Almost half of English councils unprepared for EV switch

Forty-six percent of local authorities in England have not set a target date for fleet vehicle electrification, according to a new report from transport solutions provider Geotab.

The report, Destination EV – Accelerating Local Authority EV Transition, analysed the extent to which English local authorities are prepared for the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) ahead of the UK’s 2030 ban on new diesel and petrol cars.

“The findings of this report demonstrate a worrying lack of investment by local authorities across England ahead of the switch to electric at the end of this decade,” said David Savage, VP, UK and Ireland, Geotab.

“Public sector fleet operators are in a position to lead this strategic shift by example, but they need the necessary investment, funding, and tools to support the transition to 100 percent electric.”

Nottingham City Council topped the list with just under 35 percent of its fleet electrified, followed by Leeds City Council with 22 percent.

Lack of knowledge

Out of 113 local authorities selected for the study, 98 responded in time for its publication.

The report highlighted a lack of knowledge, awareness and investment in both vehicles and infrastructure across the country, according to Geotab.

Local authority fleets typically include vehicles for parking or environmental wardens, maintenance, refuse collection, or social services, but the average electrification rate amongst the local authorities surveyed was 4.2 percent.

Other key findings included that 20 percent of local authorities have not added any EVs to their fleet and 54 percent have installed fewer than 50 charging outlets – including public, home and depot chargers. Just four councils’ fleets are made up of more than 20 percent EVs and 74 percent of councils are still operating fleets of more than 90 percent polluting vehicles.

Responding to the report, Cllr David Renard, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: “Councils want [the EV] transition to happen quickly, but there are many factors they need to take into account when doing so.

“This includes current contractual arrangements, continuing developments in technology and the fact that the market in specialist vehicles, such as waste collection lorries and gritters, is still developing.

“Councils will be mindful of ensuring taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and on local priorities first and like any other organisation, will consider new investments carefully.”

Ivan Radic (Flickr)