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Guide to adopting ELECTRIC VEHICLES Why pure EVs make sense for your fleet, and how to successfully deploy them for maximum benefit

EV GUIDE CONTENTS

Introduction There’s no hotter topic in the UK fleet industry at the moment than powertrains and the switch to alternative fuels, rather than the petrol and diesel engines that have propelled vehicles for more than a century. It’s clear that the change will happen, more straightforward than you might numbered, and electric vehicle are going with more of a focus than ever before on expect, and will make sense on a whole to be taking up the slack as we move climate change and, increasingly, local air series of levels, from environmental forward. So, get ahead of the revolution pollution. As good as the latest internal and social to financial and corporate. and use this handy guide to help you combustion engines are, there’s an We look at everything from the grant understand how easy it is to adopt accepted wisdom that it’s something system and running costs benefits of electric vehicles, where they can that is on its way out, soon to be electric vehicles to how the network of fit into your fleet and what the benefits replaced by the new wave of advanced public charging points operates, and also to the company and driver will be. It’s plug-in powertrains. talk to various experts, plundering their great to be making business decisions But abandoning something so ingrained knowledge to see what fleets can learn based on environmental impact, but the and moving to a whole new mindset of before they take the plunge. We also fact remains that it has to make financial how to shift your drivers and goods examine developments in the EV sector, sense. Which electric vehicles now do. around isn’t easy. Which is why Company mainly around charging improvements, Car Today has teamed up with Nissan to and look at the principle of vehicle-to- pull together everything a business or grid charging, where unused power can driver needs to know about how to make be sold back into the national grid. the switch as seamless and easy as All the Government’s stated possible. Armed with the right environmental targets make it clear that Paul Barker knowledge, it’s actually a great deal the internal combustion engine’s days are Editor, Company Car Today

CONTENTS 06 14 16 EV ADVICE Electric experts share their knowledge and experience. 04 SWITCHING ON TO EV MOTORING NISSAN’S EV RANGE Ditching the conventional 18 EV pioneer brand has something needn’t be intimidating. to suit your business needs.

06 THE COST V2G CHARGING BENEFITS 20 08 16 How the latest technology could We explore the grants and earn your firm free electricity. tax benefits of an EV fleet. FUTURE CHARGING RUNNING COSTS 22 08 Looking ahead to the future Why electrically powered of recharging an electric vehicle. vehicles could save you cash. 10 THE CHARGING 10 NETWORK 04 20 An ever-expanding network will remove range concerns.

14 BUDGET 2018 We explore the implications of Chancellor’s statement.

PB COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 3 PLUG IN TO ELECTRIC Switching on to electric vehicles Electric vehicles are seen by most as the future of transportation, but adopting new technology can be intimidating. David Motton explains why it needn’t be

Electric vehicles are no longer the cars maximises the environmental of the future – they’re the cars of today. benefits of running an EV. Big improvements in range, charging Then there are the cost benefits. speed, and infrastructure mean electric Tax-wise and in terms of fuel bills, both vehicles are now an appealing choice employees and employers stand to for ever-increasing numbers of fleets benefit from running EVs. The sums and business drivers. become even more appealing in 2020/21 From the fringes of the motor industry when the company car Benefit-in- a few years ago, EVs are now firmly in the Kind tax rate for EVs drops to just 2%. mainstream. In 2017, sales of pure electric Employers will also gain in 2020/21, vehicles were up by 32.5% and in 2018, with a significant drop in national pure electric vehicles have continued insurance contributions. to grow their market share as overall And of course, electricity is a whole lot car sales have declined. cheaper than petrol or diesel. The exact It’s not hard to see why, when you price will vary depending on the energy consider the advantages of running an provider’s tariff, but a full overnight Xxxx EV. What’s more, some of the perceived charge should cost around £5 – a fraction downsides are down to outdated opinions of the price of filling up at the pumps. or misunderstanding the technology. LIVING WITH AN EV WHY CHOOSE AN EV Even the most hardened EV-sceptic can 80% in around 60 minutes, though An EV is the greenest car you can run see the cost benefits of running an EV. charging time may be affected by a on your fleet. There are no tailpipe But, they will tell you, EVs have short number of factors. But that’s plenty of emissions because, well, there’s no ranges, take an age to charge, and the time to stop off for a sandwich and a tailpipe. No CO2 to change the climate, infrastructure simply isn’t sufficiently coffee, but not so long that it renders the and no NOx to harm local air quality. The well developed to make switching to EV working day unproductive. more we swap from internal combustion transport a practical choice. There are well over 1300 CHAdeMO engine cars to electric vehicles, the Let’s take those in turn. Much- rapid chargers across the country, and cleaner the air we all breath will be. improved batteries and ever-more that number is growing fast. Of course, there’s an environmental efficient motors have improved the Most charging takes place at home cost to generating the electricity in the range of EVs enormously in just a few or the office, where there’s less need first place, especially if the energy used short years. The original Nissan Leaf for such speedy charging. Using a 7kW to charge the car’s batteries comes had a range of 109 miles. Today’s car can charger, the Leaf can be fully recharged in from a coal-fired power station. But achieve 168 miles, WLTP combined figure. 7.5 hours. So an overnight charge at the cleaner the energy production, the So, travelling from London to Birmingham home or a top up while at work can cleaner the EV becomes. Switching to a on a single charge is a realistic prospect. replenish the battery in full. low-carbon or renewable energy supplier For journeys longer than the EV’s range, the network of public charging DRIVING AN EV points is developing fast. Zap-Map. Another myth: EVs are slow. Anyone “ As range increases com shows the location of charging who has driven a modern electric car points across all different networks and will quickly debunk that one. Electric and charge times lists more than 18,000 connectors at motors deliver maximum torque from a over 6600 locations. Hundreds of new standing start, and so accelerate very reduce, the list of connectors are being added every month. quickly into any gap in traffic. Today’s reasons not to choose The idea that you’ll be waiting around Leaf with its 110kW electric motor has a for hours if you do need to stop and 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. The top an EV is becoming charge is another misconception. Plug speed of 89mph is much lower than most a Leaf into a CHAdeMO rapid charger and conventional cars’ but still 19mph higher ever-shorter ” the battery will go from 20% to than the motorway speed limit.

4 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 5 In some EVs, you hardly have to touch the brake pedal at all. That’s because when you lift off the throttle, the car converts kinetic energy into electricity through regenerative braking to replenish the battery while you drive. Activating ‘B mode’ in the Nissan Leaf, for example, increases the strength of the regenerative braking, maximising the car’s range. You can go even further by pushing the e-Pedal button, which allows the driver to use a single pedal for accelerating, with the friction brakes and regenerative braking system powerful enough to bring the car to a halt. Push down to accelerate, lift off to brake, and with a bit of forward planning only the one pedal is needed. The brake pedal is, suddenly seem unrefined compared therefore, for hard braking only. with a smooth and quiet EV. Users who need the ultimate in Press the ‘Eco’ button and the electric luggage space may find an estate better motor’s output is restricted slightly, REASONS TO THINK TWICE suits them. However, with more and further extending the distance you There really are few downsides to more EVs coming to market, there’s an can travel on a single charge. running an EV on your fleet, but it would ever wider choice of bodystyles to match Spend some time driving an EV and it’s be unrealistic to pretend an electric the needs of different drivers. surprisingly hard to go back to a petrol car is the ideal choice for every driver. As the range of EVs continues to or diesel. With no gearchanges to worry Specifically, very high-mileage drivers improve, charging times reduce, and about and no engine noise, driving an who are going to routinely go beyond the variety of models grows, the list of EV is a relaxing experience. A car with the car’s range may still find an efficient reasons to choose a petrol or diesel an internal-combustion engine can petrol or diesel better suits their needs. over an EV becomes ever-shorter.

4 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 5 GRANTS FOR EV VEHICLES

EV savings not to be taken for granted Electric vehicles may involve a higher up-front cost, but there are schemes and grants aplenty to help fleets and drivers take the plunge. Alisdair Suttie reports

There have been incentives to encourage company drivers to choose electric cars and vans going back to 2011. Recent changes to the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) have raised the qualification threshold for many, but pure electric vehicles that run solely on battery power are the only plug-in vehicles that have retained Government backing through the subsidy, albeit at a slightly reduced rate from November 2018. For anyone choosing an EV car, the PICG is now 10% of the vehicle’s value up to a maximum of £3500. Charging a In Scotland, there are also interest-free vehicle is cheaper loans for businesses available of up to than fuelling it £120,000 through Transport Scotland for Scottish-based businesses. These loans can be repaid over a period of up fuelled cars that can go as high as 37%. down 100% of first-year allowances to six years and the money can be used This is set to rise to 16% for EVs in 2019- on these charging stations. to fund the purchase of cars, vans and 20, but the good news it will then drop At present, electricity is not classed motorcycles that qualify for the UK- to 2% for the 2020-21 financial year. A as a road fuel, so it’s not subject to fuel wide PICG. The cash can also be used word of caution is needed here, because duty when you charge up your EV. If an for electric HGVs and vehicle efficiency only full electric, or plug-in hybrids with employee uses a workplace charging devices such as telematics. a battery range of at least 130 miles point to top up the batteries in their Van drivers opting for an EV model are (of which there are currently none) will electric company vehicle, there’s no currently incentivised with a grant of qualify for that 2% rate when new BIK Benefit in Kind to be paid. However, 20% up to a ceiling of £8000, bringing bands are introduced from April 2020. it should be remembered that VAT is electric vans within range of more These changes have an impact on charged at different rates depending traditionally powered models. National Insurance Contributions, too. By on where you recharge your car, and Those government-backed grants choosing an EV, a company’s NIC between that can affect the cost. At home and make it more attractive for company car 2018 and 2021 would be around £2000 non-business premises, electricity has drivers and fleet managers to choose an less than for a petrol-powered model VAT charged at 5%, while business pays EV, so it’s worth looking at how it works. with emissions of 101g/km, assuming VAT at 20%. As a result, there’s a cost Let’s start with the company side. both vehicles have a £30,000 P11D value. incentive to use domestic chargers As with any other fleet vehicle, an EV Another area where choosing an EV over business ones if the employee car or van has its tax calculated on its saves money for a business is Vehicle can reclaim the price of charging. Also, P11D value, although there are no carbon Excise Duty, which is calculated at Advisory Fuel Rates for EVs are set at dioxide emissions to include in the zero for these cars and vans. This will an extremely low 4p per mile. equation. There’s also a full 100% continue for the foreseeable future as Keeping the focus on company costs first-year writing down allowance for the government has made no moves to for a moment longer, electric cars and businesses choosing an EV, so you enjoy change this incentive. vans offer businesses the opportunity full tax relief on the price of the car in the As well as this, Enhanced Capital to significantly reduce SMR outgoings. 12 months from purchasing it. Allowances for businesses choosing to While there has been concern in the past For the driver, the advantages come in invest in electric vehicle charge points about the lifespan of EV batteries, this the Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rate as EVs are have been extended to 31 March 2023. has proved unfounded and whole-life rated at just 13% compared with fossil- So, companies will be able to write costs for these vehicles is impressively

6 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 7 COMPANY CAR BENEFIT-IN-KIND BANDS

CO2 emissions 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 (g/km) Zero 13% 16% 2% 1-50 (EV range 13% 16% 2% 130+ miles) 1-50 13% 16% 5% (EV 70-129 miles) 1-50 13% 16% 8% (EV 40-69 miles) 1-50 13% 16% 12% (EV 30-39 miles) 1-50 13% 16% 14% (EV sub-30 miles) 51-54 16% 19% 15% 55-59 16% 19% 16% 60-64 16% 19% 17% 65-69 16% 19% 18% 70-75 16% 19% 19% 76-79 19% 22% 20% 80-84 19% 22% 21% 85-89 19% 22% 22% 90-94 19% 22% 23% 95-99 20% 23% 24% 100-104 21% 24% 25% 105-109 22% 25% 26% 110-114 23% 26% 27% 115-119 24% 27% 28% 120-124 25% 28% 29% 125-129 26% 29% 30% 130-134 27% 30% 31% 135-139 28% 31% 32% 140-144 29% 32% 33% low. That is helped greatly by EVs having “For the company 145-149 30% 33% 34% far fewer moving parts because they 150-154 31% 34% 35% don’t have an internal combustion engine car driver, EVs and its associated complexity. 155-159 32% 35% 36% Other service items on an EV, such as are taxed at just 160-164 33% 36% 37% the brakes, tend to last longer as well. 165-169 34% 37% 37% This is due to EVs using regenerative 13%, while tax braking to harvest energy that would 170-174 35% 37% 37% otherwise be lost to help recharge the on fossil-fuelled 175-179 36% 37% 37% battery as the vehicle slows. This means vehicles can go 180 and above 37% 37% 37% the brakes are used more sparingly by 4% penalty for diesels up to 37% max, if not meeting RDE2 the driver and suffer less wear as as high as 37%” standard (no cars yet available) a result. Less downtime for servicing is another positive for businesses that are looking to minimise costs. for businesses based in and around the allow drivers to have private use access There are also ways that EV cars capital. Other parts of the UK also offer to are taxed at a lower rate than their and vans help reign in expenditure for EV exemptions for road tolls, such as diesel counterparts. businesses in ways that are not always the Itchen Bridge in Southampton. It’s For 2018/19, zero-emissions light immediately obvious when choosing a worth bearing in mind that you still have commercial vehicles such as the Nissan battery-powered vehicle. For example, to register your vehicle with the relevant e-NV200 will be taxed at 40% of the you can park for free when driving an EV local authority as a zero-emissions rate diesel van drivers have to pay for in the Westminster borough of London model to avoid any penalty charges. private use of their company vehicles. and other cities such as Dundee, while That’s a small price to pay for the Which means a taxable benefit figure of others provide free parking while the car savings on offer from choosing an EV. £1340 rather than the full £3350 rate is plugged in to a recharging point. For company drivers and fleets, pure that users then have to pay 20% or 40% Electric vehicles are exempt from electric cars and vans offer a simple route of, depending on their tax band. This London’s Congestion Charge and to environmental and cost savings. is though being brought back towards T-Charge due to their zero emissions, One additional benefit is that electric parity every year, with the Government which can add up to a considerable saving light commercial vehicles that companies saying it will level off in April 2022.

6 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 7 THE COST OF EV MOTORING

Electric vehicles: what are the cost benefits for fleets and drivers? If you’re considering making the switch, the financial benefits of running electric vehicles are numerous, says Daniel Puddicombe

If used in the right way, fleets and company car drivers can save “ Switching to electric vehicles themselves thousands of pounds by replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with can save a business a great all-electric alternatives over the course deal of money” of a typical lease agreement term. Although the Benefit-in-Kind rates for than half compared with diesel vehicles the first 1000 zero-emission vehicles EVs are set to increase and then plummet and post-2020 that is certainly going to it leases in 2019. “We felt we could do again in the coming years, electric increase,” said Chris Chandler, principal more to further the growth of the electric vehicles can still offer huge tax savings consultant at leasing giant Lex Autolease. vehicle market. We had a good look at for drivers and their bosses – and that’s “The bottom line is the cost savings can what we could do to help transition the before you consider the fuel and service, also come from greatly reduced fuel market from niche to mainstream and maintenance and repair savings. costs – they’re typically 2p to 4p a mile we decided to put our money where our According to research by automotive whereas a typical diesel costs 9p to 14p mouths are,” he explained. data giant Cap HPI, the Nissan Leaf a mile to run, so that’s a good saving.” Further benefits to owning an EV could costs £1197 to maintain over three Chandler (pictured, opposite page) be in the pipeline, too, as Vehicle-to- years, 16% lower than the £1429 of a admitted the initial high cost of EVs Grid technology – which allows electric Volkswagen Golf 1.0TSI 110 SE over the compared with petrol or diesel vehicles vehicle owners to sell unused energy same period. Cap HPI said owners can can put fleets off taking the plunge, from their vehicle back to the grid in makes savings because electric but said his firm has been able to offer times of high demand – is in its infancy vehicles are actually less complicated attractive leasing deals that over the (see page 20 for more on V2G). than conventional petrol or diesel course of the agreement can help to Nissan can also supply home owners or vehicles; for instance, there’s no need to offset the higher prices. business owners with solar panels, with top up oil levels or ensure the catalytic However, he cautioned that the the energy being stored in EV batteries, converter is working. vehicles have to be deployed properly, which can then be used to power a Carl Bayliss, head of electric vehicles because there’s no point in putting a building to help save on electricity at Nissan, echoed the points made by driver who spends all day going up and costs from the grid. Cap HPI. “Electric vehicles offer huge down the motorway into an EV. “The car is just the start when taking benefits in terms of lower running costs “We’ve been providing rental rates into account the wider energy services and reduced maintenance costs, which to customers based on the whole-life angle too,” Bayliss said. make them increasingly appealing to all costs so that EVs are a viable proposition. While the benefits of taking on a new types of fleet customers – whether We’ve had some customers save serious EV are apparent, some fleets have been they are SMEs, corporate, leasing money because they use the right reluctant to make the jump because the companies, rental companies, or in the vehicles in the right situations, but you do residual values were behind those of public sector,” he said. Indeed, as well as have to look at the application,” he added. equivalent petrol or diesel cars. This is educating potential customers on the This level of expertise comes from because the market had been unsure of pros – and cons – of EVs, Nissan has also experience; he said the firm currently the second-hand demand for electric. established a fully trained servicing has 15,000 plug-ins on its books and has But with more and more specialised team “that knows how to service been running Nissan Leafs on its own used car dealers coming on stream, electric vehicles for fleet customers”, fleet since 2012. In addition, the company and concerns about whether or not the which he said gives fleet managers (part of Lloyds Banking Group) wants batteries will hold up after years of use some extra peace of mind. to help the transition to electric power. slowly evaporating, the tide has turned. “At the moment, there are good tax Earlier this year Lex surprised many by Mark Jowsey, manufacturer liaison savings for electric vehicles – more announcing a £1000 subsidy offer on director at KeeResources, said: “While

8 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK demand for used electric cars has been “ There are good tax savings for restricted to date, so has the availability. Probably, the greatest barrier has been electric vehicles,and that is a lack of knowledge and confidence by dealers and consumers. We are on certainly going to increase” the cusp of passing the point of early adopters’ and moving to the ‘early As a footnote, it’s worth bearing in mind the power and range despite being the majority’, and even changes to the Plug- that when the Formula E electric racing same size, and with many manufacturers in Car Grant won’t change that much.” series began, drivers had to change cars entering the championship – including He added: “While diesel or petrol cars halfway through the race because the Nissan – the findings from the racetrack will continue to be appropriate for many batteries didn’t have enough range. Three are sure to trickle down to road-going drivers, the momentum to switch to years on and the batteries offer twice vehicles far quicker than ever. electric for drivers and fleets is becoming an increasingly compelling one.” Poppy Welch (pictured, left), head The Leaf will cost much less to run than of the Government and industry- an equivalent Golf backed Go Ultra Low campaign, echoed the sentiments, saying: “Thanks to significant fuel savings, reduced service, maintenance and repair costs, grants for workplace charge points as well as tax incentives, making the switch to electric vehicles can save businesses money. “When considering the whole-life cost, the initial investment of a plug-in car or van is more than offset by the financial benefits they offer, with fleets of 10 electric vehicles able to save hundreds of pounds each month,” she continued. “What’s more, with more than 45 models already on the market, there is a plug- in car or van to suit a broad range of business needs.”

Formula E is proving a big draw for car makers, including Nissan, to promote their EV tech and prowess

COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 9 HOW TO RECHARGE

The electric infrastructure: how public charging works The idea of relying on an electric car after a lifetime of being able to pull into a petrol station to refuel is initially scary, but that range anxiety doesn’t take long to subside once you realise there’s a whole network of public charging points to back up home and workplace charging. Daniel Puddicombe looks at how it all works

On the face of it, getting your head around how electric vehicle charging works can be as complicated as learning about the pros and cons of electric vehicles, themselves. However, if your fleet is to make the most of the benefits that EVs offer it is essential you and your drivers know how the vehicles can be recharged. Most EV owners charge their vehicles at home overnight when it isn’t in use, which makes sense; rather than let the vehicle sit there and do nothing, it may as well be topped up ready for the next journey. Like the Plug-in Car Grant, Simply plug in the Government offers your car and go a reasonably generous for a coffee subsidy to help electric vehicle owners install a charging point under its Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme. than four months before the delivery two examples listed; this requires At present, the grant rules stipulate date of the vehicle. a three-phase electricity supply and it the Government will pay for up to 75% Most suppliers offer two power options comes at a price - £999 including the of the cost of the charger, up to a £500 – a 3kW unit and a more powerful 7Kw OLEV grant in Pod Point’s case. That cap. Around 40 manufacturers are option. With the grant included in the being said, it can seriously improve listed as approved suppliers, including cost, a 3Kw Pod Point unit costs from charging speeds – Pod Point claims several well-known companies such as £279, and the faster 7Kw retails from that its unit is 10 times faster than Chargemaster and Pod Point plus other, £359. A 3Kw charger will completely a three-pin plug. smaller, start-ups, but in essence, each recharge a Nissan Leaf in 21 hours while For company car drivers north of the firm will be able to install a unit for you the more powerful option will recharge it border, you can take advantage of the as long as you have ample space. fully within a mere 7.5 hours. The extra same offer; however, Transport Scotland To be eligible for the scheme, you outlay for the speedier unit may seem (through the Energy Saving Trust) will must provide evidence of keepership – like a lot on paper, but it is likely to be also offer a reimbursement of up £300 either by providing proof of the lease or beneficial in the long run. on top of the OLEV contribution. showing you’re the primary named driver A common third option is a 22Kw Central Government also offers – and the point cannot be installed more charging point, however, unlike the other an incentive for businesses to install

10 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 11 charging points at their premises as locations in the UK, and that figure is part of its Workplace Charging Scheme likely to have risen by the time you read GOOGLE MAPS programme. Similar to the these words because the firm claims that home charging offer, the Government 678 new plugs were added on to Google recently announced it is will reduce the cost and installation fee its website in the past 30 days. to add charging point data to its by 75%, capped at £500 per socket. While that may not sound like a huge Maps service and app “so you can Unlike the home charging version, number of charging points in isolation, it’s be confident that your car will be however, the Government will help fund worth taking a step back and considering charged and ready for your ride, up to 20 sockets, and you don’t even that there are only around 150,000 or so wherever you’re headed”. have to have an EV on fleet at the time electric and plug-in vehicles on UK roads The American technology giant of your application to qualify – you just at the moment, whereas there are 8476 said it supports Chargemaster, need to demonstrate a business need. filling stations that serve circa 32 million Pod Point and Tesla Superchargers However, providing charging points for cars in the UK, according to figures from in the UK at present, with a customers isn’t a valid reason. The the UK Petroleum Industry Association spokesman for the brand telling same rules apply in Scotland, too. that were published last year. CCT there are no plans to add With home and workplace charging In essence, you’re far more likely to locations of other operators. taken care of, many EV newbies baulk at have to queue to fill up your car with However, Company Car Today the thought of having to find a charging petrol or diesel than you are to find a found that other operators are point on the move. However, this concern charging point, and unlike the number showing up on the Apple app. is largely unfounded – according to of UK filling stations, which is declining, To find charging points, you need charging point locator website Zap the number of electric vehicle charging to search keywords such as ‘EV Map (see panel overleaf), there are just points in the UK is growing at a huge rate. charging’ or ‘EV chargers’ and the over 10,000 devices in more than 6000 This theory is backed up by Erik app will display information about Fairbairn, CEO of Pod Point, who told points that are near you. Company Car Today that around 8% “To help you make a quick “Filling stations are of the firm’s public charging points are decision about which station to being utilised at any one given moment. use, we’ll show you information declining in number, This peaks at around 10% used and 90% about the business where the but the number of available. Including workplace and home station is located, the types of points, his firm has installed 60,000 ports available, charging speeds, charging points is units in the UK to date. and how many ports there are. “If we’ve got 8% utilisation and 92% You’ll also see information about growing hugely” spare capacity that pretty much means the station from drivers, including photos, ratings, reviews and questions,” Google said. At present, the feature only works with the Google Maps app on Android and iOS, with desktop support launching in the “coming weeks.”

10 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 11 HOW TO RECHARGE

you can do everything you want to do in but it’s not the right response – yes operators may be fully complying an electric vehicle, although it probably we’ve got to build some more, but with the regulations. needs a tiny bit of planning and to have a actually the UK has done a pretty good Another issue that has cropped up is think about how to charge,” he said. job of going from zero to 10,000 public the varying cost of recharging on the “The easy response to the ‘what are charging points in 10 years.” move. Some operators charge by the the problems of the mass-roll out of Where things can become confusing, minutes, others offer free electricity and EVs’ question is ‘oh there aren’t enough however, is how you pay for your others charge by the kilowatt hour – charging points’. It’s the easy response electricity on the move. Theoretically, unlike petrol or diesel, where you pay a the days of carrying a wallet-full of RFID set price per litre, there isn’t a clear way cards for different operators are over - to pay for electricity across the board as part of the Government’s Alternative and these differences between operators ZAPMAP ONLINE Fuels Regulations, introduced last could create a ‘postcode lottery’ for November, operators must provide EV drivers who live in towns and cities Zap Map is the best way to find “ad-hoc” access to charging points without access to their own charging a charging point because the vast installed after 18 November 2017 for point, one senior figure within the majority of public chargers are electric vehicle owners. industry told Company Car Today. listed on the website thanks to That means users aren’t required to It’s interesting to note the differences the firm having partnerships subscribe to a service before they can in approach between the largest in place with the majority of access a point, however, as Company companies, Chargemaster operates operators, big and small. Car Today’s investigation into Source the largest number of public points Depending on the operator, the London in September revealed, not all and offers unlimited access to its 6000 website can also display whether or not the points are in use and the costs (if applicable) associated with using the point. It’s a handy tool for EV owners and is a well-respected resource in the industry. As well as displaying where the points are, the website and smartphone app offers a route- planning tool, which will suggest up to three points within a mile of your route depending on your vehicle’s range and how far you are travelling.

12 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 13 start to ask their bosses for a charging offering more flexibility to motorists. “In “It’s fundamental point in the office car park. the public charging arena you will see an He explained: “If you’re a business and increase in rapid chargers and you’ll see that any EV driver you’ve invested in cycle racks for your faster rapid chargers – we’re installing who wants to use biking provision, and showers for those 150Kw points next year that will provide who run to work, EV drivers will be saying a 100-mile range top-up in 10 minutes, your recharging ‘hang on a minute, if I’m producing less and that’s quite an attractive proposition. pollution around the workplace, where’s Private capital is taking over the industry points can do so” my benefit?’ Employees will certainly be and charging points are being rolled out charged for their charging, but for many at private sites – places like restaurants, outlets for £7.85 a month, while Fairbairn it will enable them to use EVs if they hotels, retail parks and good private told CCT that 80% of his points are free. don’t have off-street parking.” locations rather than local authority “It’s fundamental that any EV driver Chargemaster – which was sold to facilities,” he said. that wants to use your charge points BP for £130m earlier this year – has a North of the border, the Transport can do so, and a free public access model partnership with the AA. As part of that Scotland-funded Chargeplace Scotland makes the most sense,” he said. deal, the firm is offering to install points network offers free access to the According to Tom Callow, director at any AA-approved hotel for free as the majority of its 800 points with the use of communication and strategy at company believes the right to charge is of its £20-a-year membership card, Chargemaster, workplace charging is set similar to that of the right to have free while it also offers a pay-as-you-go to increase in the coming year as drivers wifi, while Callow said his firm’s points rate for those who want to charge on who have taken the electric plunge will will get faster and faster as time goes on, an ad-hoc basis.

Recharging your car away from home is will keep getting easier

Finding a charge point is simple

At any time, “90%” of Pod Point chargers are available

12 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 13 BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Low-key Budget opens the door for electric vehicles After a rather static 2018 Budget statement, the best advice for fleets remains to go for the most efficient, low-CO2 vehicles possible, as Paul Barker reports

Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered this review to ensure we encourage the Treasury’s latest Budget statement the newest, cleanest vehicles on to at the end of October, and the clarity our roads rather than incentivising desperately needed by fleets regarding consumers and businesses to keep company car Benefit-in-Kind tax older vehicles going longer,” said Mike bands was conspicuous by its absence. Hawes, the chief executive of the motor However, this did at least have the bonus industry’s representative, the Society of emphasising that the best way to of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. control and minimise the amount of tax However, he was also hopeful for further drivers pay, and the amount of National backing for electric cars, saying: “We Insurance companies pay on their wanted to see more incentives for company cars, is to keep emissions consumers to purchase the latest, most as low as possible. environmentally friendly vehicles.” And with the uncertainly surrounding Paul Lippitt, principal consultant at both petrol and diesel, electric vehicles Lex Autolease agreed. “It is positive that with their zero tailpipe emissions figure more clarity will come in spring, but the are the safest bet. uncertainty in the interim will make it With a report on the impact of the new difficult for drivers and fleet decision- Hawes: incentives WLTP testing regime pushed back to the makers to plan for the future,” he said. for buyers spring, confusion is set to reign in the It wasn’t a Budget that completely are required fleet industry, apart from the legislation neglected the fleet sector’s adoption for pure electric vehicles. of electric vehicles, as it included a “The industry looks forward to welcome nugget for companies investing working closely with governmentXxxx on in workplace charging points. “The government will extend Xxxxx the Enhanced Capital Allowances for A lack of clarity from Xxxxx companies investing in electric vehicle Westminster is helping charge points to 31 March 2023,” read the case for EVs the official documentation. “This will help achieve the Government’s ambition for the UK to become a world-leader in the ultra-low emission vehicle market.” Previously, the Enhanced Capital Allowances – which allow a company to offset 100% of the cost of energy-saving plant or machinery that might otherwise be too expensive – were only confirmed to the end of the 2020/21 tax year. Other small-scale points that nonetheless enhance the appeal of electric vehicles included the regular rise in Vehicle Excise Duty for most cars – except those with the lowest CO2 emission figures. Every car over 75g/km goes up by at least £5 per year, ramping up to a £65-per-year increase for cars over 255g/km, while the only

14 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 15 CITY OF LONDON PLANS FIRST LOW-EMISSION STREET The City of London corporation is planning a pilot scheme limiting access to a road in Moorgate to anything not qualifying as an ultra low-emission vehicle. A public consultation opened on 1 November into the proposal, which would close the south section of Moor Lane, near Moorgate, to all non-ULEV vehicles. It is a move designed to encourage the uptake of fully electric and compliant hybrid vehicles. ULEV vehicles are defined as emitting less than 75g/km and capable of driving at least 10 miles on zero emissions. If the proposal is popular, the trial scheme will be implemented in April 2019. Two options are under “The structure consideration, with the scheme either running at all times, or of van VED has Monday-Friday between 7am and 11pm. The trial will be used to help not advanced. It is decide whether similar measures could be appropriate for other City currently a flat rate of London streets. and not graduated by CO2” “We are funding projects like this because they are vital to encourage more Londoners to switch to ultra- way to avoid VED completely is to run favoured a CO2-based system that a zero-emission vehicle. prioritises lower-emission vehicles, low and zero-emission vehicles,” Also on the Vehicle Excise Duty and that there should be a distinction said Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy front, a proposed change to the way between zero-emission vehicles and Mayor for the Environment and Energy. “Local projects such as light commercial vehicles are assessed those which emit CO2. moved a big step closer, with Chancellor How this might work is still being Low-Emission Neighbourhoods are Hammond declaring that a new system finalised, with suggestions that a a crucial addition to the Mayor’s will be introduced from April 2021. weight-based approach could be London-wide plans to tackle Also, as part of its ambition to get 40% implemented, although respondents pollution, these include introducing of new-vans to be ultra-low emission by were also keen to emphasise that the Ultra Low-Emission Zone.” 2030, the Government ran a consultation simplicity is important. The proposal is in addition to last May looking at light goods vehicle of In response, the Government has plans by the City Corporation’s up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight. committed to providing ongoing Planning and Transportation Reflecting on the fact that it changed incentives for zero-emission ultra-low Committee to turn parts of London’s Square Mile the car VED rates to a CO2-based system emission and other alternatively fuelled in 2001, the Government’s consultation vans from April 2021, when the new into zero-emissions said: “The structure of Vehicle Excise regime will be introduced, confirming zones by 2022, and Duty for vans and light goods vehicles that zero-emission light commercial the City Corporation has not advanced in this period, and nor vehicles will be eligible for a £0 also introduced does it contain an environmental signal standard rate of VED. emissions-based of any kind. Van VED is currently a flat In conclusion, it wasn’t a Budget that parking charges for on-street rate, and not graduated by CO2 in the offered great strides, but was, according way that it is for cars.” to Zenith fleet consultancy boss Claire parking in the Square According to the Government’s Evans: “A stable budget for the fleet Mile, with lower published document in response to the industry and one that is focused on tariffs for low- consultation, published in the wake of supporting a growing economy that emission vehicles. the Budget, the majority of responses benefits all sectors.”

14 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 15 EXPERT VIEWPOINTS

Experts’ views: EVs and fleets Electric vehicles are slowly but surely becoming ever-more popular, so what wisdom can the experts share? Daniel Puddicombe finds out

THE LEASING COMPANY benefit from the attractive cost and Electric vehicles “are becoming a vital environmental benefits of driving an part of the company car mix” according electric vehicle,” Dyer said, adding to the soon-to-depart managing director his company has pledged to run a of Leaseplan UK, Matt Dyer. zero-emission fleet by 2030. As such, Dyer said Leaseplan is “We’re leading from the front, “increasingly working with customers demonstrating how easy it is.” to help them integrate them into their Dyer added his company is proactive in fleets” to make the transition easier. engaging with would-be EV fleets before One of the major barriers holding fleets they take on their vehicles – the leasing back was a perceived ‘charging anxiety’ giant organises workshops and training – where drivers are concerned about not courses “to help prepare companies for being able to recharge, despite the fact driving electric vehicles”. there are more public charging points in Dyer said that Leaseplan helps to the UK than there are petrol stations. future-proof fleets when advising on and use our experience to help build a To combat this issue, the firm recently which vehicles corporate customers fleet that will help meet future needs.” launched a partnership with charging should take on. “When working with Lease firms can offer a range of giant Chargemaster, including a fleets, we address three core principles: services as part of this, such as subscription to its Polar public charging employee satisfaction, total cost of addressing the benefits available, the network in the monthly lease cost, while ownership (TCO) and sustainability,” he types of EV available (including indicative also helping owners set up and install said. “These help to create a fleet policy ranges), access to charging facilities, their own points at home. that offers freedom and flexibility to P11d forms and Benefit In Kind values, “By giving more drivers easy access employees, but also enables businesses along with quotation services enabling to charge points, they are able to to appreciate the total cost of their fleets, businesses to tailor their EV needs.

THE EV EXPERT this because it has been selling EVs into Even after reading advice pieces online fleets for more than half a decade, so and in specialist fleet magazines such its fleet team knows what concerns as Company Car Today, it may still be would-be EV owners may have. quite a leap to switch from petrol or “As the most experienced EV brand, we diesel to electric power. can naturally take a credible lead in these Thankfully, there’s a wealth of conversations,” he said. knowledge out there to help guide you “Electric vehicles are also fully through the process, and as one of the integrated into our service offer; we more established fleet electric vehicle have a fully trained sales team, all of providers, Nissan has built up a fleet which means we can give peace of mind consultancy arm to help corporate that EVs are a viable option that can customers make the jump. drive real benefits into business.” Carl Bayliss, head of electric vehicles He added that taking on a number at Nissan, said: “Our strength in all this of electric vehicles can help to boost a is the value we can add; no longer is it company’s ‘green’ image, too, which in just a sales conversation for us, it’s some sectors is becomingly increasingly almost an educational piece for us now. important as people are thinking more offerings which in the future could The fleet operators we are talking to about the environment. result in the company car generating want to know more about electric “Zero emissions mean they also align revenue rather than simply being a cost vehicles, about how they work, what to organisations’ desire to improve on the balance sheet. “The car is just the benefits are, and how EVs can their green credentials,” he said, while the start – there are much broader help them reduce costs.” he added that his team can help guide benefits coming such as vehicle-to- Bayliss said that Nissan can achieve customers towards the firm’s energy grid services,” he concluded.

16 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 17 THE FLEET EXPERT on your fleet’s books, but Iker Lazzari, A decade ago the first electric vehicles Nissan’s fleet boss, said fleets and had a poor reputation – the range wasn’t leasing companies “are now coming to us very impressive, charging was an issue and asking us for help and advice”. (thanks to a handful of charging points “Nissan has seven years’ experience scattered around the country) and they of selling EVs, which gives us unique weren’t exactly pretty to look at. expertise in the marketplace. We know For a number of years, before major that business is keen to reduce its carbon manufacturers began getting involved, footprint and electric vehicles are a real electric vehicles weren’t a serious option, option to help them do this. This puts us but thanks to vehicles with an ample in a great position to advise on ways they range, an explosion in the number of can incorporate EV into their fleets,” he charging points and more stylish designs, said. Lazzari encourages all fleet managers EVs are going mainstream. to undertake a Nissan EV Consultation via Of course, Government subsidies [email protected]. and industry innovations have helped The Nissan fleet boss added that his to push fleets in that direction and Nissan team has software that can work out was one of the first manufacturers to if electric would fit the bill for specific introduce a mass-market EV with its Leaf. drivers and said fleets should look In the early days you really had to go beyond the old ‘petrol or diesel’ question. out of your way to want to put an EV “The key point, though, is about ensuring a company’s fleet mix is fit for purpose – no longer do people need “Zero emissions, to think purely in terms of diesel or beneficial. Zero emissions, reduced petrol. We can analyse fleet usage and running and maintenance costs and a reduced costs and suggest how an EV might suit certain quieter, more relaxed drive are hard for business applications and employee any business to ignore,” he continued. a relaxed drive are driving patterns. “Both the Leaf and e-NV200 come difficult for any “It’s about adopting a slightly different loaded with the technology and safety mindset, however with a bit of planning, you’d expect of a modern car, too; business to ignore” an electric vehicle fleet can be hugely there really is no compromise.”

THE FLEET MANAGER lower running and maintenance costs. One fleet at the forefront of electric It also helps that Dundee has a plethora vehicle adoption is Dundee Council. The of rapid chargers dotted around the city, Scottish local authority currently runs 23 thanks to serious investment by the Nissan electric vehicles – a mix of Leafs council, and Crichton claimed that and e-NV200s. However, there are plans this, alongside the significant range to order a further 45 e-NV200s before afforded by the latest-generation Christmas, according to Fraser Crichton, Leaf makes it the number one choice the city council’s transport officer. for the council’s fleet. In addition, 110 Nissan Leafs make “Against some of the earlier EVs, up 15% of the city’s taxi fleet, and the Nissan Leaf, feels like a proper car Crichton said nobody has a bad word – there’s plenty of luggage space and to say about the EVs. with the extended battery our taxi “The Nissan fleet is so reliable and drivers have realised they can take any we’ve worked out there are 35% less fares and go back again without a charge, maintenance costs compared with the even if it is to places such as Edinburgh, diesels, so there’s less downtime. We’ve Glasgow or Aberdeen. deployed the Leafs in our own fleet in a “The Leaf is undoubtedly a game- carpool with 800 people driving them changer for the taxi. It’s the most and we have had nothing but positive chosen vehicle on the fleet,” he said. feedback,” he told Company Car Today. Crichton has sage advice for fleets “Mechanics and employees have also looking to follow in his footsteps: “Try gone out and bought their own Leafs an EV before you buy one because that look at your fleet, the choice between an after using the carpool ones.” should hopefully bust the myths that are EV and diesel will become so much easier For Crichton, it has been an easy still being peddled,” he said, adding that if you understand how your operation decision to take on electric vehicles, fleet bosses must know their operations works. It’s not the cars or the chargers because he claimed that within two years inside out if an EV is to succeed. that don’t work, it’s all down to the each vehicle pays for itself thanks to the “You’ll probably find that if you have a operation,” he concluded.

16 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 17 NISSAN EVS

The latest electric vehicles: Nissan’s take on EV motoring Electric vehicles may make sense on financial grounds and environmental grounds, but only if the products themselves make sense for your business. Alex Robbins looks at Nissan’s pioneering EV pairing

NISSAN LEAF Has any car done more to make electric motoring accessible to regular family car buyers than the Nissan Leaf? Probably not. Introduced in 2010, the first Leaf offered the sort of space we’ve come to expect from a regular family hatchback while becoming the best-selling electric car in the world. This second-generation model, introduced in 2017, has an official combined range of 177 miles – yes, 50% more than before – while power output is up to a very usable 148bhp. The Leaf has also gained noticeably sharper styling, bringing it into line with Nissan’s family look. Inside, meanwhile, things have grown classier, with more soft-touch plastics around the place and a more upmarket ambience. But it’s the new bits of technology that really bring Latest Leaf offers more the Leaf forward. Most notable range and more tech among these is Nissan’s e-Pedal, which comes as standard on all Leafs. Like most electric cars, the Leaf uses regenerative braking, using the cruise control, which means that as soon as you lift off ProPilot will not only maintain it, but will safety features including autonomous the accelerator, the drag of the electric also brake, and even come to a stop if the emergency braking all come as standard. motor is used to slow the car while car in front does so. It can then accelerate You even get EV-specific NissanConnect also generating charge for the battery. back up to your chosen speed as the road EV sat-nav that shows charging stations However, with e-Pedal, this regenerative clears, all the while staying centred in its on the route. Upgrade to N-Connecta, braking effect is combined with the car’s lane. Of course, you’re still in control of and heated seats and steering wheel and actual brakes, enabling the car to slow to the car so you have to pay attention in 360-degree parking cameras are added, a complete stop and be held there. This case a situation the car can’t read arises, while in addition to ProPilot, Tekna has a means you can all-but drive your Leaf but the system takes much of the stress Bose sound system, heated rear seats and using one pedal alone, which makes it out of motorway driving and allows you LED headlights. All this, combined with a particularly easy to drive in traffic. to arrive feeling more relaxed. usable range, a decent amount of power, That said, if you’ve got a Leaf equipped ProPilot comes as standard on the top- super-cheap fuel cost and a reasonable with Nissan’s ProPilot technology, you of-the-range Tekna, but it can be added to P11D value? No wonder the Leaf is might not even need to use any pedals N-Connecta grade Leaf upwards for £400. converting company car drivers. at all. ProPilot combines adaptive cruise Looking at standard kit, even the entry- control with lane-keeping technology level Acenta is well-equipped: adaptive NISSAN E-NV200 to enable your Leaf to handle steering, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, If you run a van in a town or city, you acceleration and braking on the climate control, smartphone mirroring, probably don’t need reminding of motorway. Once you’ve set your speed Bluetooth connectivity and a suite of the ever-increasing appetite among

18 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 19 Electric van manages to combine practicality with bargain costs

124 miles when measured on the e-NV200, and loading is made easier by “ It’s no wonder urban WLTP combined cycle. Fast charging a remarkably low 524mm load height; makes it a truly viable alternative in and there’s also a 60/40 split rear door, operators are looking around town, too; a standard wallbox will which makes access easier in tight spots. to replace fleets with deliver a full charge in seven-and-a-half Payload runs from 542kg-703kg. hours, while if you go for an e-NV200 The most basic e-NV200, the Visia, electric vans such with rapid charging on board, you’ll be gets Bluetooth connectivity, steel wheels able to boost the charge from 20% and keyless start, but to get the best as the e-NV200” to 80% in as little as 40-60 minutes. of the e-NV200, you’ll probably want Charging time may though be affected by to upgrade to Acenta, which gets rapid governments, both local and national, for a number of factors. charging and a battery cooler and heater emissions charging on diesel-powered Running an electric van can make life to improve range – not to mention cruise commercial vehicles. And what with easier in other ways, too; for instance, control with a speed limiter, a rear-view fuel costs rising all the time too, it’s no with the e-NV200, drivers and fleet camera and climate control. Or if you wonder more and more urban operators managers alike can use a telematics want to treat yourself – or indeed, your are looking to replace fleets with electric system called NissanConnect EV to drivers – plump for the Tekna, which vans such as the Nissan e-NV200. provide digital driver reports, and monitor comes with automatic headlights and The e-NV200 was part of the vanguard battery status. You can even use the wipers and sat-nav. of electric vans that have emerged in the app to remotely start and stop the van’s Of course, as with the standard NV200, past few years with the aim of reducing charging and climate control – ideal for the e-NV200 is available not just as a not only emissions, but also – crucially – frosty mornings or sweltering afternoons van but also as a five- or seven-seat fuel and tax costs for operators. And it’s – and receive notifications when Combi. Again, three versions are available clear there’s an appetite for such things; charging is complete. here; Visia and Acenta largely mirror more than 7000 e-NV200s have now But of course, an electric van is of little the equipment of their van equivalents, found homes across Europe since the use if it isn’t up to the tasks put to one of although the Tekna is replaced by the model was launched. its combustion-engined rivals. Happily, top-of-the-range Evalia, which gets A recent upgrade has given the as with the diesel NV200, you can fit two body-coloured bumpers, LED headlights, e-NV200 an impressive range of standard Euro pallets in the back of the sat-nav, a digital radio, and privacy glass.

18 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 19 GIVE SOMETHING BACK

Vehicle to grid extends EV use Electric vehicles create an opportunity to have zero fuel costs if ‘left over’ charge is sold back to the grid at peak times through a vehicle-to-grid scheme. Tristan Young investigates how companies can make this work

Putting plug-in electric vehicles on your up overnight, these vehicles could grid can satisfy the demands made company fleet isn’t easy. Electric car and become part of the grid – just at upon it for increased energy.” van sales may be up, but they’re not yet the time when the electricity firms Controlling this bi-directional charging rocketing away. However, there’s now a are experiencing peak demand. is the difficulty with V2G systems. Not technology that gives one more reason Through a predefined contract the only is the software to control it complex, to switch from pumps to plugs, and remaining electricity in these vans can but there are also a lot of different parties that’s a system called vehicle-to-grid. then be sold back to the grid at a higher that need to be involved such as the Often just referred to as V2G, vehicle- ratable value than it was bought for. vehicle owner, vehicle manufacturer, to-grid technology, in its simplest terms, Once peak demand has passed, there’s grid owner and electricity supplier. means that electric vehicle users can sell still enough time left overnight for the However, long term, V2G systems back to the grid any remaining electricity vans to recharge on cheap electricity will become increasingly important. left in their batteries at peak electrical ready for the next working day. “The electricity grid is not capable demand times. Speaking to Company Car Today of absorbing big numbers of electric While one car or van with, say, 20 miles Eduardo Mascarell, Nissan’s head of vehicles, so we need to find other of range left may not sound like a lot to be V2G, set out the benefits, saying: solutions to manage the transition. sending back to the grid, when scaled up “V2G units give owners the flexibility Developing V2G is critical to supporting to thousands of vehicles it becomes and power to decide when they want grid stability, optimising energy usage a useful and valuable project. And this to charge their vehicles and when they and supporting widespread EV is precisely how those pushing the want to sell energy services to the grid, adoption,” said Mascarell. technology see it evolving. allowing them to play an active role in grid “At Nissan, we have invested in vehicle- For company car, and particularly van, stability. It will also generate revenues to-grid technology because it allows fleets, this V2G tech could prove that, for our customers, could represent electric vehicles to be fully integrated a valuable opportunity. the equivalent of having free electricity As an example, if an electric van fleet to charge and drive their EVs. starts the day fully charged, completes “In a future when nearly all vehicles its logistical operations during daytime will be electric, it is vital that V2G business then returns to a base to charge technology is rolled out to ensure the

Van fleets could give back energy to the grid

V2G tech will only become more prevalent

20 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 21 “After hours, an electric van fleet could then become part of the grid”

into the electricity grid. The technology wider vehicle fleet. On the costs, it’s not output. This would equate to 830kWh also helps make renewable energy possible to give a general one-size- annually. For the kWh you don’t use in sources even more widely integrated and fits-all cost – it depends on several your home, Ovo can sell it back to the affordable. We have been looking at ways factors; charger and installation cost, grid, equivalent to £305 a year. to use electric vehicles beyond traditional the operational costs, customer While this system is currently open mobility, turning them into clean mobile proposition,” added Mascarell. only to Nissan Leaf owners so far, Ovo energy hubs. On top of that, a V2G system takes does intend to expand it to other EVs in “V2G allows you to switch from being around three to five years to recoup future. At the moment, the offer is in a a passive consumer to an active player any costs because of the up-front trial phase, so the installation of the in the energy market – generating investment in technology and systems. charge point needed is free. revenue while keeping you in complete However, one of the leading providers Nissan’s own figures suggest that each control,” continued Mascarell. “You will in the UK offering a V2G system is vehicle could generate as much as £350 set up how much energy is available in currently offering free installation. a year. The reason energy suppliers are your battery and during which periods. It For customers already signed up to willing to pay for the electricity from a will also make sure you are fully charged Ovo Energy, V2G is available to any vehicle is that it’s cheaper to call this and ready to go the next time you want to Nissan Leaf owner. power into use than to switch on other use your car – all part of the mission Ovo pays 6p a kW above the electricity forms of power generation such as power to provide free driving electricity for unit rate which they claim could be stations, be they carbon-producing or Nissan customers.” equivalent to a reduction of £305 in even carbon-neutral sources such as In the UK, to start bidding in the a typical energy bill. hydro-electric power stations. electricity market you need a minimum This is based on discharging your EV The market is currently in its infancy, of 1MW (equivalent to approximately 150 battery at 5.4kW from 4-7pm every so it’s difficult to assess how big it will be vehicles), according to Nissan. day for a year, equivalent to exporting in future and the impact V2G will have. “So, you could either be a large fleet 5,913kWh to the grid. This is because not only do there have company with a significant 150-plus However, Ovo claims you’d likely use to be more plugged in vehicles in the vehicle parc, or a smaller company signed some of this to power your home – it market, but the vehicles need to be able up to a V2G operator with access to a estimates 14% of your EV battery’s to give charge as well as take charge.

20 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK 21 CHARGING AHEAD

Electric vehicle charging – the future; near and far As more people choose electric motoring, so the pressure on recharging will rise. However, clever ideas are afoot, as Alex Robbins finds out

Trying to predict what car ownership Such technologies will be will look like in 20 years is harder now capable of adding more than a than ever before. But if there’s one thing hundred miles of range to your that’s for certain, it’s that electrification car in the time it takes you is coming – and whether our cars are to pop to the loo. plug-in hybrids or fully electric cars, But there’ll still be a place for means more and more of us are going slower public chargers, too. “We to be plugging them in to charge them also expect a spread of non-rapid up in years to come. charging at places such as hotels But just how will we do it? Well, most and leisure attractions – places experts foresee that the majority of where people park for a long charging will be done at home and at time, so it’s really useful to be work. So in the short term we’ll see more able to charge, say, overnight or and more wall-mounted fast chargers throughout the day,” says Callow. popping up on the fronts of people’s In short, the industry is moving houses. Before long, these wall chargers toward a network of chargers will be capable of storing power as well; at home and work that cater for the charging points, they envisioned clusters this is one advance Nissan is already majority of our electric car charging, with of public wireless charging points. Using introducing to the market in conjunction public chargers both fast and slow that autonomous driving technology, your car with Ovo Energy, which is trialling a wall can supplement that charging as and could be set to drive itself to one of these box capable of the sort of vehicle-to-grid when longer journeys are needed. in the middle of the night to top up its charging discussed on page 20. That’s the near future, of course, charge, returning ready for you to use by Wireless charging is expected to arrive but beyond that there are more exotic the next morning, thus negating the need in the next few years, too – soon, you’ll ideas of ways in which we’ll be able to for charging points at home or at work. be able to charge your car up simply by charge our cars. In 2016, Nissan and So prepare yourself for the prospect parking it over an inductive charging pad, Foster & Partners teamed up to try to of your car wandering off to fuel itself a little like you can already do with imagine what the fuel station of the up while you sleep; believe it or not, certain mobile phones. future might look like. Far from simply a that’s how the future of electric Don’t be surprised if you see charging petrol station with pumps replaced by vehicle charging could look. points popping up at your office, either. “Workplace chargers are more valuable in some ways than public chargers, because they give access to charging to drivers with no off-street parking,” says Tom Callow, director of communications and strategy for Chargemaster. “Their main charger could be at their workplace, and they might be doing 80-90% of their driving using that charger and only rely on public charging when they’re going on a long journey.” Of course, for that to happen, public charging infrastructure will need to progress, too. “You can expect to see a ramping-up of charging speeds at public chargers, as vehicles that can charge at those speeds come to market,” says Callow. “Next year we’ll start to see 150kW chargers roll out, and 350kW charging is on the horizon, too.”

22 COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK COMPANYCARTODAY.CO.UK PB Nissan Fleet. We mean business.

Welcome to our world of innovation. From the UK’s best-selling electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, to the Nissan Qashqai - the world’s first crossover. Pioneering zero emissions and intelligent mobility, its what sets us apart. We’ve been supporting British manufacturing for over 30 years and have made over 8 million vehicles in the UK. Not only that, we only employ the best people in the industry, people who understand the specific needs of every customer within the fleet market. Let us show you how we mean business, speak to one of our team today: 0800 2940579 www.nissan.co.uk/fleet

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