How Electric Vehicles Are Revolutionising Fleets

Electric vehicles have been a popular option for drivers for over a decade now. The innovative engineering transformed the automotive industry and offered an alternative to traditional combustible engines that have had a severe impact on the planet. The popularity of electric cars has risen greatly - in 2024 alone, EVs made up 18.7% of new car sales, almost tripling the 2020 figure of 6.6%. 

Now that the everyday driver has become accustomed to electric vehicles, the rise of commercial vehicle fleets turning to electric solutions has become a pathway to operating on a greener planet. Sustainability and preserving our planet is now at a greater need than ever, the inevitable shift is driven not only by environmental concerns, but also financial factors of long-term saving. 

With the UK gearing towards greener legislation that will mandate electric vehicles over combustible, it’s likely we’ll only see vehicles become the norm on our roads. But what does this mean for all types of business, from small to globally-known? 

We know that businesses will need to be asking themselves when they’ll convert to EVs as opposed to if they will. In this blog, we’re taking a look at how electric vehicles are revolutionising fleets and what you need to consider if you’re making the switch.

The cost of converting to electric

As with any vehicle, the upfront cost can be quite high - particularly if you’re looking to make the shift for your whole fleet. However daunting it may seem for a business to invest in electric vehicles, they are cost effective over a period of time and will pay off the expense through its low maintenance. 

Charging a vehicle is significantly cheaper than the price of fuel. Whilst on average, charging an electric vehicle is only 7p a mile, fuel cars on average cost almost double at 12p a mile. Many businesses that have invested in an electric fleet will charge their vehicles overnight so the cars, vans and trucks are ready for their  employees in the morning.

Investing in an electric fleet will also mean you have lower maintenance expenses because there are less moving parts than can fail. If you’re finding your fleet of combustible engines has always got a problem, consider how much you’ve been paying in expenses to have them repaired compared to how little maintenance EV engines need. Pair this with the almost halved price of charging your car and you can soon forecast how much you could be saving with an electric fleet. 

Are there any incentives for an electric fleet?

For the UK, their government has introduced several incentives to encourage businesses to adopt an electric fleet:

• Plug-In Grant: Offers a reduced price for eligible electric vehicles.
• Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS): Provides financial support upon installing charging points at a business premises. 
• Capital Allowance: Full cost of the vehicle can be claimed back on its first year allowance, as long as the electric vehicle has zero emissions. 

Reducing a businesses' carbon footprint

Everyone should be striving to reduce their carbon footprint to help contribute to a greener planet. Electric vehicles are a great incentive to bolster a businesses’  brand image to show their responsibility in their emissions. Research suggests that over the life span of an EV, those emissions can be reduced by up to 68%. 

EV manufacturing is a lot more sustainable, as vehicles can be made of recycled resources. The main harm that EVs pose to the environment are their batteries - if they are resourced irresponsibly. Where the industry is relatively new, there are some inconsistent standards with the energy sources used to make the batteries. 

However, EV batteries are growing greener by the day. In today’s industry, EV batteries carry a carbon footprint that is 2 to 3 times lower than they did a few years ago, with continued advancements being innovated on to keep this reduced. While there are emissions produced through the manufacturing process and any battery recycling, when an electric vehicle is on the road it effectively produces zero emissions since there is no tailpipe to emit them. 

Advancement in EV technology

In the short time that electric vehicles have been an option, their technology has improved massively. One of the main concerns from businesses was the range of the electric vehicles, especially for long-haul vehicles such as truck drivers, delivery vans or taxis. However, battery technology has improved so that the average EV driver will get a range of 300 miles on a full charge. 

With an increasing number of EV charging points, fleets can feel more confident that they will be able to charge throughout their journey if needed. There has also been development of how quickly and efficiently an EV Vehicle can charge with different types of batteries. With charging and battery development happening so rapidly, EVs will soon be convenient for all fleets. 

Smart fleet management tools

Electric vehicle fleet management is constantly developing and providing more tools for drivers to make the most out of their journey. Real-time monitoring means that vehicles are able to track locations, battery levels, and performance metrics in real time. EVs have also got the technology to predict maintenance, with telematics data able to identify potential issues before the vehicle breaks down. 

EV fleets have also started to integrate AI-driver tools to plan efficient routes that will focus on optimising energy consumption and downtime. It can also analyse charging patterns and energy consumption to create the most efficient energy use to operate optimally. 

Looking after your fleet with Kwik Fit

At Kwik Fit, we’ve been looking after fleets since 1987, supplying fast-fit products and services to businesses around the country. Our fleet services have become the uncontested first choice for business drivers, with over 700 locations and our expert staff. 

Find your local store and contact us for more information on how we can support your business. Make sure to stay up to date with our blogs and guides for more advice for your vehicles both domestic and commercial.