This is the pinnacle of machine learning – moving the industry away from age-based guesswork and toward high-precision, capital-protecting intelligence.
VEHICLE AWARDS
BEST EV COMPACT CAR
WINNER > Renault 5
Making it two years in a row, Renault has proved that small cars can have strong appeal as electric vehicles, especially with a dash of nostalgia thrown in. The Renault 5 E-tech has enough of the right ingredients to keep it on top for another year.
BEST EV SMALL SUV
WINNER > Kia EV3
The EV3 set new benchmarks when it was launched at the end of 2024, and in 2026 there is still no other small SUV that can offer the same balance of comfort, value, performance and range. Kia also has a mature fleet support infrastructure and its pioneering seven-year warranty.
BEST EV MEDIUM SUV
WINNER > Škoda Elroq
The Škoda Elroq has a winning formula that makes it the best choice for fleets in this sector, offering choices to suit the needs of drivers in various roles. Relying on EV technology proven throughout Volkswagen Group and beyond, the Elroq is the sweet-spot for fleets looking for a medium SUV.
BEST EV LARGE SUV
WINNER > BMW iX3
BMW’s iX3 has come to market using the company’s latest battery cell technology, and weight saving construction with an intense focus on improving energy efficiency. The result is a car that, according to official figures, could reach 500 miles on a full charge, although drivers and fleets will be impressed with real-world performance too.
BEST EV MEDIUM CAR
WINNER > Kia EV4
Kia’s newcomer to this sector brings with it the wealth of the brand’s expertise in its other electric models, offering a highly competitive range on its entry-level model, but blowing its rivals away with the optional larger battery. The value, equipment and technology put the EV4 at the top of its class.
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EV VAN OF THE YEAR
WINNER > Kia PV5 Cargo
The Kia PV5 Cargo joins the market where it makes most sense, among smaller vans, where operators can see large savings in running costs for relatively short-range daily operations. It’s the right size to fit in a car charging bay if on-the-road charging is needed. As we have already said, the PV5 Cargo is an impressive new contender offering good range potential and a solidly engineered product. Our judges did not hesitate in making this award to the new Kia.
VAN MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
WINNER > Ford
Ford has dominated the light CV market in the UK for many years and has undoubtedly been a notable force in defining the major sectors in the market. Transit has dominated the large van market for 51 years this year, a remarkable achievement in itself. Ford also dominates the medium van and pickup sectors, while much of the engineering work for its LCV range is carried out at Ford’s technical centre at Dunton in Essex. Competition is as fierce as ever and still growing, but many manufacturers would love to be in Ford’s position in the UK LCV market.
