Businesses that switch to electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles could reduce their fleet fuel costs by 75%, a report suggests.

The study from the Energy Saving Trust (EST) also claims that organisations operating vehicles with mileage below 80 miles per day would find that a pure electric vehicle fleet would meet their needs on a single overnight charge.

These are the main findings on the Plugged-in Fleets Initiative (PIFI), which is funded by Transport for London (TfL) and Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by EST in partnership with EDF Energy and Route Monkey.

PIFI explored the potential savings organisations could make by introducing plug-in vehicles such as electric and plug-in hybrid cars and vans, into their company fleets.

Participants included Boots UK, London Fire Brigade, Network Rail, Surrey County Council, Southwark Council, Tristar, the University of Cumbria, Wm Morrisons and York City Council. 

The findings were unveiled yesterday (Wednesday) at City Hall London at a key gathering of transport experts including transport minister Norman Baker MP.

He announced that the Government has agreed to provide £280,000 of additional funding to help a further 100 fleets understand where Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) could work for them.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “The report from EST gives fleet managers valuable insight into how different vehicles can be used effectively and could lead to increased uptake of low emission vehicles across British fleets."

The full report is available to download from www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/pifi.

For further analysis and insight on the PIFI report read the next edition of Fleet News out on February 7.