UK among leading fleet electrification markets in the world

The UK has been ranked as one of the leading countries for fleet electrification, according to new research.

The EV100 Transition Barometer, produced by the Climate Group in partnership with New AutoMotive, assessed the global landscape for fleet electrification.

It placed the UK in a group of 13 countries, including Norway, China, Singapore and South Korea, which are leading fleet electrification markets.

The UK was ranked fourth alongside Singapore, with Norway (1st), Ethiopia (2nd) and China (3rd) occupying the first three places.

A second tier of emerging markets is led by countries including India, Thailand, Chile and Colombia.

The report coincides with relaunch of Climate Group’s EV100, a coalition of 120-plus world-leading companies committed to electrifying their corporate fleets.

Members of the network have put more than 700,000 EVs on the road so far and many have electrified over 50% of their fleets. 

With the relaunch, EV100 is introducing a more flexible commitment structure to recognise diverse market conditions across different regions and vehicle segments.

This replaces the blanket 2030 deadline with region-specific timelines and allows companies to focus on electrifying specific vehicle segments relevant to their operations (cars, vans, trucks).

Dominic Phinn, head of transport at the Climate Group, said: “The relaunched EV100 is leading the global charge to get the EV transition done.

“Our members are forward-thinking companies who understand the competitive advantage of early adoption. We all know where we’re heading: road transport will be cleaner, healthier, and smarter. The winners are those who’ll get there first.”

In developing its new structure, Climate Group commissioned the independent transport research organisation New AutoMotive to assess a total of 39 markets on their readiness for fleet electrification.

Key metrics used to score the markets were supply-side regulations and targets; charging infrastructure; fiscal and energy policy; and EV uptake.

Ben Nelmes, CEO at New AutoMotive, said: “The EV100 Transition Barometer shows just how much momentum, and potential, there is in the global landscape for fleet electrification.

“Companies operating in markets with the most comprehensive and supportive policies will unlock a productivity boost.

“Companies operating in markets that are still getting ready for electrification should be reassured that progress is possible and likely as governments increasingly put in place support for charging infrastructure and incentives to support commercial fleets to go electric.”

Arcadis, the global sustainable design, engineering, and management consultancy, is the latest company to join the growing network.

Simon Swan, global solutions director at Arcadis, said: “Arcadis is delighted to join EV100. Our mission to improve quality of life drives every decision we make, including our commitment to electrify our global fleet by 2030.

“Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and this partnership with EV100 marks another important step toward eliminating emissions from our operations and achieving net zero by 2035.”

Further changes to EV100 as part of today’s relaunch include:

• All pledges must be zero-emission: plug-in hybrids, considered a bridging technology in the early stages of the transition, no longer count.
• A new EV100 Pledge Network (EVPN) welcomes companies who are ready to explore fleet electrification but not yet prepared for the full EV100 commitment.
• The medium and heavy-duty vehicle (MHDV) segment, which used to be represented by the EV100+ sister initiative, is now also covered by EV100.

As a diverse network of companies at all stages of their EV transition, EV100 leverages the leadership of its members to drive policy change in markets around the world.

It pools knowledge, expertise and practical experience from the front line of the EV transition, and leads the global conversation with a year-round programme of events.