Businesses understand the need to reduce their collective carbon footprint and that transitioning from the internal combustion engine to electric vehicles is going to be a crucial part of this process. But the prospect of making the switch can feel daunting, particularly in longstanding companies with established ways of working. Here are five recommended tips from the experts for anyone considering making the switch.
Often when it comes to a company’s EV adoption journey, a mental leap is needed to get the process going. To start with that means dispelling myths about EV vehicles. Start with a conversation about range. Take, for example, the CUPRA Born, with the 77kWh battery, which can do up to 342 miles (WLTP)* on a single charge, depending on factors such as temperature, air conditioning use, driving style and tyre pressure. How often does anyone in the UK really drive further than that without stopping? Then overcome fears about costs by selling the benefits of going electric. EV company car drivers benefit from vastly reduced Benefit in Kind payments and far cheaper running costs. As Area Fleet Manager Mark Penny puts it: “Benefit in Kind payments could be reduced from as much as £300 down to £30 a month and you’re looking at probably half the price per mile on an electric car compared to an internal combustion engine car.”
Get Some Practical Experience
As National Fleet Manager Justin Costello is keen to point out: “For many employees, their company car is the most valuable benefit after their salary so they want a vehicle that they really love.” At CUPRA, they find the easiest way to convince company car users of the value of an EV is to get them behind the wheel at one of their test driving sessions. Actual real-life experience of the cars is also great for building confidence as Mark Penny is keen to stress: “There are a lot of preconceived ideas about things like the charging infrastructure, which get dispelled when people actually get out driving in the cars.”
Demystifying the switch: a step by step guide to the EV adoption journey
