Shell Report Explores Current eMobility Landscape

A growing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions has placed fleet electrification at the forefront of sustainable transportation solutions.

That's according to Shell's new report, Fleet Electrification: Finding the Road to Operational Success, which finds the aforementioned objective is the number-one priority for fleet and commercial road transport (CRT) organisations.

As infrastructure and technology evolve, opportunities for fleet operators to transition to EVs are expanding.

The growth of EV infrastructure

The progress in developing EV infrastructure is rapid. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts public charging could increase sixfold by 2035, with 99% of heavy-duty chargers installed at depots by 2030.

Public and semi-public charging solutions for heavy-duty vehicles will play a pivotal role, ensuring broad accessibility.

Projections indicate that growth in fast public and fleet depot charging will triple by 2030 compared to home and business charging.

EV sales reflect this momentum; nearly one in five cars sold in 2023 was electric, totalling almost 14 million vehicles globally.

Benefits beyond the environment

The Shell Recharge Driver Programme 2024 report highlights the numerous advantages of EV adoption.

In addition to environmental benefits and reduced fuel costs, EV drivers report an unexpected advantage: the sheer enjoyment of driving an EV.

Electrification is gaining traction across various vehicle segments:

• Electric Trucks: Sales grew by 35% globally in 2023, adding 54,000 new eTrucks to the roads.
• Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs): Sales rose by over 50% in 2023, reaching nearly 5% of global LCV sales.
• Electric Buses: In 2023, 43% of city buses sold in the EU were electric, pushing toward the EU’s goal of 100% zero-emission city buses by 2035.

Learning from electric buses

Electric buses are a model for other fleets, such as truck fleets, due to their similar technical and logistical requirements.

Their success offers insights into the operational feasibility and benefits of electrifying other heavy-duty vehicle fleets.

For instance, technological advancements have addressed range limitations, with electric trucks now capable of travelling up to 600km on a single charge.

These developments demonstrate that range concerns, once a significant barrier, are increasingly being mitigated.

Persistent barriers to electrification

These factors leave many fleet operators concerned about balancing decarbonisation with maintaining operational reliability and efficiency.

Tailored solutions for long-term success

To overcome barriers, fleet operators must adopt solutions tailored to their needs. Shell advocates for strategies such as:

• Depot charging: Dedicated depot charging facilities for efficient fleet operations
• Training programmes: Educating drivers on best practices for EV use and charging
• Technology integration: Leveraging advancements in range and efficiency to meet operational demands.

As Shell notes, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each fleet must carefully assess its unique challenges and opportunities to chart a path toward electrification.

Charting the path forward

The shift to fleet electrification is a critical step toward global decarbonisation.

While challenges persist, the solutions already available and a commitment to innovation make it a feasible and rewarding transition. The report concludes: “In a journey that affects everyone, there is no one-size-fits-all way ahead.”

By embracing tailored strategies, fleet operators can achieve environmental goals, optimise operations and contribute to a sustainable future.

Don't miss part three of the series on Shell's Fleet Electrification: Finding the Road to Operational Success

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