Heidi Thompson, Group Fleet Manager, Mitie
With transport accounting for almost a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) has been a priority for almost every business in recent years. In September 2023, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that 800,000 EVs had been registered in the UK since 2018, with three quarters of these new registrations coming from fleets. At Mitie, we’ve just welcomes our 4,000th EV – a big milestone for one of the UK’s largest zero emissions fleet.
However, like trying to accelerate with the handbrake on, it’s essential that the infrastructure is there to keep up with the demands of growing electric fleets. Whilst organisations do have more breathing room with the UK’s deadline for a complete EV transition pushed back from 2030 to 2035, they need to remain focused on developing an EV strategy that equips them for the future and makes sure that the shift to more sustainable transport isn’t stalled by a lack of vital infrastructure.
Putting on-site infrastructure in the fast lane
Range anxiety is a major issue when it comes to getting, and keeping, more EVs on the road. Whilst most plug-in cars are able to cover the average commute (28 minutes according to the Department for Transport) without needing to be charged, the cost of public charging and difficulty finding available chargers remain a significant concern for drivers, particularly those driving longer distances. In fact, the SMMT’s research in 2023 found that two thirds of drivers see a lack of infrastructure as a barrier to going electric.
This means organisations have an important role to play in providing sufficient on-site charging points, not only to encourage more colleagues to make the switch to an EV, but also to keep their own fleet in motion. The latest high-voltage chargers are able to charge up a vehicle in less than an hour, so EVs can remain always ready to drive, crucially reducing the need to rely on any petrol or diesel vehicles. Investing in charging infrastructure will future-proof organisations’ estates as the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales, and net zero targets, approach.
Gearing up for maintenance requirements
Like any other piece of equipment, charging infrastructure requires regular and proactive maintenance to make sure that its always working reliably and efficiently and to keep it running for as many years as possible.
We’re using intelligent software to monitor how charge points are performing in near-real time. The system also alerts Mitie engineers to faults or issues that need repairing so that they can carry out fixes and restarts remotely wherever possible or send out an engineer to the site when necessary. This drives quicker fix times, keeping charge points in service.
Preventing gridlock
In 2022, research by the Competition and Markets Authority found that 60,000 more EV chargers will need to be installed by 2035 if the UK is to achieve a full EV transition. All these charge points depend on reliable grid connections.
With unprecedented demand for approvals for new connections to the grid, microgrids could offer an innovative way for organisations to realise their green transport ambitions, using clean power produced on-site. Microgrids also give the option to deliver power back to the grid when there is surplus and receive power from a central source when it’s needed, relying on AI to assess data on energy generation and balance supply and demand. Whilst the technology is still developing for microgrids to be rolled out at significant scale, by getting ahead, we can encourage organisations to generate clean power on-site whilst also giving them confidence that they can always access power from the grid when they need it.
Whilst it’s positive that number of zero emission vehicles on the roads is rising, there is still work to do in delivering the infrastructure that will accommodate a complete transition to EVs. Investing in this infrastructure, as well as their maintenance, will be pivotal to organisations reaching their decarbonisation goals. The best time to start implementing these measures is now, as preparing for the future today will only make the transition easier.