Alliances and sales growth drive EV expansion

The rapid expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to accelerate, with more firms working to electrify their fleets and commercial sales hitting new heights through the first quarter of 2019.

Data released last week by auto market analysts JATO showed that new car sales across Europe were down 3.2 per cent between January and March when compared to the same quarter last year. But EV sales exceeded 100,000 for the first time in a single quarter, hitting 125,400. Plug-in electric sales were up 31 per cent and pure electric sales up 85 per cent.

Propelling the sales jump was the release of Tesla Model 3, which sold nearly 20,000 units in the first quarter following its much anticipated European launch.

However, the market is also being driven by the expansion of Europe's charging infrastructure and a growing number of corporate partnerships, as leading blue chips and auto providers seek to accelerate the switch to zero emission models.

For example, car leasing company ALD Automotive last week announced a partnership with ChargePoint Inc. to drive forwards its ALD Electric project, which aims to encourage its customers to choose EVs.

The initiative offers ALD customers consultancy services, test drives, smart charging infrastructure, and a non-EV exchange service to provide flexibility for longer journeys.

Supporting the initiative, ChargePoint will provide the French firm with a billing solution, installation and maintenance services, 24/7 customer support, and smart chargers. Home charging solutions will also be available for drivers, as well as access to a network of public charging points.

"This partnership agreement with ChargePoint fully supports our sustainable growth strategy to broaden the company's offering and electrify mobility," said Tim Albertsen, Deputy CEO at ALD. "It is not just about replacing a diesel with an electric vehicle, but trying to invent new or enhance existing services to facilitate the change."

Separately, facilities management giant Mitie announced last week that it is partnering with Pod Point to electrify 20 per cent of its fleet of smaller vehicles by 2020.