Have you thought about an electric car for your fleet?
Although the upfront cost is more than a similar conventional diesel or petrol car, the running costs – from fuel to maintenance – are spectacularly low.
Much commentary – quite rightly – has focused on the lack of range: generally up to 100 miles. But while BMW Group was conducting research on the MINI e and BMW ActiveE cars prior to the launch of the i3 model, it found that the majority of people commuted fewer than 30 miles a day.
Electric cars are powered by an onboard battery that can be recharged. If you haven’t driven one before, then I urge you to have a go. It’s a bit like a go-kart at the fun fair – power is either on or off – but you soon get used to it. In particular you’ll notice how relaxing is the driving experience.
There are more and more electric cars coming to market: the latest is the electric Golf. In other words, they feature all the convenience and safety features of a standard car, but the powertrain is electric.
At Fleet Alliance we’re already doing our bit to help promote and support their use. We provide two free-to-use EV charging points for tenants and visitors at our new home in Glasgow Skypark and we’re partnering with the Energy Saving Trust to help promote the ChargePlace Scotland Project.
The initiative, which is currently available in Scotland only, provides workplaces with 100% funding for the installation of an EV charge point. The project is expected to complement the network of charge points being installed across Scotland and help promote electric vehicle use.
The Energy Saving Trust has yet to announce a similar scheme for the rest of the UK, but when it does, we’ll be sure to expand our support accordingly.
So, you can tell we’re committed to EVs. But why should you be considering them?
Here are 10 electrifying car facts for you to consider. Take a look.
 | You don’t have to pay company car tax – at least not until April 2015 when the company car tax charge starts at 5%. Still, you don’t pay much. A BMW i3 will cost from just £25.50 a month. |
 | The running costs are amazingly low. An overnight charge for a 100 mile range costs around £2-£3 according to the Energy Saving Trust. |
 | Electricity is not a fuel says HMRC – so you cannot charge AFR business mileage rates if you have one as a company car and charge up at home. On the plus side, if you ‘fill up’ at work, you won’t be subject to tax on free fuel. |
 | There are, confusingly, some seven different types of connector for electric vehicles. The Nissan Leaf uses a Type 1 connector or a JEVS connector for a rapid charge (80% battery replenishment in half an hour). The BMW i3 uses a Type 2 connector or a combo connector for a rapid charge. The Tesla Model S uses a Tesla Type 2 connector. Meanwhile a Reva G-Wiz uses a Commando connector. |
 | The award winning Nissan Leaf, which started the electric revolution in the UK, takes 11.5 seconds to reach 62mph; on the other hand the Tesla Model S P85kWh can whip to 62mph in 4.4 seconds |
 | There are over 7000 charge points around the UK in nearly 3000 different locations |
 | While the government Plug-in Vehicle Grant snips 25% or up to £5,000 off the price of an electric car (and 20% or up to £8000 for an electric van), for P11D purposes it’s the full price of the car against which benefit in kind will be charged. But it can get a little more complicated than that. For example, a Renault Zoe Intens has a P11D price of £27,380 while Renault’s official list price is £15,195 after government grant. This is because the batteries are leased separately – and they have to be included in the P11D. |
 | The first practical electric car was built by English inventor Thomas Parker (the man responsible for electrifying London’s underground system) in 1884. Production was by electric tram maker the Elwell-Parker Company. |
 | The electric land speed record for a sub-999kg car is held by Drayson Racing in their modified Lola Drayson Racing prototype electric race car. It achieved an average speed of 205.139mph over one mile from a standing start and 333.271kph over one kilometre, set at Elvington Airfield, England in 2013. |
 | The first Formula E grand prix at Beijing this month – exclusively for electric powered single seaters – was won by Lucas di Grassi in the Audi Sport ABT entered car after Nicolas Prost and Nick Heidfeld tangled spectacularly on the final lap while disputing the lead. |
Have you thought about an electric car for your fleet? Although the upfront cost is more than a similar conventional diesel or petrol car, the running costs – from fuel to maintenance – are spectacularly low. Much commentary – quite rightly – has focused on the lack of range: generally up to 100 miles. But … Continued
As red-letter days go, this one in London last week was pretty awesome. For the second successive year we were voted the Best Small Fleet Leasing Company in awards run by the business motoring website for SMEs, Business Car Manager. To be honest, I was really surprised. Not because I don’t think we’re good enough. … Continued
You might already know that we go to extraordinary lengths to ensure high quality customer service. You know: onesie days, our own version of the Commonwealth Games and Culture Season – featuring food, music, costumes and office decorations celebrating different cultures, to mention but a few. It’s all part of our ‘Fleet Alliance Loves’ ethic, … Continued
The last of the major international car shows of the year began last week at the Paris Motor Show. Amid the usual media storm there were some fantastic unveils such as Land Rover’s (featured below). The car industry is never shy and retiring, is it? It’s always a brilliant event, this, set in the heart … Continued
I always look forward to this time of year for car news. There’s always lots of future model announcements as we run up to one of the major motor shows at this time of the year. This year it is Paris, next year Frankfurt, as the two shows alternate. And we can expect an avalanche … Continued
It’s official! Not only are we one of the top places to work in the UK (thank you Great Place to Work Institute) – not forgetting that our homework was marked with a gold star (thank you Investors in People) – but we’re also award-winningly tech-savvy. Yup. Move over London’s Old Street based Techno Hub … Continued
This weekend Fleet Alliance is delighted to be supporting the RSAC Three Lochs Classic which takes place on 17 August. Organised by RSAC Motorsport, the classic car rally features around 100 cars dating from the early 1900s to 1982. And Fleet Alliance is the title sponsor of the event, the first time we’ve had the … Continued
They don’t call London Mayor Boris Johnson the ‘blond bombshell’ for nothing. This week he unclipped the safety pin and lobbed a £10 tax for diesels grenade into the mediasphere. Wow! That really exploded onto our attention. With the dust settling, it’s clear there are many things going on here and at different levels. The … Continued
I’m not one for making a huge deal of where Fleet Alliance Towers is located. We’re a national company after all. But not this time. We’re home of the Commonwealth Games. I’m really excited for the city, and for the regeneration it brings to the parts of Glasgow along the Clyde – and for the … Continued
This week the internet search giant Google revealed its first prototype driverless car. I may not be alone in thinking the friendly-faced bubble car has a distinct resemblance to my nephew’s Little Tikes Cosy Coupe play car – the red and yellow plastic bubble car that kids can push along with their feet. The Google … Continued