Ogilvie Fleet is outpacing the curve on electric vehicle take-up due to rapid adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs) among its customers.

The number of fully electric vehicles on the Ogilvie Fleet has risen 219% year-on-year

The leasing specialist has revealed an impressive 219% year-on-year increase in the number of BEV cars on its total fleet, compared to the SMMT industry average of 14% for new car registrations.

Meanwhile, PHEV cars have increased by 103% during the same period compared to a 6.3% rise in the overall new car market.

Specific figures for new orders further reveal that the push towards greener transportation by Ogilvie Fleet for its drivers has taken effect. A total of 45% of all car orders taken for the year ahead are for pure EVs. With plug-in hybrids included, this rises to 78% of all vehicles being BEV or PHEV.

Within the light commercial vehicle sector of its fleet, there has been a year-on-year increase in electric LCVs, with the share of orders at 6% compared to the UK average of just 5%.

Nick Hardy, sales and marketing director, commented: “Ogilvie was an early adopter of EVs and has been a tireless advocate of EV motoring for our customers, and the increase shows that our approach has been effective.”

Work by Ogilvie to help businesses electrify their fleets ahead of 2030 includes the set-up of an internal ‘Green Fleet Taskforce’ in 2020, discussing changes and developments within the EV landscape and ensuring that all staff are well informed about the future of electrified fleets.

The company also offers its EV Database, delivering free, up-to-date information on every single EV currently on sale or due for launch in the UK.

“In providing our customers with independent, brand-agnostic advice on EV motoring, we have ensured that rather than being a daunting prospect, the switch to an EV can be beneficial not just for the environment, but for drivers too,” added Hardy.

“With average EV ranges and public charging infrastructure improving every year, we know that EVs are often more than suitable for most drivers, even if they don’t have access to home-charging. Thanks to low tax rates for EVs, alongside the cost per mile of EVs versus petrol or diesel vehicles, our drivers are finding that going electric is not just kind to the environment, but the finances too,” he concluded.