REPORT I & II

| NEWS 1 56 | REPORT I A packed agenda comprising presentations and lively discussions informed, educated and updated attendees at the Electric Vehicle (EV) Summit 2022. With over 550 individuals and companies registered as attendees, the event, which took place at the RDS in Dublin on November 9, heard from a series of industry experts on the latest developments and advances in EV technology, with leading companies displaying the latest products on both the automotive and infrastructure sides.

Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks & Transport, Eamonn Ryan, speaking via a video link, confirmed a new EV strategy will be delivered in the coming weeks. He highlighted the need to concentrate on areas such as the small commercial vehicle fleet, the second hand car market, and improving the charging infrastructure. He was followed by Aoife O’Grady who heads up Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), the recently formed group within the

John Byrne, head of e-Mobility at the ESB Department of Transport. She expressed confidence that despite challenges such as supply chains, infrastructure costs and the cost of living crisis, the goal to have 175,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2025 was achievable through two key delivery mechanisms - incentivising vehicle uptake via finance and taxation, and by further developing a national EV charging infrastructure. Aoife O’Grady, Head of Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) Dan Casear, Chief Executive

of Fully Charged, the popular YouTube channel, talked about winners and losers in the move to EVs. He said he expects Chinese manufacturers to become increasingly big players as traditional car brands face challenges with higher

costs and less flexible organisational structures. Looking at the battery market, Andy Leach, energy storage analyst for Bloomberg NEF noted that China is very much the leading player, producing 77% of battery capacity at present, with Europe only accounting for 15%. By 2025 that breakdown will be 71% and 17% respectively, though capacity volumes will have grown hugely from 957GWh to 5,581GWh. He added that the key metric to increasing range is energy density and this has increased significantly, with chemistry evolution of the metals used expected to continue to evolve.

Speaking about the Irish charging infrastructure, John Byrne, head of e-mobility at the ESB said the aim is to deliver 3,000 high-powered chargers by 2030. The company is upgrading the current 50kW fast chargers to 100kW and is rolling out smaller hubs that allow greater scope in building. A lot of current single charger locations will be changed to multi charger sites. Providing a safe charging experience with lighting and CCTV were important factors, he added.

Offering an insight into how cities and councils tackle the rollout of charging infrastructure was Jeroen Veger, Project Manger Public Charging in Amsterdam, while Cormac Healy, Energy Project Lead, Dublin City Council outlined how the country’s largest council is addressing the challenge of having 140,000 EVs by 2030 - with 35,000 reliant on public charging. Dr Darren Handley - Head of Infrastructure Grants - OZEV Department of Transport in the UK outlined the UK’s approach to electrification which includes legislation changes when necessary - for instancing allowing electric powered vans up to 4.25 tonnes* to be driven on a standard car driving licence, and enabling 100% of the costs of installing an EV charging point to be claimed as a capital allowance. *This means a standard 3.5 tonne GVW electric van will have a 750kg battery weight allowance Toby Butler, managing director UK for ubitricity, outlined how to turn lamp posts into charge points, which can be done in as little as two hours. ubitricity has 5,700 charge points in London and is starting operations in Ireland - presently there 10 charge points operational with Dun Laoghaire and Finglas councils. Speaking about the future in supporting businesses make the transition to electric fleet, Kevin Welstead - EV Sector Director, SSE Airtricity talked about the need to make charging hubs inclusive so that they can serve a broad range of users. For example, SSE Airtricity is looking at working with bus operators to turn charging hubs at bus terminals into part time hubs that can be used by other fleet operators such as taxis during the day when the buses are out.

James Atkinson, Sustainability Programme Manager for DPD Ireland noted the challenge for many companies looking to move to electric commercial vehicles is the lack of choice and suitability. He also highlighted that the cost of vans is a huge issue and that operators don’t have the grants that taxi drivers get. EV vans don’t currently work on 50-60% of DPD’s routes, but the company is continuing to increase its number of electric vans, which will account for 10% of its fleet by next year. DPD is spending €1.8mill next year on EVs, most of which is subsidies to self-employed drivers who buy them.

A number of interesting group discussions hosted by co-Chairs Derek Reilly and Geraldine Herbert included topics such as whether the market can develop EV supply quickly enough, what needs to be done to support the EV market, how companies can optimise the impact of fleet electrification, and the future of the EV market from a manufacturer’s perspective. Other discussions included lessons learnt from public sector fleet electrification, how to improve the EV customer experience and what we see coming in the future for EV charging in Ireland. Points raised included the reliability of EVs compared to petrol or diesel vehicles, the need to have charging points close to a person’s home, the importance of engaging with staff when rolling out an EV strategy within a company, and the need to focus on building charging hubs rather than single chargers.

Dan Caesar of Fully Charge (right) with co-Chair Derek Reilly Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

Kieran Campbell, Polestar Ireland; Laura Condron, BMW Ireland; Jeremy Warnock, Renault Ireland and Mark Barrett, Harris Maxus gave the manufacturer’s perspective on the future of the EV market Fleet Car Magazine was the media partners for the EV Summit 2022

The 16th edition of the Fleet Europe Summit 2022, held at Dublin’s Convention Centre, was a special one. Not only did it mark the 25th anniversary of Fleet Europe, but it was also the first time the event was held in Ireland. “What a pleasure it was to welcome over 1,000 fleet managers and industry leaders, meeting, learning and discussing how Fleet Sustainability benefits ourselves, our people, our Planet and corporate profit,” said Steven Schoefs, Editor in Chief in his post event review of the two-day annual gathering of multinational fleet and mobility professionals.

“Indeed, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. What benefits one can benefit all. And this is something our industry has understood. Despite today’s socio-economic challenges, ranging from supply chain issues to the ongoing War in Ukraine, our Fleet and Mobility industry remains at the forefront of zero-emission innovations that help Fleet and Mobility managers increase their contributions to the carbon-neutrality targets of their multinational companies. The willingness, the courage and the

‘Fleet Europe, the B2B media platform for information on international fleet and mobility management’

ability to adapt and to innovate for People, Planet and Profit is exemplary, especially considering the disappointing outcome of COP27 in Sharm-el-Sheik. Apparently, none of the attendees is a fan or the band R.E.M., in particular of their song ‘It’s the End of the World as We Know It’ from 1987 - 10 years before the launch of the Fleet Europe brand, “ he stated.

On 16 November, the event began with the Fleet Europe Remarketing Forum and Awards. The Forum had 170 remarketing experts coming together to discuss the impact of electrification, digitalisation and changes in distribution on international vehicle remarketing. One of the key points highlighted included the de-fleeting of internal combustion engines. The smooth transition to successfully remarketing electric vehicles (EVs) will be key for remarketers in the upcoming years.

On the same day, more than 100 international fleet managers participated in sessions of the International Fleet Managers Institute, the Smart Mobility Institute and Global Fleet Managers Club. In each of these three forums, international corporate fleet and mobility managers came together to exchange best practices, and determine fleet and mobility benchmarking solutions. The main outcome was that international fleet and mobility managers aren’t cutting down on their sustainability strategies, and are taking fleet sustainability beyond the EV, as well as beyond specific countries or regions.

“Fleet sustainability has become a universal top priority, and is here to stay,” added Steven. That was also the point outlined at the opening of the Fleet Europe Village by keynote speaker Martijn Lammers, Co-founder & Chief Strategist at Lightyear, the Netherlands-based company that develops scalable, grid-independent, solar-powered EVs.

At the Fleet Europe Village, major industry suppliers exhibited, including some car brands. Conference sessions were also held, with industry executives providing insights into emerging trends, to ensure business continuity in these difficult times.

“As we witnessed at the event, sustainability and decarbonisation are at the centre of our vibrant industry. An industry that is taking its responsibility. An industry that is innovative, both in service development and in people management. On that last point: we organised a breakfast meeting titled Inspiring Women in Fleet, an industry first. It was attended by no fewer than 140 women leading the way in our industry. Finally, I saw an industry that is willing to partner more closely together, in order to make the Fleet and Mobility future completely green. If only our authorities and governments could do the same! We at Fleet Europe will continue to support innovation in our industry and stimulate both fleet customers and suppliers to prioritise sustainability, as it chimes perfectly with efficiency,“ concluded Steven.