Survey: how the United States is navigating the transition to commercial mixed-energy fleets

We can expect more mixed-energy fleets on the roads as they’re projected to increase over the next few years. A recent study by Frost & Sullivan, commissioned by WEX, indicates a significant rise in mixed-energy fleets as commercial EV adoption accelerates. In fact, according to the survey, 80% of fleet operators who already have a mix of internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs) plan to have at least 25% of their fleet be electric by 2030. Nearly 50% anticipate that EVs will make up half or more of their fleet by then.

The shift is driven by a growing emphasis on sustainability. As Carlos Carriedo, Chief Operating Officer, Americas Payments & Mobility at WEX said: “Decarbonization has become a top priority for organizations of all sizes and transitioning towards mixed-energy fleets is one effective way to achieve that. Fleet managers aren’t debating if they should go electric, they’re figuring out the best way to integrate EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.”

The benefits of incorporating EVs into commercial fleets are clear – but the transition takes time. EV adoption can align with environmental goals, meet public and policy demands for zero-emission transportation, and appeal to eco-conscious customers. However, the path to electrification isn’t without its challenges. High upfront costs, infrastructure concerns, and varying adoption rates across companies and governments all play a role. 

To better understand the commercial EV adoption landscape, the researchers surveyed over 500 commercial mixed-energy fleet operators (ranging in size from 2 to 500+, with at least 1 EV in the inventory) across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. You can read more about what’s happening in the United States further below. 

The findings highlight several key trends driving the shift to mixed-energy fleets: 

• Decarbonization is the key driver of the transition: 70% of respondents say it is an “important” or “cornerstone” component of their business strategy, and only 3% are not considering decarbonization at all. This underscores its importance to organizations’ strategies for cost savings, sustainability, and brand image.
• Operational efficiency is paramount during the transition: Despite electrification challenges like high upfront costs (64%), 50% of surveyed organizations have already invested in charging infrastructure.
• Streamlining charging and payments is crucial: Most organizations (78%) have on-site charging, but charging en route and at home are also common. The ability to use the same payment options for both ICE and EVs is a top priority.  
• Smart digital solutions could help future-proof fleets: Over half of the respondents (58%) struggle with route planning, while 49% struggle to collect data and 40% face challenges integrating fleet management software for ICE vehicles and EVs.

The takeaway? The transition to mixed-energy fleets is well underway. While challenges to adopting EVs remain, the benefits are clear and organizations are actively seeking solutions to streamline the process. 

Insights specific to the United States

Here’s a look at how surveyed organizations in the United States (110) reported navigating the transition to mixed-energy fleets:

• In the U.S., 82% of organizations say cost savings are the main reason behind their decarbonization efforts, making the U.S. one of the most cost-driven markets surveyed. Government support and alignment at the CEO/Board level are also top considerations, each cited by 76% of respondents.
• 54% of American organizations have set clear decarbonization targets, which is close to the global average of 59%. Larger fleets with 100 to 499 vehicles are particularly focused on setting these targets, likely due to their higher carbon footprint and complex operations.
• U.S. fleets face significant challenges with proprietary charging hubs, including compatibility issues, limited access, and higher costs. 65% of U.S. operators pointed to depot installation costs as the biggest hurdle when it comes to proprietary onsite charging – the highest among all markets.
• American operators see real benefits in public and at-home charging, however. 76% highlight the cost savings of home charging, with similar views in Australia (86%). For public charging, convenience is key—77% of U.S. operators value it for allowing employees to charge on the go, which is comparable to 74% in the United Kingdom.
• Integrating software for both ICE and EVs is a major challenge (49%) for U.S. operators, similar to those in Germany (55%) and Australia (50%).
• Perhaps because of this, 55% of U.S. operators prioritize finding a fuel card that works seamlessly with their existing fleet management systems—more than in any other market. They also want a fuel card that can be used across both fuel and charging stations, with 59% saying this is critical—again, higher than in any other market.

Read the press release announcing the report’s launch.

Dig into insights from other markets: 

• Australia
• Belgium
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom

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