The switch to electric vehicles is putting an end to badge snobbery as fleet drivers prioritise vehicle availability and price, rather than make.

A third of business drivers wanting to go electric said they’d be happy to buy or lease from a new brand if it allowed them to make the switch

Published for World EV Day, a new study by ALD Automotive | LeasePlan UK found almost two-thirds (62%) of business drivers said they wanted to drive an electric car, compared to 38% of the wider population.

Of these, a third (32%) said they’d be happy to buy or lease from an automotive brand they hadn’t heard of if it allowed them to make the switch.

Interestingly, the firm’s analysis of 2,000 UK drivers (513 of whom drive for work) also found that almost nine in 10 (86%) drivers say they do not consider brand to be a main priority when choosing a vehicle. That’s in direct contrast to established trends and shows how the market is diversifying.

Instead, the study showed price or value for money was the priority characteristic for fleet drivers (36%). This was closely followed by reliability (33%) and fuel efficiency (31%).

Alfonso Martinez, UK managing director of ALD Automotive | LeasePlan UK, said: “Demand for electric vehicles among fleet drivers is at an all-time high, and most of them aren’t picky about which model it is as long as it allows them to make the switch.

“This is good news for fleet managers. With a growing public charging network and large incentives in place, it’s never been easier – or more desirable – to bring zero-emission vehicles into your fleet. And by adopting an open mind to brands and procurement, they can help their business to shore up a supply of vehicles while production capacity is constrained.”

Among business drivers who want to drive an electric car, reducing air pollution was the most common selling point, cited by almost half (45%) of respondents.

A total of 42% said that electric vehicles are the future of driving, while 40% said quiet driving was a reason to switch. Modern and up-to-date technology was another leading factor, cited by 24% of drivers.

Elsewhere, the research found that fleet drivers tend to be more particular about their car than regular drivers. The majority (70%) said they wanted specific features, compared to less than half (48%) of other respondents.

Parking sensors and cameras were top of the list, selected by just over half of respondents (53%), followed by satellite navigation (41%) and models with heated seats or steering wheels (36%).

Almost half of business car drivers (47%) are considering SUVs, while 31% said they would like to drive a hatchback and 22% are wanted a saloon.

Martinez continued: “Drivers are now more open-minded when it comes to their vehicle, particularly if it offers them the things that are most important to them, namely good value for money and the latest in-car technology.

“This is especially true when it comes to electric vehicles, where new and exciting brands are challenging conventional norms and bringing innovative solutions to UK drivers.”

ALD Automotive | LeasePlan is working to support fleets with the switch to EVs by offering a range of online tools, available to use free of charge. Its EV readiness tool can determine if organisations can start to go electrics, and what preparations need to be made to facilitate the transition.

It also offers a Driver EV assessment tool, which provides a bespoke summary of how compatible individual drivers are to EVs based on their driver profile.

There is also a specific Commercial Vehicle tool to assess suitability, and an EV charge cost calculator which allows drivers and fleet managers to work out how much their EV will cost to run based on the model and range.