Increasing Trend of Electrifying Vehicle Fleets Across Europe
According to a report titled "Electrifying Fleets - Challenges, Opportunities and Considerations", published by the Editorial Board EVBoosters, the commercial vehicle sector in Europe is on the verge of a significant transformation. By 2030, it is predicted that there will be approximately 100 million commercial vehicles in Europe, with 50% being passenger cars.
The report highlights that the commercial fleet electric vehicle (EV) sector has experienced impressive growth, increasing by a factor of 11 from 2016 to 2022. In 2022, EVs represented 35% of new passenger car sales and 21% of bus sales. However, the adoption rate of electric vehicles in vans and trucks is low, with only 1% of new sales being EVs, due to high upfront costs, operational complexities, and limited availability of suitable commercial EVs.
Despite these challenges, 90% of fleet managers express confidence in electric vehicles as the future of commercial fleets. The report emphasizes the need for a concerted effort to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles to meet ambitious environmental targets.
The EU aims to achieve a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and a 30% reduction for trucks and buses by 2030. To meet these targets, approximately 42.8 million passenger cars, 4.4 million electric LCVs, and 0.3 million trucks and buses need to be electrified by the end of 2030.
In recent years, companies like Amazon (through its use of BrightDrop electric delivery vehicles by General Motors) and General Motors itself have made significant progress in electrifying fleets in Europe, investing heavily to reduce CO2 emissions in delivery transport. Additionally, European automakers such as Opel (part of Stellantis) are advancing by integrating locally produced batteries and focusing on sustainability in electric vehicle production.
The electrification of medium and heavy commercial vehicles is progressing slowly, with only 1% of new sales being electric. Electric vehicle penetration is particularly low in specific fleet segments, with only approximately 0.8% of LCVs and 0.1% of trucks being electric.
The report did not discuss the growth rate of the commercial fleet EV sector or the projection that by 2030, there will be approximately 100 million commercial vehicles in Europe, with 50% being passenger cars. Nevertheless, it underscores the significant challenges that remain in accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, particularly in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments.
Overall, electric vehicles account for approximately 1.4% of the total European commercial vehicle fleet. The report concludes that a collaborative approach involving governments, industry, and consumers is essential to overcome these challenges and realise the potential benefits of electrifying Europe's commercial fleets.
