For many fleets, hesitation around electrification isn't ideological. It's financial and operational.
Vehicle range, charging infrastructure, lease commitments and Whole Life Cost all sit under intense scrutiny. In most organisations, fleet is the second highest cost after payroll. Large scale refresh decisions simply cannot afford to misfire.
As Alison Bell of Venson Automotive Solutions explains in this week’s Fleet1000 interview, adaptability is becoming more important than ambition. The fleets making progress are doing so through staged, data led decisions rather than wholesale leaps.
Start with Whole Life Cost, not list price
One of the most common barriers to EV adoption remains perceived cost.
When supporting a social housing provider evaluating electric vans, Venson Automotive Solutions conducted a detailed Whole Life Cost comparison between diesel and battery electric vehicles. The analysis incorporated lease cost, fuel, maintenance and taxation.
The outcome challenged assumptions. The modelling identified potential Whole Life Cost savings of around 15 percent when moving to alternative fuelled vehicles.
Beyond the spreadsheet, Venson also arranged demonstrator vehicles and introduced the organisation to charging infrastructure providers. That allowed the fleet team to test range and operational suitability in real world conditions before making a long term commitment.
Challenge assumptions on vehicle suitability
Electrification often prompts fleets to re examine their broader vehicle policy.
In one project involving a northern based organisation operating 37 vehicles, Venson analysed contract mileage and term length. The review identified that certain vehicles could be contracted over a longer term, reducing Whole Life Cost by an average of 4 pence per mile. Across five years, that equated to more than £102,000 in savings.
Broadening the approved vehicle list also unlocked additional efficiencies without compromising operational capability.
Funding strategy matters as much as drivetrain
In another example, Venson supported a retail organisation in comparing outright purchase against contract hire as part of its transition planning.
By reviewing funding method alongside vehicle technology, the business identified clear cost advantages in moving toward hybrid and battery electric options, with benefits realised by both the organisation and its employees.
The takeaway for fleet managers
The lesson isn't to move to electric at any cost.
It's to begin with robust data, challenge established assumptions and model Whole Life Cost carefully. Contract structure, vehicle mix and funding method all influence the viability of electrification.
Venson Automotive Solutions is a FleetWise Trusted Brand. Explore more about the brand and the full shortlist here.