Features
16 May 23

Alphabet: 94% of the fleet managers see challenges in electrification

No matter how committed the European fleet industry seems to be to electrification, a new report revealed that the application of decarbonisation efforts appears to fall short of sustainability goals. Alphabet aims to reverse this picture with a new tool to help fleets monitor their CO2 emissions. 

The European Fleet Emission Monitor (EFEM) survey, released by Alphabet, revealed a big gap between the acknowledgement of achieving sustainability and the efforts made to reach them by European fleets. 

The figures revealed in the survey, gathered from the interviews of over 700 fleet managers across Europe, emphasise the need for more holistic tools to achieve sustainability goals, which fall short of expectations: 

  • 61% of companies consider sustainability a substantial part of their decision-making. 
  • Only 37% of them actively track their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 
  • Around 20% of the companies that participated in the survey never monitor their emissions. 

The survey also points out that most of the fleet managers are intimidated by the challenges of electrification: 

  • Almost 94% of fleet managers see major obstacles in the electrification process;
  • Around 38% are anxious about the range, while 36% are concerned about the lack of infrastructure
  • The third biggest challenge is employer reluctance towards electrification, with 6,8%. 

A new CO2 tool to empower fleet managers 

Markus Deusing, CEO of Alphabet International, describes the survey results as "a wake-up call" for European companies to change their decarbonisation and adopt a more sustainable approach. The survey revealed that despite favouring electrification with a huge ratio, European fleets are not realistic enough in their electrification strategies: 

  • 69% of the fleet managers surveyed want to electrify their fleets in the future fully.
  • 30% expect to be petrol and diesel-free vehicles in six to 10 years.  

Alphabet has teamed up with external partners to bring an innovative CO2 tool to reduce the anxiety of 94% of fleet managers concerned about the electrification process. Aligning with the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) obligation to be issued in 2024, Alphabet's new tool aims to provide fleets with a clear picture of their CO2 emissions and help take necessary steps for sustainability. 

"Sustainability has gained a much higher significance in decision-making over the past couple of years, and success and sustainability need to be compatible", Deusing says. Thus, Alphabet aims to empower fleet managers to balance their financial strategy with sustainable practices by guiding them with the upcoming innovative tool. 

The holistic approach would impact the major European initiatives towards climate change, such as Fit For 55, which targets to reduce GHG emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. 


The main image shows Markus Deusing, CEO of Alphabet International, courtesy of Alphabet.

Authored by: Mufit Yilmaz Gokmen