Electric cars are becoming increasingly common around the world. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), sales rose by 25% in the first quarter of 2024. The same trend can be seen in the UK, where the EV market has experienced significant growth, with over 1,000,000 EVs on the roads as of the end of February 2024, including a vast amount of business registrations.
Why do professionals increasingly like electric cars? In addition to the financial and tax advantages, electric company cars offer a number of other benefits.
Environmental benefits
Electric mobility is the preferred choice of a growing number of private individuals and businesses as it helps to combat climate change.
A car considerably reduces its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when it is not equipped with an internal combustion engine. Studies indicate that over their lifetime, electric cars generally produce fewer greenhouse gases than conventional cars. According to a report from the UK’s Royal Society, electric cars can emit between 17% to 30% less carbon dioxide than petrol cars over their lifetime.
This reduction is linked to a number of factors, including
- The absence of an exhaust pipe: although the manufacture of batteries for electric cars is energy-intensive and emits CO₂, this footprint is offset in the long term by the absence of direct emissions during the use phase.
- The electricity mix: the carbon impact of an electric car depends largely on the source of the electricity used to charge it. In countries where a significant proportion of electricity comes from renewable sources, the carbon footprint of electric cars is much lower. This is the case in the UK, but also in France and Germany.
Similarly, the absence of direct emissions and the decarbonisation of the electricity mix help to preserve natural resources and improve air quality. All of which helps to reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Image benefits
The main advantage of electric vehicles is that they are more environmentally friendly than internal combustion engine cars. By choosing this option, companies, whether already engaged or not, reinforce their image as a company committed to preserving the planet.
A positive image that attracts customers and partners who are sensitive to environmental issues. Today’s customers are very attentive to the values of the companies they work with. According to the Ipsos Global Trends 2021 report, a high percentage of global consumers prefer to buy from companies with strong commitments that are consistent with their personal convictions.
Benefits for employees
By positioning themselves as innovative and responsible companies, not only do they attract new customers, but also new employees looking for an employer that is line with their values.
As well as personal convictions, adopting an EV fleet brings a certain sense of well-being to employees, offering them less stressful journeys.
Driving an electric car is a more comfortable experience. It’s ideal for journeys around town, with smooth, jolt-free acceleration. In addition, electric motors are renowned for their silent operation. This is a major advantage when you spend several hours a day on the road, as do sales representatives and tradespeople.
Technological advantages and innovation
Electric cars are recent and therefore equipped with modern features. They produce no direct CO₂ emissions and use less energy than internal combustion engine cars.
Built differently, they have fewer wearing parts, requiring less maintenance. Checks are less frequent, especially as there are no oil changes to be carried out.
Batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can be charged ever more quickly, making it possible to cover ever greater distances.
Continuing to innovate, electric vehicles are responding to changes in the market, as well as current and future regulations.
Regulatory advantages
Many countries support the transition to electricity through tax incentives and subsidies. In the UK for instance, certain types of low-emission vehicles are eligible for a plug-in grant and financial aid can also be provided to small and medium-sized businesses for the installation of EV chargepoints and infrastructure.
In the European Union, a regulation dated 14 February 2023 calls for a complete ban on internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 and low-emission zones (LEZs) are appearing almost everywhere in the world, often in urban areas, where the most polluting vehicles are banned.
As a result, whether in the UK or elsewhere in the world, opting for an EV fleet not only ensures that you comply with current regulations, but also that you are ready for the future. Although electric mobility is solely encouraged today, it may well become mandatory for businesses in a few years to come.
An example of a successful electric transition
As part of the company’s CSR approach, Groupe Bertrand (excluding Burger King) began by reducing its use of diesel vehicles before making a definitive switch to electric vehicles in 2021.
To support them in this process and facilitate the transition, Adrien Bosselut, project manager, called on Chargemap Business.
Thanks to the implementation of various tools, such as the charging card and the home charging management solution, the company was able to purchase 80 electric vehicles in one go and make them available to its employees. Despite some misgivings, employees readily embraced this new way of getting around.
Building on this success, the project is now continuing with the installation of charging stations in the company and at employees’ homes, with the support of the Chargemap Business team.
Like Groupe Bertrand, would you like to take advantage of all the benefits of electric cars and start making your car fleet greener? For a smooth transition and personalised support, opt for Chargemap Business solutions!
