- New figures from Volkswagen Financial Services Fleet (VWFS Fleet) show that 74% of journeys could be done in an electric vehicle
- Analysis of nearly 6.5 million miles and more than 720,000 journeys reveals the fuel types most suitable for fleet drivers
- Making the switch to an electric vehicle can offer drivers significant savings as well as reducing their carbon footprint by eliminating tailpipe emissions
Volkswagen Financial Services Fleet (VWFS Fleet) has analysed data from its Future Fleet Analysis tool and found that the vast majority of fleet drivers could make their journeys in an electric vehicle (EV) based on their journey habits.
Using a mid-range Volkswagen ID.3* as the benchmark, the analysis suggests that 74% of fleet drivers could make the switch to an EV now, whilst for 2% of fleet drivers, a plug-in hybrid would be the best option. In contrast, 11.6% of new cars registered in 2021 were BEVs (battery electric vehicles).**
The recent analysis revealed that only 21% of fleet drivers were best suited to a petrol vehicle, whilst a diesel vehicle was the recommended option for just 3% of drivers analysed.
VWFS Fleet analysed telematics data, looking at journey distance, average speeds, average distance, maximum distance travelled and dwell times from over 724,061 individual journeys to show the types of vehicles fleet drivers would be best suited to.
Previous analysis of the same data, which took place in 2019 and was based on a Volkswagen e-Golf***, showed that only 11% could switch to an EV. Comparatively, a further 37% of drivers fell into a ‘Potential EV’ category, where most of their journeys were suitable for an EV, but, occasional longer trips may have required an ICE – an internal combustion engine vehicle. In 2019 36% of drivers were best suited to petrol cars, and 7% would suit a diesel vehicle.
The shift from 11% to 74% is a result of the huge progress that has been made in the driving range that is now achievable by battery electric vehicles.
Mike Coulton, Fleet Product and Policy Manager at VWFS Fleet, said: “It’s going to be a surprise for a lot of fleet drivers that many of them can make the switch to an EV now, despite the above-average journey distances many company car drivers make. When we’ve looked in detail at the journey data, most of them could comfortably be done in an EV like the mid-range ID.3*, which has a WLTP range of 260 miles or a Tesla Model 3 with a potential range of 360 miles.
“In the past couple of years, EVs have developed rapidly with driving range increasing. Previous analysis showed that only 1 in 10 of us would have suited an EV, but the new generation of electric car models are more driver-friendly and actually, most drivers would find their lifestyle and journeys fit perfectly.”
VWFS Fleet’s “Future Fleet Analysis” tool is being used by businesses to analyse their current fleet journeys and help make more informed decisions on their electrification journey.
Mike continued, “We know that EVs might not work for all journeys right now, and we’re helping businesses identify where and how they can start to transition to EV and where they might need to keep traditional petrol and diesel cars for now.
“With the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars looming, now is the time for businesses to look at where they can make changes to their fleet to start the transition as early as possible.”
*ID.3 Life Pro 58kWh (net) battery achieves a 260 mile range (combined WLTP)
** https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/evs-and-afvs-registrations/
***2019 Volkswagen e-Golf range 144 miles (combined WLTP)