UK City Fleets Show Stark Divide in EV Adoption Rates

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

As we strive towards a greener future, a recent report from Geotab has unveiled a concerning divide in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across various local government bodies in major UK cities. This crucial data, derived from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to seven city councils and Transport for London (TfL), sheds light on the disparities in the percentage of electric vehicles within local authority fleets.

Among the eight cities surveyed, Bristol stands out as a leader in electric vehicle uptake, with an impressive 44.5% of its fleet consisting of EVs. Liverpool closely follows with a commendable 43.3%. Other cities, such as Leeds (27.8%), Manchester (26.8%), and Glasgow (25.8%), show varying degrees of commitment to electrification. However, the stark contrast presented by Transport for London is noteworthy, revealing that only 3.2% of its fleet of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and vans are electric. This raises questions about the overall progression towards sustainable transport across the UK.

Electric Vehicle Statistics: A Closer Look

The detailed breakdown of electric vehicle adoption within the surveyed cities is as follows:

Interestingly, Geotab’s analysis pointed out that none of the city councils reported using fuel-cell electric vehicles in their fleets, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles constituted less than 1% of all city fleets. Liverpool, however, demonstrated the highest uptake of hybrid electric vehicles, boasting a significant 29.5%, followed by Bristol with 20%.

The Implications of Uneven Progress

Released to coincide with World EV Day 2025, these findings paint a fragmented picture of local authority fleet decarbonisation. While certain cities are making commendable strides towards electrification, others are lagging behind, despite the impending 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vans in the UK. This uneven progression raises concerns about the potential creation of an electrification divide, which could adversely impact climate targets, air quality, and the delivery of essential public services.

Aaron Jarvis, Associate Vice President for Geotab EMEA, emphasised the challenges faced by city councils in electrifying their fleets. He stated, “Electrifying fleets at scale can be a difficult challenge, especially for city councils that will need to ensure they have the necessary charging infrastructure in place to support these vehicles. Progress across the board is uneven, and many fleets will risk falling short of the targets needed to decarbonise urban city transport.” Nevertheless, he pointed out the positive aspect of early movers setting a benchmark for what’s achievable in the transition to net zero.

Bridging the Gap: Operational and Financial Benefits

Geotab’s report also highlighted that the divide in EV adoption goes beyond mere differences in decarbonisation speeds; it signifies a substantial gap in both operational and financial efficiency. For many fleets, the transition to electric vehicles represents a dual benefit for businesses and the environment. A 2024 study conducted by Geotab, entitled “Taking Charge – On the Road to the EV Future,” analysed data from over 1.3 million vehicles and found that switching from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles could potentially save an average of over £10,000 per vehicle over a projected seven-year lifespan.

The research derived from the FOI requests indicates that some fleets may not only be falling short of their climate goals by postponing the transition but could also be missing out on significant financial advantages.

The Role of Telematics in the Transition

Furthermore, Geotab underscored the importance of leveraging telematics, route optimisation, and predictive maintenance during the EV transition for large city fleets, especially those tasked with last-mile logistics and essential public services. Scaling up to 100% EV adoption poses considerable operational challenges, yet fleets need not complete the switch all at once to begin reaping the benefits. With the increasing adoption of telematics, real-time data and analytics can be harnessed to identify the most suitable routes and duty cycles to electrify first.

Even a gradual move towards electrification can yield notable benefits, such as reduced vehicle downtime and emissions in areas grappling with significant air quality challenges, as well as lowered operating costs and enhanced planning for charging infrastructure that aligns with operational needs.

Optimising Fleet Management

Aaron Jarvis further remarked, “We’re seeing more fleets adopt data-driven fleet management, which is an encouraging sign that operators are placing high priority on the transition to net zero. Tools like fleet telematics can make a difference in optimising route planning, performance monitoring, and reducing unnecessary emissions from activities such as idling.” He stressed that the focus should not be solely on achieving 100% EV adoption overnight but rather on taking pragmatic, data-driven steps. This includes identifying which vehicles to electrify first, optimising routes, and cutting down unnecessary emissions. By combining these insights with a firm commitment to electrification, councils can expedite their progress while facilitating the last-mile transition in densely populated urban areas.

In conclusion, while the data reveals significant discrepancies in electric vehicle adoption across UK cities, it also offers a roadmap for improvement. By embracing innovative technologies and implementing strategic measures, local authorities can not only meet their climate goals but also enhance operational efficiency and deliver better services to their communities. The road to net zero may be long, but with determination and collaboration, we can bridge the electrification divide and create a sustainable future.

*Please note that Birmingham City Council was unable to provide the requested information for its fleet of vehicles.