With new car sales predicted to get a boost from the first of 2023 registration changes in March, we look at what that means for business drivers, some of whom may be switching to electric vehicles (EVs) for the first time.
Many businesses have been delaying renewing their vehicles fleets as prices have risen and vehicle availability has been constrained. However, the SMMT is forecasting an uplift in new car sales in 2023 that could see many drivers sitting behind the wheel of a brand-new vehicle for the first time in a number of years.
Some will even be experiencing EVs for the first time. Even drivers who use their own vehicles for work are expected to swap their cars for more efficient, less polluting models, prompted by fuel price volatility and a drive to reducing their impact on the environment.
New car sales
In its most recent outlook for 2023 & 2024[1], the SMMT is anticipating new car registrations of 1.794 million, representing an increase of 11.1% on 2022 total. Of these BEV registrations are expected to rise by 32.3% rise to 354,000 units, a 19.7% market share, PHEV registrations are expected to increase 31.7% to 134,000 units, to a 7.4% market share, HEV registrations are envisaged to rise 20.8% to 227,000 units, to a 12.7% market share. Van or LCV registrations are also expected to rise, with a predicted 321,000 units, a 13.9% rise on the 2022 total of which 8.6%, at 28,000 units, a 64.5% volume rise for BEV.
Meanwhile diesel registrations are expected to fall 13.9% to 134,000 units, pushing market share down to 7.5%.
Managing change
Getting into any new vehicle requires adjustments, from seating and steering wheel positioning to managing different fuel types. Business drivers are already coping with a lot of disruption on the roads, with many local authorities reconfiguring their city centres to include more cycle and bus lanes, pedestrianised areas and electric vehicle charging points. Some are also introducing clean air zones.
With so much change, re-assessing your health and safety practices when it comes to driver policies and how they should be adapted as well as exploring the needs of employees when it comes to driver confidence is vital. In a recent AA survey,[2] confidence levels were revealed as still relatively low among drivers when it comes to EVs, with only 7% of respondents saying they feel confident about moving away from petrol and diesel cars into EVs. This rises to 12% among 25 to 34 year olds.
The increasing numbers of EVs being introduced into fleets makes it more important than ever for drivers to be educated on the unique operation, maintenance and driving strategies required to maximise safety EV and efficiency. Feeling confident about making the switch will ensure drivers get the most out of the vehicle, making the transition of the fleet to electric run smoothly.
Driver behaviour and new ways of learning
The good news is that amidst all of these change, there has also been transformation in driver behaviour, coaching and training industry with a noticeable uplift in the availability of digital training.
It has also accelerated new ways of learning. After spending time evaluating training programmes with our customers, it became clear that there are advantages to supporting businesses in communicating safety practices on a more ongoing ‘little and often’ basis. We know that reinforcing and reminding employees of policies and procedures works but material needs to be in an engaging and manageable way to maximise driver appeal, encouraging take-up.
The aim is to remove barriers to keeping employees confident and safe when it comes to business driving, no matter the changes and challenges they face.
[1] https://www.smmt.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/WEBSUM-SMMT-CARLCV-MARKET-OUTLOOK-Q1-06022023-FINAL.pdf
[2] Yonder survey – February 2023 (14,668 respondents)
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