Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Fleets set to go electric more quickly than expected
Cookies on Businesscar

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time

BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

Fleets set to go electric more quickly than expected

Date: 07 February 2018   |   Author: Sean Keywood

Fleets are set to rapidly increase the number of hybrid and electric vehicles they run, new research suggests.

According to Sewells Research & Insight's twice-yearly Market Barometer, 71% of fleets currently have diesel cars, but only 59% expect their replacement cars to be fuelled by diesel.

Sewells says that while petrol cars will take up most of the slack in the short-term, by far the most dynamic growth will be in sales of hybrid and electric vehicles.

It says that as many as 30% of fleets expect to run hybrid cars within the next 12 months, and a further 7% say they will have pure electric cars on their books by the end of the year. 

This represents a big increase from the 12% of fleets that currently have at least one hybrid car and the 3% of fleets with a pure electric car.

Corporate fleets employing 250 or more people are leading the way, with 47% expecting to take on hybrids this year and 16% expecting to go pure electric.

Sewells says that essential vehicle users such as utility companies, transport firms, and construction businesses are at the forefront of the move to cleaner fleets. In terms of company car segments, upper medium, executive, SUV and MPV models are set for the most significant changes, with hybrid alternatives replacing diesel, while electric cars gain a toehold.

Simon Staplehurst, commercial research director at Sewells, said: "The Market Barometer reveals that fleets intend to switch to cleaner, lower-emission cars much more quickly than many people in the industry expect.

"The fleet sector has passed the tipping point from a default to diesel towards a greener future."



Share


Subscribe