Businesses given the incentive to go electric
The Autumn Budget statement, delivered on 30th October, gave businesses a clear signal of the new Labour government’s intent to support the UK’s transition to net zero. The key now is to give more business drivers the confidence to opt for electric, even though results from the Europcar EV Barometer for Quarter 3 2024 reveal a small increase in resistance to making the switch, rising from 14% in Q2 to 15% in Q3.
However, the good news is that challenges with charging, and the cost and choice of vehicles are holding back slightly fewer employers. EV knowledge is also increasing, as the data shows that lack of understanding is less of a problem today than earlier in the year.
EUROPCAR EV BARRIERS BAROMETER - Q3 2024
Business Drivers
What do you believe are the current barriers for your employer in switching to a more sustainable fleet?
Business Drivers
What do you believe are the current barriers for your employer in switching to a more sustainable fleet?
Costs
Purchase, maintenance, finance options
Charging
Lack of charging infrastructure
Knowledge
Lack of understanding about ownership
Choice
Lack of models, vehicle availability
Resistance
Employer/ employee
“The changes may be small, but it is encouraging to see most of the figures moving in the right direction,” commented Tom Middleditch, Head of Electric Mobility and Sustainability spokesperson at Europcar. “As improvements continue in these areas, and people gain more knowledge and understanding of electric motoring, we believe we will soon also see a reduction in resistance.
“When business drivers have the opportunity to try out electric motoring for themselves, in real-world conditions, confidence increases significantly. By renting electric for a few days, a week or more, charging at different locations can be experienced as well as how different chargers work and how much they cost. That’s something a standard test-drive is rarely going to be able to deliver. And long-term rental delivers the latest EV technology without a business having to make a financial commitment that might not be the right fit in the longer-term.”
A wide choice of EVs
A growing fleet of BEV and PHEV cars and vans from Europcar give businesses and individuals wide choice for every journey. That includes the recent addition of the Kia Niro EV, alongside the already well-established fleet of Tesla Model 3s, Mercedes-Benz EQ models, Jeep Avengers and the Skoda Enyaq. Plus the Vauxhall Combo Electric and award-winning Renault Kangoo eTech have been added to Europcar’s Trucks and Vans fleet.
Usership vs ownership
Europcar is also empowering businesses to go greener in their mobility, even if they’re not ready to switch to electric. Focused on widening awareness of the role vehicle rental can play in helping businesses and individuals reduce their environmental impact, Europcar champions the idea of vehicle usership over ownership.
“Moving a business to electric requires clear thinking, detailed planning and hands-on real-world experience”, added Tom Middleditch. “Our carefully designed EV solutions are future-proofing the whole mobility process and already support many organisations as well as private motorists on their sustainability journeys. And used alongside petrol and diesel vehicles that are fully compliant with clean air and ultra-low emission zones, organisations can start to prepare for a zero emissions future.”
To find out more about Europcar sustainability solutions click the link below
or call us on 0371 384 0140.