So you think you want to go electric
Reducing the carbon footprint is a crucial focus for many companies. However, making the switch to a more sustainably powered fleet is more than just replacing existing internal combustion engine vehicles by electric ones.
Before embarking on the electric journey, there are some important questions to consider. E-mobility can be the right solution for some, but probably not for everyone. Also, electrification takes different shapes and is a project best not rolled out unprepared. To get you on the right track, we listed the top topics you need to tackle.
1. Profile your drivers
No two drivers make the same use of a company car. Some just commute and have very regular patterns, others need to travel further and on an irregular basis. Your leasing partner can help you set up a driver questionnaire to get a better understanding of how vehicles are used in your fleet.
2. Look at the TCO
EVs are still more expensive to buy than their conventional counterparts, but a lot cheaper to run. Charging is cheaper than refuelling and the maintenance costs of an EV are considerably lower. Also, in many countries there are tax advantages that can bridge the price gap.
3. Provide infrastructure
Without the ability to charge at work, switching to electric vehicles may be a difficult hurdle. This doesn’t mean however that you will need one charging station per EV. Drivers who can charge at home, for example, won’t need to charge at work as they should be able to use an intelligent wall box, which can be integrated in the lease budget and used to bill electricity consumption directly to the employer. Leasing companies can also provide access to public charging infrastructure through one single card. Most importantly, profiling will play a key role in identifying the best infrastructure for your needs.
4. Check vehicle availability
Some models face long delivery times. It is best to check with the manufacturer beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises. Model diversification and the progressive ramp up of production will however considerably shorten delivery times going forward. Also, don’t forget to talk to your leasing partner as they have strong relationships with manufacturers and can sometimes get hold of EVs more easily than an individual fleet customer.
5. Consider all forms of EV
Next to battery-electric cars there are also plug-in hybrid vehicles. These are a good solution for those who combine urban trips with occasional highway driving and don’t always have easy access to charging infrastructure.
6. Consider other Manufacturers
The manufacturers you currently have an agreement with may not have the right vehicle on offer today. You could consider opening up your car policy to challenger brands that have a fleet-relevant EV offer, such as Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and soon DS Automobiles.
7. Test the vehicles
An important step in taking away e-resistance amongst employees is to have them try the vehicle. They say that just like with switching to an automatic gearbox, once you go electric, there is no way back. Your leasing partner can help provide these vehicles to get an initial taste of electric driving.
Are you interested in going electric, but don’t know how to set about? Do you wish support to make your e-project work? Feel free to contact us