Arval Mobility Observatory released findings showing that EV charging availability – both at home and in public spaces – represents the primary barrier to electric vehicle adoption across UK car fleets.
The automotive research firm’s latest barometer revealed that 41% of UK fleets cited insufficient public charging points as a major constraint. Additionally, 39% reported employees lack charging access at home, while 25% identified missing chargers at company offices.
John Peters, UK head of the Arval Mobility Observatory, emphasized the scope of the charging challenge.
“In our findings, 70% of companies mention at least one challenge related to charging points, so this is clearly a widespread issue.”
Peters noted that employers can address some charging gaps directly. Companies could install chargers at offices or support employees with off-road parking who want home charging installations.
However, significant obstacles remain beyond corporate control.
“While the public charging infrastructure is growing, it remains patchy in places, and where employees live in terraced housing or apartments, installation of on-street charging is very limited although that situation is starting to improve.”
The charging landscape has shown measurable improvement recently. Zapmap data indicates the UK now has over 82,000 fast-charging EV points – with more than 8,000 installed since January alone.
Vauxhall is actively expanding on-street charging through its Electric Streets of Britain campaign. The initiative targets the 40% of UK households without EV home charging access by providing local councils with driver data to support on-street charger rollouts.
Range Anxiety Declining Among Fleet Operators
The Arval study found that range concerns have dropped significantly among fleet managers. Less than one in five fleets now consider range a major issue – marking a dramatic shift from previous years.
“It’s interesting that fewer than one in five fleets mention range as an issue. Just a few short years ago, we’re confident that this would’ve been a major concert, but it appears that the 250-350 mile range typically found on fleet electric cars is sufficient for most needs.”
These findings align with recent research from charge point operator Jolt. Their data shows almost 90% of drivers who switched from petrol or diesel to electric no longer worry about range limitations.
The charging experience itself is evolving beyond basic necessity. 70% of UK EV drivers now incorporate charging sessions into leisure activities – suggesting the infrastructure is becoming more integrated into daily routines rather than remaining a source of anxiety.
