The rapidly growing movement towards EVs ahead of the Government’s ban on internal combustion engines by 2030 has been reflected in Fleet Alliance’s order books which finished last year at record levels.

Andy Bruce, CEO at Fleet Alliance

So says CEO Andy Bruce after his first 100 days at the helm of the Glasgow-based leasing and fleet management specialist, as he reports that pure EVs and PHEVs together accounted for 52% of all new car orders over the last 12 months.

“It is very apparent that the switch to electric vehicles is accelerating with ever-increasing numbers of both corporate and retail buyers ordering EVs. We are seeing rapid growth in EV orders, especially in recent months, and expect this to continue throughout this year.

“In our corporate business, some 59% of new car orders last year were for EVs and PHEVs, with pure EVs accounting for 26% of the total, as more businesses moved down an electric route.

“Meanwhile, 29% of our personal orders were for EVs and PHEVs throughout 2021, and this trend accelerated towards the end of the year with the last month seeing 28% of all personal new car orders being for pure EVs alone – from just 7% last January.”

Andy Bruce added that there were a number of different factors at play.

“Aside from the obvious tax advantages to corporate customers, I strongly sense that companies are fully embracing EVs as part of their wider ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) agenda.

“Similarly, for retail customers, and this could well be influenced by the COP26 climate conference in November, there appears to be a growing desire to play their part in helping the planet on a personal level,” he commented.