Wholelife cost calculations show that fleets could save thousands of pounds by turning to electric power for low mileage, urban stop-start journeys.

The figures were unveiled by Venson Automotive Solutions, which said its long term goal was to become the UK’s leading electric vehicle leasing and fleet management provider.

Managing director Samantha Roff said: “Electric vehicles are already on the market and the range of vehicles - cars and commercials - is gradually expanding.

"We believe that in specific fleet roles there is a real opportunity to use these vehicles and benefit from cost savings.”

The company’s calculations reveal that the total operating cost of a small diesel car over the replacement cycle will be £15,368.

However, an electric car would start from around £12,573 to operate - a saving of £2,795 or 18%.

Meanwhile, a small diesel van would start from around £16,435 to operate over four years/60,000 miles, £2,915 or 17% more than a small electric van (£13,520).

However, move to a larger light commercial vehicle (Ford Transit Connect) and the significantly higher acquisition price of the equivalent electric vehicle means it costs around a third more to operate over a five-year replacement cycle.

See related story on electric vehicle residual forecast problems.