If you’re a business owner and you operate a vehicle fleet – whether it’s trucks, taxis, or any other kind of transportation – then the benefits of switching to an electric fleet may not be immediately obvious to you. There are many people who say that electric vehicle fleets are less efficient than their diesel powered counterparts, or that they’re more expensive or take more time to maintain. However, the benefits of operating an electric vehicle fleet are numerous and could elevate your business to the next level. Here are just some of those benefits.
It’s more environmentally friendly
The first and most obvious benefit to adopting an electric fleet for your business is that it’s significantly more beneficial to the environment. The pressure is mounting on businesses everywhere to change their strategy and go more green, and if you want to do your part – which you definitely should – then there’s no better way than to swap out your traditional diesel fleet for an electric one. That way, every time you send out your vehicles, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re not doing any damage to the environment and you’re doing your part to protect the planet.
It works out cheaper in the long run
Initially, electric vehicles can seem more expensive to run than their traditional counterparts. However, performing a closer analysis, we see that electric vehicles are actually more efficient and cost-effective than diesel ones. Charging your vehicle costs significantly less than filling it up with fuel, and although the initial costs are going to be higher, you’ll see a much greater return on that investment as time goes on. Of course, your personal costs are going to fluctuate based on the charge efficiency of the vehicles you purchase, but the fallacy that electric vehicles are more expensive is just that – a fallacy.
More and more places are adopting charging stations
In the past, operating an electric vehicle was essentially tantamount to saying “I only want to go to these very specific places”. This was because most stations didn’t have electric charging points, but as electric vehicles become more and more enticing, Fuel stations are adding in these points. Also, charging points are being installed at many locations. This means you’re increasingly likely to spot an electric charging station when you stop in for fuel, or even while driving along the road, so there’s less and less chance of any vehicles in your fleet becoming stranded or unable to charge. Everyone is realising the benefits of electric vehicle operation!
Instant torque
If you’re not a petrolhead, you may not be familiar with the concept of instant torque. Essentially, all this means is that a vehicle is able to move quicker from a complete standstill. Electric vehicles are capable of achieving this at a much faster rate than traditional diesel engines, which were the favoured method for instant torque until very recently. The benefits to your fleet should be obvious; when your vehicles spend less time sitting still and more time on the move, you can increase efficiency and move through your workload much faster.
Less maintenance
Electric vehicles barely require any maintenance at all when compared to their diesel cousins. For example, you won’t need to perform an oil change, filter replacements, Adblue or DPF filters at any stage, nor will you need to worry too much about replacing the battery in your electric car at regular intervals. If you’re concerned about maintenance and upkeep of your fleet, then an electric fleet is a complete no-brainer; it costs less, you’ll need to do it less frequently, and there are less individual things that could go wrong in an electric vehicle. Make no mistake – the age of diesel is coming to an end!
No clean air law problems
With an electric fleet, your vehicles will certainly meet the minimum emission standard to avoid clean air zone charges in the UK. Essentially, these charges apply to any vehicle with lower fuel efficiency, which won’t apply to you. Although EVs have zero exhaust emissions they are not totally zero emission vehicles, they do have an emission level of up to 70% lower than regular cars, so no chance your fleet will ever need to worry about charges in a clean air zone if you go full electric. This is a godsend if you regularly need to operate within a city area.
Cheaper for your business
There are Government Grants for Electric Commercial Vehicles from £2,500 for small vans to £16,000 for the largest vans and small trucks; up to £35,000 for the largest Trucks.
Owning or operating an electric vehicle can attract various tax benefits, including exemptions from fuel duty, vehicle excise duty, van benefit charge, fuel benefit charge.
EVs have enhanced capital allowances benefits with 100 per cent first-year allowance. The entire cost of an electric van can be claimed against taxable profits in the year of purchase.
Fewer third parties involved
Many businesses rely on third parties to give them fuel for their vehicles. This could mean fueling up at a fuel station, for example, or relying on companies to deliver fuel tanks for trucks and the like. However, if your fleet has electric vehicles, then you can entrust the maintenance and charging of those vehicles to your on-site staff, reducing the risk that a third party interferes with your business plan. In addition, your employees will almost certainly need to make fewer trips to the fuel station, because you could install an electric charger on-site. One more problem solved!
