BVRLA’s Catherine Bowen on accelerating fleet electrification and charging infrastructure
07/10/2024
The UK is at a critical juncture in its journey towards decarbonisation, and fleet electrification is central to this mission. Catherine Bowen, senior policy advisor at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), represents members at the forefront of this transition.
BVRLA members are responsible for purchasing more than 50% of vehicles registered in the UK annually, including a growing proportion of electric vehicles (EVs). In an interview ahead of her presentation at the UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium, Bowen outlined the key challenges fleet operators face in adopting EVs and how the BVRLA is helping shape the infrastructure and policies necessary to support fleet electrification.
The role of fleets in electrification
Bowen highlighted the vital role that fleet operators play in leading the transition to electric vehicles. “Our members purchase over 50% of all the vehicles registered in the UK each year. The latest SMMT statistics show that fleets are really leading the transition to electric vehicles,” she explained. As fleet operators increasingly adopt EVs through schemes such as salary sacrifice, they are setting the pace for the wider industry. However, Bowen was quick to emphasise that despite this leadership role, significant challenges remain.
Addressing infrastructure challenges
Infrastructure, Bowen noted, is the most pressing issue facing many fleet operators. Although the rollout of charging infrastructure has improved in recent years, with better reliability and coverage, there are still significant gaps—particularly for van fleets. “Meeting different use case needs is a struggle,” Bowen remarked. “A lot of the charging has been put in place to support cars, but not always with vans in mind.”
She pointed to specific issues such as the size of charging bays, cable lengths, and access restrictions in multi-storey car parks, which can hinder van operators from charging their vehicles. “There are height restrictions, lack of ability to book charging, and limitations on roaming across networks,” she added, citing BVRLA’s annual Road to Zero report card, which tracks progress on EV infrastructure, as well as supply and demand.
Despite these infrastructure challenges, Bowen praised recent government efforts to improve the reliability of charge points, such as requiring contactless payments and ensuring 24/7 customer support. “These measures are fantastic in terms of improving reliability,” she said, but stressed that the unique needs of fleets, particularly vans, need more focus.
Engaging local authorities
A major area of BVRLA’s work involves engaging with local authorities to ensure they consider the needs of fleet operators when planning charging infrastructure. In 2022, BVRLA launched a Fleet Charging Guide to provide insights into the types of charging infrastructure different users would require. Building on this, they commissioned a Fleet Friendly Charging Index to assess how well local authorities were engaging with the fleet community.
While the results from the second year of the index, published in March 2024, showed improvements, there are still significant gaps. “Over 60% of local authorities are not engaging with fleet operators,” Bowen noted. This is problematic because many fleets, such as rental companies, disabled users, and commercial vans, rely heavily on public charging infrastructure. “A misconception is that a lot of vans go back to depots, but many don’t. They go home with the drivers at the end of the shift, and these drivers don’t have access to private driveways,” she explained.
BVRLA has been actively working with local authorities to address these gaps, urging them to develop strategies that cater to fleet needs. “Local authorities are having to decarbonise their own fleets. What can they learn from that process, and how can they engage with fleets to ensure charging infrastructure is suitable for all users?” Bowen asked, pointing to the need for collaboration.
Collaborating with energy providers
Private charging infrastructure at depots also presents a challenge, especially when it comes to securing grid connections. Fleet operators often lack experience in navigating the complex processes of working with distribution network operators (DNOs). To address this, BVRLA has been working closely with the Energy Networks Association to develop guidance for fleet operators, which Bowen hopes will be released later this year.
“Fleet operators are dealing with different DNOs across the country, each with their own processes. It’s really complicated,” Bowen said, emphasising the need for clear guidance to simplify this process for operators. This collaboration is part of a broader push by BVRLA to ensure that fleet operators have the necessary tools and resources to transition to EVs effectively.
Supporting the transition for vans
Beyond infrastructure, the cost of electric vans is another barrier to widespread adoption. Bowen noted that demand for electric vans has stalled, due in part to concerns about charging infrastructure but also the total cost of ownership. “The cost of public charging has increased by 10% from April 2023 to April 2024,” she said, adding that fleet operators are finding it difficult to make the economics of electric vans work, especially when factoring in charging costs.
BVRLA is advocating for the continuation of government support, such as the Plug-in Van Grant, to help with the cost of the vehicle, which is due to end in March 2025. “We need support to help fleet operators with the cost of infrastructure at depots and ongoing charging costs,” Bowen stressed, adding that without continued government incentives, the transition to electric vans could falter.
Future prospects for fleet electrification
Looking ahead, Bowen sees a bright future for the vehicle rental, leasing, and fleet management sectors, but stresses that the fleet sector cannot drive electrification alone. “We’ve seen huge growth in people opting for company cars and salary sacrifice schemes, and I think that will continue, provided we have foresight on benefit-in-kind taxation rates,” she said. However, she also noted that a shift in consumer behaviour will be critical to achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Bowen believes that vehicle rental has a fundamental role to play in encouraging people to adopt different behaviours, such as using rental cars for occasional needs rather than owning a private vehicle. “Rental is often overlooked in the conversation about transport decarbonisation,” she said, pointing to the role that rental vehicles played during the pandemic, helping key workers travel when public transport wasn’t an option.
As the UK looks to meet its ambitious 2030 and 2035 decarbonisation targets, Bowen sees a growing role for BVRLA in supporting the transition to electric vehicles. “It’s not just about replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric ones,” she said, “but about thinking differently about how we use vehicles and how we plan our infrastructure.”
Bowen remains optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead. Fleet electrification, while leading the way, requires ongoing collaboration between local authorities, energy providers, the government, and the fleet sector itself to ensure a seamless and sustainable transition.
Catherine Bowen will be presenting 'How to make charging fit for fleet' at the UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium (12:10 - 12:30, 4 November). CLICK HERE to book your delegate pass!
The role of fleets in electrification
Bowen highlighted the vital role that fleet operators play in leading the transition to electric vehicles. “Our members purchase over 50% of all the vehicles registered in the UK each year. The latest SMMT statistics show that fleets are really leading the transition to electric vehicles,” she explained. As fleet operators increasingly adopt EVs through schemes such as salary sacrifice, they are setting the pace for the wider industry. However, Bowen was quick to emphasise that despite this leadership role, significant challenges remain.
Addressing infrastructure challenges
Infrastructure, Bowen noted, is the most pressing issue facing many fleet operators. Although the rollout of charging infrastructure has improved in recent years, with better reliability and coverage, there are still significant gaps—particularly for van fleets. “Meeting different use case needs is a struggle,” Bowen remarked. “A lot of the charging has been put in place to support cars, but not always with vans in mind.”
She pointed to specific issues such as the size of charging bays, cable lengths, and access restrictions in multi-storey car parks, which can hinder van operators from charging their vehicles. “There are height restrictions, lack of ability to book charging, and limitations on roaming across networks,” she added, citing BVRLA’s annual Road to Zero report card, which tracks progress on EV infrastructure, as well as supply and demand.
Despite these infrastructure challenges, Bowen praised recent government efforts to improve the reliability of charge points, such as requiring contactless payments and ensuring 24/7 customer support. “These measures are fantastic in terms of improving reliability,” she said, but stressed that the unique needs of fleets, particularly vans, need more focus.
Engaging local authorities
A major area of BVRLA’s work involves engaging with local authorities to ensure they consider the needs of fleet operators when planning charging infrastructure. In 2022, BVRLA launched a Fleet Charging Guide to provide insights into the types of charging infrastructure different users would require. Building on this, they commissioned a Fleet Friendly Charging Index to assess how well local authorities were engaging with the fleet community.
While the results from the second year of the index, published in March 2024, showed improvements, there are still significant gaps. “Over 60% of local authorities are not engaging with fleet operators,” Bowen noted. This is problematic because many fleets, such as rental companies, disabled users, and commercial vans, rely heavily on public charging infrastructure. “A misconception is that a lot of vans go back to depots, but many don’t. They go home with the drivers at the end of the shift, and these drivers don’t have access to private driveways,” she explained.
BVRLA has been actively working with local authorities to address these gaps, urging them to develop strategies that cater to fleet needs. “Local authorities are having to decarbonise their own fleets. What can they learn from that process, and how can they engage with fleets to ensure charging infrastructure is suitable for all users?” Bowen asked, pointing to the need for collaboration.
Collaborating with energy providers
Private charging infrastructure at depots also presents a challenge, especially when it comes to securing grid connections. Fleet operators often lack experience in navigating the complex processes of working with distribution network operators (DNOs). To address this, BVRLA has been working closely with the Energy Networks Association to develop guidance for fleet operators, which Bowen hopes will be released later this year.
“Fleet operators are dealing with different DNOs across the country, each with their own processes. It’s really complicated,” Bowen said, emphasising the need for clear guidance to simplify this process for operators. This collaboration is part of a broader push by BVRLA to ensure that fleet operators have the necessary tools and resources to transition to EVs effectively.
Supporting the transition for vans
Beyond infrastructure, the cost of electric vans is another barrier to widespread adoption. Bowen noted that demand for electric vans has stalled, due in part to concerns about charging infrastructure but also the total cost of ownership. “The cost of public charging has increased by 10% from April 2023 to April 2024,” she said, adding that fleet operators are finding it difficult to make the economics of electric vans work, especially when factoring in charging costs.
BVRLA is advocating for the continuation of government support, such as the Plug-in Van Grant, to help with the cost of the vehicle, which is due to end in March 2025. “We need support to help fleet operators with the cost of infrastructure at depots and ongoing charging costs,” Bowen stressed, adding that without continued government incentives, the transition to electric vans could falter.
Future prospects for fleet electrification
Looking ahead, Bowen sees a bright future for the vehicle rental, leasing, and fleet management sectors, but stresses that the fleet sector cannot drive electrification alone. “We’ve seen huge growth in people opting for company cars and salary sacrifice schemes, and I think that will continue, provided we have foresight on benefit-in-kind taxation rates,” she said. However, she also noted that a shift in consumer behaviour will be critical to achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Bowen believes that vehicle rental has a fundamental role to play in encouraging people to adopt different behaviours, such as using rental cars for occasional needs rather than owning a private vehicle. “Rental is often overlooked in the conversation about transport decarbonisation,” she said, pointing to the role that rental vehicles played during the pandemic, helping key workers travel when public transport wasn’t an option.
As the UK looks to meet its ambitious 2030 and 2035 decarbonisation targets, Bowen sees a growing role for BVRLA in supporting the transition to electric vehicles. “It’s not just about replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric ones,” she said, “but about thinking differently about how we use vehicles and how we plan our infrastructure.”
Bowen remains optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead. Fleet electrification, while leading the way, requires ongoing collaboration between local authorities, energy providers, the government, and the fleet sector itself to ensure a seamless and sustainable transition.
Catherine Bowen will be presenting 'How to make charging fit for fleet' at the UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium (12:10 - 12:30, 4 November). CLICK HERE to book your delegate pass!