Cost Still the Biggest Hurdle to Fleet EV Adoption, Study Reveals

A new Europcar Mobility Group UK study has found that cost remains the single biggest barrier preventing businesses from adopting electric vehicles (EVs) into their fleets.

The findings, published in Europcar’s latest EV Barometer, track sentiment across business fleets and company drivers throughout 2025. The research highlights a sector that is increasingly open to electrification — but still held back by financial concerns.

While the outlook has improved compared to previous years, 38% of employees still identify cost as the main factor holding back their employer’s switch to EVs.

Business drivers also report that although prices of EVs are beginning to compare with traditional combustion-engine equivalents, higher up‑front purchase and maintenance costs continue to deter organisations from making long‑term commitments.

There is some good news however, with concerns about charging infrastructure beginning to ease.

Also, the limited understanding of what EV ownership means — once a major hurdle — is becoming less of an issue as more drivers have to opportunity to try real-world driving experience through short-term rentals or fleet trials.

The report makes clear that while businesses are becoming more comfortable with EV technology, cost pressures remain the final and most stubborn barrier to overcome.

With EV prices expected to decrease further as battery manufacturing scales and more models enter the market, EU and UK manufacturers may be poised to push the sector closer to mass fleet adoption. Until then, flexible EV rental and short‑term trials are likely to remain critical stepping stones.

See the report here: https://static.europcar.com/ctfassets/wmdwnw6l5vg5/5QujvwlfUznDBIcCFqOrm6/bed272d8baa4d507f8380ef495b3f41f/12February2026-EVBarometerBusiness.pdf