Fleet EV transition gathers pace

A global survey of fleet operators has revealed that 30% of managers are looking to electrify their fleets within the next year. The data from 1,800 fleet operators by Teletrac Navman also revealed rising fuel costs (39%), disruption due to the impact of COVID-19 (32%) and supply chain pressure (31%), are the top challenges facing the sector.

Fuel conversion (23%) remains a key challenge with EV supply, the study claimed, with a third also saying the conversion to electric and next generation fuels was their largest areas of expense behind purchasing new vehicles.

More than a third (41%) also said that the environmental impact is their biggest concern about the current economic environment.

Maintenance of existing fleet continued to be largest expense for 39% of those surveyed.

Other findings included fleets offering more technological integrations – 48% – through 2023 and technology aiding compliance. More fleet managers were also focussing on implementing more digital workflows (39%) and video telematics (38%).

Mayank Sharma, head of global product management & UX at Teletrac Navman, said: “With supply chain issues continuing to impact EV vehicle availability and cost, some fleets are struggling to start the transition and are having to find ways to safely extend vehicle life through preventative maintenance and more conscientious use on the road. However, those with the available capital expenditure to be early movers to EVs could gain a competitive advantage as they won’t be exposed to any further rising petrol or diesel costs, they’ll be reducing their environmental impact which is coming more into play in customer contracts, and will likely benefit from government grants and subsidies that will later be removed.” electricity networks can make full use of capacity on the network and work to support local communities’ net zero ambitions. This meant identifying the smart technologies, services and markets that must be developed and the new opportunities to be seized for a just and cost-effective transition to net zero.

TS23 is Teletrac Navman’s Global Telematics Survey; It showcases prevailing trends impacting fleet operations and how they are planning to tackle them. The survey results are based on feedback from over 1,800 fleet professionals.

The Project LEO trials were complex and innovative and included:

• Smart Fair Neighbourhood Trials: a series of trials to demonstrate how flexible services can sit at the heart of a smarter, low-carbon, locally balanced energy system.

• Energy Asset Trials: looking at the potential of energy assets, such as solar panels, batteries and hydro plants to deliver energy flexibly.

• Market Feasibility Trials: determining the value of energy flexibility and creating a marketplace to trade energy supply so that everyone benefits.

The Project LEO partner organisations included Scottish and Southern Energy Networks, Low Carbon Hub, the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council.

The learnings from Project LEO are now being shared with the industry and policymakers in a final report to help deliver the structures that will enable and support the transition to net zero.

European Parliament confirms 2035 ban on new fossil fuel cars

The European Parliament has approved a law that will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the European Union (EU) from 2035.

The legislation is designed to accelerate the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) and help tackle climate change. The end goal for the EU is to be ‘climate neutral’ by 2050, which involves net zero greenhouse emissions. Transportation currently accounts for a quarter of all C02 emissions in the EU.

Carmakers operating within the EU will have to achieve a 100% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars sold. This would make it impossible to sell new fossil fuel-powered vehicles. The law change will also set a 55% cut in CO2 emissions for new cars sold from 2030 versus 2021 levels.

New vans sold within the EU will have to comply with a 100% CO2 cut by 2035, and a 50% cut by 2030. Previously, the levels were set at 37.5% – but lawmakers have now shifted the speed in which they want the 27 member states to see more

EVs on the roads.

Dutch MEP Jan Huitema, and the EU Parliament’s lead negotiator on the law changes, explained the change to members in Brussels.

“This regulation encourages the production of zero and low-emission vehicles,” Huitema said. “It contains an ambitious revision of the targets for 2030 and a zero-emission target for 2035, which is crucial to reach climate neutrality by 2050. These targets create clarity for the car industry and stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers. Purchasing and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers and a second-hand market will emerge more quickly. It makes sustainable driving accessible to everyone.”

EU member agreed the changes with lawmakers in October 2022, but they needed to be made official through a vote. In total, 340 MEPs voted in favour of the ban, while 279 were against it and a further 21 abstained from the process.