The association says that rental and leasing companies already operate the biggest volume of low-emission vehicles on UK roads, but has highlighted how the Energy Saving Trust’s new Plugged-in-Fleets Initiative (PIFI) has shown that businesses switching to electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles could reduce their fleet fuel costs by 75%.

The BVRLA recently held a joint workshop with the Energy Saving Trust to brief members on the results of initiative, which gave 20 UK fleets a cost-benefit analysis of whether electric vehicles could work for them.

‘We welcome the publication of the first PIFI report, which has been produced by the EST’s fleet industry experts and provides the most robust guide yet to real-world plug-in vehicle running costs,’ said BVRLA chief executive John Lewis.

‘It is really encouraging to hear that, even with high list prices, residual value uncertainty and a lack of long-term user incentives, it is still possible to make a business case for running plug-in vehicles, in the right circumstances.’

The EST has now been awarded government funding to undertake a further 100 PIFI audits.

Caroline Watson, knowledge manager at the Energy Saving Trust, said: ‘We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with 100 additional fleets to help them identify their own business benefit for adopting plug in vehicles. Support from BVRLA enables us to reach a wide range of lease companies and their clients who will be vital in the fleet market’s transition to electrification.’ 

Meanwhile, the BVRLA is continuing to support the work of another environmental advisory group – the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership – which celebrated its 10th anniversary last week.

‘Over the past ten years the LowCVP has set a clear vision for the future of low-carbon road transport, championing best practice and providing an objective view amidst all the eco-hype and greenwash,’ said Lewis.

‘It has played a vital leadership and enabling role and must take much of the credit for the remarkable progress that has been made over the last decade.’