A data-led approach to electrification can reduce transition costs by up to 30%
23/04/2026
Analysis by VEV’s consultancy team has shown that a structured, data-led approach to the early stages of electrification can reduce transition costs by up to a third and significantly increase the likelihood of successful deployment.
The team has utilised the data collected from over 100,000 buses, trucks, vans and RCVs to help fleet operators overcome the biggest barriers to electrification: high upfront costs, operational uncertainty, and grid complexity.
Logistics operators face mounting pressure to electrify, but delays and poor early planning are putting 2030 targets at risk. Increasing lead times for grid infrastructure, rising capital costs, and limited access to grants mean that starting early and starting correctly is now critical.
George Hobbs, Data Lead at VEV said: “Most fleets don’t fail at electrification because of technology, they fail because they don’t start in the right way.
“Our approach uses real-world data to remove uncertainty, prove viability, and build a clear, investable roadmap to scale.”
Through its consultancy work, VEV has identified that a data-led approach can significantly improve total cost of ownership, identifying up to 20% in energy savings through energy optimisation and charging strategies as well as reducing costly grid upgrades by as much as 70%.
VEV has applied this approach across a wide range of complex fleet environments, from multi-site operations such as Manchester Airports Group (MAG), to large-scale logistics fleets, emergency services, and critical national infrastructure operators with fleets of over 10,000 vehicles.
Across these projects, VEV’s analytics has been used to model real-world operations, define energy and infrastructure requirements, and build phased, investment-ready roadmaps that enable organisations to transition with confidence.
VEV has also delivered measurable financial impact through its consultancy work with municipal waste collection fleets in the UK in partnership with Whitespace. Using live operational and telematics data, VEV and Whitespace developed a detailed electrification roadmap and cost model for Derby City Council that enabled the team to identify immediate opportunities, optimise infrastructure planning, and unlock value estimated at up to ten times the initial consultancy investment, including securing additional funding through the Depot Charging Scheme.
Unlike traditional consultancies, VEV combines advisory with delivery. As an Independent Connection Provider (ICP), VEV can design and deliver grid connections directly, removing one of the biggest bottlenecks in electrification: long, uncertain wait times for power. The result is faster deployment, greater certainty, and fewer delays caused by third-party dependencies.
George Hobbs added: “What makes VEV different is that we don’t just tell customers what to do, we deliver it. By combining analytics, pilot programmes, and infrastructure delivery, we give fleets a clear and achievable path to electrification.”
With the UK Government announcing a new £1 billion funding package to support cleaner transport, the cost of waiting is rising. Businesses that act now can secure funding, reduce risk, and get ahead of an increasingly competitive transition.
VEV is urging organisations to prioritise early-stage planning to secure funding, reduce risk, and accelerate their transition.
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