More than half (53%) of workplaces provide electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities and 52% contribute to the cost of at-home charging for their employees, new research suggests.
The study, from Europcar Mobility Group, also found that half (50%) of businesses provide EV drivers with company charging cards for charging in other locations.
However, out of those employers not currently providing charging facilities on-site, 88% believe this will “definitely” or “probably” change within the next three years.
Mark Newberry, commercial director and sustainability spokesperson at Europcar Mobility Group UK, said: “The businesses taking the initiative to install their own charging infrastructure should be applauded.”
But, he explains charging infrastructure is not the only barrier to EV adoption by businesses. “The well reported supply issues and lack of understanding about the total cost of ownership are other factors cited in our research, as well as the need to win the hearts and minds of the drivers themselves,” he added.
“Europcar clients often say that employees resist moving to EV because they believe it will impact their productivity and potentially even their earnings.
“This highlights a need for much more education and greater understanding around what is fit for purpose for drivers for the majority of time.”
However, even in the face of these hurdles, the Europcar study found that businesses are looking at sustainability targets directly related to mobility.
Nearly a third (29%) said their aim is to increase the use of alternative mobility solutions such as cycling and walking. This was closely followed by increasing the number of electric vehicles on fleet (28%) and an overall reduction in business travel (26%).
“The message from our research is the private sector understands loud and clear that sustainability is not a buzzword, it is a business benefit”, concluded Newberry.
“Fleet managers and business owners are looking closely at their operational behaviours and making considered changes that help cut costs and improve efficiency as well as reduce their impact on the environment.
“This is positive to see because for the UK to meet its carbon commitments we all need to lean into this change and really drive the transition towards carbon friendly mobility ”
For a copy of the Europcar report - Switching sustainability from buzzword to business benefit – click here.
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