FUTURE OF FLEET > CONTRACT HIRE
Put in the hard yards
By Steve Beadle, head of 0Zone team, Grosvenor Group
The mass adoption of electric vehicles within UK businesses will require expert guidance for fleet managers and decision-makers in 2024 so they can overcome the challenges of transition.
While a greater share of company fleets is now being made up of EVs, fleet managers will also encounter the ‘hard yards’ of the zero-emission transition. In the very early years, our experience was that electric vehicle uptake was typically led by drivers who were EV evangelists. These were early adopters who were knowledgeable, keen to change and advocates of emission-free driving.
The second, larger phase of EV uptake at the Grosvenor Group has been down to the proactivity and expertise of our 0Zone team. The Grosvenor Group comprises Grosvenor Leasing, which has been providing contract hire solutions for over 40 years – and Interactive Fleet Management, which is our specialist fleet management team.
Since 2017, the 0Zone team has been working closely with both our contract hire and fleet management customers to develop appealing ULEV and EV choice lists and car policies as well as educating, supporting and advising drivers. This has been extremely successful, with over 90% of vehicles ordered now having plug-in or self-charging capability.
SUPPORT SERVICES
However, there is still resistance to moving to fully electric vehicles by some drivers and, where this is the case, companies will need even greater proactivity and support. This situation will involve heightened education and training on EVs, reassurance and advice regarding charging and range, raising awareness about the financial and tax benefits of choosing an EV and more support around the suitability of electric vehicles to meet drivers’ job roles and personal lifestyles.
It will also be important to demonstrate that a complete support structure is in place for drivers of EVs, as resistance to change can often be due to a fear of the unknown.
Of course, we have to be pragmatic as there are still drivers who may not yet be well-suited to a fully electric car; perhaps due to where they live and work, the type of job they do and the miles they cover. In these scenarios, our 0Zone team will review their options carefully and may suggest a plug-in hybrid is better for them this time than a fully electric.
However, there are still large numbers of drivers who could very readily go fully electric with their next car. It is important to support these in reaching the right decision. After all, any petrol or diesel car added to a fleet now is likely to be there until 2026 or 2027, which slows down the green agenda for the business.
SAVINGS IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OR YOUR MONEY BACK
We're so confident in the quality of our fleet management solutions, if we don't make savings in the first 3 months we'll give you your money back.
With no implementation fees, free use of our award-winning fleet management system, an integrated driver App, and a team of maintenance technicians to manage your spend, there's very little risk when choosing Interactive Fleet Management.
It’s why so many major fleet operators have placed their fleet in our safe hands for many years.
And now we've added our unique 3-month money back guarantee - just for a little extra reassurance.
SAVINGS IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OR YOUR MONEY BACK
We're so confident in the quality of our fleet management solutions, if we don't make savings in the first 3 months we'll give you your money back.
With no implementation fees, free use of our award-winning fleet management system, an integrated driver App, and a team of maintenance technicians to manage your spend, there's very little risk when choosing Interactive Fleet Management.
It’s why so many major fleet operators have placed their fleet in our safe hands for many years.
And now we've added our unique 3-month money back guarantee - just for a little extra reassurance.
