Organisations are looking for new, more efficient ways to keep their business moving. As a result, more and more companies are investigating alternative fuel vehicles. Electric vehicles are cleaner, quieter and much cheaper to fill up than petrol or diesel cars. There s every chance that an electric vehicle (EV) would cover some, or even all, of your motoring needs. But there s more to going electric than simply swapping from a pump to a plug. You need to ask the right questions before you make the switch. This book answers those niggling questions, helping you to make the right choice.
Watt exactly are EVs? A plug-in vehicle is a motor vehicle that can be recharged from any external electricity source. The electricity stored in the rechargeable battery packs drive the wheels. Not all electric vehicles (EVs) rely purely on electricity. There are a range of hybrid technologies available, each with varying degrees of dependence on battery power and a broad variety of ranges. There are six types of electric vehicles (BEV, EREV, PHEV, mild hybrid, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid). Plug-in vehicles include: Full battery electric (BEV); Nissan Leaf Extended range electric vehicle (E-REV); BMW i3 Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV); Toyota Prius In mild hybrids, the internal combustion engine is always assisted by an electric motor. Full hybrids are able to drive on electric power for short distances before the internal combustion engine starts. With plug-in hybrids, the battery can be recharged from mains electricity, extending the range possible under battery power.
Watt are the benefits for my business? Due to their benefits, electric vehicles have now become more a question of why not? rather than why? to fleet managers and drivers. Cost benefits for you and your drivers reduced vehicle whole life costs, lower BIK, incentives, grants and exemption from vehicle excise and fuel duty Emissions reduction Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Electric vehicles are also increasingly attractive to company car drivers due to personal tax liability and economy.
Maybe we ll save money? At first sight, EVs can seem more expensive compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles. But when you look at the total cost of owning one over a period of years, you are very likely to end up saving money. Mile for mile, electricity is about five times cheaper than petrol or diesel. Electric vehicles are also mechanically simpler therefore servicing them costs less. They are also exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty and the London Congestion Charge. Given their environmental credentials, plug-in vehicles also enjoy a number of government-backed financial incentives, designed to encourage more usage of EVs. Examples of grants currently available are shown below. Plug-in vehicle grant (cars) 35% or a maximum of 5,000 of cost* Plug-in vehicle grant (vans) 20% or maximum of 8,000 of cost Charge point grant up to 75% of cost Please be aware that certain criteria has to be met in order for an electric vehicle to qualify for a grant. See details on the back page for more information. *The cost is the full purchase price you pay for the basic vehicle including number plates, vehicle excise duty and VAT. It doesn t include any optional extras, e.g. delivery charges or first registration fee.
Watt are the environmental benefits? Some of the new generation electric vehicles have no CO 2 exhaust emissions and are a huge step forward in the battle to reduce global CO 2. By switching some or all of your fleet to electric vehicles you will be able to reduce your fleet s environmental footprint and improve your corporate sustainability. Plug-ins also go a long way to improving local air quality. Particles and oxidising gases from petrol and diesel vehicles create health problems in cities. However pure electric cars really are zero emission at point of use.
Seeking to reduce its fleet s environmental impact, Saga Group wanted to know whether they could build a business case for replacing a portion of their LCV fleet with battery-electric vehicles. To answer the question, Saga s Fleet and In House Services Manager, Lukas Jansen Van Vuuren, worked with the AlphaElectric Consulting Team to carry out the necessary analysis of the operating patterns and running costs of a mix of Citroën (Berlingo, C1 or Nemo), Vauxhall (Combo or Vivaro) and VW Caddy diesels ranging from 1.2 litres to 1.9 litres engine capacity. As a company we are really aware of the importance of reducing emissions and we also want to keep our fleet on a sustainable path to the future. The AlphaElectric consulting team enabled us to measure and validate our vehicle options based on our own specific activities. The drivers use them all day, plug them in to charge at night and come back in the morning and off they go. To the drivers they are just like a normal vehicle. Luke Jansen Van Vuuren Saga Saving summary: WHOLE LIFE COSTS FLEET CO 2 EMISSIONS 3,090 per car 8.1 tonnes per year
Maybe the drivers won t want one? It s not only companies that can benefit from EVs. There are plenty of perks for the drivers too. Business car drivers using EVs can enjoy a 5% rate benefit in kind for 2015-16 and 7% for 2016-17. There are also plenty of electric vehicles to choose from. UK drivers can already choose from a Nissan Note to a BMWi3, a Renault Kangoo to Nissan NV200, a Tesla to a BMW i8, a Volkswagen eup to a Renault Twizy and many more besides, there is something for everyone. Drivers can be reticent when it comes to EVs and usually have 2 main questions: How far will I be able to drive? EVs have come a long way since their inception, on average they can travel between 40 to 100 miles on a full charge. Where and how can I charge the vehicle? Today there are over 8,500 public charge points across the UK and office and home charge point installations are now a realistic option. Electric vehicles are great to drive they are smooth, responsive, fast and super-quiet.
Watt is the battery life/driving range? Range anxiety is often a major barrier to EVs, but when you look closer they are suitable for the average daily journey. In our experience, EVs are perfect when the daily mileage is between 40 and 100 miles and there is access to residential, office or public charging facilities. Another barrier drivers perceive is the time it takes to charge the battery. Private charging overnight is not a problem, as people are likely to be in one place overnight. Some models have rapid chargers that can fully charge your battery in 30 minutes, ideal for when you are out and about during the day.
Where can I charge the vehicles? And what about parking? There are over 5,000 public charge points in the UK and that number is rising fast. It is increasingly common for companies to put in charging points for employees and visitors. Despite the constant focus on public charging points, most electric vehicles recharge in the same place every day. For cars, that s usually the driver s home or office. The majority of motorway service stations also have a rapid charger that can charge your electric car in less than 30 minutes.* Electric car owners need reliable access to a place where they can charge up every day. That won t be a problem for people who have private off-street parking. And for those that don t have off-street parking, it might be possible to install a charge point at the kerbside or at your usual parking space (there are grants available for both to assist with installation costs). With an AlphaElectric chargecard you can have access to 85% of the UK public charging network with locations such as: Supermarkets On street parking Multi-storey car parks etc The card is suitable for use across multiple networks removing the need to several cards. *Dependent on vehicle
Watt about the hassle to make the switch? We understand that in such a rapidly changing market, putting forward a business case for EVs can be tricky. We can provide clear, unbiased and business centric advice to organisations who are seriously considering the use of EVs for all or just part of their fleet. Our unique consultancy service guides companies through every step of the EV journey, from the initial evaluation of the business case, to the choice of vehicle. We will also help you consider the charging and infrastructure required and the wider question of a total mobility solution for employees, enabling them to use a clever mix of plug-in, conventional vehicles or short-term rental, depending on their travel needs.
Maybe I ll try before I buy? Our Discovery and Comfort packages are perfect if you are undecided or have concerns about how electric vehicles would work in your fleet, allowing you to try before you buy. If the electric vehicle is not suitable for the driver s needs we make it easy to return the vehicle and replace it with a combustion engine vehicle from the same manufacturer. This is our Comfort package and it eases the uncertainty of a long term electric contract. With our Discovery package you can choose to take an electric vehicle for 3 to 6 months through Alphabet s Rental Service, AlphaRent. Alphabet offers a mix of plug-in vehicles to showcase the various degrees of electric vehicles including plug-in hybrids, range extended vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Our ICE package gives your drivers reassurance by providing access to a combustion engine vehicle on occasions when they need to travel further, carry more passengers or have a larger load space. Please note; Terms and conditions apply to all of the above packages.
Amey were keen to determine whether EVs would enhance their fleet. They came to Alphabet for help in assessing the potential of EVs in their fleet. Using telematics, over a period of three months, Alphabet gathered data on the journeys Amey s vans were making and identified which vehicles could be replaced with electric vehicles based on the journeys they made. The analysis also showed the savings both in terms of costs and CO 2 emissions that would result from switching to EVs. This helped Amey to make an informed decision. We are highly impressed by the effectiveness of Alphabet s E-Valuation tool. It provided us with the evidence to make informed decisions on plug-in vehicles. Matt Dillon UK Fleet Manager, Amey Saving summary: WHOLE LIFE COSTS FLEET CO 2 EMISSIONS 3,090 per car 19 tonnes per year
So, maybe they can play a role in my business... We understand that there is a lot to consider when deciding whether to switch to electric vehicles. We can help you to discover if and where electric vehicles fit into your business, select the right vehicles to suit your needs, and integrate them seamlessly into your fleet. Our Fleet Analysis service helps you to identify which vehicles could be switched for EVs, clarifies costs, highlights the environmental benefits, and identifies your fleet s electric potential. Our advanced software also analyses your current journeys using data from telematics, mileage capture, or expenses data. It then maps the journeys, identifying charging points en route. From this, we can identify which vehicles could be switched for electric vehicles to save you money. Finally we calculate the environmental impact of making these changes. The outcome is a recommendation showing the ideal blend of traditional combustion and electric vehicles and all the information you need to make an informed decision about the place of EVs on your fleet.
AlphaElectric AlphaElectric 360 E-Valuation tool
Find out more Visit www.alphabet.co.uk/alphaelectric Call us 0370 50 50 100 Email us at alphabet@alphabet.co.uk You may also find some useful information on these sites: Introduction to plug-in vehicles: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ Travel/Driving/Electric-vehicles/Plugged-In fleets Initiative: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/businesses/ plug-vehicle-and-chargepoint-projects Guide to available vehicles and a map of charging locations: www.nextgreencar.com Comprehensive overview of charging stations throughout the UK: www.zapmap.co.uk iphone and Android app providing details of charging points: www.plugsurfing.co.uk Government grants: www.gov.uk/government/ organisations/office-for-low-emission-vehicles Alphabet (GB) Limited, Postal address: Alphabet House, Summit Avenue, Farnborough Hampshire, GU14 0FB. Tel: 0370 50 50 100 Registered office address: Alphabet House, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Registered in England and Wales 03282075 Alphabet (GB) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for general information purposes only and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication (Dec 2015). Neither Alphabet nor the author can be held responsible for any actions or consequences arising from acting on, or refraining from taking any action, as a result of reading this.