Financial considerations aside, EVs offer drivers a smooth, quiet  driving experience and  all of us cleaner breathing air in our towns and cities, so everyone benefits.

The EV20 Plugged-In Fleets report demonstrates the economic and environmental benefits of employing EVs in fleets and provides  practical guidance for fleet managers looking to introduce them. 

The report looks to provide readers with an overall assessment of the current and future benefits of electrifying a fleet and step-by-step advice on the measures that a company would need to take when assessing the practicality of this. It also raises awareness of the financial and operational incentives that are available to businesses when electrifying a fleet and the commercial advantages that could follow.

The report was endorsed in today’s Plug-In Van Grant (PIVG) announcement by Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening MP. Additionally, Norman Baker MP, Transport Minister and Mark Prisk MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, co-authored the report foreward.

The report highlights that EVs can make good commercial sense if they are deployed in the right place and businesses benefit from a range of incentives from the plug-in car and van grants to enhanced capital allowances, and drivers of electric cars pay no company car tax until 2015.

Robin Haycock, head of Transport at the Climate Group, says: 'More than half of all new cars and vans in the UK are bought by fleets and the report clearly highlights that savings are possible. Every situation is different, but our analysis has been able to identify areas where cost savings can be made. Outside London we have found sweet spots where an EV can save 7p per mile compared to  a conventional vehicle and an electric van in central London will benefit from 100% Congestion Charge discount.'

Nigel Underdown, Head of Transport Advice at the Energy Saving Trust said: 'In today’s tough economy fleets need to have confidence that operationally and financially EVs add up. Our work shows that for certain operations the business case for EVs is very strong indeed.'

Robert Evans, chief executive officer of Cenex, said: 'Cenex has an established track record of partnership working with fleet operations on the planning and implementation of the latest generation of EVs.

'With the new and emerging generation of electric vehicles, fleet decision makers have an alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles that can suit a wide range of applications.  However, given their range and recharging requirements, for economic and operational integration of EVs drive cycle based whole life cost modelling is essential.  This allows sweet spots of economic operation to be accurately identified. Our Fleet Carbon Reduction Tool can help fleet managers identify where introducing EVs makes operational and financial sense,' Mr Evans added.

The Climate Group’s joint research into EVs is an aspect of its Clean Revolution campaign; a swift and massive scaling-up of clean energy technologies, infrastructure, design and behaviour to improve efficiency.

The commercial value and viability of Electric Vehicles as part of a business fleet will be discussed further by both Robin Haycock and Nigel Underdown at the upcoming EV and Low CO2 Fleet Show. Please click HERE if you would like to register for the event, taking place at the Silverstone Wing on Wednesday April 18 2012.