Voice of the customer

What's the biggest challenge you face with transitioning the LCVs in your fleet to electric?

Charging infrastructure anxiety

Overall, attendees felt there was a shift in concerns. They now worry more about charging infrastructure than about battery range. This anxiety seems to be one of the biggest challenges for LCVs transitioning to electric.

The UK is expanding its charging infrastructure with more rapid-charging hubs for commercial fleets. Despite this, there are still challenges for electric Light Commercial Vehicle (eLCVs) drivers finding suitable chargers. They need to consider vehicle height, overall size, and cable length.

Moving public network pricing goalposts

On the public network, attendees said they’ve seen pricing vary wildly between charging points. Up to 30% of their vans have to be charged at peak time on some of the most expensive charging points. This almost negates the cost savings from overnight home charging.

Many people felt this area needed more regulation to stabilise costs. Lex Autolease will take this forward for our customers in industry groups and forums.

Abigail Krumins said, “VAT is one of the things that we've been talking to the government about for a while”. Lex Autolease believes removing VAT from public charging points could help ease some charging cost challenges. 

Fleet Managers now have more control over charging finances and logistics through data. We'll work with you and your providers to give a complete view of all your charging points and driver behaviours. This approach helps us find untapped potential in charging. We'll also recommend where new chargers could give the best cost or benefit. Also, we'll help identify the best time and place for an eLCV to charge.

Participants also mentioned that splitting profits helps them overcome cost challenges. This approach incentivises drivers to charge at cheaper times or locations. Using apps, you can track and separate charging expenses, allowing for more accurate reimbursement.

If you don't use the full charge of your chargers each day, consider renting them out. This can help you earn extra revenue. For example, if you always charge during the day, someone else could use your chargers at night. Again, data can reveal where opportunities lie.

Battery range still catching some drivers short

Fleet Managers said that the capability of eLCV batteries is still putting off some drivers transitioning to electric, as pausing to charge does not always fit within their work schedule. For example, they mentioned that, at the end of a long week away from home, drivers typically don’t want to stop to charge for 45 minutes.

Lex Autolease feels that education to support new eLCV drivers and their behaviours could make a large difference to help maximise available battery range and boost driver confidence. For example, drivers who often make longer journeys should charge during natural breaks. This approach prevents unnecessary charging stops. Additionally, using mechanisms, such as regenerative braking extends the distance you travel on a single charge.¹

The home charging challenge

Home charging is often more financially practical and can be done overnight when the cheapest tariffs are available. However, this solution doesn't have easy answers for everyone yet. Someone raised a crucial question: what if drivers park their LCVs at home but can’t or won't have a charger installed at their house?

New innovations include kerbside, lamppost and pop-up chargers. However, the aesthetics of installing a large over or under-the-pavement charger could be a concern.  Fleet Managers also mentioned that as there is often high staff turnover, so the number of charges installed needs to be carefully monitored. 

While innovations catch up with the flexibility that fleets need, Lex Autolease is here to help. We use our experience and expertise to provide a consultative approach. We aim to find the best solution for your unique challenges. 

How else could Lex Autolease support commercial fleets?

The data opportunity

Throughout the forum, Paul Hyne referenced how important data would be in future proofing LCV fleets. Lex Autolease can help you make the most of data from your own fleets or fleets within the same sector. This support optimises battery range, costs and more. 

We want to support fleets through government-run education campaigns. Greater openness about data allows for more sharing. This way, we can all benefit from deeper insights as a group.

Talking to government

Lex Autolease, as part of Lloyds Banking Group, is actively working with ministers and MPs and participating in round tables on key policy issues such as infrastructure changes. Where invited, we would also encourage our customers and partners to engage in these type of discussions and advocate for positive change.

Facing the future, together

To conclude, Abigail Krumins echoed the forum's focus on collaboration and reinforced how “sharing challenges you've overcome can help everyone today for the future”. As Paul Hyne explained, “there is no silver bullet” when it comes to LCV transition challenges, but Lex Autolease is here to listen and work together with the right partners, to help you take charge of change and future proof your fleet.

1. Fleet range considerations, Lex Autolease 2025
2. Are electric cars heavier than petrol cars?, Motorway Online Ltd