Recent reports have shown a significant increase in the use of public electric vehicle chargers by businesses.
- Allstar’s latest data reveals a striking 264% surge in public charging by business customers compared to last year.
- Corporate fleets are increasingly adopting electric vehicles, using more public and home charging solutions.
- The cost of home charging remains stable, yet many businesses still lag in utilising this option.
- There is a noted increase in the cost of public charging, but businesses opt for premium services to reduce downtime.
Allstar’s recent report indicates a substantial 264% increase in the use of public EV chargers by business customers in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. This surge underscores the growing trend amongst corporates to incorporate electrification within their fleet operations. Businesses are evidently leading this transition, making extensive use of both public and home charging facilities.
Corporate fleets are at the forefront of this electrification movement. With 36% of corporate drivers now carrying cards for public charging, there is a significant shift towards this green initiative. Moreover, 21% are also recharging their vehicles at home, which signifies a dual approach in managing energy resources efficiently.
Despite the evident advantages, smaller businesses are not capitalising on home charging facilities to the same extent, with the uptake being considerably lower. Indeed, only about 7-8% of small to medium enterprises participate in home charging, although the cost has remained stable at an average of 28p per kWh.
The cost of public charging has notably increased. The average price for road-side recharging has risen to 82p per kWh, reflecting a 12p hike from the previous quarter. This escalation is attributed to drivers opting for faster, premium charging services, which although costly, help minimise time spent recharging.
Interestingly, the report highlights the downward trend in petrol and diesel prices. As of early 2024, petrol prices have decreased by 7.26p and diesel by 6.1p, indicating a possible shift in energy dynamics. The price of Brent Crude oil has also been declining steadily, suggesting potential stability in fuel costs till 2025.
The increasing shift towards public EV charging by businesses marks a vital step in the electrification of corporate fleets.
