A report by Hitachi Capital UK suggests that businesses could save just under £14 billion if they switched all their van fleets to electric.

The Hitachi report, the Future of Fuel, estimates that electric power would be around 15 pence per mile cheaper than petrol or diesel in vans, and 38p per mile cheaper in HGVs.

Over the combined 65.7 billion miles commercial vehicles travel each year, the fuel savings would total some £13.7 billion.

Hitachi’s report surveyed 149 fleet professionals around the UK and found that 62% of fleets now have alternative fuelled vehicles. 82% of those surveyed believed that it is important for fleets to make the switch to electric and lower emission fossil fuels such as CNG for HGVs.

Forty two per cent of fleets have plans to have more alternative fuelled vehicles within the next two years. Twenty eight per cent said that their organisations need to do more to switch to alternative fuels.

Jon Lawes, managing director of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, said: “Fleets cannot afford to ignore the amazing potential of alternative fuels – and, thankfully, they’re not.

“However, our report also highlights a number of obstacles along the way – most significantly, infrastructure and the upfront cost of AFVs. These should be a focus of transport policy going forward.”

 
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