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The importance of partnerships for the adoption of electric cars in companies
Partnerships between companies and electric car suppliers
In France, more and more companies are considering electrifying their vehicle fleets. To facilitate this transition, partnerships with electric car suppliers are flourishing.
Working with manufacturers: a lever for the ecological transition
A striking example is the partnership between Renault and several major French companies (Total Energies, EDF, BNP Paribas, L'Oréal, Michelin). Renault offers tailor-made solutions for companies wishing to electrify their fleets, ranging from the supply of electric vehicles to the setting up of charging stations and fleet management solutions. Thanks to these partnerships, companies can benefit not only from advantageous terms and conditions, but also from the technical and logistical support they need to make a success of their energy transition.
What are the benefits for companies?
Partnerships with electric car brands offer a number of advantages. For example, EDF has partnerships with companies like Amazon France to deploy electric fleets. These partnerships enable companies to benefit from :
- Preferential rates : Manufacturers often offer exclusive deals for partner companies (discounts on vehicle prices, maintenance packages, etc.).
- Technical expertise : suppliers offer technical support for installation of recharging infrastructure and fleet management.
- Financing solutions : Leasing or financing options are often available, easing the initial investment.
According to a study carried out by the Observatoire du Véhicule d'Entreprise (OVE), in 2023, nearly 20 % of French companies plan to increase their electric vehicle fleet over the next two years. This trend is supported by initiatives such as the partnership between Peugeot and TotalEnergies to provide recharging solutions and electric vehicles tailored to the needs of businesses.
By partnering with electric car suppliers, French companies can accelerate their transition to sustainable mobility while benefiting from comprehensive support to optimise their fleet. These partnerships are a key element in overcoming the challenges associated with the adoption of electric vehicles and maximising the economic and environmental benefits.
Tax benefits and subsidies via public-private partnerships
The adoption of electric vehicles not only means interesting partnerships, but also significant financial benefits. Companies can take advantage of various tax incentives and subsidies that make the purchase and maintenance of electric cars more affordable.
What are the tax benefits?
In France, the finance act for 2024 has strengthened these incentives to promote an accelerated energy transition. energy transition tax credit (CITE) from up to 30 % of the investment cost, exemption from the new TVS (annual tax on CO2 emissions from passenger cars and annual tax on emissions of atmospheric pollutants) and amortisation of acquisition cost electric vehicles.
In addition to tax benefits, a number of subsidies are available to ease the costs associated with switching to electric vehicles:
- the environmental bonusto receive aid ranging from up to €7,000,
- the conversion premiumwhich can provide a bonus of up to up to €5,000 when they replace an old vehicle with an electric one,
- regional aid, offering subsidies of up to 50 % installation costs.
By 2023, this programme had enabled the installation of more than 1,000 charging stations, with financial assistance covering up to 70 % of the installation costs. These partnerships have doubled the number of charging stations available to businesses in certain rural and suburban areas.
Also read → The advantages of electric cars for SMEs
How can companies integrate electric cars into their fleets?
What are the steps involved in integrating electric cars into the company fleet?
1 - Assessing and planning requirements
The first step in integrating electric cars into a company fleet is to assess the company's specific needs. This includes analysing :
- daily journeys,
- distances travelled,
- vehicle usage profiles.
This type of analysis has enabled large companies such as La Poste (with over 10,000 electric vehicles deployed) to determine that the majority of its short-distance urban routes are perfectly suited to electrification. This well-targeted assessment enables the most suitable electric vehicles to be chosen, maximising efficiency and reducing operating costs over the long term.
2 - Setting up recharging infrastructures
One of the main challenges in integrating electric vehicles is the provision of adequate recharging infrastructure. Companies need to invest in charging points on their sites, and possibly in home charging solutions for employees. The presence of recharging infrastructure ensures the constant availability of vehicles and reduces the costs associated with the use of public recharging stations.
3 - Optimising purchase and maintenance costs
Companies can reduce the purchase costs of electric vehicles by taking advantage of subsidies and tax incentives. In addition, the maintenance costs of electric vehicles are generally lower than those of combustion vehicles, due to fewer moving parts. Renault, for example, offers maintenance contracts tailored to electric vehicles, with savings of up to 30% compared with a conventional vehicle. thermal vehicle.
4 - Raising awareness and training employees
To ensure an effective transition, it is crucial to raise awareness and train employees in the use of electric vehicles. Training sessions on optimising electric driving and recharging procedures can be organised. Training centres exist with training programmes for employees to improve the acceptance and effective use of electric vehicles in the company fleet. Well-trained employees are more likely to adopt eco-responsible driving habits, thereby maximising the company's environmental footprint.autonomy vehicles and reducing operating costs.
What impact will electric cars have on reducing costs and emissions?
Savings on fuel and maintenance
The cost of electricity to recharge an electric vehicle is much lower than the cost of fuel. In France, the average cost of electricity is around €0.17/kWh. Charging an electric car with a battery of 50 kWh, like the Renault Zoé e-TechThis would cost around €8.5, enough to cover around 300 km. By comparison, a similar internal combustion vehicle consuming 6 litres per 100 km would cost around €18 for the same distance, more than twice as much. What's more, electric cars have fewer moving parts than conventional vehicles, so require less maintenance on components such as brakes and motors.
Reducing CO2 emissions
Electric vehicles emit no CO2 when in use. Using an electric vehicle reduces CO2 emissions by around 2.5 tonnes per year for 20,000 km of use, compared with a diesel vehicle. A fleet of 50 electric vehicles comprising Peugeot e-208 could reduce annual CO2 emissions by 125 tonnes.
The use of renewable energy
Companies can also further reduce their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources to recharge their electric vehicles. EDF offers green electricity contracts for businesses, guaranteeing that the energy used to recharge vehicles comes from renewable sources.
Also read → Quotas for electric vehicles in company fleets
The advantages for companies of working with technology partners
The impact of technological innovations on the adoption of electric vehicles
Thanks to partnerships with companies specialising in cutting-edge technologies, they can overcome the obstacles associated with infrastructure and fleet management, making electrification more accessible and effective.
| Innovation technologique | Description | Impacts sur les entreprises |
|---|---|---|
|
Quick Recharge
|
Technology enabling electric vehicles to be recharged to 80% in less than 30 minutes. Ex: Tesla Superchargers, Ionity 350 kW stations.
|
- Réduction des temps d'arrêt
- Optimisation des itinéraires
Économies de 20% sur les coûts de recharge
|
|
Intelligent fleet management
|
Telemetry and recharge management solutions. e.g. Geotab, EVBox.
|
Real-time vehicle tracking
Reduce fuel costs by 15 %
Optimisation of vehicle use and service life
|
|
Advanced batteries
|
Development of high energy density batteries and semi-conductors.
|
Increased autonomy
Reduced maintenance costs
Reduced ecological footprint of 80%
|
Competitive advantages for companies adopting green technologies
Improving brand image
French companies that adopt green technologies are strengthening their brand image as responsible players. Carrefour is a good example, with its plan to have a fleet of 100 % electric vehicles by 2030. This green approach is also attracting the attention of ethical investors, who are concerned about the environmental impact of companies. Working with LG Chem, Renault also has an ambitious programme to become carbon neutral by 2040 in Europe. A stronger brand image attracts loyal customers and increases brand value, offering a significant competitive advantage.
Access to new markets and customers
Companies that adopt green technologies attract a wider customer base, particularly consumers and business partners who value sustainability. Air France has integrated electric vehicles for internal travel and passenger transport at its airports. This initiative has enabled Air France to attract a more environmentally conscious clientele, strengthening its position in the air transport market. For its part, L'Oréal has introduced a fleet of electric vehicles for its employees and logistics activities in France. In collaboration with partners such as Tesla for the vehicles and Schneider Electric for the recharging solutions.
Regulatory advantages
Companies that adopt green technologies benefit from improved compliance with ever-changing environmental regulations. In France, increasingly strict regulations require companies to reduce their CO2 emissions. Companies in the Île-de-France region that adopt electric fleets can benefit from regional aid covering up to 50 % of the cost of installing charging stations.
Also read → Electric cars: solutions to enhance your employer brand
Conclusion
By adopting electric vehicles through technology partnerships, French companies can significantly reduce their operating costs and increase their competitiveness in a global market worth tens of billions of euros. By 2024, more than half of French companies plan to electrify their fleets, illustrating a growing trend towards sustainability and innovation. Seizing this opportunity means staying at the forefront of the energy transition while making financial gains.
