Commercial vehicle rental company Dawsongroup Vans has launched a new white paper investigating how charging infrastructure is slowing the rate of electric vehicle adoption across the UK’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) sector.
Charging Ahead: What’s Really Holding Back LCV EV Adoption is based on data from Dawsongroup‘s EV Readiness Survey of fleet operators across the UK, and uncovers a disconnect between perceived readiness and actual implementation.
It found that while 53% of respondents believe their premises are suitable for EV charging infrastructure, only 27% have actually installed chargers on site, and that 47% remain either unsure of their suitability or consider their premises unsuitable altogether.
The report also identified driving range as the most important factor in EV selection for fleet managers (42%). For micro fleets running between one and 10 vehicles, a single van falling short on range can cause major disruption to a day’s operations.
“For smaller fleets, every vehicle is a workhorse. If one can’t deliver the expected range, it disrupts the entire operation,” said Sarah Gray, head of ZEV strategy and development at Dawsongroup Vans.
Charging speed is also highlighted as a day-to-day challenge. Unlike private EVs, commercial vans run to tight schedules where slow charging translates directly into lost productivity. The white paper maintains that faster charging infrastructure is key to keeping vehicles on the road, with drivers able to top up during breaks rather than waiting for a full charge.
The findings show that 59% of drivers take their vehicles home overnight, which can create challenges around charging consistency and cost control.
“When vehicles are dispersed overnight, businesses lose control over charging consistency and cost management. It becomes harder to monitor energy usage and ensure vehicles are ready for the next day,” said Gray.
Despite 41% of fleets parking vehicles at their business premises overnight, on-site charging adoption remains surprisingly low. The white paper suggests that many businesses underestimate what installation involves.
“Many businesses underestimate the complexity of installation,” said Simon Ridley, managing director at Dawsongroup Vans. “From assessing electrical capacity to managing costs and planning for future scalability. It’s not just about buying chargers; it’s about integrating them into the business model.”
The white paper recommends a practical, phased approach, starting with temporary or mobile charging solutions, carrying out site assessments to understand power availability, and building an infrastructure that can grow with the fleet.
Dawsongroup Vans encourages businesses to combine real world vehicle trials and telematics to test EV performance against actual route demands, rather than just relying on manufacturer figures.
Related news, Austrian Post begins trial to transform electric fleet into power storage devices
