Automotive Business Magazine – Q2 2026 – Digital edition - Magazine - Page 52
OPI N I O N
FLEET
Electrifying? Gain the
T
he fleets succeeding with
electrification aren't just
switching the vehicles they
operate. They are treating
charging infrastructure as a
strategic energy investment
– one that reduces costs,
generates revenue, and builds
resilience against policy
uncertainty. That approach gives them
operational advantages that competitors
will struggle to match.
Last year, UK businesses registered
more than 1.19 million fleet vehicles,
accordingly to the Society of Motor
Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Fleets accounted for nearly three-fifths
(59%) of all new registrations.
As adoption accelerates across the
UK fleet sector, the question is no longer
whether to electrify, but how to do it
profitably. Early movers are discovering
that the competitive edge comes less
from the vehicles themselves, and more
from how they plan, build and manage
the energy systems that power them.
Planning timelines create advantage
One of the earliest differentiators for
fleet-operating businesses in building
and executing an electrification strategy
is the ability to source specialist
installation expertise.
Demand for experienced EV charge
point installers continues to outpace
supply. A recent report from City & Guilds
found that nearly 65% of employers
struggle to find qualified electricians for
charging projects.
Businesses that begin engagement
12 to 18 months ahead secure access
to the limited pool of skilled installers,
avoid project bottlenecks, and have
time to phase work strategically. This is
also where in-house capability becomes
valuable. At Drax, we provide a dedicated
installation resource through our inhouse team, BMM Energy Solutions – one
of the UK’s leading EV charge-point
installers – that helps organisations
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AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS
Q2 2026
progress with confidence rather than
waiting in line.
Grid connections follow similar
patterns. Distribution Network Operators
(DNOs) can take months to process
applications and schedule connections.
The Government's December 2024 review
acknowledged these challenges and
committed to streamlining processes, but
capacity pressures remain.
Businesses that engage DNOs early,
design for future capacity, and map
timelines into financial planning can
avoid costly delays. Those planning their
infrastructure five to 10 years ahead
can significantly reduce total costs,
compared to reactive projects forced to
retrofit later.
This is where early movers quietly
secure an advantage: they lock in
resource, reduce risk, and build scalable
infrastructure while competitors are still
scoping options.
Infrastructure setup
A successful electrification programme
depends on having the right blend of
workplace, home and public charging.
Establishing this mix early ensures
reliability, keeps vehicles moving, and
prevents infrastructure from becoming
an operational constraint.
Public charging continues to improve,
with nearly 88,000 charge points
across 45,000-plus locations – a 19%
year-on-year increase. Ultra-rapid
chargers (150kW+) grew by 41%, giving
fleet drivers faster, more dependable
options for longer journeys. Reliability is
also improving. Drax’s own Freedom of
Information (FOI) research shows 67% of
councils now meet full compliance with
Public Charge Point Regulations, up from
47% last year.
For workplace-based operations,
reliability is built through understanding
dwell times, energy demand, and
operational rhythms, and then designing
infrastructure that supports, rather than
restricts, fleet activity.
