Commentary by Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President EMEA at Geotab
As news breaks that the EU is proposing to dial back its 2035 combustion ban to a “90% target,” the ripples are inevitably being felt here in the UK. With our own 2030 ZEV (zero emission vehicle) mandate already posing a tighter timeline than our European neighbours, it is tempting for British businesses to look across the Channel and wonder: “Will the UK follow suit? Should we hit the brakes?”
That hesitation is understandable, but it is also a financial risk.
While political debates regarding the EU’s proposed “reset” dominate the headlines, the operational reality for UK fleets remains unchanged. The argument for electrification in the UK isn’t just about complying with the ZEV mandate – it is about securing a competitive advantage in a global market that is undeniably moving toward net zero.
Pragmatic Sustainability Wins, Regardless of Policy
At Geotab, we champion Pragmatic Sustainability. This approach prioritises data over political sentiment. Whether the regulatory horizon is 2030, 2035, or subject to change, the inefficiencies in our current fleets – excessive idling, poor routing, and relying on the wrong fuel for the job – are hitting UK balance sheets today.
We see this clearly in our UK customer data. By correcting wasteful habits and electrifying the right routes, fleets are saving tens of thousands in monthly operating costs. These aren’t just compliance exercises to satisfy Whitehall; they are efficiency wins that protect margins.
The Danger of “Policy Whiplash”
The UK automotive sector has been clear: stability breeds investment. We have seen major commitments to UK EV manufacturing – from Sunderland to Ellesmere Port – predicated on a clear path to electrification.
For fleet managers, the risk of “policy whiplash” is real. If you pause your transition hoping for a U-turn that may never come, you are effectively choosing to run a more expensive, carbon-heavy fleet than your competitors.
Furthermore, in a landscape defined by the ZEV mandate, data isn’t just about efficiency – it is your ledger for compliance. Accurate telematics are the only way to effectively manage ZEV credit risks and avoid penalties while Europe debates its timeline. Managing a fleet that splits capital between EVs, hybrids, and combustion engines eliminates the room for guesswork. It requires precise data to know which vehicle belongs on which route. While sticking to an all-combustion fleet might seem simpler, that simplicity comes with a heavy premium in fuel and maintenance costs. You cannot afford to keep a diesel van on a route where an EV would slash your emissions and total cost of ownership.
The Data Doesn’t Lie
Our analysis shows just how ready the UK market is as 84% of light-duty fleet vehicles in the UK operate within the daily range of modern EVs. This effectively de-risks the operational transition for the vast majority of your fleet. But it isn’t just about range; it’s about profit. The data also reveals that two-thirds (66%) of UK fleet vehicles are economically suitable for electrification today – meaning they would cost less to own and operate as EVs than as petrol or diesel equivalents over their lifespan. These figures hold true regardless of what politicians decide in Westminster.
The focus should not be on the 10% or 20% of vehicles that might need combustion engines for longer; it should be on the 66% that are effectively burning cash by not being electric.
Stability in a Volatile World
The noise from Europe creates a vacuum of uncertainty. But UK fleets cannot afford to swing their strategy with every pendulum shift.
Trust Your Own Data: Use your vehicle data and telematics platforms to identify which vehicles in your fleet are ready to switch today, based on real-world driving patterns.
Ignore the “Wait and See” Trap: Tackling fuel burn and idling now funds your future transition.
Stay the Course: The companies that will thrive in the UK’s 2030 landscape are those that continue to use data to drive out inefficiency, regardless of the political winds blowing across the continent.
While the EU navigates ambiguity, the UK’s path is set by the ZEV mandate. Data analysis is the most effective tool to manage the dual risks of compliance and cost. The fleets that win will be the ones that optimise their transition today, rather than gambling on a policy U-turn tomorrow. The destination remains the same. The only question is whether you arrive there efficiently, or scramble to catch up later.
This article was originally published by Geotab.
