A lack of on-street electric charging infrastructure is holding back dealer sales of electric vans.
Research by Vauxhall, published in a new ‘Electric Van Adoption Report’, has highlighted the growing need to improve the UK’s public charging infrastructure to support businesses in their transition to electric.
91% told Vauxhall their drivers would be reliant on using on-street public charging to power their vehicles, with over one-fifth (23%) of fleet operators admitting that a lack of adequate on-street charging is the main barrier stopping their fleets going electric today.
In the findings 84% of fleet operators told Vauxhall they have at least one electric van currently on their fleet, and of those who don’t, 90% say they are planning to welcome an electric van onto their fleet within the next year.
The need for improvements in public charging infrastructure was highlighted further by the fact that 81% of businesses said it would be problematic to install EV charging provisions at their operating bases.
While businesses told Vauxhall they don’t think it would be practical to adopt an all-electric fleet any earlier than late 2028, 90% of fleet operators say they plan for their business to be fully electric before 2035, the date currently set for the UK Government’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.
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.
