The recent change in the deadline for the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles shouldn’t dampen fleet ambitions to cut their own carbon. It’s crucial that focus remains on reducing emissions. If the UK is to reach its 2050 net zero emissions target, it cannot afford to slow down transitioning to low and zero emission vehicles. Transport accounts for a significant proportion of global CO2 emissions, so changes made to business mobility can have a real impact.
Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles have been steadily increasing in recent years, as the market readied itself for the 2030 deadline. The key is to ensure this enthusiasm doesn’t wane. Right now, businesses need to understand the benefits brought by low and zero emissions vehicles, rather than put the brakes on their carbon reduction plans. Reducing emissions, whether by driving newer and more efficient petrol and diesel vehicles or by switching to hybrid and electric alternatives, will make a difference to our environment and air quality; it will also cut fuel costs and vehicle downtime for repair.
Taking a ‘discovery’ approach
The big issue is that the entry cost for EVs is still comparatively high. Combined with continued supply chain challenges, this is making it hard for many businesses to switch to an entirely electric or even hybrid fleet. There’s also a need to win over the hearts and minds of drivers.
Europcar is committed to helping company drivers to find the right zero or low emissions vehicles for their specific needs. For some that will mean battery electric; for others it will be a mixture of electric, hybrid and younger more efficient petrol and diesel vehicles. And we are providing a real-world experience to allow business drivers to ‘try before they switch’. With a growing choice of electric cars of almost every size, shape and spec, it’s a mobility solution that means vehicle ownership could be replaced by zero emission vehicle usership. It’s a win-win for the environment.
Flexible vehicle usage – from daily to weekly, monthly and longer, available to be delivered to any UK postcode from more than 100 locations helps motorists and businesses experience EV in real-world conditions. For many organisations now in a transition period learning how EV works for their operations, Europcar’s electric vehicle rental solutions help them understand the impact of low and zero emissions mobility in a practical, accessible and cost-efficient way.
The Europcar digital EV Guide, including access to the Zapmap charger map, makes the transition to electric as stress-free as possible. And with support from electric vehicle ambassadors at handover, Europcar’s goal is to help drivers rapidly gain confidence in zero emissions.
To find out more about zero and low emission solutions from Europcar visit https://www.europcar.co.uk/en-gb/p/business/fleet-services/electric
