TL;DR
Lorna McAtear, National Grid UK, joins Chris Sass and Niall Riddell to discuss Fleet Electrification.
· Lorna highlights the need for tailored strategies.
· Addresses key challenges like range anxiety, infrastructure, and culture shift.
· Progress in tech and flexible planning will drive the shift to cleaner transport.
In this episode, hosts Chris Sass and Niall Riddell from Paua, chat with Lorna McAtear, Fleet Manager at National Grid UK, about her extensive insights into the complex and evolving landscape of commercial fleet electrification. Her experience provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges, strategies, and future of transitioning commercial fleets to electric vehicles.
Understanding Commercial Fleet Electrification
Lorna begins by highlighting the importance of commercial fleet electrification as a key component in reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainability goals. She explains that the term "fleet" encompasses a wide range of vehicle types—from company cars to heavy-duty vehicles and even employee-owned (grey) fleets used for work purposes. This broad definition requires tailored electrification strategies that reflect each fleet’s specific operational patterns and needs.
Understanding how fleets are used daily is crucial to effective planning. Factors such as mileage, charging opportunities, and vehicle usage types all influence whether an EV is suitable for a given task. Lorna stresses that successful electrification requires more than just replacing diesel vehicles with electric ones—it demands a full systems-thinking approach that integrates logistics, infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement.
Overcoming Common Challenges
One of the major hurdles in electrifying commercial fleets is misconceptions about EV capabilities. Lorna addresses widespread concerns like range anxiety, vehicle payload limits, and the high upfront costs of EVs. These concerns can stall decision-making and adoption if not properly addressed with data and context.
She also discusses the technological progress being made in EV batteries and charging infrastructure, which is rapidly making electric fleets more viable. However, Lorna notes that infrastructure gaps and regional disparities in charging availability remain real challenges for fleet operators.
Another key issue is getting buy-in from drivers and executives. Cultural change within organisations is as vital as technological change. Drivers need education and reassurance, while executives must be aligned with long-term sustainability goals and fleet policies.
Practical Advice for Fleet Managers
Lorna shares actionable insights for fleet managers navigating the electrification journey. Her mantra—“right vehicle, right job, right fuel type, right time”—underscores the importance of selecting vehicles based on operational requirements rather than making one-size-fits-all decisions.
She advises managers to engage all stakeholders early: drivers, line managers, finance teams, and procurement. A collaborative approach ensures smoother transitions and higher adoption rates. Lorna also encourage spartnerships with manufacturers to develop vehicles that meet real-world fleet needs.
She emphasises that electrification is not just about technology but also about change management and informed decision-making. Understanding total cost of ownership, assessing route suitability, and planning for infrastructure needs are all crucial steps.
Looking to the Future
Lorna remains optimistic about the future of commercial fleet electrification. She sees ongoing technological improvements and increasing vehicle availability as catalysts for broader adoption. While EVs are central to this transformation, she also acknowledges the potential role of alternative fuels like hydrogen and biofuels, especially for heavier or specialised vehicles.
Flexibility and adaptability will be essential as the sector evolves. Fleet managers must stay informed and agile, ready to leverage the best available technologies for their unique circumstances in order to shift to cleaner, smarter transportation.
