The UK fleet sector is entering one of the most significant periods of technological change in its history.
Electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, but recent figures suggest the industry still has some distance to travel…
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), battery electric vans currently represent around 11.8% of registrations so far this year, significantly below the 24% target set by the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
At the same time, another transformation is approaching, with 2026 expected to mark the beginning of major autonomous vehicle trials in the UK, meaning fleets are preparing for two major shifts at once, electrification and automation.
But the big question is whether or not the fleet sector is ‘on track’ for adopting electric vehicles and for some, autonomous vehicles.
Progress On Electric Vans, But Is Diesel Still Dominating?
Demand for electric vans is increasing with registrations growing strongly in recent months and electric light commercial vehicle sales rising sharply compared with the same period last year.
However, diesel remains the dominant powertrain for most, still accounting for the vast majority of new van registrations. For many fleet operators, the transition to electric vehicles is progressing more slowly than policymakers anticipated.
That’s due to several factors in recent years, with infrastructure (as we discussed in our recent blog on EV Charging infrastructure here) remaining one of the biggest barriers for fleet adoption. A bit part of that issue is depot charging capacity, as well as a reliable public charging offering across the country, though that is one the government’s key targets for improvement and is already developing.
Vehicle cost and payload limitations can also affect adoption, especially for businesses operating larger vans or covering long daily distances.
At the same time, the wider policy landscape continues to evolve and debate remains around the long-term timeline for phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles, with discussion over whether the original 2030 deadline for new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales could return after being pushed back to 2035.
For fleets planning procurement strategies years in advance, clarity on those timelines is essential to be able to make medium and long-term plans both logistically and financially for switchovers.
Autonomous Vehicles Move Closer To Reality
While electrification continues to develop, another technological shift is approaching as autonomous vehicles are set to become a widespread reality on UK roads this year.
The UK Government has already laid the legal foundations for autonomous vehicles through the Automated Vehicles Act, and further consultations are underway to determine how self-driving vehicles should operate safely on UK roads.
Pilot programmes planned for 2026 are expected to test small-scale autonomous passenger services, potentially without a safety driver present, a major milestone for the technology.
These developments raise important questions for fleets because autonomous vehicles will introduce new considerations around safety standards, licensing requirements, cybersecurity and data sharing following incidents.
Perhaps more importantly, they will change how fleets approach driver responsibility, training and risk management, too.
Managing Risk In A Rapidly Changing Fleet Landscape
As vehicles become more advanced, expectations around safety and compliance will only increase.
Many modern fleet vehicles already feature advanced driver assistance systems and semi-autonomous capabilities and while these technologies can improve safety, they also introduce new complexities around driver behaviour, vehicle monitoring and accountability.
For fleet managers, maintaining visibility across vehicle use, driver performance and compliance processes will remain essential, regardless of whether vehicles are powered by electricity, diesel or emerging autonomous systems.
As the transition to electric and autonomous vehicles gathers pace in the coming months and years, there is no doubt that having clear visibility over your fleet has never been more important, something that Risk Monitor and Fleet Monitor can ensure you stay on top of.
