Carbon reduction is now the main reason for LCV fleets to shift from diesel to electric, according to Northgate’s latest customer research.

Half of the fleets at Northgate’s Reading roadshow gave carbon reduction as their main reason for reducing emissions

More than 50 fleets that attended Northgate’s Reading Drive to Zero two-day EV roadshow shared views on their electrification journey – and 50% gave carbon reduction as their main reason for reducing emissions.

That’s more than double the 22% that said they were motivated by the potential cost savings of moving from diesel to electric. A further 22% said their electrification journey was all about fulfilling customer requirements.

Just over one in five (21.2%) of fleets said they were already on their move to zero emissions, while two-thirds (63.6%) said they were just starting out on their journey. Only 3% said they were not feeling any pressure to move away from diesel, while 9.0% admitted to not having given any consideration to starting their electrification journey.

Despite a positive approach to going electric, fleets remain concerned at the cost and implementation of the transition process. Just over one-third (36.3%) said cost was a major concern while a further third (33.3%) said implementing the change was set to be their biggest challenge.

Meanwhile, 15.1% of fleets said they were concerned at both charging and vehicle choice in equal measure, especially when looking to replace diesel LCVs directly with equivalent EVs.

Northgate is using its EV roadshows to help and support fleets’ electrification journeys – and the findings will help further shape future focuses.

“These roadshows are extremely useful as they are giving us real-time feedback from different types and sizes of fleet during their move to electric. It enables my team to understand the type of help and support they need,” explained Melanie Creedy, Northgate’s EV business development manager.

“Everybody’s journey is different, but whatever stage they are at, cost and implementation consistently keep coming up as their main challenge,” she added.

These latest trends from Reading add to the survey results from 70 fleets that attended Northgate’s EV roadshows held in Cannock, Snodland and Darlington earlier in 2023 where cost, implementation and charging infrastructure were the top three concerns.

Operators at the Reading roadshow were given full access to Northgate’s EV consultancy team, including Charged EV who provide expertise on planning workplace and employee home charging.

Attendees were also able to trial a dozen vans and chassis cabs, while an EAV electric cargo bike was also on hand, showcasing alternatives to vans for last-mile deliveries in major cities.

The roadshows have been so popular that Northgate is now running events in Bolton and Bristol this year, with more locations to follow in 2024.