Mobilising the shift to electric fleets: Vattenfall outlines the roadmap for businesses to meet their climate responsibilities

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing society. Transport accounts for around one-fifth of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, with road travel contributing a startling three-quarters of that figure. While a shift to zero emission vehicles is underway, that transition needs to go further and faster if we are to avert a climate crisis.

As well as clear environmental benefits, a shift to eFleets offers the opportunity for businesses to strengthen their environmental profile and benefit from cost efficiencies. Understanding eFleet charging infrastructures, a white paper from Vattenfall UK, outlines the processes and options available for electric vehicle charging infrastructures.

E-mobility will play a fundamental role in a more sustainable transport system, but ready and reliable access to charging infrastructure remains a barrier to widespread adoption.

Overcoming charging anxiety

A recent YouGov survey found that although Europe’s second-largest electric car market, the UK general public still feels that electric cars don’t outperform petrol/diesel powered ones in one key area – convenience. The ability to recharge is central to this anxiety. A second survey found that despite a surge in on-street charging, more EV drivers worry about access to charging infrastructure.

“The shift to electric vehicles is going to require a major development in charging infrastructure – and setting up new EV charging facilities will often require an upgrade to deliver the increased electrical demand,” says Stewart Dawson, Managing Director of Vattenfall Network Solutions UK. “If the UK is serious about meeting its ambitious EV targets we need to accelerate the deployment of EV charging and the associated upgrades to the grid.

“Vattenfall can support businesses with both these challenges,” Dawson continues. “By providing CAPEX, owning and operating EV charging infrastructure for our clients, via our Power-as-a-Service offer – and by providing upgraded and new grid connections, which can also incorporate Asset Adoption Value payments back to our clients to help offset the upfront investment, via our IDNO business. Vattenfall aims to enable fossil free living within one generation and we are ready to support UK businesses navigating the transition to become zero carbon.”

The UK government has set out an ambitious roadmap to decarbonize transport, with a goal of at least 50% of new car sales and up to 40% of new van sales ultra-low emission by 2030, and all new car and van sales emission free by 2040. Even more ambitious targets were announced last year, with the sale of purely internal combustion engine vehicles set to end in 2030 and hybrids by 2035.

Added to this, the number of low emission zones across the UK are on the rise, with costly charges in place for vehicles that don’t meet this criterion. With increased duties on petrol and diesel and road tax that penalizes vehicles with higher emissions, the business case for switching to electric fleets is growing. Furthermore, government grants to businesses – including e-Fleet operators – and individuals to aid the purchase of electric vehicles is providing an added incentive.

Vattenfall’s white paper Understanding eFleet charging infrastructures explains how a reliable eFleet electrical infrastructure can work. From what to consider, to an overview of the process of switching to electric vehicles and operating an electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the paper sets out to help businesses make the transition towards a fossil-free future. The paper covers:

• How the charging infrastructure works
• Legal and regulatory considerations
• Options for management, ownership, and operations.

Dawson continues: “There’s a number of factors to consider when setting up a new EV fleet. On top of the infrastructure requirements, there’s also legal and regulatory considerations and then the ongoing management and maintenance. For some organisations, a fully managed setup can be an attractive solution, requiring minimal investment and leaving the responsibility for owning and managing all compliance, regulatory and environmental issues with an expert.”

Vattenfall has been providing power as a service for more than 20 years and has the skills and experience to deliver smart, scalable eFleet charging infrastructures, leaving organisations free to concentrate on their core business.

Click here to find out more about Vattenfall Network Solutions and Power as a Serivce.