What are the criteria when a company buys a professional electric vehicle?
The purchase of an electric vehicle for a company is an important decision, requiring a thorough analysis of the criteria to be taken into account. In fact, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right electric car for your business needs.
Range is an essential criterion when a company buys a professional electric vehicle. The distance covered on a single charge is less than that of a combustion-powered vehicle, which poses problems for business travel. However, the good news for companies is that the range of electric vehicles is constantly improving, thanks to technological advances and increased battery capacity.
To choose the right electric vehicle for their business, companies need to take a number of criteria into account:
- real autonomy according to the company's usage cycle,
- availability and location of charging stations on frequent routes,
- battery capacity and recharge time,
- braking energy regeneration technology.
Also read → Range, power, battery: how does an electric car work?
Recharge time
VSEs and SMEs need their vehicles to be operational at all times, which requires fast, efficient recharging times. According toADEMEthe French Agency for Ecological Transition, recharging times have fallen considerably in recent years.
However, more needs to be done to make charging faster and more accessible. Solutions such as the development of fast charging stations and the introduction of subsidies for the installation of charging stations in businesses can help improve the situation.
Technological advances such as bi-directional charging enable the electric car not only to recharge from an external power source, but also to supply energy to that same source. This means that the car can be used as a kind of mobile battery, storing energy during off-peak periods and releasing it during peak periods.
For example, the Renault Zoe e-Tech offers a 50 kW fast charge that recovers up to 150 km of range in just 30 minutes.
The manufacturer Tesla offers Superchargersfast-charging stations, enabling a Tesla car to be recharged in around 30 minutes for a range of 270 km. Here are some other examples:
| Electric vehicles | Recharge time (fast charge) | Max. charging power (in kW) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tesla Model 3 |
15-30 minutes |
170 kW |
|
Volkswagen iD.4 |
26 minutes |
135 kW |
Loading capacity
Companies often need to transport goods or equipment as part of their business activities. So it's essential to check that the vehicle you choose has sufficient load capacity to meet your needs. What's more, loading capacity can vary according to the vehicle's battery and weight.
Today, however, many automakers offer electric electric vans to meet these needs. Such is the case with the Renault Kangoo Z.E and its 4.6 m³, the Peugeot e-Partner with its 4.4 m³, or the Volkswagen e-Crafter with its 11.3 m³ load capacity.
According to the French Highway Codethe the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of a commercial electric vehicle must not exceed 3.5 tons.. This can limit the loading capacity of electric vehicles. However, some companies offer innovative solutions for increasing load capacity, such as the use of electric trailers.
Also read → Top 5 electric vans manufactured in France 2023
Precautions to take before buying an electric car
Several factors need to be taken into account to avoid hidden costs and unpleasant surprises. There are also a number of precautions to be taken before embarking on the purchase of an electric car for your company fleet.
Hidden costs: why is it important to take them into account?
Taking hidden costs into account is a crucial issue when buying an electric car. Visible costs, such as the purchase price, insurance and maintenance are often highlighted, but hidden costs can be just as important, if not more so. These include the cost of electricity, which can vary according to the hours of recharging, as well as costs related to the battery lifereplacement of certain parts and waste management.
So it's vital to take all costs into account to make an informed choice when buying an electric car. To do this, it is advisable to refer to long-term cost comparisons, which take into account all the hidden costs. Online tools can be useful for assessing the costs associated with recharging and using an electric car. EDF has set up a free free cost calculator for this purpose.
In France, the law on energy transition pour la croissance verte (energy transition law for green growth) of 2015 requires companies to assess the greenhouse gas emissions of their vehicle fleets, and to take into account the direct and indirect costs of using these vehicles. This measure is designed to encourage companies to opt for vehicles that are more environmentally friendly and more economical in the long term.
Despite a higher purchase price, the hidden costs of electric cars are lower than those of combustion engines. For example, the cost of electricity to drive 100 km in an electric car is on average €3.50compared with a fuel cost of €9.50 for a combustion-powered car. What's more, maintenance and battery life costs are lower than for internal combustion engines.
Also read → Fleet insurance
Warranties and after-sales service
Electric vehicle technologies can sometimes be complex. They require high-quality follow-up and assistance in the event of a problem. In fact, unlike combustion-powered cars, electric vehicles have special maintenance and repair requirements. So it's important to find out about the guarantees offered by manufacturers, as well as their responsiveness and efficiency when it comes to after-sales service.
Among the warranties offered for electric cars is the battery warranty, which can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. For example, a Renault offers an 8-year or 160,000 km battery warranty for its electric cars, while Tesla offers an 8-year and unlimited range warranty for its Model 3.
Also read → Why is an electric car battery guaranteed for 8 years?
When it comes to after-sales service, it's important to check whether the manufacturer has a maintenance and repair network for electric cars in your area. Some manufacturers also offer specific services for electric cars, such as the installation of home charging stations. Finally, it's essential to study the maintenance and repair costs of electric cars. They are different from those of combustion-powered cars. According to a study by UFC-Que Choisir, maintenance costs for an electric car are on average 23% lower than for a combustion-powered car.
Also read → Optimizing your running costs with the electric car
Purchasing an electric vehicle: problems encountered by companies
Renewing a car fleet in favor of electric vehicles is good for a company's image. It's also a way of saving on fuel and maintenance costs. So it's important to ask yourself the right questions.
Also read → Electric vehicle fleet: the complete guide
Is recharging infrastructure an obstacle to the growth of electric vehicles?
The lack charging infrastructure is a major issue for companies looking to adopt electric vehicles. electric vehicles. Despite the increasing number of public charging points in urban areas(by early 2022, nearly 54,000 charging points were open to the public), rural areas and freeways are poorly served in terms of charging stations. This means longer downtimes for electric car drivers, which can cause delays in business activities.
The solution to this problem is to invest in suitable recharging facilities for businesses. Here are a few examples of possible solutions:
- Install charging stations on company propertyThis allows easy access for electric vehicle drivers.
- Work with recharging infrastructure providers to install public charging stations near company facilities.
According to the IEA, the installation of charging stations is essential to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles by businesses. The study found that the number of charging stations needed worldwide will reach 40 million by 2030, an eight-fold increase on current figures. In France, the government's objective is to to reach 100,000 charging points by 2023 and 7 million by 2030. Businesses also benefit from subsidies for the installation of charging stations, as part of the French economic of the French economy.
Also read → Support for the installation of charging stations in 2023
How can we overcome the limited range of electric cars?
The range of an electric vehicle is one of the main criteria taken into account by a company when renewing its vehicle fleet. A short range is a major obstacle. The range of electric vehicle batteries is still limited compared with combustion engine vehicles, which is an obstacle to the adoption of these vehicles by small and medium-sized businesses.
Despite this, the range of electric cars continues to improve thanks to technological advances, and varies according to car model and driving conditions. For example, some electric cars can now cover more than 500 km on a single charge, like the Tesla Model 3 Performance and its 547 km range, while older models may have a more limited range.
Also read → 2023 ranking of the 10 long-range electric cars
To address this issue, companies can set up trip planning solutions for their electric vehicles. electric vehicles. This will optimize their autonomy by avoiding long journeys without the possibility of recharging. Using a mixed fleet of electric and combustion-powered vehicles is also a good way for companies to optimize the use of their electric vehicles for the shortest, most energy-efficient journeys. Solutions that can help companies in their last-mile logistics. The law on mobility (LOM), to be enacted in 2019, provides for measures to encourage the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles in France, notably by imposing quotas for charging stations in the parking lots of new buildings.
Also read → Installing a recharging point on your premises: what does the law say?
Unaffordable for SMEs and VSEs?
The purchase of an electric vehicle represents a major investment for a small business. The price of an electric vehicle is higher than that of an equivalent internal combustion vehicle. While the Volkswagen iD.3 costs €46,750, its internal combustion equivalent, the Volkswagen Golf, starts at €32,045. This difference in purchase price can be explained by the higher production costs associated with battery technology. These account for a significant proportion of the vehicle's total cost. This may well put off small businesses looking to optimize their budgets.
However, it's important to take into account the running costs of both types of vehicle. Electric cars have lower running costs than combustion-powered cars. Costs associated with maintenance, energy and CO2 emissions are significantly lower. However, tax breaks and subsidies offered by governments can considerably reduce the cost of purchasing electric cars for companies:
- exemption from tax exemption (ex-TVS) for electric vehicles,
- tax deduction for depreciation of passenger vehicles,
- partial or total exemption from vehicle registration fees depending on the region,
- from mileage allowances for electric vehicles
- recovery of VAT on energy,
- the possibility of reclaiming VAT on the purchase of electric vehicles,
- environmental bonus up to €4,000 for the purchase of a company electric vehicle,
- conversion bonus of €2,500, which can be increased by €1,000 for a company with an establishment in a low-emission mobility zone. low-emission mobility zone (ZFE-m).
Also read → Electric vehicle taxation 2023: your benefits
It's also important to consider the long-term cost savings of electric cars. Indeed, the operating cost of an electric vehicle is lower than that of a combustion vehicle, due to lower fuel costs and reduced maintenance. To help companies make an informed decision, it is useful to compare the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the two types of vehicle. TCO takes into account all the costs associated with the purchase, maintenance and use of a vehicle over a given period. We recommend taking into account the TCO over a period of 3 to 5 years, to get an overall view of costs.
So, despite a higher initial purchase cost, the use of an electric vehicle proves more economical in the long term for companies. So it's important to consider all the costs and benefits before making an informed choice.
Also read → TCO (Total cost of ownership): how to calculate and optimize it
Conclusion
The choice of a professional electric vehicle will therefore depend on your travel needs and the specific characteristics of your business. It's important to consider rangerange cost, the battery lifebattery recharging solutions and tax benefits you may be entitled to.
Ready to take the plunge? Contact our experts Beev if you have any questions. We'll get back to you within the hour.
