Europcar report confirms sustainability is a key EV trend

Sustainability is becoming ingrained in our society and electric vehicles (EVs) are at the heart of it, but infrastructure is not yet up to scratch for the level of charging required to operate zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on a wider scale. 

So, the word ‘sustainability’ is no longer seen as a marketing buzzword, but is seen to be a crucial step in meeting the needs of the planet and its people. 

Europcar’s latest report confirms this is the case for fleets and businesses, having studied 300 decision makers across industries. The report finds that more than half of workplaces in the UK provide EV charging for their employees to alleviate some of the cost of charging at home. 

Mark Newberry, Commercial Director and Sustainability at Europcar Mobility Group UK, says: “As the government plays catch-up with its newly announced £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund and On-Street Residential Charging Scheme, it is encouraging to see how private sector business is already stepping up to the mark to support the road to net zero.” 

Sustainability mobility is at the heart of business strategy

In addition to offering workplace charging and financial assistance to enable employees to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) at home, the Europcar study revealed that 50% of companies also supply EV drivers with company charging cards to facilitate charging at other locations. 

Businesses that currently do not offer EV charging at their premises are proactively planning to diminish their environmental footprint. In fact, 88% of these businesses firmly believe that they will "definitely" or "probably" incorporate charging facilities on-site within the next three years.

“The businesses taking the initiative to install their own charging infrastructure should be applauded,” says Newberry.

“But, of course, 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.” 

“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.”

According to the report, there is a growing trend among businesses to also incorporate further zero-emission measures into their sustainability strategies, including cycling and walking (29%). A further 28% of respondents are prioritising EVs in fleets. 

Around 26% of the respondents are generally concerned with reducing overall business travel emissions. 

“The message from our research is the private sector understands loud and clear that sustainability is not a buzzword, it is a business benefit,” says 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 ”