Benefits of electric work vehicles

Your team’s support and engagement are key to a successful transition, especially when company vehicles are part of their daily routine or benefits package. By involving employees early, addressing their concerns, and highlighting the benefits, you can help ease the transition to EVs and create a smoother, more accepted change across the team.

• A successful transition requires input from many parts of your business. Finance, operations, communications, property/facilities, fleet and HR. Senior leadership needs to be aligned and actively advocating for the transition.
• Keep communications open, and be prepared for curly questions from staff around range anxiety, charging, performance and safety.
• Start with a pilot programme where a small group of employees (your champions) uses EVs before rolling out the transition company-wide.
• Gather feedback from your champions and use their positive experiences to influence more hesitant employees. 

By analysing how your vehicles are used — daily distances, routes, idle time, and fuel consumption — you can identify where EVs could seamlessly fit, while also uncovering opportunities to improve efficiency.

This data-backed approach will help you figure out key needs for replacement EVs, like range and performance, while also highlighting potential cost savings, emissions reductions, and even opportunities to downsize or better utilise your fleet. With solid data in hand, you can confidently make the case for change and plan a smooth transition.  

• GPS tracking is the easiest and most comprehensive way to collect vehicle data, but for smaller fleets, you could look at fuel card data and survey your drivers.
• Analyse trip start and return times to understand vehicle usage patterns and peak times.
• Calculate the average length and duration of trips to get an idea of the range you would need on electric vehicles.
• Consider where vehicles are travelling — do you need vehicles suited for urban or rural terrain?
• Determine parking times and locations — this will help you determine the best charging solution for your team.
• Once you’ve got a clear picture of current vehicle use, involve your team to get a collaborative solution for increasing efficiencies. 

There are some key differences between EVs and petrol/diesel vehicles that make it important to think carefully about the financial side of things. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

• Total cost of ownership (TCO) — While EVs often have a higher initial purchase price, their lower running costs make them more economical over time. Factor in savings on fuel, reduced maintenance costs, insurance costs; but also the cost of any charger installations required at an office or a home. Use the vehicle total cost of ownership calculator. 
• Internal budgets — Transitioning to EVs may require rethinking how vehicle costs are funded and allocated within your company. Consolidating budgets across departments to a single budget holder can help decision making.
• Owning vs leasing — If your business can support the investment, owning EVs offers a wider range of models to choose from and greater flexibility in how long you keep them. Leasing an EV is ideal where a business doesn’t want capital tied up in assets and can spread operating costs over a known fixed term.
• Green loans — Many financial institutions offer green loans or special financing for businesses investing in EVs, often with lower interest rates. This can improve the TCO over the vehicle’s lifetime.

To find the best electric vehicle fit for your company, explore available options by researching different manufacturers, comparing key features such as range and charging speed, and considering total cost of ownership. Engage with suppliers to understand pricing and incentives, connect with businesses that have already integrated EVs into their operations, and participate in EV user groups on social media to gain real-world insights and advice. 

• Explore beyond the traditional automotive brands. As the EV market has developed, newer or less familiar manufacturers have entered which may offer competitive options.
• Assess the availability of maintenance and support services in the regions where you operate to ensure ease of servicing and any repairs and to maintain your vehicle warranty.
• Research market trends and sales to identify the best time to purchase and maximise cost savings. 

Helpful resources

• EVDB(external link)
• Drive electric(external link)

A transition to EVs means a change to how you keep vehicles ‘fuelled up’ and ready for business. Unlike petrol or diesel vehicles, which can refuel quickly at a gas station, EVs require charging infrastructure that aligns with your operational needs. This is where GPS data can really help with where, when, and how your vehicles will charge to ensure seamless daily use.

• Home charging — If employees take vehicles home to charge, under Worksafe guidelines you must install wall-mounted chargers with the right RCD protection. They provide higher charging speeds for overnight charging, and make it easy to calculate reimbursement for electricity costs.
• Workplace charging — Installing workplace charging stations for vehicles based at the site allows overnight charging and/or for employees to top up during the day.
• Public charging networks — Some businesses may rely partially on public charging stations. Consider setting up access to the major charging networks for longer journeys or where there may be limitations at a workplace or home. 

Read about charging workplace EVs

Wherever you store your van or truck will need to allow for charging. For electric vans, that might be at home with a smart charger or through a public charging facility. For electric truck fleets, your business may need to invest in a central depot for charging. You’ll need to factor these logistics as well as the costs of charging into your decision making.

Electric vans and trucks generally have lower weight capacity compared to their petrol or diesel counterparts, though the amount differs between models. If you often carry heavy loads, you should shop around to see which vehicle is best for you.

Testing out electric vans and trucks before you buy will give you a better idea of how they can work in your business. Some suppliers of electric vans and trucks offer demo vehicles to trial before you buy. This allows drivers the opportunity to better understand how they work, from the way they drive through to the logistics of charging.

There are calculators available to help you work out the costs of investing in electric vans and trucks for your business.

For electric vans and small trucks, the vehicle total cost of ownership calculator is the best place to start. For heavy freight, National Road Carriers (NRC) has a cost model calculator that can help.