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10 Reasons Businesses Should Switch Their Fleet to EVs
Reading time 7 minutes
Categories Driving Tips » Fleet Vehicles »
As more and more people make the transition from fuel to electric vehicles (EVs), many commercial organisations are currently in the process of also considering the change.
By the end of January 2024, the UK has exceeded one million EVs for the first time, marking a key milestone in the country’s electrification journey.
This number only looks set to grow, with many commercial organisations opting for electric fleets.
In this article, the team here at The Windscreen Company will outline the top 10 reasons businesses should switch to EVs, explaining the benefits that an electric fleet can bring.
Some of the world’s biggest companies have started to electrify their fleet of vehicles including Amazon, FedEx, DHL and more.
If you’re considering making the switch, you’re going to want to make sure it’s worth the change.
With this in mind, we’ve put together ten of the main reasons why businesses should opt for an EV fleet.
Undoubtedly the main benefit of EVs is that they can help combat climate change.
2022 was the hottest year ever recorded in the UK, with an average annual temperature of 10.03°C. And 2023 wasn’t far behind, with an average annual temperature of 9.97°C making it the UK’s second hottest ever year. In fact, since records began, in 1884, the top ten hottest years in British history have all been recorded since 2003.
The UK’s biggest contributor to the climate crisis is the harmful emissions that are pumped out by transportation, so the fewer fuel vehicles on the roads, the better in regards to the planet.
Therefore, by transitioning to an electric fleet, you can have peace of mind that your company is doing its bit for a greener future.
As well as the environmental benefits of transitioning to an electric fleet, it will also demonstrate your sustainable commitments to your customers.
These days, consumers are more conscious about which brands and businesses they’re interacting with and this is particularly true when it comes to the climate.
This is especially evident of the younger generation, with almost half of those who are part of the Gen Z demographic (born between 1997-2012) stating that they actively avoid certain brands if they do not meet their environmental standards.
With this in mind, by showing that you’re doing your bit, you’re likely to elevate your reputation in the minds of customers.
Ultimately, if it’s not profitable then it’s going to be a challenge to convince any business owner to make the change. However, despite a large upfront investment, EVs can save your business money in the long run.
This is because fuel prices tend to be higher than electricity, meaning the cost of running the vehicles will work out cheaper over time. Furthermore, EVs rarely require costly repairs, but more on that later.
As mentioned above, EVs do not require repairs as regularly as fuel vehicles. As well as saving you money, this low maintenance also enhances reliability.
You’re less likely to suffer from an unpredicted breakdown with an EV, making them more dependable. This is especially important if you work in the courier industry or are required to make frequent deliveries as delays can severely impact your customers’ trust in you.
By making the switch to an EV fleet now, you are protecting your business from inevitable changes in the future. The UK government has already announced that from 2035 the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned, and it’s not out of the question that further green legislation will be introduced in the future that impacts businesses.
By futureproofing your company now, you’ll be better prepared for any subsequent changes.
If your fleet regularly does business in London, you’ll be well aware of the various fees vehicles have to pay when visiting the capital.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone, more commonly known as ULEZ, was introduced in 2019 as a way to try and combat air pollution in London. The scheme has been expanded a couple of times since then, and it essentially sees non-compliant vehicles have to pay a daily £12.50 fee.
Similarly, the congestion charge was introduced in 2003 as a way to try and reduce traffic on London’s roads.
EVs are currently exempt from paying both the congestion charge and ULEZ.
In 2025, it is expected that the congestion charge will also start applying to EVs, but they’ll always be exempt from ULEZ due to the very nature of the vehicle.
So, if your fleet is based in London or regularly visits the city, having an EV is the best way to reduce your costs.
And it’s not just in London where these ULEZ zones are making an impact.
Many cities in the UK have introduced, or have plans to introduce, their own clean air zones. This includes Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and more.
You can check out our previous blog for more information on this topic.
When your petrol or diesel vehicle runs out of juice, you normally have to drive to a nearby fuel station to fill it up. However, when a business transitions to an electric fleet, this will also come with charging stations that can be installed on your premises.
Not only is it free to charge EVs at your property, it also makes it more convenient than having to drive to an external fuel station.
If you are out and about when you need to charge up, there are plenty of public charging stations available, usually at motorway service stations. While most of these stations have a set price, some are free and so make powering your vehicle far more cost-effective than fuel options.
While government grants for all EVs ended in 2022, there are still some incentives that commercial organisations can make use of.
Fleets that are making the change may be eligible for a few different options. For example, EV company car tax rates were at just 2% in 2022/23, a huge difference from the 37% that some petrol and diesel cars had to pay.
Furthermore, the government’s Workplace Charging Grant allows businesses to claim up to £14,000 towards the cost of installing EV chargers at a workplace.
Businesses with an electrified fleet can also make use of capital allowances. This means, for EVs you have purchased, you can deduct part of the value from your profits before any tax is paid.
You will be able to claim the full cost of a zero-emission vehicle through a 100% allowance against the profits during the year it was purchased. This demonstrates another great business benefit of an EV fleet.
Electric vehicles are also often considered to be safer than fuel vehicles.
This is because almost all EVs come with some kind of advanced driver assistance system, or ADAS, installed.
These systems can take on some of the driving functions on behalf of the human driver as well as provide safety warnings. This includes:
These systems are designed to make the driving experience safer, and you can check out our full ADAS guide here.
At The Windscreen Company, we pride ourselves on providing leading windscreen repairs and windscreen replacement services to fleet customers across the West Midlands and the South East. But don’t just take our word for it, check out our excellent reviews.
To find out more about our electric and hybrid car windscreen repair and replacement service, or if you need an emergency windscreen replacement, contact our expert team today and we’ll be by your side before you know it.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
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