A Government-backed campaign to make cities greener is likely to increase fleet electric vehicle adoption, according to leasing company Arval.
According to Arval, the Go Ultra Low cities “provide a nudge” for fleets and motorists to adjust their behaviours, with the company supporting customers that operate in the cities.
The first Go Ultra Low Cities – Nottingham, Bristol, Milton Keynes and London – were named and awarded shares of £40m Government funding in order to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles.
Schemes include making public parking free for electric vehicles and offering EV owners use of bus lanes.
“We are at a stage where there is widespread interest in EVs but relatively few fleets have bitten the bullet and actually acquired any. However, momentum is building. There is growing awareness of how to operationally manage the limited range of EVs and the circumstances in which they are most appropriate for businesses,” said David Watts, fleet consultant at Arval UK.
“Vehicles like the Tesla Model S have had an impact on EV perception because of their range. The moment that increased range technology begins to filter down to more mainstream areas of the fleet sector, there are a lot of people who we believe will not hesitate to go EV,” he added.