All you need to know about the TCO of an electric car

All you need to know about the TCO of an electric car

Before embarking on the purchase of a professional electric vehicle, it is advisable to calculate its TCO. But what is TCO? Total cost of ownership is a way of assessing the total cost of an asset over a given period. It takes into account the purchase price, as well as usage and ownership costs. Thanks to this indicator, the manager of a vehicle fleet can get an idea of the costs incurred by a vehicle over the entire period of its operation. They can compare the TCO of different vehicles before purchase and determine when it is worth renewing their existing fleet. Let’s take a closer look.

What is the TCO of an electric vehicle?

For an electric vehicle, as for an internal combustion engine vehicle, the TCO takes into account numerous variables linked to the cost of acquiring, using and owning the asset. However, the specific features of electric cars often make them more attractive.

The various factors influencing the TCO of an electric vehicle

We might mistakenly think that the cost of owning a good only includes its purchase cost. But in the case of a vehicle, the expenses don’t stop there. In fact, when you become the owner of an electric car, a number of additional costs are incurred: charging, insurance, maintenance, etc.

Generally speaking, these can be divided into 3 categories:

  • Acquisition costs: the purchase price, any interest if a loan has been taken out, grants and subsidies, registration fees.
  • Running costs: the cost of energy and maintenance.
  • Ownership costs: insurance, any taxes and depreciation losses.

These costs are different for all car models, even similar ones. That’s why a careful comparison of the TCO of each vehicle is a good indicator before you buy one.

Why is the TCO different for an electric vehicle?

According to LeasePlan’s Car Cost Index 2022, the TCO of electric vehicles is regularly lower than that of internal combustion engine vehicles, particularly in France.

By way of example, the TCO of a compact vehicle, such as a Renault Megane or Peugeot 308 is €919 for an electric model compared with €954 for a petrol model and €941 for a diesel model.  

There are several reasons for this. Firstly, although the purchase price of an electric car is higher than that of an internal combustion engine vehicle, government financial aid helps to reduce this initial investment.

Furthermore, an electric vehicle costs less to run. Electricity is cheaper than fuel, and maintenance is lower. Even if an electric battery is expensive to change, this does not make up for the numerous checks and replacements of parts needed to keep a car running properly on unleaded petrol or diesel.

Finally, the depreciation of an electric vehicle is often lower. This is due to the trend in sales on the second-hand market. Electric cars are increasingly sought after, unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, which will be banned in a few years’ time.

Why is it worth calculating TCO?

Now that the concept of TCO is clear. Why is it so important to calculate the total cost of ownership of an electric vehicle?

To compare models before buying

TCO helps to compare different vehicle models or financing methods (purchase, leasing, etc.), taking into account not only the purchase price, but also the costs of maintenance, charging, insurance, taxes, and depreciation. This makes it easier to choose the most economical solution over the long term.

To identify the major cost items and optimise them

By accurately identifying the biggest costs, the company can put strategies in place to reduce them. For example, it can choose more fuel-efficient vehicles or negotiate insurance contracts.

To estimate future expenditure

TCO makes it possible to accurately estimate future expenditure on the vehicle fleet. This helps to better forecast annual budgets and avoid unpleasant financial surprises.

How to calculate the TCO of an electric vehicle

To calculate the TCO of an electric vehicle, you first need to define the calculation period. This corresponds to the lifetime of the asset. Most often, this is 5 years.

As we saw earlier, we then need to identify all the costs relative to buying, using and owning the vehicle. Some of these factors are intrinsic to the electric car:

  • The purchase cost includes the price of the vehicle, as well as the various tax incentives and financial assistance, depending on government decisions.
  • Running costs are calculated differently, taking into account the price of electricity and the average frequency of charging. As for maintenance, don’t forget the battery, which has a limited lifespan and may need replacing.  
  • Ownership costs are made up of insurance and depreciation. While depreciation costs are lower for an electric vehicle than for an internal combustion engine vehicle, insurance is more expensive because it has to be comprehensive.
  • Other costs may include the cost of installing a charging point or subscribing to a public charging network.

Once all the costs have been identified and estimated, the TCO calculation is simple and takes the following form: total costs – residual value (resale price).

How to optimise the TCO of your electric fleet

Calculating TCO is particularly useful for making comparisons between different car models, helping with the decision on whether to buy or lease, and for managing your company’s car fleet. Above all, however, it is essential for assessing costs over the long term in order to optimise them.

Choosing the right electric vehicle

Before reducing the TCO of an electric vehicle, you need to select the one that will offer the best benefits for the company. Choosing solely on the basis of TCO is not ideal. Depending on your needs, it’s also important to look at the range, power and electricity consumption of each model.

Negotiating contracts

Once the vehicle model has been selected, it is possible to optimise its average TCO through negotiation.

From the moment of purchase, the price of a vehicle, or its options, can be negotiated. However, this is easier for large companies, which can buy in large quantities and benefit from economies of scale.

Smaller companies will find it easier to optimise insurance costs. To do this, you can use an insurance broker and compare all the offers available.

Implementing an effective charging strategy

The running costs associated with charging the vehicle represent the second largest item of expenditure after the initial investment. So to keep costs down, there are several options:

  • Select the most cost-effective public charging points.
  • Check tyre pressure frequently to avoid unnecessary over-consumption.
  • Install workplace charging points to manage costs and set up a usage policy (off-peak hours, maximum charging time, etc.).
  • Install charging points at employees’ homes and benefit from better rates.
  • Track expenditure in real time thanks to connected charging points and charging cards for public charging points.

Benefit from expert support

As a specialist in electric vehicle charging, Chargemap Business offers you comprehensive support in your company’s transition to electric mobility.

Offering you a range of easy-to-use tools and a 24/7 support service, Chargemap Business helps you to optimise the TCO of your vehicle fleet.

Thanks to a perfectly controlled charging strategy, you have a complete overview of all the costs associated with the energy consumption of your vehicles, whether at work, at home or on the move.

3. Mise en place un Plan de Mobilité Employeur (PDMe)

Depuis 2020, les entreprises de plus de 50 salariés sur un même site sont tenues d’élaborer un Plan de Mobilité Employeur (PDMe) pour :
  • Encourager des déplacements domicile-travail plus durables (covoiturage, vélo, transports en commun).
  • Réduire les émissions de CO₂ liées aux trajets professionnels.
  • Améliorer la qualité de vie au travail et répondre aux exigences des Zones à Faibles Émissions (ZFE).
Ce plan doit être conçu en concertation avec les salariés et intégré dans les négociations annuelles obligatoires. Ces mesures sont des opportunités pour moderniser les pratiques professionnelles tout en contribuant activement à la transition écologique.

Comment se préparer à ces changements ?

Anticiper ces changements tout en minimisant les impacts organisationnels et financiers, tel sera le cheval de bataille pour les entreprises !

1. Auditer vos besoins en mobilité

Avant tout, réalisez une évaluation complète de vos pratiques actuelles :
  • Flotte de véhicules : identifiez les modèles à remplacer pour respecter les quotas de véhicules à faibles émissions (VFE).
  • Infrastructures : analysez vos parkings pour prévoir l’installation ou le pré-équipement des bornes de recharge.
  • Déplacements domicile-travail : comprenez les habitudes de vos collaborateurs pour adapter les solutions proposées (transports en commun, covoiturage, vélos).
Un audit précis vous permettra d’établir un plan d’action réaliste et priorisé.

2. Prévoir le budget nécessaire pour les infrastructures

L’installation de bornes de recharge ou le renouvellement des flottes peut représenter un investissement important. Pour limiter les coûts :
  • Tirez parti des dispositifs d’aides, comme lqui finance jusqu’à 50 % des coûts d’installation pour les bornes.
  • Planifiez vos investissements sur plusieurs années pour répartir les dépenses.
  • Analysez le retour sur investissement (ROI) : en optant pour des véhicules électriques, vous réduirez vos coûts d’exploitation (entretien, énergie).

3. Réorganiser vos processus internes

La transition vers des pratiques de mobilité durable nécessite des ajustements organisationnels :

  • Mettre en place un Plan de Mobilité Employeur (PDMe)
  • Formez vos équipes : accompagnez vos salariés pour leur apprendre à utiliser les nouveaux outils (véhicules électriques, bornes, plateformes de covoiturage).
Webinar : bien accompagner ses collaborateurs
  • Optimisez la gestion des recharges pour votre flotte électrique : des solutions comme Chargemap Business permettent aux entreprises de simplifier et centraliser la gestion des recharges : suivi des consommations énergétiques, gestion centralisée des bornes et accompagnement des salariés.

4. Valoriser votre image et exploiter les opportunités

Au-delà des contraintes, la Loi LOM offre aux entreprises l’opportunité de se positionner en acteurs responsables et innovants :

  • Renforcez votre image de marque : montrez votre engagement pour l’environnement à vos clients, partenaires et collaborateurs.
  • Attirez et fidélisez les talents : proposer des solutions de mobilité moderne et durable peut améliorer la qualité de vie au travail et renforcer l’attractivité de votre entreprise.
  • Profitez des économies sur le long terme : grâce à des véhicules moins coûteux à l’usage et à l’entretien, et une réduction des coûts énergétiques par rapport au carburant classique.

Conclusion

La Loi LOM représente une opportunité de moderniser vos pratiques de mobilité tout en répondant aux enjeux environnementaux. En anticipant les obligations – flottes propres, bornes de recharge, plans de mobilité, votre entreprise peut transformer ces défis en avantages stratégiques. Etes-vous prêts à faire de la mobilité durable un levier stratégique pour votre entreprise ? Découvrez comment Chargemap Business accompagne les entreprises face à la Loi LOM.

⭐️ Accompagnement personnalisé pour garantir une transition fluide et conforme aux exigences légales pour les entreprises

Contactez notre équipe !

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