The 2030 zero emissions deadline and the challenge of meeting it is the number one concern for fleet decision-makers when looking ahead to the next five years.    

Over two-fifths (43%)of respondents cited the 2030 zero emissions deadline as their biggest challenge for the next five years

Research by Arval Mobility Observatory’s latest Barometer saw 43% of UK respondents cite the 2030 deadline as their top challenge, followed by a lack of road infrastructure causing congestion (28%) and the introduction of stricter Clean Air Zones in urban areas (26%).   

Shaun Sadlier, head of the Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said the analysis revealed that fleets were aware of the deadline and had clearly mapped out the progression to EVs in many cases but still saw the process of implementation as a “considerable undertaking”.  

He added that there were really two different sets of tasks to complete in terms of the EV transition, with different and separate obstacles to overcome for car and van operators.  

“For car operators, EV adoption is fast reaching a state of ‘business as usual’ in the vast majority of cases,” he stated.  

“It is van fleets that are going to find moving away from internal combustion engines (ICE) much more of a challenge, with issues ranging from vehicle availability to charging accessibility and more. Businesses operating light commercial vehicles are faced with balancing their desire to operate more sustainable fleets, against cost and operational efficiency.”  

Sadlier also noted that the rest of the Arval research showed a marked shift towards concerns over operational considerations, rather than business transport policy issues.  

“Congestion remains an area of worry, with traffic returning to levels comparable with pre-pandemic times. Also, Clean Air Zones are seen as a quite significant challenge, although this matter can generally be resolved in the short-term by switching low emission vehicles into low emission areas, while in the medium term this will disappear thanks to the transition to EVs.”  

In contrast, increased vehicle taxation is now less of an issue thanks to low taxation for EVs, and flexible working, which is now a permanent feature in most workplaces where it is practical.   

And interest in mobility solutions has potentially become less immediate as the threat of Covid has receded.   

“In our view, it is likely that fleet managers are strategically aware of this solution, but are taking more time and support to consider their approaches, which may continue without any government intervention to spark a faster implementation,” Sadlier added.  

What are the main challenges facing fleets in the next five years?  

What are the main challenges facing fleets in the next five years?